My Last Post in 2010 - Joy of Receiving

The Joy of giving – better to give than receive. “All giving is an expression of joy. This is a great reminder. We give because of love, and we give without expecting anything in return. Give whatever you can to help others, be it may be time, food, consulting, services, money. If we only give with the expectation of receiving in return, we are missing the joy of giving. It's important to remember to give from our heart and not from a feeling of  MUST.

I learn to be independent from young age. I do the best I can not to rely on others for help. Ever since I used to have this mindset that whatever kind gestures I received from others, I have to return it back one day. I will only have peace in my mind after I have duly returned the kind gestures. I think I give more than I receive.

My students/friends gave me some souvenir each time after their holiday trip :) I cannot describe my joy thru this blog. I greatly appreciate in those little things. It doesn’t matter how small the gift is. It can be something as simple as a card or text message, but the excitement of receive each one of them brings a little delight into my heart.

My best friend gave me this book as one of my Christmas gift last week -  In The Sphere of Silence.  I felt joy in my heart. I went home and read it through the rest of the night and all through the next day until I finished it. I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed it! Among books that talk about the secrets of success, this is the only one that specifically deals with the importance of SILENCE. And now I can see much clearer in SILENCE and Peace. I end with a personal plea : don't stop writing, I felt ready to conquer the world, woohooo!! Thanks Vijay Eswaran. It’s time for me to move forward with what I want for my entire life. I highly recommend it to you if you need to change your 21st century Lifestyles.

Well, while it is better to give than to receive, I am willing to receive when someone gives in earnest. If I don’t, I deprive them of that warm, fuzzy feeling. I am now able to view the whole situation in a different perspective. When I receive/take, I’m actually giving the chance for my friend to enjoy the pleasure of giving and sharing. If done in the right spirit, giving and receiving are one and the same. There should be a balance in all things - Giving without expecting anything in return, and receiving with gratitude. I hope I am right to say so!

This will probably be my last post before Christmas 2010, since I’m trying to take some time off around the holidays. I'm excited! I'm looking forward to a break. I do have a lot of stuff lined up though for after Christmas and the new year, I will be back soon.

If you celebrate Christmas, I wish you have A Very Merry Christmas, indulge as much as you like, forget about work and then get ready to get back on it in 2011!

With much love!

December Update - New Newbie & Advance Class

Today I am cleaning my house and have been deciding what to keep and what to let go. Letting go of something I can’t have, letting go things that are not ‘MINE’ .  I am packing and getting things that make my heart just sing. 

I'd been wanting to go on an adventure, but had been so busy it just hadn't become a reality. It is a very hectic time for me when holiday mood sets in, especially  Christmas and  New Year. Oh….how sad  I never have a chance to walk down the streets of Orchard road this time.  I love the snow-themed everything and  I even love the non-stop playing of  Christmas music there. I don’t know how is the decoration for this Christmas. I hope it is not  too bright, I like decorations that create an atmosphere of winter.

Inspiration and motivation is coming at me fast and furious this week. Just yesterday I started a new beginner class for  every Sunday & Thursday. They are my new newbie!  I also started advance choreography for my senior students, 6 of  them really had fun with it. It was a lot of hard work, a lot of "wows". During  the 2 hours sessions, we just managed to dance for 32 seconds of whole track of 5 minutes music. I received the sms from my student after the class. She  told  me she is crazy fell in love with the music and my intelligence choreography. I think I always manage to surprise one another with the variety of styles and the quality of choreography that I come up with. They are my amazing students,  we're constantly learning from each other. I appreciated for what they do and the unique way in which they do it.

On a positive note, my attitude are more important than my intelligence. I see the reason why other can do, I also can do it, not the reasons why I can’t. I concentrate on my assets, that is  positive attitude to use my mind to create and develop an idea. Always develop  an ‘I can do it’ attitude.  So I put a lot of pressure on myself to work hard and believe in myself, believe I can do it. When I'm accomplishing some idea so I am super motivated. On the other hand, I read some articles about training, professionalism, career development and practical advice for dancers. It's definitely geared towards professionals which is great. I love it.

Many more private classes are lined up in the next few days for those who have always had trouble their turnout, they have to work on one-on-one technique sessions to get quick improvement. I say to myself,  doing something I  love and are passionate about and sharing it with others can be such a fulfilling journey, I loved to dance I loved to teach,  I'm glad I did. There is much to be thankful for!  

15 New Newbie in this class, a little crowded.

6  in  Advance, 3 didn't turn up.

My Wish In Advance

I am  declaring in advance -  My 2011 resolution is Healthy & Balance Life!!  Find a balance between the internet and those around me and take time to sit and have drinks/dinner together, not be so tied to a screen and a keyboard. For me my life is about connections connections with spirit and also personally. 

