For our children and our children's children

Mother nature has granted me (us) down here in the Southern Hemisphere, with gray, cold and rainy days.
Winter.
I have to admit that i've found myself thinking and even saying out loud: "what a hideous day!"
Yes, i have to be honest...I would take summer over winter ANY time, ALL the time.  Bright days, blue skies, sunshine, radiant colors, bare feet...bliss!
But then I stop and consider: I am part of this winter.  The winter is also me.  Why resist it? It is a specific time of year, with all its characteristics, with all of its beauty. 


Yesterday afternoon I watched the animated film FernGully. A story about nature.  A story about mindfulness.  A sensitive magical story about our impact in the planet, our relationship with all creatures. We are part of this world.  We are the rain forests, we are the oceans, we are air, we are earth and fire. How do we participate? What role are we playing? 
Let's ask these questions.  
Let's take this seriously.
Live in ignorance? 
Live with no conscience? 
No responsibility?


I am no "hippie".  I'm not being too grave or grim. This is no "fanatic talk" or "extremist lecture". 
Let's open our hearts, open our eyes, bleed with what and who is hurting and mend the wounds. 

*** Thank you Nata Potter for this beautiful image!!!***

***Wanna check out FernGully? This is the trailer to the 1992 animated film.  
Avatar clearly got inspired!

*** Please please please take a look, click on www.susan-lambert.com, and meet my amazing talented friend's website***

There is a boy

There was a boy...
There was a boy, a very strange enchanted boy
They say he'd wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea.
A little shy, and sad of eye; but very wise was he.

And then one day...one magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things, fools and kings
This he said to me
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return.

The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return


Nat King Cole's words woke me up this morning.  In my head, playing again and again.  
(I must admit that it was more like the first line-- over and over)


There is a boy..yes, very enchanted...don't know if i would describe him as strange.  Maybe, because his soul's beauty is beyond belief.  
Very wise he is.
We speak of fools and kings...and soccer. 
He teaches me great things, every day, all the time. 
His presence, his life is a lesson.
A lesson of truth.
A lesson of justice.
A lesson of courage.
A lesson of kindness.
A lesson of love. 


There is a boy, a very strange enchanted boy
that came to this world on a day like today, and has forever changed my life. 
From the moment i saw his tiny body, 
from the moment we met and i could hold him, smell him
and evermore love him. 


There is a boy, a very strange enchanted boy.
He came to participate and transform our world,
for his strength and wisdom gives color to all the things he touches.


There is a boy, a very strange enchanted boy.
He gives me happiness,
he lights us all,
just remember that,
for this boy will leave a mark.


This is for you, my beautiful strange enchanted boy.
I celebrate your life.


--Fía.
NATURE BOY:
(two versions!)

SHINING EYES!

Today it's not about my writing.  To be fair with myself, it never really is.
I can humbly and honestly say that this blog is far from being about me and my writing.
In fact, i don't think many people read it--which is quite alright-- and if i do post/advertise/share it,  it is because i believe in the message behind my words.


However i start off by saying it is not about my writing because usually i sit in front of the blank page, fingers motionless and at loss of what it was i wanted to say.  Or channel out of my body.  It's very much like when you have an appointment with your therapist, and as you are reaching out to ring the doorbell or open the door, you think: "what will i talk about? i don't have much to say today."
But then you sit down, you open your mouth and bada-boom! you are this on-going river filled with currents of words, ideas, feelings, insights, questions, doubts, discoveries.


Hey, hey, hey! Time is up!
           Really?!
Uff, wow, ahhh! I feel so light!
...and to think that i thought i had nothing to say today! 


That's usually my blogging experience for you!
      "i don't think i have much to write about today...
          ...wow, i think this is getting long...and i have so much more to write about!"


But today, apart from rambling about my writing process, i just really want to share this beautiful, outstanding, jaw-dropping, inspiring video. If you have 20 minutes (which i think everyone does if they really wish it so) do not skip through this one!


It's about love, it's about music, it's about art, passion, LEADERSHIP, love, life.
Shining eyes!


I send out a message of love and incredibly sunshine--on a cloudy rainy day-- and on my utmost belief in the human power to be good, respectful, kind, generous, loving and caring.
We are "we", not a bunch of "I's".
Let us embrace the empowering responsibility we hold together.


