Tag: perseverance

Posted in Celebrating Existence, Life, Love and Blessings

17 Promises I Choose to Live By : Then & Now

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

Truth be told this is my then followed by my now.

The then was created some 10 years ago:

My personal code of ethics: Statement of Purpose:

This is a personal guide which will serve as a source of inspiration and as a reminder of things I must always be mindful of, especially when I am faced with challenges. It will help me to realise my long-term goals and mirrors my beliefs and my values.

What function is this expected to serve in my life?

This will serve as a daily reminder of what I believe in and a source of encouragement that will help me to become a better well-rounded individual who endeavours to be happy, have peace of mind, and be the best that I can be. I sincerely promise to use the ‘I will’ list below to do that.

Personal Commitments

  1. I will remember, ‘Carpe diem!’ (Seize the day!) and let it be my motto.
  2. I will continue to treat others in the very same manner that I would like to be treated.
  3. I will continue to develop myself professionally.
  4. I will try to inculcate good values and morals in those I interface with (including those under my charge).
  5. I will always be mindful that some things cannot be changed; that is, not everything is within my reach, and I must accept them for what they are… simply, ‘Don’t worry about what you cannot change’ and ‘Qué sera sera!’ (Whatever will be will be).
  6. I will always thank God for my blessings. I have faced many challenges and overcome each of them—such as not being able to hold things, write properly at times, or walk properly. To date, I have 12 O’ Levels, 4 A’ Levels, a BA in English, and my BA in Mass Communication is my second degree. I have a full-time job now. I can look back and say I’m happy with some of the things I did and encourage others to turn their challenges into successes.
  7. I will continue to give credit where credit is due… everyone deserves to be appreciated.
  8. I will continue to move ahead with realistic goals. Thankfully, both my sense of maturity and being realistic have helped me value the relationships I build.
  9. I will continue to remember that everything happens for a reason… it makes it easier to walk around with less emotional baggage and eliminates chances of dumping it on others.
  10. I will continue fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to me because shirking responsibilities means denying others their rights.
  11. I will always do my best in all that I do rather than giving up before starting or giving up in the middle of what I am doing because the end will be closer in sight.
  12. I will always look for something positive out of every negative experience, and I will use the ‘scissors of life’ to cut out negativity. Negativity breeds negativity and vice versa.
  13. I will use great care, consideration, and dedication to my values and morals to find amicable solutions to problematic situations and ethical dilemmas by always considering the consequences of my actions as it relates to all my dealings and those affected.
  14. I will focus on improving my health and try to get the required amount of rest because if I do not take care of myself, I cannot take care of anyone needing my help.
  15. I will continue to develop my spirituality and be a devotee of God.
  16. I will try to exercise good judgment at all times.
  17. I will review my personal code of ethics periodically and strive to make necessary improvements where possible.

This is my now: Living My Personal Code of Ethics

Life is about the values that guide you through both the highs and the lows. My personal code of ethics isn’t just a list I wrote once; it’s something I try to live by every day.

At the core of everything is a simple mindset: Carpe diem—seize the day. I try to make the most of every opportunity while remembering to treat others the way I would like to be treated. Respect, kindness, and fairness are not optional; they are the foundation of every meaningful interaction.

Growth is also important to me. I continue to develop myself professionally while encouraging and guiding those I interact with, especially those under my care. At the same time, I’ve learned to accept that not everything is within my control. Some things simply are what they are, and finding peace in that—embracing the idea of “what will be, will be”—has helped me tremendously.

Gratitude plays a huge role in my life. Despite the challenges I’ve faced, I remain thankful. Those experiences have shaped me, strengthened me, and allowed me to encourage others to turn their struggles into success. They remind me that resilience is built, not given.

As I move forward, I focus on being realistic, appreciating others, and valuing the relationships I build. I remind myself that everything happens for a reason, which helps me let go of unnecessary emotional weight and avoid passing negativity on to others.

Responsibility is another principle I take seriously. Fulfilling what is entrusted to me matters because failing to do so affects others. That’s why I always strive to give my best, even when it’s difficult, because every step forward brings me closer to the end goal.

I also make a conscious effort to find positivity in every situation. Life will always present challenges, but I believe in cutting out negativity and choosing a mindset that promotes growth and peace.

In dealing with others, I aim to act with care, integrity, and fairness. Ethical decisions aren’t always easy, but considering the impact of my actions helps me navigate even the most difficult situations.

Equally important is taking care of myself. I’ve learned that I cannot pour into others if I am running on empty. Rest, health, and balance are not luxuries—they are necessities.

My spirituality continues to guide me, grounding me in faith and helping me stay aligned with my values. Alongside this, I strive to exercise good judgment in all that I do.

Finally, I remind myself that growth is ongoing. I revisit my values, reflect on my actions, and make adjustments where needed. Becoming better is a continuous process, not a final destination.

Posted in Celebrate Today, Celebrating Life, Life, Love and Blessings

Celebrating your journey, even when your heart needs a moment

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

Life has a quiet way of teaching us lessons we didn’t expect to learn, even when we don’t think or realize we need it or we are up to it.

Sometimes everything feels like it is moving along just fine. You are making plans, setting goals, doing what you need to do, and finding your rhythm. Then something shifts. A situation changes. A door closes. Someone you thought would always be there is suddenly not. Or maybe nothing dramatic even happens — things simply begin to feel a little different, a little heavier, a little uncertain.

