This week, I was very productive, working on my blog posts, so that’s a big win for me. But on the other hand, because I was walking more than usual, halfway through the week, my legs decided to give up on me. I had excruciating pain in both my legs, one by one, so much that I had to stop walking for the rest of the week so I could recover. I guess my age is catching up, and I need to scale back on my daily walks. But I also want to finish my walk back home, and since I am in the last few hundred kilometres, it’s a catch-22 situation. But I think my health concerns should come above this walk, so I plan to scale down for a few days before I start walking, but at a slower pace.

Today’s quote from Corrie ten Boom highlights the futility of worry. Corrie ten Boom reminds us that worrying doesn’t prevent future problems; it doesn’t solve or lessen them. Instead, it drains our energy, focus, and peace in the present moment. By dwelling on what might happen tomorrow, we weaken ourselves today, making it harder to face challenges with clarity and resilience. Her message is simple yet powerful: rather than wasting strength on imagined fears, we should conserve our energy for living fully today. Trust, faith, and presence are far more effective than worry in preparing us for the future.

Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian watchmaker who, along with her family, helped many Jews escape the Nazis during World War II by hiding them in their home. She was eventually arrested and sent to a concentration camp, where she survived and later shared her story in her memoir The Hiding Place. After the war, Corrie travelled the world as a speaker and writer, teaching about forgiveness, faith, and resilience. Her life and words continue to inspire people to trust in hope and courage even in the darkest times.

Today’s motivation is about going through tough times. When you’re going through a tough time, be gentle with yourself. Give yourself the space to notice your self-critical thoughts. It’s not like you’re doing it on purpose. These unpleasant thoughts are not your fault. It’s part of the human experience. There is nothing productive about obsessing over something that can’t be changed. Refrain from forming conclusions about your situation based on these unhelpful thoughts. Embrace the transformative power of pause. Tap into your inner knowing and trust in your own resilience.

GG is, as usual, busy with school. She also scored, not one, but all three internships she had applied to for next year. She already had accepted one offer before she got the other two, so she will have to turn the others down, but hopefully will be able to intern with them before she graduates. I am so proud of her!

BB’s flight back home has been changed and he will come almost two days later than he was supposed to. This means his offboarding leave will be reduced by at least one day. He sent some amazing photos from his trip and these photos have made me add Australia to my bucket list.

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

It’s been a week since BB has been in Australia. Though we speak over the phone almost daily, it’s not the same. I’ve been counting down the days when he will come back home. But he is enjoying himself and the scenery is just amazing from the few photos he shared with us. And that’s what is important. This week, I barely saw GG also as she was super busy with school work, tests and project submissions. But she has been very hard at work, especially after her priority offer, so I am happy for her.

Today’s quote is from Chinese general, military strategist, and philosopher best known as the author of The Art of War, an influential text on military strategy, leadership, and tactics, Sun Tzu. His philosophy emphasises discipline, foresight, adaptability, and the intelligent use of opportunities and his teachings remind us that success often comes from strategy and decisiveness rather than sheer force.

The quote emphasises the idea that taking action creates momentum. Sun Tzu suggests that opportunities don’t just appear randomly; they grow out of the ones we act upon. When we seize a chance, it often opens the door to new possibilities, connections, and paths that wouldn’t have existed had we hesitated.

For example, saying yes to one project may lead to new partnerships, recognition, or further opportunities down the line. In contrast, failing to act can cause opportunities to vanish. The message is clear: initiative breeds abundance, while inaction breeds stagnation. This insight applies not only to warfare, Sun Tzu’s primary subject, but also to everyday life: careers, relationships, and personal growth. The more proactive and courageous we are, the more doors open before us.

Another thing I read this week is also similar and spoke to me. What it said was that little tweaks in the way we speak to ourself can transform the narratives that shape our life experiences. For example, instead of saying “I let go of control”, we can say “I let go of the illusion of control”. This little distinction can help us remember that we don’t have to worry about figuring it all out by ourselves. Things work better when we surrender control, open up to trusting more. So by reframing “This day is ruined” into “This is only a difficult moment. It will pass soon”, we take control of how we perceive and shape our view. The key is being aware of the way we perceive our experiences, it makes all the difference.

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

American author, editor, and journalist Will Schwalbe’s quote emphasises that mindfulness is simple presence, not a complicated practice or performance. He explains that mindfulness doesn’t require elaborate techniques; it’s about giving your full attention to the current moment and to the person or activity in front of you.

By saying “When I’m with you, I’m with you,” he highlights the importance of genuine presence in relationships. Too often, we divide our attention: thinking about the past, worrying about the future, or being distracted by devices. True mindfulness is about dropping distractions and fully engaging with what’s happening now. The quote reminds us that mindfulness is not about adding something extra to life; it’s about stripping away the noise so that we can experience connection, clarity, and peace as they naturally are in the present moment.

