Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is good for the soul, yes but forgiveness also cannot be forced. We cannot will oursleves to forgive, because if we try to deny the anger, blame and judgement that may still be there, it is likely to come out at some point. So how do we reach forgiveness?

To forgive others is the natural outcome of forgiving ourselves and taking loving care of ourselves. When we judge ourselves, we will have a tenancy to assign that judgement onto others, no matter how much we tell ourselves that we have forgiven them.

"How can i forgive my parents when they were so abusive to me when i was growing up?"

If you continue to treat yourself in the abusive ways your parents may treated you, you cannot reach forgivess. It is your lack of self -care that perpetuates the anger toward others. As we grow older, we each have a great opportunity to learn to treat ourselves with the love, respect, caring and understanding that we have lacked as children. When we don't grab this, all the past turn to presents as we keep continuing the same basic and will blame others for how we end up feeling because we lack of self-care.

"How can i forgive my spouse for cheating on me?"

You may hardly forgive a spouse until you fully take responsibility for your participation in the relationship issues that may have contributed to the unfaithfulness. There are always ways you did not listen to yourself or honor yourself that put you in the position of being betrayed. As you look deeply within and discover how you might have betrayed yourself and learn to forgive yourself, you may reach forgiveness for your spouse, even if you end up leaving the relationship. Choose the best way to your own happiness instead of others.

"How can i forgive my best friend for abandoning me?"

The world apts to reflect to us whatever happening in our own inner system. When we feel abandoned by someone, we actually possibly abandoned our own. We failed to concern our own feelings, needs and advocate love for ourselves. If you learn how to take loving care of yourself, you will find your anger toward others gradually dissapearing.

"How can I forgive myself when others do not forgive me and throw my past in my face every chance they get?"

You can't wait for others to forgive us as this will lead you stuck in anger and judgement because forgiveness has nothing to do with your own decision to judge or forgive yourself. When you learn to move out of judgement and into compassion, to yourself then to others, you will find yourself forgiving yourself and others. Forgiveness is the natural outgrowth of compassion.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Turn hobby to business


This is my quilt project. A set of bedsheet, 2 pillow cases & a booster for a wedding gift. It takes about 2 months to finish up including designing, sewing & touch up.

I've been quilting since 1994 after i gave birth to my eldest daughter. At that time, i do it for fun and thanks to my mum for encouraging me to this hobby cum business. My first quilt book priced RM 49.00 which i bought for my mum as gift.

It is a great hobby as i also can do business out of it. I design & produce all kinds of quilt product, such as blanket (crib, kid, queen to King size), handbags, table cloth and even table mats. I hope i can expand my quilt business one day..

Living the Moment

The living in the moment is the ability to be fully present and aware of yourself and surroundings as you live each moment. Achieving such a state require observations, appreciation, patience, quiet and ability to turn off the clock and put away the calendar.

While most of us don't experience such time frequently, this is when we feel the most alive. In theory, being present involves learning how to pay attention and the process of getting there is far easier than you might think. There are a few simple steps you can do right now to help you stay in the present and pay attention to your life experience in a very positive way.

Start by setting a few quiet minutes aside each day to close your eyes and take stock of what you are feeling, no matter how good or bad those feelings may be. Don't judge your feelings, just allow yourself to become aware of the emotions behind them.

Send your attention outward and become aware of things around you. Notice if you feel warm or cold, air moving in and out of your lungs. Open your eyes and notice the colors and sight around you in this same subtle, attentive way.

By the time you are halfway through this little exercise, you may surprised at how much you actually notice about your internal and external presence. Then you will find the "paying attention" will take on a whole new meaning, and it will be very nice one at that.