Fortunate Life

Today, while scrolling through my feed, I came across a video about The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware. I have seen this list before but for some reason, seeing it today felt different. Maybe it is because I am now fifty and life looks and feels more real. I know that time moves in one direction and I am not getting any younger. I know that one day I will also leave this world and the thought stayed with me longer than expected. There are still so many things I have not done. So many dreams I postponed. So many moments I let pass because I was busy or afraid or unsure. That is why the video resonated with me. It felt like someone gently tapping my shoulder reminding me that I still have time to choose differently. Here are the five regrets Bronnie Ware heard in her years as a palliative care nurse. As I reflect on them, I realize they are not just regrets from people at the end of life. They are guidance for those of us still living. I wish I had lived a life true to mys...

  While browsing Facebook, a short reel appeared on my feed. It was Tim Minchin giving a graduation speech, and somehow his words stayed with me long after the video ended. It resonated with me in a way I did not expect. So I thought I would share it here, in case someone else needs these reminders today. Every now and then, someone gives a speech that does not just entertain but quietly rearranges something inside us. Minchin’s words are blunt, warm, funny, and surprisingly comforting. They remind us that life is not a straight line and we do not need to pressure ourselves into knowing exactly where we are going. Here are the nine lessons from his speech, shared in a way that helps us reflect on our own little journeys. You do not need to have a grand dream For most of our lives, we were told to “dream big” as if having one huge clear dream is the only way to succeed. But Minchin reminds us that it is perfectly fine to be micro ambitious. Focus on the small task in front of yo...

Today I found myself thinking about the things in my life that feel heavy. Not the dramatic ones, just the quiet struggles that sit in the background. The small disappointments. The unspoken worries. The responsibilities that stretch me. The moments when I feel unsure of myself. I realized how easy it is to treat these moments as burdens, as proof that something is wrong, as signs that I am falling behind. But this morning, while brushing my hair, a thought came to me so softly that it almost felt like someone whispered it into my mind. What if this is training. Not punishment. Not failure. Not chaos. Just training. I paused and let that idea settle. Life has a way of placing us in situations that we did not ask for but somehow need. The challenges that frustrate me are often the ones that shape me. The moments that disappoint me are usually the ones that push me closer to who I am becoming. I started to see my struggles through a different lens, not as obstacles but as exercises. A...

Today felt like one long lesson in acceptance. Not the dramatic kind, not the painful kind, but the quiet, subtle kind that happens in the background of an ordinary day. The kind that whispers instead of demands. The kind that slowly reshapes the way you see yourself and the world. I have always struggled with acceptance, even if I do not admit it out loud. I grew up believing that if I tried hard enough, if I cared enough, if I loved enough, if I held on tightly enough, life would meet me halfway. People would stay. Situations would work out. Things would go the way I imagined. But life has a softness and a wildness of its own. It moves differently than my expectations. It bends, shifts, surprises, disappoints, and heals in its own timing. And acceptance means choosing to stop fighting that. This morning, while I was getting ready, I suddenly felt that old familiar heaviness in my chest. A quiet resistance. My mind wanted things to be different. I wanted someone to behave different...

I watched a video today about a frog. The speaker said that if you drop a frog into hot water, it will immediately jump out. But if you place it in regular water and slowly heat it, the frog will keep adjusting to the rising temperature — until it reaches the boiling point. By then, it’s too weak to escape. Sometimes, we are like that frog. We stay in situations that slowly drain us — relationships, work, friendships, or habits — convincing ourselves that “it’s okay” or “it will get better.” We adjust, and adjust, and adjust... until one day, we realize we’re exhausted. We call it patience, loyalty, or resilience. But sometimes, it’s just our fear of confrontation. Or our hope that people will change. Or maybe, we simply forgot what peace feels like. Boundaries are not walls; they are protection. They remind us when something is becoming too hot, too heavy, or too harmful. But when we keep ignoring the discomfort, we lose sight of where the line should be drawn. I’ve learned that ...

I watched a video today about The Ugly Duckling , but this time, it wasn’t the usual version I grew up with. Prof. Laureen shared a different perspective — one that quietly rearranged something in me. She said the “ugly duckling” never became a beautiful swan. She was a swan all along. She just didn’t know it yet. That line stayed with me. For most of her life, the swan thought she was a duck because that’s what everyone around her believed. The ducks compared her, judged her, and pointed out how she didn’t look or sound like them. They criticized what they didn’t understand — and she believed them. She thought she was less, unworthy, or somehow wrong for being different. But the truth was simple: she was never meant to fit in with the ducks. She wasn’t broken. She was just in the wrong pond. It made me think about how often we do this to ourselves. We suffer because we compare. We believe the opinions of people who don’t even see us for who we truly are. We shrink, we question...

