Have you ever felt that quiet voice inside — the one that tugs gently at your heart, almost like it’s trying to lead you somewhere? You can ignore it for a while, distract yourself, or convince yourself you’re not ready… but it never really goes away. That’s the power of an intuitive nudge. It’s the whisper of your deepest truth, the one that knows where you’re meant to go long before you can see the path.
It’s funny how life works — we keep feeling those gentle nudges, the quiet pull toward something, and then suddenly, the right words find us at just the right time. When I opened “How Many People Does It Take to Make a Difference?” the words on the book jacket stopped me in my tracks:
The purpose of life is to discover your gift.
The meaning of life is to give your gift away.
In that moment, I felt it — the voice that had been whispering to me for so long suddenly became crystal clear. It wasn’t just telling me to write a blog; it was calling me to uncover the gift only I could give… and then to share it. The book reminded me that throughout our lives, there’s a voice only we can hear — a call to make a difference that no one else can make. If we ignore it, something magical is lost forever. But if we follow it, life becomes a beautiful romance and adventure.
And I knew… this was my moment to follow it. My gift might be my words, my experiences, my perspective as a mother and a dreamer. But whatever it is, it’s not meant to stay hidden. The world doesn’t just need what we can get from it — it needs what we can give.
And as for me, those nudges kept pointing toward one vision: to share my story, my journey, and my heart through a blog. I didn’t have all the answers. I didn’t know if anyone would even read it. But that vision sat there, glowing quietly in the corner of my mind, waiting for the right moment. And then, as if God, the universe decided it was time, the right push arrived — in the form of a powerful book, “How Many People Does It Take to Make a Difference?” by Dan Zadra and Kobi Yamada.
It was like someone had lit a match in the dark. Suddenly, my hesitations didn’t matter as much. The message was clear: your voice matters, your vision matters, and the moment you take that first step, the world will meet you halfway.
What Does a Great Life Look Like?
When I think about what a great life looks like, I know the answer would be different for everyone. But deep down, there are certain truths we all share. A great life isn’t just about comfort, security, or ticking boxes off a list. It’s about having something worth living for — maybe even worth sacrificing for. It’s about giving yourself to something bigger, greater, grander than you, something that pulls you forward with an energy you can’t explain.
For me, that “something” began as a quiet whisper — an intuitive nudge telling me to share my life, my lessons, my heart. For years, I brushed it aside, too caught up in the noise of everyday survival. But that whisper kept returning, each time a little louder, a little harder to ignore. Then one day, I opened the book and read, the words felt like they were written just for me. They spoke of a life filled with meaning, purpose, laughter, love, and adventure. A life where, at the end of it all, you can look back and know you made a difference.
That’s when it hit me — this is what my vision is about. My blog isn’t just a website; it’s my way of creating that kind of life. It’s my place to use my voice, my experiences as a mother, a foreigner, and a dreamer in Japan, to bring light into someone else’s darkness. I want to leave the world a little better than I found it — not someday, but starting now.
Because a great life doesn’t just happen to us, we create it — one brave step, one act of giving, one heartfelt story at a time. And this… this is my first step.
The World Needs You More In It
I believe with all my heart that you are not here by accident. There’s a reason you have the passions you do, the life experiences you’ve walked through, and the dreams that keep you awake at night. The truth is, the world doesn’t just need “someone” to step up — it needs you.
When I read this message in the book that said, “The world needs more you in it”, it was like a gentle but urgent reminder: stop waiting for someone else to do what’s in your heart to do. As Marian Wright Edelman said, the Martin Luther Kings, the Mother Teresas, the Gandhis — they’re not coming back. We are it. You and I. And what the world needs right now is more kindness, more hope, more courage… more of the unique light you carry.
For years, I thought I had to be “ready” before I could make a difference. But the truth is, readiness comes in the doing. Your voice matters now. Your gifts matter now. Your vision matters now. If each of us believed that our small acts could ripple outward into something greater, imagine the kind of world we could create — one choice, one step, one act of love at a time.
