Daily Thoughts – Page 2

Improving Your Mother Tongue
It’s common for those who grew up in a different country to their parents to lose some or all of their mother tongue. It’s natural to want to speak the language that is largely spoken in your environment as it helps you communicate with the people you interact with. This is one of the struggles of maintaining your mother tongue when you grow up in an environment where you largely use one language in your daily settings.

Language allows us to connect with other people and have a deeper understanding of our culture. It allows us to tell stories, understand different perspectives and express what’s within. My parents were the only people I spoke Mandarin regularly with when I lived at home. The lack of learning the language and improving my grammar meant my Chinese level was like a primary school student. This was most clear once I left home and so the desire to improve began.

Surround yourself with the language. If you’re working, you can listen to podcasts and music in the background. At home, you can watch videos, TV shows and movies in the language. You can try to even think in the language. This can be tricky but it can force you to be more active in using the language.

Write down words that you don’t know. Learn new grammar by writing down words that you don’t know and practice them in your daily life. This can be a word from an article or video. You can practice using them during a conversation as it will help solidify them in your memory.

Read articles and books in the language. Find content you’re interested in yet is a little bit challenging to read. There’s so much content online with specific topics that you can read according to your personal interests. Reading allows you to slow down and helps you recognize more words.

Engage, use and speak the language. This is one of the most important tips. If you don’t use it, you lose it! Take any opportunity that you can to use the language. I’m still encouraging myself to do this as a big part of improving a language is having confidence. If you’re watching a video you can copy the native speaker and mimic their pronunciation and accent.
It’s important to remember that improvements take time and daily practice. I’ve found using a language app can help with speaking to other language learners. Practicing with cue cards on apps like Pleco can also help. Learning and improving a language is much like learning an instrument or practicing sports. It takes commitment, focus and daily practice. Remember, practicing a little a day can go a long way.

Art by Kate Pugsley
July 31, 2024

chinese, Culture, Daily Thoughts, language, mandarin, mother tongue
Living A Slow-Paced Life

There have been many moments where rushing feels like progress but the result ends up being less than satisfactory. Slowing down is when things are able to come into fruition in a natural way. Think of a small seed in the soil that weathers through the stormy nights and sunny days. It slowly grows and grows until one day it becomes a strong and sturdy tree.

When we slow down we have space to think. We have space to notice our breath and space to just be. The quiet moments allow us to reflect and understand ourselves better. Slowing down gives us a moment to day dream and let our imagination run wild. The story of the tortoise and the hare is a reminder of the wisdom in having patience and persistence.

The greatest joys in life come from the little things. Walking down the streets and listening to the sound of the birds chirping in the early hours of the morning. Enjoying the small things like reading at a cafe, feeling the gentle breeze on your face, writing in a journal and taking a warm shower. Take time to be grateful for the small things.

Art by Virginia Frances Sterrett

October 27, 2023

Daily Thoughts, slow paced, slowing down
The Joy Of Missing Out

The ability to embrace the art of doing nothing allows us to appreciate periods of solitude. Social media has contributed to the rise of consumer culture and social pressures. These pressures can cause stress and a distraction from what is important in our lives. The concept of missing out is often labeled as a negative aspect, and it can often be perceived as antisocial.

There is great beauty in taking quiet moments during the day to just be in your own presence. There is great love in giving yourself permission to take time to rest, reflect and reconnect with yourself. The joy of missing out is taking time to enjoy the quiet moments and to embrace being who you are.

The art of slow. Our lives can be filled with endless things one after the other, or a never-ending to-do list. We live in a society that praises a busy and productive lifestyle by labeling these aspects as the definition of success. But the truth is that we are really only able to experience true satisfaction in life in the moments where we feel a sense of flow. Those moments are appreciated when we aren’t rushing through the world.

Finding balance. We practice moderation through how much we consume. These include food, exercise, or technology. We can focus much more deeply when we take time to switch off, practice being mindful of our actions and become aware of where we are placing our attention and time. The joy of missing out on what is always happening in the world can also be beneficial for one’s mental health. Taking a break from technology can allow oneself to focus on being in the present.

Simplifying one’s life. When we let go of the need to chase excitement or fill our lives with things, we have more time to do all the things that make us truly happy. There is a false belief that we must always buy the latest thing, stay on top of trends or achieve something great to be happy. It’s truly the small and simple things in life that can give us the greatest joy. It can be the smallest things that can trigger a sad or happy memory.

Staying authentic to yourself. The joy of missing out means that we can spend more time doing things we enjoy. The time we spend alone is precious, as those moments are where we face our thoughts, feelings, memories and experiences. We have space to reflect and think about life. We can focus on change and growth and we can spend time in our favourite hobbies. When we stay true to ourselves, we feel the greatest sense of freedom. It takes effort and energy to not be who you truly are.