--Fía.


watch with subtitles: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html
or

OPERA!

"Gaining mastery over our destructive propensities, through the exercise of awareness and self-discipline with regard to our body, speech, and mind, frees us from the inner turmoil that naturally arises when our behaviour is at odds with our ideals. In place of this turmoil come confidence, integrity, and dignity - heroic qualities all human beings naturally aspire to." 
--Dalai Lama


And it rains, 
and it rains, 
and it rains some more. 


It seems as though the sky is pouring its heart out, releasing an incredibly large amount of energy.  Catharsis.  
I look at the sky composed of layers and layers of clouds: some thick, dark, grayish-black, heavy.  Then there are the faithful slightly lighter ones that cover the space above completely, creating a delicate separation between earth and sun.  And finally scattered these playful, almost mis-behaved little fluffs of white down below adding a touch of light and personality to this panorama.


The almighty sun speaks out loud as he breaks through occasionally-- "i am here" he says: "may you not forget me". 


Clouds dance through and through, suddenly rain bursts in....it's opera!
(i almost wrote jazz, but no...there is more of a theatrical edge to it all, big production, monumental scenery)


i've discovered i write a lot about the weather, i describe it a lot and express how it affects me.  It's not just words filling space--you know how we usually mention the weather to just fill in silence?-- for me its more of a reality check.  


Wow, look at this beautiful symphony! 
I'm part of this wonderful master on-going plan.  I'm one of the million, billion, trillion, zillion creatures that react to what is happening beyond myself. 


I like to feel part of something.
I like to know that there is more beyond me. 
It helps me to realize that it can be so easy to get drowned in little dark holes, that once viewed with perspective they can be weighed accordingly and overcome-- or at least a door towards better lands can be perceived and ultimately opened. 
***Hence today's Dalai Lama's quote.*** 


I look outside my window and I look up...not down.
It all makes so much sense.
I find inspiration, strength, faith and love above....not so much down, where we are. 
My point is not to criticize, it is not filled with negativity. Quite the contrary, let us look up and around and let it all permeate to what we are doing. 
I love it down here for there is so much to do. 


Let me end with a beautiful woman with a magnanimous talent. 
Please 
Please hit play!

SILVER SOLDIER, YELLOW DANCER

Today i was in the midst of my morning yoga practice when i was struck by a thought...a past experience, a remembrance.


What i'm about to share is quite personal, and a part of me is feeling a bit vulnerable, but then i think: that's what it's all about.  Sharing, opening up, really connecting, and dropping the protective walls that in the long run only cause isolation.
Parenthesis: i'm quite an expert with "holding in", "swallowing it all".


"i'm ok, really, i'm ok.........(silently) but could you please just hug me, hold me?"


So, i'll cut to the chase and take ownership of my vulnerability and share.
I remembered being at my therapists office (which was more like a bedroom adapted as a therapy room), years ago. Sitting on a couch, eyes closed and exploring, experiencing, discovering something about myself that was forever useful and incredibly enlightening.


My therapist guided me and made me see myself, describe myself, in two scenarios.  I don't know if the idea was to see myself as two...but that was what i saw.  It was striking.
Interesting, mind-blowing, unbelievable in a way yet familiar.


One was this creature, human or human-like living in a world of steel. Steel, all around.  Great tall buildings, fortresses, palaces of gray, metal. Clouds, wind, yet no real air.  Very similar to what you might find in scenes from Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones-- cold, damp, sharp edges, steel, steel, steel. 
And there i was, in the middle of it all, covered in a suit of steel too.  My joints couldn't quite move, my hair in a ponytail... motionless. I was in the middle of it all, on top of this fortress of hard silver. Very much like a pin.   Alone.


Then there was this other creature, on a couch.  The place somewhat surreal for not only could i see recognizable objects, but i could also see waves in the air, surrounding me, i could sense an enveloping aura, colors, all around.
There i was, lying down on what i would describe as a couch-- soft, silky, comfy.  I was lying across, barefoot, kind of resting, kind of dancing.  It was all yellow and a soft shade of turquoise.  I was immersed in this state of contentment, ease.  Having this rejoicing feeling of being part of this big movement.  As i said, i could see this yellow aura enveloping me, as if i was inside a ray of sun: warm, warm, warm.  There was no one else there with me, but there was not even a pinch of loneliness in me.


