gratitude – Page 5 – Creative Meanderings

_Awaken the Giant Within_ by Anthony Robbins

Jul 022016

_Awaken the Giant Within_ by Anthony Robbins

I read this some time ago and am not sure how I did not write about it earlier, but in any case, it was a book recommended by a friend, especially when I started on the coaching path.

Tony Robbins has been a big name inspirational coach for a while. M and I even found a common bond in liking what TR says. In fact, M has gone on a retreat and walked on fire with TR. 🙂 While I am not quite that gung-ho about things, I did enjoy the read. Robbins gives some tips and tricks for overcoming negative behavioral patterns, ways to take control of finances and relationships – all using the power within ourselves and becoming aware of how we limit ourselves. By awakening our inner giants and allowing them to guide our lives, we can have even more fulfilling and happier lives.

All of this is connected to meditation, subconscious minds, positive affirmations and the like. It is good for me to be reminded about this book in a currently stressful time. I can take control from within! 😛

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Day 7: What memory are you grateful for?

Memories are a mixed bag for me. Some aspects of life I would like to not remember. Some aspects of life I wish I had more memories for which to recall them. Some day I may not have any memories at all. 😛 If I sort through my limited memories as a child, I would say I am most grateful for the one when I was playing in the snow, having a carefree day, laughing and not thinking about anything. It is perhaps the last time I ever felt completely relaxed. It is perhaps the reason why I hesitate to ever let loose again as it was the day when my life was to be taken down a miserable path for the next 3 years. However, before knowing that, I can recall my laughing, smiling and the joy of playing. So, I am grateful to have this memory. 🙂

~T 😀

_The 21-day Sugar Detox: Bust Sugar & Carb Cravings Naturally_ by Diane Sanfilippo

Literary Escapes No Responses »

Jul 012016

_The 21-day Sugar Detox: Bust Sugar & Carb Cravings Naturally_ by Diane Sanfilippo

At the end of September (yes it has been a while) a friend asked if I wanted to join her in doing a 21-day sugar detox. I had been thinking about it for a while – since going Paleo – but had never really pushed myself into it. This was a good chance to do so. She recommended this book to use for recipes, etc.

It is a good book to start with as it explains what sugar does to the body and provides a lot of recipes to use throughout the 21-days including different levels depending on your purpose and metabolism or exercise patterns. Although it was nearly impossible to cut out alcohol, I did try to stick to less sugary ones such as tequila (yay!) as much as possible. Some days I had to cheat as it is hard to change a diet when your partner is a bit resistant to it. 😛

Still, I learned quite a bit from this and the book. There is also a Facebook page and website to help those who want a community in the struggle to remove one of the most harmful and addictive substances there is out there – and it is part of our daily lives!!!!

So, I recommend everyone try to remove as much sugar from your diet – that means breads/carbs as well – and see how your body can change. 😀

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Day 6: What in nature are you grateful for?

Hm…this is a difficult one…. When I was a younger adult, I used to take a lot of walks in the parks (in Japan mostly) and tried to be more in touch with nature. As a child, I was mostly allergic to everything outside on the farm, so I developed a bit of a love-hate relationship to nature. Since moving to the desert, I hardly consider nature at all and, in fact, when I return to ‘natural’ places, I end up feeling sick again like when I was a child. Thus, it is difficult to consider this. For some reason, when I think about nature, I think woods, trees, flowers and the like. I generally do not conjure up the sea and beach. However, if I acknowledge the sea as nature (of course it is!), then I am most grateful for the ocean and beaches. I am not allergic to either of them! 😛

The ocean and sea has always made me feel small in the amazing power and awesomeness of the water. While I have always held a fear of drowning and do not like to consider the life that exists below, I still feel inspired by the ocean. The waves crashing onto the sand provides me with awe and peace at the same time. I truly feel the strength and beauty of the earth and its creator when I stand at the edge of the water or float in its powerful rolling waves. So, yes, I am grateful for the ocean/sea.