I came across a short video today — just an ant and a pen. A guy drew a small circle around the ant, and surprisingly, the ant never tried to cross it. It just kept walking around inside the circle, as if trapped. But there was no real wall. Nothing was stopping it, except its belief that it couldn’t go further. I stared at the screen longer than I expected. Because I realized — that ant was me. And maybe, it’s you too. How many times have I drawn invisible lines around myself? Those quiet limits that say, “You can’t do that,” or “It’s too late,” or “You’re not ready yet.” No one really told me I couldn’t — but somehow, I believed it. And just like the ant, I stayed in my small circle, thinking it was safety when it was actually a cage. It made me wonder: how many dreams have I postponed because of imagined barriers? How many chances for love or change did I walk away from because I thought the world outside that circle wasn’t for me? The truth is, the walls that keep us ...

 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.

  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...

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 und...

  If I could sit down with my younger self, I’d have a lot to say—but the first thing would be about resilience. Life doesn’t always go the way we plan, and sometimes it feels unfair, confusing, or even impossible. But resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about how you get back up, again and again. I remember starting out in freelancing. I sent proposal after proposal, faced rejection, and sometimes felt invisible. There were days I wanted to give up completely. Back then, I didn’t realize that these moments weren’t signs of failure—they were the foundation of resilience. Each “no” taught me patience, persistence, and how to refine my approach. If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be: “It’s okay to stumble. It’s okay to feel lost. But every challenge is preparing you for something bigger.” Resilience isn’t built overnight. It grows in quiet moments when you keep trying, when you adapt, and when you refuse to let setbacks define your path. I’d also remind mys...

Teaching has a funny way of teaching you just as much as it teaches others. Over the years as a trainer, I’ve realized that guiding someone else through a lesson often highlights gaps in my own understanding—and sometimes even sparks new insights I wouldn’t have discovered on my own. At first, I thought being a good trainer meant having all the answers. I’d prepare meticulously, rehearse every slide, and anticipate every question. But very quickly, I learned that teaching isn’t about perfection—it’s about curiosity, listening, and adaptability. Some of the most meaningful moments come from questions I didn’t expect, problems I hadn’t foreseen, or ideas shared by students that challenge me to think differently. Being a student myself has also been humbling. Even as someone with years of experience, I constantly encounter new tools, methods, and perspectives that push me to grow. For example, learning how to use AI in my work and even teaching it to others has been both exciting and c...

  “Life will always ask for courage — in love, in growth, in letting go. The question is not whether it’s hard, but which kind of hard will lead you closer to peace.” I came across something today that says,  “Choose your hard.” At first, it sounded simple — but the more I thought about it, the more I realized how true it is for me. Life will always have its share of difficult choices. There’s no truly “easy” path, only the one that shapes me better. Opening up is hard. It takes courage to let someone see the parts of me I usually keep hidden. But keeping everything inside — letting my feelings sit heavy in my chest — that’s even harder. Silence may seem peaceful, but it can also be the loudest kind of pain. Letting go is hard. It feels like peeling away a part of myself that I’ve grown attached to. Yet holding on to someone or to something that's not meant for me… that’s a slow kind of breaking, one that wears me down little by little. Being honest about my feelings is hard. ...

Life moves fast. Deadlines, responsibilities, and endless tasks can make it feel like we’re constantly running from one thing to the next. In the rush, it’s easy to overlook one of the most powerful tools for growth: reflection. Taking time to pause and look back isn’t about dwelling on mistakes or regrets—it’s about learning, adjusting, and gaining clarity. Reflection allows us to see patterns in our decisions, understand our emotions, and recognize the lessons hidden in everyday experiences. In my career and personal life, reflection has been transformative. After a long project or a challenging training session, I take a moment to ask myself: What went well? What could I have done differently? What did I learn? These questions aren’t about self-criticism—they’re about insight. Over time, this practice has helped me make better decisions, improve my skills, and approach future challenges with confidence. Reflection also helps us reconnect with our intentions. When life feels over...