Both of these creatures being me.
Both of these so different, and yet all in the same mind, body and spirit. 


I mention this, and now consider (after the action of self-inquiry) that it is not random how these images come to play at times when i'm most with myself.  And now. 
My life lately has been an internal turmoil, my ground has been shaken, old phantoms, samskaras (habits, traces) coming to light. 
Self-inquiry very present and necessary.


I'm torn in between these poles, and i must confess that at times i feel pulled by one side, forgetting the other. 


Losing balance. 
My soldier comes to play, leaving in siome forgotten land my yellow dancer. It can be quite exhausting.


It's important for me to remember.  Remember both, all me.  
I want to dance, i want to be in the sunbeam, want and need movement and waves. 


I also know that it is essential to not rest in the country of "wants", and translate it all into actions. 
Today i made a small step.  It means stepping into an unknown lake--how deep? 
how warm? 
how cold? 
salty?
 i do not know...
a leap of faith.
a conscious leap of will and faith. 


--Fía.
"i'm ok, really, i'm ok.........(silently) but could you please just hug me, hold me?"

Sweet Otis

Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come
Watching the ships roll in
And then I watch 'em roll away again,


I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time...

**hit play if you like: 




Actually no.
I'm sittin' in the kitchen table,
it's a whitish grayish kinda day,
Watching Roland Garros final match,
enjoying my time...


--- a day has passed--- 
My blog entry was interrupted, just as the Parisien match was delayed and then cancelled due to rain.  
So that was yesterday and it was an Otis Redding kinda day, just take the bay, the dock, the heat out of the equation.  But it was an Otis kinda day in spirit and vibration.  
Sunday.
Domingo.
That might not mean much to my New York friends or NYC readers (do i even have any?), but just to get my point across i'll explain that Sunday/Domingo means RELAX and what my family like to call "sleepathon".  
Don't imagine a troop of people sleeping all day--for there isn't much literal sleeping actually-- but feel free to envision a group of 7 in the following panorama:


........easy breezy breakfast, reading the newspaper...
.............late easy breezy lunch (yesterday was mega easy breezy for we celebrated a certain special gentleman's 60th bday at a restaurant)
.................easy breezy afternoon-post-lunch walk in the park, including some frisbee action play.
..........................easy breezy late afternoon couch rest, involving knitting, tea, conversing, a little educational TV show on tribes in Mongolia and Africa, and maybe a few indulged in a 5-10 minute nap.
................................easy breezy light dinner at the kitchen table, conversation, laughing and some Jamaica & Bob Marley.  


Got it? 
That is a just a little snapshot of Sunday. Domingo.
It makes me think of the wonderful little scene in Downton Abbey (first season i must specify) where the wonderful Violet (Maggie Smith) asks the young doctor Matthew (Dan Stevens):
"weekends? what are week-ends?"


I had forgotten about week-ends myself. 


Weekends and family. 
Weekends and slowing down.  


Weekends and family.
Weekends and resting.


Weekends and family.
Weekends and connecting.


It's Monday today, the weekend is over and for many it might signify a burden, a new battle to face until the glorious friday afternoon.  It might mean routine too.
I raise the question: who makes it a mechanical monday-friday routine? 
I say: have a good week everyone, make it a good one!


**Love it as much as this creature loves his stick!!!**

--Fía.

Let's talk?

Let's talk?
Just talk.  
Talk about what is on our minds, 
talk about what is in our hearts,
how we are feeling.  


Let's sit down for a while and forget about the world, 
how it's spinning, 
how the rest of the creatures are also spinning within that cosmic spin.
Let's create our own time (that is not linear, that is not quantifiable)
our time that just provides us with space, a moment, to talk. 


Let's talk?
Unhook our bodies to the mechanical systematic patterns
and share the true energy in storage. 
Disconnect to the fake power waves that are far from being power-ful. 
Let's talk?
It might hurt a little. 


Do you know the real color of my eyes?
How long are my eyelashes? 
Is my left nostril bigger than my left? 


I want to let your tongue run free!
Curl,
Sway,
Swing,
Roll,
Caress my 
teeth,
palate,
lips. 


Let's talk,
and share and confess and hurt and smile and listen and breathe and look (really look) and comprehend and care and not hide and open and 
wait... 


and hold hands and nod and participate and contribute and feel and adore and support and consult 
ask questions
answer 
and let the hearts own language speak.


