soulintraining

Archive for January, 2011|Monthly archive page

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Expect Miracles and Open up to Love in 2011

In Living a Life Off-Center on January 31, 2011 at 5:54 am

Hello dear readers. I was sent by two very connected friends a new website that talks about predictions for 2011. I didn’t want to just cut and paste the whole thing here, so may I recommend you go to this website:

http://starpriestess.com/

this is astrologer Allison Rae

Star priestess Allison Rae

and download the pdf file of her 2011 predictions:

http://www.starpriestess.com/AllisonRae2011AstroForecast.pdf

AllisonRae2011AstroForecast

The “shift” that many of you have heard that is about to happen in 2012 has already started. In fact, its energies were already resonant several years ago. 2011 could be a make or break year for those on their spiritual sojourns.

Take a look, stay positive, grounded, open your hearts and expect miracles. :-)

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Reality shows-a reality check for the soul?

In Living a Life Off-Center on January 29, 2011 at 4:56 am

REALITY SHOWS

A repost from my former editorial column in Super! of the Philippine Daily Inquirer back in 2005

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What's real to you?

Keeping it real has never been such an Extra Challenge. We are riveted by man woman dynamics via Blind Dates, gripped by Survivor tactics during an Amazing Race, and have given an Ambush Makeover to the English language by breathing life to the term Queer-Eyed. Six years ago, a program on Average Joes leading a Simple Life desperately Playing It Straight as The Fab 5 show him ways of Starting Over would have been The Biggest Loser. Today, the reality genre has everyone hooked. Local media has gotten in on the game, trying to come up with their versions of what could create a new star, a new trend, a new you. I admit an addiction to American Idol, and I can’t stand the fact that being Asia bound I can’t vote! As I live vicariously through those who can carry a tune (unlike me) I do wonder what the impact is of real TV on one’s self esteem.

Staying real (and alive) is no easy feat. Faking it till you make it is the new battle cry of the TV generation. While our parents’ generation was about making a stand, the 00s is all about making it to the next stage of The Apprentice/ The Contender etc. People are willing to cheat, lie, steal, make complete morons out of themselves for a little screen time. Getting your fifteen minutes of fame has never been easier. As one PR mogul has put it, as long as you can get in front of a press camera, you got your shot. In the pursuit of glamour and stature most are willing to be herded like a flock of sheep to be sheared of the very idiosyncrasies that make them authentic. Hair that was once free to frizz and curl at will is rebonded down to resemble road kill. Skin that was born with natural pigmentation and a healthy glow has been scrubbed and bleached to uncooked chicken pallor. Almost every VJ on display seems to have graduated from the “accent = talent” school of hosting.

We are surrounded by fakes. Imitations, phoneys, copies and fabrications. From accessories to lifestyles, we don’t necessarily have to get the real thing as long as it can fool a captive audience for a while. A person with a keen eye and the hunting skills of a Strider can transform Greenhills into via Condotti. Big deal you say, everyone loves a bargain. Sure, but nobody loves a fake. Even if you’re LV armored, a poor attitude towards yourself and your fellow men will eventually cause a couple of chinks. If your closest friend bases friendship on what’s in your closet, then maybe you should go shopping for a new friend. Seriously, there’s only ONE kind of friend, and class A, B or C still doesn’t mean REAL.

Fixer-Upper

You cannot walk three steps inside the hottest club without bumping (and bouncing off) a silicon seduced chest. (Not necessarily belonging to a female). “Beso-beso” can now be done from great distances thanks to collagen fattened lips. You may pass a series of expressionless Botoxed faces (smiling has never been so taboo) or suddenly notice that your date has a couple of bumpity bumps on certain areas of her nose. (No, they’re not zits) People of all ages and genders are so into quick fixes, and I’m not even talking recreational drugs.

This is not an article written to pass judgment. If you happen to be a savvy shopper and can walk through a milieu of “tiangges” blindfolded and still come out with fashion treasures, then kudos to you. Just bear in mind that the clothes never ever make the person. Even if you blind your peers with the latest, brightest bling, they won’t be blind forever. The dullness of your spirit will (ironically) shine through. Plastic surgery, (do you recall what was implied when a person was called plastic?) is a choice. Just manage your expectations; a new body still has the same old heart beating inside of it. How are you trying to cosmetically enhance that part of yourself? If your self esteem is directly proportional to the amount of body fat you possess, then you are in for some pretty tough times. Psychologist Carl Jung said “If you don’t learn to love your defects they will never go away.”

