Roses Diary

Being grateful and thankful isn't just a nice habit—it's one of the most powerful, evidence-based ways to improve your mental health, physical well-being, It boosts happiness and positive emotions Gratitude helps you focus on the good things in life, which amplifies joy, optimism, and life satisfaction. It reduces stress, anxiety, and depression. Being thankful lowers levels of cortisol (the main stress hormone) and activates brain areas that regulate negative emotions like guilt or shame. It improves physical health Gratitude is connected to better sleep, lower blood pressure, stronger immune function, improved heart health (like better cardiac functioning), and even reduced perception of physical pain. When you feel thankful, your body releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, while dialing down inflammation and stress responses that harm health over time. It strengthens relationships and social connections Grateful people tend to be more prosocial—they help o...

Sewing is a lifeskill, and a surprisingly versatile and valuable one. In Papua New Guinea, sewing stands out as a genuine life skill. In PNG context: Sewing generates income and self employment. With limited formal jobs, sewing let's people start small businesses at home. So, Last week I started sewing "Meri blouse" with my brand new Singer Sewing Machine with the help of my lovely friend Donna. The first one came out with a large neck size. Haha 😄 My second blouse is completed with a perfect neck size 😊.  Tonight, 16th February, I'm Starting my third blouse. Who would have thought that this day would come when I would really sew a "meri blouse" In Detail: The PNG meri blouse (also called meri kolos or simply kolos in Tok Pisin, where "meri" means woman) is a classic and stunning daily outfit for women in Papua New Guinea. It's widely regarded as the national dress for PNG women — comfortable, modest, feminine, and deeply tied to cultural ide...

Have you ever felt like blessings are just out of reach—random, unpredictable, or dependent on luck? What if I told you the Bible describes a kind of blessing that doesn't wander or chase shadows? Instead, God Himself commands it to locate you—right where you are, in your work, your home, your finances, and every effort you make. I remember a season when everything I touched seemed to stall—projects delayed, finances tight, doors closing faster than they opened. I prayed for breakthrough, but it felt like my blessings were lost somewhere in the wilderness. Then one day, the Holy Spirit highlighted Deuteronomy 28:8 to me: God doesn't just hope or suggest blessing—He commands it. And when God commands something, creation listens. Those blessings aren't aimless; they don't wander. They locate—targeted, intentional, directed straight to your storehouses, your provision, your hands, your work, and the land God has assigned you. Today, let's unpack what "commanded bl...

It's February 14, 2026, and the weight of that date can hit differently depending on where your heart is sitting right now 😄For a lot of people — probably more than the shiny couple posts let on — today carries this quiet, amplified sense of loneliness. The day is marketed as the celebration of romantic love, so when that piece feels missing or distant, everything else can feel a little emptier by comparison. It's not just you.Valentine's Day often intensifies feelings of isolation because of social comparison — scrolling through endless couple photos, gifts, and "perfect" moments triggers that "why not me?" loop. Studies and surveys from recent years show spikes in anxiety, stress, and loneliness searches around this time, with many singles feeling the pressure of cultural expectations. One piece described it as turning ordinary solitude into something heavier through advertising and social media. And honestly, in places like Port Moresby or anywhere t...

Overthinking—also known as rumination or analysis paralysis—can seriously undermine your job performance, productivity, and long-term career progress. While thoughtful reflection is valuable, excessive looping on decisions, past mistakes, worst-case scenarios, or "what ifs" drains mental resources and creates real downsides at work. Here are the main ways it affects your job: Reduced productivity and efficiency — Overthinking consumes huge amounts of mental energy that could go toward actual tasks. It leads to procrastination, repeated second-guessing, and getting stuck in loops instead of moving forward. Studies and experts describe how it lowers performance on mentally demanding work, causes missed deadlines, and turns you into a "snail" at work by delaying action and progress. Impaired decision-making (analysis paralysis) — You hesitate or freeze on choices—big or small—because you're chasing perfect certainty. This results in delayed projects, missed opportu...

Honesty carries immense power because it cuts through noise, builds unbreakable foundations, and frees people in ways deception never can. At its core, honesty liberates you mentally and emotionally. When you stop lying—to others or yourself—you no longer carry the exhausting burden of maintaining a false narrative. Research shows that deliberately reducing lies correlates with fewer mental health complaints (like tension or sadness) and physical issues (like headaches or sore throats). It lowers stress, boosts authenticity, and aligns your actions with your values, leading to greater life satisfaction and purpose. In relationships, honesty is the bedrock of trust. It creates deeper connections because people feel safe being vulnerable when they know truth is the default. Lies erode bonds over time, while truthful (even tough) communication fosters respect, empathy, and real intimacy. As many have noted, "Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth l...

In Papua New Guinea (PNG) context, the concepts of solitude and loneliness carry very different meanings because of the deeply relational, communal, and wantok-based nature of Melanesian culture. PNG society (with over 800+ languages and 1000+ cultural groups) is built around strong connections — family, clan, tribe, language group, and place. Being truly "alone" in the traditional or village sense is rare and often unnatural. Solitude in PNG Context: Solitude is usually seen as positive, temporary, purposeful, or even necessary at times. Examples of how solitude appears and is understood: A man going alone into the bush to hunt, check sago palms, or clear garden — this is normal and respected. Someone walking to a garden plot or fishing spot by themselves for a few hours. Certain rituals or spiritual moments (e.g., some initiation processes or personal reflection in nature). In many areas, especially in the past, geographical isolation between hamlets or clans was normal — p...

