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!

Today’s quote by Hafiz conveys a powerful message about selfless love and generosity. Also known as Hafiz, Khwāja Shams-ud-Dīn Muhammad Hāfez-e Shīrāzī, who lived between 1315 and 1390, was a Persian poet and Sufi mystic, celebrated for his deeply spiritual and love-infused poetry. The quote draws a beautiful analogy between the sun and the Earth to illustrate how true love and kindness do not come with expectations or conditions. The sun shines daily, giving warmth, light, and life to the Earth without demanding anything in return. It does not say, *”You owe me for all the energy I provide.”* It simply gives because that is its nature. Similarly, the highest form of love is unconditional; it expects nothing back yet has the power to illuminate everything around it. 

Hafiz suggests that when love is pure and selfless, it can transform lives, just as the sun lights up the entire sky. Love, when given freely, creates a ripple effect, spreading warmth, happiness, and positivity. It inspires others to love more deeply, creating a world filled with kindness and light. This idea can be applied to many aspects of life, including relationships, friendships, and acts of service. When we love others without keeping score or expecting anything in return, we experience a deeper, more fulfilling connection. On the other hand, when love is transactional, when we constantly expect something in return, it loses its beauty and purity.  

The quote also carries a spiritual lesson: love is most powerful when it is not attached to ego or personal gain. True love is divine, just like the sun’s unconditional warmth. Many spiritual traditions emphasise this kind of love whether it’s compassion, charity, or simply being kind without expecting recognition. In a world where love is often measured by what we receive in return, Hafiz reminds us of a different kind of love, one that gives without question. This kind of love, whether for a partner, a friend, or humanity as a whole, has the power to light up not just one life but the entire world.   

In March, I walked 544,504 steps and 359 km. My total journey to my home in India and back to Singapore as of the end of March is almost 12,500, which brings me in proximity to Myanmar’s border with Thailand and about 2000 km from home. This month, I started walking more intentionally, and this was reflected in my steps for the month. I did do some readings, but I didn’t read as much as I wanted to, and this month, I plan to change that to make time for reading every day and read daily!

GG has exams starting next week, and she is, as expected, very stressed. BB is also busy with work and often spends time in overtime. As for me, I am exactly where I was last week; no changes there.

That’s all for this week. Take care, stay safe, stay positive and keep smiling!

To all those celebrating, Eid Mubarak! May the moon’s brightness this Eid bring you and your loved ones endless blessings, happiness, and success.

Today’s quote is a simple but profound reminder to live in the present moment. Attributed to Ram Dass, who was born Richard Alpert, a spiritual teacher, psychologist, and author known for bringing Eastern philosophy to the Western world, Ram Das was a Harvard professor who became deeply involved in psychedelic research before traveling to India, where he studied under Neem Karoli Baba and embraced Hindu spiritual teachings. The quote encourages us to let go of past regrets and future anxieties and fully immerse ourselves in the now, where life truly happens.

In modern society, many people struggle with overthinking and distractions, either dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about what lies ahead. This tendency keeps them from fully experiencing the richness of life. Ram Dass suggests that true peace and fulfillment come from being completely present in whatever moment we are in, without resistance or attachment.

When we focus on the present, we become more aware of our thoughts, emotions, and surroundings. This awareness allows us to engage with life more deeply and authentically rather than being caught in the endless cycle of mental chatter. “Be here now” is not just about passivity; it’s about actively embracing the moment, appreciating its beauty, and responding to life with clarity and wisdom.

This philosophy aligns with many spiritual traditions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and meditation practices, where being present is considered the key to enlightenment and inner peace. Instead of trying to control or resist life, Ram Dass teaches that true happiness comes when we surrender to the now, accepting things as they are. In a practical sense, this quote encourages us to slow down, breathe, and fully engage in whatever we are doing, whether it’s having a conversation, eating a meal, or simply observing the world around us. By being fully present, we can reduce stress, enhance our relationships, and find deeper meaning in everyday experiences. The quote is an invitation to live life with awareness, gratitude, and a sense of presence. It reminds us that the past is gone, the future is uncertain, but the present moment is always within our reach.

GG is amid project submissions and prepping for her final exams. So, even if she is at home, I barely get to see her. Once her exams are done, she has a break for a couple of weeks, after which she starts her summer internship. So a very busy few weeks for her.

BB is busy with his work too, having to work overtime many days as well as having to do overnight guard duty. But the end is near, and that’s what matters.

This week also marked the one-year mark when I was told by my hiring manager that they would be letting me go, not because I was underperforming, but because the project I was hired for didn’t get its funding renewed. I was very upset initially, but now I have gotten over it and can look at it objectively. I also know that the universe has a plan for me and this was part of the plan. To get something good, you need to reach rock bottom and then climb up.

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

Today’s quote is from one of my favourite authors, one whom I read when I was in school, Louisa May Alcott. An American novelist, poet, and reformist, Alcott is best known for her classic novel, Little Women. Alcott worked as a nurse during the Civil War and wrote stories to support her family. Her works, often inspired by her own life, emphasise family values, resilience, and female empowerment. She was also an advocate for women’s rights and abolitionism, leaving behind a literary legacy that continues to inspire readers worldwide.

Alcott’s quote serves as a guiding principle for a meaningful and well-balanced life. It highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with positivity, continuous learning, appreciation for life, and self-care. Our thoughts, attitudes, and personal growth are often shaped by our relationships. Positive, kind, and supportive individuals encourage us to become the best versions of ourselves, while toxic influences can hinder our growth. Alcott suggests that choosing uplifting and virtuous companions helps cultivate a life filled with joy, wisdom, and integrity.

Books serve as windows to new perspectives, knowledge, and emotional depth. Reading well-written, insightful, and inspiring works expands the mind, nurtures empathy, and strengthens one’s sense of identity and purpose. For Alcott, who was both an avid reader and a writer, good books were not just entertainment but a means of self-improvement and enlightenment. The quote also encourages one to appreciate life’s beauty and find joy in meaningful, simple pleasures. Whether it is art, nature, kindness, or creativity, loving what is good fosters gratitude and contentment. This aligns with Alcott’s belief in living a rich, fulfilling life not through material wealth but through experiences and values.

The quote also emphasises the importance of both physical and spiritual well-being. A healthy body supports a healthy mind, and taking care of oneself through exercise, rest, and nourishment leads to a balanced life. Similarly, cultivating the soul through kindness, compassion, faith, or introspection ensures that personal growth is not just external but deeply rooted in character and values. Overall, Alcott’s quote is a timeless piece of wisdom, reminding us that a truly fulfilling life is built upon meaningful relationships, intellectual and personal growth, appreciation for life’s goodness, and a commitment to self-care.

I took this week easy. I had a bunch of things on my to-do list that kept getting pushed to the next week because of my work and writing commitments, so I thought I should take a week or two off to tick off items from my long list. The good news is that I managed to get quite a few items off the list. The coming week will also be quieter as I try and clear more items so that when April rolls in, I have the bandwidth and motivation to tackle my writing head-on.

GG has been very busy and stressed this week because of project submissions, exams, and tests. She finally finished a bunch of those but has her end-of-semester exams to look forward to in early April. GG is busy with his work in camp, and his life flows on as usual. I have been nagging him for the past few weeks to take more interest in life after national service, but so far, all this has fallen on deaf ears!

That’s all from me this week! Stay positive and let the brightness of spring coat your soul!