Some of you may view this as a reality check. Can you remember the last time when all it took was YOU to affirm your authentic self? Does support for your endeavors only come from the standards you meet dictated by your peers? Or do you make your own rules? If you were to remove the outer trappings that bind you, would you still feel this good about yourself, if you voiced out to those around you what you really thought, would you get voted off the island? Who do you hang out with? Is it possible that you have grown weary of talking about the same people, the same parties, the same things over and over again? Now think about it, if the life you and your friends lead was truly fabulous, why would you have time to pay attention to those whose lives aren’t?

As the search for self is a continuous process you can remember this: No matter how well staged your life seems to be, eventually, reality shows. Hope you win.

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War of the Words-How your vocabulary can affect you

In Living a Life Off-Center on January 28, 2011 at 6:07 am

What we say can affect those around us, and also us. Take care of what comes out of your mouth, as much as you care about what you put into it ;-)

Another blast from the past article done in 2005, a little “verbal” spring cleaning is good for all of us too.

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War of the Words

First posted 01:11am (Mla time) July 02, 2005
By Katrina Holigores
Inquirer News Service

ONE OF my favorite authors posed an interesting question in one of her books “How difficult have you made your life?” We often fill our days rationalizing, brooding or obsessing about things that may not really be beneficial to us in the long run anyway. We say things to ourselves that are not positive or uplifting, we make mountains out of molehills, we “sweat the small stuff” not knowing that our own anguish, frustrations or bitterness towards a situation (or person) has an exponential effect whether it is a direct or indirect interaction. When we’re in a bad mood we tend to use harsher language towards the people around us, we blow up, and we sometimes say things to others that are cruel and hurtful. What we may not be aware of is what we scream or sarcastically snort out to either someone else or ourselves doesn’t do ANYONE any good. But man, it’s nice to just blame someone else for the crap going on sometimes right?

They say, the devil is in the details

Vocabulary
I once read that the vocabulary you use is essential to the kinds of energies that you attract or deflect in
your life. When you start your day off dreading work, dreading school, dreading your spouse, partner or family member then the way you deal with people is going to be affected.Think back to when you were younger, if your dad or mom came home in a grumpy mood… was it a good time to ask permission to go out? (off with
your head!!) the reverse is when your parents are in a good mood and all of a sudden its like Christmas has come in early. Be mindful of the language you use when dealing with others, it is NOT your helpers fault that your
boss has decided to drop a load of work on you right before a long weekend. Your driver did not cause the traffic on Edsa and it’s not his fault either that whichever lane you decide to pick has become the slowest moving one.
The salesgirl behind the counter did not cause that huge zit to appear on your nose and your little brother or sister is not to blame for your boyfriend dumping you (unless you’re starring in a telenovela).

So, how difficult have you made your life? Understand that troubles are often self inflicted, we tend to read too much into ordinary situations. When we are too emotionally embroiled then we put too much meaning into a
tiny, insignificant gesture. “Did you see/hear what he/ she/ did/ say?” you exclaim to nearby vultures. Honey, your arch rival sneezing in public does not a criminal make.Everytime you add a negative thought into your mental file on someone or yourself then you’re just basically inviting more bad vibes in. Maybe if you
could be more conscious of what you actually think and what comes out of your mouth you will invite a lot more positivity to enter. There is a formula in life, and that like begets like. If you surround yourself with
garbage, you start to smell like it, same goes for your internal process. Overload your daily routine (mental, physical and spiritual) with enough crap and don’t be surprised how your life will begin to reek of it.

