A journey in ink

Every life is a story written in indelible ink

Category: Life

  • One technology I can live without

    Daily writing prompt
    What technology would you be better off without, why?
    View all responses

    That would be e-books.

    I do read e-books occasionally such as Kindle versions and I find them useful at times.

    However, as a 90s kid, I still prefer the experience of reading a physical book, in a more analog style. There is something uniquely satisfying about highlighting meaningful lines, feeling the texture of the pages, and physically turning them as you read.

    There is also a certain charm in the little games we can play with physical books—such as opening to a random page and seeing who finds more characters on their page, or who lands on the earliest alphabet. Those small, tactile moments are part of what makes hardcopy reading so special.

  • Joy I never dreamed of

    Joy I never dreamed of

    What brings me to tears of joy is the kind of surprise I never imagined, a gift wrapped in the form of unexpected good news.

    In Pirates of the Caribbean, there’s a scene where pirates long to capture a mermaid’s tear. She resists with fear and sadness, but when true joy overcomes her, the tear still falls. That image stays with me, because some joys are too powerful to hold back.

    I felt that recently after one of the biggest challenges of my life: a massive exam. The path was long and lonely, filled with uncertainty. I worked hard to prepare, but never expected the score I received. Even now, I keep checking the results page to believe it’s real. A score is just a number, yet this one feels like an answered prayer.

    Life often surprises us this way. Sometimes we assume the worst about people, only to later discover they cared in ways we didn’t recognize. Not every surprise is good, but some moments feel like pure gifts, blessings that effort alone cannot explain.

    In those moments, I feel closest to my creator, and tears of joy come naturally. My hope is to hold on to that gratitude, even when life pulls me back into chaos.

    And to you reading this, I hope you too experience such genuine joy, the moment so real it moves you to tears.

  • Why I write

    Why I write

    Writing heals me.
    In a world where owning a home feels impossibly far away, it’s surprising how a blog can offer such a steady sense of comfort. This space is mine for as long as I want it. I choose the words, the design, and still, I’m surrounded by neighbors.

    I haven’t written about the hardest parts of my life, or how overwhelming these past few months have been. Yet, leaving traces of my present here feels like a quiet way of mending.

    I enjoy reading and writing alongside others who wonder about the same things. Maybe that’s why I love daily prompts. They bring together a small, caring community where empathy feels natural. And I hope that as time passes and I grow older, my writing will carry new shades, telling its story in colors I have yet to discover.

  • Hope

    Hope

    Daily writing prompt
    What are the most important things needed to live a good life?
    View all responses

    There are millions of things in this world that are considered important
    …or so we are fooled.

    I think there are very few things that truly matter.
    Although the priority may differ from person to person.

    For me, it’s always been simple:
    Faith
    Family
    Health
    Freedom
    Gratitude

    But what if I took these elements,
    poured them together, squeezed them tight,
    and spun them into one fine, invisible thread?

    That thread is Hope.

    Hope that one day I’ll find the perfect family and the perfect place for me.
    Hope grounded in Faith and Gratitude.
    Hope that never lets itself break.

    …Hope to keep hoping.

    Today’s writing reminded me of the battle scene in Sandman.

    In the show, Dream (aka Morpheus) and Lucifer engage in a strange, poetic battle. They don’t throw punches or cast spells—they speak in symbols. Each word becomes a form, an idea, a transformation.

    The play goes like this,

    Lucifer: As the challenged, I set the meter and take the first move.
    Morpheus: Very well. Make your move.
    Lucifer: I am a dire wolf, prey-stalking, lethal prowler.
    Morpheus: I am a hunter, horse-mounted, wolf-stabbing.
    Lucifer: I am a horsefly, horse-stinging, hunter throwing.
    Morpheus: I am a spider, fly-consuming, eight-legged.
    Lucifer: I am an anthrax, butcher bacterium, warm-life destroying.
    Morpheus: I am a world, space-floating, life-nurturing.
    Lucifer: I am a nova, all-exploding…
    Morpheus: I am the universe—all things encompassing, all life embracing.
    Lucifer: I am anti-life, the beast of judgment. I am the dark at the end of everything. The end of universes, gods, worlds… and everything.

