“Finding Joy in Small Moments: A Simple Day by the Lake”

The lead picture was edited by Canva.
Last week, I went on a short trip. Hindi siya malayo, and also not expensive, but it really gave me time to relax. I just needed something simple to refresh my mind. The place had a lake and a small pond. When we arrived, my fellow Filipino friends and I saw a lot of lotus leaves floating in the water. Some flowers were blooming, ang ganda talaga. Mahangin nang kaunti, kalmado yung tubig, at tumayo lang ako sandali, ini-enjoy yung moment. Minsan talaga, life is uneasy and messy. I was thinking of so many things. But when I stood at the lakeside, I feel so much better. All my stress is gone for a while, and I feel so peaceful. especially when I saw people enjoying themselves in different ways. May mga nagsa-swimming with life jackets, may iba naka-raft, and some were just sitting there, watching the view. I also took pictures—of course, a selfie with the lake behind me. My smile there, I could feel it was real.

There were also small boats on the water. Some people were rowing slowly, and the boats moved gently ahead. While I was watching them, I realized—life is like that din. We don’t need to rush. Kahit dahan-dahan lang, as long as we keep moving, makakarating din tayo. The lotus flowers gave me another reminder. They grow in water that isn’t always clear, pero kahit ganun, they still bloom so beautifully. For me, it shows that kahit may struggles sa life, we can still rise, we can still be strong. On my way home, I felt very light inside. The trip was short and simple, pero the happiness stayed with me. When I look at the pictures now, hindi lang lake at flowers ang nakikita ko—naaalala ko rin yung calm moment, yung totoong smile, at yung peace na naramdaman ko that day.
Doon ko narealize—hindi lagi galing sa big plans or mahal na travels ang joy. Minsan, nasa simple things lang—fresh air, tahimik na lugar, at ganda ng nature. And that is already enough.

Note: this trip from my place in Selangor, I took the train to Kotaraya in Kuala Lumpur, then our bus was waiting there and we had to drive for 45 minutes to 1hour to Tadom Hill resort.