PS.September BLUE Sky

PS. I forgot to add this part in my previous blog.  Reading an article of Psychology Today was a pretty good remedy to get out of the BLUE and stay focus on the present moment mindfully. One of my great friend sent me this link long ago. Here it is.

The Art of Now : Six Steps to Living in the Moment

It's a pretty long article to read, but I promise. It's good. Yum!
Thank you, my dearest Shinyu for sharing the deliciousness of it.

Have a crispy clear weekend!!

Love and gratitude,

Hana

September BLUE Sky

Oops...I'm dreaming that September has just started...Have you seen TIME? Where did it go? I want to retrieve a piece of TIME that I lost in the month of September. Bummer, the technology is not capable of doing that yet. Ok, then... How've you been? I've been good and lazy, lazy and good. Since the summer has gone, everything around me is in a slow motion or rather there's no movements at all. I think I'm in a break after experiencing so many interesting events this year. Man, time for taking a deep breath then...

Looking up the dark blue September sky, I wonder how easily we/humans are prone to DO something restlessly? We even feel guilty or uncomfortable by resting in stillness, don't we? Well, some of you may be ok in that state, but I felt guilty ( for what? ) and also felt blue ( ha, nice pun with the title of this blog ) without getting involved with " things-to-do " in days. First couple of days were ok, then, I totally got bored and felt insecure afterwards. But I knew that being busy doesn't always means creating a better condition in life. We tend to forget living mindfully by being busy, yes? I needed to get off from a busy- bee treadmill and take time to look into my mind profoundly and mindfully. What's my search? I wanted to find an answer to this question : What do I want? 

The stillness was scary. I thought " the Nothing " of the Neverending Story was coming to get me. Seriously! My only task for a day was writing The Morning Pages. Other than that, I didn't have much plans to go somewhere or do something. I was mostly with me, myself and I at home or just strolling around the city to get a fresh air. The Morning Pages is a writing task for everyday. Three pages of whatever crosses your mind-that's it. Write it, don't look at it. Spit every clutters out of your mind and closed the pages. By doing so, I get clearer than before and it gets easier to deal with the things that really matter to me. and a good news is...I found what I wanna do! I have an answer to the question now. Yay! I'll keep it as a secret for now, if you don't mind?  I don't want the magic of my dream to be faded ;)   By allowing to have a little time to practice stillness and calm unfolds the sense of balance in our minds and lives. Am I living in the present mindfully now? I hope so. 

BTW, tomorrow is the first day of October, everyone. Any colorful wishes for the coming new month? I finally see a seed of my dream is growing. It's still a teeny-weeny sprouts showing the face above the ground in my heart <3  I need to take care of it as it grows big by watering, giving good nutrients and sunlight ( a ray of hope? ). I'll be patient till it gets matured.... I am exciting to see it grow! whoo hoo :D

Have a happy last day of September and enjoy a delightful Autumn taste in October!

Love and gratitude,

Hana

Being Happy, Being Me Part 2

Hey, hey, hey, what are you up to? Had a great weekend? Had a hot date with someone new?! Life is fresh. Just like those yummy & juicy peaches! Have fun, taste every bit of the flavor. oh, you haven't done anything you plan to do this summer yet? Then what are you waiting for? Get on it NOW! It's not too late to start. Just need to turn off the TV and kick your butt off from the couch ;) 

I'm back here again. Yes, I promised to you writing about what I've learned at Cafe Gratitude workshop with Matthew and Terces in SF.  Do you remember what my purpose is for this trip? Right. I wanted to know how I can leave scarcity in life and get an access to a world of plenty : a quest for an abundance in life. 

First, what is abundance? My idea is to have and experience the infinite supply from the universe in life. It sounds ok, but I guess it has to have more detail in it.  Matthew and Terces says abundance is the assurance and knowingness of being supplied. Meaning to say that abundance is always present and we have an access to it by being what we think, what we say, what we believe, the actions we take and the attitude we have. They explain we would be able to experience abundance if we keep our attentions on all the things we've already been given. 

As they started sharing all the good stories with the participants in the workshop, I was overwhelmed by curiosity and joy. I was so happy to be there listening, learning, sharing the experience with everyone. I deeply nodded when Matthew told us about how human beings easily see the world as something out there. We live as if life is happening to us. But in fact, we are the one sculpting our experience of life and projecting it to the present moment. Yes, there is no OUT THERE. 

It seems mastering of Beingness is the key to access to abundance. Beingness means what we think, what we say, what we believe, how we act, and what our attitude is. So, just look at what circumstances in your life you're in and want to change. I've tried this recently, and I'm making a change in life. I'll talk about it later, maybe next time.  You can experience a different circumstance only if you start shifting your thought to a new one. I love this quote from their book : " The game of life is the game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds, and words return to us sooner or later with astounding accuracy. -Florence Shinn " 

Aside from practicing of Being, knowing that we are always being provided is another lesson to master. Otherwise, we'll fall into the swirl of something is missing, something is wrong. Our ego starts to control our life, yes, scarcity begins to show up in life. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, open your eyes and see/think what you have right now. Having a place to sleep, having love that you can share with your family and friends, having an access to internet? wow, that's amazing!! See how lucky we are to be provided? Be grateful for what you have and who you are and be worthy of receiving and giving. Keep your attention on what has already been given, then you start to see a whole new experience of life. One more great quote from their book : " While you fear missing a meal, you aren't fully aware of the meals you do eat. - Dan Millman "

I still continue to learn the teaching by reading the book, " The Abounding River ". I've found some assignments to practice so far. What I wrote here is just a small piece of my learning. I'll talk about more of this issue through my experience from time to time. My quest has a bright future. I am happy, I am happy to have my life as I create. I am being happy, then I am being ME. 

