Becoming a Superhero to Save the World

I will continue to show up to impact more lives, for both women and men, because everyone deserves to be happy.

If only we knew what is possible when we incorporate our limitless impact and infuse it with the knowledge we have accumulated, the impact would be more than we will ever know!

My studies and experiences in the humanities have fueled my desire to inspire and motivate low-esteem individuals, as I have seen firsthand what happens when one interacts with this individual. It ignites something within them; their life will be different from that moment.

I can only credit my comfort in standing alongside anyone regardless of status, genre, wealth, or even age to growing up in a household where genre wasn’t an award. I will also never let someone younger feel inferior when I work with them.

We all have strengths and weaknesses, and we all deserve the opportunity to show up, explore, serve, and evolve when we do it with the intention of helping others on their journey. It’s also important to keep challenging these untruthful perceptions on an unvarying basis, because some of them may be rooted in your subconscious mind.

Logically, you may know that there’s nothing holding you back, but then you still find yourself hesitating or procrastinating. If you keep challenging your limiting perceptions and you take action despite them, they’ll begin to fade away and eventually disappear. You’ll have convinced yourself that they’re not true after all.

Now that you’re starting to transform your perceptions of limits, you’re in a much better position to begin taking focused action.

The question is: what kind of action should you take? All of the richest and most successful people in the world have one thing in common: they found a way to contribute value to the world and are rewarded well for their efforts.

How to overcome limiting beliefs

To get rid of limiting beliefs, you have to teach yourself to think without limits and turn away from anything that keeps you from focusing on your well-being.

You have to stop obsessing over the challenges and problems in your life. A good rule is: do what you can to improve the current situation, then immediately move on to more positive pursuits.

Refuse to wallow in setbacks; avoid spending hours a day lamenting what you don't have; and don't talk yourself out of taking action because you might fail. Be proactive and precise in focused on where you wantB your actions and keep to be, not where you don’t want to be.

Only you have the ability to change limiting beliefs, and you can do so at any time. The world can become full of options, opportunities, and possibilities with an improved level of selfawareness and an obligation to overcome your own limiting beliefs.

GOODWILL EMISSARY

An active volunteer with his recent role of Chief Executive officer of Global youth mental health awareness NFP, World Humanitarian Network – World Ambassador, Former Country Director at Global Goodwill Ambassadors Foundation -Youth Mentor, African artists Peace Initiatives Ambassador, Former Country Director at International Youth Parliament, Former Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) board of Directors, Former Regional Adviser for the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Member at the Royal Society of Victoria.

Creating Global Impact

AND THINKING LIMITLESSLY

by Dee Russell-Thomas

Dee Russell-Thomas began her career as a teacher. Her first-degree thesis was entitled, “The Power of The Pupil” . She returned to university to study Social Anthropology and later completed research on “The impact of endogenous and exogenous depression and suicide” . Her Master’s degree from Bristol University had a counseling focus and was on eating disorders and self-harm.

Subsequent pre doctorate studies looked into “Breaking the Silence” – an in-depth study into how schools might facilitate opportunities for their students to disclose abuse. She began her career as a teacher before moving into the area of race equality and diversity and becoming the head of service for the county, overseeing primary and secondary English as an additional language advisory work, African- Caribbean achievement, Traveller Education and supporting Asylum Seekers and their families. She moved into Ofsted inspecting and for the latter part of her life has been a director of an educational consultancy, an international inspector and an advisor.

She has also been a youth worker, a Justice of the Peace (magistrate), Samaritan volunteer, Chair of the Parish Council, Trustee of the British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy and Director of the African Caribbean Association.

She has been appointed by Queen Elizabeth II as a Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire and recently held proclamations for King Charles III and visited the Queen lying in state. She is a director and Board member of the Global Goodwill Ambassadors and is also the GGAF Chair of Child Welfare and a trustee of The My Body is My Body child protection charitable organization. She is blessed with a husband, three children and four grandchildren. During lockdown she initiated a programme called “The Twelve Months of Kindness” and collated examples of supporting and encouraging others.

These were then compiled into a book and she has also adapted this into a certified training course. She continues to engage in voluntary work with refugees, is an NHS responder for those who might need support during these testing times and she is a vaccination steward.