It’s so easy to look at someone else’s success and measure your own worth against it. Social media, colleagues, or even friends can make it feel like everyone else is moving faster, achieving more, or doing better than you. But the truth is: comparison rarely serves us—it usually hinders our growth. I’ve caught myself falling into this trap many times. Seeing a fellow freelancer land a high-paying client or a friend excel in a skill I’m still learning made me question my abilities. For a moment, I’d feel behind or inadequate, forgetting that everyone has their own timing, journey, and challenges. Comparison is tricky because it focuses on the visible results, not the unseen effort, struggles, or circumstances behind them. It’s like seeing someone’s flourishing garden without knowing how many seedlings didn’t survive or how much care went into nurturing it. The moment I stopped comparing and started focusing on my own growth, things changed. I began to appreciate my own milestones—th...

The world often feels like it's spinning faster than we can keep up. Deadlines, responsibilities, and constant noise can make inner peace seem out of reach. But what if peace isn't something we find outside ourselves? What if it's something we can cultivate within, even amidst the chaos? In a recent episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast , Mel and New York Times bestselling author and poet Yung Pueblo delved into this very topic. They discussed how facing our emotions, rather than avoiding them, is the first step toward true peace. As Yung Pueblo shared, "The biggest factor in your healing is not time. It is your ability to face emotions that you used to run away from" Mel Robbins . This resonated deeply with me. I've realized that building inner peace doesn't mean escaping life's challenges but learning to navigate them with calm and clarity. Simple Practices to Cultivate Inner Peace Pause and Breathe : Before reacting to stress, take a moment to br...

Resilience isn’t always about dramatic triumphs—it’s often about how we respond when life shifts unexpectedly, and what we choose to do next. Back in 2016, I was managing a premium client while handling four social media pages on the side. At that time, I was earning six figures—a milestone that felt like success. But managing multiple niches was exhausting. Even though I had hired someone to create images, the strategy, planning, and execution all fell on me. (there was no AI at that time) Every day felt draining, and I realized that if I wanted to grow in another direction, I needed to let go. When I decided to focus on training, I formally filed a three-week leave with my premium client. Before leaving, I made sure my team was fully trained to handle the work in my absence. I thought I had prepared everything carefully. But during my leave, a colleague sent me a message that shook me: our biggest client—the one considered the company’s “bread and butter”—had left for another mark...

  When I first started freelancing, I had so much hope. I imagined landing projects, building a career, and finally having the freedom to work on my own terms. But the reality was far harder than I expected. Day after day, I sent out proposals and heard nothing back. No projects. No clients. No wins. Each day of not finding work chipped away at my self-worth. Slowly, my hope started fading. I fell into a depression I didn’t talk about with anyone. Pride kept me quiet. I didn’t want people to see me struggling or to think I had failed. It got to a point where I stopped sending proposals altogether. Instead, I’d spend days just watching TV. I stopped cleaning the house. I stopped cooking and would just order takeout. I felt stuck—like I had reached a dead end before my freelancing journey even really began. Then one day, a friend messaged me out of the blue. He told me he had enrolled in a class and was learning so many new things. That message struck a chord. It made me realize t...

When I think about resilience and perseverance, I realize I haven’t done it alone. The people around me—the friends, the family, the colleagues—have been quiet but powerful forces in my journey. My friends, many of them freelancers like me, inspire me every day. I see them face difficult moments—projects that fall through, clients that change their minds, unexpected setbacks—and yet they continue to thrive. Some even share their journey online, openly talking about their challenges and mental health struggles. Seeing their honesty and resilience reminds me that I’m not alone in facing difficulties, and that it’s possible to keep going even when the road is tough. My family, too, has been an unwavering source of support. They celebrate my wins, comfort me in losses, and trust my decisions even when they don’t fully understand the path I’ve chosen. As I was approaching my 50th birthday, I realized there are still so many things I haven’t done yet, so many dreams I still want to pursue....

  Resilience isn’t just about pushing through challenges—it’s also about how we frame those challenges in our minds. Over the years, I’ve discovered that one of the most powerful tools for staying resilient is something surprisingly simple: gratitude. When I’m in the middle of a stressful week—deadlines piling up, clients changing plans at the last minute, or projects falling through—it’s easy to focus only on what’s going wrong. I used to do exactly that, and it drained me faster than any workload ever could. Then I started a small practice: pausing each day to reflect on at least one thing I was grateful for. Sometimes it was something big—a client appreciating my work, a proposal finally accepted. Other times it was small: a quiet cup of coffee in the morning, a kind message from a colleague, or simply finishing a task I was proud of. These small moments of gratitude became anchors. They reminded me that even when things aren’t perfect, there is still value, growth, and posi...