Today, in many parts of the world, we celebrate Mother’s Day. To all my readers who are mothers or mother figures, here’s wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day. Here’s wishing you a day filled with love, laughter, and happiness. And I hope you are pampered and loved not just today, but every day of the year. My children have something planned for me, but they are keeping it a secret. My guess is that we will probably go for a nice dinner tonight. What about you? What did your family plan for you today?

Today’s quote by Wayne Dyer, a renowned American self-help author, motivational speaker, and spiritual teacher, offers a profound definition of enlightenment: not as an ecstatic or dramatic awakening, but as a state of inner peace and radical acceptance. Wayne Dyer suggests that true enlightenment doesn’t come from resisting or trying to change life’s circumstances but from learning to accept reality as it is, without judgment or struggle. Enlightenment is not noisy or filled with grand gestures; it’s calm, grounded, and still. It means no longer fighting against the things you cannot control or endlessly wishing for things to be different. Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation or giving up; it means acknowledging the present moment fully, without unnecessary resistance or mental turmoil.

When we stop arguing with “what is”, the events, feelings, or circumstances of life, we begin to live with greater clarity and peace. Suffering often arises not from the events themselves, but from our resistance to them. By practising quiet acceptance, we free ourselves from anxiety, anger, or disappointment that stems from unmet expectations or rigid control over outcomes. Dyer’s quote also aligns with many spiritual teachings, particularly in Eastern philosophy, which emphasise non-attachment, mindfulness, and presence. Acceptance doesn’t imply complacency; it empowers us to move forward with grace. Instead of reacting to life, we respond to it with awareness.

In essence, this quote is an invitation to live with inner harmony. Enlightenment isn’t a goal to chase in the future; it’s a way of being in the present. By accepting what is, we stop exhausting ourselves with resistance and start experiencing the depth, simplicity, and beauty of now.

Earlier this week, we also saw a new Pope. On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. This historic election marks him as the first American-born pope and the first from the Order of Saint Augustine. Born in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV also holds Peruvian citizenship due to his extensive missionary work in Peru, where he served as the bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. 

GG starts her internship next week, and she is very excited about it. BB is moving through life as he normally does, with calm and silence.

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

Today’s quote by Napoleon Hill, the American self-help author best known for his landmark book Think and Grow Rich, emphasises the vital role that dreams and visions play in shaping our future. Hill encourages us not to dismiss or undervalue our aspirations, no matter how lofty or distant they may seem. By calling them the “children of your soul,” he conveys how deeply personal and sacred our dreams are; they emerge from the innermost parts of who we are. Like children, dreams require nurturing, protection, and belief in their potential.

The second half of the quote suggests that our dreams are not just fantasies but plans in progress. Just as a building begins with a blueprint, our greatest accomplishments often begin as intangible ideas in the mind. To realise them, we must first honour and believe in them, even when they exist only in thought or imagination. Hill is reminding us that what we achieve in life often depends on the clarity and strength of our vision. If we cherish our dreams, giving them attention, faith, and energy, they guide our actions and choices. Without dreams, we are like ships without direction. With them, we set a course toward our highest potential.

This quote also invites responsibility: to take ownership of our dreams, not abandon them when times get hard, and not let others diminish their importance. By cherishing our dreams, we acknowledge our power to shape the future and recognise the profound connection between our inner world and our external accomplishments. Ultimately, Hill is saying that greatness begins within. To build a meaningful, successful life, start by valuing your visions. They are the seeds from which your reality grows.

Yesterday was Singapore’s general election and GG & BB’s first time voting. S had election duty this year, the first in more than 20 years of being a public servant. So, even though I wanted to, we could not go and vote as a family. However, since his duty station was our polling station, we glimpsed him when we went to vote, though we could not speak to him as he was on duty.

In April, I walked about 520 thousand steps and about 325 km, bringing me one more country closer to home. I crossed Myanmar and have reached the Kanchanaburi province of Thailand. At this point, I am slightly over 1000 km from home. 

In the last four months, I have read almost twenty books, and I am on track to hit my annual reading goal. This year, I am also reading more nonfiction, which looks interesting.

That’s all from me this week. Stay positive and keep smiling! See you here next week!

Today’s quote is brought to us from American writer, poet, and attorney Max Ehrmann, best known for his prose poem “Desiderata,” from which this quote is taken. Ehrmann’s work often explored themes of spirituality, self-reflection, and the human condition, encouraging readers to seek peace, truth, and kindness. This quote is a powerful reminder of our inherent worth and the importance of self-compassion. In a world that often emphasises achievement, perfection, and constant productivity, we can easily fall into the trap of being overly critical of ourselves. Ehrmann gently urges us to take a step back and treat ourselves with the same kindness and patience we might offer a dear friend. 

The phrase is an invitation to acknowledge your imperfections, your struggles, and your humanity. Life can be challenging, and we will inevitably make mistakes or face setbacks. Rather than harshly judging ourselves for these experiences, Ehrmann encourages us to extend grace and tenderness inward. He places us within the grand scheme of nature, alongside the trees, the stars, the oceans, and the mountains. This perspective helps dissolve feelings of unworthiness or smallness. It reminds us that just by being here, by existing, we are inherently valuable. Like the stars and trees, we don’t have to earn our right to be here; it’s already ours.

