LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE SERIES #69. Passion Fish (film, 1992)

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE

Do you take delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.

 

#69. Passion Fish (film, 1992)

After a car accident leaves soap opera actress May-Alice paraplegic and wheelchair-bound, she returns to her family's empty home in Louisiana, struggling with grief, self-pity, frustration, and heavy drinking. Her bitterness drives away several caregivers until Chantelle, a compassionate nurse in need of work, enters her life. They have nothing in common except each other.  Through patience, understanding, and an unexpected friendship, the two women help each other face up to life's challenges and discover renewed strength and hope.

 

(May-Alice said): “I am not ready for this. When I get stronger, I will quit drinking.”

(Chantelle said): “If you keep drinking you won't get any stronger.”

ð     This conversation shows a turning point between the sharp-tongued actress May-Alice and the unbothered nurse Chantell. Chantelle gently but firmly refuses to accept May-Alice's excuses and self-defeating attitudes. Her honesty challenges May-Alice to confront her circumstances, becoming an important step on the path toward healing, acceptance, and personal growth. With her calm, matter-of-fact manner, Chantelle often catches May-Alice off guard, gently breaking through her patterns of self-pity and encouraging her to see things from a different perspective.

 

(May-Alice said): “It's important that we have clean walls. I'll be climbing them soon.”

ð     Confined to her family's Louisiana home, May-Alice struggles with anger, depression, and a loss of independence, often taking out her emotions on her caregivers. The phrase "climbing the walls" is a common idiom describing extreme boredom, anxiety, or pent-up frustration. By joking that she may soon be climbing the walls, May-Alice uses dark humor to acknowledge how deeply her confinement is affecting her. The line reveals both her underlying pain and the sharp wit she relies on to cope with a difficult reality.

 

(Rennie said): “No matter where you at, there you is”

ð     May-Alice’s hometown friend Rennie says this line in a calm, matter-of-fact manner while May-Alice and Chantelle are out on a boat in the Louisiana bayou, worried that they may have become hopelessly lost. His straightforward response helps ease the tension, offering reassurance amid the uncertainty of their surroundings.

He is the grounded, sweet-natured handyman and former teenage crush of May-Alice. Through the line, Rennie is gently pointing out that wherever May-Alice goes, she still has to deal with herself and her own choices. Whether in her old high-flying life or in her current paralyzed state, her core attitude and unresolved emotional hurdles follow her everywhere. Ultimately, it acts as a wake-up call to stop running, stop feeling sorry for oneself, and start confronting the present moment and the person in the mirror.

 

** Jean’s Small Thoughts:

This film repeatedly raises an important question: How do you cope when life places you in a painful or challenging situation? Looking back, I realize that I often spend too much energy worrying about things beyond my control. Instead of confronting problems directly, I tend to avoid them and dwell on what has gone wrong. Like May-Alice at the beginning of the film, I sometimes find myself blaming circumstances rather than accepting what cannot be changed.

One of the film's most meaningful messages is that we cannot escape ourselves. No matter where we go, we eventually have to face our fears, choices, and responsibilities. As Rennie suggests, taking ownership of our lives is an essential step toward healing and growth.

The movie also reminds us that we are often far more resilient than we imagine. Recovery from physical or emotional hardship is rarely quick or easy. It comes through the support of family and friends, moments of self-reflection, and many difficult days along the way. Through the evolving friendship between two wounded women, this film beautifully illustrates how connection, compassion, and understanding can help restore hope. 

When life hands me a lemon, I would first allow myself time to feel disappointed and let my frustrations surface. Then I would squeeze what I can from the experience, add a little sweetness, and move forward. After all, life's challenges may leave a bitter taste, but they can also become something worth savoring. Wouldn't it be inspiring to believe in the tiny passion fish’s remarkable ability to survive inside a larger fish? In the same way, faith in ourselves gives us the strength to keep moving forward in life.

It is NBA season! Today's NPR Puzzle is all about NBA teams!

As you probably know, the N.B.A. finals are going on right now. Game 3 between the Knicks and the Spurs is tomorrow night. So today I've brought a puzzle based on N.B.A. team names.

