Journey

Becoming a Spiritual Billionaire

Song of the Heart11 Comments

Do you want to become super rich or just comfortably rich? Do you think everyone dreams of being super rich? Surprisingly, not everyone does.


Some people say they’d rather not be super rich because they fear being robbed or taken advantage of. So, they choose to live a simpler life—and that’s a perfectly valid choice.


When someone asked me this same question during a recent discussion, I simply said, “Why not?” I explained that with that kind of money, I could do so many meaningful things. Of course, that was just imagination—a hypothetical thought. LOL.


In real life, I’ve always thought of wealth in two forms: physical wealth and spiritual wealth.


Physical wealth includes money, property, stocks, bonds, and business.
Spiritual wealth, on the other hand, means happiness, a stress-free life, peace of mind, self-acceptance, contentment, and healthy relationships.


There’s a big difference between the two. Physical wealth can be lost, but spiritual wealth cannot be taken away by anyone. You can accumulate as much as you like, and there’s no risk of theft, envy, or inflation.


I believe we all need to have two “accounts.” As we work hard to build our physical wealth, we should also build our spiritual wealth. If we choose to invest, we should invest in both—not just one side.


I want to become a spiritual billionaire. Does that make sense?


When I told a friend that I had been building spiritual wealth, she asked me, “How do you do that?”


I invest in activities that bring happiness, peace, and fulfillment—like walking in nature, traveling solo, enjoying solitude, reading, writing, or helping others. Over time, I’ve realized that these activities have become streams of spiritual income for me.

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Does it give you a good feeling?


Not long ago, I shared a photo I took while walking in nature with a note that said, “I’m saving the happiness from this moment in my happiness account.” My friend loved it. She said it became a gentle reminder for her too.


Maybe we don’t all need to be super rich. But if we can become rich in spirit—in peace, joy, and gratitude—then we’re already wealthier than we think.

Reflection

The Lesson Money Taught Me

Song of the Heart6 Comments


I believe one practical skill that everybody should have is money management. Why? Because almost everybody is a spender, but not necessarily an earner. And every day, most of us need to make financial decisions. We all have a very close relationship with money. Whether we like it or not, money takes up a big part of our lives. That’s why it becomes such a crucial issue.


A friend once told me that money management should be taught in schools from an early age, so children can build a healthy relationship with money. Unfortunately, it wasn’t taught in my school days—or in my friend’s either. Hopefully, it is being taught now, because more and more people are realizing how important it is.

Every spending decision involves emotions. I once heard of a psychologist who helps her clients deal with financial trauma—a very real issue nowadays.


Have you ever thought about how many financial decisions you make in a day, a week, or a month? Do you know exactly how much you spend in a month—or in a year? How healthy is your relationship with money?

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The chart above shows my average daily expenses over the past six years. I have relentlessly recorded every expense with one clear aim: to take control of every penny I spend.


Periodically, I analyze these expenses by turning them into charts, either in total or by category. This makes the analysis much easier, because graphs are more visual than numbers or tables. Our brains process pictures faster than words, don’t they?


Through this practice, I’ve realized one important truth: the more I control my spending, the better I control myself. For me, money management is self-management. The better I know where my money goes, the better I understand myself.

The chart doesn’t just show numbers—it shows who I am.

Reflection

When Life isn’t Ideal

Song of the Heart3 Comments

What happens in life is often not ideal. Do you agree?

Recently, I had a conversation with a young man who said the purpose of marriage is to have someone to grow old with, so that you will not experience loneliness. For many people, living alone without a partner feels frightening. They worry that in old age, when support may be needed, there will be no one to turn to if they remain unmarried.

Ideally, people get married, build a family, and raise children, expecting to live happily together until death sets them apart. But life often unfolds differently from what we imagine as ideal.

I once knew a lady who lived not far from my house. She was married and had one son. Some years later, her husband became ill and passed away, leaving her a widow. Another neighbor, who had two children, also lost his wife and became a widower. Eventually, the two of them married. She moved into her new husband’s larger home, and together they had another child.

But a few years later, tragedy struck again. Her second husband also passed away, leaving her with four children to raise on her own. In time, she had to sell the family home and move into a rented house.

