Sift

I might not be the greatest of cooks, but I do fancy baking. I remember day-dreaming as a small girl, when my mother skillfully 'sifted' the flour for the delicious danishes she'd prepare for our family. I watched the cups of flour she poured in, slowly and gently; the flour grains separating to be collected carefully and lightly on the other side. This was how the flour could get air before becoming ready to bake. I feel as though our lives are also about sifting through all sorts of things before being ready to bake and rise to our full potential.

Life may be simple and charming for some, but for those who live truly and with challenge, life is a lot like developing film in a dark room. We work carefully and with meaning and the true beauty isn't born until our first rays of light. Bombarded with negativity and judged by our mistakes, we formulate immense doubt and foreboding. Why do the doors we choose keep being locked? Why do we keep hearing it slam? Over and over again? When what we give is our best and our life. Our vision is spit upon, laughed at, trodden on, and balled into a tight wad of impossibilities.

It is okay to make mistakes. It is okay to be a single voice of hope. Sure it nearly extinguishes our spirit, but our spirit is like a flame that is almost gone and then re-ignites with the kiss of a cool breeze. We must sift through the nonsense that is shot our way. What do they know anyway? They only try to bring you down because they have fear within themselves. We must be graceful, humble, and faith-full because it is the law of life that a brave spirit downtrodden and struggling, one day will be blessed with joyous laughs. We are stronger than we think darlings, channel your hurt and energy into creating the positive your heart sees. You are given desires for a reason and when you don't see clearly, you are being tested on just how great that desire is.

Hang in there.

Bless-up!

Jair :))

Guzaarish

This 2010 UTV Motion picture set in Goa, India was a most remarkable and heart-warming journey that I've seen in a long time. Besides the iconic music used in the film to make it memorable, the story-content and gripping and controversial substance made it something of brilliance and something of celebration!

Growing up in the West-Indies, and specifically in Trinidad & Tobago, East-Indian culture isn't hard to find. I was immersed in the music, the dancing, the food and of course the movies. I would say that this film although starring Indian superstars like Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, isn't the typical type of Bollywood film one would imagine. When one thinks of Bollywood, they think of singing and dance numbers and elaborate and fantastic sets; but this film was much more subtle and aptly so.

Ethan Mascarenhas played by Hrithik Roshan was a man respected and admired by many; he was a successful magician, whom one day suffered a tragic accident during one of his acts, which left him as a quadriplegic. Fourteen years later, he's still fighting along and has inspired many like himself and others who just seem lost in life. He hosts a radio show and is light, love and laughter to all who enter into his life. But then something changes within his heart and he has a strong need for change. Guzaarish is the Hindi word meaning Desire; and throughout this film, the audience sees how powerful his desire really is and although we fall in love with the main character and may disagree with his aspiration, slowly we all begin to understand what kind of life he has endured and why even what may seem daunting, could ultimately be the most freeing and most beautiful of all.

Guzaarish is by far a gem in cinematic history. I say this because it can inspire and brighten even the most depressed and disheartened people. It shines light on how grateful and how beautiful life is at every moment, despite what may seem like a whirlwind of bitterness and disappointment. The acting portrayed by Roshan was larger than life, especially since most of it was done by his facial expressions and longing eyes. Aishwarya Rai lent us her beauty once more, but also surprising comic timing and grace so many women lack to carry today.

If you need a 'pick-me-upper' or some faith to keep on going, I'd certainly recommend this film that will speak to your heart with it's music, and wake you up with it's refreshing Goa cinematic landscapes. There was comedy, romance and certainly a dramatic and emotional passage of one man's outstanding life. Don't forget to bring with you some tissues to dry the tears.

I will leave you with some words uttered by the main character, which goes:

"Break the rules. Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love deeply. Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile." :))

Desire vs. Spirituality

I want you to do something really brave right now. I want you to stop what you're doing completely and really read this blog in front of you. I want you to take a deep breath in and then exhale deeply. Relax. And when you read these words, believe in them. It might seem utter ridiculous and absurd at first, perhaps even laughable, but I want you to believe in what you are about to read now.

