Good to Great

When small change adds up to big difference, I call that "transformation." Since my divorce I've been questioning, challenging, and clarifying my sense-of-self. I've wanted to realize and actualize my personal strengths, that's right, who I am on my own. Not as a part of a pair, but as a woman coming into her own. Own what? Own right, own being. Not having, not doing... Just being.
Yes, how strong is that woman.

I notice the amount of change in myself. I no longer recognize the old me. I feel her in me, yes. She was a part of who I was. She is a fragment of my past, she doesn't exist anymore. And then I notice all the change this new me has caused --- all around me things are changing, evolving, transforming. Because of me, things are improving, people are dreaming; more importantly, people are living their dream.

I am a change agent. I am a facilitator of change. I am empowered by my experiences, by those who have taught me, by those who have gone before me. I am strengthened by those who are prepared to share themselves with me. And I pledge to do the same. I will offer my thoughts, my words, my experiences, my actions, my intentions, to those who wish to share in the process of moving from good to great.

For those who wish to gain momentum, speed, clarity, propensity, propulsion, use me. Come and join me. Support the cause to facilitate the evolution of humanity --- from good to great.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants_Dato L Krishnan

Dato L Krishnan is Malaysia's first movie producer. He created cinema culture here in the 1960s.
In the flesh he is mild mannered, humble, kind, and generous. Big - hearted is how I'd describe this man, who is an icon of selflessness and contribution to society.

Krish as I fondly call him, has taught me many invaluable lessons. The main one is non-judgement. The second, acceptance. The third, tolerance. The fourth, humility. Fifth, truthfulness. Sixth, righteousness. Seventh, dedication... The list is never ending.

I say all who stand before this great soul are like chalk. There is simply no comparison between chalk and cheese, is there?

Selfless giving marks Dato Krishnan's birthday every year when he hosts hundreds of orphans and less fortunate children to a day out complete with goodies and gifts.

When my life is past, I want to be a fraction of what this man is. Loved by all, revered by the leaders, and followed by the masses. Dato Krish is a beacon of light to the world. His fiery heart and willing hands have led me, guided me, smacked me, and protected me --- I love him dearly as a father, guru, and a friend.

Krish, you occupy a special place in my heart. No one could ever replace you.

I can. I will

Have you ever been in a place where nothing seems to be working? Well, where pretty much everything is a mess? I've just been having one of those times, experiencing one of those places.

How does it feel exactly?
A bit like butterflies in the pit of your stomach that don't want to stop flitting, a bit like mind thinking but without any thought... just bits and pieces of messages, images, emotions floating.

You want to reach out and touch something... anything tangible will do, but uh uh, no. No way will it hold still long enough for you to decipher what it is those bleeping buzzies mean and why they're doing it to you.

That's just it! What are "they" doing to me? What am I assuming about them that makes me unable to overcome? How much do I really have inside of me that let's me think I'm doing to be kept down for long?

Tough talk. But them butterflies sure can make you feel like crap.

So what then? I hold still just long enough to recognize the sensations to say, "I don't like." Exactly now I'm moving right along -- no matter how good, or wounded. I'm thinking, "I'm going to move notwithstanding."

Anything is better than no motion. This stuckness is a product of my consciousness... and so I must move, move upwards, outwards, to occupy a higher consciousness that will lend me some traction, or give me some leverage to lift my spirits... so that I can again think, "I can. I will."

Standing on the shoulders of giants_Nishita-ji

This woman cannot make a clumsy movement. She cannot make a face other than one that projects peace. When in her presence everything becomes calmer, as if covered by a cloud of comfort.

Suddenly I feel the size of a pinhead. Everything becomes immaterial. The only thing important is understanding, acceptance, and peace.

Nishita-ji begins to speak to the crowd gathered to listen to her. She begins by saying:

Eternal Father Mother of the Universe. This is as far as I can go. From here I shall await your grace to lift me up to a place that on my own I cannot hope to go.

She closes her eyes for a moment before she opens them to look around the room. She smiles and begins to speak.
All wisdom, all compassion, all strength, all sacrifice.

She speaks for 1 hour then pauses to review her points with us. No notes. No struggle. All smooth. Then she continues speaking for another hour and time flows --- just as she flows. As smooth as silk.

So this is why the Bible says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Let there be peace on earth. And let it begin with you and me.

Standing on the shoulders of giants_Michelle Duval

How do you listen so well that you develop the ability to hear what's not being said? I learned this skill from Master Coach Michelle Duval.

Michelle is just in her 30s and known as one of the best coaches in the world. Her ability to get people to take action, and transform their lives for the better is phenomenal and known the world over. She does this simply by bringing your awareness to your present state and then by facilitating the process of what must be done to get to your desired state.

"What is it that you're not saying?" Michelle asked when I finished introducing myself. "I wonder why you didn't make reference to your life before that?"

With her questions I went deeper and deeper within myself. And the understandings came. The realizations happened. And the path was paved for new beginnings.

To the degree we are dishonest with others and especially with ourselves, to that level we are unable to live with courage, confidence, and freedom. Courage comes from facing our fears. Confidence comes from doing and perfecting. Freedom comes from choice. Choice is the power to choose our thoughts, feelings, speech, and behavior, no matter what the circumstance. Freedom to respond instead of slavery to other people's point of view, their whims and fancies.

So listen well. Don't be afraid to hear the truth. Especially your own.
I wish you your best life.

I made it through the rain

People always ask, "Where do you get all this enthusiasm from?
Your energy is scary!"

What would they have me do, I think to myself. I suppose they expect me to be all gloomy and broken, considering all the stuff I've had to deal with in my life.

"Are you happier now?" some ask, peering earnestly into my eyes.
"You look good," is another (begrudging) comment, after sweeping me from head to toe with their eyes.

The average Joe is contented. He may not be brilliant, but he's good. And Jane Doe? That depends. If she's young, she probably fares better than her older sisters. But none seem to have my kind of vitality, my zest for life.

What drives me:
[1] I aim for joy. I want pleasure not pain. This pretty much puts things in perspective and sets
the pace for what to do.
[2] I've adopted happiness as my companion. I don't leave home without it.
[3] I constantly refresh my vision of my best life. I "see" what I'm after all the time, and this
keeps me on course. Then it becomes easy to say "yes" to what I want, and "no" to what I
don't want.
[4] I keep checking, "Do I have what I need? What is my heart's desire? What do I want, that if
I had, would propel me to the next level? Doing this keeps me pro - active and powerful; it
allows me to strategize and plan, rather than wait and cope.
[5] I let go and let God. I surrender to that power which keeps the cosmos in rhythm. I
surrender to the intelligence of that one song --- the universe --- and I know I cannot fail.

Come rain or shine, hurricane or hailstorm, I shall prevail.