This is our moment.
You have discoveries to make — start today.
You have talents to grow — nurture them now.
You have gifts to give — don’t keep them hidden for “someday.”
Because the world is waiting, and it’s waiting for you.
You Are a Marvel
There’s a passage in the book that stopped me completely. It said: Do you know what you are? “You are a marvel”. And I couldn’t help but pause and really let those words sink in.
Think about it — in the entire history of this world, there has never been another you. Not one. Your fingerprints, your voice, your laugh, your dreams, your way of seeing life… they are all completely unique. Even your struggles, your scars, and your quiet victories are part of a story no one else could live. You are unrepeatable.
When I read that, I thought of my children. I thought of the way I want them to see themselves — not just as capable, but as extraordinary. I want them to know that their legs, their arms, their minds, their hearts are wonders. That they have the capacity to create, to inspire, to change the world in their own way. And then I realized… I needed to believe that for myself, too.
You may not feel like a marvel every day. Life has a way of making us forget. But hear me when I say this: you are capable of anything. You carry inside you a blend of gifts, talents, and perspectives that no one else in the world can offer. And when you truly see yourself that way, you will find it impossible to harm, belittle, or dismiss another person — because they, too, are a marvel.
So don’t shrink yourself. Don’t dim your light to make the world more comfortable. The world needs the wonder that is you, in full color, full strength, and full truth.
You Are Not Here by Mistake
You may not always feel it, but you are here for a reason. Not by coincidence, not by luck, not by some random roll of life’s dice — but by divine design. Across all of history and in every corner of the world, there has never been another you. And there never will be.
Think about that for a moment. Billions of people have lived, loved, struggled, and dreamed before you — yet in all that time, no one has ever had your exact combination of heart, mind, spirit, and story. That is the miracle of your existence. And here’s the part that takes my breath away: the miracle is now in your hands.
You are here for a purpose. You carry something — a perspective, a talent, a way of touching lives — that no one else can give in exactly the way you can. Maybe it’s a gift you’ve already unwrapped, or maybe it’s one that’s still waiting for you to discover it. Either way, the world needs it.
I’ve learned this in my own journey. For years, I wondered if my life had anything to offer beyond my roles and responsibilities. But deep down, I felt that quiet tug — the nudge to share my story, to let my words be a light for someone else walking through their own darkness. That was my “something,” my gift. And once I began to honor it, I realized the truth: every single one of us is entrusted with something only we can give.
So, take time to consider yours. Listen to that inner voice, the one that has been whispering to you all along. Ask yourself not just, “What can I get from life?” but, “What can I give?” Because once you find that answer — and act on it — you will never doubt again that you are exactly where you’re meant to be.
You Are Royalty
Sometimes, life feels heavy. Our problems, worries, and struggles can feel like mountains too steep to climb. But when I read this message, it shifted something inside me — a reminder of how much I truly have, and how many around the world live with far less.
If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to rest at night — you are richer than 75% of the world’s population. Just pause and breathe that in. You are part of a fortunate few.
If you have a little money saved or some spare change tucked away, you belong to the top 8% of the world’s wealthy. If you can turn on your tap and drink clean water whenever you want, you’re more blessed than 1.5 billion people who don’t have that luxury.
If you’re free to attend a place of worship or a political gathering without fear of persecution, torture, or death, you possess a kind of freedom that over three billion people on this planet can only dream of.
And if you can read these words, you are more fortunate than two billion people who cannot read at all.
This perspective doesn’t minimize your challenges — life still asks much of you. But it invites a profound gratitude for what you do have, and a powerful call to remember: From those to whom much is given, much is expected.
You carry a kind of royalty — not born from crowns or thrones, but from the blessings and responsibilities that come with your unique position in this world. And with that royalty comes a sacred invitation: to give generously, love fiercely, and live purposefully.
I think of this every day on my journey — as a mother, a foreigner, a dreamer — and I hold onto it as a reminder that my life is not just about me. It’s about the ripple I can create in the world around me. And so is yours.
