My Blog

There is Truly Nothing Like Life

by Ninagracia, posted in From Other Voices, Inspiration

It’s a journey to cherish small moments, forging meaning through connections, growth, and learning.



From Other Voices
Collected quotations from writers I return to
Source: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/life-quotes

Benjamin Franklin

One of the foremost Founding Fathers of the United States. He was an author, inventor, scientist, printer,

publisher, and diplomat.

Born: January 17, 1706, Boston, Massachusetts

Died: April 17, 1790 (aged 84), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Bob Marley

Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician, regarded as one of the pioneers of reggae.

He helped popularise the genre worldwide.

Born: February 6, 1945, Nine Miles, St. Ann, Jamaica

Died: May 11, 1981 (aged 36), Miami, Florida, USA

George Burns

American comedian, actor, singer and published author. He wrote ‘Gracie: A Love Story’ (1988)

and ‘All My Best Friends’  (1989), among other books, earning him the title of best-selling author.

Born: Nathan Birnbaum (Original Name), January 20, 1896, New York, New York, USA

Died: March 9, 1996 (aged 100), Beverly Hills, California

John Wooden

American basketball coach for the UCLA Bruins. Under Wooden’s coaching and support, the UCLA Bruins

secured the Pacific Conference titles in 1952, 1956, 1962, and 1963, and claimed the NCAA

Championship in 1964. In 1976, the American Academy of Achievement awarded Wooden

the Golden Plate Award, recognising him as a UCLA coaching legend and an icon of American sport.

Meister Eckhart

German mystic, Catholic priest, theologian, and philosopher. Born as Johannes Eckhart, commonly

known as Master Eckhart. His mystical experiences and spiritual philosophies made him popular.

However, in 1326, he was charged and found guilty by the Archbishop of Cologne for violating and

misusing a sacred, established religious belief, which tarnished his reputation. Some of his writings

were criticised and denounced by the Pope.

Oliver Goldsmith

An Anglo-Irish author, essayist, poet, and dramatist. He was renowned for his works, including the series

of essays The Citizen of the World (1762), his poem The Deserted Village (1770), the novel The Vicar

of Wakefield (1766), and the play She Stoops to Conquer (1773).

Born: 10 November 1730, Kilkenny West, County Westmeath, Ireland.

Died: 4 April 1774 (aged 43), London

Oscar Wilde

An Irish author, playwright, dramatist, poet, novelist and short story writer. He was known

for his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Grey (1891), and his comic masterpieces,

Lady Windermere’s Fan (1892), and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895).

Born: October 16, 1854, Dublin, Ireland

Died: November 30, 1900, Paris, France

Reba McEntire

An American country singer-songwriter and actress, known as The Queen of Country Music.

She was awarded seven gold and five platinum albums and two Grammy Awards.

Born: Reba Nell McEntire, March 28, 1955, McAlester, Oklahoma, USA

Steve Jobs

American businessman and inventor, Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Apple Inc.

As CEO of the company, Steve Jobs fostered the development of the iMac, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, and iPad

as well as the company’s Apple Retail Stores, iTunes Store, and App Store, which helped Apple become

the world’s most valuable publicly listed company in 2011.

Dr. Seuss

Theodor Geisel, known as Dr Seuss, was an American children’s author, illustrator, poet,

political cartoonist, and filmmaker. His published works include The Cat in the Hat, 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!  Horton Hears a Who, and Green Eggs and Ham.

Born: March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts

Died: September 24, 1991 (aged 87) in La Jolla, California

Walter Bagehot

British journalist, political analyst, and economist. He gained considerable influence through his

editorship of  The Economist. He authored three books: The English Constitution (1867), 

Physics and Politics (1872), and  Lombard Street (1873).

Born: February 3, 1826, in Langport, Somerset, England

Died: March 24, 1877 (aged 51) in Langport, Somerset, England

William Barclay

A Scottish author, radio and television presenter, and who served as a Minister of the Church of Scotland in 1933.

He lectured on New Testament language and literature in 1947 and later became Professor of Divinity and

Biblical Criticism at the University of Glasgow in 1963.

Born on December 5, 1907, in Wick, Scotland, he passed away on January 24, 1978, at the age of 70 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Till next time.


Cheers!