 

1. The name of what N.B.A. team is an anagram of PARROTS?

2. The name of what N.B.A. team is an anagram of THRONES

3. The name of what N.B.A. team is an anagram of SCRAPE?

4. Name two N.B.A. franchises that are birds.

5. You can remove the consecutive letters UGG of one N.B.A. team to get another. What teams are these?

6. The name of what N.B.A. team sounds like what they try to do for home games?

 

Answer Keys 

    1.  RAPTORS

    2.  HORNETS

    3.  PACERS

    4.  PELICANS & HAWKS

    5.  NETS

    6.  CELTICS

 

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE SERIES #68. Dying to Be Me: My Journey from Cancer, To Near Death, to True Healing (authored by Anita Moorjani)

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE

Do you take delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.

 

#68. Dying to Be Me (authored by Anita Moorjani)

(the author’s mother says to her daughter): “Don’t be scared, Beta (the affectionate term for ‘my child’ in her dialect). No one really knows the truth – not even Sister Mary. Religion is just a path for finding truth: Religion is not truth. It is just a path. And different people follow different paths.”

ð     In the book, the author recounts a conversation with her mother, who offered her comfort and wisdom through a perspective on spirituality that is at once deeply personal, universally relevant, and profoundly liberating. Her mother's insight encourages readers to look beyond rigid religious boundaries and consider a broader understanding of spiritual truth.

When the author (in her childhood) says she is scared if she won’t be able to go to Heaven because she is Hindu, her mother says that spiritual truths are vast, timeless, and universal, extending far beyond any single doctrine or belief system. Organized religions, while meaningful and valuable to many people, can be viewed as human-created frameworks designed to help individuals comprehend and connect with these greater truths. In this sense, religions serve as cultural and historical vehicles that guide people on their spiritual journeys, rather than being the ultimate destination themselves.

Another important point in her words is the idea that no one possesses exclusive ownership of truth. Even the most devoted believers, respected religious leaders, or institutional figures are ultimately seekers themselves. The reference to “Sister Mary” illustrates that every person, regardless of status or spiritual authority, is engaged in an ongoing search for meaning, understanding, and connection.

Even as a young girl, the author felt a profound sense of relief and reassurance from her mother's words. Her mother's perspective helped her understand that there is no single path that everyone must follow in order to find meaning in life. Instead, she learned that each person's journey is shaped by unique circumstances, cultural influences, personal experiences, and inner aspirations. Because no two individuals are exactly alike, it is both natural and reasonable for people to seek purpose, fulfillment, and spiritual understanding in different ways. This realization freed her from the pressure of believing that one path was inherently superior to another and encouraged her to respect the diverse journeys that people take in their search for truth, peace, and a sense of belonging.

 

“During my NDE (Near Death Experience), it felt to me that all judgment, hatred, jealousy, and fear stem from people not realizing their true greatness. Lacking awareness of our perfection keeps us feeling small and insignificant, and this goes against the natural flow of life-force energy – that which we really are. We go against ourselves. The way I see it, if we were encouraged to express who we truly are, we’d all be very loving beings, each bringing our uniqueness to the world. Problems and strife come as a result of our not knowing who we are and not being able to show our inner beauty.”

ð     The author’s NDE brought spiritual awakening to her life. She realizes many of the negative behaviors, personal struggles, and conflicts that exist in the world are not the result of people being inherently flawed or evil. Rather, they arise from a widespread disconnection from our true nature and an inability to recognize our innate worth. That is, the belief that fear, hatred, jealousy, judgment, and other destructive emotions are rooted in feelings of insecurity. People do not lash out at others because they are naturally malicious. Instead, they do so because they feel powerless, inadequate, or disconnected from their own value. When individuals lose sight of their inherent worth, they begin to view themselves as insignificant and separate from others. This sense of lack often manifests as the troublesome aspects in our lives, such as competition, resentment, or hostility.

When the author speaks of human “perfection,” she is not referring to flawless behavior or the achievement of society’s standards of success. Rather, she suggests that every person is born as a complete and unique expression of life itself. Each individual possesses an intrinsic value that does not need to be earned or proven. The problems begin when people forget this truth and start defining themselves through external expectations, comparisons, and judgments. Therefore, this loss of self-awareness causes people to move against the natural flow of life. Instead of expressing their authentic selves, they suppress their true nature out of fear, shame, or a desire to gain approval from others. In doing so, they create an internal struggle that drains their vitality and separates them from what she describes as their life-force energy. This inner conflict may eventually appear outwardly as emotional suffering, unhappiness, anger, or even physical illness.

