Perhaps due to getting older, I lately have developed a habit of getting up to use the bathroom at night. After finishing in the bathroom this morning, I heard the air conditioner humming. At first, I thought it was because the child upstairs had opened their window to sleep again, so I went to the living room to check. It turned out that the windows weren't open; instead, the temperature outside had dropped to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. The weather had gotten colder! 

As I returned to my bed and settled into the quilt, a wave of warmth enveloped my body, feeling like a cozy embrace. After pulling the duvet tightly around me, I felt even more surrounded by warmth and love. Suddenly, I felt incredibly happy, my body relaxed, and I sank into a deep, sweet sleep. It felt just like a warm embrace, something I had missed for a long time.

After getting up this morning, I took off my socks in the sunlight by the window. The sunlight was like cotton socks, gently warming my feet. Once again, I was moved by the simple, natural feeling. Warmth and comfort are long missed.

Roaming online, I aimlessly searched for warm stories written by others. There was the warmth from the natural kindness of strangers, the warmth of family and friendship felt from watching the Japanese drama "Asu no Kazoku,(明日家族)", comfort from words of like-minded people, the coziness of reading with a calm mind after shedding a restless spirit, and the warm care of home, among others. Life is so simple, yet such warmth, long missed and often overlooked, is within reach.

Reflecting on life back in 2013, amidst the whirlwind of survival, happiness was often right before me, yet my soul searched far and wide. We always expect warmth from the outside world, forgetting that we can always warm ourselves from within. Sometimes, just a moment of emotion can bring endless comfort to the heart. At the end of the year, some peaceful and enjoyable warmth is indeed long missed. 

Recently, I took the AA airline to Los Carbos. As usual, soon after we are on air, the flight attendant starts to distribute snacks. This time, it is a biscuit.

Let's look at what's in the biscuit. ​INGREDIENTS: Wheat Flour, Sugar, Vegetable Oils, contains one or more of Soybeon Oil, sunflower Oil, canola Ci, Paim Oil, Brown Sugar Syrup, Sodium Bicarbonate (Leoveningl) Soy Flour, Salt, Cinnamon. It contains Wheat and Soy. What's led me not to eat it: 

• Vegetable Oil is the top 3 ingredient, along with soybean, sunflower, canola, and palm oil. All of them cause inflammation in our bodies. 
• Brown Sugar Syrup Is part of sugar—the 2nd ingredient. 
• Bicarbonate (Leoveningl)

Let's look at the soft drinks. Not to mention Sprite and Coke. My neighbor got a Ginger Ale with 140 calories per can and sugar.

So next, you were asked, "Do you need anything? " consider answering, "water only please." ​

I'm not sure if you can relate, but there are times when I feel lonely even when I'm surrounded by people. It can be difficult to keep up when everyone is laughing, talking, and having fun. It's hard to make genuine connections when everyone seems to be putting on a performance.

The reason for this is that everyone is focused on expressing themselves and sharing their stories. This constant display can be exhausting and draining on our energy, rather than uplifting it. In these situations, it's important to step back and prioritize spending time with one or two close friends for more meaningful conversations. Rather than trying to blend in with the crowd and losing ourselves, we can cherish more authentic connections.

For introverts, who find comfort in solitary activities like reading, writing, traveling, or simply enjoying a cup of tea, it's perfectly fine to take some time for ourselves. By disconnecting from the noise of the outside world, we can cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves as advocated in Louise Hay’s You Can Heal Your Life. This intentional detachment allows us to reflect, contemplate, and embrace our thoughts and emotions without distractions.

​This is a friendly reminder to prioritize self-care and recognize and respect our own needs. By embarking on a journey of self-discovery and changing our thought patterns, we can let go of negative emotions such as resentment and worry and instead find clarity, peace, and a deep sense of self-love. It's important to remember that if we don't like something, it's perfectly okay to walk away from it.