You’re Already Making a Difference
Sometimes, we underestimate the power we have. We think, “Who am I really helping? Who am I really touching?” It’s a common doubt — the feeling that our actions are too small, our voices too quiet, to matter. But here’s a truth that changed everything for me: you’re already making a difference, whether you see it or not.
There’s a ritual called “strength bombardment” used with inner-city gang members. One person stands in the middle while others speak aloud the unique strengths they see in him and the ways he’s positively impacted their lives. Even the toughest, most hardened members often break down in tears, overwhelmed by the recognition of the good they never realized they were creating.
That’s the magic of human connection — we touch lives all the time, often without knowing it. The smile you shared that lifted someone’s heavy heart, the words you spoke that gave a flicker of hope, the quiet acts of kindness that rippled far beyond your sight. You’ve done this. You’re doing this.
Julia Butterfly Hill, the passionate environmentalist who lived in a redwood tree to save it from destruction, once said, “The question is not ‘Can you make a difference?’ You already make a difference. It’s just a matter of what kind of difference you want to make.”
I remember feeling lost for years, unsure if my story or my voice could really matter. But slowly, with every blog post, every honest share, every moment I chose courage over fear, I realized — my life isn’t just a coincidence or luck. It’s becoming a purposefully charted path to leave footprints of hope for others.
And the beautiful truth? Your path can be that, too. You don’t have to wait for perfect conditions, grand opportunities, or some dramatic moment. You’re already making a difference in ways you may never fully know.
So the real question now is: What kind of difference do you want to make?
The Start to a Better World Is Our Belief
If there’s one truth I’ve come to hold close on this journey of life and self-discovery, it’s that everything starts with belief. Not just blind hope, but a deep, steady belief — that change is possible, that dreams aren’t just wishes but seeds waiting to grow, and that even the tiniest light can push back the darkest shadows.
Believe in your dreams — those quiet whispers you carry inside, the ones you sometimes tuck away because the world feels too loud or your heart feels too small. Those dreams are real. They are a part of who you are, and they are worth every ounce of courage it takes to chase them.
Believe in today — not just as another day that passes, but as a precious gift, a new chance to take one brave step forward, even if you can’t yet see the whole path. Sometimes the road isn’t clear, and that’s okay. What matters is that you keep moving, one step at a time, trusting the process and trusting yourself.
Believe that you are loved — deeply and unconditionally. By the universe that breathed life into you, by the people who truly see you, and most importantly, by yourself. It’s a love that holds you steady, even on the days when you doubt your worth or feel invisible.
Believe that you make a difference — even when the world feels heavy, chaotic, or indifferent to your efforts. Your kindness, your words, your choices ripple farther than you can imagine. Believe that together, we can build a better world — not overnight, but through small acts of love, through sharing our stories, and through living our truths bravely and openly.
Believe when others might not. Believe when the voices of doubt grow loud. Believe that there is a light waiting for you at the end of the tunnel. And maybe — just maybe — you are that light for someone else who is struggling in their darkness, searching for hope.
Believe that the best is still ahead. There are beautiful, unexpected moments waiting to surprise you. Believe in the power of connection, in the strength of community, and above all, believe in yourself.
Because here’s the most important thing I want you to know — I believe in you.
The Gift of Talent and Responsibility
When I read these words from Bill Gates, speaking to the graduates of Harvard, something stirred deep inside me. “Here we have one of the world’s greatest gatherings of talent and opportunity — a place bursting with potential to change the world. And the question is: What will we do with it?”
Each of us, in our own way, is part of this vast family of gifted souls. Maybe not in Harvard Yard, but right here, in our own corners of the world. We’ve been given talents, privileges, and opportunities — sometimes quietly, sometimes loudly — that open doors others may only dream of.
This moment, right now, is unlike any other. We live in a time of incredible technology, information, and connection. We see the world’s beauty but also its stark inequities more clearly than ever before. It’s a call to action — a call to use what we have, not just for personal success, but to reach out and uplift those whose lives might be far different from ours, yet bound by the shared thread of humanity.