The author focuses on the idea that many of humanity’s problems originate from a lack of self-love, self-acceptance, and self-awareness. When people recognize their inherent value and reconnect with their authentic selves, fear and hostility lose their power.

 

** Jean’s Small Thoughts:

I have always been fascinated by the mysterious phenomenon of Near-Death Experiences (NDEs). Accounts from people who have come close to death often describe encounters with a reality that feels far more peaceful, loving, and beautiful than anything they have known in this world. Many of them speak of an overwhelming sense of joy, acceptance, and belonging, so profound that they are reluctant to return to earthly life. Some even report feeling disappointed when they are told that their time has not yet come and that they must go back. This idea may help explain why we know so little about what lies beyond death. If the realm that many people describe as Heaven is truly as wonderful as NDE survivors claim, it would make sense that those who fully cross over would have no desire to leave it and return to this world. As a result, we can only hear fragments of what that other world might be like through the testimonies of those who came close to entering it but ultimately returned.

Of course, this line of thinking raises another question. Many religious traditions teach that the afterlife consists not only of Heaven but also of Hell, a place reserved for those who have lived wicked or harmful lives. If such a realm exists, it would presumably be very different from the blissful experiences often described in NDE accounts. Unlike those who encounter a realm of love and peace, souls entering a place of suffering would hardly find it desirable to remain there. This contrast makes the mystery of the afterlife even more intriguing and leaves us wondering whether the experiences reported by NDE survivors reveal only one aspect of a much larger reality that remains beyond our full understanding.

Reading this book, I came to appreciate the idea that love is humanity’s natural state. Moorjani argues that people do not need to be taught how to become loving, compassionate, or kind because these qualities already exist within each of us. What is truly needed is not the acquisition of goodness but the removal of the fears, insecurities, and social conditioning that prevent our innate goodness from being expressed. When individuals feel safe enough to embrace their authentic selves, their natural capacity for love emerges effortlessly.

I wholeheartedly agree with Moorjani that genuine harmony does not require everyone to think alike or follow the same path. True unity arises when people are free to express their individuality without fear of rejection, criticism, or judgment. Every person brings something unique and valuable to this world, and it is through the celebration of these differences—not their suppression—that authentic human connection becomes possible. As I reflected on this message, I could not help but think about the deep divisions that exist in our world today. Political leaders, ideologues, and those who promote conflict often seem trapped in cycles of fear, hostility, and separation. I hope that one day they, too, will experience an awakening—a moment of realization that leads them back to their true nature. Perhaps then they will recognize that the paths of division, hatred, and war take them farther away from their inherently compassionate and benevolent selves, and closer to a world in which understanding, empathy, and peace can flourish.

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE SERIES #67. Gaslight (film, 1944)

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE

Do you take delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.

 

#67. Gaslight (film, 1944)

After her famous opera-singer aunt passed, Paula (played by Ingrid Bergman) traveled to Italy to study music as an aspiring opera singer. There, she fell in love with Gregory Anton (played by Charles Boyer), and the couple returned to London. Soon, Paula began noticing unsettling events—missing items, mysterious footsteps, and gaslights that dim on their own. As these strange incidents continued, she started questioning both her sanity and her husband's true motives.

 

(Paula and Gregory’s dialog):

Paula: "Gregory, are you trying to tell me I'm insane?"

Gregory: "It's what I'm trying NOT to tell myself."

ð     This dialogue between Paula and Gregory is one of the most significant moments in the movie and helped inspire the modern term "gaslighting." Paula finally recognizes a disturbing pattern in her husband Gregory's behavior. She realizes that he has been carefully planting doubts, manipulating events, and subtly suggesting that she is losing her mind. By confronting him, she begins to see the truth behind his deception.

Gregory's response is a classic example of psychological manipulation. He pretends to be concerned and reluctant to question her sanity, making it seem as though he was a caring husband forced to acknowledge an unfortunate reality. In truth, his concern is entirely performative. By validating Paula's fears about her mental state, he avoids responsibility and deepens her self-doubt.