"Brick by brick, one layer at a time" is a motivational metaphor that emphasizes slow, steady, and consistent progress toward any big goal. It draws from the literal process of building a wall or house: no one constructs a massive structure overnight. Instead, skilled masons place one brick (or one course/layer of bricks) after another — methodically, patiently, and with attention to detail. Over time, those small, seemingly insignificant actions create something strong, tall, and enduring. What it really means in everyday life. Progress happens incrementally — not in dramatic leaps, but through small, repeated efforts. Patience is key — big achievements (a career, fitness transformation, business, skill mastery, personal growth, relationships) require showing up consistently, even when results aren't visible yet. Foundation matters — each "layer" builds on the previous one. Skipping steps or rushing leads to a weak structure that can collapse. Celebrate the p...

"Brick by brick, one layer at a time" is a motivational metaphor that emphasizes slow, steady, and consistent progress toward any big goal. It draws from the literal process of building a wall or house: no one constructs a massive structure overnight. Instead, skilled masons place one brick (or one course/layer of bricks) after another — methodically, patiently, and with attention to detail. Over time, those small, seemingly insignificant actions create something strong, tall, and enduring. What it really means in everyday life. Progress happens incrementally — not in dramatic leaps, but through small, repeated efforts. Patience is key — big achievements (a career, fitness transformation, business, skill mastery, personal growth, relationships) require showing up consistently, even when results aren't visible yet. Foundation matters — each "layer" builds on the previous one. Skipping steps or rushing leads to a weak structure that can collapse. Celebrate the p...

The power of patience is one of the most underrated superpowers in life. It’s not passive waiting. It’s active restraint wrapped in trust. Patience lets compound interest (in money, relationships, skills, and character) do its invisible magic. The oak tree doesn’t grow in a day, and neither does mastery, wealth, or deep love. Impatience makes us chop the sapling to check if the roots are growing. Some real examples of patience paying off: Warren Buffett started investing seriously as a kid; by age 30 he was already wealthy, but 99% of his net worth came after age 50. He calls it “the snowball” that needs time and slope. J.K. Rowling was rejected by 12 publishers. She kept sending the manuscript while living on welfare. One small publisher finally said yes; the rest is Harry Potter history. Weight training: beginners want to look jacked in 90 days. Veterans know the real transformation shows up around year 3–5, if you just keep showing up and adding a tiny bit of weight. Relationships: ...

"Energy is money" is a provocative analogy that highlights the deep interdependence between energy and economic value. At its core, it means that energy is the foundational currency of productivity, wealth creation, and modern civilization—more fundamental than fiat money, which is just a proxy for it. Here’s a breakdown of why this idea holds water: 1. Energy Enables All Economic Activity Every good or service requires energy to produce. From mining raw materials to manufacturing, transportation, heating, computing, or even thinking (your brain runs on ~20 watts), nothing happens without energy input. Historical correlation: Economies grow in lockstep with energy consumption. The Industrial Revolution exploded when coal unlocked massive mechanical work. The 20th century’s growth rode on oil. Today, GDP per capita scales almost linearly with per capita energy use across nations. Example: A factory producing $1M in goods doesn’t create value from thin air—it burns fu...

Being a strong and independent woman comes with a range of benefits that impact personal growth, relationships, and overall well-being. Below are the benefits of being a strong woman: Self-Confidence and Resilience: You develop a robust sense of self-worth, enabling you to face challenges with confidence and bounce back from setbacks. This inner strength fosters mental and emotional resilience, helping you navigate life’s uncertainties without relying on external validation. Freedom and Autonomy: Independence grants you the ability to make your own choices—career, relationships, finances—free from societal pressures or dependency on others. This autonomy empowers you to live authentically, pursuing goals that align with your values. Inspiring Others: Your strength can motivate those around you, particularly other women, to embrace their own power and independence. By leading by example, you contribute to breaking stereotypes and fostering a culture of empowerment. Healthy Relati...

Speaking to ourselves every day can be a powerful tool for mental clarity, emotional regulation, and personal growth. Below are the reasons that are grounded and beneficial for speaking to ourselves everyday. Enhances Self-Awareness: Talking to yourself helps you process thoughts and feelings, making it easier to understand your motivations, reactions, and goals. It’s like having a private sounding board to clarify what’s going on in your mind. Boosts Problem-Solving:   Studies suggest self-talk helps break down tasks and improve focus during problem-solving. Improves Emotional Regulation:   Speaking to yourself can soothe anxiety or frustration. Positive self-talk, such as affirmations, can reframe negative emotions, reduce stress, and build resilience. Speaking to ourselves every day can be a powerful tool for mental clarity, emotional regulation, and personal growth.  Reinforces Motivation and Confidence: Encouraging yourself out loud—like saying, “You’ve got this!”—can boost moti...

