Way of Being
A blog to inspire healthy, heartfelt living.
Finding my True Singing Voice with Sabda
Ever since I was seven years old, I’ve been terrified of singing solo. Yet, before that, I loved singing into the curtain pull cord weights at my family’s and maternal grandparents’ homes. To me, the weight and cord resembled a microphone and cable used on stage. My performances were made even livelier when my poppa played his piano or electric organ. By the time I was seven, my natural, carefree
13 Ways to Wake up on a Bright Note in Winter
Just like last year, the first month of winter in the southern hemisphere has arrived with an icy blast. Although I’m a lark, the long, cold nights have been encouraging me to stay cocooned beneath the toasty bedcovers. In fact, there have been a few mornings when I have opened my eyes, only to close them and fall back to sleep for another 45 minutes. Getting up later means working
Why Dating for a Cause is worth it (Even if it doesn’t go to plan)
Earlier this year, I created a small fundraising initiative-cum-social experiment of sorts: Seven Dates in Seven Weeks for charity. It was to support The Good Life Farm’s remarkable ‘grassroots healing’ programs that assist at-risk youth. For me, the concept, which I was inspired to do after participating in something similar — Five in Five — a couple of years ago, was an opportunity to do more than share the story and
Seven Ways to Cultivate Healthy Digital Habits
Like most of us, I use technology. I can ping messages in a heartbeat or chat to someone online. I share memorable moments in my life via social media and on a smartphone. Plus, I store files on Cloud, send images via Dropbox and share documents on Google drive. Technology has a ubiquitous presence in our lives. But how much is too much? While I’m neither anti-technology nor a monk
How to Say ‘Sorry’ with Authenticity and Meaning
‘Sorry’. It’s a five-letter word that has a multitude of meanings. But whether we realise it or not, it’s one of the most overused and misused words in our vocabulary. It even has a name: the sorry-reflex, also known as the “I’m sorry syndrome”. If you think about it, how many times do you hear yourself, let alone other people, say ‘sorry’ on a daily basis? It could be something
Getting to Know Upwey Now
Upwey, a birdsong- and tree-filled suburb in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, is relatively tourist-free. But that in itself forms part of its appeal. Being divided by Burwood Highway, its main features are ever-so-slightly tucked out of sight. Still, there are some accessible gems to be found in this community spirited town. How do I know? I spent much of the ’70s and all of the ’80s living in Upwey. It’s
Dating for a Cause (Help Me Support At-Risk Youth)
A couple of years ago, I participated in the Five in Five dating campaign for charity. It was getting back to the old-school way of dating (with the aim of having five dates in five weeks via friends’ connections and/or introductions offline) while raising vital funds for organisations helping those in need. Since Five in Five is on hiatus, I’m creating my own version of dating for a cause: Seven
What I Learned in 2016
Universally, 2016 was an eventful, challenging and karmic year. In numerology, it was the end of a nine-year cycle — a time for completion. It was about letting go of what no longer worked for us, particularly attachments, struggle and outmoded beliefs. At the same time, it was about finding the gold among any difficult lessons. In a nutshell, 2016 was a time to get real with ourselves and remember
How to Have Less Stress and More Zen at Christmas
As usual, the silly season has arrived with gusto. November went in the blink of an eye, yet Christmas-related happenings always seem to start earlier and earlier. I mean, stores usually have their Christmas merchandise, let alone window decorations, sorted by September. Apparently, to avoid the “stress” of the Christmas rush, we need to start shopping early. I’m all for being organised, but starting Christmas shopping and social get-togethers earlier
Why You Shouldn’t Ditch Handwriting
When it comes to writing, I feel like I have the best of both worlds. In primary school, I learnt cursive handwriting. Then, as I grew older, I learnt how to embrace ever-evolving technology, to convey my thoughts and words via a keyboard. Obviously, the use of technological gadgets is booming. They’re faster, economical and allow us to share information more broadly. But whether you’re a Baby Boomer or Gen
We’re All Creative at Heart (We Just Forgot)
I’m a creative by nature, and a lifelong one at that. When I’m in the midst of creativity, particularly writing, it’s like a vibrant flow state. Time disappears. But if I’m out of touch with my creativity, I feel stifled, sometimes stuck. At the same time, I constantly surround myself and/or connect with many creatives at heart, from fellow writers to artists, from entrepreneurs to spiritual healers. But I also find
Finding Fulfilment through Stillness
I’m a fast walker (it’s my natural gait) and a slow eater (I enjoy savouring my meals). You could say I have a balanced approach. In saying that, I have been asked to stop power walking through a pristine rainforest and slow down while on holiday. Even with my quick strides, I still take notice of everything that surrounds me. Every moment I inhale reconnects me to myself and the
The Real Value of Travel
Like most, I adore travelling, especially anything that engages me with the outdoors and allows me to get beneath the skin of a culture. It gives me a taste of how others live, whether it’s in my backyard or roaming the other side of the world. The real value of travel is that it broadens my horizons. In fact, it forms an invaluable part of the ‘School of Life’ curriculum.