Throughout the film, Gregory systematically isolates Paula, undermines her confidence, and causes her to distrust her own perceptions. His ultimate goal is to keep her confused and powerless while he secretly searches their home for her aunt's hidden jewels.

The film's portrayal of this form of emotional abuse was so influential that the term "gaslighting" eventually entered modern psychology and popular culture. Today, it refers to a pattern of manipulation in which a person causes someone else to question their memories, perceptions, or sense of reality in order to gain control over them.

 

(Detective Brian Cameron said): "This night will be a long night. But it will end. It's starting to clear. In the morning, when the sun rises, sometimes it's hard to believe there ever was a night. You'll find that too."

ð    Detective Cameron's quote serves as a compassionate metaphor for trauma, recovery, and the return of hope. By comparing Paula's suffering to a nightmare that fades with the arrival of morning, he reassures her that her painful psychological ordeal will not last forever.

The quote operates on several levels. First, it validates Paula's experience by acknowledging that the fear, confusion, and anguish she endured were real, while also affirming that she is now free from her husband's control. Second, the image of the sunrise symbolizes healing, clarity, and renewal. After living in darkness and self-doubt, Paula can finally see the truth and begin rebuilding her life.

Most importantly, the quote tells us the temporary nature of suffering. Just as a frightening dream loses its hold once a person wakes up, the emotional wounds inflicted by abuse gradually become less overwhelming with time. Although the memories may never completely disappear, they no longer define or control her. The words offer Paula reassurance that recovery is possible and that a brighter future lies ahead.

 

(Paula said): "If I were not mad, I could have helped you... But because I am mad, I hate you. Because I am mad, I have betrayed you. And because I'm mad, I'm rejoicing in my heart, without a shred of pity, without a shred of regret, watching you go with glory in my heart!"

ð     Paula finally turns the tables on her abusive husband. By sarcastically claiming she is "mad," she reclaims her sense of self, exposes the cruelty of his manipulation, and takes satisfaction in seeing him brought to justice. In this scene, she reveals several important psychological shifts. When Paula says, "If I were not mad, I could have helped you," she acknowledges that a conventional, devoted wife might have felt obligated to protect or forgive him despite his wrongdoing. However, when she adds, "But because I am mad, I hate you," she uses his own weapon against him. 

     Throughout the film, he has tried to convince her that she is losing her mind in order to control her and steal her aunt's jewels. By embracing the label ironically, she rejects his power and gives voice to the anger she has long suppressed. Her final words, "watching you go with glory in my heart," mark her complete liberation. No longer a frightened victim, Paula is feeling a profound sense of triumph. She takes pride in his downfall, fully aware of the truth and finally free from his psychological manipulation.

 

** Jean’s Small Thoughts:

Whenever I see a relationship in which one partner is constantly abused—physically, emotionally, or psychologically—yet remains with the abuser despite opportunities to leave, I find it difficult to understand. I often wonder what causes victims to stay silent or muffled and endure continued mistreatment. Psychologists explain that when a person is manipulated or gaslit by a spouse or partner over a long period, they may gradually come to accept the situation as normal and lose sight of a way out.

Watching this classic psychological thriller, I could clearly see how isolation makes a victim especially vulnerable to manipulation. Gregory carefully controls Paula's movements, limits her contact with others, and steadily undermines her confidence until she begins to doubt her own memories and perceptions. As her trust in herself erodes, his control over her grows stronger.

The story also explores the unequal power dynamics between men and women. In the past, married women often had limited legal and social independence, making them particularly vulnerable to domination by their husbands. Against this backdrop, Paula's struggle illustrates how authority and social expectations could be exploited to silence and control women. Seeing instances of workplace sexual harassment today reminds us that abuses of power and hierarchy are not merely relics of the past.

I hope we can all develop enough self-awareness and inner confidence to view our circumstances objectively and act when necessary. By trusting our own judgment and preserving our sense of self, we can ensure that no one is able to silence our voices or take control of our lives for their own benefit.

Soccer Slang

Are you a soccer fan? The World Cup 2026 is just around the corner! Put your soccer knowledge to the test! See how familiar you are with the popular slang and expressions used by fans, players, and commentators. From match-day phrases to locker-room talk, discover how well you speak the language of the game.

