The luxury of being able to let go

As the clock ticks into her 40s, a woman finds herself separated by a profound transition: "Before Cancer/After Cancer." Life's recent traumas - a global pandemic, a major war, and a cancer diagnosis - have left her yearning for a sense of peace. Now, in her fifties, she feels a strange calmness. She doesn't claim to have reached enlightenment nor does she seek sainthood, but rather a more grounded simplicity.

While spring cleaning her home, she discovers items she can't recall purchasing or understanding her desire for them. This experience prompts her to let go of the attachment to specific outcomes, a lesson she believes most people should learn. She recognizes desire as a healthy driving force behind many beautiful things, but cautions against over-analyzing it.

For those in crisis, detachment from outcomes may be unattainable. However, for those not in conflict, she encourages finding solace in self-reflection and releasing emotional ties. She finds joy in the present, hoping for more tomorrow, and hopes for her cancer to remain in remission. She watches the Chiikawa movie, admiring the character Usagi, who embodies contentment, bravery, and creativity.

She wishes to embody the same, living in the moment and cherishing what truly matters. In a world filled with chaos, she hopes readers find solace in similar thoughts. When all else fails, she suggests lying down and letting one's mind be still, focusing on pleasant thoughts like breakfast. She recommends nasi lemak.