LIFE, A DAY AT A TIME

  We spend hours focusing on enhancing our external appearances,; at the gym sculpting our bodies, standing in front of the mirror making ourselves up. And that’s fine—because looks matter, right? Or do they? Sure, being well-groomed has its perks, like boosting confidence and improving likability.   But let’s face it: how often do we take care of our mental health with the same dedication?   Mental health deserves just as much attention as our physical appearance. Yet many of us neglect it. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) "Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in. Mental health is a basic human right. And it is crucial to pers...

Photo/courtesy At the start of the year, I wrote on my vision board: “Everything I do will be my best. Expect the very best.” This declaration came after realizing that I was wasting energy worrying about things beyond my control. I decided to surrender to whatever would come my way this year—be it positive or negative—and accept it with grace. Choosing to see it as the very best happening. Not long after, I read  W hen Breath Becomes Air  which to say  it didn’t completely shift my perspective would be an understatement. The book, a deeply moving memoir by neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi, taught me invaluable lessons: the fragility of life, the importance of living with purpose, and the courage to embrace the unknown. It reinforced the idea that while life is uncertain, we should strive to live with integrity and find meaning in the present moment. In essense to be in complete acquiescence with everything. But somewhere down the line, I lost that mindset. I slipped back i...