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I love summer: taking time off, slowing down the pace, getting close to nature and doing whatever I want spontaneously – that is my beloved summer. Most importantly, summer reminds me how much I LOVE MYSELF. Acceptance is the highest form of love. When we love ourselves, we accept who we are, the good and the bad. We enjoy people, places and everything that around us. We are able to receive and share with others. We are willing to take risks and expand our horizon to create the life we want to have. When we face the challenge of life, like being poor, sick, under-confident, depressed, rejected or betrayed, the feeling is so real and so painful. How can we accept “what is” and love ourselves unconditionally? I certainly had those moments. My mind felt like waves tumbling around in the sea of negativity. The more I focused on feeling bad, the deeper I was drowning in the darkness of self-destruction. I struggled to swim, having to choose between being a victim of my ‘misfortune’ or being a warrior for seeing hope again. My self-disapproval and criticism exhausted my mind and my heart. I could not see who I was until I heard the whisper of peace and ease. I had no choice but to let go of trying to control “what should be”, to forgive the past, to appreciate my pain and to find hope again. It took me a while to recognize the purpose of my negative emotions and to learn how to float skillfully in the constant ebb and flow of change. In the healing process, I accept who I am moment to moment. Self-help books, meditation, spiritual classes and physical exercises are great tools to re-evaluate, re-organize and re-pattern our habitual thoughts. When we want to make change in life, the first thing is to change our thoughts – to surrender, to forgive, to appreciate, to accept and to love. I love you and love to be ME. Life is so good to me as always. Namaste, Mandy :) 
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 I am in a café sipping Jasmine tea (oh, yes, with the almond croissant- yummy!), people-watching and enjoying a nice Friday afternoon. Today’s weather is so gorgeous, just like the past few days. Summer is absolutely here! I JUST FEEL SO GOOD. The sun is shining; the flowers are blooming. The smiles on people’s faces are sparkling everywhere. My mind is clear like the sky; my heart is bright like the sun. In this lively season, my spirit is uplifted and my body is rejuvenated – the early sunrise, the colorful fashion, the juicy fruits, the summer tan and more. Looking out the café window and watching people walk by on the busy street, I asked myself: Where are those BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE coming from? Why didn't I notice that before? At the moment, I smile. I understand it because I am in the moment. I see, hear, taste and smell all the beautiful things around me. In reality, we are all BEAUTIFUL as who we are in our own way no matter if the weather is enjoyable or not. I AM beautiful. It reminds me of a story - Buddha Twirls a Flower. Here is the summary of the story written by poet and Zen Buddhist priest, Zoketsu Norman Fischer : When Buddha was on Vulture Peak he twirled a flower before the assembly. Everyone was silent. Only Maha-ashapa smiled. Buddha said: “I have the eye treasury of the true teaching, the heart of Nirvana, the true form of non-form, and the ineffable gate of Dharma. It is a special transmission outside the teaching. I now entrust it to Maha-ashapa.” When we are being in the moment, we understand the beauty of our true nature. Everything is precious like a flower – beautiful and yet, temporary. We cherish moment by moment without taking for granted for our health, our relationship or time with friends and family. No matter life brings us pleasant or unpleasant moments, we don't forget to smile. Life is so good to me as always. I am thankful for each flower in my life. Namaste, Mandy :) |
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