Let's talk?
And feel light? 


You are closer,
you are truer
you are here.


Eyes: the color of melted honey--a particular hue of brown-- with a sunbeam of yellow, tints of green and rims grass. 
Eyelashes: long and black and thick, curving slightly as they extend towards the brows just like a land snail's tentacles as they reach out to the sun. 
Nostrils: quite symmetrical, but i see them now expanding delicately as the air rushes in. 


I see you.
Let's talk? 
I invite you.
Let the dance begin. 


--Fía

CRISIS

Life is eventful.  
Life is a master teacher.  A master physician, a master healer.  
Life is wisdom. Life is light. Life is love. 


Life is the mother of all mothers-- providing, nourishing, loving and forever giving. We are in this marvelous womb of greatness and treasures.
LIFE..
***sometimes (silently) sends us sparks of knowledge, 
****sometimes (slowly) exhales bubbles of experiences, 
*****sometimes (explosively) blasts us with stars of light and clarity. 


This "light" and "clarity"--as I intuitively call it-- is no walk in the park, is no sweet chocolate covered strawberry.  In fact, it could cause momentary excruciating indigestion.  Leaving joke aside, what I'm trying to say (and what I have been experiencing) is the pain and challenges of transformation, light and clarity.  Doesn't quite make sense when worded in that manner...ahhh, the complexity and divinity of life.


Going back to one of my first statements of the day: life is a master teacher, an expert, overpowering genius mind...God(dess). The way it is all carefully intelligently flowing and happening is beyond mundane understanding.  Hence, not necessary to halt and try to figure it out.


My life, my being, my mind, my body, my inner truthful Self right now is experiencing great transformation.  The sky is cracking open, the egg is hatching, my lungs are painfully and beautifully expanding and taking in air.  Yes, painfully...deliciously painfully.  
For the sky to crack open the sun must wound the blanket of clouds and break through.
For the egg to hatch, the little chick must violently fracture, puncture and shatter what used to be its protecting shell. 
In order to breathe, the lungs must bravely and fiercely expand, creating space and opportunity for life.


These are all moments of crisis.  
Crisis, loss, pain, uncertainty.
But I believe things are not one-sided.  Things come in two's, one thing exists because there is always it's other. 
A butterfly can fly because it has two wings. 


So I say crisis and I also say love, opportunity, openness, courage, wisdom and enlightenment. 
Last night was a magnificent luscious example of such crisis.
Today in my practice I was able to experience, self-reflect and appreciate the residues of crisis.  
love,
opportunity,
openness
courage
enlightenment.


Appreciate, give thanks.  


Life is the mother of all mothers.  
Why now? It's now, and now makes sense.


We run from crisis.  We flee, cover, hide, avoid it.  We fear it, as though it'll come and bite us, devour us.  What is that fear? Where is that fear? 
How is that greater than the pain of living a life of denial?  THAT should be feared...maybe. 
Through crisis, living it...breathing with it, hurting with it, crying with it, shouting with it brings physical, emotional, soulful lightness and clarity. 
Unveiling. 


The rain and the sun give rise to the rainbow...


--Fía.

 

Inspired

There are many things that I could say about what I'm about to post.  However, I believe this beautiful creature speaks for itself.  He is so full of light, love and life! 
Meet Mteto Maphoyi--a model of human being.
I can only say that as I saw and heard him I was moved to the very last fiber in my body.  I felt empathy, a feeling of love, of happiness, compassion, kindness, courage, inspiration and admiration. 


The world is a better place thanks to him.
I admire you.
I see you.


--Fía.

Dharma

Yesterday I had my first Skype meeting with my yoga teacher, and it was a true experience of love.  Love, the name I give to that which allows creation, which nourishes and feeds the soul.  
Love, the great heart that provides blood of life and pumps the blood through the veins of life towards the organs of human kindness and possibilities. 


Leaving my "poetic" expression, my humble analogies, I would have to simply say that I felt inspired and truly connected to "focus", "balance" and "purpose".  
All these terms are part of what--and how--I would define "dharma".  Dharma is sometimes understood and explained as duty, responsibility. However I believe it goes beyond that definition.  To dharma there is also purpose, connectivity, balance, love, purpose, devotion.  Duty just seems too harsh and too much of a "task".  Just as work usually holds this connotation of negativity of tiredness, obligation...even sometimes lack/loss of freedom.  
"I work...but to get some time off..." I've heard that quite often. 


