*Snapseed is my main photo editor on mobile, but it doesn't have a photo collage tool available. I worked around this using the double exposure tool and I'm clearly not good at it yet. I learn new things everyday so this had been a fun blog to create and upload. Hope you too enjoy reading, or scrolling, through it.

Hello Hiveans! I hope that you are all doing well. It's another #tgif and end of the workweek for most of us. The best thing about today is that we can go out, have a fun night with friends and not worry about waking up late, which can be crazy sometimes.

Oops...

I just realized that I started writing this draft one week ago. Still the same title; no need to change because it is another Friday, or was another Friday. And now it's Monday. LOL. I haven't really gotten back to blogging regularly, which is sad because I love writing and crafting stories to share on my blog, or any other platform with an audience. Hopefully, things change and I get to upload more content in the following weeks and months. But for today, let me just share my trip to the grocery, as my routine the past few months have gone: wet market, grocery, then coffee. It's a boring life but thankful for being able to do it. Some have it worse and that wasn't meant to degrade anyone. It's just me with my brain still in sleep mode.

So... Been working on my offline stuff mostly doing late nights and early mornings so I do have time to go out for errands and check on my blog from time-to-time. Messed up sleep patterns aside, it has been good. I get more awake time than most people, but I do need my sleep.

Meditating in public spaces and the power of introspection

I feel like I'm in a meditative state when I do my morning coffee routines. Maybe because it is when I am most at home that I get to see myself as a reflection of the outside world. Call it communicating with my innermost self. Seeing the thoughts as I look at the people walking around the mall. Some laughing, some in a rush to go somewhere, some with a stoic expression on their face, while some seem to have that chemistry while walking with their loved one by their side. HHWW, that's what we used to say during my youth. Holding hands while walking was a term we used back then to describe a loving couple who opted to openly show their deep and meaningful relationship with this person that they are with.

Introspection can be a valuable tool for personal growth and enrichment. One does not need to pay exorbitant fees to hear "experts" talk about how you can improve yourself. I'm not against it though. To each his own, as the phrase goes. If you have the money, then go for it. I've done this before and it has helped a lot. These days I just look at people and try to see myself in their shoes. Whether it's people on the news or just regular people I meet everyday; even better if I can have a chat with this person. There is power in looking deep within yourself and discovering your deepest values. The ones that came with us when we were conceived by our parents with the help of the divine. And it is completely free. One only needs to look for it with a sincere and humble heart.

Final thoughts

Looking back, I think that there are many ways to improve oneself. There are books, seminars, trainings, groups (both online and in-person) that you can join, talking to people you respect to have expertise and wisdom. Discussing things with family and friends can also be a good source of insight and source of understanding how the world works. Finally, and my go-to favorite personal development technique for now, go to a coffee shop by yourself and look at things in a deeper more relevant light by going beyond prejudice and preconceived notions of how you see other people.

And that's it for today. I hope this blabbering does not bore you. I wish you a good and happy day ahead. And, thanks for dropping by and spending your valuable time here in my blog.

Love and peace,
@juanvegetarian