INSPIRE MAGAZINE - 1st Edition

EDITOR’S NOTE

Shadhana Mohan

Dear readers,

It is with great pleasure to present the inaugural edition of Inspire magazine. As the founder of this publication, I am filled with excitement and gratitude to share stories of some truly remarkable individuals.

When first conceptualising this magazine, the goal was to create a platform to inspire and uplift our readers. Life can be unpredictable, and we all face our own unique challenges. However, I firmly believe that with a bit of perseverance and a positive outlook, we can overcome even the toughest of obstacles.

Last year, I experienced a personal setback in the form of a severe car accident. Although it was a tough time for me, the experience helped me realise that we are all capable of great resilience and strength, even in the face of adversity. And it is this sense of hope that we aim to inspire through the remarkable stories in this magazine.

In this edition, you will read about the inspiring individuals that we have had the privilege to connect with. From

overcoming illness, to achieving their dreams, these individuals have shown us what it truly means to persevere and not give up. I hope that their stories will inspire you to keep pushing forward, no matter what life may throw your way.

Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we hope that you enjoy reading the first edition of our magazine as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Sincerely,

Shadhana Mohan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

HOPE –Asuman Yildiz

With hope, it is never too late to be what you might have been

pg. 05

Unlocking your full potential: mastering the mindset to achieve your life’s purpose

pg. 10

My Cup Runneth Over

It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving

~ Mother Theresa

pg. 12

How grief helped me build my dream business

Grief has the power to shape our lives in unexpected ways. pg. 15

ASUMAN YILDIZ HOPE

Kindness and charity of the soul must have its place on Earth. Asuman Yildiz’s great sacrifices touched our hearts because she went beyond feeding her mind and pocket.

Asuman is a loving wife and a passionate humanitarian, committed to making a positive impact in her community and beyond. Her selfless dedication to the welfare of children and her unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of those around her make her a true inspiration.

Whilst being a mother of 5 children can be a daunting and self-absorbing

task for most women, Asuman Yildiz took it upon herself to reach out to children in need. Her 6-year experience as a dedicated foster carer helped her provide a nurturing and supportive environment for all those who came to her.  She realised there was no way to be a perfect mother but there are a million ways to be a good one and with her wealth of parenting skills and her deep love for children, she played her role as a carer to the best of her ability.

She believes that every child in this world should have a safe and loving home. However, there are some children who grow up with neither.

These children are then rescued and put with short-term families. The foster care system is a system in which an individual has the honour of loving and caring for a child who has been through an unimaginably difficult time. In Australia, there are organisations such as Barnados Australia that work tirelessly in ensuring children who are neglected or abused are placed into homes that are safe and loving. No child should be forgotten nor their plea for help be neglected.

With hope, it is never too late to be what you might have been

Today we highlight a selfless individual, one who has been a foster carer for almost 6 years now. We celebrate kindness, love and hope as we walk down memory lane remembering all of Asuman Yildiz’s contributions over the years.It is often said that God uses our greatest pain as the launching pad of our greatest calling. Asuman opens up about losing her very own father at a very young age after which she endured a very difficult life with financial struggles and feeling lost. She described feeling stuck with a sense of hopelessness. In these dark times and in grasping at straws, Asuman discovered the power of Hope. Through discovering hope, she is now - Hope for many children under less hopeful circumstances.

As love and kindness takes centre stage, we ask Asuman to shed some light on foster care and the system that protects children.

What are the qualities that make a good foster caretaker?

Asuman tells us that patience is of utmost importance as a foster parent. A deeper level of understanding is needed to process these children’s unconventional backgrounds and the reasons behind their behaviour. In being patient, you may be lucky enough to regain a child’s trust. Being patient means being repetitive until the child understands. You may need to handhold for a while until the child can walk by himself or herself. They may need to unlearn and relearn many things. Most important of all, is to be able to provide honest and unconditional love. Honest love can thaw the coldest of hearts and fix the most broken of souls.

