Nada Más Que Amor: Lifestyle

Showing posts with label Lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lifestyle. Show all posts

It starts with surrender

May 14, 2021

Hello there, my love.

It's been 3 years since we've last connected and it feels like not much as changed in the past three years but as I go deeper and think back, a lot has transformed my life into how it is now. Waw!

Where to begin? From the start? No, I don't think so, otherwise this would be a long ass post. 

Let's start with one word, surrender

Disclaimer: Before we begin, I felt called to put a disclaimer. 
This is my honest truth, experience, and thoughts. It may not be the same as yours so if in any way this post makes you uncomfortable, I invite you to close this page and go with love in your heart.

The walking path

Since 2020, when the pandemic hit the world and as we all were forced indoors, I was one of those people who celebrated staying inside and having a socially valid excuse, without judgment, for not socializing with others. I have categorized myself as an ambivert so I generally enjoy being indoors 24/7, and zoom calls adequately served my need to socialize. 

Instead of attending Toastmasters meetings 3 times a week and going to cafes and brunches weekly, I had to find something of value to fill my time. It was around April 2020 when I was presented a program that put me on the path towards surrender and played a part into transforming my life—and I'll tell you now that it was not a clean path, it had tons of rocks, dirt, and all that nasty that I needed to get through in order to bow my head down in surrender. And I am still working on surrendering fully every, single, day. It's such a journey. 
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Do You Host Blame-Shame Parties?

December 21, 2018
Photo by Igor Starkov

Throughout these months, I've realized that I feel more in tune with my intuition than I did a year ago. I trust in it more and it feels like we're more partners than simple friends we were before. We've grown through mistakes and lots of crying, but I'm glad we're at this place where we're almost one.

Our trip to Europe was an adventure but, I do regret a few things. One of which was being too scared to really follow my gut to go out on my own because I didn't know the language. Being out with the group was hard enough but with their support and translating, I was able to get by. But my image of staying in a cafe, reading, writing, practising calligraphy didn't come to life because I was too fearful of making a fool out of myself in my pronunciations and if I'm honest with myself I do regret that part. 

The instant feeling of regret is blame but there is no one or nothing to blame at all. Why do we always want someone or something to blame? To feel better about ourselves? That never really works out, does it? It always brings up arguments and you'll fight back to make yourself feel superior to the other party. 

"Damn it, fear! Why do you always get in the way?"

Although you genuinely are superior to fear, by putting the blame to it, you're bringing yourself down alongside it. You'll feel awful and sulk in that blame-shame party for a bit and when something else gets your attention, you'll feel great! But when you think about that regret, dan dan dan, that blame-shame party starts again, like a cycle. 
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My Reasons for Feeling Uncomfortable with my Religion

June 11, 2018

Photo by Ryan Holloway 
Ramadan. It's the ninth month of the Hijri Calendar (Islamic Calendar) where Muslims around the world observe the practice of fasting from sunrise to sunset. It was believed that it was during this month that the Holy book, Qur'an was revealed to the final Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). A form of charity, compassion, empathy is doubled more so if acted upon this month because it is also believed to be one of the holiest months of the year.

It's the last week of Ramadan this week and I — am just going to say it without judgement — have only fasted once in my 24 years on this earth. That's right. I'm one of those "Chicken Nugget" Muslims who don't fast. And the reasons why? Well, let me break it down for you.

Disclaimer: This is my own honest truth, so it doesn't mean that it's the same for those who don't practice. Their reasons could be completely different. These reasons are my own. If at any point you feel anger or uncomfortable with this post, you're most welcome to close this page. No judgement from my end. 

