Healthy Ambitions
Small Steps to A Healthier Me

A friend of mine, Will, told me he has quit smoking cold turkey for a few months now. Though I was happy he did that, I was also shocked with this sudden change. He then revealed that three months ago, he was diagnosed with a thyroid problem, high-blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and gout. He needs to be on regular medication from now on and he’s not even 30!

Weirdly, he told me that when he asked his doctor what measures he should take to reduce his cholesterol levels, he was told to consider smoking! A doctor telling his patient to smoke? Sounds like someone needs a new doctor fast!

I am not taking my health for granted. I am not gonna wait for my teeth to fall out or hip bones to crumble before doing something about it so I’m making small changes to my diet and lifestyle in a bid to improve my health. [Read more….]

The Heat is On, It’s On the Street
Good Things in a Hot Situation

It’s been scorching hot the past few weeks on this sunny island. Three weeks ago, I was waiting for a bus in the middle of the afternoon sun. By the time the bus arrived (some 30 minutes later!), my skin had been burnt to a golden brown crisp. I suffered a terrible headache which didn’t go away until the next day (I suffered two daylong headaches this week alone just by walking 10 minutes in the sun). [Read more….]

If You’ve Never Failed, You’ve Never Lived
An Inspirational Video About Famous Failures

I was lucky to be taught by an exceptional teacher in school. No, she was not exceptionally good. In fact, she was the direct opposite. For some reasons, I was always one of the few people she constantly picked on, but that day was the culmination of her greatness. [Read more….]

Happiness is…

Today, happiness is:

Seeing my little cat falling asleep in the middle of playing with a measuring tape
Warm coffee that tastes like golden sunshine, sweet cinnamon and roasted chestnuts
Squeezing the tummy of my fat cat, who was asleep on its back
My room resplendent in the rich glow of a warm morning

Happiness is a Rainy Morning

There’s something magical about waking up to a wet landscape.
The colours are saturated, the air is damp and thick with the smell of grass.
Combined with a good cup of coffee, it’s the perfect start to my Tuesday.

Happiness is a Choice

Hey, listen,

It is not just a consequence of something good.
Your state of mind is yours to determine.

Inspired by Andrew Matthews’ philosophy of Being Happy.

When I’m 64

I was at the supermarket just now when I overheard a couple, probably in their 60s, negotiating (they really referred to each other as “Mama” and “Papa”),

“It’s okay, Mama, we’ll just get this one (points to a pack of batteries in their shopping bag). ”

“No, Papa, I’ll get the cheaper one.”

“But Mama, I’m paying for it.”

“That is exactly why I need to get the cheaper one. I don’t want you to spend too much of your money on a pack of batteries. I’d rather you spend it on something else.”

“Oh alright Mama. Wait… does this mean I have to pay for your shopping later?”

They both giggled at each other. They were such a cute couple and so full of love. You know the type — sharing a drink in the park, holding hands till they’re 100.

I left the store feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

Happiness is A Box of Mocha Chip Cookies

1: Get your hands on the most indulgent pack of mocha chip cookie you can find.
2: Read the nutrition information for recommended serving size.
3: Ignore nutrition info and eat the whole box!

PS: Alternatively, you can skip step 2 and go directly to step 3.

Happiness is a Cup of Cafe Latte

I love watching the dark espresso layer swirl as it mixes with the milk.

Happiness is All Around You

The scene: a tiny, badly-ventilated kitchen.

Daughter was chopping onions causing her eyes to tear. Mum was deveining prawns. One of the cats, the small, vocal one, started mewing loudly, demanding her share.

The other cat, the crazy, fat one, chased by his imaginary stalker, ran into the kitchen, toppling his bowl of cat food and water over with a loud shplockssshh! startling the daughter, causing her to jab her arm with the dull part of the knife she’s holding. The ruckus shocked the previously meowing little kitty so much she clawed her way up Mum’s leg.

The floor was a mess, daughter’s arm in pain and Mum had a frightened kitty hooked to her back.

Mother and daughter looked at each other…

.

.

.

.

.

And laughed at the commotion.

My life hasn’t always been fun and laughter but ever since I’ve made the commitment to live my life positively, I have been been blessed with many moments of happiness in simple, everyday events. The way I feel have also rubbed off to the ones closest to me (maybe not to the cats) proving that happiness does multiply when you are in the company of positive people.