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Fashion your life around a garland of good deeds...

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Do u.... want more?

Last Sunday, I was accused of being selfish with my knowledge.
My photographer friend Olivier said,
"I've known you all this while and I only recently realized how spiritual you are."
He went on to tell me,
"If I knew this before, I would have seeked your cosmic advice way before."

My only defense was to reply...
"I believe spirituality is best shared through positive experiences and personalities.
If personal theories were preached and insisted upon, spirituality does not come by choice.
If by being a spiritual person, in touch with the cosmic, one is at peace with themselves, happy and joyful to be around... that is a good example of what the Universe can bring u, if u only believed.
People will then seek their own awareness and happiness since they see that THIS is what inner peace and compassion brings to me."

Well Olivier and I went on to have quite an indulgent Sunday...
with good food, groovy music, lots of drinks and great company
and through the day, we would catch each others eyes,
exchange a intuitive nod and went on bouncing through the party.

Monday morning came and I got to thinking....
He is right.
I know all these things...out of pure passion and personal achievement.
I know of angels and Goddesses and crystals and healing herbs...
and I have not shared it....enough.
I share it with my Loved ones and my best friends and strangers I encounter
but I have not seeked out another avenue to share more.

Since I was a little girl, I had been fascinated with the Mystical.
I was born Catholic but grew up reading philosophical novels, bibles and encyclopedias on ancient remedies.
Crystals were my type of 'candy', my eyes would always follow butterflies and birds,
insisting to know the name of every tree or plant and totally tamed by the sight of the Ocean.

During my early years of modeling and while I was still in school,
I use to get sarcastic remarks about the constant grin on my face or my airy fairy comments about the day and all things remarkable.
And I would read my Sybil Leek books,
hiding the covers and titles from their sights just to avoid scrutiny and judgement.

These days, as much as I look to the Angels and Goddesses for signs and guidance,
I follow Buddhism.
Which speaks of awareness, compassion and acceptance mainly.
I go to the temple whenever I can, and pray for my family and friends but more important,
I fuel my lifestyle by surrounding myself with good friends and clean fun.
Our indulgences are deserved and we hurt nobody else in the process so we give ourselves that permission to let loose. That's my type of Good Times.
The energies exchanged are genuine and clear of dishonesty and secrets and malice.
We laugh because we are happy we live.
Not out of bitchiness or jealously brought on by insecurities.
And we celebrate the Trust, within the circle and the depth of our histories together.
We share life mottos and helpful lessons to get through Life.
And we promise each other loyalty and love.

I know I am blessed. Because I have these friends, and I have this advice.
And I know of the Universe and how cycles are necessary in this world.
But I want to share it.
With you... yes You.
Just one bit at a time.
Spare me some of your brain space and see if my words resonate within you.
And if they work for you....
Or even if reading them entertains or lightens you.
Support me if I tell you my stories and my experiences.
Drink me when I am on a roll or off the beaten track.

Do u..... want more?

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Dharma Cards

One mind

Our worlds are created in our mind
and we live as if these worlds are real.
Our thoughts and our actions
bring misery and complications
and we have no freedom.

In our mind we create the world
and we live as if this world is real.
To realize the truth
and free ourselves
we must pass through
the doors of awareness.

Six
Collecting Honey

As the bee collects nectar
without injuring the flower,
so should you move through life.

Watch your actions,
learn about yourself,
and don't compare
your ways with others.

The words of those who are unaware
are like withered flowers.
They are faded and have no scent.

The Dharma Cards

I am reminded once again of the importance of positive thought and speech.
I guess sometimes I mix it up in my head when I work.
When I put on my 'work mode', I am expected to be judgmental and curt with people.
The industry almost feeds off the snobbish aloofness shoveled around these circles.
But there again, I see this incredible emergence of highly aware people who are making good changes in their habits and lives and are setting a better example for the fashionistas of the future.
As always, as a cycle and as the way of the Universe, there is balance in all.
Namaste.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Get well.

Stuck at home with the flu. Arrrgh.
Although I am rather happy that I actually have a reason to sleep all day.
And I know my body needs it.
I still can't help but wonder if it would socially irresponsible if I went for yoga anyhow.
YES IT IS!
Gosh, I wish more people would stay at home when their ill.
Coming out, eating at a public food court, exercising in gyms, taking public transport all require you to interact with other people, share space and yes spread germs.
That is socially irresponsible behavior.
Especially when you are the height of your sickness. The first 2 days. And you are most infectious.

Ok, so maybe I am restless at home. After washing Gizmo and his bed, cleaning out the termite remains, folding some laundry and putting in somemore, checking my facebook's Cafe World every 20 mins and giving it a whole renovation, I should either try and sleep now or lie down and rest my body. I guess I couldn't help but put it out there to all you sick people...
stay in, drink juices, sit on balconies and get better.
Don't go out and share germs so there won't be more sick people at home out there.

Get better soon.

Monday, February 1, 2010

FEAR!

Fear fools us all.
No one of us completely eludes it and the weird thing is, the more we run from it, the more it comes to challenge us.
The moment we believe we have it under control, it stings us like a painful reminder to stay awake.
It feeds off all the anger we give it, and thrives on the paranoia lurking deep within.
We try to hide our fears only to realize how obviously we wear it, during all those ugly moments.
The power we give it stuns us and the control we so desperately want, slips away.