As we move forward, let’s not judge ourselves only by the titles we earn or the milestones we check off. Instead, let’s measure our lives by how we’ve used our gifts to address the deepest injustices, to bring kindness where there is hardship, and to create bridges where there are divides.
You don’t have to be a billionaire or a global leader to answer this call. Every act of empathy, every moment of courage, every choice to stand up for what is right adds up.
So, wherever you are in your journey, remember this: your talent and your energy are precious. Use them wisely. Use them boldly. Because the world — your world — is waiting for the difference only you can make.
Keep Searching for What Sets Your Soul on Fire
Life is a long journey, and the passions you pursue will shape a big part of that story. It’s where your time goes, where your energy flows, and where your heart truly comes alive. So here’s something I’ve come to realize: the secret to true satisfaction isn’t just success — it’s loving what lights you up from within.
But maybe you haven’t found that passion yet. Maybe you’re still searching, still wondering if there’s something out there that makes your soul burn brighter than anything else. If that’s you, I want to say this with all the warmth I can: don’t give up.
Don’t settle for what feels safe or expected just because the path ahead seems uncertain or because the world is telling you what you should do. Stay hungry for more. Stay curious, keep exploring, and be bold enough to chase the things that bring you joy — even if it feels a little foolish. Because sometimes, that foolishness is exactly what makes the magic happen.
I’ve learned that loving your passion isn’t always about a sudden lightning bolt of inspiration. Sometimes, it’s a gentle unfolding — a quiet knowing that this is what makes you come alive, even on the hard days.
So keep looking. Keep trusting. Keep believing that the passion that will fill your life with meaning is waiting for you — just around the corner, ready to welcome you when you’re ready to embrace it.
Your journey is unique, your timing is perfect, and your dreams are worth chasing.
Don’t Be Beaten Down by Naysayers
When you dare to dream, to stand up for what matters, to believe in a better world, there will always be those voices — the naysayers, the doubters, the ones who roll their eyes or dismiss your dreams as foolish or impossible. They’ll call you a dreamer, a do-gooder, or a romantic when you stand up for something you believe in, whether it’s big or small.
But here’s what I’ve learned — those voices aren’t the truth. They are fear speaking, the fear of change, and the comfort of cynicism.
Robert Kennedy once said that about 20 percent of people are against everything all the time — and it’s true. No matter what you do, some will find reasons why it won’t work, why you can’t make a difference, why the world won’t change.
You can’t control them. But you can control how you respond.
But here’s the secret that keeps me going, even on the hardest days: optimism and pessimism are choices. Optimism isn’t just a feeling — it’s a choice. A powerful choice. You get to decide whether you focus on the roadblocks or the possibilities. Whether you let the doubts of others drown out the fire inside you.
I choose to be the person who talks about what I’m for — not what I’m against.
Some of the most inspiring and successful people have made this their habit. They refuse to get stuck in negativity or cynicism. Instead, they focus on the possibilities, the solutions, the hope. And you can be that person, too.
Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, once spoke about how in a world that often confuses skepticism with sophistication and glibness with intelligence, it’s easy to give up on big dreams. But he reminded us all to have the courage to persevere — to keep following our hearts even when others scoff.
So don’t let the naysayers beat you down. Don’t let the odds scare you away from even trying. Your dreams, your passions, your vision — they matter more than their doubts.
Stand tall. Keep pushing forward. Because the world needs your voice, your light, your unwavering hope.
Beware the Silent Killer: Rustout
We all know about burnout — the exhaustion, the stress, the constant feeling of being stretched too thin. But there’s a quieter, more dangerous shadow creeping through our lives. Richard Leider and Steve Buchholz call it rustout — and it’s far more deadly than burnout.
Rustout doesn’t leave you physically drained the way burnout does. Instead, it quietly erodes your soul and spirit. It’s the slow death that happens when we stop making choices that keep life alive. It’s the numbness that comes when we always take the safe route, avoid new challenges, and surrender to the comfort of routine.