Mean it
When was the last time you made an effort to do or say something nice (and mean it) every single day? Ok, we’re not all Bree Van De Kamp every single moment, but it doesn’t take a lot of effort to say to the person beside you
how nice he or she looks today, or how much you liked what he or she did or said. Am going to stress though that you have to MEAN it, flattery without sincerity is just more BS. Deepak Chopra, in his bookThe Seven Spiritual Laws of Success explains how a daily output of sincerity and kindness goes a long, long way. And yes, eventually it finds its way back to you, and hopefully at a time when you need kindness and compassion the most. During days of stress and frustration, before you decide to vent on a poor, unsuspecting soul (read anyone with a heartbeat) take a really long deep breath and focus on something that gives you joy. When I say focus I mean LOOK or READ something that gives you peace. I’m not saying raid your fridge and stuff your face till kingdom come. Yes, watching a movie counts, listening to music counts, driving with lots of alcohol swishing inside you
does NOT.Try and make a habit of making someone else feel good on a daily basis, but be conscious of your intentions when complimenting someone. If you choose to flatter for the purpose of getting something in return, then eventually you will begin to question the sincerity of others towards you. It’s not fun to live in paranoia or doubt. Perhaps it’s time to change your battle cry. Good luck soldier.

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Out on a limbo

In Living a Life Off-Center on January 27, 2011 at 12:09 am

The spiritual path is not always a smooth one. Though many think it is an uphill climb, getting easier as we put one “foot” over the other, it is far from being that simple. Getting from here to bliss is requires a lot of rerouting, sometimes stepping back and even (it seems) going in circles.

Don’t beat yourself up if there are times when you feel like you’re the goldfish in the bowl of life. It sometimes help to just be fully aware of exactly where you are, even if it feels like nowhere. The first step for any kind of growth or expansion is awareness and acceptance.

Life in limbo isn’t too bad, just take the necessary measures to not stay in that place for too long.

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Out on a Limbo

(Published in the Super section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 25, 2007)

Here, there and nowhere

I think I can be guilty most times of being an emotional fence sitter, racking up mileage points to and from my trips to limbo. It was easier earlier on in life, using pure idealism to propel me forward in making decisions, the world, being black and white through a teenager’s eyes was so much easier to make my oyster, or at least I thought. Adulthood and coming to terms with emotional upheavals slowly brought in more color, and definitely more static. So, finding clarity when lost in a feelings fog can make one reluctant to leave the limbo terminal. Not knowing the beginning or the end of what you’re going through can sometimes be extremely peaceful, as paradoxical as that sounds, it’s like being a permanent resident of Switzerland during the World War. It’s a neither here nor there Neverneverland and numbs the pain of having to choose one over the other. Ignorance is bliss, and limbo is bliss at its best. There are of course, advantages and major disadvantages of being in this state. One thing that could be considered a pro is that it actually gives you some time to think and reflect. Honestly, like when you are unsure if your flight is leaving on time or is delayed you then surrender to the fact that you have to sit down or walk around lost in as many distractions as you can possible come up with. In come the scenarios swimming in your head, all the possible wonderful endings and all the disastrous ones, in fact, it becomes a mental Choose Your Own Adventure, and the best part about it is that the ending can change over and over again. That’s the fun part about being in limbo (ok, fun is relative) you allow yourself a certain amount of detachment in order to play and replay scenes from your life and permit yourself to rebook your destination, if at least, in an imaginary outcome atlas, with no hidden fees and surcharges. You become audience to your drama, so in that aspect, limbo rocks. Another plus about limbo is that it allows reassessment, and for some, the chance to be vulnerable. Vulnerability is often scowled upon as a weakness, when the truth be told, showing vulnerability gives others a chance to help, when they would normally be turned away out of pride. There is no shame in admitting you need help, no one is expected to be strong day in and day out, and when the winds of confusion set in leaving us helpless in the hands of what we cannot control then humility takes over as well. We then learn that although we have to make decisions on our own, there are many around us who will help us til it’s time for that decision to be made, who act as support, sounding boards, sometimes even a shoulder to cry on or an understanding ear. We all crave definition in everything from our tv sets to our own lives but first we have to surf through our experiential channels in order to get the best reception, and this takes time. Limbo gives us a timeout and eventually a way out. So on your way to destination definition, enjoy a couple of stopovers in limboland.