Thinking highly of yourself in a positive way is about cultivating self-confidence, self-respect, and a healthy sense of self-worth. It’s not about arrogance or believing you’re better than others, but rather recognizing your own value, strengths, and potential while maintaining humility and openness to growth.  Here’s a breakdown of what this means and how it can be beneficial: What It Means to Think Highly of Yourself Positively: Self-Confidence:  You trust in your abilities and believe you can handle challenges or achieve your goals. This confidence comes from knowing your strengths and acknowledging areas where you can improve without self-criticism. Self-Worth:  You recognize your inherent value as a person, independent of external validation, achievements, or comparisons to others. You understand that you are enough as you are. Self-Compassion:  You treat yourself with kindness, especially during setbacks, rather than being overly critical. You view mistakes as opportunities for ...

A simple traditional Papua New Guinean dish is Mumu, a method of cooking food in an earth oven, commonly used for root crops, greens, and meat.  Here's a basic recipe for Mumu with pork and vegetables: Ingredients (Serves 4-6): 1 kg pork (cut into chunks) 2 large sweet potatoes (peeled and chopped) 2 taro roots (peeled and chopped) 1 bunch of aibika (or spinach-like greens) 2 bananas (unripe, peeled and sliced) 1 coconut (for fresh coconut milk, or use 1 can of coconut milk) 2-3 banana leaves (for wrapping) Salt to taste Ginger (grated, about 1 tbsp) Optional: onions, garlic Instructions: Prepare the Ingredients: Clean and chop the pork, sweet potatoes, taro, and bananas into bite-sized pieces. Wash the aibika greens thoroughly. If using fresh coconut, grate it and extract the milk by squeezing the grated coconut with water (about 1 cup of coconut milk needed). Season the Food: In a large bowl, mix the pork, sweet potatoes, taro, bananas, and greens. Add grated gi...

Your value is inherent and unchanging, rooted in your unique existence and potential. From a spiritual perspective, many believe you are created with purpose, loved unconditionally by a higher power, as seen in scriptures like Psalm 139:13-14 , which describes you as "fearfully and wonderfully made." Your worth isn't tied to achievements, failures, or others' opinions but flows from your essence as a person with unique gifts and experiences. Psychologically, recognizing your value boosts self-esteem and resilience, enabling you to navigate challenges like relationships or personal growth. Doubt may creep in, but it’s a distortion—your contributions, even small ones, ripple outward, shaping lives and attracting positivity, Embrace your intrinsic worth; it’s a foundation no external force can diminish. Your worth and value is not defined by what you achieve, accomplish, or produce. It’s intrinsic, rooted in your existence as a unique individual with inherent dignity ...

The idea that happiness attracts blessings often stems from spiritual, psychological, and philosophical perspectives, suggesting that a positive emotional state can create a ripple effect, drawing positive outcomes or "blessings" into one's life. Here's a concise exploration of how this might work: Positive Energy and Attraction: Many belief systems, like the Law of Attraction, propose that emotions like happiness emit a high vibrational energy. This positive energy is thought to align you with favorable circumstances, people, and opportunities, acting like a magnet for blessings—whether seen as divine favor, luck, or serendipity. Mindset and Perception: Happiness fosters an optimistic mindset, making you more open to noticing and appreciating opportunities. A happy person is more likely to perceive events as blessings, as their positive outlook filters experiences in a way that highlights abundance and gratitude. Behavior and Actions: When you're happy, you te...

God uses finances as a tool to teach spiritual and practical lessons, as seen in both biblical principles and their physical application. Below, I’ll explain this in biblical and physical terms, drawing from Scripture and real-world implications. Biblical Terms The Bible frequently uses money and wealth to illustrate spiritual truths, emphasizing stewardship, trust, generosity, and dependence on God.  Here are key lessons : Stewardship and Responsibility: Scripture: In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus teaches that God entrusts us with resources (like money) to manage faithfully. The servants who invested wisely were rewarded, while the one who buried his talent was rebuked. Lesson :  Finances are not ours but God’s, given to us to steward for His purposes. This teaches accountability and the importance of using resources to advance His kingdom. Trust in God, Not Wealth: Scripture : “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthe...

Have you been having sleepless nights recently?  Sleepless nights can be rough, often tied to stress, anxiety, or an overactive mind.Sleepless nights can stem from various causes, often intertwining physical, mental, and environmental factors. Here are common reasons for staying awake all night: Stress and Anxiety: Overthinking about work, relationships, or future uncertainties can keep your mind racing. If you’re reflecting on self-belief or discipline, as you’ve mentioned before, this might amplify nighttime worry. Mental Health Issues: Conditions like depression, anxiety disorders, or PTSD can disrupt sleep patterns, making it hard to relax or stay asleep. Caffeine or Stimulants : Consuming coffee, tea, energy drinks, or certain medications too late can overstimulate your nervous system. Screen Time and Blue Light : Exposure to phones, computers, or TVs before bed suppresses melatonin, the hormone that signals sleep. Irregular Sleep Schedule: Inconsistent bedtimes or naps can...