It’s the feeling of simply maintaining instead of growing, of trading the spark of life for the security of a paycheck, a schedule, or a path that feels “safe” but uninspiring. Where burnout is overdoing, rustout is underbeing. It steals the very essence of who we are, leaving us alive but not truly living.
I’ve felt it myself — the quiet pull of routine, the temptation to stay small and safe, the fear of stepping into the unknown. And yet, I’ve also felt the thrill when I choose differently: when I follow my passion, listen to my intuition, and dare to chase the life that lights me up. That’s the antidote to rustout — embracing growth, curiosity, and courage even when it’s uncomfortable.
Don’t let rustout claim your spirit. Keep exploring. Keep daring. Keep choosing the things that make your heart beat faster, the challenges that stretch your soul, the dreams that awaken your deepest self. Because life isn’t meant to be merely lived — it’s meant to be fully, vibrantly, passionately experienced.
Living in the Spark of This Moment
Maurice Maeterlinck once asked a question that stops you in your tracks: If you knew tonight would be your last, or that you would have to leave and never return, would you see the world differently? Would you love differently?
It’s a question that makes you pause, because how often do we move through life as if tomorrow is guaranteed? We take the people we love and the beauty around us for granted. We hold back words of love. We delay chasing our dreams, thinking there’s always more time.
And Marie Beyon Ray reminds us why that thinking is so dangerous: We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand, and melting like a snowflake.
When we truly grasp this, everything changes. Each ordinary moment becomes extraordinary. Each glance, each word, each act of love — it carries weight, beauty, and meaning. It urges us to wake up fully to the gifts of life: the laughter of children, the warmth of a sunrise, the kindness of a stranger, the heartbeat of the world around us.
This awareness doesn’t bring fear — it brings clarity and courage. It pushes us to love more deeply, act more boldly, and treasure the fleeting, luminous spark of each moment. Because this spark, this “now,” is all we truly have. And how we live it can leave a light that continues long after we’re gone.
The Gift of a True Friend
Even just one genuine friend is a treasure. In Japan, friendship often shows itself in quiet, meaningful ways. A true friend notices when you’re struggling, listens without judgment, and supports you — sometimes with words, sometimes just by being there.
Friendship is sharing small everyday moments: going for a walk together after work or school, like my daughter and her close friends, grabbing coffee or tea at a favorite café, chatting over a quick meal, or laughing together on the train ride home. It’s the comfort of knowing someone will check in with a simple LINE message, invite you out when you’re feeling down, or quietly stay by your side when you need it most.
The way to keep a friend is simple: be one. Show up. Listen. Laugh together. Share ordinary routines and small joys, like cooking a meal together, helping each other with errands, or just sitting and talking about your day.
These little moments, repeated again and again, build trust, warmth, and connection. They remind us that we are not alone and that someone cares. In the midst of life’s busyness, a true friend — someone who sees your heart and values it — is one of life’s most precious gifts.
The Power of Truly Listening
Henry David Thoreau once imagined what a miracle it would be if we could see the world through someone else’s eyes, even for a moment. And yet, perhaps the closest we can come to that understanding is through our ears — by truly listening to one another.
Listening isn’t just polite or courteous. It’s an act of love, respect, and connection. It’s a way of honoring someone’s experience, of bridging hearts, and sharing our humanity.
Here’s how we can listen with intention and care:
- Be fully present. Give your attention wholeheartedly to the person speaking.
- Show genuine interest. Encourage them, be generous with your attention, and engage with their words.
- Listen with your heart, not just your ears.
- Create a space where the speaker feels safe to express themselves honestly.
- Avoid interrupting or planning your response while they speak.
- When they finish, acknowledge what you heard without judgment or correction.
There is a quiet kind of magic in being truly heard. As Emily Dickinson put it, “I felt it shelter to speak to you.” That shelter — that safety, that understanding — is what our world needs more of. By simply listening, we offer someone the profound gift of being seen and valued.
