Month: July 2025

This week I wanted to bring back a post from last summer. Revisiting this post filled my heart with gratitude.

136. New Opportunities

137. Traveling 

138. Campfires 

139. Perfect Timing 

140. Baby Bunnies 

#136: New Opportunities

This week, I’m full of gratitude for new beginnings. I’ve been offered a job at a local community college, and I’m absolutely thrilled about it. I’ll officially start my new role in late July. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the person who told me about this position (you know yourself- you are a real one) and to all my references (I appreciate you all so much!) Your support means the world to me, and I’m eagerly looking forward to this new chapter in my life.

#137: Traveling

Next week, my girlfriend and I are heading to Nashville for a fun vacation! We’re on a mission to visit all 50 states, and with this trip, we’ll have crossed off our 14th state. Nashville, Tennessee, here we come! Stay tuned for a future post where I’ll share all about our adventures.

#138: Campfires

I absolutely love summertime and all the activities that come with it. This week, while on a hike, I was enveloped by the nostalgic and comforting smell of a campfire. There’s something so magical about that scent, isn’t there? It instantly brought back memories of past summers and made me appreciate the simple joys of the season.

#139: Perfect Timing

In my apartment complex, you need a key to enter the apartment’s dumpster area. This week, as I was about to pull up to the dumpster with my car, I had that familiar, sinking feeling of knowing I forgot something important—my dumpster keys. Just as I had successfully completed a big, disappointed sigh, I noticed something magical. A woman driving behind me saw my predicament and knew exactly what I needed. She happily opened the gate for me. Not all heroes wear capes—thank you so much, kind stranger in the Honda Civic.

#140: Baby Bunnies

As I mentioned on June 19th, we discovered a nest of adorable baby bunnies in our garden. I’m happy to report that we successfully kept them alive and healthy until they left the nest this week. Watching them grow and venture out into the world has been such a joy. Here’s a picture I took of them.

Good luck out there, baby bunnies—wishing you all long and happy lives!

This week I am grateful for…

131. Couch-Shuffling Comedy

132. Petting a Random Dog (Who Wasn’t “Cute”… Until She Was)

133. A Great Audiobook

134. A Canceled Work Meeting (Sweet, Sweet Freedom)

135. Family Vacation on the Horizon

#131: Couch-Shuffling Comedy

My neighbor is moving out, and this week I caught a glimpse of two of her friends helping her carry a couch. What cracked me up was the way they did it—tiny, overly cautious shuffle steps, completely in sync, like they were performing a weirdly elegant dance routine. It was unnecessary, hilarious, and oddly beautiful. They seemed to be having the time of their lives, and I thought: When it’s my turn to move, may my people show up with that same ridiculous, joyful energy.

#132: Petting a Random Dog (Who Wasn’t “Cute”… Until She Was)

My partner LOVES dogs. And by “loves,” I mean she will suddenly grip my arm with great urgency and whisper, “I must pet that dog,” whenever one crosses our path. This week, we met a little Shih Tzu on our walk. At first glance, I’ll be honest—she wasn’t the cutest pup I’ve ever seen. But then she came up to us, tail wagging like she was on caffeine, full of personality and joy. She had this gentle, goofy spirit that melted our hearts. Within minutes, we were grinning and noticeably more relaxed—like she had cast some kind of fur-covered stress relief spell.

#133: A Great Audiobook

There’s something deeply satisfying about a good audiobook—especially one with a captivating narrator. It turns errands into a treat and makes chores feel like quiet moments of escape. Right now, I’m listening to Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari. True to form, he’s brilliant, thought-provoking, and just a little terrifying. The book dives into the future of humanity and AI, and while some parts are bleak, I find myself completely absorbed. It’s the kind of listen that lingers long after you’ve hit pause.

#134: A Canceled Work Meeting (Sweet, Sweet Freedom)

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: few things spark unexpected joy quite like a canceled meeting. That moment when you’re mentally bracing yourself for another long Zoom call and then—bing!—an email arrives: “Apologies for the late notice, but I’ll need to reschedule…” Suddenly, you’re doing a silent victory dance and whispering, “Thank you, universe.” You reply with a polite, “No worries at all!” but inside, you’re thinking, Thank you for having the courage to save us both. 

