June 2025 – Page 2

The Lazy Hazy Days of Summer!

It has been HOT, it has been sticky and the heat has been unbearable. Sweating it out is not a pleasurable experience and going without air-conditioning is not my kind of a nice summer day either!

Europeans do not believe in air-conditioning. “Less than 20% of European homes have air-conditioning, compared to 90% in the US.” This is due to environmental concerns such as energy consumption and green house gas emissions. Add “no deo” to that, and you’ve got a hot sweltering mess!

My energy levels have tanked and I’ve been doing what Chachi, the cat, has been doing. Staying quiet in a cool spot indoors. Add lots of hydration and it is bearable. Walking is out of the question for now and that hasn’t set too well either. It’s just too humid and the “stickiness” that ensues from being out there has kept me indoors for the time-being. I’m like a grumpy bear looking for some relief!

I’ve upped showers to twice a day and some days I want to stay there for a while. A friend told me, “Do what Europeans do when it’s hot.” It seems they go naked and let it all hang out! Not a pretty picture considering most of the people in this village are older people and going without clothes, well, you get the picture! I recall the first time I saw my in-laws in their “bare nothings!” It was a traumatic experience, well not quite, one I don’t want repeated again!

Summer is here and it plans to stay for a while. I’ll just have to put up with it and do the best I can.

One good thing about summer is this:

“Some of the best memories are made in FLIP-FLOPS!” Unknown

I’ve got them on and my feet are smiling even if the rest of me isn’t!

Have an amazing day.

The Most Delicious Thing

I recall it was in Singapore. The place was a street side cafe with western music blaring out of its interior. The plastic chairs looked well-used and none too stable but the place was packed with both foreigners and locals alike. There was laughter and good times but the aroma coming out of the kitchen made my mouth water.

“How good could the food be from this dingy looking place?” I wondered. Turns out it was the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten in my life. I can’t remember the name of the dish but a friend recommended it since I love seafood. It arrived with no pomp and circumstance but it was a meal fit for a king or a queen for that matter! The bowl was small and unassuming. The aroma tantalizing. I removed the lid and hot steam escaped from the interior. It had a crust covering the whole thing and I was told to break it softly with a spoon and I did. Lo and behold, the crust sank into the thick broth below and I could see chunks of seafood, huge shrimps or rather prawns, lobster,squid, fish and a whole lot of other stuff staring back at me. I waited for it to cool off and dug in. It was the most delicious thing I had ever tasted. The thick reddish colored broth was beyond delicious, the morsels of seafood tender and every spoonful going down was heaven in itself.

It has been many years since that experience but I still remember this dish because it is unforgettable. I’ve eaten in different parts of the world but nothing as delicious as that unassuming bowl of whatever it was called. It has carved a place in my mind and my palate and will stay there as the best tasting food ever.

Singapore is a gourmet’s paradise and they can take the simplest ingredients and turn it into something grandiose and spectacular! Let me just add, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg either!

Daily writing prompt

What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten?

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Brene Brown

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

She is the author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers and is the host of two award-winning podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead. The lady has spent two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy. Her advice for life is, “Don’t let fear stop you.” Here are some of her quotes that will take you on a journey of self-discovery. Enjoy.

“Authencity is not something we have or don’t have. It’s a practice – a conscious choice of how we want to live.”

“Trust is not built in big, sweeping moments. It’s built in tiny moments every day.”

“Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

“The truth is that falling hurts. The dare is to keep being brave and feel your way back up.”

“Here’s what I think integrity is: It’s choosing courage over comfort, choosing what’s right over what’s fun, fast, or easy, and practicing your values.”

“Empathy has no script. There is not a right way or wrong way to do it. It’s simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of, “You’re not alone.”

“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.”

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”

“When we have the courage to walk into our story and own it, we get to write the ending.”

AND

“At the end of day, at the end of the week, at the end of my life, I want to say that I contributed more than I criticized.”

Have an amazing day.

One Outfit Over and Over Again?

I’m not quite sure about this question. Forced to wear one outfit over and over again? The thing is nobody forces me to do anything anymore! I march to my own drumbeat these days.

Anyway, if I had to wear one outfit over and over again, it would be something sloppy. I can stay in PJs all day long but since that doesn’t really work in the real world, I’d opt for my Zara sweatpants and a short-sleeved t-shirt. The sweatpants have seen better days but you can’t beat the comfort factor. It is grey, roomy and looks a little big on me but who cares! I had it on during winter with sweatshirts and sweaters and now that it is warm, I reach for it just for lazing around the house. Only in summer, I pair it with t-shirts and it works just fine. Add a pair of flip-flops to it and you’ve got no-nonsense dressing to the hilt.

Of course, when I have company I have to force myself to change into something more presentable BUT the moment they leave, I’m back in sloppy wear and there’s nothing like it. It is stress-free dressing and it suits me just fine!