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Kalipimu-Move with Spirit

In Living a Life Off-Center on January 26, 2011 at 9:43 am

People have been asking me what made me begin my journey into energy healing. The very first experience (well not the first, but probably most dramatic) was with Kalipimu or Inner dance. Here is what I wrote back in 2008 right before Holy Week about my particular sojourn into this moving meditation aimed at releasing the kundalini, unleashing one’s life force and removing any blocks from one’s body.

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Stuck. Trapped. Blocked. Disconnected. These are words that formed part of my daily dictionary. Active as I was on the outside, inside I was feeling lethargic, and going through the motions of life on automatic pilot. I had tried meditation to clear my head of a thousand voices—but they just wouldn’t shut up. Even my outward movements felt mechanic, truth be told, finding quiet time was a skill I did not possess. An inner desperation led me to an old acquaintance (on recommendation of a mutual nephew) to Kalipimu. Kali what? Kalipimu, without delving into details (since you can Google it or go to www.innerdance.multiply.com) it was explained to me as an ancient healing ritual indigenous to pre-colonial Philippines—practiced by tribal shamans, the baylan (male) and the babaylan (female). They were the soul “doctors” before Christianity was brought (some say ‘forced’) upon us with the arrival of the Spaniards.

Set yourself free

Feel it to believe it

But describing the power of this healing ritual in words is unjust. Experiencing it is the only way to go, or in this case, flow. I was simply asked to sit down and close my eyes. I felt light touches on various parts of my body and later on was slowly and seemingly stretched with gentle pushes and pulls. Part of me thought, “Ok, feels nice, but … ” and my mind started to drift off, to the usual traffic of what I did that day, what I was going to do later … etc., etc. The being moved around continued and at some point I found myself lying down on my back, eyes still closed taking in the music that was being played and trying desperately not to think about anything else but stay in the moment. I decided to just let my friend finish his work and I would politely just lie still until the session was over.

The tipping point

My friend stopped physical contact with me and moved a short distance away. My hands started to tremble, and jerk—to an irregular beat all on their own. My arms, planted firmly on the floor, started to sway, in no fixed direction left, right, round, up, down. At this point I should have freaked out, but I didn’t, I was mesmerized, transfixed (even with my eyes still closed) by the flow, by the loss of control which was still, weirdly enough, controlled. I felt little snaps of electricity traveling from my elbows to the tips of my fingers, as if something was slowly being released into the world and beyond. The trembling and shaking continued and this time, the voices in my head did shut up and my mind flew free. There was a lightness I felt, although I was still very connected to my body. All I could comprehend in this in-between state was that something had opened up within that allowed me to see into another dimension of myself, one that acknowledged an inner life force that had long been dormant. My body continued to move on its own and as I turned my head to one side my eyelids opened slightly and I ‘saw’ standing over me a woman, dressed in what seemed to be native American garb, her expression was one of observation. There was nothing sinister about her presence, she just seemed to belong there. Minutes later I heard a voice in my ear welcoming me back to the present. I left that night feeling like I had definitely found something. “This practice is a guru-less one,” my friend explained, “all you need is to find spirit and you can continue this on your own.” That night, alone and lying in my bed, I plugged in my iPod, closed my eyes and was taken over by movement once more.

 

Open spaces right in our backyard

Level Up

A month passes and I find myself on a plane to Davao, and greeted in the airport by Pi Villaraza—who I will identify basically as the moving force behind the awareness and expansion of Kalipimu and its benefits. I was going to spend the Easter weekend at his base, in the Don Bosco Youth Camp in Makilala, North Cotobato. For the next three days, I was going to immerse myself in all the healing qualities that this inner dance had to offer. First was release, the blocks, past life traumas, issues, hurts that were contained in my subconscious. The movements that took over my body were sometimes violent in their force and speed, but they never once caused any injury nor any fear in me, it was almost like I welcomed the spasms, the coughs that escaped from my throat and, on one occasion, tears. In the midst of one of my almost cathartic states, I had images of all the people in my present life who had hurt me and as tears flowed I heard myself addressing each of them saying, “I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry,” Yes, it was a reverse, instead of forgiving I was the one asking for it instead. That particular session left me with a rather deep sense of emptiness, and as it was performed on a rock overlooking a beautiful flowing river, I curled up into a fetal position and allowed the Universe to cradle me once more, so vulnerable, and yet open to what was around me. The key was, I was no longer caught up in the past, it was a giant, giant leap for me as I came to understand later on during my stay. We are emptied out, so that we may change what fills us, what makes us, and what moves us.

