The Beginning of Unlock the Power of Thai Words

This morning, I woke up knowing I couldn’t push myself any further on my eBook — Understanding the Functions of Words in Thai. I had been at it for days, and the words just wouldn’t come — my mind felt heavy, stuck. Instead of forcing it, I chose to pause. In true Urai style, I reached for my tarot deck, my trusted companion who never fail to give me direction. I asked, “What should I focus on today?” And as always, my 76 life coaches answered: The Empress, clarified by the Three of Cups.

I always read tarot as a conversation with the soul, and The Empress spoke first — not just as a card, but as the Great Mother Earth herself. She whispered of care, creativity, and the importance of being nourished by beauty and nature. She reminded me that just as the earth tends her garden, we must tend to ourselves if we want our ideas and energy to grow. The Three of Cups then joined in, reminding me of the joy found in connection, celebration, and sharing our journeys with others. Together, they painted a picture of balance: The Empress asks us to root ourselves in self-care and natural rhythms, while the Three of Cups invites us to rise up and share that abundance in community. Their combined message was clear — First fill your own cup with love and nourishment, and only then can you pour joyfully into the cups of others.

So I listened, I set out on a long walk with my mum and our three dogs — Uan, Vicky, and Lucky — wandering around the lake. The air was crisp and fragrant, carrying the subtle scent of trees and earth. Leaves rustled softly in the breeze, and the mountains rose majestically in the distance. Along the way, we came across a few people fishing and paused to watch them for a while, letting the dogs dart and play freely along the shoreline. Uan (อ้วน) — which means ‘fatty’ in Thai — is the smallest of the three, but with her round little stomach, tiny face, and no chin, she’s the cutest, and she always gets her own way. At 16 years old, she’s the eldest, and we happily let her have it. Lucky sniffed every patch of grass, and Vicky bounded joyfully ahead, making us laugh. With each step, I felt myself grounding deeper into the present moment, the weight of “shoulds” slowly melting away. Mum and I chatted, our phones tucked away, simply enjoying our connection. The still water mirrored the sky above, a perfect, tranquil reflection, and for the first time in days, I wasn’t chasing deadlines or word counts — I was simply at peace, cradled in the gentle embrace of nature.

On the way back, before returning to the tent, we stopped by the little family-run café on the campsite. With a warm coffee in hands, I settled into a cozy corner and enjoyed a delightful chat with the owners, their smiles and easy laughter filling the space with warmth. In that simple moment, I felt a profound sense of calm and contentment — a reminder that joy is often found in the small, human connections we make every day. It was as if The Empress’ nurturing energy was gently hugging me, encouraging care and presence, while the Three of Cups’ spirit of community and shared joy sparkled in every exchange. These little pockets of connection, I realised, are nourishment for the soul just as much as a quiet walk in nature.

By the time I returned to my tent, I felt renewed, and the message of the cards became crystal clearer. The Empress had gently guided me to restore myself in nature, while the Three of Cups reminded me of the joy and importance of sharing. With a full heart and a fresh sense of clarity, I settled at my camping table — not glamorous, I know — but perfect in its own simple way — and poured my energy into creating my very first post for Unlock the Power of Thai Words. This marks the beginning of a new series I hope will inspire you to return to The Blog daily and use it as a space to support your own Thai language learning journey. It felt exactly like the kind of sharing the cards had nudged me toward: authentic, heartfelt, and full of purpose.

Now, as I sit here watching the sun dip low behind the mountains, the sky painted in soft gold and orange, I feel deeply grateful — for the guidance of tarot, for the serenity of nature, and for this opportunity to share this little update with you. I want this blog to grow into a welcoming space where you can stop by often — to learn something new, to feel inspired, or simply to enjoy these little slices of my journey in this fresh, exciting chapter.

So today, I’m reminding myself — and you — to pause. To step away from the endless list and do something that nourishes your inner world. As teachers, content creators, and storytellers, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we must always be producing, always ticking off the next task, always moving forward without pause. There’s another lesson to prepare, another idea to shape, another project to finish. We convince ourselves that pushing through is the only path to achievement. But here’s the truth I’m discovering on this new journey: creativity doesn’t come from constant motion — it’s flows when the soul is nourished. When we take time to breathe, to reflect, to simply be, we open a space for inspiration to find us. So, if you want to create with meaning, teach with heart, and inspire others, start by pausing and tending to your own well-being — because that’s where true inspiration begins.

Before I head off to figure out dinner, I want to thank you for stopping by and sharing this moment with me. I truly appreciate you and the time you’ve chosen to spend here — when you could be doing something much more exciting than reading Urai’s Diary! But I hope my stories bring you a little inspiration, or simply a gentle pause in your day.

And before you go, if you haven’t already, I would love for you to join my newsletter so you won’t miss future posts — I’ll be sharing plenty more along the way, from big lessons to small joys, all meant to brighten and support your journey. And while you’re at it feel free to browse my online store — The Shop — where you’ll find my eBooks, created to help you continue learning, growing, and exploring wherever you are.

For now, have a wonderful evening, and don’t forget to check out the first post in my new series, เพราะว่า (p^hrót wâa) — the beginning of Unlock the Power of Thai Words. I hope it sparks your curiosity and inspires you to return to the blog often!

With all my heart, 💛 — Urai