How people treat you is their karma. How you react is yours <3

People spend a lifetime searching for happiness. They chase idle dreams, even other people, hoping to fill emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within.

Positive Provocations

How do we go beyond all the negatives that afflict us to experience the childlike blissful state of what “Just is”? Thinking about that question I experienced the total absurdity of trying to push away what was before us; of ignoring the obvious present. And how much we hurt ourselves when we pit our stubborn heads against its wall. For a few days I experienced the state of being in flow with life, of surrendering to its every whim and command, of joyous and willing compliance with the will of The Divine. For a while out there I even thought I had become enlightened! I snapped out of that particular illusion quickly enough, but every now and then out pops the question, what is it like to be in the state of what- just is? How can we go beyond the judgments and resistances, the doubts and fears, the anger and sorrow that strew our path like so much rubble and make the walk of life such a labored, difficult process? How can we simply let go and fly with the moment as swiftly and lightly as a bird? One of the key requirements to access what “just is”, I believe, is to be able to go beyond all emotions. It is our emotions that trap us in the cocoon of resistance, of interpretations, of reaction and judgments.

• Eg. 1- When a friend fails to return our call and immediately the interpretation machinery swings into action. Does this mean he is offended with us? Did we do anything to displease him? Then comes the anger venting… How dare he? Reaction follows: either an angry silence, coldness or hot intemperate words.

• Eg. 2-The bus comes later than its usual time and again, interpretation kicks in. I’m going to be late. The boss will yell. How tiresome to have to work. Why couldn’t I have been rich? And so on…which is actually a lot of blah blah and blah!

• Eg. 3-We appear for an important interview and fail the test. Interpretation is huge and devastating. I’m a total failure. I’ll never amount to anything. I’m so stupid. I hate myself….again blah blah and blah!

Everything- every provocation, every event, every thought, triggers off an emotional charge, because we are a complex network of emotional and psychological needs. We want approval, acceptance, peace, happiness, ease. Each time anything goes against our wishes and wants, we cannot help but protest. It seems so unfair that parents should be unreasonable or that people we like should not like us. So mired are we in our needs, wants and self-centered expectations that we fail to see the obvious. Life is not wired to go along our wishes. We are wired to go along its! Its called going with the flow or being in the blissful state of what ‘just is’. What kind of a world would we live in if we could relate to life without an emotional charge? As far as I can see, it would be a clean, spacious, sunlit world, utterly simple, utterly essential. All stories, interpretations, judgments and resistances would cease, because things are simply the way they are. They are neither good nor bad. They simply are.

• Eg. 1-A dog biting me is simply a dog biting me. Without emotions and thoughts to jerk us around and inject complexities into the issue, we quietly take our shots and go on our way, peaceful even in the midst of pain.

• Eg. 2-Working till 2 a.m. is simply that. It does not mean that we will be tired the next day or that we are overworked or that we need a raise or that we are hardworking.

• Eg. 3-Walking amidst the broad expanse of humanity we no longer busily divide and classify them according to their appearance, gender, the clothes they wear and the language they speak. We cease to lean towards some and recoil from others. We embrace each individual as a totally unique manifestation of the Creator, whole and perfect just as they are, needing nothing at all to embellish them further.

• Eg. 4-A rich and moist chocolate cake is simply that. It is not an invitation to plunder and consume.

• Eg. 5-All the misery and poverty that you see around you is just that. It is no longer capable of sending you into a vortex of anguish, guilt, rage or resistance.

Free of reactions we can get down peacefully to see what we can do about it. If there is nothing, we move on; if there is something, we do it. But we do not work ourselves into a lather of self-righteous indignation or smugness. Becoming CEO at 30 or whatever fantasy you may nurse is simply that. It does not make you the master of the universe or entitle you to walk six inches above the ground. Imagine the beauty of this state of what “just is”. No pain because things simply are. Being rejected in love is simply that. It does not make us not-good-enough or unworthy. An illness is just that. It is not a visitation of evil or a punishment. Carried to its logical extreme it means that we can look at even the most extreme situation like torture or death without flinching or converting the physical discomfort into psychological pain. We experience the moment to the fullest, both its pleasure and its pain, and then we drop it for keeps. In the state of what “just is”, the past and the future simply do not exist, they are completely consumed by the present. Yes, we will access the future sufficiently for the purpose of planning and envisioning, but our feet will always be firmly in the present, disinclined to fast forward either into worry or fantasy mode. Nor will we be tempted to visit the past to rewrite or resist it. What has happened has happened and through the focus of what “just is”, we direct all our energies like a powerful laser beam upon the single task of doing what we can about it. Focusing on what “just is” helps us to see clearly and discriminate between what we can do and what we cannot. We can do nothing about changing other people – the way they behave, their opinion, dispositions and how they feel about us. We can change ourselves. We can do nothing about the past and the future. We can do something with the present. In the state of what “just is”, we earn the gifts of acceptance, clarity and peace. What bliss! Zeenat - Counceling phycologist/spiritual counceler.