Part of this immersion was also reconnection to the purity of nature. Our party hiked, swam, took in the icy cold and warm waters offered by the mountains, natural heated pools and the cleansing benefits of breathing clean air and drinking fresh, flowing water. I felt like a child again, there were no “no’s” involved in anything I did as I explored what surrounded me and what was within me. By the end of the weekend, I had even learned the healing art of massage through Kalipimu. During this heightened state of connectivity to spirit you can activate another’s own life force to remove pains, both physical and emotional by touch. You become so sensitive to energy that sometimes you don’t even need to look where to place your hand, you are guided to it intuitively.

Life waters run deep

Everyone Can Heal

To think that Kalipimu is an instant fix is a huge mistake, it is part of a process, one that is designed for you to dig deeper and deeper, and you realize how much you may have repressed when the rigidity of adulthood took over the free spirit you possessed as a child. We all have aches and pains, but the ones we repress are the most difficult to bear. Kalipimu is like a much needed hug to a bruised heart or a broken soul. There is an almost instant soothing that takes place, but it doesn’t make all that pain or past issues go away. It takes practice, and sincerity. When it is later combined with an intention to heal, it may be used to free others from their own issues. It has been known to ease physical ailments, enhance creativity and more importantly (as in my case) feel connected again. Visualization ( if you’ve been on the recent law of attraction bandwagon) is energized when in a state of inner dance release. This could possibly take you one step closer to the person you were meant to become.

No one experience is the same; to resonate with spirit at this level is different for everyone, and is definitely for everyone.

Special thanks to Betsy Gamela of the Don Bosco Foundation for Sustainable Development and her staff.

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Heavy petting-how pets can heal

In Living a Life Off-Center on January 26, 2011 at 1:48 am

*This was something I wrote back in September of 2005 for the Super! Section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Heavy Petting 

Unconditional love

IT’S A dog’s life they say. IF only it was. Having a dog or a pet at a tender young age could either be: a growth experience or: a cruel mistake (to the pet, not the owner). Most of us may have grown up on Disney, Hanna Barbera, the Looney Tunes and Sesame Street. Let’s not of course forget “Batibot” and traditionalists please don’t hate me for forgetting the name of the series of lesson books that featured a water buffalo mascot and a lady tomato head. What’s my point, everyone I mentioned above used one common thread, animal characters as teachers or entertainers. We were all clamoring for a shirt of Big Bird rather than the grocer (see I forgot the name) and I’m sure Mickey Mouse will leave a longer lasting impression over Michael Jordan.

Unconditional love

I could be wrong and I’m no expert on trivia and I’m pretty sure a number of you are googling frantically to see if I am, in fact, mistaken in my comparisons. But that’s missing the point really, I’m not about to prove the effectivity of animals versus people in terms of marketing, I’m here to write about the much understated abilities of these “beasts” to heal. Through unconditional love, and strangely enough, by leading through example. How so? In this rat race that most of us now find ourselves in, we are under constant pressure to DO in order to BECOME. Example, we have to DO well in school in order to BECOME the best in class and perhaps the most coveted new recruit in the most lucrative multinational.

What else? We have to JUST DO IT in order to be the most successful, brightest, most beautiful, most mostest mostestest in order for us, in the eyes of others to shine brighter than the sun itself. The difference with animals, such as let’s say, a nice furry little lap dog, is that, they just ARE. In other words, even if they are supposedly lower in the food chain than us super developed highly evolved(?) humans… they have a stronger sense of self. They are what they are. So they do what they have to do. Nothing more nothing less. They’re hungry? They don’t count calories, they just eat… to live. They want to sleep, so what if it’s 2 p.m. in the day, the best time to meet a client, or they go snoring quite happily for everyone to hear. They’re horny? Well…

No excuses

Maybe I’m being too simplistic and maybe I’m saying we’re not better than animals. Honestly, I am, we’re no better, and neither are we any worse. All I can say is that if we could all greet one another with the same enthusiasm and genuine adoration that our dogs do when we get to see them, we would all feel a lot more loved. Animals express a real interest in their surroundings, and they take great pains to preserve and care for their homes or territories. How long does it take for you to clean your desk or your room? Hmmm. When was the last time you did something that would indirectly or directly affect the state of the world we ALL inhabit. Sure, it’s just ONE cigarette out the window into an already polluted highway, into an already clogged sewerage system. Guess what, you just made yourself part of the problem. There are no excuses.

