Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you always imagined- Thoreau

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Kerman/Long Beach, Cali Bebe
I generally have interesting days and always an interesting outlook, so as a writer with just a resume...here goes everything...

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I'm working on creating my life. This is the beginning of the conscious tip because life is not about finding yourself, but creating yourself.

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Empower yourself through the practice of wisdom-Wednesdays Words of Encouragement WWE #9

You know how it is taught that when studying, the best way to retrain information is to read it, write it and speak it? I have come to realize that the same goes for positive living. You must read it, write it and recite it to really experience the richness that positivity provides.

Recently, I have been reading further into the live of Mahatma Gandhi 1869-1948; the Indian philosopher, humanist, and global leader. Although he died over 60 years ago, his legacy of inspiration is hardly comparable and his words of wisdom are still very much praised, practiced and pursued by many people trying to live a world full of compassion.

His story is so amazing and makes me feel invisible in terms of accomplishments, drive and especially my own compassion for others. He is probably the most nonviolent, well-known leader of the world, yet one of the most triumphant and striking part of his story, is the reality that he was fighting for humanity for some of the most impoverished nations and villages in the world.

Some of his titles include lawyer, political activist, founder of the Natal Indian Congress, newspaper Bhagavad Gita, community Phoenix (a self-supporting village near Durban in South Africa) and definitely community motivator, especially for peasants. Gathering and uplifting the oppressed was one of Gandhi's strengths and so indicative of his strength, positivity and benevolence.

He spoke such wonderful words and reading them, writing about them and speaking them can so empower everyone, so I suggest you follow his wisdom (as well as all other philosophers and nonviolent political activists) and use his worldly language to promote positivity and humanity to your community, your family and your friends.

I started it, now you continue on. Take one of these quotes and focus your day around it. Copy and paste one onto your facebook status, or just keep it in mind and share with a friend when necessary. But do something with his sincerity and sophistication and continue looking for more because as Gandhi says "I am what I am because of who we all are."

"When a man gives way to anger, he harms himself"

"Give all, gain all."

"He who loses his individuality loses all."

"The policy of retaliation has never succeeded."

"Truth resides in every human heart, and one has to search for it there and he guided by truth as one sees it. But no one has a right to coerce others to act accordingly to his own view of truth."

"To conceal ignorance is to increase it."

"The more efficient a force is, the more silent and more subtle it is. Love is the subtlest force in the world."

"Genuine laughter is true eloquence and more effective than speech."


gandhi.jpgimage used from New Internationalist Magazine

Thursday, November 11, 2010

"One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love."

Now put love into practice.

Doesn't have to be with a man or woman, but pretty sure it's proven that when a person has love for something or someone, their feeling of fulfillment or appreciation is exuberant and radiates from their smile or skin and has the ability to positively affect others.

In my case, at the moment, my love is for my city Long Beach and my love of hip-hop. I have a few outlets to express my love otherwise, but those are not to be mentioned currently :)

So show some love people, Lord knows we need it. And the Beatles believe all you need is Love. Let's listen to them.

Peace child.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Wednesdays Words of Encouragement (WWE) #8

"Doubt Everything. Find your own light."

These were the last words of Buddha, in the Theravada tradition and in Buddhism, the Buddha refers to Siddhattha Gautama, born in Lumbini in modern Napal. According to most traditions, he lived many lives before coming to our present understanding of Buddha in this era.

Born a prince, at the age of 13 Buddha was escorted out of a palace and came across "four sights." A old crippled man, a diseased man, a decaying corpse and finally an ascetic. He realized that age, disease, death and pain were inescapable and that the poor would always outnumber the rich. However, even if one was wealthy, everyone shared age, disease, death and pain. Neither money nor peace can relieve people from fear, anxiety, or lead them to ultimate happiness.

Departing from the palace, Gautama studied meditation, becoming very disciplined in his search for enlightenment. He found that the true liberation from worry could only be obtained by reaching a state of complete tranquility and enlightenment.

