When I was younger I used to be a Lucid dreamer. Every night I could control and decide what I was going to dream, and know I was in a dream. It was like going on an adventure.
It faded over the years, even though my dreams are often still vivid.
Have just read that Vitamin B6 has been known to enhance Lucid dreaming and make dreams more vivid.
Getting me some of that, now! 
Stunning and inspirational TED talk by the incredibly talented Evelyn Glennie.
December 21st 2012 has already passed in Samoa. Contrary to Hollywood and Internet Crazies, the turning of 21st December doesn’t take place in the Western world first
So it is already 21.12.12. and yep, I am still breathing and there is no major asteroid or planet colliding with ours as I type this… so we can all go and buy Christmas presents and write our New Years resolutions.
On a serious note though, the whole Apocalypse thing has got me thinking.
First it was the whole year 2000 ‘Millennium bug’ and now the whole 2012 Mayan Apocalypse. They have both been used as excuses to get everyone on this ‘end is nigh’ dark ‘end of days’ vibe. Is it because we watch so many dramatic movies that we believe the hype and get high off the drama?
Essentially the Mayans were very spiritual people and from what I have read, more evidence point towards December 21st (Winter solstice) being the mark of a change into a new era, a chance for humanity to progress to a higher level of consciousness. This sounds way more interesting and positive! If I’m going to go with any idea, it’s this one.
They talk about light bearers, people who can channel this powerful positive energy and accelerate the shift in consciousness. So, instead of freaking out every time there is a natural disaster and looking for evidence for the end of the world and some kind of disastrous event that will wipe us all off the face of the Earth. Let us consider what we can do while we are here to make the world a better place.
After all, if we are only going to kill one another, pollute our planet and live our lives selfishly, greedily working boring stressful jobs that we hate, then why be here in the first place? The world might not have ended today, but we will die one day, so we should make life worth living!
Let’s use this December 21st to really take control of lives and live fearlessly! Do what you love. Love one another. Give to others. Create. Travel. Learn. Live!
Interesting Links:
http://www.theaquarianage.com/age-of-aquarius.htm
http://www.2012-spiritual-growth-prophecies.com/age-of-aquarius.html
Reminded once again the reason we are put on this earth. To reach that perfect moment of blissful peace within ourselves, the world and the people around us. To live life, create, be inspired and to inspire others. To feel connected to the soil (or sand ), to lose our ‘selves’ and find unity with the universe inside and out.
Suddenly in that moment of realisation I feel happy and content once again and back onto the path of simply being and not worrying about every little or seemingly big thing.
Happiness is not about reaching any particular goal or status it is right here within you to be experienced right now. There is nothing at all that can take you away from the happiness that stems from your connection to each and every thing.
This beautiful picture is where my sister is right now- living life, connecting with others and appreciating what is within and all around us. I feel slightly envious I admit, which is not a good feeling to have (!) but more than that I feel so happy that she is doing what we were all put on earth to do- to experience and enjoy! and that potential is there for everyone. There is always a way =)
<3
Return To Nature (I)
by Tao Yuanming
While young, I was not used to worldly cares,
And hills became my natural compeers,
But by mistakes I fell in mundane snares
And thus entangled was for thirty years.
A caged bird would long for wonted wood,
And fish in tanks for native pools would yearn.
Go back to till my southern fields I would.
To live a rustic life why not return?
My plot of ground is but ten acres square;
My thatched cottage has eight or nine rooms.
In front I have peach trees here and plums there;
O’er back eaves willow trees and elms cast glooms.
A village can be seen in distant dark,
Where plumes of smoke rise and waft in the breeze.
In alley deep a dog is heard to bark,
And cocks crow as if o’er mulberry trees.
Into my courtyard no one should intrude,
Nor rob my private rooms of peace and leisure.
After long years of abject servitude,
Again in nature I find homely pleasure.
归园田居(其一)
陶渊明
少无适俗韵, 性本爱丘山。
误落尘网中, 一去十三年。
羁鸟恋旧林, 池鱼思故渊。
开荒南野际, 守拙归园田。
方宅十余亩, 草屋八九间。
榆柳荫后檐, 桃李罗堂前。
暖暖远人村, 依依圩里烟。
狗吠深巷中, 鸡鸣桑树巅。
户庭无尘杂, 虚室有余闲。
久在樊笼里, 复得返自然。
Feeling very inspired to go to the Philippines and learn more about our tribal roots (& maybe have my next tattoo done!) after home cooked Chicken adobo & shisha with my talented Filipino artist friend Flordeliza Pesigan.
Tribal culture allover the world inspires me, I’ve always been fascinated by the Native Americans, the Shamans etc; but it was only when I was studying my Sociology degree that I realized the Philippines has a really rich tribal history and culture (go read about the Headhunters if you’ve never heard of them- you will be shocked!)
Just been reading now online about the traditional body adornment (tattoos) that they used to have as symbols of becoming a woman or being a warrior… and they look amazing! I hope something can be done to keep this tradition alive somewhat, or at least have modern Filipinos embrace their tribal roots and be proud!
Check out these links by amazing Tattoo anthropologist Lars Krutak. Tattoo lovers will dig his site –>
http://www.larskrutak.com/articles/Philippines_/index.html
Brooke Shaden and I after a successful day at her FotoWeekend 2012 workshop! 
Even though I’m not a photographer, I was really inspired by her ability to think outside of the box and plan and conceptualize every image. It was so interesting to learn about the creation of her spectacular images, and gain insight into her approach.
The photographers taking part in the workshop were also very creative and had amazing ideas!
They had me wearing vintage wedding dresses, wrapped in farm rope, levitating up spiral staircases and ascending to heaven (!) You’ll soon see what I mean…!
Can’t wait to see the images!
Brooke Shaden is a photographer based in New York, with a magical and ethereal style of fine art photography. Her photographs look like paintings and they draw you into a fantasy world; sometimes dark, sometimes strange, but always beautiful.
This week Brooke is in Dubai hosting workshops with Gulf Photo Plus, as part of Fotoweekend 2012. On a search for petit models to partake- I was called up for the opportunity, and of course agreed! (How often do they request 5ft 2 models?! )
Should be a great experience- photos to follow soon!
Check out –>
Her voice haunts me in a beautiful way ..
Such a pure unique voice.. a real artist
I can’t explain how much I adore Cody ChesnuTT’s “Under the Spell”….
This man should be a household name. His music is good for the soul.
Divine, dope, damn good MU-ZAK!!!