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Photo by Vanessa Loring on Pexels.com


What happened to this lady was far from ideal. Ideally, a marriage would last a lifetime. Ideally, a husband would not die while the children were still so young. But life does not follow ideals—there are no guarantees.
If you want happiness in your life, perhaps it is wiser not to make marriage or family your only source of joy. Instead, focus on creating happiness within yourself.

When the young man shared his view on marriage, I was unsure how to respond. In the end, I told him this story. I believe it gave him something to reflect on and perhaps even opened up a long-held belief he had about life.

Reflection

Death Goal

Song of the Heart6 Comments

Have you ever thought about how you would leave your body? I like to use the phrase leaving one’s body instead of death. To me, we are not merely flesh and bones—we are spiritual beings, pure energy. And energy is eternal; it never dies. It simply leaves the body and moves on. Seeing death this way helps me not to carry it as something heavy. I keep reminding myself of this truth.

In the past three weeks, I have gone to three different funeral homes. The first was for my boss, the second for my colleague’s mother, and the third for my friend’s mother.

My friend’s mother was 89 years old. I remember how elegant she always looked—like a queen. Her grace left such a strong impression that many people called her the woman of grace.

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Just a few days before she left her body, she welcomed a guest at her house. She was sitting on a chair, looking completely fine, her face glowing with dignity. The depth and power in her presence were undeniable.

That very morning, I met my friend and asked about her mom. She told me her mother was doing well. In fact, her mom often asked her to pray that God would call her back—that He would let her die. I think she had prepared herself for this moment. It is rare, almost unheard of, for someone to sincerely wish for death while still in good health and being treated well by life. Most people cling to life, even when illness weighs them down.

But just ten minutes after my friend returned home, her mother told her she wanted to take a nap. Soon after, the nanny noticed her snoring and alerted my friend. Rushing in, she realized her mother was in a coma. An ambulance was called, and by evening, her soul left her body peacefully in the hospital.

People often say, body goals, relationship goals, couple goals… But this, I believe, was a death goal—a beautiful, graceful way of leaving this world.

Journal of the day

Partnered or Peacefully Solo

Song of the Heart1 Comment

Do you enjoy being alone, or do you always prefer having company?

I have a friend who is getting married very soon—just a few days from now. I met him a few years ago, and since then, we’ve had countless conversations, sharing our thoughts on many topics.

He’s a very open person, never shy about talking about his personal life—his wedding plans, his family, his beliefs, and even his relationship challenges. Whenever we were in a group setting, I couldn’t resist teasing him by announcing, “Guys, he’s getting married soon!”

Of course, this would spark a flood of questions—When’s the wedding? Where’s the reception?—and he would happily share the details. It will be a private celebration, with only close family invited, and it will take place in Bali.

One day, I asked him, “Are you nervous?”
Without hesitation, he said, “Yes, I’m very nervous.”

Sometimes he exaggerates for effect, but this time, I believed him. The wedding preparations had clearly been stressful. On top of that, it’s going to be a multicultural wedding, which adds its own challenges.

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Photo by Alexander Mass on Pexels.com

He has often told me that he enjoys solitude, something he’s been honest about with his fiancée as well. He once asked me if I enjoyed my own company—and I agreed completely.

Marriage, however, is a huge commitment for both partners. Sadly, many couples struggle to keep that commitment, and their marriages fall apart. Some even say marriage is like gambling—you can never be sure how it will turn out.

He once said, “I will get married this time. If it doesn’t work, I probably won’t marry again.”

I sincerely hope everything goes smoothly for him, and that his marriage brings joy for all.

Journal of the day

The Happiness Switch

Song of the Heart2 Comments

In my previous post, I shared something simple—my instant way to happiness. It might have sounded almost too easy. Just listen to the birds. Every morning they sing, without fail. I don’t have to ask for it. I don’t have to earn it. The happiness is there, freely given.

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Photo by Erik Karits on Pexels.com

But something struck me recently.
The birds never miss a day.
I do.

The giver keeps giving, but I—the receiver—sometimes stop receiving.
What’s wrong?

It’s not that the birds stop chirping. It’s that I stop listening.
I stop being present. I disconnect myself from the moment. My mind drifts—into worries, plans, regrets, distractions. The joy that’s right here, right now, becomes invisible.

And then it hit me:
The switch is in me.
The switch to joy, to peace, to presence.

