My Awesome Saturday

On Friday evening, Felicia sent me an sms asking if I wanted to join them at the Hot Air Balloon Fair in Putrajaya on Saturday. Although I had errands lined up, I couldn't help but say YES!!!! 

I was so excited the whole night. I told Dad and Sonny, and all Dad said was 

"Don't fall out." -_-

Haha, I was so looking forward to the experience of going up in a balloon, even if it is tethered.

So bright and early, we met up at 95%, packed ourselves into Sue's car and happily took off. There were six of us : Sue, Felicia, Grace, Chee Chiaw, his friend Stephen and me. All  quite high even though it was only 9am.

As we got to Putrajaya, we were thrilled to see 3 or 4 balloons soaring above some buildings. Even more thrilling was the sight of a flock of paramotors - like para-gliders but with a motor. We ALL wanted to get on one of those. Wheeee..!!

We quickly parked and tumbled out. 

Then as we walked towards the balloons, disappointment set in. Tickets were sold out. Apparently ticket sales started at 7.30am. We didn't know :( 

Anyway, we went closer and realised that the balloons actually don't go very high up. And there were so few :( After taking the customary photos, we went to explore the rest of the fair. Within half an hour, we were done -_-

The paramotors were there as demo only. They were promoting lessons and certification. No rides available.

There so so many people there but there nothing much happening. Why??? 

I saw two interesting things though...

1. A stall selling clothes had tudungs (headscarfs) of all colours right next to skimpy tank tops. Huh??? Same person buys both?

2. A very creative soap. Positioned as 'fights sleepiness'!! Hahaha, it stopped us in our tracks and we bought two, just to test it out. 

Talk about a compelling USP! I don't know if it really works, but the write up even provided the 'Reason To Believe'. I can just see the whole Strategy written out! 

Then we got bored and decided to visit Paya Indah Wetlands in Dengkil. I had conducted the YAC completion and graduation there and I had some beautiful memories of the place.

This time, we were not disappointed. The air was still and peaceful. Life slowed down, I felt connected and grounded. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful experience. 

One lake was filled with lotus in full bloom. Another had ducks, geese and swans sailing elegantly around. Well, they were elegant until we came running up. 

Although it was just a brief visit, it did something to me. I am still smiling as I write this. Once in a while, it would be good to just get away and spend a day or two in another world. A still, peaceful world where I can hear the voice of my soul speak to me.

To view all photos, click on the title of this post. They're quite cheesy tho ...

The World Around Me Is A Reflection Of The World Within Me

Now that I've been detoxing for two weeks, I am energised and positive. Calm and aware. I don't feel stuffed and stuck and old and decaying anymore. The difference is surprisingly significant! I know this sounds like a hardsell ad, but it is true! hahaha :) I am feeling so much better, physically as well as emotionally.

And this has caused a chain reaction : First, I detoxed my stomach and intestines. Next, I started qi gong and reiki again. Then I changed my skincare and got a hair cut.  

Now, I am working on my home. Bought ironing board. Started shopping for new curtains, cushions and cushion covers. Finally treated the cats with Mike's miracle Clorox Cure for fleas and ringworm. I've been dreading this! 8 cats is no joke! Anyway, we only managed to do 7, one got away :(

Next, buy exhaust fan. Then give the house a much-needed new coat of paint. And figure out how to prune the trees in the garden. This will let in some sun and dry up the soggy garden.

I know that all these things need to be done, but I've been procrastinating. Work has provided me with a convenient excuse, but I know it is just an excuse. I think part of me was just grungy about having to 'grow up' and take care of the house. Hahaha! I'm 45 years old and still trying to avoid grown up duties!!

Now that I am willing to handle these things, I feel at peace, and closer to both mom and dad. Maybe this is what 'Home is where the heart is' really means. When I put my heart into my home, I am energising it with love. 

Maybe this is what's been causing the huge 'hole' we feel : Mom used to be the one energising the home with her love. Now that she is gone, the home has been feeling so very empty. 