Somehow I’m  hoping for a miracle….. and I love to dream and think ahead, and DREAM BIG!!!  In my dream, move on – always look forward, it is my passion. Though obstacles get in my way which was holding me back from moving forward with my ideas. But,  I never  forget that I was supposed to be doing what I loved, and I made a decision that I had had enough. Life is too short,  I am convinced that simply to stop Thinking,  and start Doing!!  I know over thinking has only made things worse for me, both professionally and personally. My productivity mantra recently has been “Just do it.” Yay! Do it! Without dream and start doing  I will  not get what I  want.

I am  foreseeing I will be super doper busy in 2011! I am feeling lots of work piles up now. The music, the choreographs, organizing, dance communications and traveling. I am so excited! I am thankful that God has given me "spiritual gifts” , a desire and knowledge. He give me  roots and give me wings, he give me freedom to follow my  dreams,  I'm totally geared for the challenge now.

Here is the workshop I sponsored in 2011. Click  http://www.arabesquebellydance.com.my/flyer.html  for  2 days/ 11hours Workshop with Hadia in April 2011.

Please note :  Sept & Nov 2011 workshops are pending information .  You can't miss this event!!!! Payments, registration starting from May 2011.  For further details, please contact me!  

To read more about  Serkan Tutar,  visit  http://www.serkan.be/

To read more about Mercedes Nieto, visit  www.nietomercedes.com

Reflecting 2010 and Creating 2011

How time flies, we have left 3 more weeks for 2011 and am another year older. Sigh…so many ups and downs in early 2010. I cried non stop especially friendship, I really learned a lot about myself and my real friends. Very sad when people I thought were my friends, they leave me for the next best thing that comes along. Very sad when I gave myself unconditionally, without expectation, simply because I love them, respect them, care for them but then I was told that we cannot ball up and stand up for the friendship, sad that I’m simply not worth the effort. It broke my heart to think about, it still hurt! I admit I may not be the best friend in your world but I can honestly say I have the biggest heart, and I always sincere in everything I do. What a feeling of relief it is to believe that everything happens for a reason, I was firm on my decision, people change so I learn to let go, no one is 100% perfect!!

The holidays are here and so is the spirit of love, reflection, gratitude and giving. Fast forward in 2010, I am also thankful for being blessed along with joys and excitements. First, Thank you to all my students for your continuous support. I love you all! I'll continue to follow my passion to engage in both quality teaching in coming years. I make a list I want to teach next year. Must be determined what I want my students to learn and why. Make some of those determinations now before I turn my calendar to the New Year. It’s a long list and I need a couple of days to allow my mind to find these nuggets!

I dedicated myself to eating healthy and I had a very disciplined belly dancing & yoga. I took up an intense yoga practice every Tuesday. It was my "church". This was heaven for me because I was learning how to break the addiction of thoughts and just be at peace. My body - So happy I am still wearing the same size jeans that I wore when I was 28!! Yipppie! I am excited about new projects that I have planned up my sleeve. I am changing things up a little bit. This year I really made an effort to reach out and connect with more like minded people. I have found wonderful communities and I can see next year will be a better year! My heart is so joyous and I'm so proud to be working with the most amazing master on my projects. I'm humbled by the good will, the enthusiasm and professionalism of everyone involved. Thank you belly dancers/teachers/students. You Rock!!! More project coming up and  I'm committed hosting three wonderful master workshops, Yipppe!!Poster and details coming up soon!!

I had a chat with my student last night. I told her I am going to have another gathering before December 31st that I want to add “most fun” gathering. Too often fun gets sidelined, especially near the busy end of the year. I will not let it happen this time, make sure that we have some big fun before the end of the year.

My blog - I got some readers. Not a lot, but some. I got a little bit of traffic. There have been times when I’ve wanted to give up (and I actually did a few times). However, I’m still blogging. A few readers said some nice things about what I wrote. Thanks! I wish express my special Thanks for all the encouragement you have given me in the past (some thru my email & text sms). Facebook – I blocked some of friends from viewing my profile. Website - I start updating my website designed. I hope to have it up and running in the next couple months. Lot of writing to do!

Been reading a lot of Bible Study Notes, inspirational articles and touching stories recently. Sometimes, I would experience such gratitude that I would be brought to tears. But still I did not understand a lot of things but I do found a lot of things in there that supported what I believed about God. God created everything, he has the power to do anything and control everyone, but he give us freedom to choose between right and wrong, it was evident to me that it mattered a lot what I chose to do or how I chose to act. Deep down inside I knew that one day I would have to give an account for all my deeds. Yes, God sees everything and hears everything at everywhere. God loves everyone everywhere all the time no matter what. I promise, pray hard, work hard and trust God! 

Peace and Blessings to all.

When the calendar turns to a new year, it means more to learn,  change and improve.  A new chapter start, these actions will be like magic in my life.