I am fearless. I am a Pacific woman in my 50's, juggling career goals, personal dreams and raising the tail end of five children. Currently Auckland-based, I have spent the last two decades living and working in all corners of our audacious Moana nui, and am looking at a phase of post COVID renewal, rediscovery, and next-levelness!
I am fearless, and love that this #IAMFEARLESS opportunity allows me the space to reflect on and respect the va between my inner values and my outer identity. More than what we say, how we sound, look and present, and whether we voice it or not, speaks far more about who we are than we know. As a journalist, a media creative, and development thinker, the non-verbal cues of self-talk/thought, and our relationships with our bodies are often a journey of healing for so many women, because our bodies and identities are so often built for us, rather than by us.
I am fearless, knowing that journey towards becoming must also embrace the fearsome, the slivers of the fearful, the moments of doubt. It's called doing life, and my fearless word for anyone who needs it, is to be. Still. To hold yourself in your own space. To listen and turn your love inwards. To accept and know that sometimes, just breathing is enough. Often the universe kicks in, enfolding you and encouraging you to peer through the pain and find those people sent to awhi and hold you in your space, through your tears and trauma. It's going to surprise and delight you. It’s going to scare and astound you. There are going to be challenges and realities, moments of sheer joy and WTFness, where the self-talk of It's OK. You've got this. You can do this--is all that's needed.
I am fearless, and I know that sometimes I am not. And that's OK.
As a journalist picking up some of the finest and darkest threads of our Pacific story, I have been so privileged and blessed to know what pays my bills is also what fills my heart. To be entrusted with capturing the stories and moments of the awesome diversity and breadth of our ocean continent, and our blue planet. As a feminist, a woman of faith, a Pacific citizen and mother, I feel so blessed to be a part of a time and place in our history where we can share our Ocean calling, our mana moana, our Pacific way.
When we come to it
We must confess that we are the possible
We are the miraculous, the true wonder of this world.
That is when, and only when
We come to it.
- Maya Angelou, A Brave and Startling Truth.
I am fearless, a trauma and violence survivor healing from the wounds of gaslighting, narcissism, physical and emotional abuse which I have flipped to provide the insights, healing and milestones of life with PTSD, I have reached a moment in my journey where I can lean in, ask my everyday broken bits what they need from me to be better- even if only for a small while. I am brave enough to love being captivated by the taste of air, the sound of laughter, to be driven to tears by the moon, to travel through time and space via songs, smells, memories, and words, I laugh with delight and appreciation in every day, through every challenge and blessing. I honour the stories of fellow abuse survivors as much as I honour those who did not make it.
I am fearless. I am coming into my own brave and startling truth. I am becoming.
Tena koe, teia au. Turou, Avaiki!
Blog written by: Lisa
The #IAMFEARLESS campaign was run by Studio81 as a way to encourage women from all walks of life to kickstart, inspire, and/or motivate any upcoming goals they had, to share a part of their life's journey, and to impart any wisdoms learned along the way.