My huge gratitude goes to Matthew and Terces, and Angi, Marta, and everyone at Cafe Gratitude community. Thank you! and special appreciations to my inspirational friends, jon and Marie-Eve :) 

Much love and gratitude to you all,

Hana

A Tiny Feather

Hola! I know, I know...I suppose to write about the second part of "Being Happy, Being Me ". But unfortunately, my mind is now experiencing a mood swing, therefore, today's blog is about my little thought on this tiny feather... ha! Take it.

A tiny feather flew from somewhere and rested on me in a park. I carefully held it with my finger, then tried to put it into my card case. Whoosh! A mischievous breeze swept it away from me! I was disappointed not being able to keep it. I know it's silly, but it looked like a tiny piece of "Happiness". I felt like I lost a gift from it... Oh well, anyways, I wish the feather a happy journey.

Guess what? It came back to me very next day while I was reading a book in the park! Yay, the tiny happiness returned to me!! I kept it safely in my card case this time. Is this a message from the universe? There has to be a time and place to receive things? What do you think, people? The clouds are hanging heavily. Having a slight headache. Let's go home.  I'm a bit tired. See ya tomorrow, my trees ;) 

Kisses from trees and ME,

Hana

Being Happy, Being Me Part 1

Hola, how are you? I've been away from writing for so loooooooooong. The month of July was just filled with fun fun and more fun! Yeah, it's summer!! Hope you guys are having a great summer as well ;) 

What I have been doing this summer....ok, I had a fun 4th of july celebration with my friends. Watched Toy Story III, had a yummy Korean dinner, clapped our hands for Macy's fireworks. Although the weather was extremely sticky and yucky...the celebration was excellent. Then I had a fantastic guest from San Diego, we strolled around Williamsberg, Brooklyn and he had a chance to sing his songs at an open mic at a bar. Later his friend joined us, we had a crazy dancing night...oy! and then...I flew to San Francisco for a spiritual workshop with Matthew & Terces at Cafe Gratitude. wow, that was a super nutritious experience ever!! oh, yes, I am absorbing their teaching now, slowly but surely. Thank you Cafe Gratitude community in SF. My gratitude and love goes out to every single person I met at the workshop. Thank you Angi, thank you Marta, thank you Naomi & her friend who kindly gave me a lift to SFO. Thank you, Matthew & Terces!! I'll definitely try to make another trip to " Sacred Commerce " workshop!! Keeping my finger crossed. Wait and see how the universe wants me to take an action ;)  and lastly...I had an amazing trip to San Diego!!! It was a BLAST :D  My friend & his GF provided me so much fun entire my stay in SD!!!!!!! Hiking, watching the night ocean, walking around a lake under Miss Moon's smile, awesome authentic Mexican food, yummy chinese noodle.....laughter after laughter...Man, my summer just let my heart and body bounce a lot! Thank you all of you, YOU! Yes, YOU=EVERYONE and EVERYTHING I met and experienced!! I've now charged up with tons of love fuel :) 

BTW, what I've learned at Cafe Gratitude workshop was very inspirational. Prior to my trip, I wanted to know how I can come out of a scarcity in life and access to a world of plenty. Their teaching gives me a great tip for that achievement....

I wanna write about Cafe Gratitude workshop, but I'm tired. Today's yoga was pretty good, and my body tells me to sleep now ;p Sorry, I'll write the rest sometime next week, ok? Gotta be a super early bird tomorrow...so I'm gonna crash! 

Namaste....

Hana

Weekend Fun

Howdy? I guess most of you are back at work already. How was the long weekend? I had a great one. Yes, I got a opportunity to be a flower elf this weekend!!! Yaaaaay! So sweet to be involved with what I love. I helped out an event designer, Jerry Sibal at Design Fusion NYC. 

The weather was nice but hot...then the designer required us to wear all black attire for his job. So, imagine...boy...it was the most appropriate day to wear a black T-shirt and a pair of black pants! All the designers were melting. The wedding was held at a country club in Long Island. I was too busy to take pics, but I have some to share my experience with you all. Here we go. 

Boys and girls are preparing the low centerpieces for the dining tables using wheat grass, white roses and some lemon leaves in a square box. You'll see the final product later. The front arrangement is a bride & groom table arrangement I worked on. 

Boys are constructing a frame for a place card table arrangement. Using the designer's signature material, wisteria vine. 