 

    1.   "Golazo," based on Spanish soccer slang, means what? (         )

          a.    defender kicking the ball away

          b.   A spectacular or outstanding goal

          c.   A yellow card issued by a referee

          d.   A shot that narrowly misses the goal

   

    2.   What is "early doors" in soccer? (         )

a.   The opening phase of a match

b.   A match that begins before noon

c.   A team pressing aggressively after kickoff

d.   The start of extra time in the gam

  

    3.   "Tekkers" originated in U.K. soccer slang. What does it refer to? (            )

a.   A player's position on the field

b.   Technical skill and ball control

c.   Tactical formations used by a team

d.   Defensive positioning near the goal

 

    4.   What does "upper 90" mean? (       )

a.   match with no goals at 90 minutes

b.   A defensive setup at the top of the box

c.   The top corner of the goal

d.   The highest section of stadium seating

 

    5.   What is a "clean sheet"? (         )

a.   A game with no fouls called against either team

b.   A game where neither side manages to score

c.   A game where one team keeps the other from scoring

d.   A season where a team does not lose any matches

 

    6.   What is a "brace" in a soccer match? (        )

a.   A goalkeeper blocking a penalty kick

b.   A player scoring two goals in a match

c.   A player assisting a goal in a match

d.   A match ending in a tied score

 

    7.   If a commentator says "worldie," what are they talking about? (        )

a.   A player dribbling through multiple defenders

b.   A player's kick narrowly missing the goal

c.   A goalkeeper making a spectacular diving save

d.   A player scoring an amazing, impressive goal

 

    8.   When a single player scores exactly three goals in a single match, we call it (             )-trick.

 

    9.   T______-T_______ is a possession-heavy playing style made famous by Spanish teams, focused on short, quick, and continuous passing to control the game.

 

    10. G___________ is a slang for the team's manager or head coach.

 

Answer Keys

    1.  b

    2.  a

    3.  b

    4.  c

    5.  c

    6.  b

    7.  d

    8.  hat-trick

    9.  Tiki-Taka

    10. gaffer

POSITIVE WAYS to DESCRIBE PEOPLE!

Do you usually notice the positive qualities in the people around you? Or do you hesitate to offer compliments when they are deserved? A little kindness can go a long way. By making an effort to recognize and appreciate the good in others, we can help create a more positive and encouraging environment for everyone.

Why don't you fill in the blanks below with positive adjectives? Each sentence is an excerpt from a book or a film.

 

1.   “Madame, the most kind, the most ami__________ (meaning “diffusing warmth and friendliness”) are not always the cleverest.” …..from Murder on the Orient Express

 

2.   She seemed the very embodiment of bl________me (meaning “carefree and happy and lighthearted) happiness.  …..from the novel “Long Day: The Story of a New York Working Girl, as Told by Herself” by Dorothy Richardson

 

3.   When someone felt ch______able (meaning “showing or motivated by sympathy and generosity”), our bellies were relatively full.  …..from “The Shakespeare Stealer” by Gary Blackwood

 

4.   I look very dapper, very d_____air (meaning “having a sophisticated charm”), don't I?.... from the film “LIFE (film, 1999)”

 

5.   Caroline is tiny and ex_____ite (meaning “of extreme beauty”), her blonde curls framing a face that is glowing with laughter, her arms outstretched to whoever is taking the picture. ….from “Jacob have I loved (film, 1989)”

 

6.   Yeah, and we were fa____ful (meaning “loyal and reliable”) for two of them….from “Wedding Crashers (film, 2005)”

 

7.   Minions dressed as knights declare: "Fear not, for here come the g____ant (meaning “being attentive and courteous like an ideal knight”) knights to save us." …..from the animated series “Despicable Me 2 (2013)”

 

8.   She described Percy as brave and h______ic (meaning “having qualities appropriate for brave figures”), which made him uncomfortable. …..from novel “The Son of Neptune” by Rick Riordan

 

9.   Are you aware that is the first combination of bascule and suspension bridge? Most innovative. What an indus_______ (meaning “characterized by hard work and perseverance”) empire! ….from “Sherlock Holmes (film, 2009)”

 

10. He moved with a jau_____ (meaning “having a cheerful, lively, and self-confident air”), almost cocky rhythm, carrying himself like someone who owned the neighborhood. …from “Goodfellas (film, 1990)”

 

 

Answer Keys

    1.  amiable

    2.  blithesome

    3.  charitable

    4.  debonair

    5.  exquisite

    6.  faithful

    7.  gallant

    8.  heroic

    9.  industrious

    10. jaunty

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE SERIES #66. The Drift (film, 2026)

LIVE, LEARN, & LOVE

Do you take delight in watching films, listening to pop music, or reading books? For English learners, movies, songs, and books are one of the most wonderful sources to explore the language! You can indulge in your favorite pastime and still learn some expressions, words of wisdom, and oftentimes good lessons while you’re at it.