'Anyone who interferes with the personal legend of another thing never will discover his own.'

On the other side of your greatest fears lives your greatest life. - Robin Sharma

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but there echoes are truly endless. ~ Mother Teresa

Enthusiasm has its roots in the Greek language; it literally means "the God within"

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain 
way to succeed is always to try just one more time."
-Thomas A. Edison 

What are we without Controversy.

“Far from the glamorous Sasha Fierce, the beauty posed for the magazine with amazing fashion designers clothes, but also in a dress created by her mother. [It is] A return to her African roots, as you can see on the picture, on which her face was voluntarily darkened.” A statement releaseed by L’OFFICIEL

Decoding the controversy around Beyonces photo shoot as Blackface :
History of “Black face”
Popular during 19th century, “Blackface” was a theatrical makeup used in minstrel shows where charcoal paste or burnt cock was used to paint a dramatic black skin tone on the faces of white or black performers. These blackface paint and exaggerated red or white painted lips were said to represent the Black Race. Blacks in general were not allowed to perform unless covered in the blackface. These racist caricatures created stereotypes on the Black race with characters and acts such as the “happy-go-lucky darky on the plantation” and “dandified coon”. William Henry Lane, aka Master Juba, who invented “tap dancing” was said to be the first Black performer in blackface. He was later allowed to perform in his own skin as he became popular. An uprise of civil rights movement in the 1950′s allowed protests from the NAACP which brought an end to “Blackface” scenes on TV shows such as Babes in Arms and Holiday Inn.
With that said you can well understand the emotions flaring around the controversial Beyonce image. It might look artistically appealing but the negative connotation it brings is not welcoming in the eyes of the Black race in the US.
The Culture of Face Paint in Africa?
In Africa, face painting is used in cultural ceremonies like weddings, rituals, drumming and dancing events, traditional festivals and various special occasions. It is also used for expressions like “happiness of giving birth to a child” and many others. Face painting has for centuries been used to identify a tribe. In this modern day and age, we take pride in those aspect of art and culture as you see in many African model photo shoots. Face painting in its rightful representation is the pride of being “African and embracing the rich culture.”


Statement by theFrench fashion magazine “L’OFFICIEL in regards to the image?
“L’OFFICIEL is very proud to present its March issue featuring Beyoncé in African-inspired dresses and jewelry by top designers, including Gucci, Azzedine Alaia, Fendi, Pucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Rodarte, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier and Lanvin. Designer Tina Knowles, who is also Beyoncé’s mother, created a one of a kind couture piece. The designs are all reflective of the African influence on fashion this season. Miss Knowles poses with royal allure. A queen, a goddess, Beyoncé is a bombshell beauty with a divine voice. We’re thrilled she’s opening a season of celebrating the 90th anniversary of L’Officiel de la Mode. The series was conceived as using art and fashion in paying homage to African queens.
Beyoncé mentioned the artist Fela Kuti in the interview as one of her musical inspirations. It was later misquoted as the inspiration for the shoot. We would like to clarify that it is not the case. As for the artistic makeup, the inspiration came from several African rituals during which paint is used on the face. We find the images beautiful and inspiring.
L’Officiel would like to thank Beyoncé for her outstanding contribution to this celebration of African influences in Fashion.”....... hmmm!?



Levi's hit the headlines recently for its promotion of the new Curve ID jeans line, which reportedly provides denim options for "80% of women around the world" based on their curves rather than their size. Emblazoned with the tagline, "All asses were not created equal," the ads have attracted criticism for "seeming to privilege some body types over others". Levi's argues that it was simply trying to provide jean options for all body types. "Women are so frustrated trying to find the perfect-fitting pair of jeans," said Mary Alderete, Vice President of Marketing. "This is a really personal and emotional subject for women. When the jeans don't fit, they often blame themselves, as opposed to the insight we found: it's really the offering of the denim that's out there that's making [them] feel bad about themselves."

Calvin Klein's racy ad depicting a nearly naked Lara Stone being straddled and held by the hair was banned in Australia, with officials stating they were concerned it sent the wrong messages about rape and violence. The Advertising Standards Bureau ordered the controversial billboard be removed after declaring it "demeaning to women" as it appeared to suggest that Stone was a plaything of the men

What are we without Controversy.

Italian clothing company Cambia Style came under fire earlier this year after it used an image of Hitler in its ad campaign to promote the message, "Change style. Don't follow your leader." Locals reportedly found the advertising campaign offensive and called for the billboards to be taken down, with Palermo city councillor Rosario Filoramo telling press, "The use of an image of a person responsible for the worst chapters of the last century is offensive to our country's constitutional principles and to the sensitivities of citizens."

