Posted in Celebrating Existence, Celebrating Life, Life, Love and Blessings, Spiritual Reflections

Celebrating 2025: Carpe Diem, Que Sera Sera, Semper Fi

2025 was not a year I simply passed through—it was a year that refined me. A year of lessons (some very harsh ones), new beginnings, and quiet awakenings that required continued honesty, courage, and faith. It challenged my resilience and reshaped my perspective, reminding me that growth is rarely loud—but always intentional.

This was the year I truly learned the power of carpe diem—seizing the moment by showing up. Not perfectly. Not fearlessly. But consistently. I learned that progress is built in the daily effort, the small decisions, and the willingness to keep going even when motivation fades. Consistency matters, and 2025 proved that steady steps often carry more power than dramatic moves.

At the same time, I embraced the wisdom of que sera sera—understanding that not everything is mine to control. I learned to release expectations and trust the unfolding. There is peace in acceptance, and strength in knowing when to let go and when to stand firm.

One of the most transformative lessons of the year was learning to see things for what they are—not what I hoped they would be, not what I tried to make them, but what they truly were. That clarity brought freedom. It allowed me to stop over-explaining, stop forcing alignment, and start responding with wisdom instead of emotion.

Moving forward required deep faith—faith in the process, faith in divine timing, and faith in myself. It required resilience of the quiet kind—the kind that wakes up every day, shows up again, and chooses growth even when the road feels heavy.

2025 demanded bold decisions. Decisions that were not always understood, but were necessary. I chose boundaries over burnout, truth over comfort, and peace over people-pleasing. In doing so, I learned what semper fi truly means—being faithful to my values, loyal to my purpose, and committed to the person I am becoming.

This was also the year I fully embraced investing in me. My healing. My growth. My future. Self-investment became an act of strength, not guilt. And through it all, I rose—again and again—like the phoenix, not untouched by the fire, but strengthened by it.

As I celebrate 2025, I do so with gratitude—not because it was easy, but because it was necessary. It taught me that showing up consistently changes everything, clarity brings peace, and faith carries you further than fear ever could.

I remain deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and unwavering support of my family and friends, for my children who inspire me daily to be strong and intentional, and for the mentors and quiet supporters who believed in me—sometimes even before I fully believed in myself. Their faith, encouragement, and presence, whether spoken or silent, reminded me that I was never walking this journey alone. In moments of doubt and rebuilding, their trust in me became strength, their prayers became covering, and their support became the fuel that helped me keep showing up, stay faithful, and continue moving forward with clarity and courage.

I step forward grounded, resilient, and clear—guided by the principles that carried me through:

Carpe Diem.
Que Sera Sera.
Semper Fi.

Here’s to continuing the journey—steady, faithful, and always celebrating existence

Posted in Being Prayerful, Celebrate Today, Celebrating Existence, Celebrating Life, Life, Love and Blessings

When Helping Hurts: Staying True to Yourself Despite Misunderstandings

Life has a way of testing the sincerity of our intentions. There are moments when you step forward to help, to comfort, to guide—and instead of gratitude or understanding, you meet suspicion, judgment, or even hurtful words. I’ve been there more times than I can count. Each time, I wonder: Why is it that when you try to do good, it’s sometimes met with anything but kindness in return?

Helping people is never just about actions—it’s about heart. I’ve always believed that if you have the ability to make someone’s burden lighter, even in a small way, you should. Whether it’s lending a hand, sharing advice, or simply being present, the goal has always been to leave a person better than I found them. But along the way, I’ve learned a hard truth: your good intentions won’t always be seen the way you hope.

Being misunderstood can cut deep. It’s not just the act of being wrongly judged—it’s the ache of knowing that your sincerity was overlooked. At times, I’ve walked away feeling like I should stop caring so much, stop trying so hard. But then I remember—my actions speak of who I am, not of what others choose to believe about me.

The truth is, you can’t control how people receive your help. Some will accept it and cherish it. Others might question your motives. And a few may even turn your kindness into a weapon against you. That’s the risk of living with an open heart. But it’s also the beauty of it—you keep planting seeds, even if you don’t always see them grow.

So what should you do when helping hurts—especially when people can’t accept your pure heart?

  1. Stand firm in your truth. You know your intentions. Don’t let someone else’s opinion rewrite your story.
  2. Release the need for approval. Kindness given with strings attached isn’t pure kindness. Give freely, and let go of how it’s received.
  3. Set healthy boundaries. Being kind doesn’t mean allowing others to repeatedly hurt you. Distance is not unkindness—it’s self-respect.
  4. Choose your battles wisely. Not every misunderstanding needs defending. Sometimes silence speaks louder than explanations.
  5. Stay soft, but be strong. Don’t let bitterness take root. Protect your heart without closing it off completely.

I’ve realized that being misunderstood doesn’t make me wrong. It makes me human. And as long as I’m acting from a place of love and integrity, I can live with that. I’d rather risk being hurt than live a life closed off to compassion.

In the end, kindness is a long game. Even if the world doesn’t always respond the way we expect, the quiet satisfaction of knowing you tried—really tried—is its own reward. And sometimes, the ones who misunderstood you today may look back tomorrow and realize just how genuine you were all along.

Posted in Amazon shopping, Awesome Deals, Back to school deals, Back to school deals, Celebrating Existence, Great deals, Office Supplies

Celebrating 15 Months and 178 Lists on Benable: My Why, My What, My How!

Fifteen months ago, I followed a gentle nudge — to share the things I genuinely love and use, not just with my close circle, but with the world. What began as a single list on Benable has now grown into an incredible library of 178 lists (and counting), each created with intention, honesty, and heart.

