Today’s quote, often attributed to Abraham Lincoln, the 14th President of the United States of America, and who led the country through the American Civil War, is a witty reminder that sometimes silence is wiser than speaking simply for the sake of being heard. We often feel compelled to have an opinion about everything. Silence can make us uncomfortable, particularly when everyone around us seems confident about what they think. Yet speaking without enough knowledge or understanding can reveal far more than saying nothing at all. The quote encourages us to listen, observe, and think before contributing to a conversation.

There is also an important distinction between silence and ignorance. Choosing not to speak doesn’t necessarily mean we have nothing worthwhile to say. Sometimes it demonstrates self-awareness: recognising when we don’t know enough, when emotions are running high, or when our words would add little value. Asking questions and listening can often teach us far more than rushing to demonstrate what we know. The idea feels particularly relevant today, when social media makes it possible to respond instantly to almost anything. We are encouraged to react before we have had time to understand. Yet not every opinion needs to be expressed, every argument entered, or every provocation answered. There can be enormous strength in knowing when to remain silent. Ultimately, the quote isn’t telling us to be afraid of speaking. It is encouraging discernment. Words have greater value when they come from thought, understanding, and intention rather than impulse.

This week felt like one of those strange spaces between finishing and beginning. There was satisfaction in looking at something substantial and realising that, after weeks of decisions, revisions and seemingly endless little details, it was finally organised enough to close the folder, metaphorically and almost literally. There is something deeply satisfying about bringing order to what was once scattered.

But clearing one space inevitably makes room for another. Alongside the practical work came thoughts about the future: money, security, creativity, and how to build a life that isn’t overly dependent on any single path. These weren’t anxious thoughts so much as exploratory ones. What else could I create? What could I build now that might quietly support me later? The answers aren’t there yet, but perhaps asking the questions is the beginning.

There was learning too, including the slightly uncomfortable kind where you attempt something unfamiliar, stare at the screen wondering why absolutely nothing happened, try again, accidentally do something you don’t understand, and eventually discover that you have, in fact, made it work. Sometimes progress looks remarkably like confusion until you turn around and see what you’ve learnt.

And threaded through everything were the smaller things: thinking about family, planning meals, photographs worth stopping for, everyday decisions, and the continuing process of making systems work better rather than simply adding more to life. Perhaps that’s what this week was really about: editing. Finishing what no longer needs attention. Organising what remains. Learning something new. Looking at what comes next. Not a dramatic reinvention. Just quietly creating a little more room for the person, and the life that is still unfolding.

Today’s verse is 18.78 from the Bhagavad Gita. The final verse of the Gita serves as a fitting conclusion to this month’s journey. Notice that victory does not arise from strength alone. It comes from the union of wisdom and action. Krishna represents insight. Arjuna represents effort. One without the other is incomplete. Many people spend their lives gathering knowledge without acting on it. Others rush into action without reflection. The Gita teaches that lasting success emerges when understanding and effort work together. This verse is ultimately hopeful. It reminds us that we do not need to be fearless before we begin. We do not need perfect certainty before we act. We simply need the courage to move forward with wisdom as our guide. When clarity and action walk together, progress becomes inevitable.

Earlier this week, BB earned his first pay cheque. It is not a lot, but the first step toward financial independence. It’s hard trying to toe the line between giving them their independence and making sure they don’t spend all the money without saving the bulk of it because right now, other than personal expenses, they don’t have any other expenses.

This week, I learned that radical acceptance is the key to finding peace right where you are. But strong emotions often become major obstacles to cultivating that acceptance. We may have intense emotional reactions to other people’s actions, or to situations that feel unfair or unfavorable. The practice is to engage with these moments in ways that reduce our struggle and suffering. Instead of obsessing over catastrophic thoughts or insisting that “this shouldn’t be happening,” gently guide your mind in a more positive direction. What you need is a willingness to be at peace with whatever is unfolding. A big part of nurturing that openness is trusting that everything is ultimately happening for your highest good, even if it’s not apparent right now.

That’s all I have this week! Stay safe, stay positive and keep smiling!