Having a connection with another form of life gives you the power to heal and be healed. We have to coexist for the balance of life to remain… balanced. We may not be able to speak canine, feline or be a horse whisperer but when we pat our dog and it gleefully flips over in order for a belly rub, we can’t help but laugh and feel a certain level of joy. If you stroke a cat and it starts to purr closing its eyes in an almost meditative trance we strangely feel soothed and relaxed. Seeing the spirit and majesty of a horse as it runs we feel humbled by its awesome beauty and the gracefulness of its gait. These may only be three animals, but they do evoke a reaction do they not? That is something to pay attention to. These animals are a lot wiser than we give them credit.

Jungle

Of course, I am aware that not everyone has an affinity to the animal kingdom. That’s fine. I am in no way implying that you should substitute human love for animal love, I’m merely suggesting that having a pet can be an elixir and we all need one because, as you know it’s a jungle out there. Maybe the next time you look at that doggie in the window, bear in mind that it is probably looking you in a more objective angle, or better yet, without judgment. How many humans are capable of that?

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May the Force be with You

In Living a Life Off-Center on January 24, 2011 at 11:45 pm

Even though it’s already 2011, I tend to believe more in the energies of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This is why I am still continuing to do a little spring “purge” (it’s a lot more powerful than just a spring cleaning). Aside from scouring through my closets and bookshelves for things I no longer need, have outgrown or will never use again in order to give them away (one person’s trash could be another person’s treasure) I have also been digging up old articles, pics etc to see if I can find any  “treasures” in them.

I stumbled upon editorials I used to write as Contributing Editor to Super! In the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Since I have committed to posting something every day in my Soul Train blog I felt it would be good to rehash some of the things I’ve written and repost.

I hope this helps any and all souls in training :-) Do remember this was written six years ago as we were approaching the second quarter of the year.

May The Force Be With You

A different kind of swoosh!

Same s–t different day. Sound familiar? Same old, same old. These are standard answers for many of my peers and even the more youthful of my friends have used the word “boring” to describe their current situation in life, work and sometimes their future’s outlook. Being stuck in a rut just sucks. Artists call it a “block”, executives call it a “dead-end job” students call it “practicum” and I call it a “telenovela”. Maybe I meant same s–t different network.

The biggest challenge in wanting something different is people are not often willing to DO something different. I’ve read that if you keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result, then you’re a horse’s ass (Ok I added the horse part) In a nutshell, your situation will only change when YOU change, so today let’s talk about change, or at least making some changes. Tomorrow we welcome the first day of May, not only do we enter into the second quarter of 2005, in Western hemispheres Spring is in the air, and for most species of flora and fauna, life begins in the Spring. In a galaxy far, far away, it also marks the opening month of a small, under hyped sci-fi movie entitled Revenge of The Sith. (Yes, there is a connection, patience.)

Whether your Jedi Master is Yoda or Buddha the “force” is something to be reckoned with and not taken lightly. In Chinese philosophy it is called “qi” (pronounced chi) which means the circulating life energy that is thought to be inherent in all things. In simpler terms, it’s the life force. You may not be aware of it, but your surroundings, the way you live, the way you think have already caused clogging in your qi and the qi around you. If lately you feel you’ve been down on your luck, stuck to a routine, uncreative, and unhappy then it may be time for a change of scene. The wonderful thing about changing your “qi-nery” is that it is simple, inexpensive and can be done by anyone, anytime.

