Happy Diwali to everyone who celebrates this beautiful festival of light, laughter, family, food, and celebrations!

It’s been a week since I returned to Singapore, and this week was an extension of that week, during which I took a break from work. And add the preparations for the festival; I was rushed off my feet, yet I didn’t work or walk as much as I usually do.

Today’s beautiful quote is by W.B. Yeats, an Irish poet, playwright, and one of the foremost figures of 20th-century literature. A key leader of the Irish Literary Revival, he co-founded Dublin’s Abbey Theatre and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. His poetry often explored the tension between the material and the spiritual, the seen and the unseen, a reflection of his deep fascination with symbolism, myth, and the hidden “magic” of existence. The quote speaks to the idea that wonder, beauty, and mystery already exist all around us. It suggests that magic isn’t something rare or external; rather, it’s woven into everyday life: in nature, art, human connection, and quiet moments. What we often lack is not magic itself, but the awareness to perceive it. As our perception deepens through mindfulness, curiosity, or emotional growth, we begin to notice the extraordinary in what once seemed ordinary.

Today’s motivation is about challenging negative thinking. Each time you feel like negative thoughts are starting to take root in your mind, take a pause, and come up with at least three things you’re grateful for. Try to feel the sense of abundance in your heart. This gratitude practice will reduce the feelings of heaviness that come with negative thoughts. Gratitude enables you to look beyond the disturbing picture that your thoughts paint at the moment and appreciate the things that you often take for granted. You don’t have to remain at the mercy of your negative thoughts. A simple shift in your perception of that moment can open your mind to new possibilities.

BB’s national service stint is coming to an end, and we are having serious conversations at home about what he will do/wants to do in the future. GG is busy with school and projects and has started prepping for her semester exams, which will start next month.

That’s all from me this week. As the world celebrates the festival of light, may the festival bring light, love, laughter, and prosperity to all, and may all your wishes come to fruition.