BB left for Australia yesterday early morning, and I am already missing him. He will be gone until the end of the month, and my only hope for him during this trip is that he is safe, enjoys himself, and learns something that will serve him for the rest of his life. GG is busy with school and is giving interviews for her six-month internship, which is a graduation requirement.

This week, I read something interesting about reclaiming your power. What it said was that your peace and happiness should never depend on someone else’s actions. Don’t sacrifice your calm over a missed call or a message left unanswered. You don’t need anyone’s validation to recognise your worth. Stand firm in who you are and honour your values. Stop investing energy in those who don’t give it back. Let people enhance your joy, but don’t make them the source of it. Root your happiness and peace within yourself, and stay aligned with your truest, most authentic self. Does it make sense?

At the end of August, I am almost done with my epic walk of more than 14,000 km from Singapore to my home in Mumbai, then a detour to Bengaluru and back to Singapore. By my estimation, sometime in the third week of September, I should finally reach home. Now, where should I walk next?

That’s all from me this week. Here’s to a fantastic September (albeit a week late)…

Today’s quote by American writer Richard Bach explains that luck is not purely random; it is the result of being ready when opportunities arise. Preparation equips you with the skills, knowledge, and mindset to recognise and seize chances that others might miss. When opportunity presents itself, those who are unprepared may see it pass by, while those who have prepared can act and benefit. In essence, luck is less about chance and more about diligence and readiness. The harder you work to prepare, the luckier you seem, because you are in a position to capitalise on opportunities when they come. This quote shows that luck isn’t random; instead, it’s created. When you prepare yourself with the right skills and mindset, you’re ready to seize opportunities as they arise. True luck is the meeting point of preparation and opportunity.

I also read this recently, and it resonated with me. What is meant for you will come in ways you could never predict; that’s the magic of life. Too often, we exhaust ourselves by overthinking every detail or forcing a timeline. But when we learn to trust and allow life to unfold, everything begins to align with greater ease. What’s destined for you cannot be taken away. Hold onto faith that it’s already on its way. That trust will steady you through the waiting and the unknown, and when the right opportunities arrive, they will bring the clarity and reassurance your heart has been longing for. What’s meant for you will always find its way, often in ways you never expect. Trust the timing, let life flow, and know that what’s yours cannot be lost. This came to me at the right time, when I really needed to hear it.

Yesterday, BB invited some friends to celebrate his birthday. GG has decided that this year, she will go out with her friends. I also told them that this year, they are responsible for their party; they need to source a cake, make the food (GG to make Thai green curry and rice and BB to make his pesto with pasta), and arrange for everything. And they did a good job; I am so proud of them. The reason for this early birthday is that BB leaves for his military exercise at the end of next week. He will be away for slightly over three weeks, and we are going to miss him so much!

As for me, everything is standing still. I am where I was last week in terms of my job search, and now I wonder if I should even continue with this. Is the universe giving me sign after sign, which I am ignoring? Let me sleep over this for a few days and see what I come up with.

That’s all from me this week. Stay safe, stay positive and know that the universe has a plan for you.

Spanish writer, poet, and motivational thinker known for her uplifting reflections on life, love, and personal growth, Foka Gómez’s quote emphasises the power of self-belief as the foundation for achieving goals and creating change. It suggests that what may seem like “magic” in life—success, transformation, or overcoming obstacles—doesn’t come from luck or outside forces, but from the confidence we hold within ourselves. When you truly believe in your abilities, you activate resilience, creativity, and determination, which allow you to turn possibilities into realities. The message is simple yet profound: self-belief unlocks potential. Without it, doubts hold us back; with it, even the impossible starts to feel within reach. In essence, the “magic” is not external; it lives inside us, waiting to be tapped. This quote reminds us that the real magic lies in self-belief. When you trust in your own abilities, you unlock the strength and confidence to overcome challenges and achieve your dreams. Believing in yourself is the first step to making anything possible.

I once again spent the week working on my content calendar for the rest of 2025 and beyond. Some posts were easy, some took time, and some have still not come to me. But hopefully, what I write is interesting and makes you want to continue to read.

BB is busy with the final touches to his big trip next month, and he and his platoon are doing all they can to make their mission a success. GG is busy with school, assignments, projects, and tests. 

I read something recently that I thought I should share: There are many times when we feel that we can’t go lower than where we currently are. But we should never let the dark moments make us forget how powerful we truly are; we will always rise above. We should not let the temporary thoughts and emotions fool us into thinking we are weak, because when we’re vulnerable, it is easy to fall into the trap of assuming we can’t handle this. Remember, no matter how many times life has been hard, we have always found our way to the light. We’ve always shown up with resilience, strength, and grace and have it in us to overcome adversity and rediscover joy in our lives.

That’s all I have for you this week. Stay positive, keep smiling, and remember, it is always darkest before dawn!