Little things #15 (continued!)
#60 Wait for flowers to bloom
I was given a succulent as a gift from my company on International Women's Day (March 8), just like all the other women in my company. It's such a beautiful and symbolic gift! We say, "wait for it to bloom," much like we wait for life to bloom. It reminds me of a Vietnamese song I really love, Chờ ngày lời hứa nở hoa (Wait for the promise to bloom).
A succulent is strong, resilient, and grows with time - just like personal growth and the unfolding of life's promises. It carries the hope that whatever we nurture - whether in life, love, or dreams - will eventually blossom.
#61. My balanced lifestyle
I have two days off on weekends. I usually dedicate one day to socializing - to be more active, have fun, develop interpersonal skills and expand my comfort zone. The other day is just for me, where I do whatever I feel like. This balance makes my weekends fulfilling and keeps me from feeling empty.
I already have go-to social activities, such as playing board games, joining a chess club, attending classes, and meeting friends. But I also don't mind trying new things.
#62. Pencils and people
I've signed up for a portrait drawing class using pencils. I love drawing all kinds of things, but pencil sketches and people are my favorite subjects. Maybe one day, I'll draw my future partner and give it as a gift - sounds like a fun and romantic idea, right?
#63. Draft concept
Lately, I've been limiting the number of drafts I keep for my blog. From experience, if I truly want to write something, I invest the effort to finish and publish it soon. If a post lingers in drafts for too long, it's likely not important or motivating enough to complete. Now, I focus on finishing each piece before moving on to a new one. Some posts require more effort, and I genuinely want to complete them, I allow them as exceptions.
By making this decision, I've deleted all my drafts - including some that once felt important and interesting to me. But since I never finished them, I let them go. If any of those ideas still stay on my mind, I'll write them down again.
#64. Shorts on a YouTube channel
Recently, I discovered an interesting YouTube channel where people can seek advice. Even just scrolling through the Shorts, I come across meaningful messages. It's impressive how they showcase detailed observations and thoughtful reflections.
It is Jay Shetty Podcast. This channel often asks guests about the best and worst advice they've ever heard or received. Let's assume he asks me.
J: What is the best and worst life advice you've ever heard or received?
Best: Love yourself.
(It's such a fundamental piece of advice. Everything starts from within)
Worst: Hardship is a gift - it helps you become stronger.
(While challenges can build resilience, framing hardship as a "gift" can sometimes invalidate struggles rather than acknowledging the pain, effort and growth that come with them)
J: What is the best and worst love advice you've ever heard or received?
(It' simple but powerful. With the right person, things will fall into place naturally - without unnecessary hurt or heartbreak)
Worst: You have to be more interesting.
(This was surface-level advice I received when I was younger, when I had little experience. It made love seem like something that depended on entertainment rather than genuine connection. At the time, I doubted myself, my beliefs about love, and what I was truly looking for. Looking back, I realize it probably came from someone who wasn't the right person to take advice from. If the advice had been framed differently - such as "Love thrives on shared interesting experiences that keep people attracted, engaged, and continuously discovering each other" - it would have made more sense)
"Do everything you want to do now, you are gonna still want to do it when you are my age, but you won't have the strength or the energy"
This is a piece of advice I once mentioned in Life lessons, and it has stayed with me.
The truth is, I wouldn't be happy in the end if I didn't chase my dream. For me, a life without striving every day for what I long for would feel empty and meaningless.
As Jay Shetty says:
"What's good for me is not easy. What's easy is not good for me. What's uncomfortable is probably the right decision. What's comfortable is probably the wrong decision."
So, I'll pursue my vision little by little, embracing the process without getting lost in illusions about the future. As long as I'm better than I was yesterday and making the most of today, I will enjoy it. I trust the process, I trust myself, and most importantly - I choose to be happy.
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