The end of 2020′s First Quarter.
Hello Tumblr users! It’s really been awhile since I really sat down and wrote a proper entry. The two most updated posts I made were done in a not so intentional way. However, after I finished this particular book, I was inspired to start writing again.
So how did I end up reading and writing again?
When I became a full time mom, completing a book was a luxury for me. That means, I don't have a lot of time to actually select a book, find a comfy couch or curl up in my bed and read to my heart’s desire. In fact, I actually took about 2 months from loaning it from the library until 2 days ago that I finished 2 books! Most of my days now are pre-occupied with entertaining and looking after my son and family so by the time I want to read I feel sleepy or prefer to watch rather than read (ehem Netflix!) So after months of visiting the library with Ico I decided to choose a book and write it on my “to do list”. I also wanted to challenge myself to accomplish mini-goals throughout the year and reading a book every month was one of them. And I admit that I was off to a bad start but a goal must be completed! That’s why I really pushed myself to finish the 2 books for my first 2 books of the year.
My first read was a novel by Nora Roberts entitled “The Obsession”. I chose this because I wanted to read something typical to my taste and I don't need to remember or digest any information. I finished this book in 5 days (in between Ico’s naps and bedtime).
My latest read was by an Australian named Rachael Kable entitled “The Mindful Kind”. I remember that the reason I chose this was because I was in search of something to help me meditate or focus to compliment the whole day of physical activities I do. I tell you, I realised that mom life is a real big commitment and entertaining a boddler (in between a baby and a toddler) is a 24/7 job! My son is at a stage wherein moving around and discovery are his top favourite things to do. So mentally, I needed some outlet or help to slowdown at the same time get positive input.
I won't do a book review don't worry! But I will share to you what I appreciated from the author’s work.
I love that it somehow pushed me to get up and come back to my passion. I have been dreaming to do revive this blog ever since but the drive and my busy schedule made me put it aside. But the book tapped into my desire to get creative and compose art so I tasked myself to took more purposeful photos throughout the day.
I love that it taught me to be really aware of what I am doing and what I want to do.
This pandemic crisis (Covid 19 virus - in case you read this entry 20 years from now) increased the number of ways and time the whole world spent on the internet. And how I use this time that we are quarantined and self-isolated made me realise that I should step up a bit on this area. This book suggested a lot of ways to manage time effectively including self love, hobbies and even social media detox. I’m not totally new to social media detox. I have been doing it since 2012 I think. My longest time to be away was about 3 years long (that was the time I was effectively running this blog) and during that time I can say I was more productive - at work, writing, composing content and even improving a bit on my photography.
Finally, I love how it taught me to be more mindful.
Lately, everywhere I looked it was always about the negative effect of the virus, failing economy, poor leaders, lack of help, loss of employment and everything that comes with it. This book taught me to ponder on my thoughts and actually think before I give out a comment. I noticed that people are very quick to judge and actually desire to stir up gossip and drama rather than praise and think of the good results. And this book made me realise that I don't want to do that. Of course, I am a work in progress. I am naturally wired to still give out negative thoughts but I have become more cautious. I guess the fact that as Christians, I am accountable to what I will say about anyone. The Lord doesn't want me to add into the endless list of bad comments going around but rather speak life and positivity.
These are the top three things I loved about the book and I’m very happy I read it! And I’m very happy it brought me back to this filling this site again. I hope the inspiration never stops and may I create a more positive impact in the internet world!
