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
Cure Insomnia Fast with Quick and Easy Tips to Fall Asleep Tonight
It’s late.
You’re staring at your phone, eyes tired but mind wide awake.
You’ve tried closing your eyes, flipping the pillow, even counting sheep.
Nothing works.
You’re not alone.
Sleepless nights happen to all of us.
But you can calm your body and quiet your thoughts — starting right now.
The 2-Minute Insomnia Fix
Before you keep scrolling, try this short reset.
It takes less than two minutes and can help your mind settle.
Step 1: Dim your screen
Lower the brightness or turn on night mode. It helps your eyes relax and your brain slow down.
Step 2: Breathe 4-7-8
Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.
Hold for 7 seconds.
Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 seconds.
Do this four times.
Feel your body soften a little more with each breath.
Step 3: Relax your body in waves
Start from your toes and work your way up.
Tense each muscle gently, then release.
Let each breath melt away the tension.
Step 4: Stop trying to sleep
Tell yourself, I’m just resting.
That tiny shift takes the pressure off and helps your brain relax.
Bonus: If silence feels loud, play soft rain sounds or gentle white noise.
No pressure.
No rules.
Just breathe and rest.
You might drift off to sleep without even realizing it.
1. Stop Forcing Sleep
Start relaxing instead.
The more you chase sleep, the further it runs.
Focus on relaxing your body instead.
Close your eyes and breathe slowly.
Remind yourself that rest still helps, even if you’re not asleep yet.
Your body will take care of the rest.
2. Put the Phone Down (After This)
Endless scrolling keeps your mind busy.
The light from your screen tells your brain it’s still daytime.
Once you finish this article, set your phone aside.
Let the quiet take over.
If you need noise, play a calming podcast or a relaxing playlist.
Something gentle, not loud.
3. Create a Small Sleep Ritual
You don’t need an elaborate bedtime routine. Just a few small things that tell your body it’s time to rest.
Try this:
- Wash your face with warm water
- Stretch your shoulders
- Take three deep breaths
- Think of one good thing that happened today
Do it every night.
Your body will start to recognize the pattern and relax faster.
4. The 4-7-8 Breathing Trick (Anytime)
If your thoughts start racing again, return to your breathing.
Inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8.
It slows your heartbeat and helps quiet racing thoughts.
You can even do it lying on your side in the dark.
5. Keep It Cool and Cozy
A cool room helps your body fall asleep faster.
If you can, open a window or turn on a fan.
Soft bedding and a dark, quiet space make a big difference.
Think “calm cave” — cool, dark, and safe.
6. Skip the Sleep Killers
Caffeine, alcohol, and heavy food at night can keep your body alert.
If you’re craving something warm, try chamomile tea or lavender tea.
Both are natural sleep aids that help your body relax.
7. When You Still Can’t Sleep
If you’ve been lying awake for 20 minutes, get up.
Read a few pages of a calm book or listen to soft music under low light.
When your eyes start to feel heavy, go back to bed.
That simple move teaches your brain that bed means rest, not frustration.
You Can Rest Again
Insomnia feels endless, but it’s not.
Your body knows how to sleep — it just needs a few gentle reminders.
Start with the 2-Minute Fix tonight.
Keep it simple, be kind to yourself, and let rest come naturally.
Even if you don’t fall asleep right away, you’re still helping your body reset.
And that’s a win.
You deserve rest. You’ll get there.
World Happiness Day: Stories of Kindness and Joy
In honor of World Happiness Day, read these little stories designed to brighten your day.
From acts of kindness to little puzzles that make us smile, each story is meant to leave you feeling warm and happy.
Sit back, relax, and let them inspire you to spread joy and happiness to those around you.
A simple act of kindness can go a long way in making the world a happier place.
World Happiness Day is celebrated on March 20 every year.
It is a day to reflect on what brings us joy, contentment, and satisfaction.
People around the world share their experiences of happiness and what it means to them.
While there are many ways to celebrate, one of the simplest and most meaningful is to read these little stories.
They are guaranteed to bring a smile and inspire you to share happiness with others.
Random Acts of Kindness: A Poor Man’s Day Transformed
One of the easiest ways to bring joy is through acts of kindness.
Read this little story about a moment that changed both my life and someone else’s.
I remember giving my watch, phone, and RM500 to a poor man on the street.
At first, I was scared because he had a knife, but I knew he needed help.
When he saw the money, his shoulders relaxed and a grateful smile spread across his face.
That moment became one of the happiest of my life.
It reminded me how simple acts of kindness can make a big difference and how happiness often comes from giving.
Zookeeper Memories: Who Would Steal a Lion?
Read this little story from my time working at a zoo.
Happiness can often come from memories.
I once worked at a zoo and was fired for leaving a lion’s gate open.
Who would steal a lion?
Despite the mishap, I often think about the fun times I had with the animals.
The echo of their playful roars and the feel of the sun on my back bring a smile every time I remember.
Those small, joyful memories are a simple reminder that happiness is everywhere if we look for it.