Deeper connections. We only have so much time and the time we spend with people is the connections we are investing in. By surrounding yourself with people who truly care about you, you nurture a deeper connection. It takes time to really get to know someone, and it takes energy to be there for others. When we miss out on other things, we can spend time with the one’s we love. Relationships are beautiful things. The people we surround ourselves with and spend time with the most have a greater impact on us than we may consciously be aware of.

The path we’re meant to be on. Many things in life are a blessing in disguise. In the moment we might not understand why it happened or we might feel that it was unfair. There are aspects that may be a perception of failure but we are yet to realise that the best is yet to come. Sometimes we think something is a setback when it’s really pushing us forward to where we need to be. The joy of missing out on an opportunity can be the greatest blessing to discovering where you’re meant to be.

Art by Alja Horvat

September 8, 2023

Daily Thoughts, jomo, joy, joy of missing out
Spending Less Time On Your Phone

A century ago, it would’ve seemed strange to picture photos and artwork with people holding a phone in their hand with their heads bowed down. Today, it’s a norm to walk down the street messaging someone. I miss the days when phones weren’t such a massive part of our lives. I remember talking to strangers more and making friends through the same silence and simply breaking it. However, now it’s easy for people to avoid silence by using their devices. We spend so much time staring at screens now.

One of the things I’ve always had a hard relationship with is the mobile device. I remember using a flip phone for as long as possible until it broke. I was nineteen when I purchased my first touch phone and I always felt it unnatural to use it all the time. I felt an overreliance on it yet a convenience. I’m grateful that it helps us connect in many ways with our family and friends who may not be close by, but I see that it is also making us more disconnected in other ways.

One way to limit phone use is to remove apps that you don’t often use or that you’re mindlessly clicking into. You can switch off notifications or put your phone on silent. One of the ways I’ve found helpful in using my phone less during the day is consciously setting it aside somewhere or putting it on silence. It makes you feel more present and feel more engaged in your day-to-day moments, without the distraction of a phone.

My phone can sometimes give me slight anxiety and urgency, take away precious time, and the less I use it, the more present I feel and the more focused I am. I found after removing several social media platforms in the last few years, it’s helped me feel less anxious about staying up to-date with everything. I find it helps to take moments to just read a book, write in a journal, or play the piano. Everything is more enjoyable in the long run when it’s in moderation. There are endless things to enjoy without the presence of our phones.

Art by Monica Barengo

March 3, 2023

Daily Thoughts, phone
Being Soft-spoken and Assertive

Has there been a time when you’ve felt unheard or ignored? Has there been an instance where you try to chime in only to have someone interrupt you or ignore what you had said altogether? It is frustrating and it can make us feel as though nobody cares about our opinions. Most often people are too wrapped up in their own thoughts that they don’t notice someone else trying to add to the conversation. I found that there have been moments someone simply hasn’t heard my voice. It’s taken time to learn that it isn’t personal.

Being soft-spoken and assertive can seem like two opposing forces not destined to fit together. Assertiveness was often associated with aggressiveness in my mind. I felt that if I’m being assertive, I’m asking too much. I’ve learned over the years that it’s a healthy way of setting boundaries and communicating your needs. Being assertive is one of the most important interpersonal skills. Assertive ties in with respecting yourself and others, and having a level of self-assurance.

Being assertive means being kind and honest. It can cut misunderstandings and show that you care about the person, situation or topic you’re talking about. It’s important to set boundaries and learn to say no. There’s no need to overexplain or over justify yourself. Saying no in a polite and assertive manner is having a level of sensitivity and care. Becoming more assertive takes practice much like learning a language and gaining fluency. It may feel unnatural and uncomfortable at first, but it’s one of the best ways you can take care of yourself.

Art by Sun Jun

October 17, 2022

assertive, Daily Thoughts, soft spoken, softspoken
Spending Time Offline

The greatest joys in life are often simple things. Thinking about a life offline makes me feel nostalgic as I transport to a time when we listened to tapes, spent lots of time at the beach and hung out with the neighbours. Recently, I’ve been thinking about our screen time and how we live in a society with a growing phone addiction. Sitting on the bus I looked around and saw everyone’s heads down looking at their phone. I feel guilty of this too. After watching The Social Dilemma it made me think about our digital consumption and digital footprint and how valuable it is to spend more time offline.

Being present and curious about the moment. After scrolling, reading, or watching something on my phone, there’s this desire to do something that really feeds my soul. Looking around you can discover so many things just by being curious. Curiosity makes me think of Alice in Wonderland, wandering into the Rabbit hole. It makes me think of adventure, exploring, experience and learning. When we’re curious about our surroundings, we’re more engaged and present. We don’t dwell on the past but focus on what’s happening in the now.

