My go-to romantic videos that make me warm and fuzzy inside (✿◠‿◠)

Posted on August 18, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

I am a big sucker for romantic stories. And when it comes to romance, there is nothing like a period drama. When I need a romantic pick-me-up, I watch clips from various screen adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels or movies like Amelie. Below are my top go-to romantic video clips dominated by Ms Austen’s work. Do you have any other suggestions? Drop them in the comments.

In this clip from Pride & Prejudice, Matthew Macfadyen does an excellent job at portraying a vulnerable Darcy, different to the one played by Colin Firth. I melt at “you bewitched my body and soul” 🥵 And how he says “I love you”… I could watch and rewatch this scene. So romantic!

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Surviving the summer holiday season…

Posted on August 11, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

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Tao Te Ching – doing nothing

Posted on August 4, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

I continue to read Tao Te Ching – here is another quote I loved. Is this what Ram Dass means when he says “I can do nothing for you but work on myself… you can do nothing for me but work on yourself!”?

Therefore the Master says:
I do nothing,
and people become good by themselves.
I seek peace,
and people take care of their own problems.
I do not meddle in their personal lives,
and the people become prosperous.
I let go of all my desires,
and the people return to the Uncarved Block.

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Assume Positive Intent

Posted on July 29, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

I’ve recently learned this interesting and very powerful phrase that I now use to reframe everyday encounters. Every time when I interact with someone face to face, on a call, via email (especially email) I remind myself:

Assume Positive Intent

We usually assume the worst when interacting with others. For example, I get a work email from someone which is too brief, dry and seemingly rude. I get irritated – who does this person think they are? Then I remind myself – assume positive intent. Maybe they were just short on time or their personality prevents them from being overly polite. Assume positive intent.

Try it out. Does this work for you? Let me know.

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Things keep getting better…

Posted on July 8, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

The Fab 5 brought joy to many people lately with their Netflix show Queer Eye. They are lovely, authentic, not afraid to be vulnerable and are here to make us love ourselves. Plus the show theme by Betty Who is amazing. Be you! Things keep getting better 😉

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Ram Dass – How to Love Yourself

Posted on June 23, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

I read my first book by Ram Dass called The Only Dance There Is and it’s amazing. One of those books that makes you wiser, that shortcuts you to insight. I might now have to read every book of his! I wanted to share this 10-minute talk by Ram Dass on how to love yourself, a key theme on this blog in the last year. Very useful advice.

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Universe is the jewel that is my heart

Posted on June 16, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

So I am reading my first book by Ram Dass. And I loved this quote where he explains the meaning of the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra:

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How to love yourself more – 7-day self-love programme

Posted on June 9, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

Last year I focused on self-love. I realised my love addiction stemmed from the lack of it and I wanted to embark on a self-love programme but discovered there was no ready made package. So I read about it and also found Tiny Buddha’s Guide to Loving Yourself: 40 Ways to Transform Your Inner Critic and Your Life by Lori Deschene. It is a collection of essays by bloggers and I must say initially I was sceptical about its contents. However it turned out to be an eye opener. Erin Lanahan’s Rejection Can Reveal How We Are Rejecting Ourselves (press Next twice) in particular struck the cord – Erin showed me why I continued to be stuck in the unhealthy pattern of love addiction:

When I experience the pain of rejection in the external world, it is only because there are still places within myself where I am rejecting myself. As long as I reject myself, I will regularly attract people and situations that reject me…

There are more gems in the book – Julie Hoyle shares a life changing perspective on dealing with negative people in How to Come Home to Yourself – when having an anger outburst triggered by someone have you ever paused and instead of reacting and blaming the subject of your anger, turn your gaze inside? If you did, you would have realised that the subject is just a mirror, reflection of issues bubbling inside of you. What an amazing, reframing, reprogramming technique!

My own quest, bloggers in Lori’s book and a request from a friend inspired me to put together a 7-day self-love mini programme. Continue reading →

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Morning mantra – I am worthy

Posted on June 2, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

Self-love has been a big theme for me this year. I leave you with this quote by Aletheia Luna, the founder of the shamanic healing web site Loner Wolf. I use it as a mantra each morning.

I am worthy.
I honour my inner child.
I am safe and loved.
I have freedom and happiness.

— Aletheia Luna

On honouring your inner child, see this Loner Wolf article with some great tips.

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You gotta be hungry… Don’t stop running towards your dream — Les Brown

Posted on May 26, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

I love this speech. It’s full of gems of advice:

You gotta be hungry… Practice every day (reminder to self)… Someone’s opinion of you does not need to become your reality… You have greatness within you and responsibility to manifest that greatness… Don’t stop running towards your dream.

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The dust dance

Posted on May 20, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

The dust dance

We are all shit
That will turn into dust.
We come from stardust
And return we must.

In sunlit bathroom
Do not go aghast
When you find yourself
In a cloud of dust.

Skin flakes and dust mites,
Faeces and dead stuff,
Bacteria, pollen
Floating past.

Don’t hold your breath
You can’t outsmart
This life-death dance
Of which you are part.

One day we’ll draw
Breath that’s our last
One day we’ll all be
Dancing dust.

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Ram Dass, Going Home

Posted on May 12, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

This short documentary is a meditation on life, death, what is important and what next from one of the most famous spiritual teachers of our time. Fascinating. I loved the Seeta Ram mantra being chanted mid film.

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Writer’s pilgrimage – Jane Austen’s house in Chawton

Posted on May 6, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

This weekend I have fulfilled my dream and visited Chawton to see a house where Jane Austen created most of her works. I am a big fan and it was such a great experience learning more about this super talented writer and amazing woman. The highlight was seeing the table that she used to write at and the gardens where she might have sought her inspiration. I felt like I could feel her energy. Continue reading →

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Art therapy – Could you? by Mayakovsky

Posted on April 28, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

Vladimir Mayakovsky is a Russian poet who lived and created at the dawn of the 20th century. Since my introduction to his art at school, I’ve loved it dearly — there is music to his unusual rhyme and composition, there is rebellion in what he says and how, and there is incredible intensity in all of his works. He loved madly and he lived on the edge. Mayakovsky has always been my most favourite poet for his edginess, extreme openness, vulnerability and lack of fear of innovating in art, while remaining true to himself, which translated so beautifully into his poems. I translated one of my favourite poems from Russian below. A better translation exists, I just wanted it to sound how I thought was closest to the original.

Could you?

I’ve smudged the map of everyday

At once by splashing glass of paint;

Revealing on a jelly dish

Slanted ocean cheekbones.

Upon the scales of a tin fish

I read allure of new lips.

And do you

Think you could

Play nocturne

On a drainpipe flute?

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How to start meditating today if you don’t know where to start

Posted on April 21, 2018 by nomadoftheuniverse

buddha-bodhi-meditation-yoga-om-buddhism-contemporary-art-yuliya-glavnaya-bodhisattva-reclining-bamboo-lotus-padma

Reclining Buddha. Yuliya Glavnaya 

I promised a post on what I learned in the introduction to meditation course at the London Buddhist Centre. I wanted to try out the techniques before sharing them, long story short – I forgot about it. Universe reminded me in an interesting way. This week a friend asked how to start meditating. While I was sharing the steps and tips that worked for me, I realised that sharing is caring, so below is a quick guide on how to start meditating today if you don’t know where to start. Continue reading →

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