Jessica and Lisa Origliasso of the Veronicas recently appeared in an ad campaign for PETA in support of the organisation's anti-fur stance, with the pair saying they were motivated to do the shoot after watching videos of a Chinese fur farm. Jessica told press recently that the use of fur in the fashion industry is ignorant, unnecessary and unacceptable. "We don't want to be an ignorant generation, we want to inform people. We can be the generation that makes a difference."

While Diesel's controversial "Be stupid" campaign won a Grand Prix in Outdoor at Cannes, the above executions were banned by the UK Ad Standards Authority, which stated that the images were likely to cause "serious offense". In response, Diesel humorously deconstructed the ads in an effort to defend them. The top ad, the fashion brand said, "tackled society's preoccupation with 24/7 camera surveillance in a light and non-threatening way," while the bottom ad "portrayed a very strong and unexpected image of femininity, aligning it with typically masculine themes."

What does it mean to be truely alive?

What does it mean to truly live?
Am I living because I'm breathing?
Just because my heart beats steadily,
my lungs fill and empty,
my chest expanding and contracting,
does that mean that I'm alive?
Am I alive simply because I can think or because I can love?
Am I living because I can speak, I can scream and shout?
I can cry and laugh and yell,
I can bleed and I can feel pain,
and my heart can be broken,
do any of these things mean that I am living?
For without my heart and lungs I would surely die.
But if I couldn't think and dream or love endlessly and openly,
what would be the point of living?
If I couldn't speak
or shout
or cry
or laugh
or bleed
or feel pain,
if my heart could never be broken,
then I would not be truly alive.
Living is not simply existing,
with a body full of functional organs.
To live you must express yourself to the world around you,
let them know who you are,
cry when you are sad,
laugh when you're happy,
you must get your heart broken and recover so that you can learn the lessons of life.
What does it mean to truly live?
It means discovering yourself,
exploring whats there beneath every forced smile and ache in your soul,
and being the very best person you can find it in your heart to be.

Zeenat Merchant Syal

'It is difficult to believe in self because the idea of self is an artificial construction. You are, in fact, part of the glorious oneness of the universe. Everything beautiful in the world is within you.' Russel Brand.

We are always getting ready to live but never living.

If you have one eye on yestaurday, and one eye on tomorrow, you're going to be cockeyed today.

We are here and it is now. Further than that all human knowledge is moonshine.

Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee.

You can clutch the past so tightly to your chest that it leaves your arms too full to embrace the present.

Today is life - the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today.

One should count each day a separate life.

If you are still talking about what you did yesterday, you haven't done much today.

Learning is movement from moment to moment.

Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.

I have memories - but only a fool stores his past in the future.

Life is a succession of moments. To live each one is to succeed.

"Skinny Love" - Birdy

March will always be your month xx

Conceived In Peril

Beautiful, you would both have been
But my angels faces remain unseen
Not a day goes by when i don't ask myself what if?
But i have accepted that to be nothing but a failed mans wish
Every day i feel you both, a part of me you will always be
Don't be fooled by the smiles, i smile only when you smile with me
The love i hold for you is undying and real
Your physical presence may be no more, but your existence remains in the way i feel
Your energy is alive in everything around me
The people, the breeze, the nature, our family.
Every success i make is for both of you
I will achieve in your honor to prove i had to do, what i had to do
Stay with me my angels, i know you always will...
My flesh and blood, my reason, my babies conceived in peril.

I'm sorry.

'If you can concentrate always on your present, you'll be a happy man.'

The First rule of focus is 'Wherever you are, be there.'

"It`s not how smart you are. It`s how you are smart" (Walter Mckenzie. 1999)

Heart goes out to those effected in Japan.

Lets Get Motivated!!! :D Smile and the world Smiles with you xx

'Excellence is in the details. Give attention to the details and the excellence will come.'

'Keep Your eyes On The Stars And Your Feet On The Ground.'

'Aim at the sun and you might not reach it, but, your arrow will fly far higher than if you had aimed at an object on a level with yourself.'

'The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want.'

'Perseverance is not a long race, it is many short races one after another.'

'Great people talk about ideas. Small people talk about others.'

To get what you want STOP doing what isn't working!

Blessed are those who give without remembering & blessed are those who take without Forgetting

Food For Thought 7 'Slave To Society?'

Why is it so much easier to spend your every moment working, than it is to spend your every moment with loved ones?

Apparently money cant bring you happiness, so why do we all feel so inclined to earn as much of it as we can?

What are the pressures making us feel that we need to be this way? Surely the days of Social Class controlling our lives don't still exist?

