Writing True

Memoir: My Journey with English

What was your favorite subject in school?

From my earliest days in school, English has been more than a subject; it has been a portal into the art of expression, the gateway through which I discovered the boundless realms of language. I love writing and scribbling, a feeling so deeply woven into me that it becomes an extension of my very being. To write is to pour my heart out onto the page, to give form to my thoughts and dreams. And so, each piece becomes a work in progress, a canvas I revisit again and again, tirelessly revising until it reflects precisely what I want to say.

Though English was not my first language, I approached it with the humility and respect it deserved. From prep school to college, I strove to master its nuances, and I was proud yet grounded in my achievements, consistently earning straight A’s in English. Behind each grade, however, lay hours of reading, absorbing quality sources that broadened my understanding. I would immerse myself in words crafted by masters of the language, learning not only the technique but the essence of voice and style.

In my writing, I strive for a certain finesse. I write with intention, with a distinct voice that reflects not only my inner self but my perspective on the world around me. It is my way of understanding myself and of connecting to others. Writing has never been just an academic exercise; it is my lens, my anchor, my way of exploring the infinite spaces within and around us all. And in every piece, my aim is not perfection, but something even richer—a reflection of truth, shaped and polished, in my own unique words.

Writing True

Common Sense

You passed the torch

When the rain, the storm was raging—

Of course, it’ll burn out.

Now, the true horror is in.

Brace yourself!

Essay · Narrative · Non-Fiction · Prose · Writing True

Who Doesn’t Need Time?

Do you need time?

Time is the quiet tyrant, invisible and insatiable, a master whose hands turn every moment into memory, every breath into a thread unraveling. It strides unseen, yet rules with iron grace, painting our lives in invisible brushstrokes, etching our joys and sorrows with a patient, relentless hand.

Time wears a thousand faces. It is the dawn that whispers promises of tomorrow, the dusk that steals light from the sky. It is the clock’s gentle ticking, each second a silver needle stitching us closer to both the unknown and the inevitable. Like a river winding through valleys of hope and mountains of regret, time flows forward, never pausing to admire the landscapes it shapes, never swayed by pleas for mercy or haste.

It is both blessing and thief, granting youth in one hand, taking innocence in the other. Lovers swear by it—forever, they say, as if time itself could be charmed, as if they could cage its wild heart. But time laughs, knowing that all vows are but echoes that fade, promises like petals falling in a summer storm. It keeps its own counsel, loyal only to the unyielding march toward tomorrow.

And yet, in all its ironies, time is the tender artist, sculpting the wrinkles of wisdom on an elder’s face, leaving memories like fragrant blossoms in the minds of those who linger. It is a paradox of permanence and impermanence, giving meaning to the fleeting, turning moments into mosaics, seconds into stories. For time is not cruel—it simply does not care.

“Tick, tock,” it hums, its voice a lullaby and a warning, as it spins the universe upon an unseen axis, binding the world together with a pulse that neither slows nor stills. It is the heartbeat of history, the measure of all things mortal, the silent sovereign whose rule cannot be broken, whose essence is mystery itself.

Love · Musing · Non-Fiction · Prose · Writing True

Drifters We Are; Drifters We’d Be

As inevitable as sunset, is our bittersweet destiny.

At the crossroads, they met like rivers converging under an indigo sky, both drifters, wanderers who found in each other the quiet music of belonging. Their laughter spilled like honey in the cool night air; their dreams danced together in whispered promises, as if love was a warm fire to sit beside after the long, lonely road.

But love, as pure as it was, could not bend the lines of fate or turn the sands of time. It was as though they’d found a moment too brief to nestle their roots, too fragile to weather the turn of seasons. For as they stood at that crossroad, each facing their own horizon, they knew: love itself was never wrong, only time was fleeting, and sometimes hearts bloom in different soil.

“We are stars whose paths crossed,” they murmured softly, “celestial in our meeting, but destined to drift.” And as they parted, the ache in their chests was a tender reminder that some love exists only to be remembered—a quiet echo, a soft ache, a memory of warmth. Love endures, even in separation, forever unbroken by distance or time.

For in the language of the heart, no love is wasted, no touch in vain. And when they look back, it will be with knowing smiles, with whispered truths shared only with the stars.

YouTube/Audrey Hepburn/Moon River
Creative · Gratitude · Non-Fiction · Writing True

The Beauty of Gratitude

Serene sunrise over a peaceful lake, capturing warmth and tranquility—behold!

In the quiet cradle of morning,

as dawn spills golden light across the earth,

gratitude awakens—a silent pulse,

a steady rhythm beneath the breath,

a whispered thanks woven into the air.

It’s the warmth of sun slipping through autumn leaves,

the gentle weight of time held in each fold,

the simple grace of standing still

and feeling, fully, this moment’s gift.

Gratitude unfurls like the petals of dawn,

unseen yet profoundly felt.

It’s the soul’s quiet bow to the small and the grand,

to laughter shared, to hands held close,

to the way a storm clears the air.

