There is a kind of meaning that doesn’t announce itself. It doesn’t arrive with answers or explanations. It waits in the pause. In Japanese thought, ma speaks to that space—the silence, the gap, the breath between moments. Not as emptiness. Not as absence. But as presence. A presence we often rush past because it doesn’t…
Tag: life’s purpose
The Words We Never Hear
I came across a post recently—just a few lines my nephew wrote for his spouse on their anniversary. It wasn’t long. It wasn’t dramatic. But it stopped me. The kind of words that name partnership, gratitude, and choice so plainly that they settle deep before you realize what’s happening. I found myself tearing up, not…
If You’ve Found Your Way Here
Lately, I’ve noticed something quietly beautiful. Visitors from different countries finding their way to this little space of mine. Different places. Different stories. Different lives. Some of you pause on the homepage, just long enough to look around—like standing at the doorway of a house, unsure whether to step in or move on. And I…
as We forgive
It’s 1:30 a.m. I can’t count how many times or how long has it been since I would wake up around midnight or a little later and toss and turn trying my best to fall back to sleep. Every time when this happens, I would – most of the times – just lay still and…
Break in the Clouds
Most nights, especially work nights, I’d be asleep by 8:00pm and already starting work at 6:00am. Last night while laying down, I got to thinking about what my daughter said, regarding one of her friends going through my blog and re-reading my old posts (and how they got to talking about my book). And I…
Your Oubaitori
Have you heard of the word Oubaitori? Oubaitori is an ancient Japanese idiom that comes from the kanji for the four trees (cherry blossoms, plum, peach and apricot) that blooms in spring. Each flower blooms in its own time and the meaning behind the idiom is that we all grow and bloom at our own…
Flying Through Fog
Oxford dictionary defines brave as ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage. But is that really all there is to being brave? If I am to define brave, I don’t think I can in just one sentence. I think bravery is more than just what Oxford dictionary is saying. Bravery is a…
Born to Be You
Do you know anything about nests or nest building? Surely I don’t. Where does this came from, you may ask? On my way back to the building I work at, there’s a beautifully crafted nest that caught my eyes. I’m guessing it fell off the tree and someone picked it up and put it down…
That Thing Called Self-Love
“If you have the ability to love, love yourself first.” – Charles Bukowski At some point in our lives, we were told to give our all in everything. To love with all our heart. To be the best person that we can be. To always put our best foot forward. That sacrificing is the greatest…
Which Side Are You?
Has it ever occurred in your life where you asked yourself if you are on the wrong side of the fence? Just a few hours ago, I had this dream. In my dream, I was still in school. In a particular class, there were a few of us that were not chosen to be included…
Charina.Writes 