Ready padawan? Look around you. What is the state of your house? Apartment? Bedroom? Office? Unopened mail, unwashed clothes, unread books, dried out pens, betamax tapes (?!!!) memorabilia from the 70s and 80s that are so decrepit in appearance that they wouldn’t be displayed on Ebay. Wasted space is wasted energy. How you live is a reflection of how you are. Think of your body like your bedroom, how much clutter will it take in your inner interior design for you to finally do something about it? Let’s get started:

Have nothing around you that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful. There exists a metaphysical law saying that if we desire more abundance in our lives we must create space for it. How can more good come into our lives if there is no room to accommodate it?

Start to give. What may no longer be useful and beautiful to someone may be a treasure found to another. Look at your closets, bathroom counter, library, drawers, gadgets, music and video collection. Is it possible that these things you no longer need or desire could be more beneficial to and/or serve others? Even when you’re cleaning and clearing out remember not to make a mess of things.
Some rules: (applicable to public officials too)
If you take it out, put it back
If you open it, close it
If you throw it down, pick it up
If you take it off, hang it up.
If you really don’t need it give it to someone who does.

Move 27 objects. (Huh?) Literally, PICK UP and MOVE 27 objects in your home that have not been moved in over a year. No one is going to mind if the left bedside lamp is now on the right, move the books you still love from the lower shelf to the upper shelf. Arrange a series of picture frames in a different way. Maybe the dining room table would look better if it faced a window, those knick knacks, touristy souvenirs could use a reshuffle… (oh my God the Christmas lights are still up?!!!!) So what’s happening now? Are you perhaps getting more creative? Maybe a little more imaginative? (how the hell am I going to explain this to my mom?) What is certainly happening during this process is that you are doing something DIFFERENT 27 times and all of a sudden you just start to FLOW.

When you move things around energy transforms from potential to kinetic. Your mind expands, you break your routine and you allow the vital universal life energy to swirl inside and around you. True creation is based on intuition and not on manipulation. I will be bold enough to say that when this is done in the spirit of fun and lightness you will actually start to FEEL the positive energy released throughout your surroundings. The added bonus in doing this makeshift spring cleaning is that you may stumble upon something you once thought was lost, or forgotten. YOU. (cue: voluminous, orchestral background music.)

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Saturn Returns-a return via repost

In Living a Life Off-Center on January 24, 2011 at 12:23 am

I’ve just done my first guest blog! Call me low tech ( I know I am) but Celine Novenario asked me to write in her blog and I was fortunate enough to find something I wanted to share.

Saturn Returns, or the Saturn Return is an astrological phenomena that impacts everyone. So I hope this repost is helpful to you or to someone you love.

"I shall return"-Saturn

http://www.30before30project.com/2011/01/guest-post-saturn-return-by-katrina.html

My guest post!

 

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A bucket list blog

In Living a Life Off-Center on January 23, 2011 at 3:16 am

I am grateful for when Sundays roll along because they are normally very sacred for me. Sacred in the sense that I do take time out to do things I would not have time to do during the week (and even Saturdays) and this is primarily to stay home and have some ME time. I even find that I write better, and feel more creative when I’ve had some time to sleep in, laze around in bed and even indulge in a deep muscle massage. Yes, Sundays were made for resting, even the energies around are much gentler as most parts of the world breathe a huge sigh of relief and are allowed to, well, breathe.

It’s also the time that I can get some reading done. There are still several books that have remained untouched on my dresser and shelves, their shiny, pristine jackets eyeing me longingly, but I have slowed down on my reading (books) and have transferred some of my focus onto reading blogs. Why? Because there is a lot more freedom of expression (not necessarily better writing) in the cyber library.

One such blogger who I’ve enjoyed following is actually a good friend and is one who can write. Big bonus. She’s also made an effort to make her blog pretty, I have already shared with her how much I envy her site and am making it my personal goal to pretty up mine soon. She just has to teach me!

Celine Novenario is a filipina who migrated to New York several years ago. Although she is considered stylish by many and in fact pursued further studies in fashion in Manhattan, she eventually went back to her “roots” which is, ironically enough IT. She first entered the blogger world with her witty and whimsical site about shopping and style (on a budget) called the chiconomist and continues to contribute to glossies and broadsheets in spite of her heavy techie workload.