It’s found in a stranger’s kind smile,

in the silent strength of a friend,

in the heartbeat hum of life’s ordinary days,

where beauty is buried, waiting to bloom.

Gratitude is the gentle teacher,

softening the edges,

guiding us back to all that is ours

by reminding us we are whole,

rooted in love and a thousand tiny gifts

we didn’t know we’d earned.

And as night falls, folding day into dusk,

it is there, resting gently,

a quiet ember glowing in the chest—

a quiet, fervent thank you,

a promise to hold every moment close,

to be moved by the beauty of life’s passing light,

to live each breath in gratitude’s grace.

For in this soft surrender, we find the truth:

that gratitude, once sparked,

sets the heart alight—

a candle illuminating every darkened path,

a radiance that fills the empty spaces,

making us, somehow, more whole,

made strong by the beauty we have held.

Writing True

Embracing the Unrepeatable Journey

Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?

Looking back, my life has been marked by beautiful, irreplaceable moments—a happy childhood, a not-so-bad high school experience, and a truly fulfilling time in college. Each stage of life has its treasures, and I hold them close: lazy summer days spent under the sun, the thrill of friendship during teenage years, late nights of laughter and learning in college. I could almost feel them as though they were yesterday. And yet, as wonderful as each memory is, there’s a hard truth I’ve come to accept: there’s no way I could ever relive any point in time, even if I wanted to. The chapters are written; the moments live only in memory.

In childhood, life felt infinite. It was a time of pure joy, of endless days playing and dreaming. I was surrounded by love, and everything felt safe and certain. But childhood is like sand slipping through your fingers. You don’t realize how precious it is until it’s gone. I sometimes wish I could go back and tell my younger self to hold on tighter, to notice more. But the truth is, no matter how deeply I treasure those days, I cannot step back into them. The innocence of childhood is a gift we only get once, and once we outgrow it, it becomes a cherished, distant memory.

High school was filled with its own mix of excitement and angst. Navigating friendships, awkward dances, and self-discovery was a journey I wouldn’t trade, but I wouldn’t relive, either. High school was a time of growth, of finding out who I was amid the pressures and expectations. I stumbled, I learned, I laughed, and I cried. It was both a challenging and wonderful time. Yet, like a chapter that moves the story forward, it’s a piece of my past that shaped me but doesn’t define me. History is history; no matter how much we might look back, it’s impossible to recapture it.

College was another story altogether—a time of exploration, independence, and forging lifelong friendships. Those years brought freedom, discovery, and unforgettable late-night conversations that felt like they were unlocking the world. College, to me, felt like stepping into my own life for the first time. It gave me a glimpse of who I could become and set me on a path that would shape my future. But, as much as I loved that chapter, I couldn’t go back even if I wanted to. We live each moment only once, and the beauty of college is as distant as the laughter that filled those years. It’s a time that exists now only in the contours of memory.

The truth I’ve come to understand is that life’s chapters are written once and left behind. The memories are there to be cherished, to remind us of the people we were, the joy we experienced, and the lessons we learned. But they are not places we can return to, only places we can revisit in our minds. There’s beauty in that impermanence, a kind of grace in knowing that each moment matters precisely because it cannot be reclaimed.

And so, I look forward, because the way ahead—however uncertain it may be—is a path worth cherishing. I may have no way to relive my past, but that’s alright. I don’t need to. I have a life well lived. And each moment, as it was lived, was a gift. But a way forward is where my heart leans now, toward new memories, new dreams, and the endless possibilities waiting around each corner. My destiny lies ahead, and it is the promise of that future, not the echo of the past, that I hold most dear.

Writing True

If There’s a Will, There’s a Way: Achieving What We Desire Through Determination

What’s something you believe everyone should know.

The idea that “if there’s a will, there’s a way” is not just a phrase—it’s a mindset that shapes how we respond to challenges. When we truly want something, the only path forward is one of relentless effort and commitment. In life, waiting for luck or opportunities to fall into place is a gamble we cannot afford. Although I value moments of serendipity, I firmly believe that the driving force behind any success lies in deliberate action. To achieve our dreams, we must take ownership of our goals, undeterred by obstacles such as time, money, or societal expectations. Our efforts, persistence, and willpower define what we achieve—not chance.

First and foremost, the pursuit of meaningful goals requires unwavering commitment. Relying on chance implies surrendering control to forces beyond ourselves. While fortune might occasionally smile upon us, it is a poor substitute for disciplined effort. Success is rarely the result of accidental luck but is more often the culmination of intentional, incremental steps. To hope without action is to remain stagnant. By contrast, when we channel our will into consistent effort, we create the opportunities we desire, rather than passively waiting for them to arrive.

