Happy New Year! Here’s to a year of new opportunities, adventures, and memories that last a lifetime. May 2026 be our best year yet.

The week between Christmas and the New Year always feels a bit funny, especially when the holidays come in the middle of the week. I keep thinking that it’s the weekend, and then the weekend comes in, and I am thrown out of balance.

This week’s quote is from former Canadian professional ice hockey player Reggie Leach, nicknamed The Riverton Rifle. His quote today reflects the relentless drive and self-motivation that defined his career and is a blunt, no-nonsense take on what achievement actually requires. It strips away the fantasy that success just happens to lucky people at the right moment. There’s no magic spark from the outside. The fire has to start within you. Leach is talking about intentional intensity. Success demands commitment, urgency, and emotional investment. You don’t drift into meaningful outcomes. You choose them. You show up when motivation is low. You keep going when progress feels slow. Setting yourself on fire isn’t about burnout or reckless obsession. It’s about deciding that what you’re pursuing matters enough to deserve your full energy and attention. 

The quote also calls out passivity. Waiting for the perfect time, the perfect conditions, or external validation is just another way of delaying responsibility. Leach reminds us that effort precedes momentum. Passion often follows action, not the other way around. When you act with purpose, belief and confidence grow alongside it. There’s also an implied warning here: success without effort is usually shallow and short-lived. The things we work hardest for tend to shape us the most. The discipline, resilience, and self-trust built along the way become part of the reward. You don’t just reach success; you become someone capable of sustaining it.

One of my goals for 2026, among other things, is to read the Bhagavad Gita. I do not know Sanskrit, so I will read an English translation. I will also share interesting verses from the book each week. Part of the epic, the Mahabharata, the Bhagavad Gita is not a religious rulebook; it’s a philosophical conversation about how to live when life feels complicated. One can think of the book as an ancient self-inquiry guide that blends psychology, ethics, and practical philosophy. It takes place during a crisis. One person is overwhelmed by fear, doubt, and moral confusion. The other doesn’t judge or command; he listens, questions, and offers perspective. The setting happens to be a battlefield, but the struggle is deeply internal.

Today’s quote is my favourite from the epic. When I used to work full-time, I always had this verse pinned to my desk. This verse is the heartbeat of the Gita’s philosophy of purposeful living. Krishna isn’t telling Arjuna, or us, to stop caring about life. He’s telling us to stop clinging to outcomes we can’t control. When we obsess over results, fear creeps in. Fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of not being good enough. That fear doesn’t produce excellence; it produces hesitation. By shifting attention from “What will I get from this?” to “How can I show up fully for this?” we step into our real power. We work with clarity instead of anxiety. We move with intention instead of desperation. When you detach from results, you aren’t becoming aloof; you’re becoming free. Free to experiment, free to fail, free to evolve. And ironically, people who operate this way often produce better outcomes because their minds aren’t hijacked by worry. The deeper message? Life is a partnership. You are responsible for the effort. Life handles the rest. Your job is to sow, water, and nourish. Whether the seed blossoms today or ten seasons later is not your burden to hold.

And I haven’t forgotten my weekly motivation. This week, it’s about hopes and relief. Even in the smallest of things, you can find relief from life’s struggles. Stop obsessing over what you’re going through. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Slowly work through that sense of vulnerability you’re feeling right now. You’ve managed to overcome harrowing moments with a lot of grace. You navigated the dark days with a smile on your face, even though you were on the verge of tears. Take things moment by moment. Let a sense of joy and hope enter your heart.

That’s all I have for you this week. Here’s to a fantastic, fun and amazing 2026!

And it’s a wrap! This is the last weekend of the year. 2025 is on its way out, and 2026 is waiting for us in the wings, all new and shiny, with potential and hope and a sense of expectation. This weekend is a time for a quiet pause before the calendar turns, before resolutions rush in and expectations follow. It’s time to look back, acknowledge how far we’ve come, and let the rest be. Close the year softly; some endings don’t need fireworks, just a deep breath and a little gratitude.

Today’s quote is by South African Anglican archbishop, theologian, and human rights activist Desmond Tutu. A leading voice against apartheid, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his nonviolent struggle for justice and reconciliation. Tutu was widely respected for his moral clarity, warmth, and unwavering belief in shared humanity. 