Responsibility is the little sister of work too.  Has a bad rep.  For having responsibility implies commitment, implies connection, implies dedication, implies caring, implies knowledge and awareness of action-reaction. I, on the other hand, believe that it entails great power and great beauty.  What better than to know, trust and cherish the fact that what I intend, what I do, withholds consequences and will bring forth creation...? 
My seeds will eventually germinate, sprout, bloom! 


I wish to switch that paradigm around.  I am constantly working on it...because trust me, it ain't easy!


I'm wired, programmed, into this rational system that is sadly dominating most of the world.  Where utility, productivity, result-based actions, competition, and the constant search for perfection are our pillars to "success"...or what might be worst, conformity. A veil that is blinding us all. 


I would have to conclude that "conformity" is probably the word I like the least. To not say dislike.  
And I love words. 


Conformity. Compliancy. To go along with.  To follow convention. To be conventional.  To fit in. 
I actually looked it up.
Now, there is nothing wrong with all these ideas..nothing is really wrong or right by principle.  It's just the behavior, the attitude of conformity towards important events that need "dealing with" that unsettle me. 
Responsibility is the enemy of conformity.  As I just heard in a powerful, enlightening speech, it is the enemy to Resignation. 


Now look back into dharma.  We all have a specific dharma.  I can't speak for the world.  I speak for myself: it is up to me to discover, explore and follow my dharma.  
It is not a punishment or jail sentence of life--on the contrary! it is freedom and great power.  Great possibility to do. 
My conversation with my teacher reinforced my spirit, my Self, with the thought that if it all comes from a place of goodness (as in lovingkindness), then there is nothing to fear--leave "failure", "error", "bad" out.  
I shall list certain ideas that spring out of this understanding, out of this belief: 


* Seek and do what you believe you must do NOW: it is a journey that must be lived and experienced. 
   Details will come, it will all come clear over time. 


* Life is calling to participate, so join! 


* Something has been asked, there is a NEED to respond.  Let go of doubt, it doesn't exist.  
   This response comes from the present moment, from the center, from the heart, from practice.   
   NOT from old patterns, habits, rationalizing and/or seeking perfect. 


* If you take care of dharma, dharma will take care of you.  Trust.
   If you come from a good place, you'll discover.  That's all. That's enough. 
   You might zig-zag, take long turns, but you'll always be moving in direction of dharma.  
   If you take care of dharma, dharma will take care of you. 




---> A recommended interview that might just open your perception! 
       HIT PLAY!

Today I find myself filled with ideas on which to write about.  Different concepts to discuss, diverse "happenings" to reflect upon, feelings to share, information to pass along, open, open, open channels.  
It is because as I consider today's world--or even on a personal level-- today's precise moment, I feel more and more reassured (an itchy craving necessity) to express. Channels must be opened, ideas are worth sharing, changes are at our reach: 
The world, which is formed by us and beyond, must and IS transforming, acquiring new forms.  
Assessment, evaluation, inquiry, exploration--
Old paradigms to be questions.
New paradigms to be considered.  


Some years ago I attended an acting "master class" by Jeremy Irons (yes, the "known" Jeremy Irons), and he said something about luck which, as never before, struck me--and stayed with me since then.  I'm paraphrasing, but he said that really there is no such thing as luck, or being lucky.  **this originated from his supposedly "luck" on being a famous actor**


He said, forget about luck..it doesn't exist.  There is, however, the great power of being aware, being open to possibilities, being able to see and grab an opportunity.  We are surrounded by opportunities.  Life is throwing them out there for us ALL the time, it's up to us to link, appreciate them and act upon it.
To unveil. 
See.
Act. 


He was a beautiful wise and clear (from clarity) being.  He said he acted out of curiosity.  He was in love with the spirit of the human being.  It's capacity to feel and act.  Both equally important.  He said he felt somewhat limitless, he was at the mercy of whatever character he would portray. Learn to scuba dive? Why not? Learn to horseback ride? Sure! Submerge himself in the soul (circumstances, experiences, feelings, reasoning) of another--just as vulnerable, NOT JUDGING. 
He made not only acting, but life: situations, interactions, relationships, human spirit so clear to me.  With a tremendous amount of positivity, faith and love. 


