Today’s quote by renowned American meditation teacher, author, and one of the leading figures in bringing Buddhist mindfulness and loving-kindness, or metta, practices to the West, Sharon Salzberg, beautifully captures the heart of mindfulness practice. Salzberg’s teachings blend ancient wisdom with modern psychology, offering practical ways to live with greater awareness and inner peace, and this quote is a reflection of this.

The quote reminds us that our minds often create narratives, like judgments, fears, or interpretations, about what’s happening, rather than staying with the moment itself. These mental stories can distort our reality and cause unnecessary suffering. Mindfulness trains us to observe experiences as they are, without adding layers of commentary. When we recognise that thoughts and emotions are temporary rather than permanent truths about who we are, we gain freedom from being defined by them. This awareness brings clarity, peace, and compassion toward ourselves and others.

This week was a quiet week, though I was super productive. I was able to write more than I expected, and that’s a win for me. GG is busy with school and exams, which start next week, and even though we’re all at home, we barely see her. BB is enjoying his time at home, though he has been meeting people to see what his next path in life is. To me, it felt like things were at a pause, as if something was waiting for us on the other side. Maybe this is just me being delusional, but that’s what it felt like.

Today’s motivation is about finding joy in the small things in life. Joy is a choice you need to make every day. Notice what’s good, even amid chaos and struggle. Celebrate the small wins, and savour the moments of light in your day more fully. Even when life feels heavy, you can still find something to laugh about. Challenges are a part of life, but that doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of the experience of joy. You don’t have to wait for things to be perfect to embrace happiness. Joy is here. Light is here. You just have to be open to it.

That’s all I have for you this week. Stay safe, stay positive, and find the joy in life’s little things!

Sogyal Rinpoche’s quote conveys the essence of meditation as an experience of openness and freedom rather than control or effort. To “be spacious” means to let go of grasping, judgment, and resistance, allowing thoughts, emotions, and sensations to arise and pass naturally. In this space of awareness, the mind becomes vast and clear, like a sky that holds everything without being disturbed by passing clouds. Meditation, in this sense, is not about stopping thoughts but about expanding the inner space in which everything can exist peacefully. 

Sogyal Rinpoche (1947–2019) was a Tibetan Buddhist teacher and the author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, a widely acclaimed work that introduced Tibetan Buddhist teachings on life, death, and compassion to a global audience. Born in Tibet and educated in both traditional Buddhist and Western settings, he played a major role in bringing Tibetan spiritual practices to the West. His teachings emphasised mindfulness, compassion, and the understanding of the mind as the path to liberation.

This was a pretty quiet week. BB is at home this week resting and relaxing before he starts looking for jobs or internships. GG is busy with school and studying for exams. As for me, things are the same. I have applied for a position which, on paper, seems perfect for me. It checks all the boxes and is in a field I enjoy working in. If I get the position, I will work with old friends and make new friends. And everything came together so beautifully, including references in that field. I was so hyped up about this role that I sent in the application a month before the due date. Since the due date, I have been watching my email like a hawk, hoping that today will be the day the email comes in about an interview. I am disappointed every morning! I am trying to keep a positive attitude and hoping the universe knows what it is doing for me. 

Which segues into today’s motivation. This week, I learned that we should find comfort in the fact that things are unfolding for us exactly as they should. The last leg of the journey is always the most difficult. We should be patient and embrace the beauty that surrounds us. We’ve already overcome many things successfully. There are so many beautiful lessons we have learned from our experiences over the years. We have everything within us to get to where we want to be. Don’t waste energy worrying; don’t doubt the path. This is a time for celebration. We’re about to step into the fullness of our hearts’ greatest desire.

This resonated so much with me, and I am learning to be patient and wait to experience the beauty that will surely unfold in front of us. 

That’s all from me this week. If you are able to, please send positive energies my way so I get the email or call I have been waiting for. Take care, stay safe, and remain positive. Remember, things are exactly where they are supposed to be.

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.

And just like that, my ten-odd days in Bangalore ended, and I landed in Singapore early this morning. The week I spent with my parents, one-on-one, was very fulfilling. I took them to doctor appointments, went to the bank on their behalf, and tried to make their life a little easier. With my father’s Parkinson’s disease progressing fast, it’s hard for him to do all that he used to do, so I spent time not only with him but also with my mom trying to teach her some tech so she is not as incapacitated as she might be when he declines further. I am also seriously considering visiting them at least a couple of times a year, with or without my family, and spending a week to try to close up loose ends.

In today’s quote, American researcher, author, and professor at the University of Houston, known for her pioneering work on vulnerability, courage, shame, and empathy, Brené Brown describes perfectionism as a heavy burden disguised as protection. Many people believe that striving for flawlessness will keep them safe from criticism, judgment, or failure. However, perfectionism doesn’t protect; it restricts. Instead of allowing us to grow, take risks, and embrace authenticity, it weighs us down with fear and unrealistic expectations. Brown likens perfectionism to a massive shield: it seems like it offers safety, but in reality, it prevents us from moving forward freely. True progress and fulfilment come not from perfection, but from vulnerability, courage, and self-acceptance.

BB and I crossed paths with each other; he returned to Singapore, almost when I was leaving. So I didn’t get to spend time with him after being apart for almost a month. So this week, I will spend some time with him. And his national service is also coming to an end, which is a huge relief for him, I guess. GG is super busy with school, so there’s no real update from her side.

That’s all from me. I am super exhausted because for a 4-hour flight, I need to leave for the airport about 6 hours ahead of time so that I can navigate the horrible Bangalore traffic!

Take care, stay safe, keep smiling, and remain positive!