Angela Derks

30/09/2026

Luis Miguel Gallardo, Founder and President of the World Happiness Foundation shared their valuable insights, perspectives and expertise in today's Wellness Moonshot Leadership Series, presented by the Global Wellness Institute. Luis' thoughtful conversation and commitment to advancing global wellbeing included concepts such as Purpose, Shame, Peace and Connection (with self, others and environment).

The data that has been obtained in the research to track pain, suffering and trauma, as barriers to happiness and wellbeing, can provide insights that are useful considerations for the individual and collective dimensions and pillars for sustainable workplace wellbeing.

You can explore the Interactive Global Pain and Trauma Map at
https://www.worldhappiness.foundation/global-pain-trauma-map

21/09/2026

Here's a humorous take on how reviews, bureaucracy and paperwork can eat in to what matters most for enabling people and organisations to perform sustainably.

I'd love to hear thoughts from all our the workplace wellbeing and performance leaders 🌿

16/05/2026

Thoughtful building design framework for wellbeing and human sustainability🌿

15/05/2026

MensLine is a free phone and online counselling service for men, available any time of the day or night. Whether you're going through a relationship breakdown, work stress, mental health challenges, or something you're not sure how to name, our trained counsellors are here to talk it through. No referral needed.

Call 1300 78 99 78 or chat online https://mensline.org.au/

14/05/2026

HOW CAN I BE HAPPY WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH WRONG IN THE WORLD?
A mindful answer by a buddhist monk:

A man once asked an old Buddhist monk:

“How can I allow myself to feel peace or happiness when the world is full of suffering, injustice, pain, and chaos?”

The monk looked at him quietly and asked:

“If your house was dark…
would you refuse to light a candle
because the whole world is not yet bright?”

The man stood silent.

The monk continued:

“The suffering of the world is real.
But if you destroy your own peace completely,
you only create one more exhausted and hopeless human being.”

The man replied,
“But isn’t being happy selfish when others are suffering?”

The monk smiled gently.

“A drowning person cannot save another drowning person.
Peaceful people heal more than broken people consumed by despair.”

Then the monk pointed to a pond nearby.

“When the water is disturbed, it cannot reflect clearly.
But when it becomes still, everything becomes visible.”

He looked back at the man and said:

“The same is true for the mind.
A restless mind reacts with fear, anger, and hopelessness.
A peaceful mind responds with wisdom, compassion, and clarity.”

The man lowered his head and whispered,
“But the world still feels so heavy.”

The monk nodded.

“Yes.
And that is why your peace matters even more.”

Then he added softly:

“Do not carry the pain of the entire world in one heart.
Instead…

Be kind where you are.
Help where you can.
Speak gently.
Reduce suffering around you, even in small ways.

A single candle cannot remove all darkness…
but it still changes the room it enters.”

In Buddhism, happiness is not ignoring suffering.
It is learning how to remain compassionate
without letting the suffering of the world destroy your spirit completely.

The monk smiled one last time and said:

“Protect your inner peace.
The world needs more calm hearts, not more broken minds.”

The same concept applies in our workplaces.🌿

07/05/2026

A great take Safe Work Australia on psychosocial hazards that can impact negatively on our people's wellbeing, such as Miranda's leadership practices!

23/02/2026

A great article from Agenda for strategy and policy makers highlighting Australia's looming crisis in workforce sustainability, equality, productivity and national resilience.

Australia’s sandwich generation - overwhelmingly women aged 45–65 - is quietly sustaining a $77.9 billion unpaid care economy.

05/02/2026

Let’s go.

For the next two hours, I’m working with a group of higher education leaders, sharing Mental Health Fundamentals through the ASWA C.A.R.E. model.

These leaders care deeply about their people — and at the same time, they’re overloaded, time-poor, and carrying competing priorities. Good intent alone isn’t enough anymore.

Shifting the needle on mental health requires practical capability, shared language, and simple frameworks that fit into real leadership contexts — not more to-do lists.

This is one core component of a comprehensive employee wellbeing strategy: building confidence and competence so leaders can care well, sustainably, and without burning themselves out in the process.🌿

31/01/2026

Upcoming Conference Option 🌿

Frontline community, a gentle reminder that Early Bird registrations close tonight.

FMHC26 brings together more than 400 people across emergency services, defence, health, and lived experience for two days of shared learning, honest conversations, and time to reconnect with what sustains this work.

If this space feels like it’s meant for you, you’re welcome to join us:
👉 https://ap1.hubs.ly/y0tPb60

22/01/2026

Spending time with the team at Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital is genuinely heart-filling.

The care shown—to injured and vulnerable wildlife, and to one another—runs deep. This work can be emotionally demanding, which is why it’s so encouraging to see the hospital investing in mental health and wellbeing training (made possible through a secured grant) to support their volunteers and ensure no one carries the load alone.

Caring for the carers really matters, and this team truly understands that.
Australasian Sustainable Wellness Academy