I think maybe that is the message I want to pass along today.  Yes, I think i want to stick to that today: openness, belief in life and what is given to us.  
Openness, wake up (not ignore out of conformity or fear).  
Stay active, not passive. 



***** apart from Mr. Jeremy Irons, I pass along the info and message of the Dalai Lama, a great server and leader of humanity*****


DALAI LAMA-


His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. His life is guided by three major commitments: the promotion of basic human values, the fostering of inter-religious harmony and the welfare of the Tibetan people.


Firstly, on the level of a human being, His Holiness’ first commitment is the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. All human beings are the same. We all want happiness and do not want suffering. Even people who do not believe in religion recognize the importance of these human values in making their life happier. His Holiness refers to these human values as secular ethics. He remains committed to talk about the importance of these human values and shares them with everyone he meets.

Secondly, on the level of a religious practitioner, His Holiness’ second commitment is the promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world’s major religious traditions. Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create good human beings. It is therefore important for all religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value of each other’s respective traditions. As far as one truth, one religion is concerned, this is relevant on an individual level. However, for the community at large, several truths, several religions are necessary.

Thirdly, His Holiness is a Tibetan and carries the name of the ‘Dalai Lama’. Tibetans place their trust in him. Therefore, his third commitment is to the Tibetan issue. His Holiness’ has a responsibility to act as the free spokesperson of the Tibetans in their struggle for justice. As far as this third commitment is concerned, it will cease to exist once a mutually beneficial solution is reached between the Tibetans and Chinese.

However, His Holiness will carry on with the first two commitments till his last breath.

"There is a saying in Tibetan that “at the door of the miserable rich man sleeps the contented beggar.” The point of this saying is not that poverty is a virtue, but that happiness does not come from wealth, but from setting limits to one’s desires, and living within those limits with satisfaction."

"The very purpose of spirituality is self-discipline. Rather than criticizing others, we should evaluate and criticize ourselves. Ask yourself, what am I doing about my anger, my attachment, my pride, my jealousy? These are the things we should check in our day to day lives."

"In today’s materialistic world there is a risk of people becoming slaves to money, as though they were simply cogs in a huge money-making machine. This does nothing for human dignity, freedom, and genuine well-being. Wealth should serve humanity, and not the other way around."

BREATH

It's been so lovely to open up to God!
God and the divine power, which i know exists.  
God is inside me, God is part of me, God is in my breath, it lives inside me. 
God is life and I am part of life. 
God is life and everyone, everything, is life. 


I shall not lie when I say that there are morning when I wake up beaten up.  Either my dreams or just thoughts sometimes create "fluctuations of mind", making my road kinda' bumpy and scattered, but connecting to the divinity of life--the gift of every new day-- brings back focus and direction. 
I call that yoga.


There were times when my practice was a mechanical routine, a repetition of movements that were not quite the steps towards connection and ultimately life.  I could sense inside me a "void" with what was taking place on my mat.  
Life's journey has taken me on a different road now.  Today. 
I've discovered-connected- Krishnamacharya, Desikachar, Dolphi, Patañjali...the list is somewhat endless..it could be boiled down all to breath.  The significance of breath. 
I'm at a moment where my practice is allowing me to experience/sense/feel (whole-heartedly) an inner strength, a possibility of focus, that is quite empowering.


I thank my teacher for my practice, I'm also proud of my dedication to it.  For those beaten up mornings, after my practice, I then breathe into the day differently-- Gāyātri (sun) is with me.  I can feel my being as a part of something bigger, better. 
How important it has been to grant myself the time and space to set and guide intentions! 
Sit in silence and breathe,
Sit and chant.
Today's rhythm wouldn't necessarily agree with that.  


I believe in my God,
I believe in the beautiful God inside me.  
(i shall, hence, burn the seeds of shame)
I believe in my breath.


I approach,
remain,
surrender to God.


--Fía

Working with Joy

I've decided to steal the title from my incredibly talented friend Susan Lambert. I've just visited her website www.susan-lambert.com and was once again truly inspired with her work. 


