Contemporary American poet Nayyirah Waheed is known for her minimalist, emotionally resonant style. Her evocative quote captures the profound strength found in self-love, not as a loud declaration, but as a quiet and transformative act of inner revolution. In a world that often teaches us to seek validation externally, to conform, or to be self-critical, truly loving oneself becomes a radical, healing, and empowering act. 

Calling it a revolution suggests that self-love defies the norms and systems that profit from our self-doubt. When someone embraces their worth unapologetically, they shift their entire relationship with the world, from how they speak to themselves to how they set boundaries and pursue joy. And what makes it even more powerful is its simplicity and stillness: it doesn’t shout; it transforms from within.

Waheed’s intentional use of lowercase letters and fragmented structure reflects the quiet, poetic rhythm of introspection. The quote is a reminder that the most profound changes often begin in the most intimate and internal spaces. Loving yourself is not ego, it is a revolution of acceptance, healing, and truth.

At the end of June, I am about 1000 km away from home, somewhere in the Surat Thani province of Thailand. It should take me the rest of this year to finish this long journey of about 15,000 km which I started walking and documenting in January 2021. Now that the end is near, I am wondering where next should I set my sights on? If you have any ideas, let me know? I have some initial thoughts, but will take the rest of the time it takes me to reach home in Singapore. 

The children are doing well at work and GG’s internship will end by early August after which she will start her third year of school. BB will end national service in October and be ORD or Operationally Ready and then he has to figure out what he wants to do – work or apply to school. 

As for me, I have made a decision on what I want to do. I have decided that while I will still apply for open positions, I will make an effort to reach out and do more freelance work, be it writing or the other skills I have. I have this niggling feeling that maybe this is the way to move forward and that it is the universe giving me a nudge by not making me successful in any interviews all this time. So if a fantastic opportunity comes my way, I will give it a shot, otherwise, i will work on my freelance business and see where that takes me.

That’s all from me this week. Stay positive and please send positive vibes my way. I feel i am at the cusp of something, whether that is jumping off a cliff to the unknown or having a gust of wind to send me soaring, I don’t know, but I have hope and positivity, and that the most important thing of all!

This was a tranquil week as I had done a major chunk of this week’s ‘to-do’ list before the week began. This meant I had time to do a lot of reflection this week. So I spent time in mindful contemplation, read a bit, spent time on social media, and had some (not all) answers. Maybe I will do the same next week too, and then, hopefully, I will have a clearer picture of what I want and need to do in the next six months of the year.

Today’s profound quote by Joseph Goldstein, a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society who has studied and taught Buddhist meditation for over 50 years, reframes humility not as a behaviour we adopt but as a natural state that arises when the ego dissolves. Often, humility is misunderstood as modesty or self-deprecation, something we consciously perform. But Goldstein, drawing from Buddhist insight, suggests that true humility isn’t about downplaying oneself; it’s about the absence of fixation on the self altogether.

When the sense of “I, me, mine” fades, what remains is not arrogance or pride, but a quiet openness and presence. In that state, we’re no longer comparing, competing, or needing validation. We act with compassion and clarity, not from a place of ego but from connection and awareness. Thus, humility isn’t a deliberate “stance” we take; it arises naturally when we stop centring everything around the self. In spiritual practice, this is often the essence of awakening: freedom from the illusion of a separate, fixed identity.

Other than my quiet solitude this week, life went on as usual. The children were busy with their work, as was S. So that’s my update for this week. Stay positive and keep smiling!

Today’s quote comes to us from Robert Braathe, an American business educator, consultant, and motivational speaker known for his work in leadership, marketing, and professional development. Through his writing and mentorship, he encourages individuals to take ownership of their growth and cultivate positive habits, especially in attitude, communication, and leadership. Braathe’s quote reminds us that how we view life is largely within our control. He emphasises that gratitude, the act of being thankful, and attitude (our mindset or outlook) aren’t difficult tasks forced upon us; they are intentional decisions we make each day.

