2025 Week 45 Update

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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!

In My Hands Today…

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The Proof is in the Plants – Simon Hill

Our health is in crisis and so is our climate.

What if there was a way of eating that may help us live healthier for longer and protect the future of our planet, too?

The good news is that evidence now shows a plant-based diet may offer us exactly that – and straight-talking nutritionist Simon Hill has done the hard work translating the science into actionable advice for everyday life.

Before transitioning to a plant-based diet Simon held many of the common misconceptions. But instead he experienced incredible improvements in his energy levels, digestion, mental clarity and post-workout recovery after making the shift. He’d finally understood the power of food and was determined to find out – and share – the agenda-free truth about the optimum diet for human health.

By undertaking a master’s degree in nutrition, poring over the latest scientific papers and books, and producing hundreds of hours of his internationally successful Plant Proof podcast, Simon has pursued the answers to all the questions he had about fuelling our bodies with more plants. Now, in his first book, he brings it all together into one inspiring and practical guide.

It covers:

– The reasons why we’re all so confused about what to eat

– The evidence showing how a plant-based diet might reduce risks of heart attacks and strokes, type 2 diabetes, cancer and dementia

– The positive impact of plant-based living for the climate and animal welfare

– Common myths about a plant-based diet – and what the real facts are

– How to build a healthy, satisfying plant-based plate, from macronutrients to micronutrients

– Practical tips for making the shift, and much more.

If you want to understand and unlock the many benefits of putting more plants on your plate, this book is for you.

Sacred Stones, Spaces, and Stories: Ashtavinayaka Part 2

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Also known as the Shri Moreshwar Temple, the Shri Mayureshwar Mandir, situated in the tranquil village of Morgaon, approximately 65 km from the Pune district, marks the starting and ending point of the Ashtavinayak circuit.

Morgaon is the foremost centre of worship of the Ganapatya sect, which considers Ganesha as the Supreme Being. A Hindu legend relates the temple to the killing of the demon Sindhura by Ganesha. The exact date of the temple’s construction is unknown, although the Ganapatya saint Moraya Gosavi is known to have been associated with it. The temple flourished due to the patronage of the Peshwa rulers and descendants of Moraya Gosavi.

The village of Morgaon derives its name from the Marathi word for peacock, ‘mor,’ a nod to the region’s once-abundant population of these majestic birds. The temple itself is situated on the banks of the sacred Karha River, and the village is said to be laid out in the shape of a peacock, deepening the connection between the land and its presiding deity, Lord Ganesha in his Mayureshwar, or peacock-riding, form.

The origins of Shri Mayureshwar Mandir trace back to the Bahmani period, with construction believed to have occurred between the 14th and 17th centuries. The temple’s architecture is distinctive, featuring a high stone boundary wall and four minarets at each corner, giving it the appearance of a mosque from a distance, a strategic design choice to protect it during times of political upheaval. The temple flourished under the patronage of the Peshwa rulers, who considered Ganesha their family deity, and the spiritual influence of the Ganapatya saint Moraya Gosavi, who is closely associated with the temple’s history and legacy.

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The Shri Moreshwar Temple is a striking blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural influences. There are our entrance gates, with each gate facing a cardinal direction and adorned with an image of Ganesha, representing his manifestations in the four Yugas or ages. The four minarets and 50-foot-tall stone walls were built to safeguard the temple from invaders. Unusually, a large statue of Nandi, Shiva’s sacred bull, stands before the temple entrance, a rare sight in Ganesha temples, explained by a local legend that the Nandi statue was left there after the vehicle transporting it broke down. The sabha-mandapa or assembly hall houses 23 different idols of Ganesha, each depicting a unique form, including the eight avatars described in the Mudgala Purana. The courtyard contains two sacred trees, Shami and Bilva, associated with penance and spiritual significance. Two lamp towers or Deepmalas and a six-foot-tall mouse, Ganesha’s vahana or mount, are prominent features in the courtyard. The sanctum sanctorum, the garbhagriha, enshrines the swayambhu or self-manifested idol Lord of Ganesha as Mayureshwar, depicted with four arms, three eyes, and a trunk turned to the left, seated on a peacock and flanked by his consorts, Siddhi and Buddhi.