References

Benjamin Franklin – Printer, junto, experiments on electricity. (1999, August 9). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Benjamin-Franklin/Achievements-and-inventions

George Burns, American comedian. (2024, November 21). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Burns

John Wooden. (2024, February 26). Academy of Achievement. https://achievement.org/achiever/john-wooden/

Life quotes. (n.d.). BrainyQuote. https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/life-quotes

Looking back: This man Barclay. (n.d.). Life and Work. https://www.lifeandwork.org/features/looking-back-this-man-barclay

Meister Eckhart biography |. (2019, March 6). Biography Online. https://www.biographyonline.net/spiritual/meister-eckhart.html

Oliver Goldsmith. (n.d.). Research Begins Here – New World Encyclopedia. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Oliver_Goldsmith

Oscar Wilde. (n.d.). Research Begins Here – New World Encyclopedia. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Oscar_Wilde

Reba McEntire. (2007, September 6). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Reba-McEntire

Steve Jobs. (n.d.). Research Begins Here – New World Encyclopedia. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Steve_Jobs

Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss). (n.d.). Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/theodor-geisel

Thomas, T., & White, A. (1999, December 2). Bob Marley, Jamaican Musician. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Marley

Walter Bagehot. (n.d.). Research Begins Here – New World Encyclopedia. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Walter_Bagehot

Ikigai

by Ninagracia, posted in Shush! We're Reading

Shush! We’re Reading
A book read-view

ikigai

What Kind of Book is Ikigai?

Ikigai is a non-fiction, self-help book that emphasises personal growth, psychology, wellness, and living a more meaningful life. Authors Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles explore topics related to Japanese culture, health, and lifestyle. The content offers practical advice on diet, exercise, stress management, and maintaining community bonds. It provides insights into Japanese traditions to help readers find purpose in life. The book aims to reveal the secrets of Japan’s centenarians and guide readers in discovering their own Ikigai.

This post reflects my interpretation of the book and what motivated me to respond to specific ideas and the events around me. It contains messages that are broad, intense, and meaningful. It’s vibrant and honest because we all have experienced these feelings. It prompted me to rethink our approach to life, relationships, ageing, longevity, and discovering our purpose for a long, joyful life. 

What does Ikigai mean?

From books to casual chats, or even movies, we constantly pick up new words, and this one recently caught my attention. “Ikigai” – a word I had never come across before. So, I checked with dictionary.com, which states: “One’s reason for being, which in principle is the convergence of one’s personal passions, beliefs, values, and vocation” (“IKIGAI definition & meaning,” n.d.). However, yourdictionary.com defines it as a Japanese concept relating to having a reason and a sense of purpose in life, based on a person’s interests and talents (“Ikigai definition,” n.d.), which suggests that both meanings share the same core theme – something that makes life worth living. So, is the word Ikigai difficult or impossible to understand? The book identifies Ikigai as the reason we get out of bed in the morning.

The overall idea of Ikigai is what makes life worthwhile, or finding one’s purpose in life, which is linked to longevity.

Ikigai is a Japanese philosophy derived from two Japanese words: “IKI” meaning life or being alive, and “GAI” meaning worth. Together, it signifies life’s purpose or reason for waking up in the morning.

Here are some passages I felt particularly connected to.

(1) Give your brain a workout. The brain creates new connections and is revitalised. This is why it is important to expose yourself to change, even if stepping outside your comfort zone means feeling a bit of anxiety. (García & Miralles, 2017, p. 21)

Our brain needs ongoing stimulation and mental exercises. When the brain forms deep-rooted habits, it clings to routines and no longer needs to think, which diminishes our ability to respond to our surroundings.

(2) Modern societies do what they are told to do, or what others do, rather than what they want to do. They often try to fill the gap between what is expected of them and what they want for themselves with economic power or physical pleasure, or by numbing their senses. (García & Miralles, 2017, p. 41)

We behave according to social expectations, such as being a good worker, believing we have no choice but to follow orders. We often tell ourselves that it is only a temporary measure to gain experience, pay the bills, or secure a better future, which aligns with our personal sense of family responsibility. Sometimes, when we feel an emptiness inside, we seek approval for everything we do, hoping it will fill the void. Still, in truth, it only fills the gap of what is expected of us. Until we discover our purpose in life, we will never truly experience or demonstrate that we have lived for something.