To be present means to be aware.
To be aware means to choose where your attention goes.
And where your attention goes, your experience follows.

So, if you’ve been missing happiness lately, maybe the world hasn’t stopped offering it.
Maybe you’ve just forgotten to tune in.

Happiness isn’t waiting for something big to happen.
It’s waiting for you to notice.

So right now—take a breath.
Feel your feet on the ground.
Listen.

The birds are still singing.
You are still here.
And the switch… is still yours to flip.

Journal of the day

The Secret to Instant Happiness

Song of the Heart5 Comments

How long does it take you to lift yourself up after being knocked down? Do you have a secret for finding instant happiness? Or perhaps, for you, happiness isn’t so instant at all?

Recently, I met a long-time friend who surprised me with a story. He had switched careers—from being a banker to becoming an elementary school teacher in Melbourne. It’s been nearly 25 years since he made that change, and I still remember what he looked like when he worked in finance. I never imagined such a shift from the corporate world to the classroom.

His eyes lit up as he shared his experience. It was clear that he genuinely enjoys teaching children. His face glowed with a quiet joy. I could relate to his story because I, too, love children. I admire their spontaneity, openness, and honesty. There’s a kind of purity in young children that feels refreshing. Sadly, I’ve noticed how these qualities tend to fade as they grow into teenagers. Many become more reserved, rebellious, or emotionally withdrawn—a challenge often echoed by parents and teachers I know.

There’s something special about working with children. It seems to bring its own kind of happiness.

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Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva on Pexels.com

During our conversation, I shared what brings me instant joy: the sound of birds and the laughter of children. These two things can lift my mood almost immediately. Every morning, I listen to the birds chirping while doing my workout. I also enjoy watching the little birds hopping around rooftops—they seem so free, gentle, and full of life.

Children, too, have that same free spirit. Some kids in my neighborhood often play outside on the road in front of our homes. I hear them laughing, shouting, and calling each other’s names. Sometimes they’re playing football, badminton, or Pokémon cards. Their energy is contagious.

I once shared this with someone else, and he told me that he finds joy in the sound of a crying baby. That surprised me, but it reminded me that we all find happiness in different ways.

Perhaps each of us needs to discover a simple, personal way to feel happy—a little trick we can turn to whenever our mood dips. Something that doesn’t require us to depend on others for emotional support. Something that lifts us quietly and gently from the inside.

Journal of the day

Your Handwriting Says Something About You

Song of the Heart2 Comments

Do you believe in zodiac signs? How do you feel when someone seems to know your personality, tendencies, or emotions just by observing something as personal as your handwriting? Some people find it fascinating, while others may feel uncomfortable.

Not long ago, I met someone who had finished writing a novel but hadn’t published it yet. She was still unsure whether to use her real name. The reason was simple—she wasn’t ready for her friends or family to know what was truly in her thoughts and feelings.

Another friend was quite the opposite. She completed her first novel and published it last year. It was based on her true story—her inter-cultural and inter-faith marriage, and her journey raising a child with special needs. She’s confident and comfortable being the center of attention, with an open and extroverted personality.

Recently, I attended a social club where we learned the basics of handwriting analysis. Of course, it wasn’t meant to be serious—just for fun.

We were introduced to some tips for analyzing handwriting: the shape of letters, the placement and shape of i-dots and t-bars, the slant of letters, spacing between words and lines, and the slope of the baseline.

Each of us was asked to write a paragraph on a suggested topic—something simple and easy for everyone. We were given a sheet of paper and a pen, wrote our stories, folded the paper, and submitted them anonymously.

Then came the fun part: we received someone else’s handwriting to analyze.

The goal was to focus on the handwriting itself—not the content—but sometimes the content was too curious to ignore. We were told that handwriting can reveal aspects of the writer’s personality—how they see themselves, how they work, deal with failure, look toward the future, and their personal tendencies. It was surprisingly interesting—much like reading a zodiac sign.

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Photo by Los Muertos Crew on Pexels.com

I received a piece of paper written in orange ink. The handwriting was fairly neat, moderately sized, though a bit hard to read. Despite the instruction to focus only on the writing, I couldn’t help reading what was written. It was about a dream job. The writer’s dream job was… to become a mafia! I found it strange and amusing. I guessed he might have been inspired by a movie. After that, I began my analysis.

