Moments That Move You: Dancing Through Life's Unexpected Joys

These last few weeks, I've been swept up in the sounds of Barry White's "My First, My Last, My Everything." I can’t quite put into words the feelings that bubble up inside me when I hear it, but I can tell you this: wherever I am, I’m dancing. Whether I'm at home, heading to the office, or on the way back, I feel the beat moving me from within. In the train cruising through Kuala Lumpur, while sharing lifts with strangers, or standing in line, it’s like my wild side has taken over, unleashed and impossible to contain. I let it roam free, soaking in the moments as they come.

A few mentors once advised me to create a playlist that speaks to the soul, and I’ve been following their advice ever since. Whenever I dance to those songs, something shifts. There’s a surge of energy, like I’ve had a double shot of Red Bull; I feel like I could fly without wings. Who needs them when power courses through every cell of your body? When something makes you feel truly alive, it’s like the world opens up, expanding before your eyes. It could be words, an activity, a place—whatever it is, if it sparks joy, make it a permanent fixture in your life. We’re here for such a brief time; why not make it sweet?

Today, as I was about to head to the Starbucks downstairs, something beautiful happened. I was leaving the office when I noticed my colleague Elcy at the door, decorating for Deepavali, the Hindu festival of lights. Her artistic touch has always been impressive, so I paused to watch. She saw me dancing and asked what I was listening to. I unplugged my headphones and let the music fill the corridor. As Barry White’s deep voice echoed, another colleague—our youngest team member, a sweet Chinese boy—joined in, matching my dance steps. Elcy’s laughter filled the space, and for a moment, we were lost in the magic.

It struck me how incredible that moment was. Years ago, if someone had told me I'd be dancing halfway across the world with a young Chinese boy to a soulful classic, I wouldn't have believed it. Yet, here I was. We were just three humans, connecting through joy, and it was beautiful.

Life can throw all kinds of challenges our way, but don’t let them rob you of joy. Find the things that make you feel alive and weave them into the fabric of your everyday. It’s not just a luxury; it’s your birthright. I hope this post encourages you to pause, be present, and savor life right where you are. Because these moments, however fleeting, are the ones that make life truly worth living.

With all my heart,

Salima