This quote captures the quiet power of everyday choices. Ubuntu is an African philosophy often summed up as I am because we are. It reminds us that our humanity is deeply interconnected, shaped not in isolation but through our relationships with others. Tutu’s message is practical, not idealistic. He isn’t talking about grand gestures or world-changing heroics. He’s pointing to the small, ordinary moments where goodness can be practised: how we speak to people, how we listen, and how we show patience, fairness, and compassion. Peace, in this view, doesn’t begin in institutions or treaties. It begins in daily interactions, in choosing dignity over ego and kindness over indifference.

Ubuntu reframes responsibility. Instead of asking, What can the world do for me?, it asks, How am I showing up for the world right now? Each moment becomes an opportunity to either strengthen or weaken the social fabric. Even in difficult circumstances, conflict, disagreement, exhaustion, and striving for goodness, create ripples that extend far beyond the individual. The quote also carries hope without naivety. It accepts that the world is imperfect but insists that peace is still possible through conscious effort. You don’t need ideal conditions to live in Ubuntu. You practice it wherever you are, exactly as you are.

We’ve been a sick family this week, with just S escaping a bout of cold and cough, but we’re getting better now, and I want to enter the new year in good health. I will also be taking time this weekend to think about my journey in 2025 and what I hope to achieve in 2026. What about you? Will you spend time in reflection before the clock turns to another year? 

Today’s motivation is about acknowledging our journeys. It’s time to acknowledge our incredible journey. We’ve achieved so much more than we give ourselves credit for. Too often, we become so preoccupied with what we don’t yet have that we forget to appreciate how far we’ve already come. We’ve stayed true to ourselves, no matter what. We stood firm in our convictions, refusing to be swayed by others’ opinions. Today, remind yourself that you’ve overcome situations that once felt impossible. Celebrate the moments of growth you’ve experienced.

As the clock ticks down to the new year, celebrate yourselves and look forward to the new year!

Today’s quote is from Jon Kabat-Zinn, an American mindfulness teacher, scientist, and author who played a major role in bringing mindfulness meditation into mainstream medicine and psychology. He founded the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and has written influential books such as Wherever You Go, There You Are and Full Catastrophe Living. His work bridges ancient Buddhist practices with modern science, emphasising awareness as a path to healing and clarity.

Kabat-Zinn’s quote turns a common human experience on its head. Boredom is usually something we try to escape. We distract ourselves, scroll our phones, or search for stimulation because boredom feels empty, uncomfortable, or pointless. But Kabat-Zinn invites us to do the opposite: to stay with it and really look at it. When we pay attention to boredom, we begin to notice that it isn’t a single, solid thing. It’s made up of sensations, thoughts, restlessness, impatience, and subtle emotions. There may be tightness in the body, a looping inner voice, or a craving for something “else.” By observing these details, boredom transforms from a dull void into a rich field of experience. What once felt flat suddenly has texture and movement.

This shift reveals a deeper truth about mindfulness. Life becomes interesting not because it changes, but because our attention changes. When we stop demanding that every moment entertain us, we start discovering depth in the ordinary. The breath, sounds in a room, or even the feeling of waiting can become unexpectedly vivid. Boredom, in this sense, is not a problem to solve but an invitation to wake up to the present moment. The quote also challenges our habit of constant stimulation. It suggests that our discomfort with boredom says more about our relationship with our minds than about the moment itself. By learning to be present even when nothing exciting is happening, we cultivate patience, curiosity, and inner freedom.

We’re back in Singapore from a few days in Cameron Highlands. The weather was perfect, mild and chilly at night and when it rained, which was pretty much everyday. The tea plantations were gorgeous, and we purchased so many different kinds of tea from the two major tea plantations that we are good for a good part of 2026. We also spent a day each way in Kuala Lumpur, breaking the 8-9 hour journey into half so that S, who was the only driver, could rest. Hopefully, by the time we do this kind of trip again, either BB or GG or both will have their driver’s license, and they can take over for parts of the journey.

Today’s weekly talk is about happiness. Happiness doesn’t have a specific recipe. There’s no one way to be happy. What brings one person joy may not do the same for someone else. Even the things that once made you happy may have changed over time. Be open to redefining your idea of what a happy life should look like. Instead of chasing someone else’s idea of happiness, honour what feels right for you. Exploring your interests and passions, without worrying about others’ judgment, is key to living authentically. Celebrate the life that is uniquely and beautifully yours.

