Hi Reader,

I hope 2026 started wonderfully for you. Over the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to explore new, exciting destinations, connecting deeper with family and with nature in its simplest form, the desert.

There is something so pure and distilled about the desert that is pulling me to immerse myself in it every year. In the last few weeks, I had the opportunity to be in the Saudi Desert and in the Negev Desert of southern Israel. The naked desert is empty of mind distractions; it's a place where the inner voice is amplified. The desert is not a wasteland; it is a cathedral of exposure, and the light becomes a sculptor. It does not just fall upon the dunes and rocks; it defines them. Every grain of sand is a testament to time, polished by the wind until only the hardest, truest core remains. It is a place where the horizon isn't a boundary, but a promise of infinite space and waves of earth caught in a slow-motion dance with the sky. There is a rhythm here that doesn't belong to clocks, but to the slow erosion of stone and the shifting of shadows. It is a place that feels "finished"—as if nature has finally said everything it needed to say. The effect is like a bath for the soul, and internal clarity that can not be achieved elsewhere. I would highly recommend everyone who can to spend a few days in the desert every year.

After recent travels through the Middle East, I’m now preparing for my next adventure this June, heading to the mountains of Morocco. From desert cities to highland landscapes, each place offers its own lessons in resilience and beauty, and I’m excited to share what unfolds next. If you are intrigued to discover more about the personal development journey I design and lead in iDiscover please feel free to book a discovery call.

Something To Explore

Your Seed of Intent for the Coming Year

After speaking about space, let's talk about time. In the coming days and weeks, the Chinese calendar and culture will signify the new year, and the Jewish calendar will mark Tu BiShvat, the Jewish New Year for Trees. Interestingly, there is a direct calendar overlap. The Jewish holiday of Tu BiShvat (the "New Year for Trees") usually falls very close to the Chinese New Year. Both cultures recognise that this time of the year, although on the surface, winter is dominating, the internal spring is starting to show its first signs underground. In Chinese agricultural tradition, this time of year is described as the earth's energy (Qi) beginning to move upward. Even if the ground is frozen, farmers believe the "breath" of the earth is warming. The seeds aren't growing visible leaves yet, but they are absorbing moisture and swelling. This is why the New Year is celebrated now: it honours the "hidden life" before it becomes visible.
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On the surface, the Almond trees are the early birds of nature, giving a hint of what is about to come. Something great is cooking underground. The Almond Tree is the central symbol of this holiday in both cultures, because it is the first tree to wake up from its winter sleep. In many cultures, the almond tree is known as the "Watchful Tree" or the "Awakener." The Timing: Just like the Chinese "Start of Spring" the almond tree is often the very first tree to bloom, sometimes as early as late January or early February. The Connection: It serves the same purpose as the Plum Blossom in the East—it is a "scout" that proves life has survived the winter. When you see an almond tree bloom, you know the "seeds" have successfully woken up.

Nature works in mysterious ways, but embodies the simplest truths. Some human cultures translated it for an opportunity to start something fresh by "Planting Intentions" Just as the seeds are preparing to break through the soil, the Chinese New Year is the time for people to "plant" their intentions. Red Envelopes, Giving money is like providing "nutrients" to the younger generation to help them grow. In the Jewish tradition, it is celebrated by planting trees. So, although everything looks very depressing on the surface and winter is at its peak, we are reminded that deep down, a new beginning is already emerging.

This is the perfect time to plant a seed of pure intent for this year. I invite you to choose one word that you will carry with you for the rest of the year, which will represent the energy of growth you want to bring for this year.

Example for words of Intent: Lighter/Joyfulness/Discipline/Structure/Priorities

Something To Reflect On

A Short Read from Albert Camus

Questions to ask ourselves: Am I making choices because they are fertile ground for my growth, or am I just trying to keep the dust from stirring? What is the one truth about myself that I am most afraid to say out loud in the silence? In my quiet moments, am I actually with myself, or am I just waiting for someone else’s voice to tell me who to be?

Something To Experience

iDiscover Core Morocco

Albert Camus wrote that the desert is not empty, but full of presence—stripping life back to what is essential. This is exactly why the Atlas Mountains in Morocco are the perfect setting for iDiscover Core Morocco (11–15 June). Surrounded by mountains and desert, far from daily distractions, participants enter a focused and immersive environment for deep personal and professional development.

Over five days, the Core Programme combines structured learning, coaching, and experiential practice to support participants in clarifying values, integrating the past, and shaping their future vision. In this quiet and powerful landscape, presence becomes tangible—making Core not just a programme, but a transformative experience.

For more and to register your interest, click below.

Upcoming Programmes

Core London 5-8 Feb 2026 - Full - Waitlist 7-10 May 2026 - Open for registration More info

Core Morocco 11- 15 June 2026 - Open for registration More info