This week I am grateful for…
36. Heartfelt Catch-Ups with Family and Friends
37. The Magic of Walking on Snow
38. A Whisper of Spring
39. The Sweet Sound of Birds Returning
40. Unwinding with My Favorite Shows
#36: Heartfelt Catch-Ups with Family and Friends
This week was filled with warmth, laughter, and the joy of reconnecting with loved ones. Is there anything better than reminiscing over old stories, sharing a delicious meal, and feeling the energy of good company? These moments remind me how precious quality time is, and I’m deeply grateful for the people who make life richer.
#37: The Magic of Walking on Snow
There’s something oddly satisfying about the crisp crunch of fresh snow underfoot. I’ve been savoring brisk walks in my snow boots, soaking in the winter stillness. One evening, I was lucky enough to catch a breathtaking sunset—the sky shinning in shades of orange, geese and crows gliding against the horizon. That fleeting moment just before the sun dips below the trees? It gets me every time. The photo below does not do it justice
#38: A Whisper of Spring
The temperatures are rising—just slightly—but in New England, that can be deceiving. While I know better than to trust the weather just yet, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. The official start of spring is less than a month away, and I’m ready to welcome the shift with open arms.
#39: The Sweet Sound of Birds Returning
With the first hints of warmth come the early songs of songbirds. This week, I heard the gentle cooing of doves, a sure sign that spring is on its way. Their soft, rhythmic calls bring an instant smile to my face, a reminder that soon the world will be buzzing with new life and outdoor adventures.
#40: Unwinding with My Favorite Shows
Few things beat the simple joy of curling up with a great TV show, a bowl of popcorn, and my partner by my side. Right now, I’m fully invested in Severance and Ted Lasso—two wildly different but equally captivating series. Taking time to unwind and enjoy a good story feels like a little luxury, and I’m grateful for these cozy, cinematic escapes.
Weekly Spotlight
This week’s spotlight is a story a read in a book a couple of years ago:
There was once a businessman who was sitting by the beach in a small Brazilian village.
As he sat, he saw a Brazilian fisherman rowing a small boat towards the shore having caught quite few big fish.
The businessman was impressed and asked the fisherman, “How long does it take you to catch so many fish?”
The fisherman replied, “Oh, just a short while.”
“Then why don’t you stay longer at sea and catch even more?” The businessman was astonished.
“This is enough to feed my whole family,” the fisherman said.
The businessman then asked, “So, what do you do for the rest of the day?”
The fisherman replied, “Well, I usually wake up early in the morning, go out to sea and catch a few fish, then go back and play with my kids. In the afternoon, I take a nap with my wife, and evening comes, I join my buddies in the village for a drink — we play guitar, sing and dance throughout the night.”
The businessman offered a suggestion to the fisherman.
“I am a PhD in business management. I could help you to become a more successful person. From now on, you should spend more time at sea and try to catch as many fish as possible. When you have saved enough money, you could buy a bigger boat and catch even more fish. Soon you will be able to afford to buy more boats, set up your own company, your own production plant for canned food and distribution network. By then, you will have moved out of this village and to Sao Paulo, where you can set up HQ to manage your other branches.”
The fisherman continues, “And after that?”
The businessman laughs heartily, “After that, you can live like a king in your own house, and when the time is right, you can go public and float your shares in the Stock Exchange, and you will be rich.”
The fisherman asks, “And after that?”
The businessman says, “After that, you can finally retire, you can move to a house by the fishing village, wake up early in the morning, catch a few fish, then return home to play with kids, have a nice afternoon nap with your wife, and when evening comes, you can join your buddies for a drink, play the guitar, sing and dance throughout the night!”
The fisherman was puzzled, “Isn’t that what I am doing now?”
What brought you joy this week?