 

#66. The Drift (film, 2026)

Emily, a competitive figure skater, wakes up stranded on a small drifting ice floe in the Arctic after a remote training trip goes wrong. With only a few supplies, a handful of nuts, a damaged phone, and her sister’s ashes, she must rely on her survival skills as rescue efforts fade and the harsh conditions take their toll.

 

(Emily happens to connect with a call center guy on her damaged cellphone): “Can I ask you something? Have you ever think about death? If someone's out here, they're not making it easy. Strong winds and snowfall have obscured any tracks. Help! Help! No, no, no, don't hang up. Send somebody to help me. I am begging you.”

ð     At this point in the story, Emily is stranded alone on a drifting ice floe in the Arctic Ocean. Her situation is becoming increasingly dire as the ice beneath her continues to melt, while her damaged phone is running out of battery. By unbelievable chance, she reaches Harry, a customer service representative working for an air-conditioning company, and begins talking with him as a way to stay connected to another human being. When Emily asks whether he ever thinks about death, the question comes from more than simple curiosity. Facing the possibility of dying in the frozen wilderness, she is confronting her own mortality and the growing realization that rescue may never arrive. Her remark, “If someone is out here, they’re not making it easy…,” reflects both the harsh, unforgiving nature of the Arctic and her mounting frustration that help seems distant, uncertain, and increasingly unlikely to reach her in time.

 

(Emily said): “The ice doesn't care if you're a champion. The cold doesn't care if you're brave.”

ð     Emily realizes that she cannot change the reality of her situation. The ice beneath her is gradually melting, and she is completely alone. By accepting what she cannot control, she conserves precious mental and emotional energy that would otherwise be wasted on panic.

Survival demands complete attention to the moment at hand. Dwelling on the future brings hopelessness, while looking back encourages regret. Emily learns that her best chance of survival lies in focusing entirely on what she can do right now.

Remaining calm is not only a psychological advantage but also a physical necessity. In extreme cold, panic can be deadly because it increases heart rate and promotes sweating, which accelerates heat loss and eventually raises the risk of hypothermia. Emily’s mindset becomes a survival strategy, helping her stay composed and conserve energy. This perspective ultimately becomes one of her greatest strengths, allowing her to endure conditions that might otherwise overwhelm her both mentally and physically.

 

**Jean’s Small Thoughts:

Films that depict a person struggling to survive an unimaginable disaster are never easy to watch. What makes stories like this so unsettling is not only the overwhelming danger the character faces, but also the realization that most of us do not know how we would react in such circumstances. When confronted with the unknown, staying calm and holding ourselves together can be far more difficult than we imagine.

At a certain point in the film, Emily reaches an unexpected state of freedom. Stripped of everyday pressures, obligations, and expectations, she is left with a single objective: to stay alive. Surrounded by the vast emptiness of the Arctic, life is reduced to its most basic essentials, bringing with it a rare sense of clarity and purpose.

Watching Emily navigate her fear, anxiety, frustration, acceptance, and determination reminds me of learning to swim as a child. I was terrified of deep water. My body would become tense and rigid, and I depended completely on an inflatable tube to keep me afloat. My father once told me, “The more force you put into your body, the harder it is to stay afloat. The moment you relax, the water will support you.”

His words have stayed with me ever since. Whenever I feel anxious or overwhelmed, I think about that lesson. Like Emily, I try to focus on the present moment rather than getting trapped in regrets about the past or worries about the future. Sometimes, simply staying grounded in the here and now is enough to carry us through another day. But I am still afraid of the open waters filled with a lot of the unknown. How has your daily struggle or fight against harsh reality been going?