Hello, October – whats good?

September - my birth month...whooshed past like a New yorker working in corporate at 8:30 in the morning. One blink, and it was gone. But oh, what a gift it was. And as we step into October, I feel like it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and… maybe post more on Facebook?

Let me explain.

I have a dear friend, Orquidea who is a force of nature, a walking celebration, and practically a celebrity here in Aotearoa. We often have friendly quarrels because, well, she posts EVERYTHING on Facebook. I'm always teasing her: "You need a social media manager, girl! You're flooding our feeds with your incredible life!" And true to her chill, fabulous nature, she always shrugs and says, "I just put it all out there. If even one person gets inspired, then goal met!"

And honestly? That hit me.

Today, as I was hanging out with my boys - my greatest joy, we were scrolling through Facebook (okay, I was scrolling, they were peeking), and my eldest, clever as ever without even having his own account, asked: "Tatay, why is there nothing much on your page?"

Oof. That landed. A born storyteller without much stories told lately...

It made me think of a line I read just this morning: “What do you want to start doing today that may change the world for the better?” Maybe that’s what this is. Maybe posting and storytelling, as simple as it sounds, is something worth doing to continue to capture a memory, share a moment, or inspire even just one person. Orquidea was right all along. Goal met.

So here I am, starting again to tell stories, capturing life, honouring the small things. Starting with this one.

September, though quiet, gave me the best kind of gifts...the gifts of experience.

To my Mahjong buddies: thank you for the laughs, the strategy, the shared silences, and the unspoken connections across the tiles. That table is a place of therapy, truly!!! Long live Mahjongers!!!

To Orquidea: thank you for that beautiful gift...a taste of Mexico, your heartland. The thought, the hug through food that was a gift beyond words.

Grace and Lucky: thank you for the recreation voucher. (Remember?!?) We used it these school holidays and took the kids to the sensory maze. It was chaotic, super fun and totally unforgettable. The joy on the boys’ faces are pure gold. Truly the gift of experience is always the best!

To the Ondine Fambam: nothing more to say but let's keep on...

As we step into October, I tip my hat to my September. One of the quietest birthdays I’ve had in years… but also one of the most meaningful. And maybe that’s the message I needed... that every new month, every new moment, is a fresh invitation.

To live...

To notice...

To inspire...

We don’t need big stages or perfect posts. Just honest ones. Just moments where we’re truly present. Maybe that’s what social media is really for, storytelling, the kind that say “I was here. I lived this. hope it inspires you.”

Arrow and Axe when you read this in the future, know that you are why I tell these stories.

So here’s to starting again... to storytelling, to living gently but intentionally, to being the kind of person whose page may not be full, but whose moments are rich.

Live, laugh, love always...and if you’re reading this and it made you smile even a little…

Goal met. 😊

Arohanui (much love)... @jdgr8