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!

And just like that, my two-week trip has come to an end. I landed in Singapore last night and am utterly exhausted. I can’t sleep when I am travelling, so both my 14-hour flights were spent mostly reading, watching downloaded shows, walking around the plane, and playing an internal “Are we there yet?!” Let me get my breath back, and I will share more about this trip that has sparked a love for more of the same. 

Today’s quote by someone who needs no introduction, Helen Keller, speaks to the transformative power of dreaming and envisioning a future that inspires you. Helen Keller suggests that our dreams are not just fleeting wishes or fantasies; they are blueprints for who we are becoming. When you pursue your dreams, you’re not only moving toward external goals but also evolving internally. 

Your dreams reflect your deepest values, passions, and purpose. As you follow them, you begin to align your actions, decisions, and mindset with the vision you hold. In doing so, you shape your identity; you “become” the person who is capable of living that dream. The journey itself moulds you. Keller’s words remind us that the path to becoming our fullest selves is intertwined with daring to dream. Even if dreams are not fully realised, the pursuit enriches our character, strengthens our resolve, and reveals what we’re truly capable of.

Now, let me spend time with S, GG & BB and catch up with their lives. We did speak over the past two weeks, but nothing beats actually speaking with each other, right? Stay positive and keep smiling!

Buongiorno from Italy! We’re now in Italy, specifically in Rome and have started our adventure, and it has been a dream until now. We’ve enjoyed ourselves and have talked, gossiped, and talked some more until our mouths have started paining, but the stories have not yet stopped. We still have a few more days and stops to go before we end the trip and go our separate ways. 

British spiritual teacher and author Jeff Foster’s post reframes the commonly held belief that fear is something purely negative. Instead of viewing fear as a threat to avoid, he suggests we see it as a signpost, a guide or signal that can point us toward areas in our life where growth, healing, or change is needed. Fear often arises when we’re stepping outside of our comfort zone, facing the unknown, or confronting painful truths. In this sense, it can serve a valuable purpose. Rather than being the enemy, fear can show us where we are holding back, what matters deeply to us, or where old wounds still influence our behaviour. 

By calling fear a “signpost,” Foster invites us to get curious about our fears. What are they pointing to? Is there a part of ourselves we’re avoiding? Is there something important we want, but we’re afraid to go after it? When we examine fear with compassion instead of resistance, it becomes a teacher rather than an obstacle. Ultimately, this quote encourages us to move through fear, not around it. It’s a reminder that fear, when approached mindfully, can guide us toward greater self-awareness, courage, and transformation.

I don’t have time to write more because I am getting called to start our day, so I will leave with this promise that I will share a more detailed post soon. Take care and stay positive!

Hello from the sky! My grand adventure starts today, so join me for the ride! I am posting this from about 35,000 feet in the air on the way to the start of my sort of grand trip with my sisters. This trip has been in the planning for more than a year, and today the adventure begins. I will share more about this trip once I am back in Singapore.

Today’s insightful quote by Pablo Picasso speaks to the innate creativity and imaginative freedom found in children and how that natural artistic spirit often diminishes as people grow older. Spanish painter, sculptor, and one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso was known as a co-founder of the Cubist movement and a revolutionary force in modern art. His legacy endures not just through his artwork but through his belief in the power of the imagination. 

When we’re young, we’re curious, bold, and uninhibited. Children draw, build, paint, and dream without fear of judgment or failure. Their creativity flows naturally because they’re not constrained by rules, expectations, or the need for perfection. Picasso’s observation highlights a truth: everyone is born with creativity, but adulthood often teaches us to suppress it. As we grow, we begin to conform to societal norms, absorb criticism, and internalise the belief that being creative is only for the talented few. We start fearing mistakes or ridicule, which stifles the spontaneity and joy that once came so easily.

The problem Picasso refers to is not that creativity disappears; it’s that we stop nurturing it. We become more self-conscious and overly analytical, losing touch with the playful, expressive part of ourselves. Maintaining artistic freedom in adulthood requires deliberate effort. It means embracing vulnerability, being open to experimentation, and permitting ourselves to create without expectations or limitations. This quote is not just about being a painter or a musician. It’s about retaining the spirit of creativity in all forms: thinking outside the box, dreaming big, taking risks, and seeing the world through fresh eyes. Whether designing, problem-solving, or telling stories, keeping that childlike sense of wonder is crucial to innovation and fulfilment. In essence, Picasso challenges us to reclaim our creative selves, to break free from fear, judgment, and rigidity, and return to the imaginative, expressive nature we were all born with. Creativity is not something we lose with age; it is something we must choose to preserve.

GG has started her internship this week and is super busy. She leaves early in the morning and comes home exhausted in the evening. BB is busy with his work in camp, and life is as usual for him.

That’s all from me this week. Hopefully, I will have more to share next week, but if not, no worries; once I am back in Singapore, I will share more about the trip. Stay positive and keep smiling!

Today, in many parts of the world, we celebrate Mother’s Day. To all my readers who are mothers or mother figures, here’s wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day. Here’s wishing you a day filled with love, laughter, and happiness. And I hope you are pampered and loved not just today, but every day of the year. My children have something planned for me, but they are keeping it a secret. My guess is that we will probably go for a nice dinner tonight. What about you? What did your family plan for you today?

Today’s quote by Wayne Dyer, a renowned American self-help author, motivational speaker, and spiritual teacher, offers a profound definition of enlightenment: not as an ecstatic or dramatic awakening, but as a state of inner peace and radical acceptance. Wayne Dyer suggests that true enlightenment doesn’t come from resisting or trying to change life’s circumstances but from learning to accept reality as it is, without judgment or struggle. Enlightenment is not noisy or filled with grand gestures; it’s calm, grounded, and still. It means no longer fighting against the things you cannot control or endlessly wishing for things to be different. Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation or giving up; it means acknowledging the present moment fully, without unnecessary resistance or mental turmoil.

When we stop arguing with “what is”, the events, feelings, or circumstances of life, we begin to live with greater clarity and peace. Suffering often arises not from the events themselves, but from our resistance to them. By practising quiet acceptance, we free ourselves from anxiety, anger, or disappointment that stems from unmet expectations or rigid control over outcomes. Dyer’s quote also aligns with many spiritual teachings, particularly in Eastern philosophy, which emphasise non-attachment, mindfulness, and presence. Acceptance doesn’t imply complacency; it empowers us to move forward with grace. Instead of reacting to life, we respond to it with awareness.

In essence, this quote is an invitation to live with inner harmony. Enlightenment isn’t a goal to chase in the future; it’s a way of being in the present. By accepting what is, we stop exhausting ourselves with resistance and start experiencing the depth, simplicity, and beauty of now.

Earlier this week, we also saw a new Pope. On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. This historic election marks him as the first American-born pope and the first from the Order of Saint Augustine. Born in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV also holds Peruvian citizenship due to his extensive missionary work in Peru, where he served as the bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. 

GG starts her internship next week, and she is very excited about it. BB is moving through life as he normally does, with calm and silence.

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