Reflections: A Wonderful Stroke of Luck

I posted the original version of this article on my professional LinkedIn account at the beginning of last year, and although I don’t usually post the same material on here, I really felt it held an important message that wanted to share. So here is an updated personal reflection on the truth to the expression (attributed to the Dalai Lama) that ‘sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck’.

Now this concept at first seems counter-intuitive, but I have found throughout my life that it really does hold true, perhaps not at the moment of disappointment, but once I have had the time to reflect back and realise that one closed door led to a new opportunity or more enriching experience. And as we (hopefully) start to come out of this unprecedented time in human history, I think its even more important to keep perspective and look for the positives, as difficult as they may be to find at first.

I have also had time to really reflect and make sense during this time of enforced isolation about this strange about-turn I experienced in my professional life. As many of you know I posted on my Instagram back in Autumn 2019, that I had accepted a job working in Marketing for an offshore law firm in the Cayman Islands, and was incredibly excited about this opportunity. Indeed it was the realisation of a long-held (20 year) dream to relocate to the Caribbean (which has always held an attraction for me with its laid-back vibe, warmth and community spirit and of course the glorious scenery and indeed chose the island of Jamaica for my own wedding).

Now, as many of you also know I came back much earlier than expected (within a month), and although island life was just what I had dreamt it would be (full blogpost on the splendour that is the Cayman Islands and the concept of ‘Caymankind’ to follow), the role transpired to not be what I had expected it to be, or aligned with my long-term professional goals.

As you can imagine at the time I didn’t see this as a positive and indeed I went through a lot of soul-searching as I returned home in the middle of a bitterly cold winter wondering what had happened and trying to decide what I did next. I certainly didn’t see this as a wonderful stroke of luck as I do now.

By coming back to the UK, I ended up being offered a (much better and indeed dream) role working towards the Climate Conference (COP26) which will be held in Glasgow this November. During the course of this role I have really been able to develop my own skill set, as well as working on incredibly impactful projects and being at the heart of the climate crisis conversations and green finance solutions, including co-leading on producing the very high profile Green Horizon Summit last November at Mansion House in London, and developing the series of Green Horizon Perspective magazine style shows that followed.

I have also met some incredible people from all walks of life and finally felt I was combining both passion and purpose, something I have been trying to attain for many years.

I have also realised that the time and effort I had dedicated, in the lead up to the big move to Grand Cayman, in order to foster local knowledge and connections, would not go wasted. Indeed I have made some incredible connections on both a professional and personal level, who I am still in touch with two years later.

And my commitment to the Cayman Islands and my personal passion to supporting island states more broadly in their quest for climate solutions and raising awareness of the issues they face, has not wavered. The consequences of global warming and plastic pollution is increasingly being experienced by all of us, however small island states are often at the forefront of the impact of this crisis and this is exacerbated because of their size and exposure. And have been delighted in my spare time to be an Ambassador representing the Cayman Islands and the UK for Island Innovation supporting on their virtual island summit three years in a row.

And whilst I haven’t given up on my island dream forever, I have realised that right now, accepting that what seemed initially to be a big disappointment actually was a huge blessing, and that I am exactly where I need to be right now, but carrying the Caribbean island vibes within me wherever I am, and wherever I go.

With love
Sangeeta x