Unemployment

One of the side effects of the Credit Crunch is redundancy. I have been incredibly lucky so far and hope that those around me who are made redundant will soon find another source of income, or at least, understand why it has happened to them.

Although I have never been made redundant before (touch wood :P), I have experienced a period of unemployment in the past.

I returned to England from Japan six years ago and spent the first month enjoying myself, not worrying about my future. Towards the end of the month though, my carefree attitude began to evaporate. At the time, I wanted to leave teaching and explore another line of work. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do, but the thought of working with international students, helping them settle into living in Britain appealed to me. After all, having lived alone in a foreign country, I completely understand how important it is to receive support from the locals. Thus I sent that wish out to the universe and began to wait for a reply, albeit rather impatiently.

Instead, I received another message through an old school friend. To cut a long story short, I was guided back onto the teaching path. I then made the necessary research and sent in the required application.

All in all, I was unemployed for four months.

During that period, I fervently asked for universal guidance. I was thrown into a cocktail mixture of frustration, irritation, depression, exhilaration and finally, gratification. On hindsight, I should have put my complete trust in the universe and allowed events to unfold in its course.

I know it may seem easy for me to say to my unemployed friends to keep their spirits up and to appreciate the fact that the universe has better plans waiting for them around the corner, but I have been through a similar experience - I can honestly say that I have learnt from my four months of unemployment hell all those years ago. Last year, I had the sudden urge to give up my stable job even though I didn't have another one to go to. Luckily, something did turn up before the end of my contract. The new job turned out to be a complete nightmare - but it was a necessary life lesson for me because I learned so much about myself and had gained a phenomenal amount of self-confident from the experience. Yet again, I resigned - for the second time in the same year, and right in the middle of credit crunch. Most of the people around me thought I was mad to make the move, but for once in my life, I was overwhelmed by a sense of trust in the universe. It just felt so right to move on, despite all the surface tensions and struggles. The universe did not forsake me. I secured another job within a week - it even fulfilled all of my wishes I had asked for!

I do strongly believe that everything happens for a reason. On the surface, it may seem traumatic, but if you dig deep within, you will find the required tools to overcome those obstacles thrown in your way.

Empowerment

In my early days of being acquainted with Doreen Virtue's work, I remember coming across her explanation of being 'empowered'. This is basically having the confidence in yourself and not giving your power away.

Easier said than done.

I found it even more difficult to practice it when I come to understand that blaming others for our unhappiness is considered to be giving one's power away. Thinking back to Louise Hay's work, I guess it is true, because Louise mentioned that we have the power to not allow others annoy or irritate us with their words or actions. So even if we do come face-to-face with bullies and become upset, we cannot say 'X really annoyed me. It's all his/her fault.' What we need to say is acknowledge X's behaviour as unacceptable and then give the pain to the divine for transmutation. I personally like to think that it's just another lesson for me to learn about another aspect of human life, e.g. tolerance, acceptance. I release the pain associated with the event in question, asking the divine to help me extract the lesson then move on.

The Art of Taking

For as long as I can remember, I've always had the tendency to feel bad about asking others for favours. I even went through a phase where I would feel bad about accepting drinks from people I'm visiting! Gradually though, I learned that by refusing others' offers, I'm not actually being polite but rude. It is about keeping a balance between giving and taking. I feel bad about taking and feel more comfortable with giving.

As transiting Saturn conjunct my natal North Node in Virgo 2nd house, I am in yet another one of my hard lesson cycles. In my previous cycles, I have learnt to be comfortable with accepting hospitalities from others. I still have a long way to go. Only recently, I made the mistake of blocking my 'taking' side again and refused kindness from others. I'm still regretting over that!

Angels, please help me accept goodness from the Universe graciously.

Doors

I remember when I was still working in Japan, I would fly back to England once a year. I'm now reliving the same lifestyle - working in Hong Kong and flying back home for my annual break.

There is one big difference though.

Back in the days of jetting back and forth between Japan and England, I would feel attached to Japan while I was there and not wanting to leave, and vice versa for when I was back home. This changed in my final year when I had a sudden yearning to leave Japan and return home.

