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Contentment

Contentment doesn’t mean being lazy, complacent, or lacking ambition. Instead, it is the ability to appreciate and enjoy the present moment—without waiting for something better to happen before allowing ourselves to be happy. There are three ways to grow in contentment: 1. Stop comparing In the age of social media, it’s so easy to compare our lives with others. What we see online often looks perfect, but every person carries a story that is not posted or seen. Comparison quietly steals our joy. If it becomes too difficult to resist, it may even be wise to step away from social media for a while. 2. More doesn’t mean happier The world constantly tells us to upgrade—more money, more status, more possessions. But does “more” truly make us happier? Everything we chase in this world has an expiry date. Lasting joy is not found in having more, but in learning to be grateful and content with what we already have. 3. Learn to admire without needing to own Many people work tirelessly to own bea...

How to have peace of mind

As I was doing my usual treadmill routine, I watched a YouTube video of  Rick Warren  sharing about how to experience peace beyond human understanding—peace that is not dependent on our circumstances. He outlined five simple yet powerful steps: Do not worry about anything Pray about everything Give thanks in all things Keep your mind on good things Be content in everything It sounds so simple—almost too simple. And yet, these are things we can actually do. The challenge is that both internal and external noise often overwhelm us, making us worry unnecessarily. One statement that really struck me was this: We are not born as worriers —we learn to worry from the people around us. And if worry can be learned, it can also be unlearned. That shifted something in me. If I worry about something I cannot change, then there is no point in worrying. But if it’s something I  can  change, then instead of worrying, I should use my energy to take action. Another powerful reminder ...

Be Strong and Courageous, I am with you always !

These are God’s words that echo so strongly in my heart. Not once, not twice—but three times. And when God repeats something, I know He is serious. These passage came from Joshua chapter 1:5-9 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.   6  Be strong and courageous , because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7  “ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.   8  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.   9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous...

Never too late but never too early...

Continuing from our previous story about searching for storage for our business, God’s providence came in a way I never expected—beyond what I could have imagined. At that point, I was still discerning between a few storage options, and time was running out. I told my husband honestly, “I don’t know what God wants.” He asked me, “What do you feel? Which option is pulling you more strongly?” But the truth was—I didn’t feel strongly about any of them. He then said something that stayed with me: “God’s way is often not the easiest. Sometimes He leads us to places that feel unfamiliar so we learn to rely more on Him.” He suggested Ubi, since it was a new place for us, outside our comfort zone. Since I had no clear inclination, I chose to follow his suggestion. From a practical standpoint, Ubi made sense—it was more affordable, bigger, and offered monthly payment. There really wasn’t another option that matched those benefits. Before making the final decision, I went for a weekday Mass at S...

Be Strong and Courageous !

This month I need to make an important decision about my storage, as the lease will end at the end of this month. I have been praying and asking for God’s guidance. Yet sometimes it feels as if God is silent—or perhaps my own anxiety and expectations are making it hard for me to hear Him clearly. The rent for the current unit will increase sharply, and to sustain my business, staying there is simply not possible. My options are either to move to a different unit or relocate to a different area altogether. It’s a difficult decision because I have grown comfortable in the current location. If I move to a new place, I will have to dismantle and rebuild the entire inventory setup, update the system, and reorganize everything. But the payment structure there is monthly, which would help my cash flow and allow me to allocate some funds toward advertising. As I continued praying, God reminded me of two stories. The first is when the Israelites were leaving Egypt. They could have taken a shor...

Short Bangkok Trip - Early Birthday Celebration !

This year, we’ll be spending quite a bit on relocating our storage and renewing the COE for our car. That means we probably won’t have the chance to travel as much as we did in previous years. But I’m grateful that we could still enjoy a short trip to Bangkok for an early birthday celebration. While my husband was there for a business trip, I joined him for 3 days and 2 nights and had some precious  me time . Even though it was short, it felt refreshing and rejuvenating. I spent an afternoon wandering around Terminal 21 for some window shopping, then headed to CentralWorld to hunt for the items on my mom’s shopping list. At night, we enjoyed simple street food near the hotel and ended the day with a relaxing Thai massage. Sometimes, a short escape is all we need to recharge.

Happy 44th Birthday !

Happy 20th birthday… with 24 years of experience. That’s usually how I answer when people ask about my age 😄 Young at heart, but hopefully a little wiser and more grounded with time. This year’s birthday was simple, yet very meaningful. We celebrated a little earlier in Bangkok. Even though it was a very short trip, it felt refreshing and rejuvenating — just spending time together without thinking about routines, work, or the usual worries. On the day itself, we celebrated quietly with our close-knit family, especially meaningful since my parents were in town as well. This year still carries a lot of uncertainty. But I’m learning to stay grateful and hopeful for the future — especially for the business I’m currently nurturing. My prayer to God is simple: to give me the grace and strength to do His will, even when I don’t fully understand His plan yet… and to provide what this business needs along the way (yes, including self-storage and customers). Right now I feel like I’m standing a...

A Taste of Heaven

Yesterday, I reached a point where I felt completely overwhelmed. I told God honestly, “I’m tired.” Tired of trying to be a good and obedient girl while my work problems remain unsolved. My business has no customers right now, which means no revenue. Yet the expenses keep coming — warehouse costs, the car, and other commitments. The waiting and uncertainty are exhausting. I’ve been praying day and night. Attending weekday Mass. Completing the 54-day novena. Praying to St. Joseph. And still… nothing seems to change. In my frustration, I even told God that it felt pointless to keep being obedient and faithful if everything stayed the same. But this morning, something gentle happened. While doing cardio at the gym, I was watching YouTube, and a video from Rick Warren about the  six tests from God  appeared. I clicked on it. Somehow it felt like God knew exactly what was going on in my heart. The video led me to  Hebrews 11 , the chapter about faith. And slowly, my doubts sta...