Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Awakening
The Awakening
A time comes in your life when you finally get it... when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out... ENOUGH!
Enough fighting and crying and blaming and struggling to hold on.
Then, like a child quieting down after a tantrum, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.
This is your awakening.
You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to magically appear over the next horizon. You realize that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings, and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you... and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.
You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are... and that's OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions.
You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself... and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval. You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you - or didn't do for you - and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.
You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that everything isn't always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself... and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.
You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties... and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.
You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.
You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with.
You learn that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.
You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.
You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.
Then you learn about love. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You learn that alone does not mean lonely.
You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.
You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.
You learn that your body really is your temple. You begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.
You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.
You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve, and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it happen.
More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone, and that it's OK to risk asking for help.
You learn the only thing you must truly fear is fear itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms.
You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people... and you learn not to always take it personally.
You learn that nobody's punishing you and everything isn't always somebody's fault. It's just life happening. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.
You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.
You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.
Then, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.
You make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.
You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.
Finally, with courage in your heart, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best you can.
- - by Sonny Carroll
A time comes in your life when you finally get it... when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out... ENOUGH!
Enough fighting and crying and blaming and struggling to hold on.
Then, like a child quieting down after a tantrum, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.
This is your awakening.
You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change, or for happiness, safety and security to magically appear over the next horizon. You realize that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings, and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you... and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.
You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are... and that's OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions.
You learn the importance of loving and championing yourself... and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval. You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you - or didn't do for you - and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.
You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that everything isn't always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself... and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.
You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties... and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.
You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. You begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.
You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with.
You learn that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.
You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era, but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.
You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.
Then you learn about love. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You learn that alone does not mean lonely.
You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.
You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.
You learn that your body really is your temple. You begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.
You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.
You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve, and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it happen.
More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone, and that it's OK to risk asking for help.
You learn the only thing you must truly fear is fear itself. You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms.
You learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom. You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people... and you learn not to always take it personally.
You learn that nobody's punishing you and everything isn't always somebody's fault. It's just life happening. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.
You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.
You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.
Then, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.
You make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.
You hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.
Finally, with courage in your heart, you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best you can.
- - by Sonny Carroll
Monday, September 5, 2011
Wonderful weekend
Ok, so on Friday, I got my end of year bonus, which was REALLY NICE :). Also, one of my friends bought an identical motorcycle to mine, so we went for a little ride around the area. I felt like I was in a little motorcycle gang :). Then we went to a really nice restaurant and had a super delicious Duck BBQ, after which I went back home and made myself pretty to go out to Sokcho and party it up. Hadn't been out clubbing since New Years. I took a taxi there and shared it with my motorcycle gang buddy, which was really nice. The cab driver put on a tape with English music, and we had some drinks in the back. At the bar, I had some wine, then some vodka, met some really nice people, and danced like a wild woman :). Friday night I stayed over at a friends house in Sokcho, and early in the morning at 7am, we woke up and went to another town to do some free kayaking in Hongcheon. We didn't end up doing any kayaking, but I met a whole bunch of new people, ate lots of good food, drank a lot, hung out on some rocks on a river all day and socialized. In the evening we drank some really delicious strawberry and kiwi Maccoli (Korean rice drink), met some Koreans through a somewhat wild Truth or Dare game, went to a singing room and had a wonderful time. We all slept over on the floor at a friends house. Sunday morning, after coffee, pizza and some shopping I left and got back home where I chilled out and enjoyed a very relaxing Sunday. What a fantastic weekend :)
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Hongcheon Sept 3/4 2011
What a wonderful weekend. I had heard of these people from Bernard, and they sounded like a really nice bunch. I just never had the chance to actually meet them. This time there was a big get-together in Hongcheon, a town in the middle on the road from my town to Seoul. I think the reason we all went there was to go to some festival where we could do some free canoeing. I was planing to go only for the day and then go to Seoul in the evening to a rock music festival on one of the army bases. Well, as you'll see in the pictures, that never happened.
We all gathered on these rocks in the middle of a river and just hung out. We brought some food and some alcohol, and pretty much hung out there for most of the day. It was warm and the water was perfect.
I met some cool new people.
Bernard, my neighbour.
That's me before Paleo. Wow I looked so different. Next to me is Fergus, an Irish character.
This is Sarah. She lives in my area. She's from Vancouver. A total hippie :).
This is Debbie. She's from Toronto as well. Here we were heading out to eat something.
As soon as we get to the BBQ restaurant, the silliness begins.
Life mimicking Eve with Sesame leaves.
I'm so happy!!
Jen doing a catwalk. That lady was very curious about our table.
Nick is from Quebec. He was showing us how to eat kimchi properly. Kimchi is sort of a fermented spicy sourkrout.
I think Fergus might have farted.
Bernard was getting very excited about paying the bill and moving on to the next establishment.
It all starts with a drink, or two, or three.
And the debauchery begins. Leave it to the Quebecoise to get political.
Berns continues to be excited. WOW!
Now we're drinking from each others bowls?
And being done with the 2nd place, it's time to go to the next. What's next in a typical Korean evening? Norebang, or as you might call it... KARAOKE!!!
Shamus used to live in my area a few years ago, and is friends with the Michael Free, who also lives in Hongcheon and used to teach and live where I am teaching and living now. Such a small world.
A random Korean decides to join us in the festivities.
Another random Korean joined us. I think we were pretty far gone at that point to notice who's who.
Oh the joy!
Bernard sandwich!!
Sing it!
And that's when people started passing out.
They had enough.
Somehow, we managed to all get up and go to someones apartment and crash for the night.
In the morning, Nick had someone bra on his face. Not sure why, or how it got there.
The girls were on the bed and measuring how long their legs are.
And to finish off the morning, we headed over to another bar to have some breakfast/drinks.
What a fantastic weekend.
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