Spontaneous conversations with strangers. There’s much we can learn from small interactions with people. Having random conversations with people at the cafe or bus stop (if it’s safe to do so) can be another way to engage in the world. It helps us pause for a moment and see the world through a different lens. It’s easy to go through a day seeing the world from our own perspective, but we can learn so much from talking to people. It can also make us feel connected to the world and remind us that we’re not alone.

The Art of Daydreaming. People watching is one of those small pleasures in life. Imagine sitting at a cafe staring outside the window with the coffee aroma floating in the air as you watch people wander past. It’s nice to do nothing and just let your mind wander. In contrast to being present, sometimes having a momentary moment to escape reality can be fun. I find daydreaming makes me feel in touch with my creativity and my child-like self. Creativity is best explored when there are no distractions, and it’s just you and your mind in conversation.

Spending time doing the things you love. I’ve had a pile of hundreds of origami paper sitting around for half a year and they breathed a sigh of sweet relief when I opened the package. It was fun to fold them into a swan or a box. There was something therapeutic about it. I think of spending time with your loved ones, going for a long walk, playing or listening to music, or exploring the city. The wonderful thing about time offline is enjoying the hobbies and activities without the interruption of a screen. There’s something about when you do something you love that makes you feel more present and alive.

Take care of your well-being. Technology can impact our sleep, mental health, and overall wellbeing. It’s easy to feel more stimulated after spending time online or watching something before bedtime. Spending time doing things such as meditating, journaling or reading can help you unwind at night time. I found removing several social media platforms helped with my mental health. It’s common for many of us to spend several hours during the week on our computers at work. Taking time to switch off is beneficial for our minds and wellbeing.

How do you like to spend your time offline?

Art by Kate Pugsley

June 11, 2022

offline, online, phone, Social Media, Time
What Is Essential Is Invisible To The Eye

No matter where we are in the world, it’s the state of mind that you’re in that determines the life you want to live. When you’re filled with gratitude and love, you appreciate what you already have. Whereas, if you’re filled with fear, you can feel a sense of lack and worry. The experiences you have, the people you surround yourself with, the places you travel to, the books you read, the food you eat, the music you listen to, the thoughts you feed yourself and the lessons you learn. Life is unpredictable. It reminds us that living in the present is all we truly have, and that the past and the future can often rob us of enjoying, embracing and accepting the moment.

“People where you live,” the little prince said, “grow five thousand roses in one garden… yet they don’t find what they’re looking for…”

“They don’t find it,” I answered.

“And yet what they’re looking for could be found in a single rose, or a little water…”

“Of course,” I answered.

And the little prince added, “But eyes are blind. You have to look with the heart.”

― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

The title is an excerpt from the book, The Little Prince: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” This reminds us of the importance of seeing beneath the surface. We can never really know anyone, not many people, so deeply that we can understand the experiences and layers they have experienced. We live in a deeply visual world and images have so much power and influence. However, the things that truly matter in our lives, are things that can’t be seen but are felt. They are the experiences we have, not the materials. They are the relationships we have, not the status.

The life we experience is ultimately the one we feel within. It makes me think of how a person can be externally happy, but they could be going through an incredibly tough time. It makes me think of how a person can seem serious and may not always smile, but they can also have the biggest heart and kindness through their actions. It’s important to not judge a book by its cover. Nobody is perfect, no matter what it seems, and no matter what it looks like from the outside. It doesn’t matter how much you earn, what clothes you wear or how big your house is. It matters how you treat others, your sense of character and values. Those parts of you, whether that be your intelligence, compassion, wisdom, humour, or enthusiasm, are what make you you.

There are many lessons in The Little Prince. One of the lessons that stand out to me, is the topic of love. What is truly important can only be felt and seen with the heart. This world needs love. We can do many things and never be joyful, but perhaps our happiness could be found in one simple thing (“in a single rose”). Our eyes may indulge in temporary beauty and what lies on the surface. The temporary satisfaction won’t give us a sense of long term contentment. The true beauty of a person comes from their heart. Whatever you do today, remember to look with the heart.

Art by Monica Barengo

May 21, 2022

Daily Thoughts, the little prince
Do You Eat The Same Breakfast Everyday?

Drinking a cup of strong black coffee on an empty stomach is a common morning routine for many people. The consumption of caffeine can have weird effects on some people. I find having caffeine can make me shaky and energetic in the short term but it can impact my sleep. A baby coffee such as a mochaccino can feel psychologically less strong than an espresso. Some people may opt for a coffee as they aren’t hungry or they might feel a bit nauseous having breakfast in the morning. However, the lack of breakfast can make me feel like a grumpy cat.

Why is it that we often have the same breakfast every day? A big part of it may be from habit or convenience. When making a trip to the supermarket I automatically go to the cereal aisle. There are some days when I add a bit of variety, such as adding fruits like bananas, frozen berries, or pears or drizzling some honey. It’s my favourite meal of the day because there’s something comforting and familiar about the ritual of making your breakfast. A lack of breakfast can cause me to feel lethargic and tired. However, after having breakfast it sets you up for the day ahead by refueling your tank.