This quote also touches on belonging. In moments of doubt, loneliness, or self-criticism, it can be deeply healing to remember that we are part of something vast and beautiful. Just as the stars belong in the sky, we belong in this world. Our presence is not a mistake. Ultimately, Ehrmann’s words are a gentle nudge toward self-acceptance and inner peace. They ask us to quiet the voice of judgment and instead affirm our place in the universe. It’s a quote that invites reflection, grounding, and a return to the simple truth: you matter, just as you are.

Election fever is at its peak, and over the last week, this has been the only topic of conversation everywhere we have been. Even GG and BB’s friends are going to election rallies to see and judge the candidates in their constituencies so that they can make informed and correct choices.

GG ended her exams and is enjoying her two odd weeks of freedom before she starts her summer internship. BB is now on a stay-out option, which means that he gets to come home daily. He has been super happy since this was announced since he can sleep in his bed, game with his friends, and, most importantly for him, take lunches from home since he feels the food provided is not that good. 

My big trip is just a few weeks away, and I will share more later. It is also becoming what looks to be the most expensive trip I have taken. However, I am taking the hit to my savings because it’s something we have been planning for years!

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

Earlier this week, Singapore’s parliament was dissolved, and elections have been called. This 14th general election is the first under the current Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong. It’s also a day of firsts for us – GG & BB will be voting for the first time. Until nomination day next week, we won’t know for sure if we get to vote this election cycle, but all indications point towards a fight in our constituency. In another first, S will also have to do election duty this year. 

Today’s quote is from American author, salesman, and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, known for his enthusiastic and inspirational approach to personal development and success. The quote captures the essential difference between simply wishing for something and actually working toward it. Many people have dreams: visions of a better life, ambitions, or desires, but without a clear plan or timeline, those dreams often remain vague and unattainable. Ziglar’s quote emphasises that for a dream to transform into a tangible achievement, it must be backed by action and structure. 

When we give a dream a deadline, it becomes a goal, something we can measure, plan for, and track progress toward. This quote is also about personal empowerment. Dreams can often feel distant or overwhelming, but once they are broken down into goals with deadlines, they become achievable. The act of setting a deadline forces you to take ownership, make choices, prioritise your time, and commit to consistent effort. It encourages discipline and forward momentum.

Ziglar’s message is motivational. He believed in the power of vision, purpose, and positive action, and this quote invites us to stop merely hoping and start doing. If we want to live a fulfilled life, we must treat our dreams as serious intentions, not just fantasies. That means setting goals, creating plans, and holding ourselves accountable to timelines. Ultimately, this quote reminds us that the bridge between inspiration and success is built with action and time management. Dream big, yes, but also set deadlines, show up every day, and move with purpose.

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

This week, many communities across India will celebrate their New Year. The Tamil New Year is tomorrow, as is Baisakhi or the Punjabi New Year. Vishnu, the new year in Kerala, Bissau Parba of the Tulu people, Buisu of the state of Tripura, Bwisagu of the Bodo people, Pana Sankranti in Odisha, Bohag Bibu of the Assamese, Pahela Baishakh of the Bengali people, Jur Sital of the people of Mithila in Bihar, Sangken of the people from Arunachal Pradesh, Bizhu for the people of parts of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, and Mesha Sankranti for people of Uttarakhand and those of Nepali descent also fall in this period. Here’s wishing everyone whose new year falls this week a very happy solar new year!

Today’s quote is from French-Cuban-American diarist, essayist, and writer of fiction Anaïs Nin, best known for her intimate and lyrical personal journals that span several decades of her life. Anaïs Nin’s quote is a powerful metaphor about growth, transformation, and the courage to change. The image of a bud represents a person staying closed off or confined, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually, perhaps due to fear, comfort, or uncertainty. At first, staying in that safe, familiar state may feel less risky. But over time, it becomes stifling. The pain of not evolving, not expressing your true self, or not stepping into your full potential eventually outweighs the fear of leaping into the unknown. Nin’s quote speaks to that pivotal moment when a person chooses growth over comfort, even if growth is uncertain or difficult.

Blossoming involves risk; it means being vulnerable, seen, and open to failure and beauty. But the alternative is staying hidden and never fully alive. Many people experience this in relationships, careers, or personal development. The quote encourages embracing change and trusting the process of becoming. It reminds us that transformation often starts with discomfort and that the first step toward fulfillment comes when we allow ourselves to feel that discomfort rather than avoid it. Personal growth involves moving through fear, and this movement, like a flower blooming, is both a release and a revelation. Nin’s words are empowering for those at the edge of a major life decision. They remind us that change may be scary, but stagnation can be even more painful. Blossoming might be risky, but it is where life truly begins.

Life is going on as usual. GG is super busy with exams, and even though she may be at home, I barely see her. BB is busy with his work and hopefully has started thinking of plans for post-national service. This week, I was reminded that they are legal adults, so I can’t say too much about where they go and why.

Anyway, that was all there is this week. Stay positive, keep smiling, and I will check back next week!