Jerry is working on a runner for a ceremony. He meticulously attaches small pieces of white fabrics shaped in rose petals onto it. Beautiful and romantic.

So, this is the tall centerpieces for a dining room. His style is always lush! Peonies, roses, and hydrangeas...." An Event To Remember ", his latest book reveals another gorgeous works of his company. Check it out! 

and the low centerpieces with candles and a mirror. The reflection on the mirror must be fantastic when you light  up the candles. They illuminate everything around it. 

A place card table. The bride looooooves this phalaenopsis orchid. 

Cocktail tables are situated outside with simple arrangements of white peonies. The glass vase were all covered with tropical leaves. It gives you a clean, crisp summer sensation. In this kinda weather, it's perfect!!

Here's the decoration of a ceremony. The boys set up these metal gates. Too heavy for me?! 

Two big entrance arrangements and a chuppah decoration at a back. 

Oy vey....building up this chuppah under the hot & steamy weather is hard...!!! We have to keep spraying on the flowers otherwise...they wilt quickly with the heat :(  

Lastly...this is a cake decoration we ( myself and another designer ) worked on in a refrigerator....brrrrrr...yeah, it was cold!!! Crazy day with the extreme temperature changes, you know? BTW, the cake looks delish, yes? I tasted a piece of white chocolate...yum! shhh....it was just a piece! 

So, this is the life of flower people. We are all here to make your event special and most importantly our mission is to make you happy :) I must say, flower people are all flower joyologists! We love to send you our love throughout the work! 

Recovering from the body exhaustion because of the intense job on the wedding, I visited Central Park again yesterday. Wanted to receive a healing energy from trees and flowers. Then I happened to encounter these people!!! 

Yup, they are hula dancers!!! I later figured out they are the students of  Halau Hula O Na Mele 'Aina O Hawai'i. The organization offers the hula dance lessons and gives some performances in the city. Surprisingly, among them...I found a girl I know of! A white shirt with a flower in her hair...she's the owner of a boutique, Saada on the 2nd Ave and 61st street. She was superb! This event provokes a strong interest on joining the class. Funny, one of my best friend in Japan is also crazy about this Hawaiian culture. hmm...universe suggests me to explore another possibility to expand my flower joyologist misssion. Interesting.

I can see myself in the group...I wanna join it!! 

Remember, life passes with a blink of eyes. Enjoy each moment of your life. Be happy, Be creative, Be who you are. LOVE WHO YOU ARE. 

Love and gratitude, 

Hana

PS. Ms Joyologist Tricia Hoffman is joining aids bike ride tour between 6/6-12 for 7days. Let's send her cheers and love!! Namaste...

Simple Life

"Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans. -John Lennon "

I just happend to be there in Central Park and found this quote of John Lennon yesterday afternoon. It was an extremely fantastic weather, breezy and sunshine. All the trees and birds were celebrating LIFE! Under a warm ray of sunshine, I met an Italian guy who is an educator/life coach. We had a nice chat for a while. He may be another messenger from the universe? 

It's been a week since I was laid off. So far, so good. A new idea comes and goes...An image of myself in the future gets clearer than before. At first, I felt kinda awkward spending lots of time at home. I didn't know how to adjust myself into it. I now have enough time to read a book, take a walk in a park during the day ( aside from searching a job... ), breathe into a fresh air ( at least in a park? ), and seeing other people's life along the way is so powerful and inspiring. These simple things were missing while I had a full-time work at a flower shop. Being laid off is a painful matter, but I feel joy at this moment...The joy comes from a freedom. I've never got out of an ordinary life style : Work 9am-5pm, 5 days a week. This is my first time not having a job, but I tell ya...I'm having a great time of my life! Sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet. Life's got all different flavors. So alive. 

My cousin just sent me an email from Japan. She's recently moved in to a remote area in Kyoto, quitting her job, trying to adjust herself to a new life. It's an extremely small community that dosen't have much of an urban life style : No big super markets, no hot bars or restaurants to hang out, no cooking school she can offer her incredible talent. She used to be a cooking/baking instructor at a cooking school. Her passion was to bake all the different breads and to teach and share the fun with other people. Well, everything comes from a heart would be precious, isn't it? On the contrary to the inconvenience in her new daily life, she started to find a joy. She explains : I may have withdrawn myself a few steps behind from where I was before, but I've started to see everything in a beautiful picture. I had an enormous pressure to catch up with my assignments, work, and house keepings, but now... I have a time to enjoy outdoor life in the nature, buying seasonal vegetables and fruits from a local green market. I find a happiness in a very simple life. Breathe, eat and sleep. I'll start baking when we finish our kitchen renovation, so it'll be awesome! 

I found her story and my new life have something in common. We both found a joy in a state of being free. We are both free from our old comfort zones. Creating a new circumstance to live. Spring has sprung, summer is on the way. Our journey takes us to another surprise, another struggles, another happiness. Life is all good afterwards... :) 

What about yours? So far, so good, I believe...! I send you this pretty smiles of lily of the valley. They signify the return of happiness in the " language of flowers ". So, catch it!

Much love and kisses to you all, 

Hana