Thanh Bui, who is Agile Delivery Lead at Insignia Financial in Melbourne, put this post on his social media after the last Life Matters workshop in November. It gives a full and personal insight into the impact Life Matters can have:
‘You don’t need to go far to find things; if you wait long enough, things will come to you.‘
Many years ago, I heard this saying in The Garfield Movie and loved it, though I didn’t fully understand why.
On the morning of 16 November 2024, after having attended the Life Matters Workshop at Armagh, I spent an hour sitting quietly in my garden, reflecting on the experience. The two key themes of the workshop Inner Wisdom and Quiet Time lingered in my mind, prompting me to explore their true meaning.
Does wisdom require silence to reveal itself? I came to realise that wisdom is always present, but it only speaks to us when we are truly ready to listen—when we can let go of preconceived ideas, knowledge, and the barriers we build: judgements, worries, plans, calculations. Quiet Time, I discovered, is one way to prepare ourselves for this “ready-to-listen” state.
As parents, we often hold wisdom we want to share with our kids. Yet, how often are our children truly ready to listen? Unlike inner wisdom, which patiently waits for us to reach that “ready-to-listen” state, parents may grow impatient, stopping their efforts or missing the right moments to connect.
Why Is Wisdom Important?
The value of wisdom is something we each must discover for ourselves—it’s both simple and challenging to grasp. For those seeking to accelerate this journey, the Life Matters Workshop hosted by Initiatives of Change Australia is an unparalleled opportunity. In just three days, you’ll learn how to reach the “ready-to-listen” state and experience the profound joy of accessing and applying your inner wisdom. Having attended numerous training programs over the past 25 years, I can confidently say that LM offers a transformative perspective unlike any other. It felt like activating DRS in Formula 1—a powerful shift that has stayed with me. If someone were to ask which training could most improve their life, I’d recommend LM without hesitation. It is the best value for the investment.
What is Life Matters?
Life Matters is a three-day, immersive, on-site training course organised by IofCA. Each day runs from 8 AM to 10 PM and is filled with engaging sessions and activities. With approximately 20 participants from diverse ages and backgrounds, 10 facilitators, and additional support staff, the workshop creates an intimate, supportive, and deeply engaging environment. Remarkably, the cost of the workshop is very affordable.
What did I learn?
LM taught me how to connect deeply with myself, others, and nature. This connection empowers me to uncover effective solutions and take meaningful action to address challenges from the past, present, and future. The program offers simple yet profound steps:
- Allocate Time: Dedicate 30–60 minutes regularly to this practice.
- Prepare to Listen: Create a quiet environment, focus on being present, and relax. Quiet time allows our inner wisdom to emerge—just as great ideas often surface during a shower.
- Seek Inner Wisdom: Reflect on questions such as:
- What have I done that I should not have? What can I do to amend it?
- What do I wish to do but haven’t yet? What can I do to make it happen?
- Share and Listen: Spend quiet time with others, sharing personal stories and listening deeply to theirs with an open heart, free of judgement and full of gratitude. This practice allows us to hear the wisdom flowing from others, fostering trust and building strong, meaningful connections.
- Write Down Actionable Steps: Translate reflections into specific, achievable actions.
- Take Action: Follow through to create meaningful change.
Some Personal Reflections
Before attending LM, I believed that building meaningful connections required significant effort and time—or might never happen at all. LM shattered that belief. In just three days, I formed deep, authentic connections with 30 strangers—a profound and unprecedented experience for me.
LM also transformed my relationship with art. I had always seen art as distant and inaccessible. Through the workshop, I realised art is a powerful storytelling tool, a way for wisdom to communicate beyond spoken words. In just 30 minutes, I created three drawings that reflected my inner state. I even found the joy and courage to sing a song without music in front of an audience—something I’d never done before.
One of the most powerful moments came during a quiet session with my family after LM. Reflecting on my relationship with my late mother, I realised there were things I should have done—or avoided doing—for her. Though I cannot change the past, I can honour her memory by improving my relationship with my sister. This insight inspired me to write and share my story with her. Despite living in different countries, we’ve now committed to regular Zoom catch ups to strengthen our bond—a step I believe would have made my mother proud.
Conclusion
‘You don’t need to go far to find wisdom; wisdom will find you when you are ready to listen.‘
LM taught me that deep listening is a simple yet transformative tool for self-healing and building meaningful connections—with people, nature, and the universe. This newfound ability has already brought positive changes to my life, and I look forward to sharing more of these stories in the future.
If you’ve been longing to make meaningful changes in your life but haven’t taken the first step, LM provides the perfect starting point—a simple yet powerful journey toward transformation.