Back 3000 years ago we would work to survive in a natural way, we would be out doors, hunting for our food, exercise, adrenaline. We would be up with the sun, sleeping with the moon, always with our loved one's, sleeping when we needed rest. Yes we may have evolved slightly but we still have the same needs. How is it ok to work indoors all day, barely spend times with those we care for, become accustomed to being sleep deprived, live to be obsessed with a perfection we cant achieve and feel embarrassed to discuss the reality's of being human. Maybe it isn't like this for everyone..

I look around and realise that although we may not have black and white; rich and poor anymore, we still have clear divides. We still have so many small minded people and we are still defined by our career, family and bank balance. Is this human nature?

I have began seeing laws, politics and media as a machine, i find it very easy to forget that it was created and can only exist because of us. This is something that is easily forgotten because it is so powerful. Something that worries me is the huge resemblance that it has to 'God': You don't completely understand it, no one does, it isn't obviously visible in your life but you know there is something there and you don't want to upset it.

I find other people's lives so interesting, even just seeing another family in there home, just being a family. Everyone has individuality and what i call soul and that is clear, you can feel that in there presence, but in our society the basics are always the same, our culture has evolved and that is obvious even just looking back 100 years, we don't have time to get to know our families through and through and therefore create our own means of domestic bliss. We have become accustomed to accepting our every day 'minor' stresses as life; traffic jams, bills, fine's, work deadlines, chasing that 'better' job or 'better' life, fitting all errons into an hour lunch break, basically living on a timer, the unexpected break down of your car, the TV breaking (your means of 'relaxation'), i could go on, and these are every day stress's that people don't even recognise as unnatural pressures. Emotion is lacking, stress is excelling. The fast pace of today is clear in our every action, or lack of. Again i am not denying the individuality of many but most family's now will bond with each other through watching TV, arguing; making issues out of things that aren't necessarily important in order to feel some sort of emotion, getting drunk at family events they don't want to be at. For a family to sit down at a table, eat a meal, communicate and be interested in the communication and want to do it is a real rarity and something i haven't personally witnessed in a long time.

Why would we want to sit down and embrace our family when everything around us tells us that our energy's should be focused on becoming more beautiful, more popular, more ambitious, richer... It isn't possible to be perfect, so everyone who is trying to be is going to be exhausted. You can never please everyone as everyone has different views of perfection. Individuality is natural and beautiful and every second the individual spends trying to be a popular view of perfection is another second wasted on becoming the same as everyone else i.e. boring, normal, replaceable, shallow, brainwashed.

People fear what they don't understand, and we were never taught to create our own life, our own views. We were only taught to understand the way our society runs and to abide by that. Like slaves we are told not to question our worth. If stress and the side effects of stress are such a common thing today then our lifestyles aren't healthy, that is fact and undeniable. So why is it compulsory to live this lifestyle on our planet that is free and belongs to no one? Its not!

To not notice the suffering everywhere can only be labelled as ignorance. Love is pure and natural and there is also so much of that around us, to me it is the warmth in a cold room.

I put it to you that next time you feel down, exhausted or stressed that you look at your life and open your mind, are you really just unlucky and have bad skin or is it a result of dreading that phone bill next week? Do you need to use that phone as much or would you be happier making more time to spend in the presence of those you love? How could you go about making that happen? Are your family really annoyances or are you unhappy in the job you do everyday before you see them? What other direction could you take? Is it really going to make that much difference if you wear the same dress out tonight as you did a week ago? Is it going to make you any less of a person to not resemble those rich and famous? Are those that are rich and famous as a whole even happy? What type of people are these efforts even attracting? Does it once again come down to money? Are you achieving a buzz around those with money because they are more exciting people? or because sitting in VIP is more comfortable than sitting on a couch a foot away? Why are you achieving that temporary buzz? Can that high knock you down lower than you where before just as quickly as it brought you up? Would you rather the fragile and temporary respect of those around you who are also stressing in order to achieve and maintain that image, or be happy?

I understand in this country we need money in order to survive, i am merely suggesting you find your balance, your lifestyle, your career, even your country! you don't have to live here and by these rules unless it makes you happy! Recognise what is important to you as an individual and meet those needs, it doesn't matter if they seem extreme or unusual wants from life, there is no reason for you to want the same as everyone else, except for the fact that you are expected to. Happiness is as much a natural part of life as upset, if you are far more familiar with upset then changes need to be made, two people could live identical lives with one miserable and the other ecstatic, not everything makes sense.

We’re only young and naive still. We require certain skills. The mood it changes like the wind. Hard to control when it begins.
The bittersweet between my teeth. Trying to find the in-betweens. Fall back in love eventually. Yeah yeah yeah yeah <3