Disobey the dictator

“Disobey the dictator if you don’t find a man’s character congruent with his teachings” Ana T. Forrest, from the book Fierce Medicine.

Put some skates on, be your own hero

The winds of change

In August, I took part in a group meditation to bring about change in our lives. We were told that it would be a powerful session and were given the chance to leave the room if we did not wish to participate. Being an intrepid English lady, I decided to stay…

Two weeks later, my husband gets offered a wonderful job opportunity in Mumbai! My initial reaction was “no way – I am not going to live there!” Needless to say, I changed my mind and here I am writing this blog entry in India!

Thank you to everyone who requested a blog update and reminded me about my book project. The last couple of months have been a rollercoaster of emotions and preparation for this adventure. I have been in Mumbai for a week now and have enjoyed having some time to myself while Mathew is at work to read, contemplate and, of course, write!

I was so truly sad to leave Hong Kong and it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about that wonderful city. This year we had felt settled there for the first time. However, a friend reminded me not to feel sad but to feel lucky that I had experienced such amazing friendships in my life. I actually found it quite profound to observe which friendships blossomed in the final stages and which ones faded away.

A large part of my time in Hong Kong was spent at the yoga studio. I loved it but it was often difficult for me to get out of bed early and make it on to the mat at 7am. However, once I found out that I was leaving, it became a joy! If I have one parting message then let it be that. You are so fortunate to have such a wealth of opportunity on your doorstep so don’t roll over and snooze. Get up and party with your kula! I am here on my mat by myself and I hold you all in my heart.

I am not quite sure which direction this blog will take from now on. Will it be a travel journal, a yoga diary, letters to friends? I will just let it flow and I hope you continue to join me!

As they say in this neck of the woods, “Namaste!”

The Gateway of India

Angelic August

This month I completed the angel certification program with Charles Virtue. Doreen Virtue, his mother, is someone whose work I have been following and I love her books! When I heard that her son (surely one of her greatest creations!) was coming to Hong Kong, I had to attend!

I started connecting with angels in 2005 when I was living in London. It was a time when I was questioning my direction in life. I began reading lots of books about angels and asking for signs and guidance. I started following the work of Diana Cooper and was guided to attend a presentation that she gave about Atlantis. I have always been interested in the legend of Atlantis and it was a memorable evening spent with like-minded people. When working with angels, we all experience times when we wonder if it is “just our imagination” so the opportunity to share our feelings with others is a wonderful part of the process. At the end of the evening, I was able to meet Diana and she signed my book with the message “Joanna – it is time to fly!” Whenever I have doubts or question my path, I just open that book and am inspired to continue!

In 2006, I attended the Angel Awareness day event with Diana at Hampton Court Palace. The theme was ‘Healing of the waters’ and we released rose petals into the river that we had blessed with our angelic prayers. It was during this event that I first heard the angels sing. As a group, we had all been singing in the garden room to welcome the angels before moving into meditation. I heard the most beautiful angelic voices above me! As usual, I started to question whether I had really heard it or if I was imagining it but when Diana asked if anyone else had heard the angels singing I knew I was not alone! I wonder why we always doubt ourselves?

Fast forward to 2010 and I decided to take the angel certification program with Charles. For those of you that have been following my blog, my writing is about opening up my heart and expressing my true self. I have always been shy about working with the angels for fear of what others will think of me. The course with Charles has helped me to work through these blocks and I can already feel a huge shift in myself. We learnt how to deepen our connection with the angels and how to give angel card readings for others. We were also fortunate enough to experience a past life regression with his partner Tina and this has helped me to realise that a large part of my fear is connected to one of my past lives.

I met so many amazing people and am happy to have made lots of angel friends! I received so much encouragement from these new friends, and of course from the angels, for the book that I am writing and I am so grateful. The course definitely gave me the ‘kick-start’ that I needed to stop procrastinating and to move forward! When I got home from the first day of the course, my husband had bought me a surprise birthday gift – a new laptop! Wow! I am so lucky and I have no excuses now! He said that he bought it on the spur of the moment so I like to think that the angels guided him into the shop! The book project continues – thank you angels!

Unfinished business!

Do you have any unfinished projects lurking in your cupboard? Over the last few years, I have started writing four books and have yet to finish any of them. I started a painting 3 years ago, gave up halfway through, and it has sat in my cupboard ever since. I have a talent for starting things but I am not so good at finishing them…

Recently, I have been thinking about why this has become a pattern in my life. I discussed this with my friend Natasha and we agreed that some of us are natural “starters” and some of us are “finishers”. Which category do you fall into? I am definitely a starter! But what is it that makes me give up so easily? For me, I think it is a combination of self-criticism, judgement and worrying about what everyone else will think. I analyse everything, find faults in myself and give up when my emotions take over. However, these unfinished projects don’t go away. They linger in the dusty cupboards of our minds.

This summer, while the rain falls hard in Hong Kong, I have decided to work through these emotional blocks and finish one of my books. My Mum has told me that when she comes to visit me in October she wants to read the first draft of my novel. I love her for encouraging me to complete this project and for setting me a goal! Next time you see me, please ask me how the book is going and don’t let me give you any excuses!

I have also got the painting back out of the cupboard!

To be continued completed!