Don’t compare yourself with others, only compare yourself with your previous self. I love to look back and see my starting point and where I went from there.

Exactly two years ago, Bill and I came home from Thailand and Bali, where we had to spend an unplanned year during their Covid lockdown. It was my new beginning!

I remember feeling Bermuda’s perfect sand under my toes as I walked along the magnificent South Shore.

Longtails were spinning in their delirious mating arcs, and the clouds, tinged with indigo and mauve and pink, were sailing by like stately ships from a bygone era.

The waves crashed in a spray of white, sending enticing tendrils of cool and frothy foam around my ankles. I was back in paradise, and I knew it in every fibre of my body.

I daydreamed about how many new beginnings I already had in my wandering life: from Siberia to Bermuda, and so much in between.

But, this time was different. I was confident and strong. I had my husband, Bill, to give me all his tremendous support and love.

I had my new home in Bermuda, a far-flung gem on the broad and restless back of the mighty Atlantic. I was surrounded by Bermudians who embraced me with inexhaustible kindness, who always helped me no matter what I asked.

I had sturdy, strong roots and I felt grounded, safe, appreciated and welcomed.

I felt the purity of the salty ocean air blowing through the trembling beauty of hibiscus and oleander.

I sensed the inner strength of the North Pines standing tall in winds from the endless southern ocean.

I received the invisible, humming energy of our pastel and white landscape, rich with history and struggle and happiness, shaped by ancient stone walls and graceful houses, built when the nearby Americas were a vast and virgin wilderness.

Here in Bermuda, we swim in a Gulf Stream of healing beauty, and to open our hearts and minds to that beauty and return it with kindness and love to those we live with is why we are blessed with this superb and remarkable island; our own miracle of beauty formed by the ceaseless hands of wind and ocean, fish and coral, a glorious mountain summit birthed from the deep blue sea.

And from this soothing beauty, unlike anywhere on the planet, came inspiration and my desire to create more beauty … because isn’t that what the life of the soul depends on to shine and unfold in all its mystery? Beauty!

I felt infused with this energy and was ready to share my knowledge and experience with my friends and neighbours, the Bermudians who supported me with kindness and laughter.

It was my time to give back, especially during the challenges we all face during these pandemic times.

The Chinese word “tao” translates as “the way“. For me, it is my life journey and only I can walk it. So, I stepped onto it, head held high, and came to a place I never expected to be.

On this journey, I created the Healing Vibes wellness programme for cancer patients and survivors.

I worked for Under the Red Umbrella, a cancer support group, and I fundraised for a new class with Pals, New and Beautiful Me.

I started the first international laughing club in Bermuda, Time to Laugh, and I taught personal Qigong classes and gave wellness consultations to women. All this, yet I realised it was time to go to the next level.

I was ready to open a wellness centre for women. I was eager to put all the pieces of my work together in one.

On a blue sky day, Bill and I were snorkelling on the south shore.

I saw five big, bright blue parrot fish moving in a circle close to the pure white sand.

The sun sent brilliant shafts of light on this school of primeval fish gracefully dancing in an ever-changing mosaic of glowing colour. It was simply mesmerising, a dream from ancient times.

I was watching them, holding my breath and telling my heart to be still. Suddenly, the name came to me: Mermaid Wellness!

My dear readers, I am happy to invite you to the grand opening of the Mermaid Wellness Centre for Women.

We begin with a full moon mermaid song women’s circle on September 10 from 7.30pm until 10pm on the South Shore beach.

There will be Qigong moonlight meditation around the bonfire; we will dance, drum and let our spirits soar to the silver moon and back. Please contact me to register.

I will be delighted to see your smile. We will be mer-mazing.

Nina London is the founder of Mermaid Wellness Centre for Women and a certified Qigong and laughter youga teacher. Her mission is to support and help cancer patients and survivors and inspire mature women to make positive changes in their body and mind. Contact her at www.ninalondon.com and on Instagram: @coachninalondon