Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad you enjoyed the article and connected with its message. You’re absolutely right—daily life can make it hard to stay focused on what truly matters, but taking the time to reflect and realign is so powerful. I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts!
Such a heartfelt post - I really feel I’m now reaping the rewards of the years I spent crafting a life that feeds my soul - I had to walk away from things I thought I would miss but haven’t but the joy of being intentional with my time makes those wilderness years worth it.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey—it’s inspiring to hear how intentionality has brought so much joy and fulfillment to your life! It’s not always easy to walk away from things, but it’s amazing how those difficult decisions often lead to something even more meaningful. I’m so glad you connected with my post, and I appreciate your kind words!
I think if you're not sure what you should be doing with your time here, it's to jump ahead to your deathbed and notice the things you're disappointed or angry about that you didn't do. - That'll give you an idea of what's most important to you.
I'm so glad this resonated with you, Josh! That truly means a lot. Thank you for your kind words! I also wrote a follow-up article on how to live a life you love—please check it out here: https://stressfreeliving.substack.com/p/live-a-life-you-love
This really resonated with me. It’s so easy to get caught up in the chase—work, expectations, the next milestone—without pausing to ask, Does this actually bring me joy? Your turning point with your daughter was such a powerful wake-up call, and I love how you used it to realign your life with what truly matters.
It’s a reminder we all need: our time is limited, and the most meaningful moments aren’t found in achievements but in presence, connection, and the simple joys of living. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Salwa. It truly means a lot to know that my experience resonated with you. I’m deeply grateful that my story could serve as a reminder of what really matters. It’s something I continue to learn every day, and knowing that it connected with you makes sharing it even more meaningful. Wishing you a life filled with joy, presence, and the moments that truly matter. Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts! 😊
I love this article Seiking! Last year I quit my tech job to pursue more meaningful work. The constant pressure and mindless hopping across tasks felt empty to me. You are right, we should give more thought to who we are beyond labels. After all, there's only one life, and right now we have a choice to make more of it.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and for your kind words! It’s incredibly inspiring that you took such a bold step to pursue work that feels more meaningful to you. Stepping away from the pressure and redefining yourself beyond labels is no small feat, but it sounds like you’re truly making the most of this one precious life. Wishing you all the best on this fulfilling journey—you’re proof that it’s worth it!
Absolutely loved this. I think we all need this reminder from time to time that life is short and we don't live forever. The part about labels resonated with me. I'm an engineer, a dad, a writer, but I'm much more than that. We all are. Thanks for writing.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your thoughts. It truly means a lot to know that the message resonated with you. Life can get so busy that it's easy to forget how multifaceted and unique we all are beyond the labels we carry. Your comment has brightened my day—thank you again!
Crafting a life that feeds your soul I think gets to the heart of the matter, Sikieng. I think I'm partly there, but good days and bad days. Work can be rewarding but some days can feel toxic and set me back.
Thanks for sharing your insights and making me think.
JJ, sometime life doesn't make sense. Purposefully, what we have done, now we realized that they are not what we needs. However, so far we gained many different experiences from our footprints for our next move. Just smile for your true-self who figured out who you are and what you need, and move on with peaceful mindset.
I appreciate your sharing these posts, and frankly, i come here because your post :D Do you miss me? lolz; whatever happened, just be who you mean to be.
Thank you for such a heartfelt and thoughtful message. And of course, I missed you! 😊 Glad to see you here. Stay true to yourself and keep moving forward with that peaceful mindset!
What a profoundly jarring and inviting question : what will you do with your limited time? It’s probably the most important question one could ask oneself and yet most people don’t sit with it.
This question can be a beautiful opening out of auto pilot mode.
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment! I’m glad the question resonated—it truly can be a powerful way to break out of autopilot. I'd love to hear how you approach this question in your own life?
Short answer to what will I do with my limited lifetime? : I pause. A lot.
I put down the scalpel and retired as a plastic surgeon in solo private practice 3 years ago. I was caring for my patients, staff, and business. In addition to raising my 5 kids and managing my household. To say I was busy for the past 30+yrs is an understatement.
Having begun my road into self-discovery over 15years ago brought me to this moment in my life where I've shifted into my work/life as a SOUL Surgeon. And so over the past 6yrs of Soul Surgeoning and doing this work I learned to truly embody the PAUSE.
