“I’ve found beauty in the whimsically ordinary.” ~Elissa Gregoire The pervasive message of our time asserts that success is essential in every facet of life, be it education, career, friendships, or relationships. In the relentless pursuit of success, many of us toil ceaselessly, ingrained with the belief that triumph is the gateway to happiness. Rewind three decades to when…
“There are no right or wrong decisions, only choices.” ~Sanhita Baruah When I was younger, everything felt simple. Not necessarily easy, but simple in the sense that there was always a next step. A clear direction. A right way to do things. If I studied, I’d pass the test. If I practiced, I’d get better at my sport. If…
“Your body is precious. It is your vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care.” ~Buddha For years, I thought I was healthy. I was eating what I thought was a “balanced” diet, working out regularly (mostly cardio and HIIT), and I felt like I was ticking all the boxes for self-care. On the surface, everything seemed fine. I thought…
“Sometimes letting go is the ultimate act of love—both for the other person and for yourself.” ~Unknown I never imagined that the same classroom where I found love would become the first chapter of a story about letting go. Ten years ago, as an undergraduate student full of dreams and certainty, I met him. We were classmates first, then…
“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” ~Eleanor Brownn My breaking point came on a Monday morning at 6 a.m. It had been the same routine for months: up at 5 a.m., brush my teeth, put…
“Surrender to what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be.” ~Sonia Ricotti Turning fifty felt like a milestone worth celebrating—a time to honor myself, reflect on my five decades of life, and embrace the journey ahead. For someone who had never believed I was worth the fuss of a big celebration, choosing to honor…
TRIGGER WARNING: This post deals with an account of domestic violence and may be triggering to some. Growing up, I learned early on how to be aware of the little things that spoke volumes. My mom wasn’t just an alcoholic; she was also bipolar, and I never knew if I’d come home to a mom who was cheerful and…
“Don’t make yourself small for anyone. Be the awkward, funny, intelligent, beautiful little weirdo that you are. Don’t hold back. Weird it out.” ~Unknown You know that moment when you’re mid-conversation, and your brain throws up a flashing neon sign that says, “Abort mission! Abort mission!” Meanwhile, you’re left replaying your words like a bad karaoke performance, cringing at…
“As they become known to and accepted by us, our feelings and the honest exploration of them become sanctuaries and spawning grounds for the most radical and daring of ideas.” ~Audre Lorde The high-speed train barreled through the Japanese countryside. Craning my neck to take in the scenery, excitement fluttered in my tummy. I was twenty-eight years old and…