(3) Flow is the state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it. (García & Miralles, 2017, p. 57)

When we enjoy what we’re doing, we lose focus on the task because the experience is pleasurable and rewarding, making nothing else seem important. Time appears to fly, and the hours pass quickly as we feel in control of what we’re doing.

(4) Changes in the world around us are not accidental but rather form part of the essence of the universe. Everything we have and all the people we love will disappear at some point. Being aware of the impermanence of things does not have to make us sad; it should help us love the present moment and those who surround us.(García & Miralles, 2017, p. 171)

Nothing is permanent in this world. Since we are not in control of the universe, we should enjoy the moment with friends and family and not worry about the past or the future.

(5) Life is pure imperfection, and the passage of time shows us that everything is fleeting, but if you have a clear sense of your Ikigai, each moment will hold so many possibilities that it will seem almost like an eternity.(García & Miralles, 2017, p. 179)

Life passes quickly and lasts only for a short time. This reminds us that in those fleeting moments, we should share our lives with others to fill the empty pages when the world isn’t slowing down.

Do you know what ignites your spirit? It’s your Ikigai, waiting to be discovered by you.

Till next time,

Cheers!

References

Dayman, L. (2025, July 8). Ikigai in 2025: The Japanese concept of finding purpose in life. Savvy Tokyo. https://savvytokyo.com/ikigai-japanese-concept-finding-purpose-life/

García, H., & Miralles, F. (2017). Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life. Random House. 

IKIGAI definition & meaning. (n.d.). In Meanings & definitions of English words | Dictionary.com.https://www.dictionary.com/browse/ikigai

Ikigai definition. (n.d.). YourDictionary: Definitions and Meanings From Over a Dozen Trusted Dictionary Sources. https://www.yourdictionary.com/ikigai

Love Hums a Familiar Tune

by Ninagracia, posted in Once, Briefly

Small moments and quiet observations

Music offers solace, love, passion, and a sense of belonging with someone where connection feels natural and calming. With Valentine’s Day drawing near, music can make any moment feel more romantic and meaningful.

When it comes to love and romance, soul music enhances intimacy and creates the perfect atmosphere. Its slow tempo encourages a sensual, relaxed, and intimate setting. The lyrics linger, poetic and heartfelt. Some lyrics don’t just pass through us-they stay with you, not because they are loud or dramatic, but because they feel genuine. It expresses deep affection, strengthening the bonds between couples and sparking shared memories. 

I’ve been listening to soul music to bring me some joy, peace, and contentment, and I find myself drawn to phrases about love growing in places lit by gentle and borrowed spaces. This line suggests that love doesn’t thrive on grand declarations but grows from borrowed everyday moments, shared memories, past tenderness, and even vulnerability. There are phrases about stories needing a place, where they are held gently—not hidden but kept safely, and the soft corners of the heart, where we keep what matters most—where emotions don’t ask to be explained but only understood. 

Valentine’s Day has a way of stirring everything, and soul music doesn’t rush the feeling. It allows you to breathe, relax, and reflect, filling a void without pretending it isn’t there.

I’ll be playing my music again, but here are a few that match your Valentine’s Day vibe:

  • Al Green:       “Let’s Stay Together” (gentle, not showy—pure warmth)
  • Bill Withers:  “Just the Two of Us” (gentle hope without pressure)
  • Etta James:    “At Last” (that deep, genuine longing)
  • Sade:              “No Ordinary Love” (subtle intensity, deeply heartfelt)
  • Sam Cooke:   “Nothing Can Change This Love” (soft certainty)

And a few of Marvin Gaye’s moments that will stay in those gentle corners of your heart:

  • “Let’s Get It On” (often misunderstood—there’s genuine vulnerability in it)
  • “I Want You” (intimate, nearly whispered)
  • “Come Live with Me Angel” (slow, yearning, deeply romantic)
  • “Mercy Mercy Me” (reflective, tender, human)

Enjoy your music and peaceful moments.

