Lesson from a Black Coffee

 This morning, I was drinking my usual black coffee — no sugar, no cream, just plain and bitter. As I took a sip, I thought about how not everyone likes black coffee. Some people say it’s too strong, too harsh, or too bitter.

But that’s what I like about it. It doesn’t try to change itself for anyone. It doesn’t pretend to be sweet just to be liked. It’s just… itself.

And I realized maybe I should be like that too.
I don’t have to make myself “sweeter” just so everyone will like me. I don’t have to hide parts of who I am or try too hard to please people. The right ones will see my worth, even if I’m not everyone’s “taste.”

Sometimes, it’s okay to just be real — even if that means not everyone will stay.
Because like black coffee, being true to yourself is what makes you strong.

Learning to Be Proud of Myself

 

There are days when I realize I need to remind myself of my own worth.

Not because I’ve forgotten, but because sometimes life gets heavy — and I forget to see myself through kind eyes.

I used to wait for someone to reassure me. To tell me I’m doing okay, that I’m strong, that I’m enough. But lately, I’ve learned that sometimes… I have to be that person for myself. I have to cheer myself up when no one else does. I have to be brave on my own.

Some nights, I’d look in the mirror and quietly whisper, “You’re doing fine. You’re strong. You’re worthy.”
And at first, it felt strange — like I was pretending to believe something I wasn’t sure of. But over time, it started to feel real. I started to see the truth in my own reflection.

Because I am worthy.
I do deserve happiness.
I do deserve to be treated with love, patience, and care — not just by others, but by myself too.

There was a time when I kept waiting for someone to validate my growth. I wanted someone to notice how far I’d come, how much I’d changed, how hard I was trying. But now I realize… that acknowledgment can come from within.

So today, I’m choosing to be proud of myself.
For surviving what tried to break me.
For healing in silence.
For being gentle with myself, even on the days I didn’t feel like I deserved it.

I looked at myself in the mirror today, and instead of focusing on what I still lack, I saw someone who has come such a long way. Someone who’s learning, who’s growing, who’s trying every single day.

I smiled and whispered, “You did well.”
And I meant it.

Sometimes, that’s all I need — to remind myself that I am worthy, I am enough, and I always have been.

You Don’t Attract What You Want, You Attract What You Are

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about this line I came across:

“The universe will not give you what you want. It gives you what you are.”

At first, I didn’t quite understand it. I mean, haven’t we always been told to ask, to manifest, to believe in what we want?
But the more I sat with it, the more it made sense — painfully, beautifully, deeply.

There were seasons in my life when I wanted so much.
I wanted love that felt safe.
I wanted peace after chaos.
I wanted opportunities that would prove my worth.

I prayed, I journaled, I visualized — but underneath it all, I was still vibrating with lack.
I was asking the universe to fill a void I hadn’t yet learned to fill within myself.

And that’s the thing — when you emit the frequency of want, what you’re really telling the universe is, “I don’t have it yet.”
You’re chasing something outside of you, believing that when it arrives, you’ll finally feel complete.

But the truth is, the moment you become what you seek, life starts to mirror it back to you.
When you feel peace, peace finds you.
When you live with love, love meets you halfway.
When you believe you’re enough, the world suddenly agrees.

The Shift From Wanting to Being

There was a time when I was always chasing the next thing — a sign, a message, an answered prayer. I would visualize, but at the same time, I would question. When will it come? What if it doesn’t? What if I’m not ready?

It was exhausting.

Until one day, I read something that completely shifted my perspective. It said, “When you put your destination into your car’s GPS, do you question whether you’ll get there, or do you just drive?”

That hit me hard.

Because honestly, I realized that when I set a goal or wish for something, I keep questioning every step — as if I don’t trust the process.
But the GPS doesn’t panic. It doesn’t say, “Oh no, what if there’s traffic?” It just calmly says, “Turn right in 500 meters.”

And maybe that’s how manifestation works. Once we set our intention clearly, we just need to take the next right turn.
We don’t have to see the entire road — just trust that we’re being guided toward it.

It’s No Longer If — It’s When

Now, when I think about the things I desire, I try not to chase them.
Instead, I sit quietly and imagine what it would feel like to already have them.
Not someday. Not later. Now.

And in that moment, I realize — I don’t need to beg for it.
Because the universe doesn’t respond to begging; it responds to being.

It’s no longer about if it will happen. It’s about when.
And the moment I start living as if it’s already here, life starts unfolding in small, magical ways — gentle confirmations that I’m on the right path.

So now, instead of asking, “When will it come?”
I ask myself, “Who do I need to become for it to arrive?”

And slowly, gently, I’m learning to become her.

Embracing the Unknown — Finding Strength in Uncertainty

 

As we conclude this journey, I find myself reflecting on a powerful quote by John Allen Paulos:

“Uncertainty is the only certainty there is, and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security.”
— John Allen Paulos. 

This resonates deeply with me. Life is unpredictable, and the only constant is change. Embracing uncertainty isn't about eliminating fear; it's about learning to navigate it with grace and resilience.

When faced with the unknown, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But I've come to realize that uncertainty is not something to fear—it's an opportunity for growth. It's in these moments of ambiguity that we discover our true strength, adaptability, and creativity.

Embracing the unknown means letting go of the need for control and being open to new possibilities. It requires trust in ourselves and the process, even when the path isn't clear. It's about taking one step at a time, knowing that each step brings us closer to understanding and growth.

How to Embrace Uncertainty

• Shift your perspective: Instead of viewing uncertainty as a threat, see it as a chance to learn and evolve.

• Stay present: Focus on the here and now, rather than worrying about what might happen.

• Cultivate resilience: Build your capacity to bounce back from challenges and adapt to change.

• Trust the process: Believe that even without all the answers, you're moving in the right direction.

• Celebrate progress: Acknowledge the small wins along the way, as they contribute to your overall growth.

Remember, it's okay not to have all the answers. Embrace the journey, trust yourself, and know that each step, no matter how uncertain, is a step toward becoming the person you're meant to be

Growth Is a Journey, Not a Destination

It’s easy to think of growth as a destination—something we reach when we’ve mastered a skill, achieved a goal, or overcome a challenge. But in reality, growth is never a one-time achievement. It’s a journey, full of twists, setbacks, and unexpected lessons.

There are moments when we think, “Now I’ve arrived.” Maybe it’s landing an important client, leading a successful training session, or finally mastering a new skill. But just as soon as that sense of accomplishment appears, life reminds us that growth keeps moving—sometimes faster, sometimes slower, sometimes in directions we hadn’t anticipated.

The beauty of growth isn’t in the end point—it’s in the process. It’s in sending proposals that don’t get replied to, learning from failed projects, and adapting to change. It’s in teaching others, learning from them in return, and constantly adjusting to new challenges.

One of the most important lessons is patience and persistence. Growth often happens quietly, like roots spreading underground before a plant bursts through the soil. It doesn’t always look like progress from the outside, but with consistent effort and reflection, it accumulates in ways that shape who we are.

Ways to Embrace Growth as a Journey

• Focus on the process: Appreciate the small steps and learning moments along the way.

• Accept setbacks as part of growth: Each challenge teaches resilience and adaptability.

• Celebrate small wins: Even tiny victories contribute to overall progress.

• Stay curious: Keep learning, experimenting, and seeking new perspectives.

• Reflect regularly: Pause to acknowledge how far you’ve come and what you’ve learned.

Growth isn’t about perfection, milestones, or comparisons—it’s about showing up for yourself each day, learning from every experience, and being open to change. When we embrace growth as a journey, every challenge becomes an opportunity, every failure a lesson, and every small victory a meaningful step forward.