Life is easy. Life is fair. Money comes to me all the time. I am loved, and I am love. I am successful. I am beautiful. I attract positive and necessary things into my life. I live a life of joy and peace and all is well. J

Okay, now you can laugh! When you laugh you attract more good things into your life. Now, your life may not be all these things…sometimes it may seem you're living in your very own horror film and some days you can't stop the tears from coming. But know this…life is what you make it. Seriously in the midst of all the turmoil and disappointments, there is still magnificence working at every level. You are never alone and all paths lead to the same destination. It takes some longer to get there than others but in the end we'll all get to that very same gathering. And then everything will make perfect sense. In the mean time, with a loss of memory and patience, we need to survive as best as we can and try to enjoy the moments leading up to that final act.

I know, I know, you want it, and you want it now. But just as we tell little children, you cannot get everything you want, and you cannot get everything you want, when you want it. You'll get it, eventually, but most certainly when the time is right. Life is like this…we have to trust in the Universe/God that it is working in just the right rhythm to keep your life at balance. Too much of anything isn't any good! Sure, we love sweets, and sure we love everlasting warm hugs and better yet passionate kisses! But sometimes believe it or not, it is not good for us all at once. Sometimes you have to get a taste of greatness, and then stumble down the ladder a bit, because we may become addicted and lose ourselves in a mess that hasn't even sorted itself out yet.

Be patient my darlings…life will make sense again soon. Be strong! Be cheery! Some people say they don't believe in anything, but I think these people believe more than even those who claim they do believe. Our bodies are in such intricate and symbiotic excellence, and we are a minute part of a much much larger cosmos that even they know they are fooling themselves when they say they don't believe in anything. They are just bitter or in despair…you need to try and pull yourself out of that. The more positive attributes you bring into the your life, the more positive attractions you can also bring into your life. "Your biography becomes your biology"…according to bestselling author Wayne W. Dyer.

So what do we do in the mean time? What do you like to do? You don't know? Sure you do…what makes you smile, what do you like doing more than anything else? Okay, wait…I am not speaking about addictions here. Too much alcohol, sex and cocaine, although they make you feel good, in excess is certainly not good for you…I mean…do you like numbers, or perhaps painting, can you sing? Do you like teaching, or do you enjoy interacting with animals? These sorts of things; these strong feelings that are put into you are called desires. It helps life become more bearable…it gives meaning when you wake up in the morning, a purpose, a drive, something you wish to learn more about and be successful at it. Everyone has different drive/desire, and if you don't listen to it, life without the temporary alleviations becomes boring or sad. Don't listen to negative things people say to you…if you're good at it, and you love it, and the desire is overpowering, then 9 times out of 10 it is something you should definitely pursue.

Some people think now that your desire should be suppressed, only to lead a life that is more acceptable to the society you may come from, or acceptable by the standards of what the world thinks you should be. Don't listen to them…you have desire put into you for a purpose. It doesn't mean that you will step on people's opinions or disregard completely what they may say out of love, but you cannot put your whole being into this, especially if it is negative. If you are faced with shortcomings while working towards your goal, see it only as a new lesson on your spiritual journey. Each failing is a 'one-up' on the spiritual ladder…and it hurts…and you cry…and you prefer to keep things as they were…but wouldn't you rather become more spiritually in tune with the universe and wait for something better than settling for less in life?

You deserve it, the very best, and your desires are exactly what you need to allow you to grow and learn about the experiences within the perfection of the universe. Think beyond limitations and obstacles on your journey and know that they are only leading you towards a higher spiritual awareness. Think that even achieving the mastery of understanding this idea is a desire that you must acknowledge! J

Now here we go again, repeat after me…

I am grateful for my blessings, I am proud of me, I am worthy, and I deserve the best the universe has to offer…

Love one another, and treat people and the land always with respect and sacredness and your seemingly impossible desires will appear to you in ways much more appealing than you could have ever imagined. J Just as the waves on the shore come in and out, so too will you gain, lose and recover that which is rightfully yours…trust the Universe…and still your aching heart… J

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98P-gu_vMRc&feature=related

A lovely song -- Ah loveeeeeeeeeee etttttt! Mr. Blue -- it's a beautiful new day!

Love Jair