#135: Family Vacation on the Horizon

Every year, my family comes together for a week of laughter, games, shared meals, and storytelling. It’s a tradition I look forward to and cherish deeply. Knowing that it’s just around the corner fills me with gratitude and excitement. These moments recharge me in the best way and remind me of what really matters: connection, love, and quality time with the people who know you best.

Weekly Spotlight

This week’s spotlight is a Swahili saying:
“Ukipishana na ndovu kunya, utapasuka msamba.”
Literally translated: “If you compete with an elephant to defecate, you will rip your crotch.”

The meaning?
Not every battle is worth fighting. Sometimes, wisdom lies in walking away rather than trying to prove a point or match someone else’s might. Choose your battles wisely, not all battles are worth fighting.

This week I am grateful for…

131. Catching the Bus Just in Time

132. Hanging Out by the Beach

133. A Refreshing Shower After a Long, Hot Day

134. The Gentle Dings of a Wind Chime

135. Chipmunk Chase (Love or War?)

#131: Catching the Bus Just in Time

This weekend, my partner and I took a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard. It was quite the adventure—we biked to the ferry station, hopped on the ferry to the island, then rushed to catch a bus to Oak Bluffs. One highlight of the day was catching the bus back just in time to grab lunch before our return ferry.

We were power-walking toward the bus stop, about 100 feet away, when the driver closed the doors and prepared to pull off. I quickly waved, hoping to catch his attention. Thankfully, he saw us and gladly let us on. We had to jog a little to make it, but that was a small price to pay for perfect timing. Sometimes, it’s the little wins that make the day even sweeter.

#132: Hanging Out by the Beach

I never thought of myself as a beach person, but slowly, I’m starting to get it. There’s something about the calm, the sound of the waves, and the relaxed energy that’s growing on me. I still prefer sitting under some shade—I’m not a fan of intense sunlight on my skin—but the whole vibe is incredibly soothing. This week, I’m grateful for the chance to simply sit by the beach, feel the breeze, listen to the waves, and just be. It’s a beautiful reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment.

#133: A Refreshing Shower After a Long, Hot Day

After spending the day biking, walking, and soaking in the summer heat on Martha’s Vineyard, few things felt as satisfying as the cool shower that awaited me at home. It was pure bliss—washing away the sweat, the dust, and the stickiness of the humid day, leaving behind only a clean slate and great memories. That simple, refreshing shower was a quiet, perfect ending to an active day.

#134: The Gentle Dings of a Wind Chime

There’s something magical about the soft, random dings of a wind chime swaying in the breeze. My partner’s grandma has one hanging in her backyard, and sitting on the porch listening to it is surprisingly peaceful. It’s one of those small pleasures I didn’t know I needed. Maybe one day I’ll have my own wind chime—of course, I’d probably need a house to go with it first!

#135: Chipmunk Chase (Love or War?)

One afternoon this week, I sat outside and watched two chipmunks in what seemed like an epic chase. They danced around with so much urgency and determination that I couldn’t tell if they were fighting or flirting. I like to think it was a playful game, maybe even a little romance. Either way, it made me smile and reminded me of the joy in observing everyday moments.

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Weekly Highlight

This week’s highlight is a thought-provoking quote from Yuval Noah Harari:

“One of history’s few iron laws is that luxuries tend to become necessities and to spawn new obligations… How many young college graduates have taken demanding jobs in high-powered firms, vowing that they will work hard to earn money that will enable them to retire and pursue their real interests when they are thirty-five? But by the time they reach that age, they have large mortgages, children to school, houses in the suburbs that necessitate at least two cars per family, and a sense that life is not worth living without really good wine and expensive holidays abroad. What are they supposed to do, go back to digging up roots? No, they double their efforts and keep slaving away.”

It’s a powerful reminder to be intentional about the life we’re building and to regularly check whether what we’re chasing still aligns with what truly matters to us.