karmic bank

   
Although there were some wonderful films celebrated at the Oscars this year, one of the categories of film that I am drawn to are documentaries.  When I go to a film festival, I usually attend the screenings of films that are unlikely to get major international distribution...put together with very little money, but a lot of passion and a powerful story to tell.  The audience gets to experience and discover raw and interesting talent that hasn't been influenced by a major Hollywood studio or big budget marketing campaigns.

One of my favourite authors is Margaret Atwood.  Her ability to write stories with such layers and depth has been an inspiration to me both as a writer, and previously as a film maker, (her stories are beautifully descriptive and cinematic in nature).

{source}

One of her non-fiction books, Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth; (Anansi Press, 2008) a visionary book of essays about systems of wealth, justice, and reparation, was used as a narrative for a documentary that was previewed at this year's Sundance Film Festival.  

In her book, Atwood explores the history and meaning of debt, which is an especially poignant topic particularly for this moment in time where the economic world is in turmoil.  Her book delves into, what she considers, "the other meaning of debt, the debt of the the human spirit".  In an interview promoting her latest film collaboration, Atwood states that debt is not just financial debt, but a karmic bank...that we are indebted to those who have influenced us in the past (influenced with their help, their teachings or an emotional effect, positive or negative)

I like this idea of a karmic bank.  As much as we often feel grateful to those who have helped or taught us, sometimes we forget that we also hold on to the negative feelings inflicted on us which also influenced or shaped how we view ourselves today.  I often witness people who fixate on the negative, on the "revenge" of being done wrong...when bad karma goes around and around, it almost becomes never ending.  

But instead of allowing negative karma to continue, I like the idea that the act of forgiveness can help alleviate psychological debt or burden in that "karmic bank", and make one feel truly (debt) free.  And as difficult it is to forgive, it's like that feeling of trying something new for the first time.  You might be apprehensive at first but when once you take that leap, you'll feel the burden off your shoulders, and just might enjoy it.

Just let it go.

That's an idea that we can all bank on.

at the heart of valentine's day

{source: frugaldad.com}

As much as I don't like the commercialization of Valentines Day, I like the idea that there's positive benefits of giving to someone you love.  And to me, that's the heart of Valentines.

last year

"...live this year as if it were your last"

I stumbled across a book with this title, and discovered that many people have blogged about their experience of doing this...live and document a year in their lives as if it were going to be their last.  I thought it was an interesting blog concept..slightly morbid, but interesting.  Then I realized that unknowingly, this is something I think myself, and many bloggers have been doing sub-conciously all along.

Now, I don't write as if this is my last year.  But I think as a writer (especially one who likes to touch on personal stories), we write and blog to document all these wonderful moments in our lives.  We do this to remember.  And honestly, to re-live it.  To observe and bring light to small (and not so small) moments.  Then embrace and learn the lessons from it.  Then share them with family and friends, old and new.





And as in life, we don't know how long we will continue, but if we do, we will live our lives with purpose and meaning. We share our observations and dreams, not for fame, but for inspiration.

So it's with this personal note, I wish all of you, a very Happy New Year.  To remember the past year of smiles and tears ...embrace and learn from them, and move forward to laugh and cry, in 2012.

Happy NewYear!!!

left behind

I have to be honest...I haven't been able to catch up on my endless DIY projects, nor have I really experimented too much with new recipes (and I can't even begin to think about the piles of laundry, dishes and cleaning to be done).  Although I have been busy with the usual family activities, I've also been a little distracted because of one particular book I've been reading.

One day at the grocery store (of all places), I saw on the discount table, a few books that were on clearance.  I usually go to the library for my book reads, but one book in particular caught my eye...when I read the back cover, I knew I just had to buy this book.

{Source:  Notes Left Behind website}

Notes left Behind, is a national bestselling book that chronicles the journey of the family of Elena, a six year old girl with cancer.  A story of incredible courage of this little girl, and how she, wise beyond her years, left love notes to her family, hidden around the house as treasures to discover, after she is gone.  It's been a book that at all at once, has been difficult to put down, but at the same time, I find myself needing to put it down, to wipe my tears.

I now find myself thinking of this book when I feel myself getting getting mad or frustrated about petty things, especially around my children. Although we are very blessed to have very healthy and happy kids, I think the authors of Notes Left Behind would want everyone to treasure the miracles of everyday living....because you never know what the future holds.

This excerpt has particularly struck me...

"Time was plentiful before-or at least so we thought-and our priorities were different.  Cleaning, errands, and repairs were more important than time with our children.  These were our guilty pleasures and now there is no time left to waste....When will it end?  Will it ever end?  Who knows, but I hope I have to keep making these decisions for the rest of my life.  That's the curse of medicine.  You can diagnose the disease, but God keeps the time frame a secret.  I guess it's best this way to keep living and to see the importance in every action.  I see it now but only hope that the lesson will soon be over, and she will be cured.  Until then, every weekend, afternoon and morning will be different."


The notes that Elena left behind is an inspiration for all of us.  I often wonder what legacy I will leave behind someday when I am gone.

One lesson that is now ingrained in me is to accept that it's okay to now and then, leave behind the laundry, the dishes and the vacuuming just so I can spend a little more quality time with my family.  So that someday when I'm gone, what I really leave behind are things that matter.  Those special, magical moments.

{Shared this at these beautiful  parties...Centsational Girl }