Yesterday was International Women’s Day, and my social media feed has been filled with IWD posts. While I am all for celebrating the day, I just wish all this posting on social media is not just for show on this day and is something people commit to the whole year.

Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, and Holocaust survivor best known for his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl’s quote highlights the idea that success is not something that can be directly chased or forced. Instead, it is a byproduct of meaningful work, purpose, and dedication to something greater than personal achievement. Frankl suggests that when people make success their primary goal, they often become too fixated on outcomes, leading to stress, disappointment, and ultimately failure. This happens because success is not a tangible object that can be grabbed; it is a natural result of pursuing something with passion, purpose, and integrity.

Similarly, he compares success to happiness, emphasising that both are not things that can be pursued directly. Happiness, like success, arises when we engage in meaningful activities, form deep connections, and contribute to something larger than ourselves. If one only focuses on success, they risk missing the joy and fulfillment that come from the journey itself.

Frankl’s quote also aligns with his philosophy of logotherapy, which emphasises that humans find true fulfillment not by seeking pleasure or success but by finding purpose and meaning in life. When we shift our focus from personal gain to serving a cause, helping others, or creating something valuable, success will naturally follow as a consequence. Ultimately, his message is a call to action: instead of chasing success, focus on what truly matters, be it learning, growing, creating, or contributing, and success will come as a natural result of living a meaningful life.

This week, I was able to see a doctor for my ankle pain that had been bothering me for the last five months. At the peak of the pain, I was unable to walk more than 10 minutes at a time and was hobbling along. After seeing my GP, who gave me pain medications, the pain subsided to a large extent, but I used to get pain on and off, especially if I walked for a long time. So this week, I could finally see a specialist for this. I was told to get an x-ray done, and the good news is that there is nothing wrong with the bones. I have been told to attend a few physiotherapy sessions and also given medication, both oral and topical, and will have to go back later this year. If the pain does not subside, I will need to get an MRI scan done. Hopefully things will get better by the time I need to go back to see the doctor and I don’t need to do the MRI!

This was my biggest news of the week. It’s just GG and me at home this week as S was away on a trip with his mom and BB was in camp. So, GG and I have been cooking less, only cooking what we need, and I enjoyed not making complete meals. Next week, it is back to normal.

That’s all from me this week. Again, wishing all the women who read this space a happy women’s day. I just hope that it didn’t take a day to remind the world how amazing us women are, but I’ll take what I get for now.

Today’s quote from American author, columnist, and lecturer best known for having one of the highest recorded IQs in the world, Marilyn vos Savant, highlights the idea that failure is not the end. Rather, a setback can be overcome with persistence and resilience. The only way failure becomes final is if one decides to stop trying. In life, everyone faces obstacles, disappointments, and failures. Whether in careers, relationships, or personal goals, moments of defeat are inevitable. However, these defeats are not permanent unless we allow them to be. A temporary failure does not define a person—it is their response to failure that shapes their destiny. Those who continue to push forward despite setbacks often achieve success, while those who surrender to their failures never get the chance to turn things around.

The quote also speaks to the importance of mindset. People who see failure as a lesson and a stepping stone are more likely to succeed in the long run. On the other hand, those who let defeat discourage them and make them quit miss out on growth opportunities. Success is often just beyond the moments when giving up seems like the easiest choice. This quote is a powerful reminder that resilience is a skill that can be developed. When facing challenges, people should remind themselves that setbacks are a normal part of life. Instead of dwelling on failure, they should focus on learning from mistakes, adapting, and continuing the journey. Ultimately, the quote encourages people to cultivate *determination, perseverance, and a never-give-up attitude. Failure is not the enemy—giving up is. The only true defeat is the one we accept as final.

This weekend is the weekend of love, with many across the world celebrating Valentine’s Day. For those who didn’t know, it originated as a Christian feast day honouring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions, it has also become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. We didn’t do anything this weekend because the children made us a wonderful meal over the weekend, which was our Valentine’s meal!

That’s all from my side this week. Keep smiling, stay positive, and always remember that love is a language spoken by everyone but understood only by the heart!