Simple Joys and Puzzles
Sometimes joy comes from humor. Read this little story from a cab ride.
The driver said, “I love my job. I am my own boss and nobody tells me what to do.”
I said, “Turn left.”
We both laughed, and in that instant, the cab felt lighter, as if the laughter carried a little spark of happiness.
Even small, everyday observations can spark joy.
“Why do the sick have to walk to the back for prescriptions while cigarettes sit at the front of the pharmacy?”
“Who orders a double cheeseburger with a Diet Coke?”
“Why park expensive cars in the driveway but fill the garage with junk?”
These little puzzles make us laugh, reflect, and connect with life in a lighter way.
Happiness can be found in helping others, reminiscing on joyful memories, or sharing a laugh with someone.
Spreading Joy on World Happiness Day
On World Happiness Day, read these little stories and remember that happiness is contagious.
Every act of kindness, every laugh, and every shared moment can brighten someone’s day.
Even in difficult times, there is always a spark of hope and happiness waiting to be discovered.
Whether you share a funny story, help someone in need, or just show up, small gestures can make a big difference.
Imagine the ripple effect of your smile or your kind words.
The world could use more joy today.
Take Happiness Beyond Today
If these stories have made you smile, share them with your friends and family.
Let World Happiness Day inspire you to make the world brighter, one kind act, one laugh, one moment of joy at a time.
Happiness is all around us.
Every act of kindness, every laugh, and every smile helps create a world filled with happiness.
Together, we can spread more joy and remind everyone that the little moments in life matter the most.
Man Bites Dog and Other Tall Tales at Straits Echo
Straits Echo and the Awestruck Schoolgirl
The early 1970s were thrilling for me.
Fresh out of my MCE, I had one burning dream: to become a journalist.
By chance, the printing plant of Straits Echo sat at the corner of Penang Road and Argyll Road, easy to reach by bus.
My heart raced as I walked in, unsure what to expect.
There he was — the formidable S.H. Tan, Editor in Chief.
To my amazement, he offered me a job as a cub reporter.
I didn’t take the position, but that moment sparked a lifelong fascination with storytelling.
Falling in Love with the Newsroom
Even without starting work, the newsroom captivated me.
The “tall model” Olympia typewriter clacked rhythmically, a sound that felt oddly magical.
I curled my fingers into claws, trying to make my own version of the hypnotic rhythm.
The printing press was a beast of a machine, crusted with ink and humming like it had a life of its own.
S.H. Tan’s stories about the press made it feel enchanted.
Every sight, sound, and smell planted seeds of inspiration.
Lessons from S.H. Tan
S.H. Tan’s lessons were unforgettable:
Headline magic: “Man Bites Dog.” Look for the unusual. Make readers stop and notice.
The Five Ws and One H: Who, What, Where, When, and How — or as he joked, Four Wives and One Husband.
Even without taking the cub reporter job, these lessons stayed with me.
I learned that storytelling is about curiosity, observation, and connecting with people, not just writing words on a page.
Life’s Detours
Life pulled me down other paths.
I spent decades in architecture and construction.
Running projects and turning other people’s dreams into concrete reality.
Yet the memory of Straits Echo — the typewriter, the ink-stained press, S.H. Tan’s mentorship — never left.
It was a quiet spark, waiting for the right moment to ignite.
Along the way, I explored travel writing, event planning, and copywriting.
Each adventure added layers of experience, patience, and wisdom.
Returning to My First Love
Eventually, I returned to writing.
Blogs like SmartDory and Travelstylus, online publications, inflight magazines, and copywriting became my creative outlets.
I could finally answer a long-unanswered question from a colleague.
“Are you happy?”
Yes.
Writing daily fulfills me.
I am a happy old girl, carrying forward lessons and inspiration from that first awe-filled encounter at Straits Echo.
Why Straits Echo Matters
S.H. Tan’s story itself was extraordinary:
A poor farmer’s son, in the wrong place at the right time.
A teen POW under the Japanese, learning English from British officers.
Later, an editor who shaped countless young lives.
He taught me that writing is about people, curiosity, and impact — lessons that resonated long after my brief encounter.
A Shared Nostalgia
One reader wrote:
“Love your blog, Doris! I too was a reporter at Straits Echo from 1975 to 1977… I hope to meet old Straits Echo buddies. God bless!”
Comments like these remind me that the love of storytelling is timeless, and the magic of Straits Echo continues to connect generations of journalists.
From Awestruck to Fulfilled
Looking back as someone older and wiser, I see clearly that my journey into writing wasn’t sudden.
It was a gradual, inspired path, shaped by awe, mentorship, and curiosity.
Straits Echo didn’t just offer a job; it offered a first glimpse of the magic of words.
One that has guided me through decades of adventures and ultimately back to my first love; writing.
P.S. If you ever wonder why I’m often wandering George Town or lingering at Emily Darling Café, it’s because these spots hum with memories from my Straits Echo days — typewriters, ink, and a schoolgirl’s wide-eyed wonder still echo in those walls.