Have you ever asked yourself "What is life?"

Greetings!

"What is life?"  Have you ever asked yourself this question?

I had asked myself this question many times since I was a teenager.  Some years ago, a news story on the Chinese newspaper made me think about this question again.

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A bamboo pole fell from a building.  It hit a woman who happened to walk by.  Sadly, the woman died.  Incidentally, her husband died in a similar accident 15 years ago.

In some Asian countries, people that living in high-rise buildings washed their clothes by hand.  Later, they hung them outside of the building on bamboo poles to dry.  However, this kind of accidents was rare.

The woman's life story touched the hearts of many.  As you read her story below, you may understand why.

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After her husband's death, she was left with two small children and a mother-in-law who was blind.  For 15 years, she worked very, very hard to support her family.  She worked from morning to night holding onto three jobs.  All her neighbors praised her.  They said she was the best daughter-in-law anybody could wish for, and she was a very loving mother too.  They thought that this wonderful woman could finally look forward to better days because her two children were in their last year of secondary school.  Instead, before her children finished secondary school, she died in such an unthinkable tragic accident as her husband did.

After her death, her children did not accept any help or donation.  The older daughter quit school and found a job.  She took up the responsibility of supporting her brother and taking care of their grandmother.  (In where they lived, they had to pay tuition for the last few years of secondary school.)

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In our human mind, we wished for good endings for good people.  This woman had worked hard since the tragic death of her husband.  She took care of her blind mother-in-law, and was a loving mother to her children.  Why would such a good woman died of a horrific death especially when her children were about to graduate from school?  Her tragedy shook the whole society.  People wondered about the existence of a loving god.

Indeed, at times it was hard to come to terms with life or God.  As humans, we longed for a supreme being or beings to watch over us because we felt powerless towards the uncertainty of life, e.g. death, accidents, disease, sudden downturns of life, tsunami, and other natural disasters.  When we heard of tragedies like this, our belief in a just, loving God was shaken if not shattered.  "What is life?" we asked.

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In another news story, a man won the lottery jackpot.  His sister and some of his friends had taken care of him when he was poor and unemployed.  However, once he had money, he moved into a mansion far away from where he used to live.  He cut his connection to his sister and those who had been kind to him.  He wanted to keep all the money to himself.  (The man lived in an European country.)

"Why in the world would such a greedy, mean, and ungrateful man deserve to win the lottery?" we wondered.

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In some cultures and religions, the word 'karma' (or cause and effect) was deeply planted in people's mind.  People believed one's present had much to do with what he had done in this lifetime as well as in past lifetimes.  In other words, how one conducted this life would affect one's future lifetimes.  With this belief, some people concluded whatever adversity one faced, for instance, physical malformation, illnesses, poverty, and accidents, was the result of one's past bad deeds.  Likewise, good health, success, wealth, and a good, long life were the rewards of one's past good deeds.

So some people concluded the man who won the lottery must have done something good in other lifetimes.

Then, how should we look at the woman's life?

Some people easily quoted from scriptures or books about the punishing side of life. They made insensitive comments when misfortunes befell other people, or when they came across people with physical challenged conditions.  They thought they knew life, but they had as yet learned the importance of compassion.  Life was far more complicated than what seemed to be on the surface.

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In a book written by a known psychic/medium, she wrote about a true story of a woman who went to see her with the intention of making the final decision about her marriage.  The woman had married a man who loved her truthfully and was very responsible.  However, her mother-in-law was the problem in their marriage.  They lived in separate houses, but her mother-in-law came by all the time.  Worse yet she could not stop criticizing the woman such as the house was not clean enough, this was done wrong, and that was wrong.  When the woman complained to her husband, he said he could not talk to his mother about her nagging.  His mother raised him, and he was her only child.  He begged his wife to be patient with his mother.  When the wife went to the psychic, she was ready to file for a divorce because she could not take the mother-in-law's nagging anymore.

In order to find out if what happened presently had anything to do with their past conflicts; the medium guided the woman into a past-life regression.  Instead of getting into a previous lifetime, the woman found herself joyfully talking to a woman, her mother-in-law!  There was so much love between them that they were the best of friends.  They were planning for their present lifetime.  She asked her friend to be her mother-in-law.  She told her to be the most nagging or hard to deal with mother-in-law because she wanted to learn the lesson of patience.  At first, her friend did not want to play that role.  Out of love, her friend finally agreed to be her nagging mother-in-law.  The woman saw herself excitedly planning for this lifetime with her friend.  She also learned it was in divine order that her husband would not interfere or stand up for her so that she could learn her lesson of patience.

