Finding S.O.U.L

   

 

Last week I was asked to co-host a Mulungi Event for S.O.U.L. Foundation with my room-mate Tanya, (Supporting Opportunities for Ugandans to Learn). Tanya went to Uganda in February where she helped villagers learn to farm and do various crafts. Hearing her stories I was really touched on how S.O.U.L. teaches Ugandans ways to live. "Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime."

I agreed to co-hosting this event in my new studio of So You Boutique in which

our goal is to raise $3000 to fund 30 sewing machines. After doing my lotus mudra meditation on Mother's Day, I could not get the image of my mom and aunts in a garage sewing til the wee hours of the night when we first immigrated to the US. This really hits home for me, especially on Mother's Day. 

I grew up in southern California really poor because we are immigrants. My mother escaped from Vietnam with my brother Trung and I on a boat in 1983. She did whatever jobs she could find for my brother and I to have better lives and CHOICES. She didn't know any English. One of those jobs was sewing clothes. My aunts and mom would get sewing jobs of about 500 pieces of garments, each paying $0.50, in which they would have a week to accomplish. My aunt Rum's garage was like a sweat shop. The kids would play in the house and at times would have to rip out the seams of clothing if they made mistakes. At one time, I had a pile of 50 shirts to undo! I was as happy as can be helping and playing with my cousins though. They did this for a little over a year and then had other opportunities. My mother went to cosmetology school and eventually open up various nail salons.  

     

Fast forward almost 30 years later, all the kids are young professionals. We would not be where we are today had someone not given my mother a HAND UP. This is why I believe in this cause so much. I do not believe in giving a hand out, I do believe in giving a hand up. I believe in miracles and I do believe you can create any life you dream. 

S.O.U.L .Foundation is a non-profit organization and they work to foster sustainable and vibrant Ugandan communities through unique partnerships focused on education, women's empowerment, food security and health. The Village Business Cooperatives are designed to increase villager's incomes in a sustainable way, thus allowing the rural poor to meet their families' basic needs while creating additional income that brings the dream of education and upward mobility within reach. Ugandan women form the backbone of their communities, shouldering numerous responsibilities, the most important being the care of their children. Seeking to help these rural Ugandan women break the cycle of poverty, S.O.U.L. Foundation partnered with groups of women to create the Mulungi Collection of handbags, jewelry, embroidered headbands, and African baskets. The word "Mulungi" means beautiful in the local Lusoga language. The Mulungi collection unites sisterhood and feminine energy among women across the globe.

Please join Tanya and I on Tuesday May 28th for a Mulungi Party 6:30-8:30P. We will have food, music, and Mulungi merchandise for you to experience and buy. Because the slogan of my AiryFairy Airplants is "Believe things can grow out of the air" my air plant sales in May will go towards this cause. You can also donate by going on the S.O.U.L. Foundation website www.souluganda.org

You create your own weather

It snowed about 6-8 inches in Denver yesterday, May 1st...yes May 1st! Snow does mess up my day a bit for my services. I really can't control the outside weather, I just have to relax into in and ask what is this allowing me to do instead of being bummed or mad about it. The only control I have is my thoughts and my actions. Weather can determine lots of people's moods though, including my own. You just have to learn to wait out the storm and dance in the rain because you can really create your own weather.

Thank goodness my clients don't let weather stop them from getting their airbrush spray tans! As I was airbrush tanning I shared an awareness I had on weather...your reality is your weather and you make your weather on what you BELIEVE.

Earlier in the week, my room-mate told me it was going to snow on Wednesday. I checked the weather channel on my phone and had all 60s and sunny. I told her she was wrong, or maybe it changed since she last checked. Others told me throughout the day that snow was coming. I refused to believe it. In my world it was sunny and I was happy as can be. Monday night we were watching the VOICE and the news came on with snow...I checked my phone again and it still said sunny and clear all week...then I realized the automatic app update changed my settings, it was showing NYC weather! Reality busted my bubble. Then I quickly shifted the thought because in my world, it was going to be sunny damn-it!

At the new studio, I played tropical music, turned on the heat, and made believed I was in sunny climate. Lots of new clients came in Tuesday and Wednesday for their spray tans despite the weather. I had a ball of time connecting. We know that being tan makes us happier!

Some BUNNY wants a tan

Spring is in the air again, springing love and springing airbrush tans!!!!! There's been lots of new clients lately, all with wonderful stories. Luckily for me, I get to celebrate little and big moments of their lives in a kinda non-conventional way. (Names have been changed and I must keep this PG rated...)  

I love being part of weddings and also the excitement of new romances. It's not uncommon for a girl to come and get spray tan before a date, trip, etc. This past month I've had lots of male spray tanning virgins! One was spray tanning with his fiancé as a test run before their wedding. Another was spray tanning because he was going to rendezvous with a former love interest to RIO. My favorite this month is Dave. He's over 65 and came with his wife before their trip to Hawaii. He was so excited and was like a little kid doing muscle poises. Dark fat is better than white fat!   

It's a completely different energy and playfulness with guys. One of my best spray tanning adventures is when I did a spray tanning party at a ranch for a group going on a cruise. One husband made these John Deer cut-outs and asked if he could tan his butt with them. He showed his son and then he wanted to join in on the fun. Boys will always be boys.    

