September is birthday month in our home, with GG, BB and my birthdays coming up in the month. So I am always happy to welcome the month. GG & BB turn 21 later this month and we are preparing for multiple parties to celebrate this milestone birthday. 

BB is busy with his new driving course and he will be a good driver because he has the temperament for it. He is calm and collected and does not show too much emotion, which should be good while driving. GG is busy with school and keeps ranting about some of her subjects that are giving her trouble. My job as a mom is to listen to her, let her talk about her frustrations and give her advice. 

I just realised that I have not updated my reading and walking this year. I updated my stats this week and by the end of August, I had walked almost 1850 km since the beginning of the year. I started strong but lapsed in the middle of the year, but starting in July, I decided to walk more and especially in August, I have consistently averaged 10 km a day. I am going to sustain this for the rest of the year.

Today’s quote is from American singer, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur, Pharrell Williams. In addition to his music career, Williams is also known for his work in fashion, having launched several clothing lines, and for his involvement in various philanthropic endeavors. Williams’ quote emphasises the importance of finding joy and fulfillment in the process of life rather than fixating solely on end goals or achievements. The quote suggests that true happiness comes from embracing and enjoying the experiences and challenges of the journey itself, rather than just the final outcome or success. It encourages a focus on the present and finding contentment in everyday moments. It highlights the idea that one’s mindset can greatly influence overall happiness. By appreciating the process, whether it’s in work, personal growth, or any endeavour, one can lead a more satisfying and joyful life. The quote challenges the conventional notion that happiness is tied to specific achievements (like winning a trophy or reaching a finish line), proposing instead that a fulfilled life is built on enjoying every step along the way.

Take care and keep smiling!

The author of today’s quote, Chuang Tzu, also known as Zhuangzi, was an influential Chinese philosopher who lived during the 4th century BCE. He is considered one of the most important figures in Taoism, alongside Laozi, the author of the “Tao Te Ching.” His writings emphasise living in harmony with the Tao (the Way), embracing natural simplicity, and transcending societal norms and distinctions. This quote reflects on the transformative power of change and the potential for growth that often arises from challenging or seemingly hopeless situations. 

The quote illustrates how moments of despair or perceived endings can lead to profound personal transformation. Just as the caterpillar undergoes a significant change to become a butterfly, individuals can emerge stronger and more evolved after facing difficulties. It conveys a message of hope, suggesting that what may seem like the end could actually be the beginning of something beautiful and new. The process of transformation can be painful, but it often leads to a better, more fulfilling state of being. The quote encourages embracing change and trusting that even in the darkest moments, there is potential for renewal and growth.

Life moves at its own pace for me, given that I still haven’t managed to find a new job. I am using this time to write more, especially my creative writing like poems and short stories, which I can then use when I am busy (fingers crossed).

BB starts his class 3 and class 4 driving courses tomorrow and for the duration of the course, he will be stationed at a different camp than his home camp. The new camp is in a different part of Singapore, and the travel time is more or less the same. I am excited for BB for this course, as this one will give him practical knowledge and know-how and hopefully he will be able to convert this to a civilian license once he finishes his national service.  

GG is busy with school and her schedule is pretty hectic. She is also exploring on completing her Singapore Chartered Accountancy certification, so that is something she is looking forward to and dreading, at the same time. She was complaining that since the age of seven, all she has been doing is school and studies and I reminded her that she has another three years of school to finish and another two to three years to work to complete her CA certification and she only looked at me and groaned!

That’s all from me this week. Stay positive (I keep trying to) and keep smiling!

Today’s quote from Tony Robbins talks about the value of personal growth, self-awareness, and authenticity. Tony Robbins is an American author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and life coach, renowned for his self-help books, motivational seminars, and infomercials. The quote encourages embracing mistakes as learning opportunities. By understanding the root cause of a problem, one can address and overcome it, leading to personal growth. Robbins advises against striving for perfection, which is often unrealistic and can lead to unnecessary stress. Instead, he advocates for being the best version of oneself, embracing human flaws and imperfections. The focus is on being an “excellent example of being human,” which means accepting and learning from your imperfections while continuously striving for improvement. It highlights the importance of authenticity and self-compassion.

This week, I have been reading and watching about the Kolkata murder case of the young trainee doctor and reading and watching the updates to the case. I have been sick to my stomach on learning the details. In a country where we worship women and revere them, we also treat them as second-class citizens and think of them as being lesser than men. I have a lot to say about this issue but will refrain from posting them as it may become vitriolic. I have always maintained this: as the mother to a boy and now a young man, I must bring him up to respect women and treat them the same way as he treats any male. So to any parent of a young man or boy reading this, please bring up your boy to learn to respect women and become their ally.

GG has started her second year of school and the pace is faster this semester. Her lessons, which are usually 3 hours long, sometimes do not even have a bio break. She comes home exhausted after each class. But this is life and she needs to pick up the pace to do well in school.  

That’s all this week. Stay positive and keep smiling.

American actor, director, and producer best known for his roles in television series such as “Breaking Bad” and “Malcolm in the Middle, Bryan Cranston’s quote emphasises the direct correlation between effort and achievement. The quote underscores that hard work significantly increases the likelihood of achieving results that you can be proud of. It highlights the importance of putting in effort to reach your goals. Cranston points out a straightforward truth: without effort, the chances of success and personal satisfaction are minimal. The simplicity of the statement emphasises that success is often a result of consistent hard work. The quote also implies personal responsibility in achieving one’s goals. It suggests that individuals have control over their success through their dedication and work ethic.

This weekend was Singapore’s 59th National Day, marking the country’s independence from Malaysia in 1965. It is also new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s debut at the National Day Parade. I have now lived in Singapore for almost a quarter of a century and in a couple of years, I would have lived longer here than in Mumbai. I think that occasion warrants a post; I will do that soon.

And tomorrow, GG will start her second year of university. I hope and pray she has a good year, does well in school and most importantly, has fun! BB is busy with national service and he is enjoying it, contrary to most people, for whom NS is a chore.

That’s all from me this week. Stay positive and keep smiling 😀

This quote from Harper Lee, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” emphasises the importance of empathy and understanding in human relationships. The quote highlights that true understanding of another person comes from seeing things from their perspective. This involves deep empathy, where one tries to fully grasp another person’s experiences, feelings, and viewpoints. It suggests that surface judgments are insufficient for truly knowing someone. Understanding requires a deeper connection and effort to relate to their inner experiences and challenges. The metaphor of “climbing inside of his skin and walking around in it” conveys a profound level of empathy, urging us to imaginatively and emotionally put ourselves in someone else’s place to understand their actions and motivations.

This week was a good one for me. I finally restarted my walking earlier this month and this week, I have been hitting my goals out of the park. I even managed to sleep well and this translated into waking up earlier than I usually do. My job search is going nowhere and I am seriously thinking of pivoting to something else if nothing comes up by the end of the year. But this is a decision I can push back to a few more months. 

GG’s holidays are coming to an end and she needs to start putting on her student hat once again. BB is busy with his work in camp and seems to like doing what he is doing. The weather in Singapore is so hot these days that I crave for the air conditioning daily, but restrict myself to using it only for a couple of hours when it is the hottest part of the day. And wonder how those whose livelihood depends on them being in the sun manage? Those times I am very grateful that I can afford to switch on the airconditioning multiple times in a day and also have access to multiple fans with which I can cool myself.

And on that note of gratitude, have a fantastic week, folks. Keep smiling and always thank the higher energy for what we have!