Till next time,

Cheers

References

60’s Soul Classic – I Can’t Walk Away – Marvin Gaye , Sam Cooke Inspired Vintage Soul Chamber [Video]. (n.d.). Music YouTube. https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=2800PLveY_8

Marvin Gaye. Anthology: The best of Marvin Gaye. (1995). YouTube. https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=RDCLAK5uy_np73jIFPVcePvIrUCUCkC7nUIZ1VRT-fc

Matthews, W. (2021, August 21). Soul music as the Soundtrack to love — TILTED HOUSE. TILTED HOUSE. https://www.tiltedhouse.org/nonfiction/2021/8/20/soul-music-as-the-soundtrack-to-love

YouTube. (n.d.). Chicago soul sessions/Marvin Gaye Inspired – City Lovers (Unreleased album)[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fIAP8TwiLg&list=RD4fIAP8TwiLg&start_radio=1

As You Go Through Life

by Ninagracia, posted in In Conversation with the Poems, Reading and Watching

In conversation with the poems

Poems by others, read closely and answered in reflection.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox’s poem “As You Go Through Life” is a gentle reminder and an invitation to reflect on how we respond to life’s inadequacies, challenges, and purpose. Reading it today, I was struck by how relevant its message is in a world that often encourages complaint rather than compassion.

Picture by: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ella_Wheeler_Wilcox,_1896.jpg

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

“A Life Shaped by Hard-won Wisdom”

            Isabella Wheeler, also known as Ella Wheeler, was born in Johnstown, Wisconsin, USA, on November 5, 1850. She was an American poet, journalist, and novelist whose work in the 19th and 20th centuries provided insightful reflections on life, love, and perseverance. Her style and themes often relate to and carefully blend her personal experiences with ideas of change, suffering, sentiments, and human emotions.

            Wilcox’s personal experiences shaped her writing, including financial struggles, a near-fatal bout with typhoid fever, and the intricacies of her 1884 marriage to Robert Wilcox.

            She died in 1919, leaving behind a body of memorable work that established her as a captivating figure in American literature.

As You Go Through Life
By
Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Don't look for the flaws as you go through life;
And even when you find them,
It is wise and kind to be somewhat blind
And look for the virtue behind them.
For the cloudiest night has a hint of light
Somewhere in its shadows hiding;
It is better by far to hunt for a star,
Than the spots on the sun abiding.

The current of life runs ever away
To the bosom of God's great ocean.
Don't set your force 'gainst the river's course
And think to alter its motion.
Don't waste a curse on the universe—
Remember it lived before you.
Don't butt at the storm with your puny form,
But bend and let it go o'er you.

The world will never adjust itself
To suit your whims to the letter.
Some things must go wrong your whole life long,
And the sooner you know it the better.
It is folly to fight with the Infinite,
And go under at last in the wrestle;
The wiser man shapes into God's plan
As water shapes into a vessel.

Poem Interpretation

“As You Go Through Life” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox is composed of three stanzas of eight lines each, employing simple, direct language to convey timeless moral and spiritual truths.

In the first stanza, Wilcox acknowledges human faults and imperfections. Rather than encouraging judgment, she gently reminds us to look beyond shortcomings and recognise the goodness within people. This perspective calls for compassion—an attitude that reflects both emotional maturity and spiritual grace.

The second stanza highlights our tendency to complain when life gets tough. The line “Don’t waste a curse on the universe” acts as a reminder that resentment and blame hardly change our situation. Instead, challenges become opportunities—times that can build character, increase understanding, and teach patience if we let them.

In the final stanza, the poem offers a humbling realisation: the world does not exist to conform to our wishes. We are, instead, shaped by life’s experiences to fulfil a greater purpose. There is comfort in this idea—that even hardship may serve a sovereign design leading us towards meaning and growth.

Overall, Wilcox encourages readers to face life with humility and faith, trusting that what they encounter is not a coincidence. When seen this way, life’s trials become less heavy and more like blessings—quietly guiding us toward a greater sense of purpose aligned with God’s plan.

