As I celebrate another trip around the sun, I find myself reflecting on the journey I’ve taken over the past year—a year filled with discovery, creativity, and personal growth. What started as a vague idea has slowly taken shape into something real and meaningful. This is the story of how Sunny Valley, a platform dedicated to positive content around planet, peace, and performance, was born out of reflection, learning, and the desire to share.
A Seed of an Idea
About a year ago, I had an idea. It wasn’t polished or even well-defined, but it lingered in my mind like a persistent whisper. I’ve always been someone who journals daily. Writing helps me reflect, process my thoughts, and set intentions. One day, I asked myself: What if I could share some of these reflections with others? What if the lessons I’ve learned from books, podcasts, life experiences, and everyday musings could inspire someone else?
At first, I didn’t know what form it would take. I thought about starting a YouTube channel. Then I considered just launching a blog. Later, a podcast seemed like a good fit. The idea evolved and expanded over time, and I began logging every single version and variation in my Evernote. Some ideas were polished, others completely random. But slowly, like puzzle pieces falling into place, a vision emerged.
The Birth of Sunny Valley
All these ideas eventually came together into what I now call Sunny Valley—a website and personal platform that combines a blog, a podcast, a YouTube channel, and a curated list of books that have influenced my thinking and shaped my worldview.
Sunny Valley is a manifestation of my life philosophy—an open invitation to explore what it means to live intentionally, to find peace within, to grow through performance, and to care deeply about the planet we all share. I’m still in the process of building the website, but the vision is clearer than ever. It has given me a deep sense of purpose, a personal mission that I am proud to work on every day.
Inspiration from Thought Leaders
On my birthday this year, I gave myself the gift of time. I left the office early—at 5 PM—and dedicated the evening to myself. I curled up with a book, played an inspiring podcast, and allowed myself to be present in the moment.
One of the podcasts I listened to featured Naval Ravikant, a renowned entrepreneur and thinker known for his wisdom on wealth, happiness, and personal growth. I had started this episode days before, but today I finally finished it. Naval’s perspective is both refreshing and profound. A while back, Nam, a good friend, lent me The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, a book that compiles Naval’s most powerful insights. That book planted the seeds for a lot of the ideas I’ve incorporated into Sunny Valley.
His thoughts on building a meaningful life, cultivating peace of mind, and creating with intention deeply resonated with me. Naval’s message is simple yet transformative: create your own freedom, and live a life aligned with your values. That’s exactly what I’m trying to do with Sunny Valley.
Lessons from The Alchemist
Another deeply meaningful experience on this special day was finishing The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This timeless novel follows Santiago, a young shepherd who dreams of finding treasure near the Egyptian pyramids. What begins as a physical journey quickly transforms into a spiritual quest—one that teaches him (and us) about the power of listening to our hearts and the importance of pursuing our “Personal Legend.”
The book reminded me that life is not just about reaching goals, but about embracing the journey, facing challenges with courage, and trusting that everything is connected. Sometimes, what we’re searching for is already within us. This resonates so strongly with the values I hope to share through Sunny Valley. The book reaffirmed my belief that living with purpose is the most valuable treasure of all.
A Year of Growth and Gratitude
Despite dealing with a lingering cough from a cold I caught last week, I felt mentally energized and spiritually uplifted. As I look ahead to this new chapter in life, I’m excited—not just for the things I’ve accomplished, but for the many goals that still lie ahead. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about working toward a vision that aligns with who you are.
There are still many unfinished goals on my list, and that’s perfectly okay. I’m learning to enjoy the process just as much as the outcome. The journey toward building Sunny Valley—and toward becoming the best version of myself—is ongoing, and it’s one I’m deeply grateful for.
Looking Forward with Intention
Birthdays are often moments of celebration, but they can also be powerful checkpoints for reflection. As I blow out the candles and look forward to the next 365 days, I’m filled with hope and excitement. There’s so much I want to create, explore, and share through Sunny Valley. I envision a community built on authenticity, positivity, and growth.
Whether it’s through insightful blog posts, thought-provoking podcast episodes, honest book reviews, or short, meaningful videos—I want Sunny Valley to be a space where people can pause, reflect, and connect with ideas that matter.
This past year has been transformative. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that meaningful progress comes from consistency, curiosity, and staying true to your voice. That’s exactly the path I plan to follow in the years ahead.
Here’s to the journey, to the people who inspire us, to the books and ideas that shape us—and to living a life of purpose, passion, and peace.