NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER

by JOHNNY TAN

Happy August , Everyone ! Although we in the northern hemisphere , especially in the US , have been and still are experiencing the exceptionally hottest month of the year , it is nice and cozy for folks living in the southern hemisphere , as it is one of their coldest months . What an excellent reminder of how our beautiful yet tender and fragile Mother Earth balances itself .

I always get a little sentimental in August , my birthday month . I can ’ t help but reminisce about the good old celebration my Malaysian mom , Nyah , would do for me . Ever since I could remember , my mom would boil a dozen eggs and dye the eggshells red , signifying “ luck and prosperity .” They were intended to bring me the best that life has to offer in the coming twelve months ! Besides eating these boiled eggs , I would feast on my favorite curry chicken dish with white rice . It was a simple birthday meal for everyone else , but for me , it was a tremendous treat , a shower of motherly love that made me feel so special !

4 | Inspirations for Better Living • August 2024

When I was 12 years old , I accidentally found out that I was adopted at birth . From then onwards , my birthday became even more precious for me as I realized that I am definitely loved by my mom , Nyah , and my father , Baba , because they made a conscious decision several months before I was born with my birth mom , to have me in their lives and be a part of their family . Once the shocking discovery subsided for me , in moments of introspection and contemplation , I soon realized that the caring and love I had been receiving from my adopted parents were no different and , in some cases , better than the ones received by my friends from their birth parents .

In one of our many tender conversations following the above revelation , my mom shared with me her belief that we are all born with a unique fingerprint of Divineness . Our given instinctive traits , fears , passions , and desires reflect our authentic genius self . The summation of these ingredients makes us who we are . She also believes that we are born into a specific family and place with particular challenges that require specialized nurturing so that we can learn and grow into who we are destined to become . All experiences are meant to move us even further along the path of who we are . The knowledge gained and lessons learned naturally guide us to different places in our life ' s journey to encounter yet more new experiences , ultimately leading us to arrive at our purpose in life .

When I was 15 years old , my mom taught me about my personal new year , my once-a-year opportunity to regroup and relaunch myself . It is my “ annual rebirth ” for my heart , mind , body , and spirit . I learned that I can ’ t change the past . However , I can create the future I want with