Salaam, friends,

I'm in the process of moving to a larger apartment. It's been five years since my last move, and I had forgotten how hard it can be to pack and coordinate all the logistics.

My schedule is all over the place, and my routine is completely disrupted. In times like these, I usually find myself frustrated over my perceived lack of productivity, attempting to squeeze my to-do list in between the chaos. However, I've come to realize three important lessons:

Life is Short, and Only a Few Things Truly Matter:

When I reflect on my life, I know I won't regret writing less or wishing I had published more podcast episodes or videos. Instead, I'll likely wish I had spent more time with my parents, helped more friends through their hard times, and been fully present for my wife and children.

Consistency Trumps Sporadic Efforts:

Whether it's the moving process or my writing, tackling a small part of the apartment each night or writing just a single paragraph daily is far more effective than waiting until the last minute and attempting to do it all at once. The voice of procrastination often convinces us that we'll magically find motivation the next day or after a major event, but starting small, such as packing one drawer or writing one paragraph, is more guaranteed.

Gratitude is the Mother of Happiness:

Whenever I feel stressed about the move, I take a moment to appreciate my financial and physical ability to upgrade to a better neighborhood and a more spacious apartment. When I feel down about my writing, I reflect on the time when I spoke no English at all and marvel at how far I've come.

Life naturally gravitates toward positivity; it's often us who dwell on what we lack or the past we missed out on. One day at a time, life improves until one day, when we realize that only a few things truly matter.

🔖 Quote to ponder

“When all seems lost, a few friends, the view, and random last-ditch moments of grace, like Liquid Wrench, will do."
— Anne Lamott

📸 Through My Lens