Heartbeat of a raindrop

In a world where people are on a constant quest for identity, many of us wait for some grand, omnipresent force to unlock our true potential. But life isn't about waiting to be discovered. It’s about discovering ourselves. For me, being independent means feeling happy and excited in my own skin. But does that mean I must always stay the same, without room for growth? Absolutely not. From childhood, we adapt to our environment—at home, at school, and in society. We rely on others to guide us on what’s right and wrong, which shapes our thinking. Over time, this dependency can prevent us from fully realizing who we are. In trying to fit in with the world's expectations, we can lose the space to grow in our own way We become so comfortable with dependency that we rarely challenge ourselves unless we're forced to. As children, we were fearless learners—figuring out how to walk, talk, and experiment. But growing up means fitting into certain norms, which limits the range of our t...

After being left feeling trapped and purposeless, I decided it was time to take a break from self-pity and dive into something different. I embarked on my first solo trip, driven by a mix of worries and a desperate need for change. The journey began with a bus ride to Banff under gloomy, rainy skies. I was expecting a standard bus, but instead, I had a classic experience in a fun-filled SUV that drove me to my destination. It was much colder than my hometown, and as I shivered, I relied completely on ad-hoc plans. At the bus stop, while I was taking pictures, I met a beautiful old couple. We struck up a conversation about everything—work, life, and their experiences of moving to a new country. They were incredibly kind, even offering me $2 in change to help me get to my hotel. Their encouragement to explore and their random compliment about my smile made me feel overwhelmed and blessed. After a heartfelt conversation with friends and a yummy dinner, I started planning for the next day,...