i knew i wanted to write this particular post about 2 weeks back, at a pretty precise moment and i thought i would title it "my favourite moment".. this particular title, "my kind of place" is borrowed from a book i am currently reading: the wisdom of sam by daniel gottlieb.
i picked up his first book entirely by chance and instantly felt a connection to this author. much of what he wrote resonated within me and it just so happens that his grandson is autistic and he wrote 2 other books for him, about him, this particular angel who fell from heaven. i bought both books.
when sam mused about his kind of place, he wasnt in disneyland, he wasnt in a candy shop or the best playground in the world, he was lying in a huge pile of leaves that his dad had just raked on an autumn day. he was just appreciating the place he occupied at that moment to be his kind of place, right where he belongs.
2 weeks ago, i was in nepal, a country to visit on my bucket list, trekking at about 2500 m above sea level in the annapurna region. part of a group of about 20, i had somehow lagged behind the faster group and was far ahead of the slower group and became quite alone along the trail.
as the weather was cold, i really relished the sunlight and decided to stop and rest in a spot of pure warmth. and when i did, i started to notice not just the warmth, but also the soft breeze. the birds chirped, the leaves rustled and i realised once again how gorgeous the snow-capped mountains were on the horizon, it was magical. it really was my favourite moment of an incredible trip to a beautiful country.
it was then i also realised although i had come to this country to escape hustle and bustle, only moments before i had been so preoccupied with my bag, my poles, my route, my group mates that i had forgotten to be present in the moment...
i have been practicing to be present and aware for some years now and even then i still forget sometimes. i think that is what mr gottlieb means by finding or i should say being in your kind of place, all the time. it's a whole lot easier when you are in an enchanting place such as nepal and i am still learning to be okay and make it my kind of place when things are not going well and i am feeling hurt, pain or anger...
2012 is coming to an end and personally it had been great! in fact, this is the best december in many years.. so much to be thankful for.. =)
in 2013, i want to keep on practicing to be present, to volunteer more, to still give my best in my current school, to step bravely into the unknown after that and to always be kind in words and in deeds.
i used to have a blog. updated it fairly regularly for many years until friendster unceremoniously destroyed it with just one warning. i was devastated. it contained so much memories, both good and bad. it was like a diary, a very public one. i was too distraught to restart another. that was 2 years ago.
recently, thoughts of starting another blog kept coming up. it just isnt enough to write "notes" on facebook anymore. and as an english teacher, i had been reminded time and again that blogs are excellent teaching tools. well, if i'm going to, it got to be on a special day and what is more special than "the day the world ends"?!
i do not believe that at all. the rumor came about because it's the day the mayan calender ends but that signifies a new beginning! a shift into a higher level of consciousness, into the age of aquarius, my star sign!! it just is ridiculous to believe the world will cease to exist. and i think is wonderful to be able to expect more positive changes.. i always choose happiness! and it starts by being present.
so how did the odd title come about? i have always love clouds. they are just beautiful to look at. they change right before your eyes. they remind me that god is amazing. and they are omnipresent reminders that change is the only constant. so i knew i want the theme of my blog to be on clouds, the ever changing clouds..
then i was just "urged" to use one of my favorite websites and i came up with this list! quite an interesting list (caged convulsing her? canceled shoving rug?) but the 3 words that called to me are just these "chanced loves urging"
i believe in chance. i believe everything happens for a reason. and if i am able to see that link between what happened and why it happened, i always want to share it. what i see may not be accurate or true but well it's up to my interpretation! be it chanced upon person, animal, plant or cloud, i want to be open to possibilities.
i believe in love. all kinds of love. for people, for strangers, for animals, for mankind, for flora and fauna, for mother earth.. i always wondered if it has to do with my birthday.. and i have lots of loves. cats, elephants, clouds, dance, children, music.... i am sure you will catch on if you read on.
urging. sounds weird right.. but it immediately reminded me of a chinese song by wang lee hom (another love) 若一开始没有上帝暗中偷偷的怂恿我们怎知选择相逢 such magical lyrics.. another reminder that it's all predestined, love is predestined.. also, i think it is reminding me to listen to that voice within.. to do what my heart wants to.
lastly, i think this new blog will be featuring a lot on a special group of people whom i will be interacting a lot with in the near future. really excited about that =) these fallen angels are so going to be a spark in my life.
i hope reading my blog will bring a spark to yours.. ;)