The Power of One: How You Can Make a Difference
It’s easy to feel like the world’s problems are too big for one person to matter. But the truth is, it only takes each of us doing our part to create meaningful change for all of us. Every small action adds up — and together, those actions can transform the world.
Imagine if everyone took simple steps to care for our planet:
- Reusing a paper grocery bag just once this year could save millions of trees.
- Recycling one extra plastic bottle could remove hundreds of millions of pounds of plastic from landfills.
- Keeping our tires properly inflated would reduce nationwide gasoline use by millions of barrels.
- Replacing one old light bulb with an energy-efficient one would have the same impact as taking a million cars off the road for a year.
- Paying bills online instead of by mail could save millions of trees and prevent thousands of truckloads of waste.
- Turning down your water heater just a few degrees could prevent millions of tons of carbon emissions.
- Even small adjustments on our computers — like narrowing default margins — could save millions of trees and billions of pounds of greenhouse gases.
When we face these problems, it can be overwhelming — but instead of feeling defeated, we can choose to feel inspired. Every challenge is an opportunity to do something positive, generous, and lasting for our planet.
Change doesn’t have to be huge. It starts with you — with small, intentional steps. And when each of us chooses to act, the world becomes brighter, cleaner, and more alive for everyone.
Turning Every “No” Into Your “Yes”
All your life, people will try to tell you what you cannot do. They’ll point out your limits — saying you’re not talented enough, not strong enough, not the right size, shape, or type to chase your dreams. They’ll question your choices, your vision, your abilities, and even your worth.
For years, maybe even decades, you’ll hear “no” over and over. Sometimes softly, sometimes sharply, always firmly. And at first, it can feel impossible to imagine breaking through all that doubt.
But here’s the truth: every “no” can become fuel for your “yes.” Every doubt, every critique, every barrier is an opportunity to rise, to prove to yourself — not them — what you’re capable of.
You don’t need anyone’s permission to pursue what sets your soul on fire. You don’t need approval to take the next step, to leap toward your dream, to carve your own path. With each challenge, each “no,” you grow stronger, bolder, more determined.
So when the world says no, smile. Take a deep breath. And say yes — yes to yourself, yes to your dreams, yes to the life you were meant to create. Because your “yes” is far louder and more powerful than any “no” they can throw at you.
Redefining What’s Possible: A Journey of Courage and Dreams
Where do we draw the line between what’s possible and impossible? Too often, we accept limits because someone told us they exist — or because they feel too big, too risky, too overwhelming. But sometimes, the world waits for someone bold enough to ignore those limits.
I’ve felt that myself, here in Japan. Moving to a foreign country with children, starting a life from scratch, juggling uncertainty, and facing the expectations of a world so different from the one I knew — it often felt impossible. Yet, each day I took small steps, trusting my intuition, following the whispers of my heart, and refusing to settle for “this is too hard.”
Take Louis Palmer, a teacher in his early thirties. When scientists aimed to reduce global emissions by just 20 percent, he asked, “Why aim small when we can aim for 100 percent?” With determination and the help of Swiss engineers, he built a fully solar-powered two-seater car, capable of traveling 185 miles on a single charge, and then drove it 32,000 miles across 38 countries — without burning a drop of oil or gas.
Palmer’s journey reminded me that what many call impossible isn’t a wall to stop us — it’s a challenge to rise above. The tools, the ideas, and the solutions are ready; what’s needed is the courage to act. His example made me reflect on my own life here: every small choice to follow my dreams, to blog, to share my journey, to create a space for my voice — it all adds up.
As John Andrew Holmes reminds us, never tell a young person something cannot be done. Sometimes, the universe waits centuries for someone brave enough — or simply unaware enough of the impossible — to make it happen. Here in Japan, living far from home yet surrounded by support and possibilities, I’m learning that courage isn’t just about grand gestures. It’s about showing up, dreaming boldly, and expressing unapologetically.
Your Guiding Principle: Let Your Heart Out & Shine
If you don’t yet have a guiding principle, let today be the day you choose one — a truth you can return to no matter where life takes you.