The quote for today is from the Greek philosopher Epicurus, who lived between 341 and 270 BC and was the founder of Epicureanism, a school of thought that taught that the pursuit of happiness comes from simple pleasures, self-sufficiency, and the absence of fear or pain. He believed that pleasure, when pursued wisely, leads to a fulfilling and tranquil life. Today’s quote reflects that true happiness comes not from wealth, status, or material possessions but from contentment and simplicity. It emphasises that fulfilment is found in appreciating what we have rather than constantly seeking more. Epicurus believed that the key to a happy life was moderation, self-sufficiency, and inner peace.

In today’s world, where consumerism encourages people to always want more, this quote serves as a reminder that happiness is not about accumulating wealth or possessions but about cultivating a mindset of gratitude and sufficiency. Many people believe that they will be happy once they achieve a certain goal—buying a bigger house, earning a higher salary, or gaining social recognition. However, this pursuit more often leads to stress, dissatisfaction, and never-ending desires. Instead of chasing external sources of happiness, Epicurus suggests that one can find joy by embracing what is already present in life.

The quote also touches on the idea that happiness is a choice. If one can learn to be content with little, one can remain happy in almost any situation. This does not mean rejecting ambition or progress but rather not depending on external factors for inner joy. In summary, Epicurus teaches us that the secret to happiness is not in having more but in needing less. By shifting our mindset from lack to gratitude, we free ourselves from unnecessary suffering and discover a profound sense of well-being in life’s simplest pleasures.

The other day when I was speaking with my parents, I realised that I live a very boring life. Thus, today’s quote is apt. I need to relish and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Things like reading a good book, writing an article that resonates with me, making plans for a new trip, or speaking to an old friend should be the highlights of my day. 

There’s nothing more to update today. Life is going on; GG & BB are busy with their lives, school, and camp. I am busy with my writing. I am not sure if I ever mentioned this previously, but I am now a freelance content writer. I have a friend who is an editor for an online magazine, and this friend sends me work for a few articles each month. I am really enjoying this phase of my life and hope to continue doing this for years to come, hopefully, and potentially with more work.

That’s all from my side this week. Keep smiling, enjoy the simple pleasures, be happy in all situations, and above all, remain positive!

Welcome to the month of love, February! This week has been a very low key one for me, one because of the Lunar New Year holidays and also because I fell sick this week. BB brought home a cold from camp last week, infected GG and then it was my turn. Since I turned 50, it’s becoming harder to fight off sickness and infection. I guess its the double whammy of getting old and diabetes has made me more susceptible to infections. But I am a lot better now, so hopefully this coming week, I should be in full form. 

Today’s quote is from the English playwright, William Shakespeare, who needs no introduction. The essence of the quote suggests that disappointment and suffering often stem from our expectations. When we expect certain outcomes—whether from people, situations, or life itself—we set ourselves up for potential heartache if reality does not align with our hopes. This idea is particularly relevant in relationships, careers, and personal aspirations. Expectations are natural; they provide motivation, direction, and a sense of purpose. However, when expectations become rigid or unrealistic, they can lead to unnecessary suffering. For example, if someone expects their friends or loved ones to always behave a certain way, they may feel deep disappointment when those expectations are not met. Similarly, in professional settings, expecting rapid success without setbacks can lead to frustration and self-doubt when obstacles arise. This quote encourages us to practice acceptance and flexibility rather than rigid expectations. Instead of expecting life to unfold in a specific way, we can focus on appreciating the present moment and adapting to challenges as they come. By doing so, we reduce the likelihood of unnecessary heartache and cultivate a mindset of gratitude and resilience.

A practical way to apply this wisdom is through **mindfulness**—learning to let go of attachments to outcomes and embracing uncertainty. When we release the need for things to happen in a certain way, we open ourselves to new possibilities and experiences. Rather than being heartbroken over what didn’t happen, we can find joy in what is.  In conclusion, while hope and ambition are important, attaching happiness solely to expectations can lead to heartbreak. Instead, by embracing life’s uncertainties, we allow ourselves to grow, learn, and experience genuine contentment.

BB has been home this week, going out for some company events for a couple of days. I hope he enjoyed this break and will go back to camp tonight. GG is super busy with school, assignments, and projects, and even on days she is at home, I barely see her outside of coming out of her room to replenish her water bottle or for meals. Sometimes I need to force her to take a break, but I guess since she is old enough to know better now, I mostly just let her be.

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