~T 😀

_Portal of the Wind_ by Shizuko Natsuki

Going Mental, Literary Escapes No Responses »

Jun 292016

_Portal of the Wind_ by Shizuko Natsuki

Last March when I was in Lake Havasu City visiting my parents, my dad and I took a trip to the public library. It is something that my dad likes to do with me and they are a dying institution in most cities. The library itself was fairly desolate of actual books, instead there were a lot of computer stations and some reading areas.

However, there was an area where people could purchase books for cheap like $1 or $3 max. So, we perused this area even though I generally read most of my books on an electronic device. Still, when I am by the pool or lying in bed there are many times when I prefer to have a paper book in my hand.

In my perusing, I came across this book. I have never heard of the author before and it was a surprise to see a Japanese author in a little Arizona town. Therefore, I had to get it and give it a try as it has also been some time since I have read an obscure Japanese novel.

This book started off as very interesting with a revenger murder and mysterious death with the weaving of some parallel stories which did not seem that connected until the latter half of the story. In the end, it was a bit of future, dystopic style of a story that I had not expected. It was also a bit of commentary on society and reminded me a great deal of my Japanese days. Therefore, overall, it was definitely interesting and glad that I came across it. I cannot say for sure if I liked it, but it is definitely very typical of a Japanese novel, which I have completely determined if I like or not. 😛

In the end, I would say if you like Japanese style fiction, like Ishiguro, Murakami, etc., it is worth a read. 🙂

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Day 4: What food are you most grateful for?

Ahhhhh food!!! It is probably not okay to simply say ALL food, is it? Hm…so, if I must choose one single food, I am most grateful for cheese. Now, I know that cheese probably has very little health benefit and in fact, may actually harm the body in many ways due to its dairy qualities. However, of all food, cheese is my go-to snack food whenever possible. There is just something about the way it can melt in your mouth, the tang and zing it gives to the tastebuds, the smoothness on a piece of bread or a cracker and the gentle pleasing sensation it provides me. Perhaps it is a bit like a drug and in that sense I probably should give it up…. That is not likely to happen! 😛 I have cut back and eat it only now and then anymore. Compared to my daily half a block of Tillamook Cheese, I think I am going to be alright!

~T 😀

Excuses…?

Going Mental No Responses »

Jun 282016

Day 3: What color are you grateful for?

Well, the obvious answer should be purple as this is my favorite color. However, my first response to this was actually red. Now, in a way this makes sense. Without red, there is no purple. Red symbolizes blood, fire, passion and to me vibrancy. So, I suppose this is an apt color for me to be grateful for. 😛

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The other day I was visiting with a friend who was asking me how I have been spending my days. I explained that I keep busy, but overall I am a little bit ‘bored’. She asked me what about all my writing and website projects. I answered that I am trying to do that – get into a routine, think about what I would like to write -, but ultimately I feel less inspired as I cannot go to a café to write due to Ramadan and I am not in my own space. She responded that these sounded just like excuses for not getting things done….

Is it…?

Upon some thinking, I think there is truth behind the excuses and there is truth behind the fact they are just excuses. It is true that inspiration needs to come from energy flows of space, which I get in cafés and will in my new home (as it is my space). However, we are not all always so lucky to have the fortune to pick and choose where we can do our life crafts, so if one wants to really accomplish something, then it should not matter where or how. Just do it, right?

So, I am working on being a bit more disciplined. Seeing the calendar fill up this month with my blog posts definitely helps. Yesterday, I sat down to write and got some starts, though nothing really stuck. However, I shall keep trying. Some more ideas are flowing and so one of them should stick eventually. 🙂 I also made lists for the other website project that I keep pushing to the back burner. Thus, I indeed have plenty to do and keep me busy, just gotta put my head into it and make it happen!!!

~T 😀

40 Years!!!

Going Mental No Responses »

Jun 272016

05-May-2016 22:02, Apple iPhone 6s Plus, 2.2, 4.15mm, 0.03 sec, ISO 40

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Wow, I have reached a milestone in life – the 40th birthday. In Korea, I guess I’m really 41, but let’s not go there…. 😛 I have always said that I will remain 28 forever as I remember that as the best year of my life so far. However, I have to say that 39 was a pretty good year. Who knew that I would make it this far?! I was always convinced I would die at 25 – don’t ask why.