OK, I'll take it up. I've been giving Dad ginger enzyme every morning and he's obediently taking it. He even says it's refreshing! Good la. Although he insists on being independent, this is a sign that he enjoys being taken care of.

There is much to be done, but now that I am willing, it doesn't seem like such an impossible burden anymore. The funny thing is, it started with me taking care of myself internally. That was the key that unlocked this flow.

It's like magic. And guess what? This morning, for the first time, our bougainvillea plants are flowering! We've been trying for so long to get them to flower but every fertiliser and soil trick we've tried has not worked. And now, there are radiant pink flowers! I'll take this as feedback that love is coming alive again in this home :)

Do less, BE more.

It is a nice cool morning for a change. It rained all night and the air today is fresh and cool. The birds are singing away as usual, but this morning, I hear them. I am just sitting here, listening to them. My fat little black cat, Sky is curled around the laptop's battery pack, fast asleep, radiating contented vibes. It's a good morning.

There is a stillness within me that hasn't been there for a long while. I've been busily rushing and rushing around. I've been feeling anxious, impatient, and urgent, as though I don't have much time left in this lifetime. I've been feeling 'my days are numbered.' So strange. 

But now, all that has subsided. I think I first realised it on Thursday - I was updating my Facebook status and I asked myself "how am I feeling?" I just felt happy. Not a wild exuberant happiness, just a state of quite contentment. Nice. Hopeful. Everything's going to be alright.

This state is still within me now. I slept really well last night and am now just happy. 

So what happened to cause this change? Maybe it's my enzyme detox and vegetarian diet. I stopped eating meat again - my spiritual teacher used to say that eating meat may cause a sense of hopelessness as the animals somehow know they are going to be slaughtered. 

Maybe it's because I've been having mostly soup and soup and soup, so my body has had a chance to clear out the ton of food that's been accumulating in my tummy and intestines since Christmas!!

Maybe I'm just coming out of a grief-cycle. 

Maybe it's because I've started my morning prayers again.

Maybe the slightly reduced workload is allowing me a little breathing space.

Maybe, maybe, maybe. A lot of maybes. Does it matter? Yes and No.

Yes, because when I know what lifted me, I can do it again next time.

And No, because I have trust in myself, in the people around me, and in God. I trust because my intention is clear. I am here to serve, to love, and to awaken. Someone, somewhere, somehow will trigger the awareness in my consciousness when it is needed. And I know I will be open to see it and receive the guidance. So for now, it doesn't matter. 

I am happy, I am at peace, and I am starting the week by sharing. May you have Peace and Happiness within you this whole week too :)

Ok, Sky is sending you a contented purrrrrrrrr...

Is Twitter killing blogs? ... or is it just me?

I've been trying to blog, but as you can see from my last few posts, I don't have much to say. I'm so used to keeping it to 140 characters.

So do I blame Twitter? Or am I just avoiding getting in touch with what I think and how I feel?

Quite often, I simply do not have anything to express. Not even on Twitter. And in the rare moments when I do, I start writing a new blog post and then give up halfway. 

I have no patience. My mind is jumping all over. I am edgy (not in a good way) and pre-occupied. In other words, I am not aware and present. There is no stillness, no peace.

If the world around me is a reflection of the world within me, then I see neglect and decay. Everything at home is old and worn out. Everything at 95% is also old and worn out. Carpets, curtains, taps, electricals - all need major repair and spring cleaning. There are no accidents, so what is this telling me? Within me, I feel like my body is an old neglected pond - stagnant and filled with algae. sigh...

In the last week, I've made a huge effort to spring clean my insides. I've gone on a minimalistic vegetable and soup diet. I've started taking fruit enzyme to kick start my digestion. The Personal Growth training on Saturday gave me a good workout. Things are moving within me.

I'm starting to feel better - lighter, clearer and more hopeful. 

Ok, I'll give it 3 more days of my detox diet. Then I will somehow find time to do spring cleaning and home repairs. 

And to keep my spirits up, I'll be listening to Defying Gravity :)