Remember the recommendation for the kids in case of fire : stop. drop. and roll??
LOL
So I STOP - stop the mind from spiraling by observing the thoughts.
DROP - means still my body. Sit / stand/ or drop to the yoga mat and be in physical stillness.
And ROLL - means I roll my attention to the moment at hand, whether it's an uncomfortable emotion or thought or sensation.
So why am I telling you all of this? Because it all culminates in breaking me out of the auto-pilot of the mind and into present moment time.
What will I do with my limited time?
THIS. More and more of THIS.
BE PRESENT. FEEL ALL THE FEELS. WRITE THE POEMS. PAINT THE PAINTINGS. And CONNECT WITH OTHER HEARTS & SOULS, like you - one moment at a time.🙏✨💗
Wow, thank you for sharing such a deeply reflective and inspiring answer. It’s incredible to hear about your journey from being a plastic surgeon to becoming a "Soul Surgeon." That transformation—and your dedication to living intentionally and embracing the pause—really resonates.
I love the "Stop, Drop, and Roll" metaphor. It's such a powerful yet simple framework for grounding ourselves in the present moment. The way you describe breaking free from auto-pilot and immersing yourself in the richness of life—feeling, creating, and connecting—is beautiful.
Thank you for opening up and sharing your heart. It’s truly inspiring. I hope everyone can see your message here so I just restacked :)
Wonderful article! I truly enjoyed reading it. In the daily hustle, it’s easy to lose sight of your goals and what matters to you.
Taking time to reflect and realign your direction is always beneficial. I like how you have a clear answer to the question, what truly matters to you!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad you enjoyed the article and connected with its message. You’re absolutely right—daily life can make it hard to stay focused on what truly matters, but taking the time to reflect and realign is so powerful. I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts!
Such a heartfelt post - I really feel I’m now reaping the rewards of the years I spent crafting a life that feeds my soul - I had to walk away from things I thought I would miss but haven’t but the joy of being intentional with my time makes those wilderness years worth it.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey—it’s inspiring to hear how intentionality has brought so much joy and fulfillment to your life! It’s not always easy to walk away from things, but it’s amazing how those difficult decisions often lead to something even more meaningful. I’m so glad you connected with my post, and I appreciate your kind words!
this resonated so much! all of it, thank you for such honest words.
I'm so glad it resonated with you! Thank you for your kind words, Michaela. and please have a wonderful day! 😊
And the clock is ticking:)
Indeed, every second counts! Just a little reminder to make the most of it. Thanks for reading and commenting, Seema!
I think if you're not sure what you should be doing with your time here, it's to jump ahead to your deathbed and notice the things you're disappointed or angry about that you didn't do. - That'll give you an idea of what's most important to you.
That’s a powerful perspective, Barry. Looking ahead like that really puts things into focus. Thank you for sharing—definitely something to reflect on.
This is amazing! Really resonated with me and was just what I needed to read today!
I'm so glad this resonated with you, Josh! That truly means a lot. Thank you for your kind words! I also wrote a follow-up article on how to live a life you love—please check it out here: https://stressfreeliving.substack.com/p/live-a-life-you-love
This really resonated with me. It’s so easy to get caught up in the chase—work, expectations, the next milestone—without pausing to ask, Does this actually bring me joy? Your turning point with your daughter was such a powerful wake-up call, and I love how you used it to realign your life with what truly matters.
It’s a reminder we all need: our time is limited, and the most meaningful moments aren’t found in achievements but in presence, connection, and the simple joys of living. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Salwa. It truly means a lot to know that my experience resonated with you. I’m deeply grateful that my story could serve as a reminder of what really matters. It’s something I continue to learn every day, and knowing that it connected with you makes sharing it even more meaningful. Wishing you a life filled with joy, presence, and the moments that truly matter. Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts! 😊
I love this article Seiking! Last year I quit my tech job to pursue more meaningful work. The constant pressure and mindless hopping across tasks felt empty to me. You are right, we should give more thought to who we are beyond labels. After all, there's only one life, and right now we have a choice to make more of it.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and for your kind words! It’s incredibly inspiring that you took such a bold step to pursue work that feels more meaningful to you. Stepping away from the pressure and redefining yourself beyond labels is no small feat, but it sounds like you’re truly making the most of this one precious life. Wishing you all the best on this fulfilling journey—you’re proof that it’s worth it!
