The road was split, the path was mine,
No guiding hand, no fate’s design.
I forged ahead with will of stone,
Each step, each scar, I claimed alone.
No gentle breeze, no soothing tide,
Just storms I faced with hollow pride.
The choices made, the price they bore,
Locked every window, sealed each door.
Yet in the weight of all I’ve braved,
A soul was burned, a heart was saved.
For though my hands are rough with cost,
They're proof of all I’ve built, not lost.
This year, I have given my children a guiding theme: Passion, Patience, and Love.
These three values form a strong foundation for both personal growth and meaningful relationships. When we cultivate them within ourselves, they naturally extend to the way we interact with others.
Passion fuels purpose. Within ourselves, it means discovering what excites and fulfills us—whether in our careers, hobbies, or personal goals—and pursuing it with energy and dedication. When shared with others, passion becomes an inspiration. It encourages us to uplift those around us, share our enthusiasm, and support others in their own pursuits. A life driven by passion brings joy and motivation, both for ourselves and those we encounter.
Patience teaches us to embrace the journey. It means allowing growth to unfold at its own pace, understanding that challenges and setbacks are a natural part of progress. It calls for self-compassion when things don’t go as planned. In our relationships, patience enables us to listen without judgment, accept differences, and navigate conflicts with understanding. When we practice patience, we cultivate deeper connections and create a more peaceful, harmonious environment.
Love is at the heart of everything. Loving ourselves means embracing who we are, practicing self-kindness, and prioritizing our well-being. When we nurture love within, we are better able to extend it to others—through compassion, support, and genuine care. Love in action means choosing kindness over criticism, forgiveness over resentment, and connection over division. It transforms both our inner world and the way we engage with those around us.
By living with Passion, Patience, and Love, we not only enrich our own lives but also create a ripple effect of positivity in the world. When we embody these values, they shape our interactions with family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers, fostering a world that is more understanding, connected, and full of warmth.
"People are not angered by what they have lost but
by their thoughts about the loss."
Our emotions are often shaped by our perceptions and
thoughts rather than by the objective reality of events.
When people think about what they’ve lost, they might not
just mourn the absence of the object, opportunity, or relationship itself.
Instead, they grieve over:
Attachment and Sentimentality:
People attach memories, identity, or emotions to objects. For example, an old
sweater might not be useful, but it represents a cherished memory, making it
hard to discard.
Fear of Regret:
The thought, "What if I need this someday?" or "Will I regret
letting this go?" creates anxiety, even if the item no longer serves a
purpose.
Perceived Loss of Identity:
Objects often symbolize who we are or who we were. Letting go of them can feel
like letting go of a part of oneself.
Cognitive Biases:
Nostalgia and Narrative:
People may focus on what the object represents rather than its current
usefulness, creating resistance to letting go.
As we were getting ready to leave, my wife, standing across the driveway, called out to our son, “Did you take pocket money for recess today?”
From the back seat of the car, he replied, “Yes.”
A moment later, she repeated, “Did you take pocket money for recess today?”
He answered again, this time a bit louder, “Yes!”
Not long after, she asked the same question a third time: “Did you take pocket money for recess today?”
Frustrated now, he shouted, “YES!!”
I glanced at him and asked calmly, “Do you know what’s wrong with this scenario?”
A classic example of miscommunication and persistence meeting frustration!
The likely "wrong" thing here could be the
repetitive questioning, despite his consistent responses.
From his perspective, he might feel unheard or disbelieved,
which escalates his tone.
Meanwhile, my wife’s repeated questioning might come from a
place of concern or simply not catching his initial response due to
distractions.
In truth, neither he nor my wife had been looking at each
other, and with the car window wound up, she probably couldn’t hear his
responses clearly in the first place!
The lack of visual cues and the physical barrier of the
closed car window had caused the miscommunication.
It was a simple yet common mistake, a gentle reminder of how
much we rely on more than just words to understand each other.
