Leadership is one of the most studied and discussed topics in business, education, and management. Yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. People often assume that leadership is about authority or charisma, but the truth is that effective leadership depends on how a person interacts with others, makes decisions, and guides a group… Continue reading Leadership Styles That Can Shape Our Career and Team
Author: Little Belle's Mama
When Thunderstorms and Aerosmith Became My Toddler’s Bedtime Cure
There’s a stage in every toddler’s life where sleep becomes the enemy. Not because they don’t need it, but because their minds are bursting with curiosity and wonder. My daughter, now two and a half, has reached that stage. For the past few nights, bedtime has turned into a game of negotiation. She’s bright, playful,… Continue reading When Thunderstorms and Aerosmith Became My Toddler’s Bedtime Cure
What Does “Having It All” Mean to You? Is It Attainable?
“Having it all” is a phrase we hear often, a catchy idea that seems to promise the best of everything—success, love, freedom, security, and joy. But what does it really mean? For me, and perhaps for many of us, it’s not about luxury yachts or designer closets. It’s about balance. It’s about waking up and… Continue reading What Does “Having It All” Mean to You? Is It Attainable?
The Gift I Never Knew I Needed
My Little Belle, You are the greatest achievement of my life—far beyond any career milestone or worldly success. No matter what I accomplish, nothing will compare to the joy and fulfillment of being your mother. For a long time, I believed success was defined by ambition—measured by accolades, recognition, and the heights of a career.… Continue reading The Gift I Never Knew I Needed
Why I Admire Senator Rodante Marcoleta and Why the Senate Needs More Like Him
I was recently watching some clips of Rodante Marcoleta in the Senate, especially during the discussions about the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. What I saw left a strong impression on me. He wasn’t shouting or grandstanding. He was calm, precise, and very sharp in explaining legal points. He understood the law so well… Continue reading Why I Admire Senator Rodante Marcoleta and Why the Senate Needs More Like Him
My Alternative to Saba Bananas
When I first moved away from the Philippines, one of the foods I missed the most was saba bananas. They were always a part of home, whether in the form of turon, bananacue, or boiled on a rainy afternoon. The unique taste and texture of saba made them more than just fruit. They were a… Continue reading My Alternative to Saba Bananas
How Streaming Changed the Way We Watch
The way we watch movies and TV shows has changed more in the last decade than it did in the previous fifty years. This shift is mostly due to the rise of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and many others. These platforms have completely transformed the habits of viewers around the… Continue reading How Streaming Changed the Way We Watch
How Inflation Impacts Everyday Life in Germany
Lately, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about how prices have changed. It’s not just in my head — everything really is more expensive than it used to be. Inflation is a word we hear all the time, but for many people it sounds like something distant or abstract. In reality, though, it’s one of… Continue reading How Inflation Impacts Everyday Life in Germany
Brexit and What It Means for Britain, Germany, and Europe
When Brexit first became more than just a political debate and turned into reality, I remember feeling like the ground in Europe shifted. For decades the idea of Europe had been one of unity, cooperation, and shared prosperity. Then suddenly, the United Kingdom decided to walk away from the European Union, ending nearly half a… Continue reading Brexit and What It Means for Britain, Germany, and Europe
Looking at German Politics for the First Time
I have to admit, I’ve never really followed German politics closely. Most of the time, it feels complicated, filled with names and parties that don’t catch my interest. But lately, I’ve started to think more about it, especially when it comes to one topic that affects me directly: taxes. The tax rate here feels very… Continue reading Looking at German Politics for the First Time
Alcohol Does Not Make You a Bad Person, It Reveals the Bad Person in You
There are many sayings about alcohol. Some people believe it is a truth serum. Others see it as a poison that destroys relationships and lives. The line from the Korean drama Level Up offers a striking perspective: alcohol does not make you a bad person, it reveals the bad person in you. At first glance,… Continue reading Alcohol Does Not Make You a Bad Person, It Reveals the Bad Person in You
The Three Faces We All Carry
It is often said that human beings are complex, layered, and never quite as simple as they seem on the surface. One line from the Korean drama Level Up captures this beautifully: people live with three different personalities. The first is how you are at work, the second is how you are in your personal… Continue reading The Three Faces We All Carry
The Search for a Perfect Hawaiian Schnitzel
There are certain foods that stay with you long after you have eaten them. They are not just meals but experiences that shape your taste, your expectations, and even the way you remember places. For me, one of those meals is the Hawaiian schnitzel. It might sound like a funny combination at first. A breaded… Continue reading The Search for a Perfect Hawaiian Schnitzel
A Painting That Felt Like a Vacation
Back in 2022, when I was pregnant and visiting my OB-GYN regularly, I noticed a painting in the clinic that stopped me in my tracks. It wasn’t a dramatic piece of art filled with heavy symbolism or complex imagery. It was simple, colorful, and instantly comforting. Six women sat on the beach, their backs turned,… Continue reading A Painting That Felt Like a Vacation
The Gift of Serene Places
There are certain places in the world that have a quiet magic. You step into them, and something inside you shifts. The tension in your shoulders loosens, the noise in your head quiets down, and you feel almost as if time slows to match your heartbeat. These places can be tucked away in a busy… Continue reading The Gift of Serene Places