Till next time,

Cheers

References:

As you go through life by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. (n.d.). All Poetry – The world’s largest poetry site : All Poetry. https://allpoetry.com/As-You-Go-Through-Life

Ella Wheeler Wilcox. (1999, July 2). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ella-Wheeler-Wilcox

Ella Wheeler Wilcox [Photographic Portrait]. (2016, January 15). commons.wikimedia.org. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ella_Wheeler_Wilcox,_1896.jpg

Ella Wheeler Wilcox. (2025, November 18). Literary Devices. https://literarydevices.net/ella-wheeler-wilcox/#google_vignette

Ellan Wheeler Wilcox. (n.d.). Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ella-wheeler-wilcox

Guess Who?

by Ninagracia, posted in Guess Who?, Inspiration

Charles Perrault

Author of Cinderella and The Sleeping Beauty

Picture by: https://www.lookandlearn.com/history/Charles+perrault

French author Charles Perrault was the seventh child in a wealthy family, the youngest son of the distinguished barrister Pierre Perrault and Paquette Le Clerc. He was born on January 12, 1628, in Paris. He attended school and studied law to follow in his father’s footsteps and his older brother, Jean’s. Still, he dropped out after arguing with his teacher at age fifteen. He studied independently and prepared for his exams mainly on his own. He successfully obtained his law degree and passed the bar, but never practised as a lawyer. He worked in a law office for three years before becoming Secretary to his brother Pierre, who was appointed Chief Tax Collector of Paris. Buying official government positions was common in France during the seventeenth century and was often used for self-aggrandisement. Pierre appointed Perrault as his clerk. He briefly worked under his brother before becoming a civil servant in the court of King Louis XIV. 

In 1663, Perrault was appointed Secretary to the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres, a society of scholars established by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Finance Minister to King Louis XIV, to assist with arts, sciences, and literature. Then, in 1665, Perrault took on the role of First Commissioner of Royal Buildings, which allowed him to appoint his brother, Claude, a doctor and architect, to complete the Louvre, build the Observatory of Paris, and decorate La Place du Trône. 

Perrault’s bravery and intellectual skills were apparent after his election to the prestigious French Academy. He played a significant role in literary debates of his time, stirring controversy within the Académie française with his poem Le Siècle de Louis le Grand. This poem asserted that modern French culture outshone classical antiquity. This view became the central argument in the well-known Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns, a cultural dispute favouring contemporary writers over classical ones. 

Charles Perrault is best known for his collection of fairy tales, published in 1697. He was 69 when he published Tales and Stories of the Past with Morals (‘Histoires ou Contes du Temps Passé’). The book was subtitled Tales of Mother Goose (Les Contes de ma Mère l’Oye), with eight fairy tales in prose, a short story, and two tales in verse previously published. Based on oral traditions and folklore, these stories were reimagined and written in a polished literary style, making them accessible to children and adults. Fearful of criticism from the ‘Ancients’ and seeking to introduce the youth to society, Perrault published his collection under the name of his last son, Pierre Perrault Darmancourt, who was 19 years old at the time. It is important to note that Perrault wrote all the collections of stories published under his son’s name.

  1. Cinderella, or The Little Glass Slipper (Cendrillon)
  2. Sleeping Beauty (La Belle au Bois dormant)
  3. Bluebeard (Barbe Bleue)
  4. Little Red Riding Hood (Le Petit Chaperon Rouge)
  5. Puss in Boots (Le Maître Chat, ou Le Chat Botté)
  6. The Fairy (Les Fées)
  7. Riquet with the Tuft (Riquet à la houppe)
  8. Donkeyskin (Peau d’âne)
  9. Griselda (La Marquise de Saluces ou la Patience de Griseldis)
  10. The Ridiculous Wishes (Les Souhaits ridicules)
  11. Donkeyskin (Peau d’âne)

Perrault initially wrote in verse in 1694, including Griselda (La Marquise de Saluces ou la Patience de Griseldis), The Ridiculous Wishes (Les Souhaits ridicules), and Donkeyskin (Peau d’âne). He then rewrote and published these three stories as prose, alongside eight other fairy tales, in his 1697 collection. This was a significant achievement that helped him establish a new literary genre. This fairy tale earned Perrault the title of the father of fairy tales. 

Charles Perrault’s legacy continues to inspire literature, art, and popular culture, as evidenced by Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty and Walt Disney’s adaptations. The unique morals in their stories still teach children and adults about kindness, patience, and humility. 

Charles Perrault influenced the fairy tale genre, inspiring other writers to follow his lead. His works laid the groundwork for the modern fairy tale. They inspired many future writers, including the Brothers Grimm, establishing their role as the pioneers of the contemporary fairy tale. 

Perrault passed away on May 16, 1703, in Paris at 75, creating a legacy that brought wonders and inspiration to children’s literature.

