Cheers to 36 and Beyond!

Guess what? Today, I officially turn 36! Yeah, I know what you're thinking, 

"🤯36!? That's like, almost adult-adult." 

But, this year holds an extra scoop of special as it's believed to mark a turning point or significant transition in a person's life, much like 18, the transformation as teenage were over.

Well, Turning 36 is akin to obtaining a visa to another world, with an ultimate fusion package of maturity, wisdom and juggling of roles, such as parent, sibling, and spouse – all attained upon completing the 'Life Mastery Bootcamp'! But honestly, I'm still pestering the people around me to figure out what I should do on my birthday. 😋

At 36, it feels like crossing a halfway point, and this journey has taught me that life is worth more than money, fame, positions, or the size of a house. It's about having a peaceful state of mind when you finally lay down to rest and can slip into sleep with a calm heart. It's a lesson to let go of the pressures that come from within and from the world around us.

Now, let's talk about those birthday goals. The big 3-6 is a prime time to set some fun and achievable targets for the coming year. Gazing at the horizon of 36, I considered transitioning from the "I-can-stay-up-all-night" outlook to the "I-need-eight-hours-of-sleep-to-function" mode, bidding adieu to junk food feasts and negativity. But wait, put down that slice of cake for a second (just kidding)! After all, we are aiming for a healthier me, not a cake-less birthday!

Life Lesson: So Far

I have learned something crucial in my journey: 

• Life isn't always a bowl of ice cream on a sunny day. Sometimes, we had to deal with (mostly always) the not-so-sweet stuff – challenges, disappointments, heart breaksssss. 

• Life is basically a rabbit race, but we can't keep doing the turbo sprint forever. Even in the famous rabbit story, the little rabbit took a nap to catch a breath. So just imagine, every now and then, the universe is handing a "pause" button and saying, "Hey, take a chill pill."  These timeout moments could pop up because we could be taking a maternity break (or just need a nap), or recovering from a love setback, or feeling the weight of financial turmoil. That's perfectly alright. What truly counts is the journey's destination we are striving for. 😿Well, even if you dont reach end goal, do a victory dance halfway. It doesn't matter whether we are sprinting, strolling, or taking a detour to see our crush. Each step adds a pinch of salt to the story we are scribbling.

• People might not show up when we need them. But you know what? We learn to battle it alone, and discover that we are stronger than a caffeine-fueled ninja post the Biohazard coffee(the strongest coffee on Earth).😪 Look at where I stand today – resilient and ever-evolving. 

• Choosing a Life Partner: No, you don't need a life partner in the grand drama of life just to reach a certain age and achieve those so-called 'special' milestones. Whether you encounter someone at 40, 400, or not at all, it's all A-OK. Love and compatability doesn't adhere to a timeline and it flourishes when hearts align. Cupid's arrow striking your soulmate in the vintage years is perfectly alright, and you can master the art of diaper-changing and nursery rhymes even at a ripe age.

• If there's a person who's cramping and messing with your mental groove, remember that it's perfectly acceptable to slap on an invisibility cloak and keep on marching forward. Life's too short for toxic tango! So, chin up, smile wide, and let the good vibes be your compass. 

• Now, now, now, don't take my above musings too seriously. The pearls of wisdom I just dropped might not be the perfect fit for your adventure. Your journey, is like that one-of-a-kind-fairy-tale, or a unicorn at rush– totally unique. So, if my ramblings don't sync with your dance moves, just toss them aside like last year's fashion trends. Your path, your rules!

Finally, as I approach the beginning of "Chapter 36," here's one final thought from me: Continue to welcome the chaos, find laughter in life's absurdities, and keep wearing that smile which could outshine a thousand candles. And a big Cheers to the protagonist of our own story! 🎉🎂📚

Tickles and Tears

It was a seemingly ordinary evening when I decided to take my son out to play. Little did I know that a valuable, albeit painful, lesson and some damage awaited me.

As we were enjoying ourselves, small raindrops began falling on my cheeks, signaling that a heavy downpour was on its way. Realizing this, I urged my son to head back home, but he was determined to go to the indoor play area instead. I had no choice but to follow him.

The rain soon intensified, accompanied by strong gusts of wind that seemed relentless for a continuous 15 minutes. Panic set in as I remembered leaving my bedroom window open, and I live on a sky-scraping floor. The thought of my laptop and other belongings being flooded terrified me. I also questioned if I had closed the main living room door. Stuck inside due to the rain, those 15 minutes felt like an eternity under immense pressure.

When the rain finally stopped, I pleaded with my son to head home, but he was busy playing with his friends and refused. Seeing my distress, a kind friend offered to take care of him while I rushed back. However, upon returning, I found my bedroom in a state of chaos. All my laptops were soaked, the bed was completely wet, and precious books were now damaged. 

Initially, I felt anger towards my son for not coming with me when I asked him to, as it could have prevented this incident. But now, I realized there was no use dwelling on it; the damage was done, and cleaning up would take 45 minutes of my time. I had to prioritize picking up my son since my friend couldn't look after him for long due to other commitments.

On my way to get my son, I remembered that the incident was partly my fault too. I should have closed the window before leaving. It wasn't fair to expect a child to anticipate such occurrences, and closing a window for a short out might not be practical. My anger subsided, and I learned the value of postponing my reactions.

Upon reaching the indoor play area, I explained the situation to my son, hoping he would show some shock and decide to come home with me. However, with a big smile, he simply said, "I want to play."

At first, this frustrated me, but I managed to ask him politely to come with me. After 15 minutes of pleading and patiently waiting, he finally agreed to come with me.

As we reached home, he hurried to the bedroom to see the flood. On spotting the pool of water, he couldn't resist turning it into a splash zone! He jumped in like a dolphin, thoroughly enjoying himself. II reached for the mop to clean up, but he snatched it from me, eager to help. However, he ended up making an even bigger mess. 

During my busy working day, 45 minutes is precious time I can't afford to invest. I had important meetings to attend as well. Growing angrier, I requested him to hand me the mop, but he refused.Frustrated, I left the place and started cleaning up once he was done.

As a parent, I've always aspired to be gentle, opting for a friendly approach rather than raising my voice and yelling in frustration. However, I've come to realize that the children of today have an uncanny ability to test our patience and drive us to the edge of madness.

As tears welled up in my eyes, I couldn't help but think, where my parents never even bothered to support me for a day.

As I grappled with the urge to escape to a place where solitude reigned, my mind echoed a wise reminder: "While children may test our limits, it is essential to find a balance between firmness and empathy, We must learn to foster a loving relationship with our little ones, regardless of the challenges that come our way."