Pages of growth - A journal of notes

 There comes a moment in life when you realise that happiness is not something you chase in the outside world - it is something you build within. And the foundation of that inner happiness? Learning what to hold on to and what to release. The quote   "If you want to be happy, don't take stuff personal, let stuff go, let people be. Focus on you - your mental health, your spiritual health, your well being, physically and financially." may sound simple, but they carry a profound truth: your peace begins where your need for approval ends. We spend so much time trying to decode people's behaviours and reactions. Someone's silence suddenly feels like a statement about our worth. A rude comment becomes a lifelong scar. A misunderstanding grows roots in our hearts. We take things personally not because they are personal but because we are human - sensitive, emotional, yearning to be understood.  But, what if we paused for a moment and recognised that most people act from ...

 Life has a beautiful way of sending us the right people at the right time, even if we don't realize it in the moment. Some people enter our journey to teach us lessons we would have never learned on our own. Some people come to stay, holding our hand through seasons of change. And sometimes, we meet a rare few who do both - they teach us, support us, challenge us, and still choose to stay. This simple truth is something we understand slowly, often through joy, pain, or silence, But once we understand it, life becomes gentler and more revengeful.  The People Who Come to Teach Us Not every meaningful relationship is meant to be permanent. Some people walk into our lives for a particular season, a certain chapter, or a specific purpose. They may not stay until the end, but they shape us deeply.  Teachers come in many forms. A friend who shows you what true kindness looks like.  A partner who teaches you what you should never tolerate.  A collegue who pushes you be...

 Bad days arrive without invitation. Sometimes it is a small trigger - a message that ruins your mood, a task, that takes longer than expected, or a conversation that leaves you drained. Other times, the heaviness is bigger - personal struggles, overwhelming responsibilities, or unexpected disappointments. We may not be able to stop these days from happening, no matter how much we plan or hope. But there is one thing that always remains in our control: our attitude. "You can't always have a good day. But you can always face a bad day with a good attitude." This is not just a positive quote. It is a life skill - a gentle reminder that even when we cannot control the situation, we can choose the energy we bring to it.  A good attitude does not mean pretending the day is perfect. It does not ask you to smile through pain or ignore what hurts. What it trully means is choosing strength over stress, calmness over chaos, and clarity over confusion. It is about responding with in...

 When "I am Busy" Hurts More Than Silence There are a few words that sound harmless on the surface but carry the power to deeply hurt someone we care about. Among them, " I am bust" is one of the quietest yet sharpest. We say it casually, often without thinking. Sometimes we genuinely mean it - we are overwhelmed, juggling responsibilities, trying to keep life from falling apart. But to the person on the receiving end, especially someone who reaches out because they genuinely need you, those two words can feel like a door being shut in their face.  When someone says, "Never say 'busy' to the one who needs you." it is not about unrealistic expectations. It is about emotional intention. It is about understanding that people don't always reach out for long conversations or solutions - they reach out for presence. For reassurance. For connection. For a moment of warmth on a cold day.  The Hidden Heart Behind a Call or Message Most of the time, when...

 In the grand adventure of life, we often find ourselves walking uphill - burdened with responsibilities, unexpected turns, and emotional weight. Amidst all this, what a relief it would be if we did not have to struggle with the very people we hold close. Life, after all is challenging enough. Relationships, whether friendships or romantic, should not add to our stress but rather ease it.  The quote: "I really pray everyone finds the right circle of friends and the right partner. Life is already hard, relationships should be the least of our worries. " It is a reminder that while we cannot always control the circumstances life throws our way, we can choose who walks beside us.  The Power of the Right Circle Your friends are your chosen family. They are the ones who see you through the messiness of life - the disappointments, the quiet wins, the late night worries. The right circle does not need to be large. In fact, even a handful of people who truly understand and suppor...

 In life, we often strive to be open, kind, peaceful, and loving. We give our best, hoping to be understood, appreciated, and met with the same emotional depth. But there is a hard truth we often learn through experience: no matter how deeply we open our hearts, people can only meet us as deeply as they have met themselves.  This quote reminds us of a powerful inner truth - our relationships are mirrors, not just of our intentions, but of the emotional and spiritual maturity of the people we connect with. You may speak from your soul, offer understanding and compassion, and practice empathy in its purest form, yet still find yourself misunderstood or unacknowledged. This is not because your efforts are in vain, but because others can only perceive from the lens of their own self - awareness. The journey inward is a necessary foundation for meaningful connection. Until someone has faced their own fears, insecurities, and truths, they may not be capable of recognizing or honorin...

 Most of the times a calm conversations turns into a heated argument. It is worth to be noted. One moment, you are simply expressing your thoughts, and the next, you are caught up in proving your point. We have all been there - defending our opinions, raising our voices, and walking away feeling exhausted or misunderstood. Yet, if we take a step back, we will realize that what we truly wanted was not to win the argument, but to be understood. That is where the real difference between a discussion and argument lies. An argument is about ego; a discussion is about understanding. An argument is a contest - where two sides fight to determine who is righ t. But a discussion is a collaboration - where both sides explore what is right. It may sound like a simple play on words, but this shift in focus can transform not just conversations, but relationships, workplaces, and even te way we perceive the world.   When we argue, our mind automatically switches into defence mode. We li...