Why Animals Exist and Why Doves Matter to Us
Sometimes I find myself wondering why there are so many different kinds of animals in this world. It is easy to understand why we need cows for milk, chickens for eggs, or bees for pollination, but what about creatures that seem to have no obvious use? Crickets sing at night, moths flutter around lights, frogs… Continue reading Why Animals Exist and Why Doves Matter to Us
The Unexpected Journeys of Work and Home
In life, we often make choices that seem small in the moment but later become the very reasons why we grow in ways we never imagined. Back in 2019, when we moved from living just five kilometers away from my workplace to suddenly being thirty-six kilometers away, I didn’t realize how much that shift would… Continue reading The Unexpected Journeys of Work and Home
The Joy of Croissants
There are certain foods in life that feel like small luxuries, even when they are simple. For me, that food is the croissant. Every time I see one on a plate or in a bakery window, my mood lifts. Something about its golden layers, buttery scent, and soft yet flaky bite always makes me pause… Continue reading The Joy of Croissants
My Secret Romance
When I first pressed play on My Secret Romance, I thought I was just signing up for a lighthearted romantic comedy to fill an evening or two. What I did not expect was that it would become the kind of show I would keep thinking about long after the last episode ended. It left a… Continue reading My Secret Romance
Remote Work Etiquette That Builds Trust and Team Spirit
Remote work has opened the doors to flexibility, freedom, and work-from-anywhere lifestyles. It’s no longer just a trend but a long-term shift in how many people collaborate. While it comes with its perks, remote work also requires a certain level of discipline, awareness, and communication that isn’t always talked about. Building trust and maintaining a… Continue reading Remote Work Etiquette That Builds Trust and Team Spirit
The Power of Being Reliable at Work
In every workplace, there are a few people others naturally turn to when things get tough, deadlines get tight, or problems arise unexpectedly. These are the reliable ones. They’re not always the loudest in meetings or the flashiest with presentations, but they are the ones others trust. Being reliable might not sound like the most… Continue reading The Power of Being Reliable at Work
How to Stay Professional at Work Even in Difficult Moments
Being professional at work means more than just dressing neatly and doing your job on time. It’s about how you carry yourself, how you handle tough conversations, and how you respond when situations get uncomfortable. Every workplace has moments that test your patience or make you feel disrespected. What truly sets a professional apart is… Continue reading How to Stay Professional at Work Even in Difficult Moments
The Magic of a Child’s Ever-Changing Favorites
When you watch a child grow, you begin to notice a rhythm in the way they latch on to things. One week, their heart belongs to a stuffed animal, the next week it might be a toy car, and before long something else entirely takes over their imagination. My daughter has been teaching me this… Continue reading The Magic of a Child’s Ever-Changing Favorites
The Political Storm Around VP Sara Duterte: Distractions, Debt, and the Search for Real Progress
In politics, the loudest stories often drown out the most important ones. Lately, the public conversation in the Philippines has been dominated by talks about impeaching Vice President Sara Duterte. The case has already gone through decisions by the Supreme Court and the Senate, and the results did not favor those pushing the impeachment. Yet… Continue reading The Political Storm Around VP Sara Duterte: Distractions, Debt, and the Search for Real Progress
A Day at Waterstones Piccadilly
When I first heard about Waterstones, I thought of it as just another bookstore, but stepping inside the one at Piccadilly in London showed me that it is much more than shelves filled with books. It feels like a world built for book lovers, with so many sections, quiet corners, and little discoveries waiting at… Continue reading A Day at Waterstones Piccadilly
A Gentle Afternoon at Vogelpark Heiligenkirchen in Detmold
We had just finished visiting the Hermann Monument when we decided to head over to Vogelpark Heiligenkirchen, nestled at the foot of the monument in Detmold. As soon as we arrived at the bird park, my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter’s eyes lit up. Everywhere she looked, bright feathers and tiny creatures drew her in. The path wound… Continue reading A Gentle Afternoon at Vogelpark Heiligenkirchen in Detmold
A Day at the Hermann Denkmal in Detmold
Last weekend we decided to make a little trip to Detmold. My husband’s relatives live nearby, and another relative with her family was visiting them for a sleepover. It had been a while since we spent a whole day together. We knew it would be a good chance not only to catch up but also… Continue reading A Day at the Hermann Denkmal in Detmold
The Month of Questions
This month has brought a new rhythm into our days, a rhythm shaped by curiosity. My daughter, at two and a half years old, has begun to ask questions. They are small questions, but they carry a weight that feels enormous because they mark such a clear step in her growth. All day, I now… Continue reading The Month of Questions
Live Within Your Means
Money has a way of slipping through our fingers if we are not careful. No matter how much you earn, it can feel like it is never enough if you spend without thinking. Living within your means is not just about paying bills on time. It is about building a life where your expenses match… Continue reading Live Within Your Means
From Treating Everyone to Splitting the Bill – How Two Dining Cultures Shaped Me
Back home in the Philippines, there’s a word for treating your friends, family, or colleagues when you eat out: manglibre. It’s more than just picking up the bill. It’s an act of generosity, a way of saying you care, and sometimes, it’s an unspoken expectation—especially if you’ve just returned from abroad or a big city.… Continue reading From Treating Everyone to Splitting the Bill – How Two Dining Cultures Shaped Me