Till next time,

Cheers

References

Charles Perrault | Biography, books and fairy tales | Pook press. (2019, January 10). Pook Press | Illustrated Fairy Tales, Folk Tales and Children’s Classics. https://www.pookpress.co.uk/project/charles-perrault-biography

Charles Perrault, a multifaceted man. (2021, April 14). Château de Breteuil et ses jardins (site officiel).https://www.breteuil.fr/en/charles-perrault-a-multifaceted-man/

Charles Perrault. (n.d.). Encyclopedia.com | Free Online Encyclopedia. https://www.encyclopedia.com/children/academic-and-educational-journals/charles-perrault

Charles Perrault. (n.d.). NNDB: Tracking the entire world. https://www.nndb.com/people/715/000097424

Charles Perrault. (n.d.). Research Begins Here – New World Encyclopedia. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Charles_Perrault

Charles Perrault: How he became father of the Fairytale at age 69 – Later bloomer. (n.d.). Later Bloomer – A Captivating Archive of Lives Well-Lived. https://laterbloomer.com/charles-perrault/

Overcoming Post-Holiday Slump: Get Back on Track

by Ninagracia, posted in In the Margins, Writing

It is the beginning of the working week in 2026. Some of us are still feeling tired and lazy.

Some are busy making plans and believing that something good might happen this year. Of course, it’s New Year – a fresh idea, new hope, and a new start.

We all seek a fresh start. That’s what the new year signifies for us all. It signals a new beginning — a chance to restart and improve.

The holiday season is a welcome break for us all, but for others, it can disrupt their daily routine.

There is only a one-week gap between Christmas and New Year, yet it felt like a long holiday.

We allowed ourselves to indulge in all the things we’d never do in our usual daily routines. We drank too much alcohol. We ate junk food, heaps of chocolate, cakes, and sweets, stayed up late at night, and the list could go on and on.

Then, we all must face reality. Going back to work and picking up where we left off is tough. It’s hard to return to our desks, once cluttered with notes and papers, where we never turned off all our electronic devices. We’ve lost our momentum with writing. No matter how much we shake our heads, nothing comes out—no words or ideas.

It’s tough when we are still feeling nostalgic about our holiday and wishing it had never finished.

It’s hard, too, when all we can think about is checking our social media for photos and messages from friends and family.

There were good laughs and memorable moments we shared with them. We reminisced about those times when we acted crazy, ridiculous, and funny, and it was perfectly okay with them. Wiping that smile off our faces was hard because that was the only time we let ourselves go and be vulnerable.

And that should have been sufficient.

Instead, we couldn’t get them out of our heads. We run out of steam and grow weary in front of that bright screen on our computer. Our minds are like film reels showing flashbacks of the best Christmas break we had.

Our daily writing routine will gradually return. We may already have thought of a better way to make our working schedules more manageable. Our writing should always find a place in our busy calendar. It will take a little time, but whatever we do, make sure it doesn’t take us that long.

We had our breaks, our time out from the daily grind in our lives.

So, it’s time to head back to work; otherwise, we will never write again.

 

Till next time

Cheers!

Reference

https://www.nicepng.com/downpng/u2q8y3a9u2i1q8t4_computer-drives-me-crazy/

A Gentle Goodbye to 2025

by Ninagracia, posted in In the Margins, Writing

In a few hours, 2025 will come to a close. Some of us go through the usual rituals of reflecting on our achievements, setbacks, and regrets. We don’t just look back; we consider the lessons we’ve learned, the habits, and the beliefs that no longer serve us.

As we wait for the dust to settle and the year comes to a close, I softly bid farewell to 2025, without drama or resentment. I find myself looking back not with urgency but to recognise what it taught me, what I got wrong or messed up, what I got right, and what I experienced.



Dear 2025

You didn’t arrive with fireworks or a dramatic shift. Instead, you fitted into the background of our everyday life, quietly through familiar routines, sharing meals, having small chats, and the presence of family. At that time, it seemed ordinary, but as I stand on the brink of a new year, I understand your purpose. You came without shouting your lessons, which were hidden in its stillness. You taught me a lesson about being patient, about learning to wait for things to open up without force, because growth is sometimes about staying, enduring, and being at ease where you are.

