The Sudden Breeze

Growing up, I've had the notion that being an introvert was a disadvantage. My kindergarden teacher decided to keep me for another year because I wasn't speaking or socializing with any of the other kids. Yes, I flunked kindergarden! Since then I tried to force myself to socialize more and be more outgoing although on most events I end up shutting down. Socializing has always been a daunting and overwhelming task unless it's with a few very close friends who I have strong connections with. But now that I look back, it just takes a longer time for me to adjust to new situations and to cozy up with new friends, even now. Recently, being able to accept myself as I am with every little quirks, has actually made me more relaxed in social situations, not putting myself in so much pressure to fit in. Today I came across this article on twitter that should make all introverts out there proud :) (although for Myth #9, I am actually an adrenaline junkie...so not sure where that put

Tomorrow morning, before you get out of bed, rearrange your mind to love the day. No matter what the day brings, accept everything without judgment. Instead choose to see the beauty and perfection of it all. Know that all challenges are an opportunity for you to progress. And the universe never gives you more than you can handle. - Kelly Howell

I came across this inspirational video from TED.com about Dr Hawa Abdi, a mother and her two daughters who are doctors in Somalia. They built a camp which now has 90,000 people, with 75 percent of them women and children. With only 5 doctors and 16 nurses they meet about 300 patients a day, perform 10-20 surgeries, and still has the strength to manage the camp and a school of 850 children. There are only 2 rules to enter the camp: First rule: there is no clan distinguished and political division in Somali society, anyone who makes it will be thrown out Second: no man can beat his wife, or he will be put to jail and never released. One of the quotes I loved: "...thing that I have realized, that the woman is the most strong person all over the world. Because the last 20 years, the Somali woman has stood up. They were the leaders, and we are the leaders of our community and the hope of our future generations. We are not just the helpless and the victims of the civil war. We

Since I was young I had this constant need to learn about spirituality or anything that can empower the mind, body and soul. From religious teachings, self-improvement books, reading the new earth to practicing the law of attraction, it seemed that I couldn't just constrain myself to one method of belief. I realized it's not actually an answer that I seek, it's the discovery of looking into life questions itself that I enjoyed. After having a little fall-out the past months, I laid in bed and I questioned myself... what was I missing in this process? I am trying out this law of attraction... made the perfect vision board, and attracting the romance, the finances, the new friends, but I couldn't seem to hold on to it long enough. It just passes me by... like a butterfly having a beautiful dance near you... giving you that moment of bliss, and in an instant it flutters off never to be seen again. In my mind there will be more butterflies that comes and goes. Was I wrong

"Mindfulness is basically this: Open your eyeballs to life. Clear your eardrums of interference. Give every single joy and annoyance in your day—be it a scrumptious Belgian waffle sliding down your esophagus or spam spilling over the sides of your e-mail in-box—your maximum attention. Stay out of the bike lanes marked "yesterday" and "tomorrow" and pop your wheelies in the present. Then hang this sign on the front porch of your brain: "No blaming, judging, and belittling allowed here." Life is happening in every breath. Wake up and notice it." - Michelle Burford Full article "The Happiness Experiment" here: oprah.com

...It is tempting to speculate that optimism was selected by evolution precisely because, on balance, positive expectations enhance the odds of survival. Research findings that optimists live longer and are healthier, plus the fact that most humans display optimistic biases — and emerging data that optimism is linked to specific genes — all strongly support this hypothesis. Yet optimism is also irrational and can lead to unwanted outcomes. The question then is, How can we remain hopeful — benefiting from the fruits of optimism — while at the same time guarding ourselves from its pitfalls? I believe knowledge is key. We are not born with an innate understanding of our biases. The brain's illusions have to be identified by careful scientific observation and controlled experiments and then communicated to the rest of us. Once we are made aware of our optimistic illusions, we can act to protect ourselves. The good news is that awareness rarely shatters the illusion. The glass remains