My Why: Serving Through Sharing

At the center of it all is a genuine desire to help others. I believe in lifting others up — whether it’s by recommending stuff I myself would use, offering inspiration through faith-based encouragement, or making someone’s day easier with travel ideas.

Sometimes people just need a little direction in a world full of choices. I share not to sell — but to serve. My lists are born out of real experiences, real needs, and real questions people ask every day.

My What: A Little Bit of Everything — With Love

My Benable space is filled with collections that meet people where they are. From self-care and wellness tools for moms and creatives, to smart toys for kids that make learning fun, every list solves a problem or adds joy.

If you’re preparing for a new school term, you’ll love my back-to-school picks. Need gift inspiration? I’ve got curated options for family gift ideas, gifts for teachers, and even book lover gifts.

For those looking for trendy fashion or those getting married, I have got you covered. If you are struggling with fibromyalgia or you have scoliosis, I have you covered. If your gluten intolerant or dealing with being lactose intolerant, I have you covered.

And if you’re looking for motivation or daily inspiration, my inspirational books list and motivational wall art bring encouragement into your space.

My How: Living What I List

I create each list with purpose. Everything I recommend is either something I personally use, have deeply researched, or trust enough to share with my own family. My process is simple — observe, experience, curate. I think of the busy parent looking to simplify mornings, the writer trying to stay organized, or even the artist or the student needing back to school essentials.

I also listen. Many of my lists are built from real conversations — like helping a friend plan a find food they can enjoy, or services they can benefit from, or compiling intriguing book titles based on what piques my interest.

And because I believe in living consciously, I’ve also created lists to support my diet and lists for eco-friendly habits and choices.

My Joy: Building a Trusted Space

The greatest joy in this journey is knowing that my recommendations have made a difference in someone’s life. Maybe it was a cozy home find that brought peace, or online courses that can help individuals realize their dreams. Even the smallest list, like my home and kitchen essentials, has the power to impact someone’s daily routine.

This platform has also allowed me to celebrate the little wins — like toys and book resources for little ones, feel-good product finds, or games that families can enjoy together or as simple as clothing for all family members.

Here are just a few of the 178+ lists I’ve created so far:

And that’s just a sample! You can explore all my lists anytime at benable.com/rachaelathomasj

What’s Next: More Purpose, More People, More Possibilities

This journey is only beginning. As I reflect on these past 15 months, I’m reminded that we all have something to share — something that can help someone else. Through Benable, I’ve been blessed with the chance to give back in a meaningful way, one list at a time.

Thank you to everyone who has browsed, clicked, shopped, or shared. You are part of this beautiful story. If you haven’t yet, I invite you to explore all my lists here — and maybe you’ll find a little magic too.

Here’s to helping, growing, and glowing — together. If you would like to join Benable please use this link https://benable.com/i/SW8FH. Benable allows you to share favorite things, and choose from 40,000 brands soskip the waitlist with my link.

Posted in Celebrate Today, Learning Opportunity, Life, Unfortunate Experiences

Celebrating Embracing Humility and Honesty: Striving for Excellence Amidst Misunderstandings

Yes, I am embracing humility and honesty because this is who I am. I always do my best! All through my life as far as I can remember, I have always treated others the way I would want to be treated. People who really know me would say yes, it is true! Unfortunately, those who don’t understand me would misunderstand my silence or my staying away from persons who misunderstand me as something it is not. Even better, those in my circle keep me going and I know I cannot do it without Pujya Appaji.

In life, we often aspire to do our best, guided by the principles of humility and honesty. Giving my best is always me! These values shape our actions and interactions, leading us towards personal growth and meaningful connections. However, despite our best intentions, we may encounter situations where others misunderstand us or accuse us of things we haven’t done. Why? Is it so they can feel better about themselves, or their mindset is just so low that they cannot think about anything better? How do we deal with such situations while staying true to ourselves? It lies in making a conscious decision to continue being your best friend!

The Virtue of Doing Your Best: Doing your best isn’t just about achieving perfection; it’s about giving your all, whether in work, relationships, or personal endeavors. It’s a mindset that drives continuous improvement and resilience in the face of challenges.

The Humility Factor: Humility is often misunderstood as weakness, but it’s a strength that allows us to acknowledge our imperfections and learn from them. Being humble doesn’t mean diminishing your achievements; it means recognizing that you are part of something bigger than yourself.

The Importance of Honesty: Honesty forms the foundation of trust and integrity. It’s about being truthful, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular. Honesty builds credibility and fosters genuine connections with others.

Navigating Misunderstandings: Despite our best efforts to be humble and honest, misunderstandings can arise. People may misinterpret our actions or motives, leading to false accusations. It’s crucial to respond calmly and with clarity, seeking to understand the root of the misunderstanding.

Dealing with False Accusations: Being accused of things we haven’t done can be hurtful and challenging. It tests our patience and resilience. In such situations, it’s important to stay calm, gather facts to refute the accusations if needed, and seek support from trustworthy persons who know the truth and accept it for what it is.

Embracing Resilience and Integrity: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks. It’s about facing adversity with courage and determination while integrity on the other hand, is staying true to your values and principles, even when it’s difficult.

In a world where misunderstandings and false accusations surround us day after day, staying true to ourselves becomes a powerful act of resilience and integrity. By doing our best, embracing humility, and practicing honesty, we not only grow personally but also inspire others to do the same. Let’s navigate life’s challenges with grace and integrity, knowing that staying true to who we are is the ultimate victory.

From me to you, here’s to celebrating your journey!