While circumstances may not always be ideal, we can still choose to focus on what we have rather than what we lack and respond with positivity rather than negativity. Gratitude shifts our focus from scarcity to abundance, and a positive attitude empowers us to face challenges with resilience and grace. The quote is a call to empowerment and personal responsibility. We may not control everything around us, but we can choose our perspective, and that choice shapes the quality of our lives.

This was a very productive week for me in writing. I finished so much of my pending writing work that I am in a good place now in terms of writing work and blog posts. GG has been busy with work, and these days, she is working from home twice a week. This means we are both working together but separately, which I am enjoying. BB is also busy with work, something he is sort of enjoying, but I would not really know, as he is not the complaining sort. All in all, a usual, boring week.

Take care, stay positive, and check in next week!

The author of today’s quote is motivational author, ordained minister, and founder of Life Support System, a platform dedicated to providing uplifting messages and personal growth insights, Steve Goodier. Known for his accessible and encouraging style, Goodier’s work is often quoted in speeches, sermons, and social media as reminders of the simple truths that guide a meaningful life.

Goodier’s quote emphasises the power of inner grounding, the emotional, mental, and spiritual stability that allows you to face life’s challenges with calm and resilience. He suggests that when you’re grounded—anchored in your values, self-awareness, and sense of purpose—you’re better equipped to handle stress, uncertainty, or adversity. Life’s stormiest roads refer to difficult circumstances, crises, or emotional upheavals, and being grounded means you can move through them without being overwhelmed or losing your centre.

Grounding doesn’t mean avoiding storms; it means weathering them with clarity and calmness. It’s about cultivating inner peace and self-trust so that external chaos doesn’t shake your foundation. Whether through mindfulness, connection to nature, spirituality, or simply knowing who you are, grounding helps you respond rather than react and endure rather than escape. Ultimately, the quote serves as a reminder that peace isn’t found in avoiding difficulty but in how we stand in the midst of it. When you’re grounded, even the toughest paths can be navigated with grace.

This week was a calm one, where I worked through my ‘to-do’ lists and completed all pending tasks. I also took time to read and think through what I want to do moving forward. I have a few things on my mind, and once they crystallise, I will share them with you all.

BB & GG are busy with their lives, and there are days I only see them for a bit in the morning and then again in the evening. But that is a feature of being an adult, and I am glad they are living their lives. I am still in the throes of coming back from holiday and can’t wait to go for my next one. But for that, I need to earn money, right?

To all the fathers and father figures who read this space, Happy Father’s Day! May your Father’s Day be filled with joy, laughter, and appreciation!

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

It’s taken me a full week to come back to normal. I suppose my body has told me that I’m ageing. One lesson I have learned is that if I am travelling long haul, I will and need to pay a bit more to travel more comfortably. And I am going to travel. Europe has my heart, and I can’t wait to go back and explore the continent more. In fact, this week, I have been telling GG & BB to move to Europe for work and study so I can come and stay with them and explore.

Today’s quote by the 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, and Sufi mystic, Rumi, speaks to the profound spiritual and emotional depth that silence can reveal. In a world filled with constant noise, distractions, and mental chatter, silence offers a gateway to clarity, truth, and inner peace. When we embrace stillness, both outwardly and inwardly, we move beyond surface-level experiences and begin to connect with the essence of our being.

Rumi is suggesting that silence is not emptiness but a rich, fertile space where we can hear the wisdom of the soul. In silence, we begin to notice what truly matters. Our insights deepen, our hearts become more open, and we feel connected to something greater than ourselves: what he calls “the core of life.”

Rather than always seeking answers externally, Rumi invites us to look inward. Silence becomes a spiritual practice, a form of listening, not just with the ears, but with the heart. It leads us to authenticity, presence, and the sacred truths that lie beneath words.

I was faced with two rejections this week, one that I was ok with, but the other stung hard. I know the universe has a plan for me, but at times like this, it gets hard to see the grand plan. I am going to take a few weeks to finally figure out what it is I want to do, introspect, and then come to a decision. Wish me luck!

That’s all from me this week. I have no real updates because all I wanted to do this week is sleep and not do anything, which is what I did. Hopefully, I am back to my usual self next week and will have more news.

Take care and stay positive!