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...

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...

Solo dining - Photo by Adrienn: https://www.pexels.com/photo Folks, what is your opinion about having meals in a restaurant or coffee in a cafe alone by yourself? Do you do that? Or do you think that’s weird, so you’d rather have a takeout? The reason I ask is because of something that happened a few weeks back. My cousin came to visit me for the second time since I moved to this place a couple of months ago. As we were catching up, she asked how I was settling in, and I told her how much I loved it here. One of the best things about my new home is that it’s so close to my favorite cafe that I can easily stop by for my fave hot cappuccino after my power walk. And when I feel like extending my morning relaxation, I enjoy dining in a cozy little restaurant nearby. The ambiance is comforting and refreshing, making my mornings even more enjoyable. But the moment I shared this, my cousin gave me a look, a weird one, like she couldn’t believe what I just said. Seeing her reaction, I asked wh...

  Idea - Photo by KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA: https://www.pexels.com I’ve been wrestling with this story I had in mind for three days now. Three long, frustrating days of staring at my screen, fingers hovering over the keyboard, typing, deleting, rewriting; only to end up with something that feels hollow. No matter how many changes I make, the words don’t quite capture what I want to say. It’s like trying to catch smoke with my bare hands. Desperate for a fresh perspective, I escaped to my favorite neighborhood meatball restaurant. The cozy garden, dappled in warm sunlight, the aroma of broth and spices curling around me. It should have been the perfect setting to unlock my creativity. But even as I sat there, twirling my spoon absentmindedly, my mind remained tangled. I did pour the idea into my laptop, though… But later that night, when I reread my work, the disappointment hit like a punch to the gut. Still not right. The next morning, I couldn’t bring myself to touch my computer. The fr...

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...

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...

  Slow Morning -  Photo by Ron Lach : https://www.pexels.com Back then, I used to equate productivity with constant busyness. My days revolved around ticking items off an endless to-do list, multitasking my way through tasks to accomplish as much as possible in a short amount of time. Slow mornings? To me, those were synonymous with laziness, reserved only for weekends or luxurious holidays at a serene hotel. And even during those rare moments, I’d often feel restless, plagued by guilt for “wasting” time. The habit of staying perpetually busy had become second nature—an autopilot mode that left me feeling disconnected from the concept of unwinding. I tried, on occasion, to indulge in a slow morning, but my mind would always wander back to what I could be doing instead. Productivity had become my identity, and the thought of slowing down felt foreign, almost wrong. Then came the pandemic, and the whole world hit the brakes. Suddenly, my packed schedule was wiped clean. Work was...

  Transformation -  Photo by Alexas Fotos: https://www.pexels.com Yesterday, something unexpected sparked a small but powerful shift in my perspective. As I turned on a random podcast suggested by Spotify, a simple yet profound phrase immediately caught my attention: “radical acceptance.” Intriguing, right? Before even diving into the episode, I found myself resonating with the idea. By the time I finished listening—all while briskly power-walking—my mind was buzzing with inspiration. The podcaster shared a personal story that deeply resonated with me. It was one of those moments where every word seemed tailor-made for my current season of life. The key takeaway was clear: if I want real transformation—if I want to make that massive leap forward—it starts with radical acceptance. Also read: Elevate Your New Year to be More Resonance with This Approach What Is Radical Acceptance? At first glance, the term “radical acceptance” might sound passive, like simply rolling over and al...