The most celebrated legend associated with the temple is the tale of Ganesha’s incarnation as Mayureshwar to vanquish the demon Sindhu. According to the Ganesha Purana, Sindhu was born to Chakrapani and Ugra, and by the grace of the Sun-god, was granted a bowl of amrita, the elixir of immortality. To safeguard it, Sindhu swallowed the bowl, becoming invincible and unleashing terror across the three worlds. The gods, unable to withstand his tyranny, prayed to Ganesha, who incarnated as Mayureshwar, a six-armed, white-complexioned deity riding a peacock. In a fierce battle, Ganesha defeated Sindhu’s army, slew his general Kamalasura, and ultimately cut open Sindhu’s body to empty the amrita bowl, thus killing the demon and restoring cosmic order. After this victory, Ganesha gifted his peacock mount to his brother Kartikeya, cementing his epithet as Mayureshwar or Moreshwar, aka the “Lord of the Peacock.”

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Another legend recounts how the creator-god Brahma, preserver-god Vishnu, dissolver-god Shiva, the Divine Mother Devi, and the Sun-god Surya meditated at Morgaon to understand their creator and purpose. Ganesha manifested before them as an Omkara flame, revealing his supremacy and blessing them with divine knowledge.

A further myth tells of Brahma’s penance to cleanse himself of the sin of desiring his daughter, Sarasvati. The sacred Turiya Tirtha river appeared, and Brahma carried its water in his pot to worship Ganesha at Morgaon. When he stumbled and spilt the water, it became the Karha River, which continues to flow by the temple today.

The Ganapatya saint Moraya Gosavi is deeply connected to the temple’s lore. He was a devout worshipper who travelled monthly from Chinchwad to Morgaon on foot to offer prayers. On one occasion, arriving after the temple had closed, the locks miraculously fell away, allowing him to worship Ganesha. His devotion inspired the construction of the Mangalmurti temple at Chinchwad and elevated the status of the Moreshwar temple as a premier centre of Ganapatya worship.

The temple’s daily worship schedule is meticulously observed, offering devotees multiple opportunities to participate in sacred rituals. The ritual bathing and purification of the deity, the Prakshal Puja, is conducted between 5 and 6 am, while the Shodashopachar Puja, the traditional sixteen-step ceremonial worship, happens between 7 am and 12 noon. The five-step worship, the Panchopachar Puja, takes place at 8 pm, while the Samudaik Evening Aarti, which is a communal ritual of lighting the lamp,p happens at 7:30 p,m and the nighttime aarti, the Shej Aarti, is done at 10 pm before the temple’s doors are shut for the day.

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Devotees traditionally first worship Nagna Bhairava, then Mayureshwar, and finally Sakshi Vinayaka, who is believed to be the witness to prayers offered at the temple. The people of Morgaon collectively offer food or a thali lunch to visitors during Magh Shuddh Panchami, reflecting the temple’s role as a hub of community and hospitality.

The temple becomes the focal point of grand celebrations during Ganesh Chaturthi, the Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, and Ganesh Jayanti or Magha Shukla Chaturthi. Devotees flock to Morgaon, and a procession arrives from the Mangalmurti temple in Chinchwad, carrying the palkhi or palanquin of Ganesha. Festivities continue for more than a month, culminating on Ashvin Shukla Dashami, with fairs, processions, and communal feasting. The temple also hosts celebrations on Vijayadashami, Shukla Chaturthi, Krishna Chaturthi, and Somavati Amavasya, the new moon coinciding with a Monday.