Ladies, introduce guys to the wonderful world of airbrush spray tanning! They just don't know that they will love it! In our new tanning studio, it will be much more fun with couples tanning. (We will be in our new space April 21st!) Shoot, bring the whole family or have us come to you for a spray tanning party. I got disposable undies for them....hahaha!

Have a fabulous EASTER Weekend and may you be bronze in your Easter outfits.

Dissolving fear process

It seems like things happen in clusters, good things or bad. When perceived bad things happen to us we often try to figure out why, but sometimes you don't need to know the deeper meaning of everything that happens in our lives. Life will always give you weeds. It's a continual process to keep a beautiful garden. All of us who seek to be conscious and aware regard our experiences as teachers, and we try to discern what lessons we are learning from the things that happen in our lives. 

Sometimes the lesson is very clear and other times we have to really search to for the lesson. While this search often yields results, there comes a point we really need to accept it and just move forward. We are all part of a complex system of being. Things work themselves out in the system as a whole. Sometimes it is easier to see it in terms of karma, a past debt we have been able to repay in this way, or as the clearing of energy. We can simply thank the event for being part of our experience and let it go. 

As I've gotten older, I've learned to incorporate rituals and meditation to help letting go easier. Rituals make things official, it anchors the emotion or thought, enabling you to feel in control again. I've been struggling a lot in the last couple of weeks, with fears and doubts, moving in anger and frustration. In my break-downs I was able to cross over to break-throughs with this fear dissolving process I made up. It is so powerful seeing it on a transparent paper and then physically dissolve away. 

I hope it liberates you from your self defeating thoughts to move in COURAGE and LOVE. All you need is rice paper and a marker! Enjoy the home made video below and share it with others if it helps you. Do it right away and don't complicate it. Would love to hear your break-throughs with it! 

Playing with your shadow

In January I did a series on the 12 Days of Beauty & Light which I hope you made some shifts for your personal empowerment. This month, I will connect you to the dark, your shadow; in honor of one of my favorite teachers Debbie Ford.  

Debbie Ford past away February 17th, 2013 and is a New York Times best-selling author, founder of The Ford Institute for Integrative Coaching, and a pioneering force in the study and integration of the shadow into modern psychological and spiritual practices. My favorite works from Debbie Ford are

Courage: Overcoming Fear and Igniting Self-Confidence, The Shadow Effect, The Dark Side of the Light Chasers, The Secret of the Shadow, Why Good People Do Bad Things, and the 21 Day Consciousness Cleanse. After the 3rd time I did the Consciousness Cleanse, I produced my Lotus Mudra Meditation. After readingWhy Good People Do Bad Things I was able to uncover my masks of the Over-Achiever and the Martyr. Her work is absolutely transforming. 

 

"You cannot know the light without knowing the dark. So many times we shame our shadow, but it is a part of our ego that must be satisfied. It is the gatekeeper of true freedom. The shadow holds the truth of all the authentic parts of being human -- your vulnerability, your discontent, your jealousy, or an experience from the past that you haven't digested. The only way to invite them out of the shadow is to bring them into the light. The light is a new perspective in which you see that everything that's happening is happening to help you develop your soul. Then you're free -- free to be who you are most authentically, free to ask for what you need, free to find your joy and bliss, free to share your gifts.

The first step is seeing what you don't want to be. Look at who you don't like and the qualities they have, not their behaviors but the qualities inside of them that you don't like. Start with the ones closest to you. You can always see these qualities in your brothers, sisters, parents, or children." For example, some of my friends babble a lot, do the same sabotaging things repeatedly, or don't really listen. I would get frustrated and get on them about it. But the truth is, I need to listen more: I should be

interested instead of interesting.I was trying to change them because I need to look at it in myself. It's always a mirror reflection.

"Every time you grow and evolve, you find new versions of your shadow. Once you understand shadow work, it's actually not something you want to be done with. Every time you embrace a shadow, you open up a new pathway for your life. Your shadow is actually very playful, your inner child, your creative soul." For example, Peter Pan found Wendy and the kids because he followed his shadow. 

"Ultimately, all of this work is about learning to love one's self, one's flaws, one's shortcomings, and one's past; and when you accept that it is possible -- that that is your spiritual journey here on earth -- you have a foundation for setting yourself up to live a life beyond your wildest dreams." (Welcome to Shadowland, an example of how your shadow wants to help you.)

Improve all of your relationships with the 5 love languages

When you speak someone's love language they will understand and love you more.

Although February is linked with "romantic love," I'd like to focus this newsletter to address love in all relationships because love makes the world go around! The amount of love we feel is linked to the amount of happiness in our lives. 

  

I was fortunate to come across this book in my late 20s. If I came across this sooner, perhaps I wouldn't have struggled so much in some of my relationships. Figuring out other's love languages, I was able to connect to so many more people, transform my relationships on all levels and become more compassionate, humble, and understanding.

  

For example, for many years I struggled in my relationship with my mother. To this day, my mother has never said I love you to me nor does she touch me very much. It's not common in Asian cultures for you to express your feelings or be affectionate. I felt no matter what I did, it was never enough.