Absolutely loved this. I think we all need this reminder from time to time that life is short and we don't live forever. The part about labels resonated with me. I'm an engineer, a dad, a writer, but I'm much more than that. We all are. Thanks for writing.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your thoughts. It truly means a lot to know that the message resonated with you. Life can get so busy that it's easy to forget how multifaceted and unique we all are beyond the labels we carry. Your comment has brightened my day—thank you again!
Crafting a life that feeds your soul I think gets to the heart of the matter, Sikieng. I think I'm partly there, but good days and bad days. Work can be rewarding but some days can feel toxic and set me back.
Thanks for sharing your insights and making me think.
Thank you very much for sharing your insights here, Eric. It's never too late to think about it now.
Sikieng, would you take a look at this article of mine and share a comment? I write about community building essentially. https://ericsandelands.substack.com/publish/posts/detail/153763944?referrer=%2Fpublish%2Fposts
Sure I would love to do it. But when I clicked the link, it said it was a private article. would you help to fix it?
Not sure why as it's free to view. I'll find another way. Thanks for letting me know.
JJ, sometime life doesn't make sense. Purposefully, what we have done, now we realized that they are not what we needs. However, so far we gained many different experiences from our footprints for our next move. Just smile for your true-self who figured out who you are and what you need, and move on with peaceful mindset.
I appreciate your sharing these posts, and frankly, i come here because your post :D Do you miss me? lolz; whatever happened, just be who you mean to be.
Thank you for such a heartfelt and thoughtful message. And of course, I missed you! 😊 Glad to see you here. Stay true to yourself and keep moving forward with that peaceful mindset!
I don't know, but i believe once day I can read a book, related with this kind of topic, which published by the Author Sikieng Sok 😎
Hahaha....Thank you very for your kind words and encouragement. :) Happy New Year and hope all is well with you and your family.
you are welcome, please have a good night and Happy New Year. 😊
Good night oun. Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead.
What a profoundly jarring and inviting question : what will you do with your limited time? It’s probably the most important question one could ask oneself and yet most people don’t sit with it.
This question can be a beautiful opening out of auto pilot mode.
Thank you for the invitation , Sieking✨🙏🏻
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment! I’m glad the question resonated—it truly can be a powerful way to break out of autopilot. I'd love to hear how you approach this question in your own life?
THanks for asking, Sikieng.
Short answer to what will I do with my limited lifetime? : I pause. A lot.
I put down the scalpel and retired as a plastic surgeon in solo private practice 3 years ago. I was caring for my patients, staff, and business. In addition to raising my 5 kids and managing my household. To say I was busy for the past 30+yrs is an understatement.
Having begun my road into self-discovery over 15years ago brought me to this moment in my life where I've shifted into my work/life as a SOUL Surgeon. And so over the past 6yrs of Soul Surgeoning and doing this work I learned to truly embody the PAUSE.
Remember the recommendation for the kids in case of fire : stop. drop. and roll??
LOL
So I STOP - stop the mind from spiraling by observing the thoughts.
DROP - means still my body. Sit / stand/ or drop to the yoga mat and be in physical stillness.
And ROLL - means I roll my attention to the moment at hand, whether it's an uncomfortable emotion or thought or sensation.
So why am I telling you all of this? Because it all culminates in breaking me out of the auto-pilot of the mind and into present moment time.
What will I do with my limited time?
THIS. More and more of THIS.
BE PRESENT. FEEL ALL THE FEELS. WRITE THE POEMS. PAINT THE PAINTINGS. And CONNECT WITH OTHER HEARTS & SOULS, like you - one moment at a time.🙏✨💗
Wow, thank you for sharing such a deeply reflective and inspiring answer. It’s incredible to hear about your journey from being a plastic surgeon to becoming a "Soul Surgeon." That transformation—and your dedication to living intentionally and embracing the pause—really resonates.
I love the "Stop, Drop, and Roll" metaphor. It's such a powerful yet simple framework for grounding ourselves in the present moment. The way you describe breaking free from auto-pilot and immersing yourself in the richness of life—feeling, creating, and connecting—is beautiful.
Thank you for opening up and sharing your heart. It’s truly inspiring. I hope everyone can see your message here so I just restacked :)
Thanks for reading and restacking, Sikieng. 🤗✨🙏 Love to engage in these deeper dives with you.
Likewise, Tamy :)