Next up, was Novenario decided to come to terms with her growth, biologically that is. Although petite and youthful looking, the big 3-0 is looming over her, and it has fueled her to do things that she would have otherwise pulled off.

Novenario looks towards the big 3-0

Hence the 30 before 30 project was born. (http://www.30before30project.com/)

The 30 Before 30 Project

The blog itself is filled with wonderful stories and even includes  a list that has activities already being crossed out. (As stated in the title she plans to do 30 things she listed before she turns 30-as of this blog she has about 4 months left)

What I gained from this particular blog is that you don’t have to be reaching a particular “remarkable” age to do something you’ve always dreamed of. If you put in the time and the desire you can start living the life you choose.

For those who may be less adventurous, use Novenario’s musings as inspiration and you may find something interesting on her list that you would like to do yourself. I’ve certainly found several and have started 2011 making sure I will allot time out to do them.

Or, perhaps, you can start making  a bucket list of your own. Take time to sit down and find out what it is you’d like to do, for yourself and make sure you do it sooner than never.

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Dress Dynamism-Ronaldo Arnaldo

In Living a Life Off-Center on January 22, 2011 at 2:36 am

Every once in a while, well, truth be told, even if we are ‘souls in training’ we need to also nurture our outer beings on a regular basis. Nothing makes me feel better than a pretty outfit, even just looking at someone, male or female dressed in a lovely ensemble gives me joy. It’s true, beauty is in the eye of a beholder so if you spot someone with style, it does spark something in you, even temporarily. Think about it, your parents probably told you to always leave the house looking your best, not necessarily dressed to the nines (that certainly wouldn’t work for many of us to be decked with jewelry and a flowing gown when doing groceries) but always wearing something that makes you look AND feel good. Even jeans and a t-shirt can turn a head or two when coupled with a nice accessory, a dynamic color, shoes with an interesting details…the list is endless. For men, especially those who are conservative about their clothes, it’s more the how to dress that matters to me than what they’re actually wearing. Clean lines, well fitted suits, shirts, trousers or their favorite beat up denims are all they need, as long as they’re put together carefully.

In my case, I’ve been favoring dresses lately. They’re just much simpler to throw on and you have one less “piece” to think about. When you do a top and a bottom combination it does take up way more time and thought, and there are days when I just want to get up, shower and go (not naked of course!) So, because of this, and still remembering the golden rule of “dress like you’re about to run into the love of your life” I have been focusing on adding dresses (from work, to casual, to weekend to cocktail to formal) in my wardrobe.

Ronaldo Arnaldo, who I met back in 2008 is one of those designers who makes up a perfect combination of professionalism (no drama queen work ethics) talent (you can google him to see why his recent collections have garnered rave reviews) and personality (he is sweet, quiet, unassuming and has an easy smile). Also, and probably most important is he makes you look thinner and taller than you really are! Everyone has their days of the blahs…but for some reason when I put on an Arnaldo even the unwanted bulges seem to go away and I find myself feeling good because, in my head, I look good.

Ronaldo Arnaldo's atelier in Makati

His atelier’s interiors are already an indication of this man’s taste. There is a classic elegance about it that connotes warmth and strength from the dark woods and simple, solid furniture.

Arnaldo's work desk

Elegant touches from his travels

A sketch of his work

Various newspaper and magazine clippings of his collections

And of course, the dresses: Here are a few of my favorites which I can’t wait to add to my wardrobe (these are taken from Arnaldo’s multiply website: http://ronaldoarnaldo.multiply.com/)

Structured style

Far from a drab gray

Solid lines will make you look lean

A good detail changes everything

I have had several pieces made by him from long to short, and in a variety of colors (bright greens and mauves even!) one of his first creations with me in mind was hi own play of a work dress-suit that til now shines brightly in the office whenever I put it on.

Whether Arnaldo suits your style preference or not, it is imperative that you find a kindred soul to satisfy your external aesthetic. You don’t have to spend a lot and I’m not saying bespoke is the way to go, but if you find a cut, color who can champion your attractiveness to the outside world, that’s already one battle won.

Dressing up can be fun, find any and all things to bring you joy!

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