In his last sermom, he encouraged his disciples to diligently "doubt everything" and seek the truth, not holding on to that which is impermanent.

Back to modern day and city life, I know we are all (or we all should be, anyway) searching for ways to avoid fear and pain, an impoverished life and live peacefully and happily in our hearts.

I have come to learn that I am never happy (on a day to day basis) unless I am proud of the way I spent my time and energy. This means reaching out to my friends, and also those I do not know. Sometimes it means donating a simple dollar to the schoolchildren selling candy for fundraise, ensuring that I took care of my responsibilities in order to eat and live and also remaining positive in my search for a career or project to take on.

Regardless of what is on your mind, make sure that you are proud of the decisions you made and person you were/are EVERYDAY! Not just tomorrow, but everyday. You can never take back wasted time or poor behavior, so live consciously, live with a purpose, and remember that we all go through the same struggles so let's help one another out...EVERYDAY.

I love this world, I love MY world, and I love you all. May peace be with you and fear in your past. Let's make tomorrow even more beautiful than today.
What can you do to ensure you are contributing to this world? Contemplate that and live with it in mind.



reference to Buddha taken from book Immortal Words: History's Most Memorable Quotations and the Stories Behind Them by Terry Breverton

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

"Familiarity breeds contempt"

This saying dates back to 620-560 BCE (whatever that means, basically many, many ages ago) and is something so relevant today.

So many of us are so afraid to try new things. This could pertain to such a basic decision like trying new restaurants/foods or attending an art show of a Friday night instead of a bar, to a much more complex decision like speaking your mind about a family matter. And the thing is, once we try that new idea, it is often very rewarding.

So don't be scared. Don't be scared to step out of your element. Try listening to new music. Try that new Indian restaurant and order something you've never heard of. Or attend the community volunteer meeting you've been wanting to, but are too afraid of attending alone.

You must start today, if you want to be a better person tomorrow. Or at least a more experienced one.

Ciao!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Make a conscious effort to conserve energy

I just want to put a fact out in the universe in hopes of one of you catching and enacting it, sound cool?
Cool.
$11,000,000,000 is wasted in standby power each year in the United States, according to Southern California Edison Outlet for Change campaign.

This billion dollar number can be reduced if we all start unplugging our electronic devices when not in use. Just cutting back and leaving only the necessity appliances can help.

I walked around my cozy lil' apartment and found 13 items plugged in. I decided that I could definitely do without half of them being constantly plugged in. I'm reducing that number already!

Will you make a similar move? C'mon, it took me less than one minute to walk around my place and although most people lives in bigger abodes than mine, just do it ;)


It is important that we, as Americans and earthly objects, conserve in the areas that we can. Become a better citizen and take action, because you can.

Random shot of Katie!
Peace Dolls and Dudes.
~~~~~mollymoll~~~~~

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Wednesday's Words of Encouragement #7 Love the USA!

I recently took an amazing trip to Dubai and came back to California so much more in love with my country than I have ever been. I have multiple reasons why, but that is not what this blog is about. It's about loving the freedom and beauty that the U.S.A. has, despite the deficits, flaws and controversy.

Everyday, the news breaks heart-wrenching stories of the fatality and brutality in the reality of our streets. We have crooked politicians and corporate bigwigs and also people living unconsciously with no faith in God.

We have rich who take from the poor and poor who steal from the rich and such a difficult court system. However, on top of that negativity are the beauties of our country like the Bill of Rights, general elections, no military drafts, community centers, public libraries, friendly faces, freedom to dress however you wish (lol) and amazing landscape from San Diego to Rhode Island.

We also have Disney World, the Grand Canyon, Niagra Falls, Las Vegas strip, Hollywood, Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles (lol), New York City, the Los Angeles Lakers, hundreds of sport teams, the Boys & Girls Club of America, Jay-Z, yada, yada, yada.

So, instead of focusing on our countries problems, especially after this election, let us be reminded of why we are all so lucky to live here in the first place.