And on that note, here’s to the penultimate week of 2025. Have you started planning your goals, wishes, and hopes for 2026? I have started the process and will share some with you; some will remain private. Have an incredible end of 2025!

Selamat Datang from the beautiful Cameron Highlands! We’re here as a family to celebrate a milestone anniversary. I remember coming to this beautiful Malaysian hill station many years back, before the children were born, and coming back after so long, I could see how much it has changed over the years. We drove in from Singapore, stopping overnight in Kuala Lumpur before driving to Cameron Highlands, and we will return the same way.

Today’s proverb is from China and is not attributed to anyone, but is a clear and timeless reminder that big goals are achieved through small, consistent steps. We often look at challenges as enormous, immovable obstacles. A new habit, a long-term project, a personal transformation, or a career shift, these can feel like mountains. The size alone can overwhelm us before we even start. But this proverb challenges that mindset. It tells us that nothing is too big to tackle if you’re willing to break it down. Mountains don’t disappear in one grand gesture; they fade through steady effort. Small stones represent manageable tasks, the little actions that seem insignificant in the moment but gradually accumulate into real progress.

It’s also a lesson in patience. Modern life pushes us to expect instant results, but meaningful change rarely works that way. This proverb encourages humility and persistence. Even when it feels like you’re barely making a dent, every stone you move matters. Over time, those small actions build momentum. Before you know it, what once felt impossible starts to feel achievable. There’s also a subtle encouragement here: don’t wait for the perfect moment or a surge of motivation. Just begin. The first stone might be the hardest to lift, but once you do, the next one becomes easier. And finally, this proverb reminds us that perseverance transforms us. As we keep showing up, stone after stone, we grow stronger, more disciplined, and more confident. The mountain changes, yes, but so do we.

GG came back from her school trip, and the next day, we travelled to Malaysia. She was so tired and pretty much slept on the way to KL. I’ll share more about the trip and photos in a later post.

Today’s motivation post is about acceptance. It’s normal to struggle with acceptance. Accepting that something has ended doesn’t mean it didn’t matter to you. You’ve lived it and learned from it. It did add value to your life, but now it’s no longer there. Allow yourself to grieve the future you once dreamed of. By facing the reality of what is, you can finally begin to heal. Acceptance is letting go while also creating space for the possibilities that are waiting for you. The unknown may hold something more beautiful than you ever imagined. Pour your energy into growing something new.

That’s all I have for you this week. Stay positive and keep smiling!

Anatole France was a French poet, novelist, and essayist known for his wit, humanism, and elegant writing style. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1921 for a body of work that blended social commentary with philosophical reflection. His quote beautifully captures the balance required to create anything meaningful. Action alone isn’t enough; you need a vision that inspires you. Dreams give direction, colour, and purpose to your efforts. Without them, you might work hard but feel aimless. At the same time, dreams without action stay suspended in the imagination. The world changes only when you’re willing to take real steps toward what you envision.

Planning is important too, because it turns dreams into something tangible, a roadmap instead of a wish. Yet even with plans, you need belief. Belief fuels persistence. It sustains you when things get complicated or slow. It reminds you why you started and carries you through the moments when doubt creeps in. France’s quote is ultimately about harmony. Great achievements come from the combination of dreaming boldly, acting with intention, planning wisely, and believing deeply. When all four move together, you create momentum that’s both practical and inspired.

Earlier this week, GG went on a school trip to Indonesia and will be back next week. This is one of her graduation requirements, so it is a compulsory trip. BB is busy applying for early admission to school. Hopefully, he gets in where he wants to go.

Today’s weekly motivation is about finding internal peace. No matter what it looks like on the outside, remember, it is always possible to find peace within yourself. It’s not something you have to create; it’s what you are. Peace is your true nature. From this place of being, you can experience the fullness of life without the limitations of your ego. When you connect more deeply with yourself, moments of calm come naturally. Slow down to be more present in your life. Savour the beautiful moments as they come. What’s meant to be will fall into place in due time.

The holidays are coming, and I hope everyone has plans for them. We are also going on a short trip. I’ll share details soon. I plan to use today’s motivational message to find my internal peace. What about you?

That’s all from me this week. Have a safe and happy week, and talk soon!