My Word of the Week is AI From Shopping Sprees to Secret Garden

This week, I have been having fun with AI, particularly ChatGPT. We even prompted it to show us what one side of our garden could look like if we listed the flowers we wanted to use! Cool, it’s exciting what it can do, and what we can use it for.

Believe it or not, this week’s post has been written for me, using a few prompts about how my week has been. Would you have known if I hadn’t told you?

This past week has been a much-needed breather. After the whirlwind of the last two weeks, I finally had time to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the simple joys around me. While AI usually stands for Artificial Intelligence, this week, it came to mean something different: appreciation and intention. Of course, I still thought plenty about the techy kind of AI, too—but more on that later.

Sunday: Retail Therapy and Step Count Victories

The week kicked off with a trip to One Stop Shopping Centre. As expected, I bought far more than I needed (isn’t that always the way?), but I’m not complaining. The bags were heavy, but my step count was glorious. There’s something surprisingly satisfying about weaving in and out of aisles, balancing retail therapy with physical activity. If only my smartwatch could convert steps into store discounts. (Most of the shopping was for grocery items, but we also bought ourselves each a hot water flask and a ribbed glass with a lid and straw for our upcoming trip to Dorset!)

Monday to Friday: Library Life and Lighter Loads

Work this week was noticeably calmer, especially compared to the chaos of the previous fortnight. Spending time at the library offered a peaceful, focused environment — a real haven for productivity. There’s a rhythm to working among books and the quiet hum of others around you. Most days, I caught up with colleagues, shared stories, and enjoyed the kind of laughter that only happens when the pressure eases a bit.

And then there’s The Secret Garden at work. Honestly, it’s one of my favourite discoveries. Nestled away like something from a fairytale, it’s become a regular escape during lunch breaks. It’s wild, serene, and bursting with life – a place where I can actually think without interruption. It made me realize how important quiet green spaces are for recharging our human batteries — especially in a world buzzing with digital noise and, yes, AI.

At Home: Growth and Gratitude

Not to be outdone, my own garden at home has been putting on a show lately. The mix of rainy and sunny days has made it flourish, like nature’s own algorithm working its magic. There’s something deeply grounding about tending to plants. It’s a process that requires both patience and observation — two things AI doesn’t yet do quite like we can.

It made me wonder: in all the talk about artificial intelligence transforming the future, how often do we forget to just be? To sit, breathe, and notice how much life is already growing around us — no automation required.

Wednesday: Celebrating Roots and Culture

Wednesday marked Jamaican Independence Day, and I was filled with pride. I didn’t do anything too extravagant that day, but the anticipation of the weekend celebrations gave me energy. I’m already planning to wear the colours to church — green, black, and gold — and I’m looking forward to seeing others do the same. These moments are more than symbolic. They’re reminders of heritage, strength, and resilience — another kind of intelligence, passed down generation after generation.

AI Reflections: More Than Machines

As AI continues to evolve around us — shaping work, media, and even our gardens in some techy cases — I’m reminded that the real intelligence lies in how we choose to live. It’s in the moments we intentionally unplug. It’s in celebrating independence and identity. It’s in knowing when to work hard and when to wander through a secret garden.

So yes, this week was about AI — not just the artificial kind, but the kind rooted in appreciation, intention, and a deep connection to life itself.

Here’s to more weeks like this. 🌿💛🖤💚 JoLeisa

Thanks to Anne for allowing us to share in this link-up each week.

BTW, last Jamaican Independence Day found us enjoying it in Florida.