 There is a quiet truth that often slips by us in the rush of daily life - no matter your age, you will always wish you started younger . Whether it is pursuing a dream, learning a skill, taking care of your health, or changing your lifestyle, that thought somehow sneaks in. "If only I had begun earlier." But the heart of this message lies in what follows - today is the youngest you will ever be. That single line has the power to shift your entire perspective. We often underestimate the value of now. We look back with regret, imagining how much farther we could have gone. If we had just taken that step years ago. But in doing so we forget something vital - years from today, we might look back at this moment with the same longing. We might say, "If only I had started when I thought about it back then." The truth is there is never a perfect time to start. Life will never hand you an ideal moment wrapped in certainty. There will always be doubts, distractions and excus...

 Forgiveness is often misunderstood. Many people believe that forgiving someone means condoning their behaviour or opening the door for them to hurt us again and again. But true forgiveness is something entirely different - something deeply personal and profoundly healing.  The quote:               " I forgive people but that does not mean I accept their behaviour or trust them. I forgive them                          for me, so I can let go and move on with my life." This is a powerful reminder that forgiveness is not about the other person; it is about reclaiming our peace.  Forgiveness is Not the Same as Trust Trust is earned. It is built slowly and consistently over time. When someone violates that trust through betrayal, lies or repeated harm, it is natural - and wise - to protect yourself. Forgiving someone does not mean you have to let them back into y...

 There is a quiet strength in knowing when to stay silent - but there is equal wisdom in knowing when to react. Life constantly places us in situations where we must decide. Should I speak up or stay quiet? Should I act or let things pass? This delicate balance defines our emotional maturity.  Many people confuse peace with silence. They believe that avoiding all reactions makes them calm and wise. But peace is not about pretending everything is fine - it is about staying true to yourself while maintaining inner balance. Sometimes, choosing to react is not a loss of peace, but an act of self respect, love and truth.  Reacting vs. Responding The difference between reaction and response is timing and awareness. A reaction is often instant, driven by emotion, while a response comes after reflection. When we pause and think before we react, our words fain meaning, and our actions carry purpose.  The goal is not to avoid reacting altogether - it is to learn how and when ...

 There is something profoundly comforting about the words: "You dont need to fix everything at once, just get started". Red that again and let it sink in deeply both into your heart and mind.  Because truthfully, most of us are trying to fix everything - our careers, relationships, finances, emotions and even our self worth - all at once. We juggle too many expectations, compare our progress to others, and end up feeling stuck. Life starts to feel like a giant to - do list that never gets checked off. And in that exhaustion, we forget one essential truth : we don't have to fix everything today.  All we have to do us just start.  The Weight of "Everything" When you try to fix everything, it feels like standing in front of a mountain, starting at the peak and wondering how on earth you will get there. You take one look at the distance and freeze. That is what happens when we expect instant transformation. We want quick results immediate healing, and visible succes...

 There is quiet kind of wisdom in the words, "If it comes, let it. If it goes, let it." It sounds simple, almost too simple, but living by it takes deep courage and faith. In a world where we are taught to hold on tightly - to people, plans, possessions and even pain - learning to let things flow can feel like the hardest lesson of all. Yet, it is also the one that brings true peace.  Life is always in motion. Nothing stays still. The seasons change, people evolve, and circumstances shift without asking our permissions. Sometimes we find ourselves clinging to moments that are meant to pass or resisting new beginnings because they feel uncertain. But the truth is, holding on to what no longer serves us only weighs us down. Growth begins when we allow life to unfold naturally - when we stop fighting is rhythm and start trusting its flow.  Letting things come means being open to life - to new experiences, unexpected friendships and opportunities that arrive when we least exp...

  Our body is constantly communicating with us - whispering, nudging and sometimes even shouting when something is not right. Yet, in our fast paced, multitasking lives, we often ignore these  subtle signals  until they grow into  symptoms  we cannot over look. learning to understand what your body speaks is not just about health; it is about building a relationship with yourself - one based on  awareness , respect and care.  The Language of the Body Your body has its own language. It does not speak through words, but through sensations, fatigue, cravings, and discomfort. A sudden headache, a racing heartbeat, constant tiredness or digestive issues - they are all messages waiting to be decoded. For instance, when y ou feel drained after being around certain people, your body might be signalling emotional exhaustion, not just physical tiredness. When your stomach churns before a meeting, it could be anxiety asking for your attention.  These message...

 I keep reminiscing myself regularly as to what is in my bag, both my hand bag and also my back bag. But behind this simple question "What is in your bag" lies a deep meaning of what we carry not just in our physical bag but also in the invisible bag, that we have which includes our mind and heart.  We have to understand that every other day we carry a bag - both real and invisible. The real bag might be a leather toe, a back bag or the unseen emotional pouch that is hanging on to your shoulders. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself: "What is in my bag?" Every now and then I do a thorough search, clean the bag sort the bills and papers throw away unwanted ones and repack them with all the necessary and important things. We pack so many things before stepping out into the world. Some we consciously choose - our phones, keys, wallets and plans for the day may be a to do list or physical planners too. But along with them we also carry things we did not intent to -...

 "You cannot eat what you cook" There is quiet kind of pain in spending hours in the kitchen preparing a meal you can't even taste. The aroma fills the air, the sizzling sounds bring life to the room, and your hands indistinctively ove through familiar motions - chopping stirring, seasoning. Yet, when it is time to serve, you step back, you smile for others to enjoy, but inside, there is a hollow space that whispers "You made it, but it is not for you". This situation can be literal or symbolic. May be you can't eat what you cook because of dietary restrictions, allergies, or health reasons. Ot may be it is deeper - may be you have spent your energy creating joy, comfort, and success for others while forgetting to nourish yourself. The Literal Irony For many people, this phrase is a lived reality. Imagine cooking a lavish meal filled with diary, glutten or spices you can no longer have. You know every flavour, every texture-  yet you can only admire from afa...