The main idol is believed to be swayambhu or self-manifested and is said to have been consecrated twice by Brahma, once before and once after being destroyed by the demon Sindhu. Each of the four gates represents a cardinal direction and a life goal: Dharma or righteousness, Artha or wealth, Kama or desire, and Moksha or liberation. The idol is covered with layers of saffron-colored vermillion, which naturally peels off every century, revealing the original image, a phenomenon regarded as miraculous by devotees. The sabha-mandapa houses 23 different forms of Ganesha, including the eight avatars from the Mudgala Purana, making it a living gallery of Ganesha iconography. The presence of the Shami and Bilva trees in the courtyard is tied to legends of penance and spiritual awakening. The juxtaposition of Nandi and the mouse at the temple entrance is unique, blending Shaiva and Ganapatya symbolism.

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The Ashtavinayak Yatra, a pilgrimage to eight Ganesha temples around Pune, is considered incomplete unless the devotee both begins and ends the journey at Shri Mayureshwar Mandir. This cyclical pilgrimage reflects the Hindu understanding of spiritual journeys as both linear and circular, with every ending marking a new beginning.

Shri Mayureshwar Mandir in Morgaon is more than a temple; it is a living testament to the enduring power of faith, myth, and community. Its legends, rituals, and architecture encapsulate the essence of Maharashtra’s spiritual heritage, inviting devotees and seekers to embark on a journey that is as much about inner transformation as it is about external pilgrimage.

In My Hands Today…

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Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park – Conor Knighton

When Conor Knighton decided to spend a year wandering through “America’s Best Idea,” he was worried the whole thing might end up being his worst idea. But, after a broken engagement and a broken heart, he desperately needed a change of scenery. The ambitious plan he cooked up went a bit overboard in that department; Knighton set out to visit every single one of America’s National Parks, from Acadia to Zion.

Leave Only Footprints is the memoir of his year spent traveling across the United States, a journey that yielded his “On the Trail” series, which quickly became one of CBS Sunday Morning’s most beloved segments. In this smart, informative, and often hilarious book, he’ll share how his journey through these natural wonders, unchanged by man, ended up changing his worldview on everything from God to politics to love and technology. Whether it’s waking up early for a naked scrub in an Arkansas bathhouse or staying up late to stargaze along our loneliest highway, Knighton goes behind the scenery to provide an unfiltered look at America. In the tradition of books like A Walk in the Woods or Turn Right at Machu Picchu, this is an irresistible mix of personal narrative and travelogue-some well-placed pop culture references, too-and a must-read for any of the 331 million yearly National Parks visitors.

Abbott FreeStyle Libre Review

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“Awareness is the first step toward balance.”

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When you live with diabetes, you quickly learn that no two days are ever quite the same. Some mornings feel steady; others are unpredictable. For years, I managed this dance with the help of finger-prick tests: tiny, fleeting snapshots of my glucose that left me guessing about everything in between.

I had heard about the Freestyle Libre and to be honest, I resisted it for a while because while I hated the needle pricks, I also didn’t want a needle poked into my skin for two weeks. But during my trip to Europe, I decided that I will take the plunge and decided to give the sensor a try to see if it made any difference to my glucose levels and if it changed the way I understand my body.

The Freestyle Libre is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) developed by Abbott. About the size of a two-dollar coin, it’s worn on the back of your upper arm and stays in place for up to 14 days. Instead of pricking your fingers multiple times a day, you simply scan the sensor using the LibreLink app on your phone (or a reader device). Each scan instantly shows your glucose reading, a trend arrow, and a graph of your recent levels. Behind the scenes, the sensor quietly measures glucose in the interstitial fluid, the fluid between your cells, capturing readings every few minutes, day and night. When you upload your data to LibreView, the accompanying analysis platform, you see beautifully detailed charts of your glucose patterns: your highs, lows, daily rhythms, and how often you stay within your target range. It’s like turning your health data into a living, breathing story.

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Before the Libre, my glucose management felt like reading a book with half its pages missing. I knew how things started and ended, but not what happened in between. With the sensor, I could finally see the full narrative of how my body responded to meals, exercise, stress, and sleep. I started noticing gentle morning rises, calm mid-afternoons, and occasional evening peaks. These weren’t “bad numbers”, they were clues.

