Today’s quote is from the pioneering French fashion designer and businesswoman who revolutionised women’s fashion in the early 20th century, Coco Chanel. Known for her timeless designs, including the iconic Chanel suit, little black dress, and Chanel No. 5 perfume, she redefined notions of style, elegance, and femininity. Coco Chanel’s quote suggests that a mindset of perseverance, determination, and unwavering belief in one’s abilities can lead to success. Chanel implies that those who approach their endeavours with confidence and resilience, without dwelling on the possibility of failure, are more likely to achieve their goals. The quote underscores the importance of taking risks and pushing boundaries in the pursuit of success. By focusing on their vision and abilities rather than potential setbacks, individuals can overcome obstacles and achieve remarkable feats. Chanel’s words highlight the power of self-belief and a clear sense of purpose in driving success. By remaining steadfast in their goals and refusing to be deterred by setbacks, individuals can turn their aspirations into reality.

In other news, there’s no change from last week. I am still applying for jobs and while people are sympathetic to my situation, there’s no traction happening. I haven’t scored a single interview yet, but I have not given up yet and am still optimistic that things will turn around soon. BB & GG are doing fine, GG is busy with school and BB is busy with camp.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced his intention to step down from his position on May 15, 2024, paving the way for Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to become Singapore’s fourth prime minister. The transition is expected to be smooth, with Wong’s extensive experience and leadership qualities well-positioned to guide Singapore through its next chapter. It also probably signals elections are coming soon. I hope the elections are held after GG & BB turn 21 and get their names in the electoral register so they can also cast their votes.

Take care and I’ll be back next week!

The author of today’s quote, Richie Norton, is an entrepreneur, author, and speaker known for his insights on entrepreneurship, personal development, and resilience. Today’s quote encapsulates the ideas of renewal, resilience, and embracing change. Norton suggests that each day’s end, symbolised by the sunset, presents an opportunity to reflect, let go of the past, and start anew. It’s a chance to reset our mindset, intentions, and direction in life. The quote highlights the cyclical nature of life, where endings are not permanent but serve as preludes to new beginnings. Just as the sunrise marks the start of a new day, it also represents a fresh perspective and a chance to approach life with renewed energy and optimism. Norton’s words encourage a mindset of resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges or setbacks. By viewing each sunset and sunrise as opportunities for growth and transformation, individuals can navigate life’s ups and downs with greater optimism and purpose.

I’ve had a chance to reflect on the loss of my job and I have come to terms with it. So this week, armed with a rewritten resume, I’ve started searching for new positions. And this time, unlike previous times, a few people have come forward to help. So I am cautiously optimistic that the universe has something great lined up for me. The children are busy with school and training. They are happy doing what they are doing.

And that’s all from me this week. Keep smiling, embrace change and remember, tomorrow is another day!

This was a bad week for me. I got laid off at the beginning of the week. Getting laid off is never a nice thing to happen, but because I was enjoying what I was doing, it was especially hard. I was assured it was not performance-based, but because of an organisational restructure. I have my theories about this, but because I don’t want to speculate on a public platform, I am going to leave it at that. But I am not as upset or anxious about this as I thought I would be. I am going to attribute it to all the positive messages I have been posting and the meditation I have been doing. I am taking this weekend to process all my emotions and then from tomorrow on, I will start exploring options. If you readers have anything interesting for me, please feel free to share. You can drop me a message and I will get back to you.

And continuing with the theme, our quote today from American author, motivational speaker, and podcast host, Gabrielle Bernstein encourages us to shift our perspective on rejection. Instead of viewing it as a setback, we can recognise it as redirection—a way for the universe to guide us toward something better. Rather than feeling defeated, we can learn, grow, and ultimately find new opportunities through rejection

I am going to use this quote in my life, shift my perspective and make a conscious choice to view rejection as a form of guidance. Instead of feeling defeated, I am going to ask what I can learn from this experience and trust the universe to guide me towards something better. I plan to use this rejection as an opportunity for growth by reflecting, identifying areas for improvement, adapting accordingly and viewing it as a chance to refine my approach. I am letting go of attachments to specific outcomes. Sometimes rejection occurs because there’s a better path waiting and I will practise surrender and trust the universe has my back. Lastly, I will be open to unexpected opportunities. Sometimes rejection leads to doors I didn’t even know existed, so I plan to maintain a positive mindset and be receptive to new directions. I will share my journey with you and any success I may have in the coming months.

BB is busy with his training and got his beret last week. Once his theory and practical training is over, he will be attached to a unit for on-the-job training before being formally inducted into the unit. GG is busy with school and will have exams very soon. I can’t believe she will complete one year soon and now has three more years before she graduates. BB, too, needs to think what he wants to do once he finishes his national service next year.

And on that note, stay positive and keep smiling!

American author, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker known for his self-help books, seminars, and coaching programs, Tony Robbins’ quote underscores the importance of learning from mistakes, addressing challenges, and embracing the imperfections inherent in the human experience. Robbins emphasises the value of viewing mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures. By analysing the causes of problems, individuals can gain insights that help prevent similar issues in the future. The quote encourages proactive problem-solving by identifying the root cause of problems and taking steps to eliminate them. This approach fosters personal growth and continuous improvement. Robbins advocates for embracing imperfection as an essential aspect of being human. Instead of striving for unattainable perfection, he suggests focusing on being the best version of oneself and serving as a positive example for others. By embracing imperfection and learning from mistakes, individuals can exemplify the resilience, adaptability, and compassion that characterize the human experience. Rather than aiming for perfection, Robbins suggests striving to be an excellent example of humanity in all its complexity. In essence, today’s quote encourages individuals to adopt a growth mindset, tackle challenges head-on, and embrace the journey of self-improvement with compassion and resilience. It emphasises the value of learning, problem-solving, and being authentically human in the pursuit of excellence.

BB has rejoined his training unit after his leave following his passing out parade. He is to be a technician, which is something he is happy about because it is aligned with what he studied at the polytechnic. He will undergo a three-month training, then a one-month on-the-job training, after which he will be posted to his unit.

GG is very stressed with school. She is finding it hard to cope and this week had a mini breakdown. I could only console her and tell her getting fewer marks on a test is not the end of the world. But that is the reality of the world and the sooner she adapts to it, the better.

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

Today’s quote comes to us from the Spanish surrealist artist, Salvador Dali, known for his striking and bizarre images who worked in various media, including painting, sculpture, film, photography, and jewellery. This quote by Dali reminds us that perfection is an impossible and unrealistic goal, and that one should not be afraid of trying new things or making mistakes. By relinquishing the fear of imperfection, individuals can explore new ideas and possibilities without the constraints of unrealistic standards. Dalí’s words advocate for embracing the creative process itself, rather than fixating on achieving a flawless outcome. He recognizes that true innovation and artistic expression often arise from experimentation, risk-taking, and embracing the unexpected.

BB goes back to his unit tomorrow. He has been assigned to a training unit where he will learn to do maintenance work, which is close to what he studied in poly. So he is chill and very accepting of his new vocation. I hope he gets to learn useful skills that can be translated into real world skills. GG, on the other hand, is very stressed about school. But there’s nothing new there, is it?

I’ve been busy with work and my writing and some days I am so tired that after I am home, I am nodding off even before 9 pm! I have a gruelling commute, with my first and last mile by bus and the middle portion by train. But I am not complaining, this is my space and I am allowed to vent!

And on that note, have a fantastic Sunday and a wonderful and positive week!