2025: A Year of Renewal and Hope

As we step into 2025, there’s a palpable sense of possibility in the air. Years of global challenges have led us to a critical juncture of hope and determination. Although there are still pockets of conflict everywhere, hope is closer than we think.

For 20 years, I’ve researched and written on human resilience; however, this year is unlike any other. Perhaps the collective exhaustion from the constant hustle culture is finally giving way to a more balanced approach to progress.

The key to making 2025 truly transformative lies in our ability to set meaningful goals while acknowledging our human need for rest. Experts agree that balancing work and rest is key to lasting success.

This year, I’m observing a shift in how we approach personal and professional development. Gone are the days when burnout was a badge of honour. Instead, industry leaders are adopting what I call the “rest revolution”—strategic pauses designed to boost success. I am doing the same: working hard but resting more.

As we craft our aspirations for 2025, let’s not forget our shared yearning for global peace. Our commitments to understanding and compassion matter more than ever in a world still grappling with conflicts.

2025 isn’t another year on the calendar. It’s our collective opportunity to rewrite the narrative of success – one that values progress and peace in equal measure. The fresh start we seek isn’t just about personal achievements; it’s about contributing to a world where rest is respected and peace is possible.

May 2025 be the year you realise your goals but make more friends and meaningful contributions to your corner of the world. Happy New Year!

Much love, always! 🙂

Remember The Wind…

 

(Fly With The Wind KIM)

Yesterday, I found out about the passing of my friend, a prolific writer, and a wonderful poet,  Kimberly Wilhelmina Floria https://silentlyheardonce.wordpress.com/ and my heart broke into a million pieces. Kim fought a brave battle but has decided to rest. However, she has left us with several words of wisdom. While reading her poignant poem below, I felt a searing pain in my chest thinking of all the times I’ve wasted fighting needless battles, blocking the sun and escaping the breeze.

Three weeks ago I was wheeled out of the operating theatre after an emergency surgery, for a fleeting moment, the thought passed through my mind, ‘what if this is the end?’

All that’s going to change now. To celebrate her life, we need to ponder on now, this moment, we should imprint every memories so that when our time comes, we would have lived!

I think what Kim was trying to say is this:

Folks, enjoy the sun, stop gossiping, a hundred years can pass away in a blink! I really miss you Kim, continue to write for the angels… Adieu old friend.

IF ONLY…

if I could see tomorrow today . . .
I would slow down and notice . . .
what was taken for granted . . .

like dazzling sun risings . . .
drops of dew on spring leaves . . .
laughter roaring in the distant . . .
while tears flow with sorrow . . .

if I could see tomorrow today . . .
I would remember the taste . . .
of the ocean spray . . .
as warm sun’s rays turned to sweat . . .

I would raise my arms above my head . . .
and run and run and remember the wind . . .
gently slapping my face . . .

if I could see tomorrow today . . .
I would imprint my little babies hands on my cheek . . .
I would bottle their scents forever in my memory . . .

I would smile more and cry less . . .
I would live in the moment . . .
forgive the past and wait for the future . . .

if I could see tomorrow today . . .
I would love without judgment . . .
I would love without expectation . . .
I would love yes I would love free . . .

I would not hear gossip . . .
malice wouldn’t exist . . .
negatively would be a waste . . .
a waste of precious time . . .

if only . . .
if only I could see tomorrow today . . .
I would live insanely in joy . . .
every moment invested . . .
happiness and contentment . . .
my valuable stock . . .

my memory would be long . . .
every word spoken . . .
every dream dreamt . . .
every soul I met would have a place . . .
in my recollection today . . .

if I could see tomorrow today . . .
I would slow down . . .
notice the emotions . . .
embrace the moments . . .
each precious one . . .

©Kimberly Wilhelmina Floria 2/15/17

Let’s live well guys, much love!

On Humanity And Idiosyncrasies

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(My ideal place to be now!)

“Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.” Dalai Lama

If we continually observe the world, it’s really filled with sad news, war, war, and war! Yet in the midst of the seemingly absurd, grotesque, insane, and obscene, we have to carry on living.

My husband and I were having one of our ‘philosophical chats’ when he quoted Dalai Lama, it hit me like a sledgehammer; am I working too hard?

However, after a brief soul-searching I came to this verdict: I love life, I really enjoy living even when I’m working hard and juggling multiple responsibilities with kids screaming for my attention, countless office deadlines and uncooperative plots ( my novels and several other manuscripts I’m working on).

I am absolutely certain that I enjoy my idiosyncratic attitude to living because life has no part two, there are no dress rehearsals or a delete button. We take what we have, use it wisely and hope for the best, and I think we ought to strive to find joy in life in any way we can.

December is a month of frenzy cum feverish spending, planning, office parties. Why not pause for a while, enjoy the snow-capped mountains, (if there’s one in your vicinity), the fake reindeer, and annoying Christmas jingles that normally grated on your nerves.

I intend to, I hope you’ll all enjoy everyday living.

Have a fantastic weekend friends!

Much love, always. 🙂

A Place Of Rest…

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A place of rest is a place of freedom

Where you eat with contentment.

Where peace flowed unhindered

And shames are banished away.

A place of rest is where hope is found

Skipping with the legs of a deer

On the clear lake of renewal.

Where darkness flee with fear and

Love plays in the open.

A place of rest is when mankind stop

the madness of war.

When babes and toddlers juggle with delight in the sun…

When the smile of old men mingle with the chuckle of the maidens.

Harvested Field

A place of rest is when harvest is not hampered

by the roars of the terrible.

And where men love truly and women’s breast flow with the milk of kindness.

Freedom does not only give rest… It also gives peace.

But remember, freedom and independence means just one thing,

Responsibility!

***

To all my American friends and others around the world, have a nice 4th of July and happy independence day! I firmly believe that finding rest lay solely with us – it might seem preposterous but guys, it’s true. Only you, can put your mind at rest. Looking around you, might expose what is not working, but do remember that we live in an imperfect word!

NP: Arrow Gate publishing just released a press release about my novel, ‘The Feet Of Darkness,’ Please click on this link http://uk.prweb.com/releases/thefeetofdarkness/arrowgatepublishing/prweb10879291.htm , share and do like Arrow Gate on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Arrow-Gate-Publishing-Ltd/439011756170290 and follow on twitter, https://twitter.com/arrowgatebooks

Thanks for that friends!

Much Love, always! Don’t forget – live well.

🙂