Moreover, when we genuinely want something, no obstacle is too great. People often get discouraged by numbers—whether it’s the amount of time a goal requires, the financial investment involved, or the difficulties of competing against others. But these numbers only have the power we give them. When we let fear of these limitations dictate our actions, we reduce ourselves to spectators in our own lives. True determination means looking at these challenges not as deterrents but as puzzles to be solved. With a clear vision and the will to act, we can reshape obstacles into stepping stones.

I have always embraced this mindset: I am a doer. I take pride in pursuing the things that matter to me, whether they be personal, professional, or creative. This requires faith—not in luck, but in my own abilities and effort. Achieving what we want means showing up every day, even when the path forward seems uncertain. Willpower and hard work are the bridge between dreams and reality, and believing in our efforts ensures that each step taken leads us closer to our goals.

The essence of “if there’s a will, there’s a way” is simple: nothing is beyond reach if we truly commit to it. Every great accomplishment in history—from scientific breakthroughs to artistic masterpieces—began with someone’s unwavering belief and effort. Life rewards those who persevere, not those who sit on the sidelines hoping for the right opportunity to arrive. We must trust in our work and believe that our consistent effort will pay off, even when the results aren’t immediately visible.

In conclusion, achieving what we want requires us to give our very best. Chance alone cannot be relied upon, nor should fear of numbers such as time or money stand in our way. When we pursue our goals wholeheartedly, we demonstrate that we are creators of our destiny, not victims of circumstance. The truth is, there is always a way forward if we have the will to pursue it. Believing in ourselves and our efforts is the only reliable path to success, and with determination, every dream we cherish is within reach.

Writing True

To Be a Kid at Heart

What does it mean to be a kid at heart?

To be “a kid at heart” means maintaining the spirit, curiosity, and joy often associated with childhood, even as an adult. It’s the ability to find wonder in simple things, approach life with playfulness, and hold onto a sense of innocence despite life’s challenges. However, as appealing as it sounds, the idea of being a kid at heart has both advantages and disadvantages. Balancing childlike wonder with the responsibilities of adulthood is essential for navigating the complexity of modern life.

Advantages of Being a Kid at Heart

One of the greatest benefits of having a childlike outlook is the ability to experience joy in unexpected moments. People who retain this sense of wonder tend to appreciate the small things—watching a sunset, playing in the rain, or laughing at silly jokes. This light-hearted perspective helps reduce stress, providing emotional relief in a world that can often feel overwhelming.

Curiosity is another significant advantage. A “kid at heart” approaches the world with questions, eager to explore and learn. This open-mindedness can foster creativity and innovation, qualities that are highly valued both personally and professionally. Many breakthroughs in science, art, and entrepreneurship come from those who dare to dream and explore the unknown, just as children do.

Additionally, people with a youthful mindset tend to build strong, positive relationships. Their playful spirit often makes them fun to be around, bringing energy into friendships and family dynamics. They are more likely to laugh off minor setbacks and remain optimistic, helping them stay resilient through life’s ups and downs.

Disadvantages of Being a Kid at Heart

However, the flip side of being “a kid at heart” is that it can sometimes conflict with the practical demands of adulthood. Life requires responsibility, discipline, and the ability to manage stress effectively. Those who dwell too long in a playful mindset may struggle with procrastination or avoid difficult tasks. Being carefree can also lead to financial or professional difficulties if it prevents someone from planning ahead or making serious decisions.

In relationships, this childlike approach can occasionally become frustrating to others. A person who is constantly playful or avoids conflict may come across as immature, especially when deeper emotional conversations or responsibilities arise. Not every situation in life calls for laughter or lightness—some demand careful thought and emotional depth.

Furthermore, clinging to a “kid at heart” attitude can make it harder to accept the inevitability of life’s hardships. Children often live in a bubble of security, shielded from harsh realities. Adults, however, must confront challenges such as loss, failure, and uncertainty. Failing to acknowledge these realities can prevent personal growth and hinder one’s ability to build a meaningful, stable life.

Finding Balance in a Complex Life

Given the complexity of life, it is both plausible and valuable to maintain aspects of being “a kid at heart,” but only when balanced with the responsibilities of adulthood. A person who can retain curiosity, joy, and playfulness while also managing their obligations will be better equipped to handle life’s uncertainties. This balance allows us to enjoy life’s wonders without being blinded to its difficulties.

Ultimately, the key lies in knowing when to engage with life playfully and when to adopt a more serious approach. There are moments for childlike joy—when dancing in the rain is the right choice—and there are moments for adult responsibility, when tough decisions must be made. Being “a kid at heart” is not only possible but necessary in a world that can sometimes feel too heavy. However, those who thrive understand that joy and responsibility are not opposing forces, but complementary ones.

Conclusion

In conclusion, being “a kid at heart” offers both advantages and disadvantages. While it brings joy, creativity, and emotional resilience, it can also lead to immaturity or a failure to engage with life’s practical demands. The ideal approach is not to abandon childlike wonder but to temper it with the wisdom and responsibility that adulthood requires. In doing so, we can enjoy the best of both worlds: living with the joy of a child and the strength of an adult.