After the regression, the woman found peace.  When her mother-in-law criticized her, she looked at 'her friend' with a smile.  Occasionally, she walked to her and gave her a heartfelt hug.  She no longer saw the nagging as an annoyance, but an act of love. The story could have ended differently with everybody involved getting hurt.  There was love between the woman and her husband.  By the Grace of Love, she sought help, and she got help.

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Most recently, we witnessed the horrific Boston Bombing.  There was a beautiful young woman who lost her left leg.  She was a dance teacher.  The loss of a limb was a big blow to anybody not to mention a dance teacher.  However, she did not dwell on her loss.  Instead, she vowed she would continue to dance.  She was an inspiration in this time of darkness.  May her light of courage continue to shine and inspire wherever she is.

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I did not dispute karma played a role in our life.  However, in my opinion, it was erroneous to look at life simply as a system of punishment and awards (or merits). My spirit guide said that any physical challenge or life difficulty was never meant to be a punishment, but something we chose to go through.  It could be a lesson we wanted to learn or a challenge we wanted to overcome.  (Please view my posts Life is a Wowing Experience  and Why do people come into a lifetime with a physical challenge)

The way the woman and her husband both died after being hit by bamboo poles might seem horrific and painful to us.  However, when we planned for our life on the other side, we might look at things differently.  We were courageous souls, and were not afraid of death because we knew we did not die.  Therefore, it was hard to look at what happened in life from the human point of view.  For instance, would you have wanted a nagging mother-in-law so that you could learn patience if you were in the human frame of mind?

Other than sadness and compassion, what comes to your mind when you read about the woman's story who died in the bamboo pole accident?

To me, the woman had lived an extraordinary life of perseverance.  Her strength and love must have played an important part in her daughter's decision to decline help, and courageously take up the responsibility that she had left behind.

"What is life?"  Well, whatever happens nowadays, I no longer ask myself this question.  Sometimes I may wonder why this or that happens, but I know All Is Well in the Loving Divine.

I dedicate this post to all the loving, courageous brothers and sisters.

Peace,
Q of D

If you can read a book, you can write a book

Greetings!

Today ** I go online with the intention to watch a Chinese movie.  I click on a movie, but it turns out to be an American movie.  Then a title of a movie on the side bar catches my attention.  It is in divine order I share with you this experience.

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One day in April, 2006, I sat on the couch reading a book.  I had left the TV on.  A movie was playing.  Intermittently, I looked over to the TV.  I did not really know what the movie was about.  I only knew it was about two boys who had become good friends.  One of the boys who was short and wore eyeglasses had a disease.

At one point, I left the living room to use the bathroom.  When I came back, I stood in front of the television.  I saw the boy who was sick gave his friend a book.  His friend opened the book, and found only blank pages inside.  The boy said: "A word is part of a sentence.  A sentence is a picture.  If we link the pictures with our imagination, it is a story.  Then it is a book."  (These were the words I remembered, and were not the exact words in the movie.  The boy was trying to encourage his friend to write.)

As I listened, tears filled my eyes.  Then the boy said -

                               If you can read a book, you can write a book.

Immediately, I broke down and cried.  These words touched something deep inside my heart.  I was moved beyond my human understanding, yet part of me understood. Luckily, I was alone in the living room.  Otherwise, it would be hard to explain my strong emotional reaction.

In Dec. 2001, I was guided to book a phone reading with a known angel channel who lived in another state.  Through her, my guides and angels told me to teach more and write.  I could not take their words to heart because there was no way I could teach or write.  My English was not good.  English was the subject I dreaded in school.  In May 2005, I was guided to join a circle in a holistic center where we met every Thursday morning.  For weeks, I tried not to speak for I thought others might not understand my English.  New faces (spiritual seekers, psychics and healers) joined our circle every now and then.  A few psychics that I chanced to meet walked to me after the gathering was over.  They told me I was supposed to write and teach.  I did not know how to respond.  I did not ask any question for my heart was filled with doubt.  I did not believe I could or I would ever write.

Tears continued to run down my face.  "If you can read a book, you can write a book."  I knew then "yes, I can and I will."  I was transformed at the very moment that I heard those words through the young actor.

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The title of the movie was "Simon Birch".  Did the author know a Chinese woman would be transformed by what he wrote?  Did the young actor know how touched I was hearing his words?  Probably not.  But, that was how life was transformed and what was amazing about life!

Whatever we do, say, or write, always do it with our heart (i.e. with truthfulness or sincerity).  A friendly smile, some kind words, or one telling others an experience may have a big effect on some one that we cannot even imagine.

I had never imagined posting any blog not to mention in English.  I am glad that I have been writing since March of 2011.  So, my friends, is there anything you want to do, but you think you can't or you are not good enough?  Give it a try.  Yes, you can.