What breakfast do you have each morning?

Art by Fumi Koike

May 2, 2022

breakfast, Daily Thoughts, Food
The Importance Of Doing Nothing

In a heavily switched-on world, it can feel like there’s no pause button. Our phones have become an extension of us most noticeably since the pandemic. The nature of unpredictability has become increasingly more transparent. We live in a society that values busyness and judges the idea of rest by perceiving it as lazy. In the article How to rest well by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, he states that “The world tells us: Work is important; we need to reply: Rest is important too.“

Time for reflecting. Sitting down to clear your mind and think about things and write thoughts down can give you space to reflect. What are the lessons you’ve learned? What are the parts of you that have grown? What challenges have you faced? What are the gains you’ve experienced? How would you like to change? There have been an immense amount of lessons learned in the past year, and taking time to reflect on them can help you think about how you’d like to implement them into your life.

Switching off. The amount of time spent using my phone has heavily increased. I’ve been especially grateful that we are able to connect with our loved ones but I find reading the news can be overwhelming as it can be filled with negativity. Taking time to switch off can help clear our minds and give us some quiet from all the noise while enjoying the present moment.

Reconnecting with your soul. Rest gives you time to be alone in your mind and body. When you can rest you allow yourself to sit with your own thoughts. When we’re always interacting in the world, it’s easy to go along with what everyone else is doing. In the past year, I’ve felt burnt out at times, and only recently I have accepted how important it is to truly rest and do nothing. Time alone gives us space to be creative, curious, mindful, and aware of our surroundings.

Space to heal. The world feels like it’s becoming an increasingly divided place, but my greatest prayer is that we find deeper connections and openness through our collective struggles. When we spend time without a full calendar and we take time to care for ourselves, we give ourselves space to reflect, rest, connect and heal. The absence of distractions can make us look at ourselves inside and out.

What we value. What is most important to you in your life? What makes you truly happy? What do you enjoy doing? What are your personal values? Every person’s values can be different and living by our values can make us feel more grounded and connected to ourselves. Our values can be impacted by the experiences we’ve had in our lives, our personalities, and how we experience the world.

How do you spend your time doing nothing?

Art by Kate Pugsley

January 9, 2022

Daily Thoughts, nothing
The Joy Of Shopping At The Supermarket

A trip to the supermarket felt like an adventure as a child. It still does. Roaming the aisles of different food categories was comforting and easily amusing. Although it’s also been a crazy last two years during the pandemic with crowded aisles, social distancing, panic buying and inflation in prices. The nostalgia of shopping is a fond memory and one of those activities that bring joy. There’s something satisfying about having a full pantry of food. It feels like a blessing and a privilege to be able to have food and to browse all the different items. It feels like a treasure hunt of trying to find all the items you’re looking for. Below are a selection of the many ways the supermarket brings me joy.

1) Being present in the moment. Going to the supermarket forces you to be present and focused by making sure you don’t bump into someone and that you get everything on your shopping list. Although it’s also easy to do the very opposite of zoning out trying to find your favourite cereal box.

2) Discovering new things. Trying new recipes, finding ingredients, discovering new products and trying new things are a fun part of going grocery shopping. I previously would make the same meal nearly everyday, whereas, buying different kinds of items makes you creative and think about what to cook.

3) People watching and listening to music. There’s probably scientific research that the music played at the supermarket is designed to make you stay longer, feel good and buy more. I have admittedly stayed at the supermarket pushing the trolley around to finish listening to a song. There’s also something amusing about watching people do their shopping.

4) The necessity of grocery shopping. There’s something very rewarding about cooking your own meal as a self-confessed previous non-foodie. When you cook your own meals it can feel satisfying and it can make you feel accomplished. Grocery shopping is also a regular routine in our lives and supermarkets are a familiar place that we go to every so often.

5) A change of scenery. It’s easy to spend time sitting in an office or being at home, but when you go to the supermarket, you can switch off and just think about what you need to buy. Something is always different each time: different music, different people, different fruit and veggies.

6) Browsing farmers’ markets. The best grocery shopping is at the markets when it’s a sunny day outside. It’s fun to stare at the dogs walking by and to find the cheapest cauliflower. There’s also a lovely atmosphere and it feels different to the feeling of when you’re shopping in a supermarket.

7) Having fun with your loved ones. Going to the supermarket is a fond memory I have with my family. Whether being in New Zealand or Taiwan, or being at a supermarket or an outdoors veggie market. There’s something about food that quite literally brings people together.

What do you enjoy or not enjoy about grocery shopping?

October 11, 2021

Daily Thoughts, grocery shopping, joy, Shopping, supermarket