To Breathe And Savor Life
It's my promise for this year
The last 20 years were jump-packed with life goals. I made sure to make every minute counts towards objectives. All my strength went to the battle of achieving whatever I have written in my mind, heart, and soul.
I was so busy shooting for the moon and finally, at 40, I realized I landed on the stars. It wasn’t the moon but the place was glittering beyond my expectations. I wanted to stop, for an indefinite measure of time. I wanted to savor the place and enjoy the moment.
My heart says, “it’s been a while”. It’s been a while since it operated in its normal beat. Every day in the last 20 years it pounded more blood to support my energy and to cope with all the rushing and jumping. It gave out so much oxygen to support my many personalities. I am a mom, wife, employee, student, daughter, sister, and friend. Poor heart. Weary and tired.
This year, I promise to start anew. I'll be guided by these 5 promises:
1. I’ll savor the moment. I’ll be present.
I will chew my food to appreciate the bits of contrasting flavor it contains. If I eat, I'll only eat and focus on it alone. I will not eat while working or studying. It's time, that the food, the blessing of nourishment gets my full attention.
2. I'll stop rushing.
I'll stop chasing success after success. I'll stop being hard on myself. I won't compare myself to others. Success is relative and I will not judge myself as someone below par with my peers.
With all that I have done in the last 20 years, I'm already successful, at least on my own standards. This year, it's time that I'll stop and for once relish the point where I am now. It's time that I'll stop rushing to get into the next star.
3. I won’t scrimp on myself.
I deserve all the good things. Money is meant to be spent. I'll silence my inner frugality. I deserve to spend some money that I've worked for in the last 20 years. If I've always afforded to help others with my money, now it's time that I give myself what I wanted with my money.
4. I’ll do what makes me happy.
I won’t be dictated by what society expects me to be. It's my life and only I know honestly what makes me happy. I'm a mom, wife, and daughter before the dictates of continuously climbing up the career ladder even began. I didn't stop to become one, but in all honesty, I have shortchanged them with my time.
With the busy work, I woke one day with my grown-up children and older parents. I never left. I'm with them all the time.
Only then I realized, I may be with them physically but my mental focus is on work. I'm with them during vacations constantly checking my emails and worrying about work backlogs accumulating. I promise not to do this anymore.
5. I take care of myself especially my health.
Driven by the energy of youth, I've accomplished so much in such a short time. I've changed my life leaving no traces of childhood hardships and suffering. With only 24 hours a day, I delivered more accomplishments by sacrificing sleep and proper nutrition.
Skipping breakfast or having it in the car to save time. Eating while working. Hustling until nighttime. Four to six hours of sleep have been enough every day in the last 20 years. On my 40th, I woke up with my body sore and weak.
It's not yet late. I have full long years ahead. I'll change my ways, I'll breathe and take care of myself.
Final Thoughts:
Life is meant to be lived. It's not meant to work until I'm too old to even see the colors around. I'll hug my parents in their golden years. I'll kiss my children while they haven't left home. I'll smell the flowers and appreciate the breeze.
This year, I wouldn't do what I did in the last 20 years. I'll simply breathe.
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Olivia Marlene and writers in Longevity and other communities.
3 Things That I Alternately Tell Myself When I Am Stressed
Have you ever noticed what the universe constantly hand over to us along with the gifts of life every day? How I wish it's money but it's not. Problems. We can find problems every day, even with the most perfect situations. A new day brings new challenges (a.k.a. problems).
By Olivia Marlene5 years ago in Longevity
Day 4 of Quitting
If this is how sobriety feels, maybe it’s better to go through life a little buzzed… this, along with other hits like, I want to kill myself, I wish I was dead, and I’m going to throw myself off a bridge have been the only thoughts on rotation these past few days. I promise myself that if, in a month, I still feel like this (‘this’ meaning despondent, full of rage, and simultaneously numb) I can go back to smoking. Until mid-February though? Nicotine is off the table.