  

My mother always provided whatever I needed. If I craved a certain food, it would be on the dinner table that evening. When I learned her love language is acts of service, I understood that was her way of saying "I LOVE YOU."  Knowing this, it brings me to a state of peace.

 

What is my love language? I'm bi-lingual with acts of service and quality time. Reflecting on my relationships, the closer and better relationships are with the people that do things for me and with me...this is probably why I'm always inviting people to do things with me! I'm learning to speak words of affirmation and physical touch much better, which I did very poorly. If you've had an airbrush spray tan from me, there is a reason why I guide you with my hand and pinch you! I also make sure you are comfortable and compliment you .  =)

(One of my best-friends Julie says spray tanning may be the 6th love language!)

 

Chuc mung nam moi! Happy Lunar New Year!

Chuc Mung Nam Moi1 Happy New Year!  

Actually Happy Lunar New Year, aka Chinese New Years! The Lunar New Years is the longest and most important celebration in the Asian Calendar. In the Asian culture, this is a very joyous holiday full of festivities, food, and superstitions. The first day of the year marks how the entire year will be. This was my favorite holiday growing up and now I'm proud to connect others to it so they can celebrate it with me.  I hope you find it fun and partake in some of it, if nothing else it's great small talk! The nerd in me put it all in one for you, so it's kinda long...  

February 10 marks the beginning of the year of the Water Snake. If you've already goofed on your reSOULtions, just start over here, you may have better luck. I'm sending you this early so you have time to prepare for it and send it your friends.   

Below are some traditions and what this year could mean for you.  

1. Dirty Doings

Put your feet up and relax. Certainly the most enjoyable of the Lunar New Year superstitions, sweeping and cleaning is strictly forbidden. Asians believe cleaning means you'll sweep all of your good luck out the front door.

2. Time to Come Clean

Before you can enjoy number two, you need to give the house a full spring clean, before putting cleaning tools in the cupboard on New Year's Eve.

3. Read Between the Lines

Be sure to stock up on reading materials before Lunar New Year, as bookshops will be padlocked tight. In Cantonese, book is a homonym for 'lose'.

4. Choppy Waters

Make sure you avoid rough seas in the new year by NOT buying shoes over the holiday period. In Cantonese, shoes are a homonym for 'rough'.

5. Balance the Books

If you're in debt, it's time to dip into your pockets and pay people off. The Chinese believe that if you start the new year in the red, you'll finish it the same way.

6. Ghostly Conversations

Caught round a campfire over the holiday period? No ghost stories. Tales of death, dying and ghosts is considered supremely inauspicious, especially during Lunar New Year.

7. Lady in Red

Lunar New Year is packed with colors, and while all the colors of the rainbow bring good luck, it's the color red that is considered the ultimate luck bringer.

8. Sweet Year

Hong Kongers have a sweet touch at the best of times, but Lunar New Year offers the perfect chance to raid the sweet shop, as eating sweets is said to deliver a sweeter year.

International Feng Shui consultant Marites Allen, said it is difficult to say exactly what the future of a particular person would be especially during the Year of the Snake which is regarded as an unpredictable being, but she recalled that the last time that year of the snake occurred in 2001, the World Trade Center attack in the United States and the ouster of then Philippine President Joseph Estrada happened.  "This is not to say that similar catastrophic events are indicated in 2013, but to be forewarned is to be forearmed.   

In fact, Allen said whatever good things that were started in 2012 even has a good chance of being carried over to 2013 "and could mean better prospects for us who are prepared to make the most of these elements." "The key is to continue to update our knowledge and have the proper cures and enhancers in place where they are needed."  

For instance, those born under the Boar sign are warned about having a challenging year in 2013 as certain mishaps and obstacles may happen while those born under the signs of the Ox and Dog are expected to have a good year in 2013 -if not better than what they had in 2012.  

Those born under the Dog sign are expected to have many happy moments and improvement of luck but must watch out for ill-meaning people while those under the Rooster sign may have some wealth luck in 2013 but must be aware of potential risks of getting robbed or physical harm.  

People born under the Monkey sign faces a potential improvement in their relationship but must take care of their health just like those who are born under the Sheep sign.  

Those born under the year of the Horse are expected to have an improved year in 2013 after suffering through a challenging 2012 but there are still some obstacles that may hinder their full recovery.  

People born under the Snake are expected to have a good year but faces waning energy while the Dragons are expected to have an improvement in their relationship luck. Dragons are also advised to stay low in 2013 though they could expect a better year than what they had in 2012.  

Those under the Rabbit sign are advised to watch their temper due to the presence of the Argument Star in their chart in 2013 while those under the Tiger must watch out for possible mishaps and mischiefs, including potential robbery problems despite having the Lucky #8 star in their chart which could bring wealth and good luck.  

People born under the Ox may expect a lucky year in 2013 like those under the Rat symbol who are in for plenty of good news due to the presence of income and promotion luck in their charts.

Allen stressed that forecasts are there to serve as guide and it is still up to the person to pursue their own luck and how they would live their lives.