Daily writing prompt

If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?

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The Importance of Spirituality

It is important but it is not a 24/7 thing like it used to be as a child growing up in a very religious and regimented Christian family. Now, I have the right to choose and that matters.

I believe there is a higher power and I don’t have to go to church every Sunday to have conversations with him either. I can do it anywhere. Spirituality is subjective and personal and nature is where I come face to face with spirituality in all its magnificent forms. I see it in the wide open spaces and in the plant and animal life that tells me everything happens for a reason. The seasons change when they have to like clockwork and each season has something to offer. An unseen force is at work and I know that magic is being worked in my life too. I just have to trust and believe that things will work out for the best.

I don’t say my prayers like I used to as a child kneeling by the bedside because mom and dad wanted me to. I am my own person now and instead of letting go of spiritual norms as I thought I would if I had the chance, I am finding that it is a necessary part of my life and one that is very important for my well-being as well. I know that I am part of a bigger picture and that in itself is enough to blow the mind!

“Spirituality is the journey of becoming one with the universe.” Unknown

Daily writing prompt

How important is spirituality in your life?

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RUMI (Archives)

Jalal al-Din Rumi was a 13th century poet. He was born in Afghanistan and he was a Sufi mystic whose poetry embraces themes of “overcoming fear and persevering through challenges.” He speaks of finding strength in vulnerability and to be grateful for whatever comes. I find courage and beauty in his words and it touches my soul AND his words are one of great wisdom.

“Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.”

I do act small when first faced with adversity but it is only a matter of time before I rise again knowing that I can deal with this too.

“I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think.”

This one speaks to who I am, I am one with nature and I find freedom with the animals and the bird life and often I want to sing like I used to as a young child not caring who listens or who is watching. I do that with my writing too.

“If everything around you seems dark, look again, you may be the LIGHT.”

Simply beautiful and when darkness surrounds seeing the light in you doesn’t seem like a bad thing to me.

“The wound is the place where the light enters you.”

This one tugged at my heart when I first saw it. My first thought, I don’t feel the light but he is speaking of another kind of light, the kind that teaches and heals.

“The moment you accept what troubles you’ve been given, the door will open.”

Moving on requires acceptance and that is precisely the point here. Done that many times over.

“When you go through a hard period, when everything seems to oppose you, when you feel you cannot even bear one more minute, NEVER GIVE UP! Because it is the time and place that the course will divert!”

I guess you have to hit ground zero before life turns around. Can we make it a little easier please?

“Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.”

This one makes grieving a little less painful, at least it did for me.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today, I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

This last one is so poetic. Yes I wanted to change the world, I still do but nowadays it is more about changing “me” first.

Have an amazing day.

Self-Care Practice

It is at the top of my list as far as well-being goes. I do take care of myself and I have certain rituals that I do daily and sometimes weekly to get me back on track. It is not being vain as some may think, it is necessary to take care of yourself because no one else is going to.

I had an ex who referenced my self-care practices as nonsense. I didn’t need to put in that much effort into putting my best foot forward was what he said. I’m glad I didn’t listen to him! He is nowhere in the picture and I’m glad that my self-care practices still exist and are doing just fine.

My daily self-care practice is to pay careful attention to stress. It is a killer and I learned it the hard way when I accompanied a friend through the last stages of his life. I was always healthy but during that period, I started experiencing pain, health issues and other symptoms that I couldn’t explain. A consultation with a doctor revealed that I was under extreme stress. Her advice was to step back and take care of myself first. I couldn’t at the time but when it was all over, stress reduction became a priority. I do walks, deep breathing techniques, meditation, workouts and of course eating right. Just a few of the things in my self-care routine. However, on weekends I pay careful attention to my hair. I have long hair and it needs work to keep it healthy and shiny. Masks are a must, oil treatments sometimes and just some tender loving care. My skin gets the same on Sundays. Facials, scrubs and masks are a must to keep it glowing. It takes time but it is worth it.

Self-care and taking time out for yourself is needed to keep your health at its optimum best. Some may say it is all about vanity but I disagree. I’ve been doing these rituals since I was 18 and I’m not about to stop now.

I matter, my health matters and now, I take care of myself first before I put myself out there and let whatever it is to take a toll on me. It boils down to self-preservation and it is important in my book.

Daily writing prompt

How do you practice self-care?

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The Dust Up!

Unfortunately, it’s more than a dust up. The headlines read: “US Bombs Iran.”

What?!!

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had this to say:

“The President’s disastrous decision to bomb Iran without authorization is a grave violation of the Constitution and Congressional War Powers.

He has impulsively risked launching a war that may ensnare us for generations. It is absolutely and clearly grounds for impeachment.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders was just as quick to blast Trump’s decision to bomb Iran. He had this to say when the crowd at a rally in Oklahoma started chanting, “no more war.”