By sleepy drafts6 days ago in Longevity
The Return of the Aircraft Carrier Truman Is Being Seen as a Snub to the Navy in the War of the Future
The return of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman to active deployment has sparked debate far beyond naval circles. While some see it as a show of enduring American naval power, others interpret the move as a symbolic snub—particularly in the context of how modern warfare is rapidly evolving. In an era dominated by drones, cyber warfare, hypersonic missiles, and artificial intelligence, the decision to once again lean heavily on a traditional aircraft carrier has raised uncomfortable questions about whether the Navy is preparing for the wars of tomorrow or clinging to the strategies of yesterday. A Floating Symbol of 20th-Century Power For decades, aircraft carriers have been the ultimate symbol of U.S. military dominance. These massive floating airbases project power thousands of miles from American shores and allow the U.S. to strike almost anywhere in the world. The Truman, like other Nimitz-class carriers, represents this legacy—housing nearly 5,000 sailors, dozens of fighter jets, and unmatched logistical capability. However, critics argue that what once made carriers indispensable now makes them vulnerable. Their sheer size, cost, and visibility turn them into high-value targets in a battlefield increasingly defined by precision strikes and long-range weapons. The “War of the Future” Looks Very Different Modern conflict is no longer limited to sea, land, and air. Cyber attacks can cripple infrastructure without a single shot fired. Drones can swarm targets at a fraction of the cost of traditional aircraft. Hypersonic missiles can reach targets faster than current defenses can respond. In this context, sending a massive carrier strike group into contested waters can appear less like a strategic necessity and more like a risky gamble. Critics argue that the return of the Truman reflects an outdated mindset—one that prioritizes visible force projection over adaptability and technological evolution. A Snub to Naval Innovation? Many analysts and serving officers believe the Navy’s future lies in distributed lethality—smaller, more agile platforms networked together, harder to detect and cheaper to replace. Unmanned surface vessels, autonomous submarines, and land-based missile systems are increasingly viewed as the backbone of next-generation naval warfare. Against this backdrop, recommitting to a traditional carrier is seen by some as sidelining innovation. It sends a message that, despite years of discussion about transformation, the Navy still defaults to familiar tools when tensions rise. This perception has led to frustration among those advocating for faster modernization. They argue that resources devoted to maintaining and protecting carriers like the Truman could instead accelerate investment in emerging technologies that are more relevant to future conflicts. The Strategic Signal to Allies and Rivals Supporters of the decision counter that the Truman’s return is not about nostalgia—it’s about deterrence. Aircraft carriers remain powerful political tools. Their presence reassures allies, signals commitment, and demonstrates readiness in a way few other assets can. Yet even here, the message is mixed. To technologically advanced rivals, the deployment may signal predictability rather than strength. Adversaries have spent years developing strategies specifically designed to neutralize carriers, including anti-ship ballistic missiles and advanced surveillance systems. Cost Versus Capability The financial reality cannot be ignored. A single carrier strike group costs billions of dollars to build, maintain, and operate. In contrast, drone fleets and missile systems can be produced and deployed at a much lower cost, often with greater strategic flexibility. Critics argue that continuing to rely on carriers drains resources from areas where the Navy needs to grow most urgently. In a future conflict defined by speed, dispersion, and digital dominance, the cost-benefit equation of aircraft carriers looks increasingly questionable. Why the Carrier Still Matters—For Now Despite the criticism, aircraft carriers are not obsolete—yet. They remain unmatched in their ability to sustain prolonged air operations without relying on foreign bases. In regions where access is limited or politically sensitive, carriers still provide options no other platform can. The real issue, many experts say, is not the existence of carriers like the Truman, but over-reliance on them. Using them as one component of a broader, more flexible strategy may still make sense. Treating them as the centerpiece of future war planning may not. A Turning Point for Naval Strategy The return of the USS Harry S. Truman highlights a deeper tension within modern military thinking. It represents a crossroads between tradition and transformation, between proven power and emerging threats. Whether history views this moment as a wise assertion of strength or a missed opportunity for innovation will depend on what comes next. If the Navy pairs legacy platforms with bold technological change, the carrier’s return may be justified. If not, it risks becoming a powerful symbol—not of dominance, but of reluctance to adapt in a rapidly changing world.
By Fiazahmedbrohi a day ago in Longevity
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.