Little Blog Inspiring Gratitude One Person At A Time. Watch Incredible Things Happen To Change People One Experience At A Time.
Doris Lim Writes Gratitude
Empathy in Life’s Highs and Lows
Children start showing early signs of empathy in infancy, such as emotional contagion — crying when another baby cries.
It’s a simple yet powerful reminder that empathy is part of who we are long before we learn words or rules.
It’s the quiet awareness that connects one heart to another, the instinct to feel with someone instead of standing apart.
As we grow, life complicates that natural connection.
We face uncertainty, step outside our comfort zones, and experience both gain and loss.
These moments shape us.
Sometimes hardening us.
Sometimes softening us.
Yet at our core, empathy remains the thread that keeps us human.
Life is a rollercoaster.
Often filled with moments of joy and challenge, abundance and need.
Through every rise and fall, we’re called to return to that original instinct,
We want to see one another with the same openness we had as children.
When we lead with empathy, we rediscover what it means to live with kindness, compassion, and equality at the heart of it all.
The Tale of Contrasting Experiences
We’ve all known seasons of scarcity — when a few bills had to stretch further than we hoped.
And we’ve also known times of ease, when a full tank of gas or a dinner out required no thought.
These contrasts teach us humility, gratitude, and perspective.
They remind us that life can change quickly and that everyone is carrying a story we cannot fully see.
Empathy grows from remembering our own struggles and seeing ourselves in others.
Empathy in Everyday Life
Empathy isn’t always grand or obvious.
More often, it shows in small acts.
A patient smile, a listening ear.
A quiet gesture of help.
It’s what connects us to others when words fall short.
When we encounter someone facing hardship, empathy allows us to pause before assuming or judging.
It encourages understanding, even when life feels busy or uncertain.
Through empathy, we stop seeing others as separate and start recognizing the shared humanity that binds us all.
Lessons in Humility and Compassion
There were times when we carefully counted every expense, placed items back on the shelf, or stretched meals to make them last.
Remembering these moments keeps us grounded and humble.
Gratitude emerges when life feels easier, and compassion reminds us that struggles are temporary.
Material things do not define worth — how we treat others does.
These lessons deepen empathy and guide us toward living with kindness and respect.
Financial Realities and Resilience
Money rarely follows a straight path. Some months bring ease, others bring worry.
These fluctuations don’t diminish our value, but they offer perspective.
Everyone, regardless of status, faces challenges, often unseen.
Empathy allows us to recognize this.
It transforms understanding into action, fostering patience, support, and connection.
Through life’s financial ups and downs, resilience grows alongside compassion.
The Power of Giving and Receiving
We all experience both roles — giver and receiver.
Sometimes we help, sometimes we need help.
Both are part of shared humanity, and empathy helps us see the balance.
By noticing the struggles of others and connecting through understanding, we live equality in action.
Kindness becomes natural, and compassion becomes the language of our relationships.
Mortality and Shared Humanity
No matter what we own or achieve, we are all mortal.
Death does not discriminate.
Recognizing this brings clarity: possessions fade, status fades, but empathy, kindness, and connection endure.
Seeing life through empathy allows us to prioritize what truly matters — relationships, love, and the ways we lift each other.
It is the legacy that lasts beyond any material measure.
Living with Empathy
Life’s highs and lows are inevitable, yet they are what make it meaningful.
Each triumph and trial offers a chance to grow in empathy and compassion.
As we navigate this unpredictable journey, let kindness guide us.
Listen more, judge less, and give freely of what matters: understanding, respect, and care.
In the end, it is not success or possessions that define us, but the empathy we show along the way.
That is what makes the ride worthwhile.
The Middle Comes Quietly
The Middle
Pausing in the Rush
Rushing through life.
Quick kisses before work.
Long meetings that blur into more meetings.
Flights that feel endless.
Train rides home where your body is present, but your mind drifts.
You look out the window, searching for something quieter than the city’s hum.
You imagine gurgling brooks, waterfalls spilling over rocks, the ocean waves curling around your feet in wet sand.
You can almost feel the sun on your face, the wind teasing your hair, the smell of earth after rain.
It’s in these moments, even imagined, that you remember what the middle of life truly holds.
Not the deadlines or the calendars, but the quiet, tender gestures—the hand held, the laugh shared, the story told twice so it sticks.
The middle is where life breathes. It’s where you pause, even if only for a moment, and remember that there is more than work, more than schedules, more than rushing.
There is presence.
There is connection.
There is the gentle art of living.
Beginnings and Their Promise
Everything in life has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
Beginnings catch our attention—the first job, the first home, the first love, the first child.
They carry excitement and promise.
We celebrate them.
We plan for them.
We remember them vividly.
Quiet Beauty of the Middle
The middle is quieter.
It arrives without fanfare.
It’s the years when work becomes familiar.
When children grow more independent.
When friendships settle into steady rhythms.
It’s where love deepens, routines become comforting, and most of life actually unfolds.
Yet the middle is easy to overlook.
We rush through it, eager for the next milestone or worried about what lies ahead.
Sometimes, endings arrive unexpectedly, reminding us that the middle is already slipping away.
Patience and Small Gestures
The middle teaches patience.
It asks us to notice the small gestures—the morning coffee shared with a spouse.
A neighbor’s smile.
A colleague who checks in without asking anything in return.
These are the acts that quietly shape our lives and leave lasting impressions on the people we love.
It’s also where we confront our mortality.
In our late 40s or early 50s, thoughts about retirement, aging gracefully, and the years ahead become more real.
The middle reminds us that life is finite. But meaning comes from the small, loving things that make life rich.
Embracing the Everyday
Sometimes the middle fades slowly, a gentle turning of the pages, unnoticed until one day you look back.
