Credits to the owner

Cloud 9 - an idiomatic expression to mean a state of "perfect happiness".

What does happiness mean to you?

Over the past couple of months, I felt like a dark cloud had loomed large on my horizon. My work had become toxic and consuming for me. Unfortunately, it had taken the best of me. I got exhausted to a point of me almost losing my sanity. I wanted to quit even if I would end up jobless.

Indeed, there are certain things we go through in life that may heavily weigh us down no matter how much we try to keep it all together. The anxieties brought about by uncertainties, the frustration from constant failed attempts or the exhaustion from seemingly endless struggles. All these steal our joy and peace. I have grown tired of chasing happiness.

And you know when I came to a point that I am no longer able to carry the weight on my shoulder, that's when I had learned to let go of the load. After all, I need not carry it all by myself. That's when I surrendered in reckless abandon. 

The problems are still there, only they felt lighter now. Perhaps because I acknowledged that I cannot  bear them on my own. 

I had learned to choose my battles and not allow just any thing to steal my joy from me.

And what does happiness mean to me these days? Having to sleep soundly knowing that every thing is taken care of. :)

When was the last time you were at your happiest? 

Honoring a Superwoman

I am starting my gratitude journal as part of my Lent reflections. 

Today, I behold my greatest gift - my Mom.

She is probably the one person whom I will never get tired honoring all my life.

My mom and I have been through a lot together. Like a lot. From the moment I could get a sense of life's reality, her bitter-sweet journey as a single mother unfolded before my very eyes. Motherhood is tough enough, let alone having to raise 4 young children by herself. 

I remember so vividly those times when I would be the sole witness to my mom's struggles and lowest of lows. Now, I am just blessed to have witnessed her resiliency and humility through it all.

I always say that if I only had half of her strength, I could go through the toughest of times. She is my source of strength and inspiration. Whenever she says, "God's Best is yet to come", I believe it with all my heart! There is just so much power and conviction in the way she proclaims it. Of course, coming from someone who is a living testimony of God's amazing wonders. 

My life I attribute to her next to God. I could never thank my mother enough in my lifetime. I am who I am today because of her. I just pray for her to be a blessing to more and more people as she has constantly been to me and my sibblings.

I love you very much, Taba! Happiest Birthday!