How to Wake Up on a Better Note in Winter
The first month of winter in the southern hemisphere has arrived with an icy blast. Although I’m a lark, these long, cold nights are encouraging me to stay cocooned beneath the toasty bedcovers. In fact, there have been a few mornings when I have opened my eyes, only to close them and fall back to sleep for at least another 45 minutes. Although by nature I’m a morning person, I’m
The Rise of the Red Tent
Just as the seasons turn, we invariably have change in our lives. For me, this has been a particularly strong theme in the past couple of years. Although the doors may close so that new ones open, sometimes the distance between the two can be long, uncertain, even lonely, no matter how open we are to wonderful opportunities. That’s why I recently went to my first Red Tent event. There
Down to Earth Maleny
I love mountains. In fact, the higher, the better. Maybe it has something to do with growing up on the top of a hill in the Dandenong Ranges, with the promise of beguiling vistas. It’s probably why I had a hankering to visit Maleny in Queensland. Sure, I’ve been fortunate to hike to the peaks of the Pyrenees in France, clambered through the Daintree Rainforest to a mist shrouded waterfall and
Tuning in to Your Cervix with Conscious Awareness
Recently, I wrote about the need to talk about the cervix in a healthier and more loving way in my “Cervical Healing” blog post, especially after having cervical dysplasia a few years ago. It was a wake-up call to really tune in to my cervix with conscious awareness and reconnect with myself. After all, the cervix is a source of ecstasy. She’s a deep, potent wellspring of emotion; an exquisite source
Cervical Healing
Cervix. It’s not a word that usually comes up in everyday conversation. But why, even in adulthood, is it still difficult to talk about? If you want to get right down to it, the cervix is a natural part of the female reproductive system. More specifically, it’s the neck that connects the uterus and vagina, or yoni as I like to call her overall, the Sanskrit name that roughly translates
Getting to Know Upwey
Upwey, a birdsong- and tree-filled suburb in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, is relatively tourist-free. But that in itself forms part of its appeal. Being divided by Burwood Highway, its main features are ever-so-slightly tucked out of sight. Still, there are some accessible gems to be found in this community spirited town. How do I know? I spent much of the ’70s and all of the ’80s living in
Six Blissful Meditations to Transform Your Life
The benefits of practising meditation regularly have been touted for aeons — since antiquity, actually. And, with the busyness of 21st century living, it’s certainly been on the rise. Even science is backing it. Yet so many people still say they don’t have time. So it’s ironic how your notion of time and the pace of living alters when you do meditate daily. I’ve dabbled with meditation over the
Finding my True Singing Voice with Sabda
Ever since I was seven years old, I’ve been terrified of singing solo. Yet, before that, I loved singing into the curtain pull cord weights at my family’s and maternal grandparents’ homes. To me, the weight and cord resembled a microphone and cable used on stage. My performances were made even livelier when my poppa played his piano or electric organ. By the time I was seven, my natural, carefree
13 Ways to Wake up on a Bright Note in Winter
Just like last year, the first month of winter in the southern hemisphere has arrived with an icy blast. Although I’m a lark, the long, cold nights have been encouraging me to stay cocooned beneath the toasty bedcovers. In fact, there have been a few mornings when I have opened my eyes, only to close them and fall back to sleep for another 45 minutes. Getting up later means working
Why Dating for a Cause is worth it (Even if it doesn’t go to plan)
Earlier this year, I created a small fundraising initiative-cum-social experiment of sorts: Seven Dates in Seven Weeks for charity. It was to support The Good Life Farm’s remarkable ‘grassroots healing’ programs that assist at-risk youth. For me, the concept, which I was inspired to do after participating in something similar — Five in Five — a couple of years ago, was an opportunity to do more than share the story and
Seven Ways to Cultivate Healthy Digital Habits
Like most of us, I use technology. I can ping messages in a heartbeat or chat to someone online. I share memorable moments in my life via social media and on a smartphone. Plus, I store files on Cloud, send images via Dropbox and share documents on Google drive. Technology has a ubiquitous presence in our lives. But how much is too much? While I’m neither anti-technology nor a monk
How to Say ‘Sorry’ with Authenticity and Meaning
‘Sorry’. It’s a five-letter word that has a multitude of meanings. But whether we realise it or not, it’s one of the most overused and misused words in our vocabulary. It even has a name: the sorry-reflex, also known as the “I’m sorry syndrome”. If you think about it, how many times do you hear yourself, let alone other people, say ‘sorry’ on a daily basis? It could be something
Getting to Know Upwey Now
Upwey, a birdsong- and tree-filled suburb in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, is relatively tourist-free. But that in itself forms part of its appeal. Being divided by Burwood Highway, its main features are ever-so-slightly tucked out of sight. Still, there are some accessible gems to be found in this community spirited town. How do I know? I spent much of the ’70s and all of the ’80s living in Upwey. It’s
Dating for a Cause (Help Me Support At-Risk Youth)