Love,
Q of D

** This post was originally published on 9/30/2012 under the title "The time I broke down and cried".

Is it time to let go of your pain now?

Greetings!

One day, I went to hear a lecture.  When I arrived, many people were already there.  We were told that the speaker could be a little bit late.  About half an hour later, the door opened.  A woman walked in.  Immediately, I sensed her feeling of helplessness and hopelessness.  It turned out she was the speaker.

She was truly gifted in her field of study.  As she spoke, I continued to feel her intense sadness and feeling of hopelessness.  I looked at her with compassion.  

Suddenly, she began to talk about the illness that had plagued her throughout her life.  She could not hold onto any job for long because of her illness.  She had gone to many medical doctors as well as spiritual energy healers, but her condition remained.  She now worried she would lose her house soon because she had very little money left.

For a brief moment, I thought of going to her after the lecture was over, and offered to work on her.  However, I saw the store's healer sitting among the audience.  She was a very loving being and a wonderful healer who had learned many healing modalities.  Therefore, the thought came and went.  I left when the lecture was over.

At home, I kept thinking about the speaker and the desperate situation she was in. "What if I can help?"  The healer of the store was there, and I did not want any misunderstanding.  Besides, the speaker had already gone to many spiritual / energy healers.  I only learned a healing art not long ago.  How likely would I be able to help her?  However, her sadness and hopelessness were very much on my mind.  "If indeed I can be of help, how is it I don't?"  I sat down and prayed.  I decided to drive back to the store.

When I went inside the store, I learned that the speaker was busy giving readings in a room at the back.  I left my phone number and a message for her.  I said for her to call me that afternoon or evening, and I would give her a healing session for free if she allowed me to.  As I drove off, I was at peace.  She did not call me.  I was completely okay with it for I had done all that I could.  I slept well at night.  

The next day I got a call from her.  She said she was having a very difficult time.  She asked to meet me at the store.  The healing energy guided me to work on her for a long time.  When it was over, I saw tears on her face.  She was surprised of her tears.  She said: "Despite of my illness, I am known to be strong.  I never allow myself to cry."  Gently, I said: "Is it time to let go of your pain now?"  She began to cry, and cried for quite a while.  Silently, I stood by her side.

When this happened, I was about to move to another state.  I thought I would not see her again.

A couple of months later, we drove back to visit our loved ones.  Incidentally, during our visit, there was a big "Body, Mind and Spirit Festival" near where our loved ones lived.  While I was at the festival, I was delighted to note on the brochure that the woman was giving a lecture that afternoon.  I went to the lecture room.  She looked radiant and happy.  When the lecture was over, I went over to give her a hug.  She recognized me with a big smile.  We did not talk for I saw many at the lecture were waiting to talk to her.

I wanted to make it clear that her new look was not necessary the result of the healing session.  It was not important for me to know if the session had helped.  (I do not concern myself with the outcome of any healing session.  I am an instrument, and I am not the one who heals.  I am here to be of service.  That is all that is.  All healing and credits go to the Loving Divine.)  I was glad simply because I saw a sister looking well and happy.

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There are two reasons I choose to share with you this story.  First, if you think you can help someone, go ahead and ask if you may help.  I would not have the peace I had if I did not drive back to the store that day.  Second, it is alright to cry for at times the challenges in life are truly quite overwhelming.  We should not suppress how we feel.  When we suppress how we feel, we cannot fully open to the flow of life (love or our well being).  We must not dwell in the negative feelings such as pain, hurt, shame, guilt, anger, and unworthiness.  We can deal with our emotions by adjusting our view of a situation (relationship) and replacing it with a positive attitude.  If we have a hard time dealing with a situation or letting go, we can always pray for help from the divine.  I will leave you with the following affirmation -

I choose to let go of my __________ NOW.  (fill in whatever unwholesome feeling you want to release)

Say it 3 times truthfully with all your heart and soul.

May the Grace of God be upon us all.  Amen.

Many blessings,
Q of D

The Two A in a Happy Marriage

Greetings!

This morning I found a small piece of paper.  It was a copy of my advice to a wonderful young lady during her bridal shower years ago.
                                         
                                        The Two A in a Happy Marriage

Acceptance is to totally accept who he is (and who you are) for marriage is not about changing the other.

Appreciation is to recognize the good in him (and in you), value your differences as well as your sameness, and be grateful for the love that is expressed and experienced in this union.

Although this is my advice, but I cannot claim that I am there.  (Smile! I can only tell the truth.)  Meanwhile, the young lady is now a wonderful wife and a super loving mother of three.

Have a joyful evening!

Many blessings,

Q of D