As I leave and finally say goodbye, I am not taking everything with me. I will go with gratitude for what you have offered, and for what you withheld, and quiet hope for what lies ahead. Some burdens have been carried long enough — they can now be laid down. What I will bring forward is gratitude for those ordinary days that quietly wove themselves into something steady and reassuring. For a year that asked little of me yet gave me space to breathe. 

This isn’t a dramatic farewell, but a gentle closing of a chapter—an appreciation for a year that offered quiet grace instead. I move into what’s next, not reinvented, but softly realigned, lighter than before, and quietly hopeful.

I’m not starting over—just carrying on, a bit lighter and a little wiser.

Holiday Magic

by Ninagracia, posted in Quiet Verses, Writing

A Poem for Laughter, Warmth, and Cheer

The holidays are a time for laughter, warmth, and those little moments that make family life wonderfully chaotic. In this poem, I’ve captured the joy, the chaos, and the tenderness of these special days— from bumpy bus rides and overfed children going astray. I remembered that even before our holiday started, my parents were already arguing about one thing—food. The bus trip would be long, the stops brief, and according to Mum, hunger was simply not allowed.

Wishing you all a holiday season filled with laughter, love, and happy memories with friends and families.

Till next time

Reference:

May, N. (2021, August 10). A2 poetry portfolio and reflection: CWG100 creative writing, Curtin University [Unpublished paper]. Curtin University.

Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One

by Ninagracia, posted in Reading and Watching, Where's the Popcorn?

A Movie Review

While many moviegoers have already seen the eighth and final chapter of Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning in May 2025, I decided to revisit the 2023 Dead Reckoning Part One, because something is captivating about this seventh instalment. I’ve seen both, but this is one of the franchise’s most daring and entertaining entries. It links Ethan Hunt’s past and future while setting up for a compelling grand finale. 

Taking a closer look at the mission: The impossible spy genre that spans seven films over three decades.

Only one person can save the entire universe when the world is in great danger. It took him only two hours and forty-three minutes to save the world, simply by his death-defying motorcycle ride off a cliff in the Alps, the car chase in Rome that went a bit too long, skydiving over jagged mountain terrain, and fighting the wrong guy atop the Orient Express train through the Alps.

If you choose to accept your mission, Tom Cruise will deliver more action scenes—scene after scene—as the superhero agent Ethan Hunt. 

The seventh instalment of Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One took the global box office hit after its release on July 12, 2023, intensifying 20th-century technology. Dead Reckoning is impossibly full of action and surprises. But what surprises me the most is that the title is unclear and difficult to interpret and understand. So, what does Dead Reckoning mean, anyway? “Dead Reckoning” is a subheader that adds an ominous feeling of great fear or apprehension, a little threatening, and thoroughly moving. So, if you reckon the bad guys are dead, it’s not what it means. That is why I consulted the Cambridge Dictionary, which says, “Dead Reckoning is a way of calculating the position of a ship or aircraft using only information about the direction and distance it has travelled from a known point.”

Since “Dead Reckoning” is a navigational term, the thrilling opening scene set aboard the Russian submarine is a great way to start the movie. With vision and directorial style, it pushes the boundaries of action and suspense slightly more. However, Christopher McQuarrie explained that aside from its true meaning, the title stands for something else. It represents a direct similarity between the words, not only for Ethan Hunt but also for a few other characters. Their past lives are beginning to catch up with them, and they must deal with their choices to stay alive. In other words, so many things are coming to the surface from Ethan and the members of his crew’s past lives that they must deal with to complete their dangerous missions and save the world from various threats.

Bruce Geller created the series Mission: Impossible, a group of government secret agents known as the Impossible Mission Force (IMF) from September 1966 to March 1973 on the CBS network for seven seasons, then returned to television for another season on ABC from 1988 to 1990. The Cold War, with American and Soviet tensions, provided a backdraft, leading to the 1950s’ severe suffering after the war. The series had no action. It was all about those precision moves, spy games that you could barely follow what was going on until the plot put together the puzzles, and you began to feel the rush. 

Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One movie is the seventh entry in the franchise and has a two-part finale, both of which are timely reminiscences on the dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In Part One, Ethan Hunt and the IMF team embark on the most dangerous mission to track down a terrifying form of artificial intelligence known as “The Entity” that is everywhere, has a mind of its own and endangers the world if it falls into the wrong hands. Once slotted together, two pieces of figures with a cross give a person access to The Entity. Ethan Hunt’s mission is to stop it from slipping into the wrong hands.

The movie delivers an endless rollercoaster of action, perfectly blending jaw-dropping stunts with a plot that keeps you guessing constantly. Cruise’s Ethan Hunt is at his best, running unstoppably with his upper body held upright. At 61 years old, his trim and compact physique showed no signs of slowing down. His endurance outsized his magnificent stunts, and the ensemble cast added depth to the powerful thrills. The pulse-pounding sequences and unexpected twists reaffirm the franchise’s mastery of the spy genre. 

Producers Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, and Leifur B. Dagfinnsson showcase their expertise by perfectly integrating heart-stopping action sequences with a well-crafted storyline. It kept viewers engaged with its electrifying action and heart-stirring stunts. Although opinions from the public on the movie may vary, the film put together an entirely different plot that adds depth to the characters, delivering a unique blend of suspense and scenes that keep the audience guessing. 

The film touches on fears and challenges by engaging the subjects of technological warfare and global uncertainty and reflecting each period’s evolving zeitgeist. It is a thrilling action movie that mirrors present-day concerns.

Till next time

Cheers

References:

Black, A. J. (2023, July 10). Mission impossible revisited: Brian de Palma’s mission impossible. Film Stories. https://filmstories.co.uk/features/mission-impossible-revisited-brian-de-palmas-mission-impossible/

Dead reckoning. (n.d.). Cambridge Dictionary | English Dictionary, Translations & Thesaurus. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/dead-reckoning

May, N. (2023) A2Review [unpublished paper]. Curtin University.

Mission: Impossible 7 director discusses dead reckoning title meaning. (2022, November 23). Digital Spy. https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a42048916/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-meaning/

Mission: Impossible – Dead reckoning part one (2023). (n.d.). Gateway Film Center. https://gatewayfilmcenter.org/movies/mission-impossible-dead-reckoning-part-one-2023/

Paramount Pictures – https://www.missionimpossible.com/home/, Public Domain,. (n.d.). https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13498926

Reflections of the Heart

by Ninagracia, posted in Quiet Verses, Writing

Some quotes and sayings help us see familiar things fresh, inspiring us to rethink, feel, and dream. These reflections are gentle reminders to live more fully, love more deeply, and listen more closely to the quiet wisdom within.

A perfect kiss happens when two hearts take control.

A perfect kiss is more than just a touch or passion; it is a promise, a whisper of souls, and two hearts connecting in mutual love, trust, and surrender.



Be the person you want to be.

You are the artist holding the brush, painting yourself with courage and shaping your destiny until the reflection you see is the one you have long dreamed of and the best version of yourself, instead of waiting for a change to happen.




Dance under the stars and enjoy the silence of the night.

Live the moment and cherish nature’s beauty, calmness, and simplicity. Let the night be your stage and the stars your audience, in the quiet darkness, twirling freely, unburdened and alive.





Don’t ask how long love will last, nor doubt if love is less.

Love is a living, breathing force—timeless, tender, and true, cherishing what exists now, without measure, and comparing its sparkle to the past.



Each step is worthwhile even though it takes a mile.

Every small step carries a dream, and each footprint marks your courage to keep moving, even when progress feels slow; every effort adds to a meaningful journey.



Give your life every reason to live.

Fill your days with joy and laughter, and your nights with wonder and peace. Embody it with purpose and passion. It’s a garden where you can savour the air and enjoy everything surrounding you.



Music eases the mind and puts all worries behind.

When music wraps around the heart, it whispers what words cannot—it comforts restless souls and helps weary thoughts find peace.



Take time to listen when someone’s heart is in misery.

The kindest gift we can offer someone is to listen and allow another heart to breathe its pain.



Think like you are the boss when sending your message across.

Let your words stand tall, not in pride but with self-assurance and clarity. What comes from conviction carries its own quiet power.



When two souls are united, a new journey begins.

Love is like a sunrise, bringing a new start beneath their mutual light. It’s a partnership between two people creating something together, sharing growth, discovery, and mutual transformation.

By: Ninagracia



Till Next Time

Cheers


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