I noted the following traits:

  • Rushed and impatient
  • High self-esteem
  • Expressive
  • Rational thinker
  • Extroverted and outgoing
  • Optimistic

To me, the handwriting revealed a bold and positive personality.

At the end of the session, we had to return the papers to their original writers and share our analysis. Since there were no names, I stood up, held the paper high, and asked, “Who wants to become a mafia?”

Everyone burst into laughter. The room quickly turned chaotic as people stood and moved around, trying to find their paper.

I repeated, “Who wants to become a mafia?”

Finally, a young man raised his hand. I approached him, showed him the handwriting up close, and asked, “Do you want to become a mafia?”

He looked at it closely, smiled, and said, “Yes, it’s mine.”

Reflection

True Love

Song of the Heart2 Comments

I joined an online group discussion today. The topic was true love. To warm up, we were divided into breakout rooms of four and asked this question:

Would you rather find true love today, or receive $75 million in 22 years?

All of us in the breakout room were women.

If you were asked this question, what would you choose?

The three young ladies in my group all chose to find true love. Each of them explained their reasons. One of them admitted that although she hadn’t seen true love in her parents’ relationship, she still believed it existed—because she saw it in her aunt and uncle, who have been married for many years and are now growing old together.

As for me, I knew my answer right away: I would choose the $75 million. It may sound materialistic—but I think I’m clear about one thing: there is no such thing as true love in this world. Expecting it from anyone can lead only to disappointment.

Back in the main room, each group shared their discussion. It was fascinating to hear different perspectives, especially from young people—some single, some married. Interestingly, a few men expressed their belief in true love, while a few women, like me, leaned toward the practical side. Thankfully, no serious debates broke out. Love is, after all, a deeply personal topic.

The moderator then invited me to share my thoughts.

I said this: “Many people view love too narrowly—as something romantic between a man and a woman, often tied to marriage. But love based on physical beauty or appearances is also, in a way, materialistic. To me, true love goes much deeper. It doesn’t depend on whether a relationship ends in marriage, or even whether the couple stays together. It’s something else entirely.”

A moment later, someone typed in the chat box: “This hits me hard.”

The moderator thanked me for bringing a deeper perspective to the conversation. She also shared a personal story—how she once had to walk away from someone she cared for deeply because they held fundamentally different beliefs. That difference, for her, was non-negotiable.

Thank you Tania for your honest sharing!

Reflection

Who is Marco?

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A few days ago, my friend’s husband passed away. In spiritual terms, he “left his body.” Death, when viewed through this lens, is not the end—it is the soul’s transition from the physical form to another state of existence. The body, once the soul has departed, is lifeless. But when we see ourselves as souls rather than just bodies, the idea of death shifts. It doesn’t carry the same weight of grief or loss. It becomes part of a journey, not the end of it.

The cremation was scheduled for the next afternoon. I arrived at the crematorium an hour early and sat quietly, absorbing the stillness of the place. Thirty minutes later, a man arrived. He was my friend’s uncle. We spoke for a while.

“This place has changed a lot,” he said. “I was here a long time ago. I don’t wish to be here often—it always means someone I know, a friend or family member, has passed away.”

“I understand,” I replied. “This is my third time here. Two of my friends were cremated here before.”

The body arrived as scheduled. A Hindu ceremony was performed to honor the soul before the cremation. We stood in silence, sending our thoughts, prayers, and love to the one who had departed. My friend—the wife—stood strong, though I could feel her grief. Their two teenage daughters wept openly. Their loss was heavy, real, and raw.

On the ride home, the conversation turned to Indian traditions surrounding death. I learned that mourning typically lasts for twelve days. During that time, friends and relatives visit to express their condolences. A Brahmin priest is often invited to perform sacred rituals to help guide the soul on its journey. On the twelfth day, the mourning ends with a symbolic act: the family rolls up the carpet, signifying that life must continue.

As they spoke, I kept hearing the word “Marco.” I assumed Marco was someone I hadn’t met—perhaps a distant relative. Eventually, curiosity got the better of me.

“Who is Marco?” I asked.

Someone gently explained that ‘Marco’ is the name of a ceremony performed on the third day after the cremation. It’s a moment for the family and close friends to gather again, to reflect, pray, and honor the soul.