We always give excuses for fear. We are afraid to admit it controls us. What a paradox.

We cannot understand why it always gets the best of us. We are blinded by fear.

We need to be aware that we do not have to live in fear.
That we, as sentient beings, can be awakened to a happier, higher pattern of living.
But we must first break bad habits and self-sabotaging behavior, as well as develop awareness and compassion.
Trust our instincts.
"Worship the alter of our own intuition"
- quote from the book "The Gospel according to Coco Chanel".

What an awesome message.

So, as I write here... almost to myself.
As these lessons I talk about are my thoughts in words, in relation to an event in the day.
I would lie if I said my day was peaceful and meditative and joyous.
Today, I saw fear. I watched it rip away at two beings while they nurtured it with their pride.
A mirror and it's reflection.

Thus, my message to myself is...
Don't live with Fear, and Fear will not live with you.

It's not me, it's YOU.

I don't think it's about me.
It ain't about making me happy or doing the things I ask.
It's about you.
Being aware of your thoughts and your actions.

It isn't about what I say or what you think I am trying to tell you.
It's about your interpretations and your perceptions and how you judge yourself.

Kels bought me Dharma cards for Xmas and it's suppose to be a meditation kit filled with the teachings of Buddha but in the introduction, there are so many messages...
I find it vital to share some with you.

Buddha's wisdom is a powerful tool for inner discovery.
You don't have to subscribe to any change or faith for his sayings to be helpful, nor do you have to alter your beliefs.
You simply need to understand that the insights Buddha offered are based on a very human desire to seek answers to questions about who and what we really are.

There are many who have awakened, but few among them who have the gift of bringing clarity to the world.
A Master is one who can transmit a teaching, who can inspire others to reach for their own awakening.

What a disciple typically wanted to hear a Master say was, "Listen to me, and learn from me. Then you can be like me."
Buddha was different. He emphasized one simple point.
"Watch yourself. Then you will learn from yourself how things are."

"Such a person's words must be listened to with an open mind.
You must judge for yourself whether or not someone speaks of the Dharma through real understanding. You must learn to recognize someone whose words are in harmony with their own inner discipline. Only if this can be established with certainty should such a person's words be recognized."

Now go and seek your own enlightenment.
Appa deepo bhava.
Become a light onto yourself.

Words of Buddha shared with us by Priya Hemenway.

Namaste.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

I rise

My Friday started with prayers at the Kwan Yin temple on Waterloo St before lunching with my girls, Kels Ana and Mick. Mick, a.k.a Killer Line is known for her wits and wicked sense of humor so it was fun to catch up with her and hear all about her New Year's adventures in New Zealand.

Our dear friend, and my personal Guru Yvette, was giving a Golden Light celebration workshop there as well as awaiting the birth of her first child with Barney.
Isis joined us here on Earth on the 9th Jan 2010 and she is a miracle in herself.
Mick had stories to tell us and Kels and I enthusiastically listened and absorbed NZ and it's power.
I would love to visit Barney and Yvy real soon. The only time I've visited New Zealand was when I was 4 yrs old and what I remember is vast landscapes, clean fresh air, lots of sheep, snug winter clothes, the Abhominable Snowman (that's another story in itself) and looking forward to fresh glass jars of milk on our motel doorstep every morning. For a 4 yr old, that's heaps.

So I stumble upon a Leonard Cohen poem the other day and have not been able to stop thinking about it. About how it spoke to me and brought me back to a certain memory.
And in true form, I went in search of more poetry. To inspire me.
And this is the next one I found, written by another one of my favorite poets....

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise. - Maya Angelou

So be it.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Malaysia Boleh, Maxout

I keep putting off my blogging. I don't know why. Paul has told me time and again to jot down all my adventures...since he reckons I have so many.
Well this week, I will do so regularly. I don't want to force any resolutions on myself but I think documenting my 'exciting' life has benefits.
When I am old and grey and want to tell my grandkids stories, I will be able to read it to them even if my memory no longer serves me.
Anyways...
Last weekend, my friends at MaxOut Hydrosports and I took the speed boat over to Putri Harbour in JB for a suss out of the new neighboring marina and wakeboard the flat waters of the nearby swamps.
Firstly, let me say that although I spend a lot of time boating and most of my close friends are well into water sports, I would always watch them in awe and seldom got off my ass to try my hand (or legs) at it. In the decade I've hung out with this same group, I have only ever tried wakeboarding 4 or 5 times.
So, when we got to the strip perfect for wake skating, I just had to give it a go.
Maybe it was the vibe, or the sun shining brightly down on me and my body feeling good from all those intense classes of yoga, I went for it. And even threw in a few 180 turns. Wooohoooo. :)

After everyone of us had a session, we headed to the Seafood Kelong to feast on seafood. We had it all.... clams, crab, prawns, fish, sotong, veggie, lor mee and rice. Topped with ice cold Beer.
Slurp. I know now, that if we weren't so greedy and didn't stuff ourselves so silly, we could have easily gone back to board a 2nd set.
But sunset was approaching and we wanted to head back to Singapore Raffles Marina to stew in their lovely jacuzzi to relax our muscles.
And what a pretty sunset it was. Almost like a cherry topping on an awesome Sundae. No pun intented since it was a Saturday. :)
To check out pictures... check out MaxOut Hydrosports Pte Ltd online or join their FB page.
Pictures under the Malaysia Boleh album.
U gotta seeeeeee.....