You see a life full of moments you almost missed.
Other times, it ends suddenly.
A shock of grief or longing arrives without warning.
Either way, it calls for gratitude, presence, and acceptance.
Living fully in the middle means embracing what is—not what was or what might be.
Enjoy the routine without taking it for granted. Celebrate the ordinary.
These quiet moments carry more weight than we realize.
Deepening Connections
The middle is where connections deepen.
Friendships strengthen. Children grow into adults.
Love matures, even when it’s no longer the all-consuming fire of youth.
The middle gives us space to nurture ourselves and those around us.
It allows us to invest in relationships and leave a legacy that lasts beyond our own lifetime.
It’s also a time to reflect on what we want to leave behind.
Financial planning matters, yes—but so does kindness, attention, and love.
These are the treasures that endure.
Living with Grace
The middle is full of quiet magic.
It doesn’t always demand attention, but it is where life is lived most fully.
Holding it tenderly allows us to approach the later years with grace, peace, and a deeper appreciation for the journey we’ve walked.
If we slow down, notice the moments, and care for the people around us, the middle becomes more than just a phase.
It becomes a lesson in love, patience, and presence.
When endings come, we carry the wisdom of the middle with us, ready to embrace what comes next with open hearts.
The middle is not just a passage. It is the heart of the story.
The Ultimate Guide to Engaging Conversations for Your First Date (Even on Dating Apps!
I haven’t had any engaging conversations nor dated in a while.
The other day, I chatted with a younger friend.
We laughed at funny stories and shared our nerves. Then we asked—how do you have an engaging conversation these days?
It’s tricky, right?
We all want to connect. But what’s the secret?
Is there a magic question? Or is it just about being yourself?
Being yourself is harder when nerves take over. I get it.
I started thinking about what truly makes a conversation engaging.
Something beyond the usual, “What do you do?” and “Where are you from?”
You know, the kind of chat that really makes you connect.
So, I’ve put together conversation starters and tips for your first date.
Especially if it’s through a dating app.
If you’re still figuring out how to impress or spark connection, don’t worry.
I’ve got you covered.
I’ll even share a few dating app tips along the way.
Who knew a swipe could lead to more than just a match?
1. Shared Interests & Hobbies
Let’s start with the basics. Ask your date about their free time.
Do they hike, paint, play guitar, or binge Netflix?
Finding common hobbies sparks fun, easy conversations.
You might discover a new love for pottery or bond over failing at the ukulele.
Pro Tip: Many dating apps let you list hobbies or interests.
Check your match’s profile before chatting.
It gives you a ready-made topic to kick things off!
2. Travel & Adventures
Everyone loves sharing travel stories—or dream destinations.
Ask about their most memorable trip or a place they want to visit.
Maybe they’ll tell you about backpacking through Europe or hunting coffee in Bali.
Travel stories often spark funny anecdotes and curiosity.
Pro Tip: On dating apps, check the location filter.
It helps you see if someone’s visited places you love.
Or discover travel stories you can bond over!
3. Favorite & Little Things
The little things often show what makes someone tick.
Ask about their favorite movie, song, book, or food.
You might end up debating pizza toppings or quoting the same movie.
Suddenly, you’ve found a shared thread to keep the conversation flowing.
Pro Tip: Many apps let you list favorite music or movies.
Check their profile before chatting.
Bonus points for asking about something in a fun, creative way!
4. Funny Stories & Memorable Moments
A good laugh is the fastest way to break the ice.
Share funny moments from your life—like getting lost in a foreign city.
Or accidentally ordering a 10-course meal by mistake.
Quirky, light-hearted stories ease tension and make the date relaxed.
Pro Tip: Add a funny or awkward story to your profile.
It gives matches something to ask about and sparks easy conversation.
5. Future Plans & Goals
You don’t need to dive too deep right away.
Talking about goals can reveal what truly drives your date.
Do they want to climb Mount Everest?
Write a book?
Open a bakery in Paris?
Discussing future plans gives insight into their dreams and passions.
Pro Tip: Many dating apps let you mention your own goals.
It helps matches understand your passions and sparks conversations about shared dreams.
6. Local Scene
This one’s extra fun if you’re from the same area.
Ask about local happenings—new restaurants, hidden gems, or events.
You might discover a cool spot or bond over street food.
It’s a great way to stay present and explore together.
Pro Tip: Many dating apps list local events or community groups.
Use them to find activities you and your match might enjoy!
Tips for an Engaging Conversation (Especially for Online Dating)
Now that you have some conversation starters, here are extra tips.
Be Curious & Ask Questions
Show genuine interest in your date’s life.
Listen closely and ask follow-up questions.
It’s not grilling—it’s discovering more about them.
Share Your Own Stories
A conversation isn’t one-way!
Share your thoughts, experiences, and funny stories.
Let your date get to know the real you.
Avoid Controversial Topics
Politics and religion can wait.
Keep things light and fun for now.
There’ll be time for deeper conversations later.
Be Yourself
Authenticity is magnetic.
Relax, enjoy the moment, and let the conversation flow.
Compliment Your Date
Genuine compliments go a long way.
A simple “You have a great smile” works perfectly.
Laugh at Yourself
Self-deprecating humor can be charming.
Poke fun at yourself sometimes—it shows you’re easygoing.
Don’t Overthink It
Relax! You don’t need the perfect conversation.
It’s about connecting, sharing a laugh, and enjoying each other.
The best conversations aren’t about having all the right answers.
They’re real, lighthearted, and fun.
When swiping through dating apps, remember: A swipe can start something meaningful. It can lead to much more.
Good luck with your next date!
And as always, hellooooo—don’t forget to be your awesome self.