A Trip Around the World: Embracing Life as Your Highest Self

Kahlil Gibran once said, "Travel and tell no one, live a true love story and tell no one, live happily and tell no one; people ruin beautiful things." There's a profound truth in those words—a reminder to guard our happiness and live life authentically, away from the prying eyes of the world. But since, we are besties, I will let you in the secret, shh... don't tell anyone!

Let me introduce you to my little yellow suitcase. But before I do, let me share why I chose yellow: because the color reminds me of the sun and I love the sun. For me it symbolizes life, energy, and pure, unbridled happiness. For what lies ahead, I am committed to creating a forever sunshine in my life, even amid the heaviest storms and loudest thunders. This sunshine will come from within—an unwavering light, unaffected by the circumstances or opinions of others.

In an earlier post, I wrote about waiting—waiting to wear that special dress, put on those beautiful shoes, and use that luxurious perfume. I believed I could only enjoy these things once all my requirements were met. But in the end, I never got to enjoy them at all. I promised myself, “No more. Never again.” Yet, I recently realized I was still holding back in certain areas of my life. I was still waiting to be happy, still waiting to feel alive, still waiting for everything to be "just right."

Then, I listened to one of my mentors who has a unique perspective on life and business. She doesn’t just advocate learning skills to succeed—she urges us to live as our highest selves.

What Does It Mean to Live as Your Highest Self?

Living as your highest self is a practice, a daily commitment to manifest the life you desire now, not when or if certain conditions are met. It’s about choosing to embody the person you want to be in the present moment, within your current means. We often put the life we want on a pedestal, somewhere in the distant future, like a prize we'll only deserve after enduring suffering and hardship. But why wait? Why not begin cultivating that dream life now?

The power to create beauty, joy, and fulfillment in our present moment is ours. It starts with making the journey as beautiful as possible while working toward our destination. You don’t have to earn the right to be happy or to live a life of abundance—you already deserve it. When I began to accept this truth and started saying yes to my desires, my energy shifted dramatically. I felt a profound transformation within.

Rejecting the 'Work Hard, Play Later' Mindset

Many of us were raised with the mindset that hard work must precede reward. We’re told to work relentlessly now and only play later, to defer happiness until some distant future. But what if we shook things up? What if we believed that our ability to achieve is more powerful when we step into the mindset that we deserve what we want right now? What if we stopped waiting and allowed ourselves to enjoy life today?

So, I started saying yes to myself now, while continuing to build the life I desire. I’m not postponing joy. I’m treating and rewarding myself because I deserve it. After all, now is all I have. There are no guarantees for tomorrow.

Becoming the Main Character of My Life

I envisioned the person I aspire to be—the main character in my story. I asked myself, How does she live? Where does she spend her time? What does she prioritize? How does she think? I crafted a vision of her life and decided to start living like her today. That decision changed everything.

She treats herself to a spa day every month; while I’m not quite there yet, I make it a priority to go every four months. She gets a monthly manicure and pedicure right at home, with someone coming over for the service. I might not have that yet, but I still indulge in the experience by going to the nail salon, savoring each moment rather than waiting until I can afford the at-home luxury. She explores extraordinary destinations, and that’s where my little yellow suitcase comes into play. I’m planning exciting trips, both around Malaysia and abroad, to bring a taste of that lifestyle into my life now.

She’s passionate about design and art, so I no longer delay visits to galleries or design shows. I’ve stopped waiting for the “perfect time” to live out these experiences. The time is now.

Embracing Life with Boldness

Living as my highest self means making choices based on comfort and value, not just price. Recently, I purchased a new office space, and it might seem extravagant, but working there fills me with inspiration. Stepping into my highest self, means discarding old, worn-out clothes and replacing them with elegant dresses—even if I’m just staying at home. It means wearing golden jewelry to feel beautiful, even if I’m only running a quick errand downstairs.

This journey is not about the things themselves but about the mindset of saying yes to the life I want. It’s about radiating sunshine from within and living boldly, with intention and authenticity, because I already deserve to live my best life.

Living life as your highest self means facing that inner voice head-on—the one that whispers, “Wait a little longer. You can’t afford this. This isn’t meant for someone like you.” It’s about refusing to let that voice hold you back, even when you want something with every fiber of your being. Each of us will take different steps toward living our dream life, but the key is to start now, however small the action may seem.

Maybe you dislike cleaning—why not hire a maid once a month, or even every three months, to start embracing the energy of ease and cultivating a mindset of abundance? If cooking isn’t your thing, treat yourself to a beautifully prepared meal from your favorite restaurant every now and then. Perhaps it’s a weekend escape at a nearby hotel or a luxurious Airbnb—whatever brings you joy and aligns with your vision, don’t wait for some future moment.

Do it now. Because now is all you truly have. Life doesn’t come with do-overs, so step boldly into the life you desire and create your own sunshine, starting today.

And if, like me, your highest self dreams of traveling the world, go ahead and buy that yellow luggage. Pack it up and hop on—whether it’s by bus, train, boat, or flight. And why not aim for a private jet one day—soon. Let every journey be a celebration of the life you’re living now, not just the life you’re waiting for. Embrace the adventure, because the world is yours to explore, and your time is now.

With all my heart,

Salima