Mine is simple, but it holds the weight of everything I believe: “Let your heart out & shine.”
It’s not just a motto. It’s a promise — to live with courage, to speak up for truth without holding back, and to share the journey with someone who’s on the same path. It’s a call to walk through life with your chest open to the wind, unafraid to be seen for who you truly are.
In Japan, I see this principle every day — in the quiet bow of gratitude from a shopkeeper, in the care taken to wrap even the simplest gift, in the cherry-red sunrise over the station platform. These small, intentional acts are their own kind of shining, and they remind me that light isn’t always loud — sometimes it’s steady, gentle, and constant.
Every day, this principle whispers: Lead with your heart. Be the light you wish you had when the road felt dark. Whether it’s sharing a table with a stranger, a message to someone who needs encouragement, or daring to chase a dream, your heart knows the way.
So don’t hide. Don’t dim. The world needs your full glow. Let your heart out. Shine without apology. And watch as your courage gives others permission to do the same.
The Arithmetic of Making a Difference
Making a difference follows its own kind of math — one that doesn’t rely on numbers alone, but on hearts and intentions. When two or more people come together with a shared purpose, something magical happens: one plus one becomes more than two. This is synergy. Individually, our efforts might seem small, but when combined, they can create extraordinary change.
The trick is helping each person see their value in the equation. Every one of us has something unique to give — a contribution that can’t be replicated by anyone else. And when we all bring that forward, the sum is far greater than we could ever imagine.
Here’s what it looks like in practice:
- Five hours a week: Just five hours of volunteering from one person each week can ripple outward. Multiply that by millions, and we’re talking the equivalent of tens of millions of full-time volunteers making a tangible impact across communities.
- Four hours a month: If every employee in a company spent four hours a month on a cause they care about, neighborhoods would transform, lives would improve, and the effects would spread far beyond what we can see.
- A few minutes each day: Change doesn’t always require grand gestures. Small acts — picking up a neighbor’s groceries, taking a friend’s dog for a walk, donating old books or magazines — add up. Day by day, these tiny steps can create a movement of everyday altruists who make the world brighter simply by caring.
Every contribution matters. Every effort counts. And together, we can solve problems that seem impossible when faced alone. The arithmetic of service proves that even the smallest actions, multiplied by hearts willing to give, can create a world of difference.
When I first read this in the book, it struck me like a gentle nudge to my soul: the real tragedy in life isn’t about failing or falling short — it’s about never having a dream to reach for in the first place. Benjamin E. Mays wrote, “The tragedy in life does not lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.”
The book reminded me that every person comes into this world with gifts meant to be shared and with a purpose waiting to be discovered. Mays continues, “It isn’t a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It is not a disaster to be unable to capture your ideal, but it is a disaster to have no ideal to capture. It is not disgraceful not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for.”
Reading these words made me reflect on why I started this blog: to explore my gifts, to follow the whispers of my heart, and to inspire others to do the same. Every day is an opportunity to dream, to act, and to shine your unique light — because the world truly needs the difference only you can make.
The Choice Within: Feeding the Right Wolf
A Cherokee elder once shared a lesson about the battles we carry inside. He said, “There’s a fierce struggle within me — a fight between two wolves. One wolf is full of joy, love, hope, kindness, and compassion. The other is fueled by fear, anger, cynicism, indifference, and greed. This same battle lives in all of you, too.”
His children listened quietly, then asked, “Which wolf will win?”
The elder simply replied, “The one you choose to feed.”
This story reminds me that every day we have the power to decide what guides our thoughts, actions, and hearts. We can nurture the wolf of love, hope, and generosity, letting it shape our words, choices, and the difference we make in the world — or we can let the other wolf take control. Every small act of kindness, every moment of compassion, is feeding the good wolf. Every act of indifference, fear, or negativity feeds the other.
The choice is ours. What we choose to feed becomes the life we live, the difference we make, and the world we create around us.
Life: A Gift, an Adventure, a Choice
Life is not something to simply get through — it is a daring adventure waiting to be embraced. It is a song, and love is the music that brings it alive. Life is like a glass placed in our hands: it is ours to fill with meaning, joy, and purpose.