    Lucifer: And what will you be then, Dreamlord?
    Morpheus: I am hope.

    And just like that, the battle ends.

    Not with power. Not with fear.
    With hope.

    I know—it’s a fantasy show. Maybe a little over the top.
    But that moment genuinely gave me goosebumps.

    Because I couldn’t think of anything that can win over human hope, either.

  • A true friend

    Daily writing prompt
    What quality do you value most in a friend?
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    For me, a true friend is someone royal—with an honest heart.

    Royalty—not the crowns and castles kind, but the kind that carries dignity, loyalty, and unshakable value. The kind of bond that isn’t swayed by social rules or the whispers of the devil—those quiet temptations to betray, compare, or compete. Real friendship rises above all of that. It just is.

    And then there’s what I call the honest heart. Not the honest mouth—because let’s be real, most of us aren’t sitting across from a friend hoping to hear brutal truths. What we crave is empathy, not judgment. To feel understood, not corrected. A truly honest heart doesn’t say everything it thinks—it knows how to hold the truth gently. With care. With love.

    I believe these two qualities—royalty and an honest heart—are more than admirable. They’re vital. But I’ve been wondering lately… what if I’ve set the bar too high? What if, in holding so tightly to these ideals, I’ve made it too hard to let people in?

    Because if I’m being completely honest—with myself and with you—I can count just one friend who truly fits that definition. One person who’s been consistent, loyal, and kind-hearted through it all.

    And you know what? I’m grateful. Deeply.

    There’s a saying that goes, “Anyone who has at least three friends is successful.”
    It refines how hard it is to find even one person who truly, wholeheartedly cares. Who sees you without an agenda. Listens without judgment. Stands by you without flinching.

    Yes, that kind of friendship is rare.
    And maybe, that’s enough.

  • Surviving in an ever-changing world

    Daily writing prompt
    What is your career plan?
    View all responses

    We live in an ever-changing world-one that demands adaptability more than ever before. Everything is interconnected and instantly shareable, making it all too easy to drift into general social trend without noticing. Subtle, daily pressures seep into our subconscious and quietly shape our future.

    I choose to seek an unconventional path- solely guided by my own intention and integrity, no matter how rarely traveled. With each deliberate step, I uncover new potential and foster personal growth.

    In a landscape rapidly transformed by artificial intelligence, my career strategy is straightforward: stay vigilant to technological shifts, anticipate what’s coming, and continually refine the niche skills that resonate most deeply with me.

    As a physician, I cherish interpersonal connection—an arena where machines, no matter how advanced, fall short. Empathy, intuition, and genuine presence are human qualities an algorithm can’t replicate. Yet procedural expertise remains equally vital. Even as robotics and automation advance, nothing matches the precision and adaptability of a skilled human hand.

    That blend of heart and skill draws me to pulmonology. In critical moments, I can offer patients-and their families-the comfort of human compassion. At the same time, I will remain hands-on, mastering interventions like bronchoscopy that demand both technical finesse and delicate care.

    Another cornerstone of my approach is sharing—from blog posts to YouTube videos. The format matters less than the message: clear, thoughtful communication amplifies our reach in today’s connected world. Visibility grants access to knowledge and opportunity; without a voice, we risk fading into obscurity.

    By cultivating deeply human skills-empathy, precision, and the art of meaningful storytelling-I aim not merely to survive, but to thrive in an ever-evolving, technology-driven world.

  • My Heavenly Mentors

    Daily writing prompt
    List the people you admire and look to for advice…
    View all responses

    As always, I find my biggest comfort in the Bible.

    When the world feels unstable, these stories ground me. They remind me that God works through ordinary people with open hearts. Here are a few saints whose lives continue to speak to me:

    Abraham – The Man of Faith
    Abraham walked into the unknown simply because God said, “Go.” He trusted promises that seemed impossible, becoming the father of nations through sheer belief.