Since my birthday is always when people are away traveling, I decided to celebrate my birthday as an “Almost 40 Party” on Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) this year. I try to play it be ear each year depending on when the summer holidays start. I had a lovely time eating, drinking and having a ball together with my friends here in the desert.

Almost 40 Party

They say that 40 is the new 30, but truthfully age does not mean that much to me. Life continues to be amazing and I think my life has gotten better and better. I always knew that growing up would be so much better than being a kid! 😛

So, I have no words of wisdom or comments to reflect upon regarding my age. Instead, I am just grateful and happy for the life that I have. I look forward to whatever the next year(s) bring! 😀

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Day#2: What technology are you grateful for?

This is a tough one as I do love my technology – all of it! If I have to choose one, though, I guess I am most grateful for the smartphone. My life is pretty much on my iPhone. Of course, without Internet or cellular technologies the smartphone is useless; therefore, obviously, I am including these as part of the smartphone technology gratitude! On my phone, I can make calls (though this is rare as voice communication is used by myself more out of forced purposes than preferred), I can Skype with my family and friends, I can email, I can check FB, I can play games, I can do EVERYTHING! And, I do – LITERALLY! Sometimes, I even watch TV on it. So…yes, I am most grateful for smartphones! 😀

~T 😀

30-day Gratitude Challenge

Going Mental No Responses »

Jun 262016

Remember how I said I wanted to revisit gratitude in my life to let go of focusing on stress? Well, this pin popped up on my Pinterest feed the other day as a bit of a sign to really take that on. So, today will be Day #1 of the challenge. I will put in my posts each day a paragraph addressing the challenge for the day. 😀

Let’s begin: What smell are you grateful for today?

As someone who is quite sensitive to odors, this is an interesting question and not one that I often think about being grateful for as the only times I tend to notice smells is when it irritates me, not pleases. M frequently tells me how human nature tends to remember the negative things in life, like when someone forgets to do something for us rather than the positives, like when someone remembers to do something for us. While I try hard not to be this way, I know that I can have this tendency as well. Smells are a perfect example of this.

Back to the question at hand. I am grateful for the smell of coffee. Coffee brings me joy and the smell of it makes me smile. While I used to be truly addicted to the caffeine of coffee, I have managed to decrease my intake to one ‘large’ Nespresso brand cup a day. This is more than enough to satisfy. I know that I am not addicted because if I miss a day I do not get headaches or shakes like I used to. Some might ask why I do not just give it up altogether since it could be argued that this regular caffeine shot is not necessarily good for me. While scientific studies go back and forth on the benefits of caffeine and coffee, I continue because I love the smell of a fresh hot cup of coffee.

When I want to sit down and write or relax, I like to have a warm cup of coffee in my hands and the aroma wafting in the air to ignite my creative juices or settle me into a moment. 😀

So, there you go. Today’s gratitude is for the smell of coffee! Feel free to join me in this challenge, by posting your own or sharing in the comments of my posts.

~T 😀

Gratitudes Revisited

Going Mental No Responses »

Jun 232016

So, I have been a bit stressed lately. Not sure if it comes out much in my writing here as I try not to divulge too much personal details of my life on a public forum – some might say I already share too much. However, despite it being summer holidays or my ‘retirement’ aka ‘transition period’, I have NOT been relaxing and enjoying the days very much. It is hard to transition multiple things all at once (job, home, marriage, etc.). 🙁

While I know that I am very blessed and have so much to be thankful for, I have lately found myself on the darker side of things. Instead of finding joy in the down time I have right now, I feel tense and frustration. Therefore, to give myself an energetic and spiritual kick in the arse, I am revisiting the challenge of Gratitudes. I did this about two years ago in August (do a search for ‘gratitude’ on the main page of the blog and you’ll see the posts), and I think it is time to do it again. Feel free to join me in your own way in finding a minimum of three things to be grateful for each day.

