Solitude, Sweet Treats, and a Serendipitous Soundtrack: My Mall of Asia Escape

 

Sometimes, the best way to hit refresh is a quiet moment, just for yourself. And what better place to find a little peace amidst the bustle than a hidden gem within a familiar space? Today, my health and happiness booster came in the form of a delightful solo escape to Mall of Asia, and let me tell you, it was just what the doctor ordered!

My sanctuary for the afternoon? None other than Wildflour, a perennial favorite. There's something so comforting about their warm, inviting atmosphere, and today, it was the perfect backdrop for my chosen indulgences. First up, a heavenly Leche Flan Danish.

Each bite was a delicate balance of flaky pastry and that rich, creamy, unmistakably Filipino Leche Flan goodness. Pure bliss! To complement this sweet treat, a comforting mug of ginger turmeric warm tea – a soothing, healthful hug in a cup. And as a cherry on top (or rather, a lovely bonus!), I even scored a Wildflour Plus discount card for free! Talk about a happy accident.

As I savored each moment, lost in my thoughts and the gentle hum of the café, a classic old song began to play. The melody was instantly recognizable, a nostalgic echo from another era. But it was the lyrics that truly caught my ear, pulling me out of my reverie:

"One step ahead of heartbreak... One step ahead of your arms."

Wow. Those lines resonated deeply. I found myself pondering the weight of those words, the incredible difficulty of being in a situation where you're constantly trying to outrun emotional pain or the pull of a past love. It felt incredibly poignant, capturing a very universal human experience.

My curiosity piqued, I quickly pulled out my phone and googled the lyrics. And that's when I discovered something interesting! While I had a specific artist in mind when I heard it, the search revealed that the song, "One Step Ahead," was famously sung by Aretha Franklin, but also by another iconic group: Split Enz. It’s fascinating how a song can be interpreted and delivered by different artists, each adding their own layer of meaning.

This little discovery added another layer to my already perfect afternoon. It was a reminder that even in our quiet moments, inspiration and unexpected insights can find us. A delicious pastry, a warming tea, a freebie, and a classic tune that sparked a moment of reflection – these are the simple, yet profound, boosters that truly nourish the soul.

What are your favorite "health and happiness boosters"? Share them in the comments below!

In the quiet of a bustling mall, I found that the sweetest treat wasn't just on my plate, but in the solitude that allowed a forgotten melody to become a profound discovery -Ashley Goodale

A Dream of a Better World: A Health and Happiness Booster

 

A Dream of a Better World" is a song I wrote and a video I created to capture a vision of hope and peace. This project has been a powerful reminder of how important it is to focus on inner peace to create outer happiness.

For me, this song is a personal health and happiness booster. It's a reminder that even in a noisy world, we can find a quiet place inside through meditation and visualization. By allowing ourselves to dream of a world filled with kindness and love, we're not just wishing—we're actively boosting our own spirits and contributing to a more positive world.

The lyrics and visuals in the video are a simple reflection of my belief that big change starts with a single thought. I hope this song inspires you to hold on to your own dreams for a better world, just as I'm holding on to mine.

I invite you to take a few minutes to listen and feel the message. Let it be a source of calm and a reminder that your dreams have the power to create a better world, one person at a time.

Peace is not a destination we travel to, but a dream we carry in our hearts until it becomes the world we walk on. -Ashley Goodale

The Best Kind of Push: From Manila to London, He Helps Me Find Happiness

It’s easy to feel stuck when you’re on the opposite side of the world from the person you love. I’m here in Manila, and he’s all the way in London. On the days when the distance feels heaviest and I just want to stay in bed, my boyfriend has a way of knowing exactly what to do.

He doesn't "come over," but he sends a message that instantly pulls me out of my rut. Our anthem, born from the song I wrote, feels more real than ever:

"Yo, you up?... Ditch the house."

It's a simple phrase, but from him, it's a call to action. He knows I need to get out of my head and mentally close the thousands of miles between us. It isn't about a specific destination; it's about the act of choosing to be together and leaving my worries behind.

This is the beauty of our relationship, and it’s what I love most about the song. It perfectly captures how he helps me find my happiness, even across continents. The lyrics that follow are what we live by:

> "Gotta get out, gotta have a chill day,

> Spend some time with you, doing whatever, just doing what we wanna do."

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It's a reminder that my happiness isn't something I have to find on my own. It's something we build together. Our favorite thing to do is for him to read a book to me. He'll read a chapter of "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff About Love" by Richard Carlson, and with every chapter he reads, we share each other's insight. It’s a simple, intimate way to connect that makes the distance disappear. The song’s most honest and powerful line is:

> "Nothing could be better than just being together."

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My boyfriend is more than just my partner; he is my "health and happiness booster." He reminds me that the best things in life are simple and that the greatest moments aren’t planned—they just happen when you have the right person beside you, no matter how many time zones away they are. This song isn't just a mood; it’s our story, and it’s a constant reminder of how we find joy in the little things.

Our love story proves that distance isn't measured in miles, but in moments. The song I wrote and the book he reads are our bridges. - Ashley Goodale 

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