And in those moments, one gentle truth often reveals itself: you need to keep moving forward.

Not in a rushed or forceful way. Not in the sense that you must pretend everything is fine when it isn’t. But in the quiet understanding that life continues, and so must you.

There will be seasons where things do not go the way you hoped. Moments where you sit with your thoughts a little longer than usual, trying to understand what changed or why something unfolded the way it did. It is human to reflect, to replay conversations, to wonder if things might have been different under other circumstances.

And that reflection is not wrong.

In fact, allowing yourself to feel what you feel is one of the healthiest things you can do.

There is nothing weak about acknowledging that something hurt you, disappointed you, or caught you by surprise. Life would be far easier if we could simply switch emotions on and off, but that is not how we are built. Our feelings exist for a reason. They remind us of what matters to us. They show us where we have invested our time, our energy, and sometimes our hearts.

So if something affects you, it is perfectly okay to pause and acknowledge it.

You can admit that a situation did not feel good.
You can recognize that someone’s actions left you disappointed.
You can accept that things did not turn out the way you hoped they would.

None of that means you are stuck.

Acknowledging your feelings is not the same as living in them forever. It simply means you are being honest with yourself. It means you are giving yourself the grace to process what happened instead of pretending it did not matter.

But after that moment of honesty, something else gently calls you forward.

Life still has things waiting for you.

There is still work to do.
Still goals to pursue.
Still moments ahead that you have not yet experienced.

And so, with quiet strength, you gather yourself and continue.

Keeping moving does not always mean making big, dramatic changes. Often it looks much simpler than that. It looks like getting up the next day and doing what needs to be done. It looks like continuing to show up for your responsibilities. It looks like slowly redirecting your energy toward the things that help you grow.

Progress, more often than not, is quiet.

It is made up of small decisions that no one else really sees. The decision to let go of what you cannot control. The decision to stop replaying a moment that has already passed. The decision to protect your peace and invest your energy where it truly belongs.

Sometimes keeping moving means leaving certain spaces behind. Sometimes it means adjusting expectations you once held tightly. And sometimes it simply means reminding yourself that one difficult chapter does not define the rest of your story.

Life has a beautiful way of opening new paths when we are willing to keep walking.

You may not always know exactly where the road will lead. There will be moments when you are simply taking one step at a time, trusting that clarity will come as you go. And often, it does.

Every step forward creates space for something new. Every step helps you grow a little stronger, a little wiser, a little more grounded in who you are becoming.

One day you may look back and realize that the moments that once felt like pauses were actually quiet turning points — moments that gently guided you toward something better suited for your journey.

That is why it is important to keep moving.

Not hurriedly.
Not forcefully.
But steadily and with grace for yourself.

Feel what you need to feel.
Acknowledge the moments that mattered.
And then continue doing what life is asking of you.

You do not have to have everything figured out today.

You simply have to take the next step.

And then the next.

Just keep moving.

Posted in Being Prayerful, Celebrate Today, Celebrating Existence, Celebrating Life, Life

To Err Is to Be Human: Celebrating the Power of Learning

Posted on by rachaelathomasj

To err is human, but every mistake carries a lesson. Discover how embracing imperfection, resilience, and the power of learning can transform your journey of personal growth and self-discovery. These timeless words remind us of something simple yet profound—we are not meant to be perfect; we are meant to be human. And in being human, we are invited into the sacred dance of growth, where mistakes are not failures but faithful companions on our journey of becoming.

The Beauty in Stumbling

Each misstep whispers a lesson. When we stumble, we discover new ways of standing tall. When we falter, we learn the strength of rising again. History itself shows us this truth—every great invention, every bold breakthrough, every step forward came through countless trials, errors, and renewed attempts. Our lives reflect the same rhythm. Mistakes are not detours; they are part of the road itself.

Learning: The Heart of Being Alive

There is immense power in learning. Every error holds a hidden gift, waiting for us to unwrap it with reflection and courage. To learn is to take what once felt heavy and turn it into wisdom. To learn is to transform a wrong turn into a guiding light. The very act of learning proves that we are alive, growing, and endlessly capable of more.

Embracing Our Shared Humanity

When we accept our imperfections, we open ourselves to compassion—both for ourselves and for others. We see that everyone carries their own journey of lessons, victories, and second chances. In celebrating our humanness, we find connection. We realize that what unites us is not perfection, but the courage to keep trying, keep learning, and keep loving despite the stumbles along the way.

Becoming Through Mistakes

To err is to be human. But to embrace those errors as opportunities—to rise, to grow, to learn—that is to truly live. Every mistake can be a stepping stone to something greater, if we allow it to be. So let us celebrate being human, not despite our flaws, but because of them.

For in every error, there is a lesson.
In every lesson, there is growth.
And in every act of growth, there is the miracle of becoming.

Life Lessons I Have Learnt

Through my own journey, I’ve discovered:

  1. Mistakes are not the end—they are a beginning. Every stumble can open the door to a new path.
  2. Self-forgiveness is a form of strength. It is only when I forgive myself that I can move forward with freedom.
  3. Growth takes patience. Learning often comes slowly, but each step forward—no matter how small—matters.
  4. Vulnerability connects us. When I share my struggles, I discover that I am not alone.
  5. Resilience is built through trying again. Courage is not the absence of failure—it is the decision to keep going.

These lessons remind me daily that my humanity is not a flaw but a gift, and that every mistake I make has the power to shape me into someone wiser, kinder, and stronger.