In her spare time, she writes poetry, is a member of the “SheSpoke “and the “New Bohemians “poetry groups and also sings in a “Rock Choir'' organization. She is currently working in the Middle East and in November will be engaged in further educational and vocational activities in Malawi.

This is her philosophy on life, making a difference, self- acceptance, learning to believe and to make the changes we need to see.

A life of learning…and what I would like to share with others.!

When I was a young child, I lacked confidence and used my humor to cover fear and rejection. As I progressed through schooling, my wit kept me and those around me on their wits. A quick retort, a funny facial expression was my salvation. If I could encourage people to laugh WITH me then I would minimize the fear of them laughing AT me. I guess it served me well but it was also at a cost.

I had not been the most studious and as a middle child of five I was enveloped with high achieving siblings. I focussed on gaining qualifications in friendships but, my façade meant trust was not at a premium.

Later, I obtained the qualifications that, to some, looked impressive on paper. Later, I obtained the qualifications that, to some, looked impressive on paper. I had a steady career and traveled to many countries. Each year I would take additional qualifications, I discovered a love of learning … on MY terms.

I chose the courses, I worked hard and I gained certificates. At school my learning had been a means to an end, but now the end of the course is never important… The whole process of gaining knowledge with a view to applying it is what really matters to me.

I discovered that whilst I might often feel inadequate and a first-class graduate of the imposter syndrome, around me there are always many more who are far less fortunate.

My early career pathway took a swerve and I have spent a life-time supporting the disadvantaged, the unheard, the vulnerable and those facing any form of prejudice and oppression.

Don’t get me wrong, I am neither a hero nor a saint.

I have chosen this work, this life-style because it suits my moral-compass, it gives me pleasure to know someone has benefitted and it actually makes me a happier, healthier, more balanced person.

I have been blessed and rewarded through my interaction with people who have taught me more than I was ever able to impart to them. As a counsellor, an educationalist, a mentor and a consultant I have worked with children who have been whisked away from their homeland, families who have suffered untold traumas, boys who have been forced to kill their own family members and women who have suffered degradation, rape and physical violence. In the safehouses and refuges, victims hid in fear and despair; in Cambodia I walked over the bones of those who had died during the reign of Pol Pot and in Africa I witnessed the injustices of apartheid and the brutal FGM ceremonies. So, what have I gained from this life of learning that I might pass on to the next generation, to my own children and to my grand-children? I have learnt that we are all part of one race… the human race.

That no-one is superior to another and that we all have a precious place on this land and each of us deserves a small piece of it in which to thrive. I have learnt that being kind is not always easy but being unkind takes even more effort. As a Samaritan I learnt the art of reflective listening (we have two ears and one mouth… maybe a sign for us to listen twice as much as we talk!).

My refugee and asylum-seeking students, now dear friends, have shown me the power of hope and belief that things can always improve even when faced with dreadful atrocities and bereavements.

My Romany Gypsy and Traveller families have highlighted the impact of stigma, prejudice and stereo-typing which is just as unacceptable as any form of racism in our society and yet with far less lawful protection.

The children who have disclosed abuse have shown me the true meaning of fear, isolation and bravery. My dear friends Professor Terrence Roberts, one of the original Arkansas Little Rock Nine and Leon Greenman, a survivor of Auschwitz were my living examples of true resilience.

To be selected as the only white director with the African Caribbean community was a humbling privilege and a learning curve of immense magnitude -one for which I shall always be grateful.

Indeed, working with the diverse ethnic community groups, the refugees, the women’s support groups and vulnerable young people has been challenging, enlightening and deeply rewarding. Yes, as can be seen, I have learnt far more than I taught! Of course, this is only a small facet of my life but I hope I have shared enough to indicate the essence of my values.

Our lives can be insular, comfortable and safe or, we can choose to spread our wings, re-focus our inner doubts, our self-absorbed fears and take a leap of faith.

We can reach out to the many around us who would welcome a helping hand, a kindly word, a positive action, an organized initiative or even just being in receipt of a free smile. After years of living, experiencing and gaining knowledge,

I too am learning to accept myself and am eager for others to do the same. I am still a work in progress! Aren’t we all?

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. can't help them, at least don't hurt them. ”O And if you Dalai Lama