Karma

Be Mine by Ruben Ireland

What a busy and crazy week it was. To get the negatives out of the way, a so-called friend tried to bring gossip and resentment into my life after six long years of silence on my part. I should've followed my instinct to confront her earlier but instead, I foolishly gave the same negative person too many chances to recover and continue her manipulations. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding six years ago and perhaps it was this reason that made me want to put aside negative intuition and thoughts.

I wanted to believe I was right, and wished I didn't have to face the sad fact that a friend whom I considered to be genuine was actually someone who was resentful & jealous of my happiness.

I don't want to further materialize negative emotions and memories. Instead I'll focus on being grateful that I was finally able to cut out another negative force from my life. I guess this is the universe's way of teaching me the value of true humanly connection by giving me another opportunity to practice forgiveness and move on.

Betrayal is disguised in many forms and I recently uncovered one that was hiding behind the fascade of a close friendship. Yet I'm still here, happy and grateful than ever, knowing that the universe gives one just what one deserves.

This is God's justice, the wheel of life.

An Ode to Spirituality

Feeling Lighter than Air by Joy StClaire

Inspired by circulating dialogue about the apocalypse & God.

Being born into a religious family, I naturally turned to the bible and a set of religious traditions as the source of wisdom, knowledge & faith. Yet my young, curious mind continued to wander into the realm of the secular (aka literary), into the vast worlds of William Blake, Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf and Jean Rhys. To my surprise, God was everywhere- all over these 'non-religious' texts- and I began to understand the true meaning of God as an omnipotent being, one who is almighty and infinite in power. Being unlimited means God is not limited to a single theory, theology or religion and having infinite power means he is not only an authority of Christianity but an authority of the entire Universe.

My God is ubiquitous and resides not only in religious texts or biblical interpretations but in all texts & interpretations. To write, read, analyze, interpret, translate & transcribe is HUMAN, to be omnipotent & omniscient is GOD. I think, because we humans are incapable of grasping the true meaning of being all-knowing & ever-present, we try to reduce and materialize God into terms that are easier to comprehend by translating him into different theories & fables which now exists in the form of various religions.

I wish this world's compulsory divisiveness would stop forcing me to limit my God to a single entity- i.e. Father of Jesus Christ, and make me choose a single religion or theory over others. Such enlightenment is based on my personal experiences and feelings rooted deeply in Christianity and I'm now ready to rise above the dogma and rhetoric to fly closer to God himself.

My God is the creator of ALL living things, the beginning and the end of ALL. I choose to worship & praise God in my own spiritual ways, and this is where God led me to after 30 years in dogmatic christianity. I can no longer be reduced to being a stereotypical Christian because Christianity nowadays is too closely related to political choices and evangelization to 'non-believers.'

I simply believe in God and God tells me to love and appreciate everything and everyone. He tells me to be grateful for every big & littles things. It's not the golden rule. It's the ultimate truth-- God's truth.

"Men are admitted into Heaven not because they have curbed and governed their passions, or have no passions, but because they have cultivated their understandings. The treasures of Heaven are not negations of passion, but realities of intellect from which all passions emanate uncurbed in their eternal glory."

- William Blake from A Vision of the Last Judgment

An Ode to Womanhood

Magnolia Tree by Laura Ruth

In celebration of International Women's Day, I want to commemorate every activist, teacher, mother, sister, aunt and daughter for their bravery, perseverance and sacrifice that sustains harmony in today's capitalistic, patriarchal and violent world. We are all connected through love and light and it is our duty to lead the next generation with this spirit in mind.

Being a woman isn't easy. Every time we wear what we wish to wear, pass by a group of snickering men in a store, or choose to sacrifice our careers for the children, we are courageously taking a stance against patriarchy by signifying with our bodies that we are women who refuse to live in repression or silence by a world designed and maintained by men who believe they're in power.

I dislike the word power and sympathize souls that are driven by this dangerous and self-destructive ego. Instead I choose to live in love, light and gratitude in connection with all positive spirits who rise beyond dissension and promote nothing but harmony and oneness.

Sure women are different from men, just like I am different from you and you from the person next to you. Womanhood is what counteracts men's instinctual desire to colonize and spread their seeds, thus one who denies women from their inherent rights is resistant of the Cosmic cycle - God's design- of yin & yang, women & men, the transient & materialized. One cannot exist without the other and one cannot deny the influence of the other.

I love being a woman and am entirely grateful for every part of me that defines me as a woman. I embrace everything about me, especially my ability to carry and give birth to a new life- to give back to the Universe and keep the cycle flowing as it was designed to be. I even embrace my lack of strength next to a husband, father and brother because in replacement, I was given a constant yearning for spiritual and maternal connection that allows me to transcend all materialized possessions. Physical strength is materialized. Violence is materialized. Monetary gain is materialized. Hunger for power is materialized. A true female spirit transcends all materialized entities and signifies its existence with beauty, harmony, connectivity and love.

Thank you sisters for rising above patriarchy every day at home and at the workplace through countless sacrifices and silent tears. And thank you brothers, for maintaining a system that makes us women grow stronger, greater and more grateful each day.

Freshen up for Spring! Tod's Drivers

Tods Iconic drivers in various colors. $395 and up

After searching some time for the perfect pair of comfortable & stylish flats, I ended up buying Tod's iconic leather drivers and I'm in LOVE!! These are the most comfortable shoes my feet has ever been embraced by and the craftsmanship & quality are like no other.

Each pair is handmade in Italy with single piece of leather so its sleek, seamless & classic. If my 20's wardrobe was inspired by the desire to stand out with bright color schemes & patterns, my 30's wardrobe is inspired by understated sophistication & effortless classics.

I've been wearing ballerina flats for a few years now and Tod's driver is the most appropriate & refreshing addition to the collection.

Another grateful day for my heart & feet. :)

First Day of March

Photo by Le Portillon

I'm dreaming of pretty things tonight. I'm delighted to see what kind of pretty things and pleasant moments Spring 2011 has in store for me.

Happy March everyone.