    Moses – The Humble Leader
    Once a prince, then a fugitive, Moses led an entire people out of slavery. He spoke with God face-to-face, yet always knew his strength came from above.

    David – A Heart for God
    He was a shepherd, a poet, a warrior, a king—and a sinner. But David’s raw honesty and repentance made him “a man after God’s own heart.”

    Daniel – The Unshakable
    Even lions couldn’t scare Daniel from his devotion. In a foreign land, surrounded by pressure, he chose integrity over survival.

    Esther – The Courageous Queen
    Esther didn’t seek the spotlight, but when her people needed her, she stepped up—risking her life to stand against injustice.

    Ruth – The Loyal Companion
    Her love was quiet but fierce. Ruth chose kindness, following her mother-in-law into poverty and unknown lands, becoming part of Jesus’s lineage.

    Each of them reminds me that faith isn’t always loud. Sometimes it looks like walking, waiting, staying, or standing up—when no one else will.

  • My Earthly Mentors

    Daily writing prompt
    List the people you admire and look to for advice…
    View all responses

    Before, during, and after every decision, I reflect deeply—playing out different scenarios and weighing each possibility carefully.

    My faith is my foundation and compass; I never act against it.

    For legal advice, I rely on my parents—and sometimes my sister—not only because they have my best interests at heart but also because their networks often provide valuable support, for which I’m truly grateful.

    In my field, I follow several YouTube creators whose insights guide me when I’m uncertain. Although I’ve never met them, it’s amazing how a single video can inspire, guide, and elevate me.

    Since I’m on a unique path, I haven’t found a mentor yet—but I would truly value someone to sincerely follow. A trusted advisor outside my family, whose guidance is focused purely on my growth, would be incredibly motivating. I look forward to finding someone who can support me like family, and someday, I hope to pay it forward by becoming that person for someone else.

  • Freedom is the only compass I trust

    Daily writing prompt
    What gives you direction in life?
    View all responses

    Freedom is the only compass that guides my direction.
    Whether it’s wisdom, experience, or a return that sustains me—
    A culture of respect, a life I can believe in—
    Whatever it is, I trust it will lead me to freedom.
    And that’s where I’ll go.
    Because I believe.
    Because I must.

  • Waves of wakefulness

    Waves of wakefulness

    Daily writing prompt
    When do you feel most productive?
    View all responses

    Being productive means living each moment to the fullest. This is how I carve my path through life.

    I feel most alive after a good night’s sleep—usually seven to eight hours of uninterrupted rest that leaves me waking just before my alarm. At 7:00 AM, I slip out of bed, draw back the curtains, and let a sliver of cool morning air brush my face. I lace up my sneakers and head outside for a brisk five-minute walk—just enough to get my calves warming, my lungs expanding with each deep breath, without breaking a full sweat. By the time I step back indoors, my mind is clear, my mood lifted, and I’ve already scored my first burst of dopamine for the day.

    On my way to work, I detour into my favorite café and order a cup of coffee. The rich aroma greets me the moment I push open the door—steam hissing from the espresso machine, beans grinding in the background—and I feel more awake than ever before that first sip touches my lips. That cup carries me through the morning push until I need another energy boost.

    By 8:00 AM, I’m at my desk with a fresh to-do list, ready to tackle my top priorities before the world fully stirs.

    In the afternoon, the energy dip arrives like clockwork. Instead of surrendering, I shift into my second gear: the news. Scrolling through headlines—an inflammatory tweet here, a shocking statistic there—I let a spark of indignation flare. That heat propels me forward; I jot down bullet points on how to channel this tension into my next deliverable, turning irritation into inspiration.

    If I need a micro-break, I stand and stretch or grab a glass of cold water. I might crave another coffee, but I hold back—for the sake of a good night’s rest and tomorrow’s clarity.

    Riding that continuous current of focus, I finish the day feeling accomplished—and ready to recharge with another night of sleep.

    Then the cycle repeats itself.