Mira Matar

Love from a parent, and love to a parent, is a delight to behold. Life long inner 'strong', can emanate from such. The strongest foundations in life are usually invisible ones. Even a California Redwood enjoys foundational support, by virtue of it's underground roots being interwoven with those of others. At mum: From mum: Wishing you and your sister the magic of mutual, and unhindered, love with both parents. Stronger roots, stronger you. 💕💕💕

Artificial intelligence is rolling out rapid fire. The impact is authentic. What is authentic, and utterly non-artificial, is the joy that your life brings. You and your sister are sources of joy. Your lives make life a more worthwhile endeavour. Making the mundane fun..  Hmm.. Shall we formulate a neolligism? Ok.. How about "fundane"??! Warmth: not only physical, but psychological.. Do I really need to have a nap? Ok. 😊 May you and your sister grow with such a glow.  A radiant glow of joy. May such radiance accompany you both when you face difficulties in life; such that you can continue to shine, irrespective of the challenges. 💕💕💕

There is light; And then, there is LIGHT! There is light the glows itself; And there is light that causes others to glow. LIGHT does both! On Mum's arms.. On my arms.. We got to (& get to) carry a LIGHT! May you and your sister always be LIGHT; To all whom you meet in this life. 💕💕💕

Life is fragile. Events in life become stories. Those stories, become central to our identities; and to our lives. Events in our parents lives also become stories. Parents stories, when passed on, can become a part of their kids identities; and lives. This can be a wonderful thing, or it can be a disaster, depending upon the stories shared. In the case of my friend Ruth, who's mother passed away last week, it was a good thing. Leaving at 79, she lived a life that was rich with contribution, with care and with soul-filling relationships. A story that Ruth shared, regarding how her Mum & Dad met, involved them sharing sardines. She told of this, during the virtual sitting shiva. If every moment of life is a bite, it is important to remember that we only get a limited number. Make your bites count sweethearts. Appreciate what you have. Strive to create, and to share. You and your sister will inherit stories from myself, from mum, and from those who came before us. Perhaps even mor

Back at school, when a problem needed solving, I more than once heard a teacher say something that comes across initially as a little strange. Namely, "put your thinking cap on". It makes sense now.. in the sense of helping someone consciously adopt, or become open to, a new perspective. Take your pick.. Standard? or Elfish? Either way, always recognise that your 'thinking cap' is available to you at any given moment; with or without an accessory. You can do it. You and your sister both can. Time allocated, energy invested, and laser focus, will get you both there. You'll live to appreciate life a hundred fold more is you support one another in your respective endeavors. Lead with love. 💕💕💕

As you can see from the images I have uploaded to date, I don't typically use filters. Today, however, I have. The filter here creates a "retro" feel. Why use such a filter? It reflects the sense that is overcoming me as I think about a revolution that is going on right now. A revolution of artificial intelligence, or A.I. for short. I think of it as Augmented Intelligence, or even Augmenting Intelligence. The world that you and your sister are going to be adults in is going to make life today look very retro in comparison! (adventurous apple pie thanks to Mum..  creativity in shifting from standard shapes... a growling turtle's face?.. a mask from the middle ages?.. so many possibilities..) Wishing you and your sister cleverness and creativity, so as to ride the coming waves. Wishing you enjoyment, and productivity, when engaging with the latest technologies available to human beings. Wishing you both the joy of creation and contribution! Play your individual roles,

Listening to a couple of physicists conversing today, I was thrilled. Two moments in particular captivated me: (i) The definition of wealth, and (ii) the connection made between knowledge & resources. ..speaking of two, your first two teeth are visible! Wealth was defined as "the set of transformations that you are capable of bringing about". Knowledge is key here. It's what facilitates the transformations. ..that's only half of it regarding knowledge. I was made to reflect on a basic lesson we were taught back at school in economics. We were taught that the world has limited resources, and people battle for those resources. Knowledge is linked to progress of humankind, because knowledge can transform objects into resources! ..I kid you not. Think of a geologist for example. Knowledge from a geologist transforms rocks into a resource, even before the item is touched. The idea (or knowledge) in the mind of somebody converted the rock into a resource. New resources

By the time you can read this, you'll realize that I have a love of art. Even more broadly.. a love of creation, and it's many manifestations. Augmenting my own thoughts on art, I read something today that was left for us by James Baldwin. It was the following: "The purpose of art is to lay bear the questions that have been hidden by the answers". Think about that.. We'll discuss it in due course. Hoping that you and your sister learn to see the layers of meaning in all that surrounds you. Hoping that you both choose to be inspired by beauty.. and to also create it. Your minds can see what you choose to imagine. By garnering knowledge, building skills, and utilizing capabilities, you can both bring mental images to life. You can both lay bear questions, and also provide answers. 💕💕💕

