Reflections

Be the agent of love you are, lest not forgetChannel it out, no holding back, be ever pervasiveA tick brings tenderness, a tock showers gratitudeBeautiful hands of love, a human embraced with devotingThrough the darkness, remain aglow effervescently Help yourself, aid others to arrive in harmonyNo one moment can be lost, for it is thereLove holds all in concert, a togetherness like no otherImagine people without tension, void of hatredLiving in kindness, an offering to behold, questionlessThe moment we give, a blossom of healing ignitesA love all will uptake, unconditionally for the bestWalk not in front, but alongside each otherA connection of happy feelings, absorb and ingrainBe not blinded, to…

Each minute, hour, and day we are alive moves the needle to getting older. That is life, and time waits for no one, they say. What constitutes aging and how one perceives it is fascinating to me. Here lies one facet of living that is intriguing to ponder and can be channeled with beneficial outlets to optimize longevity. Research has shown the adverse effects of life stressors on aging can place a tremendous amount of cumulative damage to our body down to the molecular level. All the markers required to be healthy become disproportionate, resulting in structural and functional abnormalities observed in cells, tissues, and systems. From a weakened immune…

I have come so far Living life as it unfolds No doors were left ajar Never felt left out in the cold One day everything changed No warning, no words said To the edge of darkness I plunged Lifeless like a deserted thread Woke up on the other side Numb to the world, lost lucidity Freedom to live, forever denied Now lying in dire rigidity Still the positive will shine above the fear Do not surrender, be in the moment In bouts of sadness, the good reappears Be strong and take hold of the flame Everyday is worthy of reflections All you have done carries weight Begin to weave a…

Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher of the 18th century, wrote, “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.” He believed that suffering inevitably exists in the world without meaning. Nonetheless, his view of how one deals with it, to bear the hardships and beat them, plays an essential part in building strength and character. To get the better of adversity, one finds a way to overcome its worthlessness. The theme of pain and suffering also is realized in Buddhism, a beautiful religion I grew up with. I am passionate about this subject and its connection to life’s success. I have faced and quashed…

I behold the magical, here to see The beacon to my existence arrived A gift unimaginable, elation washed over me A moment of joy so sublime The beginnings of life unfold To hold your hand, to guide, to teach A mission I cherish to the end of time A stable path you have paved Be resilient, be determined Defeat adversity, leave none ignored Here lies growth in strength and character For what you do is who you are Need a pillar to lean on, I will be there A voice to resonate by, within earshot away Have no hesitancy, no worries Nothing can be lost to the wind Thinking of…

When a moment in time is available to take notice is a moment to capture in a bottle without haste. Nothing is ever trivial when a picture presents itself in a way that can bring you lasting joy and gratefulness. What does having an opportunity mean to you? When an opportunity calls, how is it perceived? Concrete opportunities are good to appreciate. When one is offered a new job or given a promotion is a plus. It is nice to attend a close friend’s wedding in his native country you have never been to before. It is valuable to receive medical advice from a professional friend. To be able to…

Food is a physical product we ingest and enjoy, but it is much more than eye candy to our palate. Behind this delectable curtain lies the window to who we are and feel as human beings. Food is the transformational fabric that encompasses our circle of loving life. Outside of the daily nourishment needed for our body, its significance to our self-portrayal cannot be understated. There are many facets one can gain from the presence of food. Food inherently connects to our memory. What we eat can conjure up a happy or stressful moment(s) in time. One frequently comes to mind was when my son and I flew to the…

How many of you out there would love to have a cheerful day all the time? A bonafide elixir can be found in laughter. Gelotology (from Greek mythology gelos, god of laughter) is the study of laughter and its psychological and physiological outcomes on the body. Laughter is free of charge, lifelong nourishment for everyone, and an excellent backdrop to savoring life.  Our well-being improves with laughter. Research has shown it can increase circulation, release natural ”feel-good” chemicals called endorphins, and help lower your blood pressure by 7 mmHg. Laughter can help relax your whole body and muscles for up to 45 minutes. It can strengthen your immune system by…

Fostering confidence in your way of life is a great quality to possess. It is not just about having fleeting moments to prompt yourself that you can accomplish something. Doing this on a sporadic basis can render one incapable of decisive thoughts and with more self-doubts. It should be an ingrained daily mentality to remind yourself of the affirmation of, “I WILL have a good day today” rather than “I hope to have a good day today.” It is your persona who controls this narrative and in doing so, produces not only tangible success but also a wholesome piece of mind. Capture each day with a poised frame of mind…

I am ecstatic to share with you my visit to Iceland. I did not have a solid grasp of what this country would be and feel like, only wide-eyed curiosity enveloped me of a place not known by many to be included in their list of travel destinations. Has it crossed your mind to ever plan a trip there? Iceland dates back to 874 AD and is an island country known as the land of fire and ice. Its beautiful and surreal landscape is otherworldly not found anywhere else in the world. Reykjavík is the capital city founded in 1786 with a quaint architectural setting and wonderful culinary delight notably…