I am grateful for our friends who have provided us with a free place to stay for the past month until our new home is ready.
I am grateful for my husband who makes me smile and laugh every day despite our mini quarrels and snappish attitudes with each other due to our stress and temporary living situation.
I am grateful for the Internet to allow me to Skype with my parents, chat regularly with my BFF from afar, write on this blog, look up random information, and help me pass the time when I need a distraction.

The other night when I had had “the worst day of my life” I struggled to fall asleep after having a little self-pity cry session. However, when I forced my mind to focus on at least three good things that had happened that day, I relaxed and fell asleep very quickly. Bringing in the light and joy to life actually makes everything seem okay and not so unbearable. Thus, I want to keep myself centered on gratitudes as each day gets better and better. Besides, there really is so much to be grateful for in my amazing life! <3

~T 😀

Gratitude 5 + Woweeeeee!

Going Mental No Responses »

Aug 272014

1. I am grateful that today passed successfully surpassing even my high expectations.

2. I am grateful that I was granted money back on a scam that I fell for…long and silly story, but no harm no foul. 😉

3. I am sooooo grateful that tomorrow is the end of the week so that I can do some PhD work!

It was a gooooood day. My colleague and good friend and co-teacher and co-coordinator, T and I ran our first big meeting for the course we are leading. The meeting went well and everyone seemed fairly pleased with what we had to offer. Even my ex-bf and staunch critic gave us a huge thanks, compliments and led a round of applause. That’s HUGE! So, we are both feeling pret-ty good about things now. 🙂 Phew, too!!!

So, now that is done with. Tomorrow I have to meet my supervisor to talk about the drama at the end of last term and what’s coming up next. I need to remember to stay gracious and humble through it all. It was my fault and so I need to own up to that without falling under the temptation of making excuses or laying blame…even IF blame can be laid. 😛

Overall, things are quite good. I’m feeling pretty happy these days, which is helping me to return focus on that little ol’ dissertation thingy. Speaking of…!

More to come,

Gratitude 4 and OMG!

Going Mental No Responses »

Aug 262014

1. I am grateful that the week is half over! 😛 It has been nothing but go-go-go since Sunday….

2. I am grateful that my bf is back and that I also had the chance to miss him. It’s not that I was taking him for granted by any means, but usually I am the one who is traveling and though I miss him then it is not the same as being the one left in normal life. So, I was glad to get a different perspective and to also realize that he really is an important part of my life.

3. I am grateful to have a wonderful working relationship with my friend and colleague, T, since we have really needed to be on the same page so far this week. So far so goooooood! 😀

Phew! What a crazy first three days of work. It’s been nearly back-to-back meetings on top of trying to catch up with friends/colleagues on top of normal life on top of my PhD! [Yeah, don’t ask me how well that’s going at the moment! :|]

In any case, I am hoping [HOPING] it will slow down after tomorrow and then I can settle into class routine and finish this stinking dissertation because at the moment I might freak out!!!!! 😀 😀 😀 [crazy faces]

Break over.

More to come,

Gratitude 3

Going Mental No Responses »

Aug 242014

Okay, I skipped yesterday, but it is part of my gratitude for today! 😉

1. I am grateful for the ability/need to take a full day off from studying or worrying about studying. It was much needed. Yesterday, I contemplated reading or writing a little, but then decided I was going to take the full day. It was worth it to just read my leisure book, go for a long massage and facial and just in general relax at home on my own. 😀

2. I am grateful for a really lovely group of colleagues. Since I am writing this at the end of my first day back at work, I thought I’d add it to today rather than save it for tomorrow. I do truly work with some nice people, so when I complain about the job, I need to keep this in mind.

3. I am grateful for the fact that M is returning tomorrow morning!!! I can’t wait to see him – it’s only been four days, but like a silly schoolgirl, I’m SUPER excited! 😉 <3

So, all in all life is good. I am going to try to write at least a paragraph on my Analysis chapter and then relax before another busy day begins. 😀

More to come,

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