Today is the first day of Ramadan (the month of fasting) for this year. Ramadan is a holy, and blessed, month in Islam. In a similar spirit, there is lent in Christianity. And there is, along with other dates, the period preceding Yom Kippur in Judaism. Fasting is also practiced in the non-Abrahamic religions. You only fast whilst you sleep sweetheart. The demands of your growing little body don't really take time off! Here you were in your stroller today,  having some moments earlier woken from a long afternoon nap (or should I say, fast!) The glow grew.. The glow in full flame! A new experience today happened early evening. Brushing your teeth. To be more precise: brushing your newly appearing tooth! Healthy habits will be rewarded over time sweethearts. Wishing you and your sister the patient strength, and the self-love, necessary for discipline in life. Wishing you both lots of those glowing smiles, throughout the process of life; & not only with ultimate outcomes. Savor ev

There is a group of people that I catch up with once a fortnight. I mentioned one of the members of the group not too long back. Bob jointly wrote a book called "The Good Life". In reflecting today on something he shared, And in looking at you and your sister, I had a repeated insight moment. Every second, there are options available. Every option has embedded in it consequences. Every option has embedded in it the consequences of paths not taken. What is directly in front of you may be the easiest option to take. That does not make it the best option. Choose wisely sweethearts. You hear with regard to muscle groups: 'use it, or lose it'. The insight is almost a macro out from this. Prior to use it, you have to 'choose it'. 'Choose it' goes well beyond just a muscle group. Choose to exercise, there are healthy consequences. Choose to learn, the positive consequences. Choose to interact with healthy & intellectually active positive creators, and the

The zone of relax, comfort, & contentment.. that comes over you after a feed.. is certainly something to behold. Earlier in the day, you were given a juicy Spanish orange to try. Having arrived moments earlier, your grandparents enjoyed the interplay with you. Also involving interaction was your visit to the doctor today. The 7 month check-up gave you the all clear! Healthy progress! Wishing you and your sister healthy progress always. 💕💕💕

I typically wake up a few hours before you do. Some time after 7am, sounds made a special someone start making their way along the corridor. And through to my study. More than a signal, It's a ray of sunshine. And it's a sign. Mum gets a little (much needed) rest,  and you get carried out to catch some natural light. Yes, by yours truly. Later in the day, Mum is both vibrant and energized. Yet another gift. Speaking of gifts.. It was a friend's birthday today. And we celebrated online. An expression was articulated regarding relationships during the call. Sharon cited David Peterson's idea that in addition to our "biological family", which are formed by fate, we have in life our "logical family", which are formed by choice. One of the chosen ones, CB, asked that you make a return visit to the camera in a more intimate gathering after the main group call. The joy was palpable. The love was manifest. Wishing you and your sister many occasions with such

We went out for a family walk today. The sun had come out to play. We chose to join it. Mum had her sunglasses on. Seeing that you were squinting, she decided to share. This moment ensued. Apt that she chose portrait mode. You were a picture perfect fashionista. Neutral expression and all. Wishing you and your sister lots of fun with the sun, in the years to come. 💕💕💕

Unrelenting: That is the nature of time. Seven months have already been savored; Here's to many more. Today becomes yesterday. Tomorrow becomes today. Today is all we have. This moment becomes that moment.  Now. Then now. Now gone. Just as the bird that flew by this morning. Focused in the moment, it can be captured. There are many more moments to come. Savor them. Make sure that you get sufficient rest; so as to be re-energized. Choose people in your life with whom you can be mutually supportive; this way you'll also mutually energize. Wishing you and your sister energy and exhilaration in your lives. Make the moments count. Life's a collection of them.. ..and the moments are a part of a process. The choice of a path is a choice of process. With you both always. 💕💕💕

Life proceeds, and we transform. As voluntary transformation happens much later.. It struck me that there is a curious parallel with the 'three parts' of our brain. Initially, we transform quickly and without much voluntary input on our part..  ..Just like the oldest part (the instinctive/reptilian) of our brain operates: rapidly and without much voluntary input. I thought about this as I recognized notable change in you today. Thrilling to see!.. Just as it was when watching your older sister years ago, blossom a touch more each day. Loving this stage.. or part :) Looking forward to see what you voluntarily choose to transform in time. May you and your sister both grow and glow. 💕💕💕

Playful morning.. Before calling your cousin Hannah, to wish her a Happy Birthday! May you and your sister always enjoy closeness, irrespective of distance. ..both with regard to one another, and with regard to your relatives near & abroad. 💕💕💕

Morning radiance.. Morning reflection.. A world of possibilities.. Ready? Set? Go! Colours add new dimensions. Bright ones can exists both inside and out. May yours and your sister's lives be colourful: filled with external exploration, intellectual inquiry, and soulful satisfaction. 💕💕💕

There is a scientist from Stanford University whose research based advice I listen out for. He recently shared some thoughts about living well. The basics shared were so simple that it's difficult to justify not getting them right. (Were you reflecting on those basics as you took in the morning light this morning?.. What's that? What are those basics?..) 5 things: - enough Sleep - the right Nutrients - regular Exercise - sufficient natural Light (especially in the morning - healthy close Relationships Wishing that you and your sister experience smiles every single day of your lives. Hoping that you both learn to get the basics right. Hoping that you both choose discipline and patience over short-termism. You'll be grateful to yourselves in time. 💕💕💕