A couple of years ago, I participated in the Five in Five dating campaign for charity. It was getting back to the old-school way of dating (with the aim of having five dates in five weeks via friends’ connections and/or introductions offline) while raising vital funds for organisations helping those in need. Since Five in Five is on hiatus, I’m creating my own version of dating for a cause: Seven
What I Learned in 2016
Universally, 2016 was an eventful, challenging and karmic year. In numerology, it was the end of a nine-year cycle — a time for completion. It was about letting go of what no longer worked for us, particularly attachments, struggle and outmoded beliefs. At the same time, it was about finding the gold among any difficult lessons. In a nutshell, 2016 was a time to get real with ourselves and remember
How to Have Less Stress and More Zen at Christmas
As usual, the silly season has arrived with gusto. November went in the blink of an eye, yet Christmas-related happenings always seem to start earlier and earlier. I mean, stores usually have their Christmas merchandise, let alone window decorations, sorted by September. Apparently, to avoid the “stress” of the Christmas rush, we need to start shopping early. I’m all for being organised, but starting Christmas shopping and social get-togethers earlier
Why You Shouldn’t Ditch Handwriting
When it comes to writing, I feel like I have the best of both worlds. In primary school, I learnt cursive handwriting. Then, as I grew older, I learnt how to embrace ever-evolving technology, to convey my thoughts and words via a keyboard. Obviously, the use of technological gadgets is booming. They’re faster, economical and allow us to share information more broadly. But whether you’re a Baby Boomer or Gen
We’re All Creative at Heart (We Just Forgot)
I’m a creative by nature, and a lifelong one at that. When I’m in the midst of creativity, particularly writing, it’s like a vibrant flow state. Time disappears. But if I’m out of touch with my creativity, I feel stifled, sometimes stuck. At the same time, I constantly surround myself and/or connect with many creatives at heart, from fellow writers to artists, from entrepreneurs to spiritual healers. But I also find
Finding Fulfilment through Stillness
I’m a fast walker (it’s my natural gait) and a slow eater (I enjoy savouring my meals). You could say I have a balanced approach. In saying that, I have been asked to stop power walking through a pristine rainforest and slow down while on holiday. Even with my quick strides, I still take notice of everything that surrounds me. Every moment I inhale reconnects me to myself and the
The Real Value of Travel
Like most, I adore travelling, especially anything that engages me with the outdoors and allows me to get beneath the skin of a culture. It gives me a taste of how others live, whether it’s in my backyard or roaming the other side of the world. The real value of travel is that it broadens my horizons. In fact, it forms an invaluable part of the ‘School of Life’ curriculum.
How to Wake Up on a Better Note in Winter
The first month of winter in the southern hemisphere has arrived with an icy blast. Although I’m a lark, these long, cold nights are encouraging me to stay cocooned beneath the toasty bedcovers. In fact, there have been a few mornings when I have opened my eyes, only to close them and fall back to sleep for at least another 45 minutes. Although by nature I’m a morning person, I’m
The Rise of the Red Tent
Just as the seasons turn, we invariably have change in our lives. For me, this has been a particularly strong theme in the past couple of years. Although the doors may close so that new ones open, sometimes the distance between the two can be long, uncertain, even lonely, no matter how open we are to wonderful opportunities. That’s why I recently went to my first Red Tent event. There
Down to Earth Maleny
I love mountains. In fact, the higher, the better. Maybe it has something to do with growing up on the top of a hill in the Dandenong Ranges, with the promise of beguiling vistas. It’s probably why I had a hankering to visit Maleny in Queensland. Sure, I’ve been fortunate to hike to the peaks of the Pyrenees in France, clambered through the Daintree Rainforest to a mist shrouded waterfall and
Tuning in to Your Cervix with Conscious Awareness
Recently, I wrote about the need to talk about the cervix in a healthier and more loving way in my “Cervical Healing” blog post, especially after having cervical dysplasia a few years ago. It was a wake-up call to really tune in to my cervix with conscious awareness and reconnect with myself. After all, the cervix is a source of ecstasy. She’s a deep, potent wellspring of emotion; an exquisite source
Cervical Healing
Cervix. It’s not a word that usually comes up in everyday conversation. But why, even in adulthood, is it still difficult to talk about? If you want to get right down to it, the cervix is a natural part of the female reproductive system. More specifically, it’s the neck that connects the uterus and vagina, or yoni as I like to call her overall, the Sanskrit name that roughly translates
Getting to Know Upwey
Upwey, a birdsong- and tree-filled suburb in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, is relatively tourist-free. But that in itself forms part of its appeal. Being divided by Burwood Highway, its main features are ever-so-slightly tucked out of sight. Still, there are some accessible gems to be found in this community spirited town. How do I know? I spent much of the ’70s and all of the ’80s living in
Six Blissful Meditations to Transform Your Life
The benefits of practising meditation regularly have been touted for aeons — since antiquity, actually. And, with the busyness of 21st century living, it’s certainly been on the rise. Even science is backing it. Yet so many people still say they don’t have time. So it’s ironic how your notion of time and the pace of living alters when you do meditate daily. I’ve dabbled with meditation over the