Category: Lifestyle EN

In the heart of Baghdad, Iraq, lies Al-Mutanabbi Street, a historic centre for bookselling that dates back centuries. It is the intellectual soul of the city, where stacks of books line the sidewalks, often reaching several feet high. What is most remarkable is that at night, many of these books are left outside, completely unguarded. When asked why they don't worry about theft, the locals share...

The most sustainable outfit? The one you already own. Source: The Story of Stuff Project

The Ice Cube Lesson Most people misunderstand how change actually works. When progress is invisible, the instinct is to assume that nothing is happening. Effort feels wasted. Motivation fades. Many people quit in this phase. But systems rarely change in a straight line. In physics, an ice cube at -5°C looks exactly the same at -1°C. From the outside, nothing appears different. Yet inside,...

Recent research has confirmed something many people have believed for centuries. Prayer can change the brain in measurable and lasting ways. Scientists using brain scans have found that regular prayer or meditation activates certain areas of the brain that control focus, emotion, and self-awareness. In one study, participants who practised daily prayer showed increased activity in the frontal...

Small and simple actions every day can lead to big results. Whether it’s saving money, eating healthier, or getting enough sleep or rest, just taking one tiny action today and sticking with it takes you one step closer to where you want to be tomorrow. “Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement,” says James Clear, bestselling author of the book, Atomic Habits. “If you can get...

Don’t Hide Imperfections, Display Them with Pride Feeling broken? There are many teachings, practices and philosophies that can help you deal with disappointment, embrace imperfection and remain optimistic. One such practice is the Japanese art form of Kintsugi, which means joining with gold. It has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years as both an art technique, a worldview and...

The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. To combat this, experts recommend increasing the reuse, upcycling, and recycling of old garments. Fabric waste constituted 3.1% (432,901 tonnes) of the total waste generated (13.9 million tonnes) in 2021 in Malaysia. Globally, 92 million tonnes of textile waste are produced annually, according to the United Nations...

A Story about Perspective In a parable, six blind men were challenged to describe an elephant accurately. To add to the challenge, each man was taken to the elephant alone and allowed to touch only one area of the animal. When they were asked to describe the elephant they each have a completely different perspective. One blind man grabs the tusk and says, “An elephant is like a spear!”...

Here’s a truism to keep in mind as we head into 2026 with new resolutions for growth and progress. A man asked a gardener why his plants grew so beautifully. The gardener replied, "I don't force them to grow. I remove what stops them." The gardener’s wisdom: Growth comes from eliminating obstacles (weeds, bad soil) rather than forcing, a lesson applicable to life by removing limiting beliefs...

SPEND SENSIBLY, BUY WITH PURPOSE The most expensive part of the holidays isn’t the gifts. It’s the regret after the lights are gone. Sales are everywhere. Everything feels urgent. Every promo looks like a “once-in-a-lifetime” deal. But when you buy something your budget can’t really afford, the happiness doesn’t last. January comes with bills. Money feels tight. And the stress hits...