Despite having biological children of her own, Asuman refers to these foster children as her own. She describes the most rewarding part of being a foster parent as the changes she sees within each child. “The changes in their eyes... they instantly

brighten!,” says Asuman. The changes are both physically noticeable as well as you get to witness the changes in their nature as well. When placed in a safe and loving environment, children blossom and become the best version of themselves. Asuman

What is the most rewarding part of being a foster parent?

also shared about one young boy that she cared for and how he transformed in the presence of a kind male figure (Asuman’s husband).

Separation. Asuman Yildiz explains that the foster care system acts as a short-term facility and therefore separation is inevitable. As Asuman recalls the names of the wonderful

children who have been under her care, a sense of loss fills the room. The separation from children you have raised and loved undoubtedly can weigh heavily on the heart. Asuman goes on to describe the wailing of one of her children after raising her from the age of 7 days old to a 1-year-old as a painful moment in her life. She had raised the child for over 3 years under her care till she was finally adopted. She describes this loss as a bleeding wound to date. This sort of ache stems from a place of unconditional love and a bond so very deep. Her love for her “children” pulls at your heartstrings.

How has fostering children changed you as a person?

According to Asuman, she has always dreamt of being a foster parent. In order to make this dream a reality, she had to rid herself of selfdoubt and had to develop a can-do attitude. Asuman goes on to say,” it changes you as a person when you realise that you have the ability to change a life. You develop a deeper level of selflessness when you realise it is not about you, but the child that is under your care.”

The foster care system is changing children’s lives. No child deserves to feel unsafe, unloved and most of all unworthy. If this is something that you have always wanted to do, remember Asuman Yildiz, remember that you can be Asuman Yildiz if you open your heart and fulfil your calling. May we together as a society raise children that are loved, nurtured and cared for.

Asuman left us with a personal quote that inspired all of us in the room during this interview

“You May Not Have My Eyes or Smiles, But From that First Moment You Had My Heart”

“For however long we get, there is always room at our table”

What is the biggest challenge that you faced during fostering?

Unlocking your full potential: mastering the mindset to achieve your life’s purpose

About Dr. Stephen Moss

He is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in law, psychology, and business. He has a keen interest in people and organizational psychology, and his passion for understanding what makes people tick, react, and act during times of pressure and change has helped numerous clients.

There are times in life when we may feel uncertain about where we’re headed, and it can be difficult to find our true purpose. Having a higher purpose in life can be the key to finding fulfillment, joy, and well-being. It is about finding what is meaningful to you and what drives you. It is not just about the mundane tasks of life, but rather the bigger picture. It is about finding love, service, and gratitude in our lives. It is about living with a sense of purpose and understanding our place in the world.

The first step to finding your purpose is to take a moment for self-reflection. This means asking yourself who you are, what you enjoy, and what you get energy from. Consider your personality type and your archetypal drivers in order to gain more insight into your purpose. This requires

an honest self-assessment and a willingness to explore your thoughts and feelings.

Another important concept to consider is “flow.” Flow is a state of mind where you are completely engaged in an activity. It is often a great way to discover your passions and purpose. Imagine you’re a painter working on a masterpiece. As you stand in front of your canvas, your mind becomes entirely absorbed in the act of painting. Your brushstrokes flow effortlessly, each one building upon the last. You lose track of time, and before you know it, hours have passed. You are completely immersed in the process, unaware of any distractions or outside influences. This is the state of flow - a state of mind where you are completely engaged in an activity and your skills and focus are perfectly matched to the task at hand. It’s a feeling of complete concentration and immersion in the present moment, and it’s often described as a peak experience of joy and fulfillment.

To achieve your purpose, you need to cultivate the right mindset. This means adopting a positive attitude, focusing on your strengths, and believing in yourself. You must be willing to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. It’s important to understand that failure is a part of the journey, and it’s not a reflection of your worth or abilities. Instead, see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

In addition to adopting the right mindset, it’s important to take action. You need to set goals and develop a plan to achieve them. This requires discipline, dedication, and perseverance. It’s important to stay focused on your purpose and not let distractions or setbacks derail you from your path. Surrounding yourself with supportive and encouraging people can also be helpful in staying motivated and on track.