That takes me to today's entry: working with Joy.  It's a concept that has been present in my life a lot recently.  Not just sprouting from within, from my own desire and intention, but discussed with others, heard from others.  Living a life of mindfulness, living a life of love, un-afraid, of truth.  
Contentment: deep satisfaction that enough is enough.  
There is hard work in living, there is a desire of work--I believe in curious spirit of the human being.  I have faith in the good will, in the kindness we all hold in our hearts...to rise to higher places.  That is exactly the key: rise towards...?  
Somewhere along the way this question was crossed-out or considered taboo.  And it all became a race with no direction.  An endless competition where all is allowed--good and bad-- and the attention geared to "who is better?", "who is ahead and behind me?", "how can I be flawless?"


Life is not a race.  
There are no contestants, no rivals.


There is collaboration. 
There is work with joy, trust and empathy.  Shouldn't there be? 
Being flawless is not human.  
Opening to mistakes, opening to feelings and the true desire to connection is. 
It is courageous and beautiful. 
It is seeing true colors.  


Working with joy creates a platform for love, for connection, empathy and compassion.  
Creativity sparks! Gratitude stirs the air! Goodness breaks through! Kindness becomes contagious!
Working with joy,
Working with joy,
--ask yourself the question, no matter how frightening it might seem--


are you working with joy?


--Fía.

Slow down, Handmade

This weekend's special element (to acknowledge and express gratitude): Rhythm.  
More specific, slow rhythm.  
We are submerged in times when everything is demanded with urgency, things must be obtained with immediate result(s), the bridge between demand and supply must be shortened, EXPRESS EXPRESS EXPRESS-GO-GO-GO!!!
how can we make things cheaper? faster?!


I say stop. 
Stop.  Just stop. 
Where are you heading?  
Not only physically where are your current steps taking you? But, what is your direction? 
Lets take quantity out of the equation--or maybe place it in parenthesis-- and take a look at quality.  
Quality of action.
Click! Suddenly a magical spectacle of lightbulbs illuminating significant concepts become apparent: ***mindfulness, awareness, intention, goodness, kindness, gratitude, creation, connection, dedication...and a whole lotta power!***

We hold in our hands great power to supply, encourage, create and build wonderful things! 
Daring to connect with ourselves, 
           allowing to listen, 
                  giving space to silence and inquiry, 
                       discovering our inner voice, inner Self.  
-->Brené Brown eloquently examines and communicates the power of vulnerability--the beauty of living life with openness, courage and truth. (http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html)


All things are subject to change, we hold in our hands the magnificent potential and possibility to experience a life of beauty.  


Let me stick to my title: slow down, handmade. 
So this weekend I indulged in the sweet taste of "slowness".  Usually misinterpreted, massively discarded and wrongly judged--"it's too slow, dammit!!!" 
Creating takes time. 
Change takes time. 
Comprehension takes time.  
Healing takes time. 
Yet time is relative, and that is how i wish to refer to it today--as just time.  Not with a measuring stick.  Forget seconds, forget minutes, hours, days, weeks, years, centuries, etc.  Maybe more like moments of presence.  Moments of mindfulness, dedication, breaths--again, it comes back to quality of actions, in a state of awareness. 
In order to express myself better I classify this weekend's time as "slow", but could also be regarded as "not rushed".  Simple, where the equal-sign (=) of results and expectations surrender to just the journey--which is much more, if not completely, significant. 


I had the pleasure to feel and appreciate it consciously this weekend.  And it all made so much sense.  The flow of things, the life I intend to construct, my direction.  Simple kind of life.  At times it seems like swimming against the river's current, but upstream...over there is where I want to go.  
I held illuminating, heart-felt, courageous, inspiring conversations.  Sharing moments with souls that understand me: from an online-webcammed phone call to several after lunch/dinner tête-à-tête's...
co-creating a new brave world. 
This weekend I felt pure contentment, this weekend I opened my heart, this weekend I witnessed humanity's beauty, strength and courage.  This weekend I experienced with divine beings wonderfulness.  I connected and we created.  
Handmade. 
Handmade creations, 
quality of action.  
Priceless.
How can that be valued?
How can it be measured?
Why should/could it, but only with our hearts? 


I'm not sweet-talking here, it is practical.  Possible. Do-able. 
Breaking old paradigms, cracking mis-fit brain structures.
The New Revolution of Back to Basics. 


Ask questions. 


--Fía.