It is a splendid gift, grand in every way, not something small or ordinary. Life isn’t a problem to be solved, but a treasure to cherish. It is something to fully live in, not merely endure. Life is not fleeting like a brief candle; it is a torch, bright and powerful, waiting for us to carry it forward.
Life’s value is measured not in years but in depth, in the courage we show, the love we give, and the growth we allow in our souls. It is not a thing we hold, but a verb — something we actively create and engage with every day.
Living in Japan has taught me that heart and purpose aren’t just lofty ideals—they are daily choices. They are found in the mornings, I wake before sunrise to prepare my children’s breakfast, even when I’m exhausted. They are in the moments I smile at strangers despite feeling invisible in a foreign land. They are in the quiet prayers I whisper at night, asking God for courage to keep going, even when life feels unbearably heavy. For me, living with heart means loving fiercely, even when it hurts. Living with purpose means holding onto my dreams, even when the path seems impossibly long. Together, they have carried me through the storms—and will carry me still.
Life isn’t about perfection, about always winning, or always following rules. It is about growth, about choices, about being present now. Life is short, yes, but it is also ours to make meaningful. What we put into it, how we shape it, and the light we share — that is what life truly is.
Always remember: life is what you make it. It always has been, and it always will be.
At the End of Life, What Truly Matters
Looking back, I know I won’t remember the tests I passed, the bills I paid on time, or even the small victories I achieved in a workday. What I will carry in my heart are the quiet, precious moments spent with my daughters laughing over breakfast, the simple walks through our neighborhood, savouring our favorite ramen, enjoying our time during Omatsuri, the evenings spent sharing stories with friends who have become like family here, and the love exchanged across phone calls with my family back in the Philippines.
All the things society tells us to chase — wealth, status, recognition — pale in comparison to these human connections. Money, luxury, and accomplishments fade; what endures is a life fully lived with purpose, love, and authenticity. For me, that has meant finding courage in a foreign land, nurturing my dreams despite fear and doubt, and making space to give my heart to the people around me.
In quiet reflection, the deepest question isn’t about accolades or achievements. It’s about whether I became who I was meant to be — a mother, a friend, a woman following her calling. Did I step into my gifts, embrace the person I was created to be, and share that light in the world?
At the end, the simplest questions are the ones that matter most: Did I love deeply? Did I care for those around me — my daughters, my friends, my community here in Japan — with all my heart? Did I live fully, take risks, follow my dreams, and offer myself to life even when the path was uncertain?
These are the moments that make life remarkable. These are the choices that shape a life worth leaving behind.
Your Life, Your Mission, Your Difference
As I reflect on my journey here in Japan — the challenges, the small victories, the quiet moments with my daughters, and the dreams I’ve dared to follow — one truth shines brighter than anything else: your mission on Earth is never finished as long as you are alive.
It doesn’t matter where you start, how far you’ve fallen, or how uncertain the path ahead may seem. Every day is an invitation to step forward, to feed the wolf of hope, love, and courage within you, and to share the gifts that only you can give. Whether it’s through a simple act of kindness, a moment of presence with someone who needs you, or pursuing a dream that feels bigger than yourself, your life is an opportunity to make a difference that only you can make.
The world doesn’t need perfection. It doesn’t need grand gestures all the time. It needs you — your heart, your vision, your courage, and your willingness to show up, even when the odds feel impossible. As I’ve learned, living in a foreign land teaches you that growth, love, and purpose aren’t tied to comfort or familiarity — they are born in the moments when you choose to act, even when it’s hard, even when no one is watching.
So, if you are breathing, your mission isn’t finished. If you are dreaming, hoping, caring, or creating, your mission isn’t finished. And if you are here, reading these words, it means the world is waiting for your light, your story, your difference.
Step forward. Share your heart. Shine your light. Live with purpose. Because the difference only you can make is exactly what the world needs — right now, and every day you are alive.