A few years on, I'm now flying between England and Hong Kong. One big difference is that I have family, relatives and in both places. What's more, when in Hong Kong, as much as I miss England, I do want to stay there, and now that I'm home, as much as I want to stay, I do want to return to the far east. I feel at home in both countries. If you ask me to choose, I wouldn't be able to.

Maybe a few more years down the line, my feelings will change, but for now, I want to go with the flow - the flow being what feels right at this moment in time. If something is meant to be, then doors will open for you to breeze through.

However, there are different types of doors - some are already wide open, so all you need to do is step through the threshold. Others are half-closed, ajar, closed or even locked. Thinking back, the door to Hong Kong was ajar to start with. The Universe nudged me to come face-to-face with it. I had to have the courage to walk up to it, push it wide open, then finally stepping through it. It wasn't a smooth ride though, there were times when I had the urge to run back out, but my intuition told me to stay put. I used positive affirmation, Angeltherapy, the Secret etc to help me through the tough times.

Life is a long journey, there will be challenges and obstacles in the way. Asking for help is a strength not a weakness. Light is always at the end of the tunnel.

Basil Does the Trick

Apparently, constipation is prevalent in the female population of Hong Kong. I have learnt this fact from more than one source - friends, relatives and the media. I was initially surprised by this piece of information, especially that I do not suffer from it at all (touch wood!). A quick browse in Louise Hay's dictionary of ailments finds that it is related to the difficult in releasing old ideas, being stuck in the past and sometimes being stingy. The corresponding affirmation is 'As I release the past, the new and fresh and vital enter. I allow life to flow through me.'

Perhaps collectively, these women are finding it hard to let go of their past hurts and are resistant to changes. I encountered a recipe from Spirit & Destiny which may be of help:

S & D, March 2009, p88

Basil pesto

Basil aids digestion and eases stomach cramps associated with constipation, so tuck into pesto if you're a bit bunged-up. A natural tranquiliser, basil helps the body relax, which also keeps things moving. Whenever you're in need, eating three spoonfuls of pesto - neat, tossed through pasta or spread on bruschetta - should do the trick.

Serves 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS

- 50g basil leaves

- 1-2 garlic cloves, peeled

- 25g pine nuts

- 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

- 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1) Roughly tear the basil and put into a mortar with the garlic, pine nuts and a little of the olive oil.

2) Pound with a pestle until the mixture forms a paste, or whizz together in a food processor.

3) Gradually pour in the rest of the olive oil, mixing together well.

4) Stir in the Parmesan. Can be served on bruschetta and salmon or mixed with pasta.

Let go Max! Let go....

I don't handle endings well.

I can recall quite a few incidents where I found it so hard to say goodbye that I just left the situation. This then left me with a bad feeling and the regret of 'I should've just said goodbye! I so wish I could turn back the time...'

Perhaps the universe is trying to make me stronger, so it keeps on sending me these 'ending lessons'. But every time, either I don't have the courage to say goodbye and regret it or that I do make the effort but then get criticisms from those around me. I think at the end of the day, the underlying lesson is to trust myself and ignore other people's opinions - easier said than done. Angels, continue to work with me!

Life Mission

The demise of Michael Jackson has sent a shock wave across the world.  For some, it is still hard to believe that the King of Pop has left the earth plane.  I remember it took me a long time to accept Princess Diana's death.  I was so convinced that she was hiding away in a secret location!

Over lunch today, I had an insightful discussion with a friend about identifying one's mission in life.  When you find your gift or talent endowed by the universe, all obstacles put in your path would seem illusional and easy to defeat.  I guess for the longest time, I had doubts of my own chosen career path.  Seeing others around me, gaining social respect because of how much they earn, did make me think I had made the wrong choice.  However, the economic crisis we are currently in has confirmed the fact that I have made the right decision.  I am doing what the universe has asked me to do.  Once you find your mission in life, all problems begin to melt away, or at least, would seem surmountable.  

Life is extremely fragile; living happily is ultimately more important than anything else.