For those in Singapore, Abbott has an Experience Centre where you can try the sensor for SGD 10. I signed up and went down to their Experience Centre at Raffles Place. I was the only one that session, so I got a one-on-one session with the lady doing the session. She gave me a sensor, showed me how to put it on and also ran a few videos on the sensor. You can also purchase sensors there at a discount and they had a scheme that if you purchase 3 sensors within three months, you get a free sensor. It’s an excellent way to see how the device feels, how the app works, and what kind of data you’ll receive before committing to regular use.For anyone who’s ever felt unsure about CGMs, it’s a low-cost, no-pressure way to experience the technology firsthand, and to understand how empowering it can be.

I had already decided to go the subscription route, so didn’t buy from the experience centre. I subscribe to two sensors every four weeks and according to their website, if you pay for five months, the sixth month is frew. You can also opt to receive two sensors every eight weeks. The plan allows you to pause or cancel if your needs change, giving flexibility alongside the convenience.

On to my experience with the sensor. I began experimenting: adding a handful of nuts to breakfast, taking short walks after dinner, and noticing how hydration and rest made a difference. The feedback was almost immediate. A smoother curve on the graph often mirrored a calmer, steadier day.

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One of the most powerful things about using a CGM is how it connects daily choices to visible outcomes. For instance, I learned that foods I assumed were harmless sometimes caused unexpected spikes, or that meals rich in fibre and protein kept my glucose beautifully stable, and stress and lack of sleep could nudge levels up even on perfect food days. Instead of guessing, I was finally learning. The Libre didn’t judge; it simply showed patterns, and with each pattern came understanding.

Every so often, I noticed dips, usually in the early mornings or after long gaps between meals. They weren’t severe, but they were informative. The data reminded me to plan better, to carry small snacks when I’m on the go, and to listen to my body’s subtle cues before they became loud alarms. Over time, I became attuned to these rhythms. The more I observed, the more intuitive the whole process felt, like tuning in to my body’s quiet language. There’s something deeply empowering about turning invisible fluctuations into visible information. Instead of worrying about what might be happening, I could see it, and respond thoughtfully. The emotional shift was subtle but profound: I stopped thinking in terms of “good” or “bad” readings. I began thinking in terms of patterns, habits, and adjustments. That shift, from judgment to curiosity, is what changed everything. I wasn’t trying to control my body; I was learning to work with it.

From a practical perspective, the Freestyle Libre fits seamlessly into daily life. Application is quick and nearly painless, a gentle click on the back of the arm, and it’s done. The sensor stays on through showers, workouts, and sleep; after a while, you barely notice it. To scan, just hold your phone near the sensor for a second. No lancets, no fuss. The LibreLink and LibreView apps are beautifully designed. The graphs are clear, colourful, and easy to understand even for someone who isn’t data-minded.

But the sensor sometimes falls out, sometimes even as early as less than a week of usage. But Abbott Singapore has been very good about replacing faulty sensors. You just have to call them or let them know through their website, and they will send you a replacement sensor. The only caveat is that you have to send them the faulty sensor. This is not only for them to check the sensor but also to avoid people misusing this facility and scamming them.

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I didn’t expect this little patch to become a mindfulness tool, but it did. Each curve on the graph became a reminder to slow down, breathe, and be kinder to myself. Instead of frustration, I found fascination. Watching my glucose stabilise after a calm morning walk or a wholesome meal gave me a quiet sense of accomplishment.

After more than three months of using the Freestyle Libre, I can confidently say this: it’s more than a monitor; it’s a mirror, one that reflects the connection between how you live and how your body responds. It doesn’t replace intuition; it deepens it. And it turns the daily task of managing diabetes into something gentler, more insightful, and even, in its own quiet way, beautiful. The Freestyle Libre gave me not just numbers but understanding. And with understanding comes peace.

Will I continue using it in the long term? Probably yes. As of now, I can afford the price of about SGD 200 per month, but if that price point becomes expensive, I may consider using two sensors over eight weeks.

If you’re considering using it, you’ll learn more about your body in a few weeks than in years of occasional testing. It’s discreet, painless, and surprisingly easy to use. The data may surprise you, but it will empower you.