Live Love Life Leisure

  Send gratitude -  Photo by George Dolgikh: https://www.pexels.com Have you ever heard about the magic of gratitude? It’s something every motivational speaker and spiritual guru loves to talk about. They’ll tell you it’s a simple act that can transform your life.  But here’s the big question: if it’s so simple, why do so many of us struggle to practice it consistently? Well... maybe, in a world enamored by complexity, gratitude seems too basic to hold our attention. Yes, I get it. I won't deny, I used to think the same way too. I’d heard about gratitude as a religious practice since I was a little girl. And at the time, for me, it was just words. I mean... I knew the meaning and I believed in its power (at least in theory) but never gave much thought about it. Even w hen praying, my “thank you’s” felt robotic, more of a routine than a genuine expression from the heart. Back then, of course I did say thanks, but it was more of a common social courtesy, not as a perso...

Happy dance - Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com The other day, I found myself trapped in frustration over something I couldn’t fix on my own. My electricity had gone out, but it was only in my place. And to make matters worse, I had no idea who to call for help. Back in Jakarta, solving problems like this was as easy as grabbing my phone, searching for a technician, making a quick call, and… boom! help was on the way. Sure, it cost money, but as long as everything functioned again, it was worth it. Here, however, I was left powerless; literally and emotionally. Feeling helpless, I flopped onto my bed, trying to manage my emotions. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and told myself, “I am experiencing anger.” I repeated the phrase like a mantra, over and over. And then, something unexpected happened. I realized how different I had become. To be honest, it was my first time consciously acknowledging my anger in such a way. I had never verbalized it before. Curious, I ...

Relax and unwind -  Photo by Viktoria Alipatova: https://www.pexels.com It’s finally raining again this morning. I turned my body away from my desk to face the door that I had opened, letting the cool, soothing breeze drift in. A wide smile stretched across my face as I whispered a heartfelt thank you to the rain for coming by to see us again. After the blazing heat of yesterday’s relentless sun, the rain felt like a balm for my soul, a welcome companion that seemed to wash away the lingering weight of all those jarring construction noises still replaying in my mind. I stared at my computer screen, a single sentence typed there, and then, without hesitation, I turned it off. Why would I let work keep me tethered indoors when such a rare and precious moment awaited outside? I felt a tinge of silliness at my earlier dedication but quickly let it go. This morning rain was a gift, an invitation to pause, to breathe, to simply be. In no time, I was in the kitchen, brewing myself a fresh...

Morning Habit - Photo by Aphiwat chuangchoem: https://www.pexels.com This happened some time last month. On that day, I remembered waking up way too early. Unlike my usual sluggish mornings, I instinctively went straight to the bathroom, washed up, and did my morning prayer. Then, I returned to bed, snuggled under my duvet, and planned to steal another hour of rest before heading out for my morning walk. As I lay there, a realization hit me: something had changed in me. The way I started my mornings felt different. At first, I was confused. Why did I rush off to the bathroom the moment I woke up? That wasn’t how I normally did things. I usually spent a few minutes (still on my bed) greeting good morning to God and thank Him for the great night sleep, then did the same thing to my body. But that morning? What happened to me? While thinking about that, suddenly, like a floodgate opening, memories from my past came rushing back. They were memories of my 9-to-5 life that I had left nearly...

  Freedom -  Photo by Olga: https://www.pexels.com/photo Last night, even though I went to bed at my usual time, I found it hard to actually fall asleep. I wasn’t sure what time I was finally asleep, but for sure I was still awake the next hour. Therefore, I expected that this morning, after a restless night, I would wake up a bit later, or at least at my usual time, given the lack of sleep. But no, I woke up an hour earlier than usual.  Mathematically, actually I spent roughly the same amount of time sleeping as I normally do, despite the rocky start the night before. Yet, the difference in how I felt today was striking. Yesterday, I woke up with a heaviness that lingered in both my mind and my heart, but today, I woke up with a profound sense of gratitude and lightness. It felt as if I had been reborn. like I was starting a fresh, new chapter in my life. What changed? I think the Sedona Method I practiced the day before worked its usual magic. This method, if you’re not...

  Trust the Unknown - Photo by Antoni Shkraba: https://www.pexels.com My morning today began with a simple thought, a desire to capture my feelings and share them in this blog. But as I powered on my laptop, the gentle sound of rain greeted me, an unexpected but joyful companion.  Like a child welcoming parents home from a long trip, I burst out the door, arms wide open, a smile stretched across my face. The excitement I felt was reminiscent of how I used to welcome my father back from a trip. That homecoming was always brimming with surprises; be it toys, books, or delicious treats; and the anticipation of his return filled our home with joy.  And in that same spirit, I whispered a heartfelt thank-you to the rain for visiting me again, right on cue, as though the universe had orchestrated it just for me. Before the rain, I had prepared a cup of coffee, not out of habit but because I was simply in the mood for it that morning. Alongside it was a pastry I’d saved from last...

Happy Eating - Photo by KoolShooters : https://www.pexels.com Have you ever caught yourself dancing when eating something amazing? That first bite that sets off a party in your mouth and makes your body move involuntarily like a head nod here, a little shoulder shake there, as if your soul is responding to an unsung tune. If you’re smiling right now, chances are you’ve been there. If not, stick around. By the end of this, you just might be inspired to groove your way through your next meal. Let’s be real. Not everyone dances when they eat, but my sister, cousin, and I? We’re full-on performers when the food hits just right. Sometimes, it’s just one of us moving subtly to the rhythm; other times, the three of us together create what I like to call a “movement of gratitude,” exclusive only to us. It’s hilarious, heartwarming, and deeply satisfying all at once. What’s funny is that this wasn’t always my thing. It’s only recently that I’ve found myself doing the “food dance.” And now that...

  Love your body -  Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com Have you ever thought of your body as your buddy? Not just a vessel that carries you through life, but a true companion; one that tirelessly works behind the scenes to keep you alive, healthy, and functional?  Well, to be honest, I used to think of my body as just a body, something impersonal and utilitarian. It existed for a purpose, sure, but it wasn’t something I saw as a being deserving my care, gratitude, or affection. In fact, for years, I just used it without thinking about its needs or even acknowledging its existence beyond what was necessary. But that perspective began to shift after attending a workshop where I was introduced to the idea of “thanking your body.” At first, the concept seemed absurd. Thank my legs, arms, lungs, and heart? What am I, crazy? But during the workshop, we were guided through a simple practice of gratitude for our bodies, and I decided to give it a try.  That n...