Courage

As we come to the close of 2025, I find myself reflecting with gratitude for the year that has been. Like many of us, I entered the year with a word to guide me – Creation. An invitation to create internal space to allow all parts of myself to coexist. Creativity, fear, love, and more. I didn’t know then how deeply life would invite me to live that word. Professionally, 2025 was a year of commitment and integration. I graduated from a world-class coaching school in London, stepped deeper into facilitation and coaching work, became the first Bangalore-based certified B❒X® Facilitator, and continued long-term engagements with leaders willing to step into their highest potential and power. At one point in the year, the rhythm of my life changed. A diagnosis (TGN) asked me to slow down. Frightening at first, then quietly transformative. I made a declaration to heal without surgery, and what followed was a year of patience, presence, trust, and invaluable support. What emerged, clarified what truly matters to me. Health. Rest without guilt. Meaningful conversations. Movement, Travel, love, community, and deep connection. I also discovered ROMO, the Relief Of Missing Out. And finally, there are moments in life that deserve to be celebrated with the people who really matter. A few weeks ago, I chose to celebrate my Road to 60 – a milestone made even more special with my daughter, Samah, my mom, and the people who have walked alongside me through the years. It felt like a full-circle moment, a deep bow to life in all its shades. I am deeply grateful for this life. And for having shared parts of it with you. Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting.  www.coachfarah.com

A few days ago, I had a coaching session with a professional speaker and coach – someone who has spent a lifetime inspiring others to play big. This time, it wasn’t about performance. It was about possibility. We played a game. The rules were simple: Step into your future and stay there. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Be unreasonable with your vision. We explored the question: “It’s July 2026. Everything you’ve dreamed of has already happened. What are you celebrating?” And what unfolded was nothing short of magic. He began slowly… then, shared vivid images of the future with unmistakable clarity. It was bold, and deeply personal. Then he looked up and said: “Just speaking this out loud… I already feel like that version of me.” In that moment, nothing in his external world had shifted. But everything inside him had. From uncertainty to clarity. From limitation to limitless possibility. As Dan Sullivan says, “When people describe their desired future, they immediately experience the emotional benefits of being changed.” You don’t need a perfect plan. You need a courageous conversation. One that helps you remember who you are… and where you’re going. So let me ask you: If we were talking a year from now… what would you be celebrating? Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting.  www.coachfarah.com

You don’t live life in years, months, or even days. You live it in moments – about 20,000 of them, every single day. According to Nobel Prize-winning scientist, Daniel Kahneman, humans experience about 20,000 moments in a waking day – each one lasting roughly 3 seconds. But what is a “moment,” exactly? Interestingly, the word moment comes from medieval times, when a momentum was a unit of time… lasting 90 seconds. Somewhere along the way, our definition shifted – and yet, the meaning stayed the same: A moment is simply a sliver of time. Short. Fleeting. Precious. The question is: what are we doing with the ones we get? Are we waiting for the “big moments”? Or are we savoring the 20,000 small ones that actually make up our lives? Here’s the thing: we don’t have to wait for the perfect moment to begin. Starting doesn’t mean having it all figured out. It means taking one small step forward. Because once you begin… the rest unfolds. Moments stack. One after another. And before you know it, you’re in motion. As Dr. David Drake, Founder of Narrative Coaching, beautifully says, “Our curriculum is this moment.” Not tomorrow. Not someday. Not when it’s perfect. But this moment – raw, real, alive. Today, I’m choosing to notice the small ones – the burst of green in my vegetable garden, a beautiful gesture from a friend, the view from my bedroom, the energy and joy after a morning workout. Because stacked together, these little moments create the life I want. Over to you… Which of your 20,000 moments today has brought you the most joy? Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting.  www.coachfarah.com

Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life forever. – Amy Poehler My 10k charity run at the Wipro Bengaluru Marathon was exactly that. I’ve been part of Runnershigh, an incredibly supportive running club – for over a year now. My fitness journey has been filled with fun, crazy family vibes, and the guidance of coaches who bring discipline, heart and focus. I was thrilled to get a late entry into the 10k charity run. I had been preparing with my RH coaches for months. I had taken a short break from training to recover from a fever. On race morning, I questioned my fitness and wondered if I’d be able to run & achieve my goal. Here’s what helped me: How I began: I reminded myself that one tough week of being unwell didn’t erase months of preparation. My training was already in me. What I was telling myself: Throughout the run I kept repeating: I can do it. I am unstoppable. I am boringly consistent. I believe that my language shaped the run. How I decided to enjoy it: I put away my phone. No photos on the route. I wanted to savour the moments, be inspired by others along the way, and to support others. What I realised: While it looked like a solo effort, every step was fuelled by the community, the support crew, my coaches, my running buddy, words of encouragement from my family, and the shared wisdom of my tribe. The truth this run reinforced for me, we’re more capable than we think. We are not meant to do this thing called life alone. Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting.  www.coachfarah.com