“I agree,” he said. “Not only is this news that I’ve just heard alarming…..but is so grossly unconstitutional. All of you know, that the only entity that can take this country to war is the U.S. Congress. The president does not have the right.”

The U.N. Chief Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the bombing of three nuclear sites in Iran as “dangerous escalation” on Saturday.

“I am gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge – and a direct threat to international peace and security.

There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world.”

Furthermore, he added:

There is no military solution.

The only path forward is diplomacy.

The only hope is peace.

World leaders have spoken out and strongly condemned the U.S. bombing. One particularly chilling message from Chilean President, Gabriel Boric stands out for its content.

He said, “Chile condemns this US attack. Having power does not authorise you to use it in violation of the rules that we as humanity have given ourselves. Even if you are the United States.”

What is Trump Jong Un saying? He is calling for the Iran regime to come to the negotiating table after obliterating the Iranian facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz and after threatening more strikes. He has called the US strikes a ‘spetacular military success.’

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu had this to say:

“President Trump and I often say: ‘Peace through strength! First comes strength, then comes peace.’ And tonight, President Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength.”

Right…….

Iran’s foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi had this to say: “The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior.” He further added, “the US has committed a grave violation” as a member of the UN Security Council.

In the US, the bombing was met with mixed reaction along party lines. Republicans commended Trump while Democrats warned that America is being dragged into an “open-ended war.”

The schoolyard bully who is used to throwing temper tantrums has stepped into the big leagues. There will be consequences and it will come in one form or another, it is just a matter of time.

Iran State TV: Every American citizen or military in the region is now a target.

Chilling? It is.

The man who claimed that America had fought “no wars” during his first presidency is right smack dap in the middle of one.

This time, it’s Trump’s war.

Settling for Less

“Never settle for less than you desire or deserve because when you accept crumbs people will assume that you will be happy with scraps.” @StacyBranche

Women do this more than men do. Perhaps it’s because we want to feel wanted at any cost and even if that person isn’t who we want, we see it, we feel it deep within and we know that he isn’t the right one, but when “settling” walks in we accept what we normally wouldn’t only to find ourselves in an unhappy relationship.

“If you put someone at the top of your priority list and they put you at the bottom of theirs, maybe it’s time to get out the eraser.” Susan Gale

I love this quote from Susan Gale. That eraser doesn’t see the light of day because we’re so busy making sure that the person who takes us for granted and always puts us at the bottom of their list gets treated like royalty.

Settling for less is defined as, “accepting something or someone that is below your desired or expected standard.” It also equates to staying with a partner who doesn’t fully meet your needs or with whom you’re not truly happy.” Knowing that, why are we so quick at wanting to settle for less?

Some reasons, according to experts, is that we are afraid of being alone, low self-esteem and consistently making concessions, where one partner concedes and accepts while the other doesn’t reciprocate or meet their needs.

When you settle for less you’ll find yourself in a backburner relationship which means, “they’ll keep you around their orbits because they want to be with you – but at their convenience.” They’ll come up with excuses such as, “I’m not ready for commitment yet,” or “they’re working on themselves,” and the classic which goes like this. “Just not now.” That’s where this next quote fits in perfectly.

“Don’t settle. Either they will wake up to the fact that you are worth more…… or you will.” Charles J. Orlando

Know that you’re worth so much more than what you’re willing to settle for. If he’s a loser, let him go. If he’s a procrastinator, definitely let him go and if he’s an a**, run and don’t look back! You deserve better and definitely don’t make yourself into a mouse because the cat will eat you!

“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Nelson Mandela

Aim high and reach for the stars because YOU deserve only the best. You belong in the winner’s circle so act like you’re already there and show the losers the door with no hesitation whatsoever. Something better is on the way.

“Sometimes the hardest part of being a great catch is accepting not everyone’s hands are strong enough to hold you.” Unknown

Keep that in mind and have an amazing day.

Wasted Time

I suppose I do waste a lot of time every day. It has nothing to do with meditation, working out, walking or the like. It’s more like sitting outside and watching the clouds go by and for hours on end!

As a young girl, I had this love affair with clouds. I would rope the neighborhood kids into what I called my kind of “fun.” It was wonderful just lying in a meadow somewhere and figuring out what each cloud looked like. Fantasy came into play and we had a lot of fun doing that. It never got old and we came up with some doozies! It didn’t seem like wasting time back then and it doesn’t seem like that now.

Some days I can spend hours just daydreaming and sometimes even giving names to some of the clouds! This could be a form of moving meditation but whatever it is, when I return back to earth, I am centered and very relaxed. Wasting time perhaps but it does me a world of good and that is all that matters.

Daily writing prompt

How do you waste the most time every day?

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