In summary, finding your purpose is a journey that requires selfreflection, exploring your passions, and developing the right mindset. It’s about finding what is meaningful to you and what drives you, and then taking action to achieve it. By adopting a positive attitude, focusing on your strengths, and believing in yourself, you can achieve your purpose and live a fulfilling and meaningful life. Remember, your purpose may change and evolve over time, and that’s okay. The most important thing is to stay true to yourself and stay committed to your journey.

My Cup Runneth Over

Although the Latin root of the word generous means ‘of noble birth’, generosity is by no means limited to people in power or those with abundance of wealth. This act of giving is especially admirable when there are no expectations of receiving anything in return. Paranjyothi is one such selfless individual who understood the essence of truly giving. She began by sacrificing her holidays to spend her time, energy and money on serving others. Personal gain has never been a motivating factor for her. It is indeed an eye opener to catch a glimpse of this remarkable being and envisage her contributions to society.

While a holiday could prove to be fun after retirement, Paranjyothi was convinced that directing her resources towards giving back to her community would be revitalising and energising besides it would serve to make the world a better place. Having been bestowed with a varied and

successful career - working in fields such as lecturing, engineering and entrepreneurship, she still felt the need to do that little extra something for her soul. Her greatest passion has always been to help others. Her deep sense of empathy and desire to uplift as many lives as she can, took a strong hold on her.

After retiring from her professional career, Paranjyothi became a community volunteer, dedicating her time and resources to helping vulnerable women and children. She firmly believed that women are essential at every level to transform the dynamics, ensuring their voices are acknowledged, valued, and not disregarded, dismissed, or suppressed. Children on the other hand are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future and helping them face challenges became her mission. She was committed to making a difference in their lives.

It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving

Mother Theresa

She recognized that children may not listen well, but they learn by imitation, so the best approach was to be around them. How can she effectively handle the situation?She decided to adopt 12 students and indirectly supported their education. These students spent a lot of time at her house and would go home mostly just to sleep. As Nelson Mandela has observed, ‘There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.’ Paranjyothi adhered to this principle and made it her personal goal in life.

Through the Change Agent Fellowship, Paranjyothi was able to have better access to effectively reduce the number of school dropouts. She could now motivate them better to pursue their dreams with confidence. She went out of her way to visit these students’ homes to convince parents to realise the value of a good education and the need to teach them how to think and not what to think.  As a result,

a few bright students who exhibited academic excellence also received financial assistance from Paranjyothi herself as it was clear to her that children are likely to live up to what you believe of them. She walked with this faith.

Her reward was their academic success and this motivated Paranjyothi to start her own “Kusama Jyothi” trust in 2017. As teaching is a calling and teachers are likened to holy angels leading their flocks out of darkness, she spent 9 years doing just that and inevitably she quickly became their favourite teacher. Her students too realised that better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher. She connected with them and created a strong long-lasting bond. This further ignited her passion to mould and guide more students.

It is a truism that one book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world and so in 2010, Paranjyothi began teaching English and other subjects in local government schools. She had been observing that children were dropping out of school for various reasons and most of these children did not advance beyond high school. This situation was upsetting and she felt a need to address this issue.

Although her plate was full, the sky was the limit as Paranjyothi tried on yet another hat. One that was perhaps not as conventional but inspiring, nonetheless. Paranjyothi produced a short film named ‘Munnudi’ to highlight the reasons behind the issue of school dropouts. It held a cure for the problem as well. The movie highlights the importance of education and how education is the foundation towards a better future and it simply depicts how it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

With a heart that is larger than life, Paranjyothi’s charity of the spirit is borderless. She pioneered a project where silk sarees were used to produce beautiful lehengas and blouses to be donated to poor girls. This project was inaugurated at the Gowri festival in the form of ‘Bhagina’ where she stitched dresses for 50 young girls. This project is ongoing with the continued support of like-minded people

from all across the country who have come forward to donate sarees towards this cause.

The richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who gives the most. Paranjyothi is the epitome of that. Her leadership quality and selflessness have no boundaries. She is truly inspirational as she touches and changes lives of diverse people. She has us believe that, helping one person may not change the world but it could change the world for one person. Her light shines as an inspiration to humanity and she exemplifies that sometimes miracles are just good people with kind hearts.  She may have missed many fun-filled holidays but she has become the reason why people still believe that that is still some goodness left in this world. Her noble acts remind us to never stop loving people as that is the only fight worth fighting for.

They say small acts of creativity can have huge consequences and ordinary people can do extraordinary things if they can see opportunities in front of them and Paranjyothi was no ordinary person.

How grief helped me build my dream business

Grief has the power to shape our lives in unexpected ways.

Dean had always been passionate about science and research. He pursued his academic career in the field of clinical research and had been working on various projects related to health and wellness. However, everything changed when his brother passed away due to type one diabetes. Dean’s mom, who had always been a source of inspiration for him, urged him to find a cure for his brother’s condition. But when his brother died, Dean felt like he had failed his mother.

The grief of losing his brother was compounded by the loss of his

mother soon after. While giving her eulogy, Dean realized that his mother’s vision for him was not just to find a cure for his brother but to help people from his own community and beyond. She had always been passionate about giving back to her Filipino heritage, and Dean knew he had to honor her legacy.

Using his scientific and clinical research experience, Dean started his own company that focused on weight loss and lifestyle education programs. He believed that nutrition played a crucial role in achieving overall wellness, both physically and mentally. With his mother’s words and his brother’s memory as his driving force, Dean’s mission was to help people understand the importance of nutrition in achieving their goals.

Dean’s company, Simplr Health provides personalized weight loss and wellness plans for individuals, with a strong focus on education and lifestyle changes. He also made it a priority to help people from his own heritage and beyond, to create awareness about the importance of healthy eating habits.

Since inception, Dean’s business started to grow, and he was able to make a difference in the lives of many people. His success was not only due to his scientific knowledge but also his compassion and empathy towards his clients.

Dean’s journey from grief to creating a successful business that helps people achieve their wellness goals is an inspiring story. It shows that even in the face of adversity, we can find a way to honor the legacy of our loved ones and make a positive impact in the world.

Inspire’s top 6 books

DECLUTTER YOUR MIND

GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY

MAKE YOUR BED

START WITH WHY

Simon Sinek

ATOMIC HABITS

James Clear

DISCOVER YOUR DESTINY

Robin Sharma

S. J. Scott & Barrie Davenport

Dr. Mark Goulston & Co-Author Philip Goldberg

William H. McRaven

Gratitude board

Dear Reddy,

Thank you for being a friend to me, it means the world to me. Thank you Reddy, by the way, the Capital of Australia is Canberra.

To send a gratitude message to someone in our next issue, drop a note to shadhana.mohan@ inspire360degrees.com

Dear Cecilia,

Thank you for being the rock of our family and sacrificing so much to give our children the love and care they deserve, I am forever grateful for you.

Dear Rema,

Thank you Mum for always showing me the good in the world and displaying how a positive outlook can change our lives!

Dear Jeevi, The Gentle Giant.. literally in every way, though appear soft, you have stood like a rock to support me always! Thanks for being my true friend. Love you buddy!

Dear Sithra, Thank you for being one of my pillar of strengths throughout my recovery, love you!

Dear Ruban,

Thank you for guiding and inspiring me to reach new heights in my career - I couldn’t have done it without you!

Dear Lekha, Wonderful friends make wonderful days and unforgettable memories, here’s to you Lekha, because of you I laugh a little harder, cry a little less and smile a lot more.

Dear Karu, Through tough times, you stood by me since I arrived in Sydney 15 years ago. Thank you!

Dear Shadhana,

Your inspiring presence as a woman has been truly appreciated. Your unwavering strength and determination in pursuing your goals, despite facing challenges, is truly remarkable.