Where it all started

When I was growing up, I was taught the Islamic religion. As a child, I used to pray at least weekly when my cousins would come over for some bonding, and we would pray together. It was a sort of bonding that is a distant memory that I only remember through flashing scenes and photographs from the past. But I think it was just a month or a few months in, and I stopped praying altogether.
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There are Miracles and There are Downward Spirals

June 4, 2018
Photo by JC Gellidon

Last year, I flew to Kuwait for the first time for a Toastmasters Workshop and had a disturbing experience. It was my second time travelling alone, and although it was another leap, it flew out of hand. I'm not going to go into details about that trip since that's another story to tell, but I will tell you this, there were tears, a cloud of negativity, blood stains, cramps, and anxiety attacks. It was a tough trip that I am ironically grateful that happened in a country that looked like home—legit, with flat houses, sand, sea, and dates trees which makes a typical gulf island. And this year, I had to fly back to Kuwait this May for another Toastmasters Conference, and this time, I flew with the intention of changing my perception of the country.

I had never felt so determined to do something as vague as changing my perception of a country. I mean, how can you actually force that to happen? You have a bad experience and it's out of your control, right? Nope. I had it all wrong.

I put my intention forward and surrender to your guidance and path.

I remember praying and praying, and I never thought that my prayers would be answered, but it was. For the most part. 
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One Way to Cope with Being Impatient

March 25, 2018

I have come to understand that I'm one of those impatient humans. When plans don't go as planned, especially when it comes to timing, you'll hear something fall on the floor, a door banging shut, or snarky comments about your tardiness. That's been me ever since I was a little girl — my family can testify to that statement. But the voice that always comes to me when I'm in this mood is my mom, "Patience, Nada, patience," she used to tell me that over and over again when I things wouldn't go my way. But, I've learned to cope with being impatient, and I'm learning to do so every day my patience gets tested, which was so hard!
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Truth Comes With One Post At A Time

March 23, 2018

Sooo... hey Y'all! *guilty wave*

Long time no write. Literally.

Every time I think that I'm ready to dive back into blogging, I go blank. When I have a good topic for a post, I go blank the moment I open up the "New Post" page. But today, I'm fed up. I want to get real with you all today and say this;
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A Little Bit About Yoga

December 18, 2017

As I write this post, it's been about five days since I practiced a full yoga routine, and before that, it was almost two weeks since my body got the stretch it needed to function happily. I like yoga; I enjoy the practice of it. It's become a part of me that doesn't shake off that easily. My body craves for the stretch, and my mind yearns to be calm amidst the madness we call life. Gah!
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Small Steps to Big Ones

September 11, 2017

I adore taking outfit photos. I like dressing up, meeting up with fellow blogger Shabana @ The Silver Kick Diaries, and posing in the middle of the street to take pictures. I like to show you all what I wore and how I styled it, it's nice. I feel accomplished when I do. But, honestly, it's been a struggle coming up with content these past few months—most of the year actually.
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Gratitude List: Yogi's, Travel Plans, and more

August 28, 2017

We're quickly moving towards the end of the year, can you believe it? So, I thought I'd write a gratitude post with the list of things I'm grateful for this month. I can't believe that by next week, August would be over and it'll be September. It scares to watch time go so quickly, next thing we know it, it'll be August 2018! Gah. Slow down a bit time!
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Tapping into That Comfort Zone

July 12, 2017

Since I got back from vacationing in Hong Kong and Singapore a few weeks back; which was great by the way, I have found myself doing things a bit outside of my comfort zone. What I thought I was used to and okay with, apparently I wasn't.
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Back in the Groove

June 21, 2017


You know those times when you need to do something and throughout the day you forget about it but when you go to sleep that night, you suddenly remember? So, you make a note to do it tomorrow morning or that afternoon, then you forget again, and the cycle goes on and on and on.

Sad to say, that's what was going on over here. Every time I remember about writing a blog post, the feeling of guilt would washed over me and I would force myself to sit in front of this empty New Post page on Blogger. And just like that page, I was blank. I would type up a line or two but it wouldn't feel right. I didn't know which angle to take or what I wanted to say.
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Why You Deserve To Celebrate

April 10, 2017

During those days when the confetti pops because you graduated from uni, you hit a target, it's your birthday, or simply just because, becomes a challenge when we need to convince ourselves that we actually deserve the celebration; the smiles, the heart-warming words, and all that cake.
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Accept What Comes

March 9, 2017

I've grown up thinking I was right most of the time. I never liked to be wrong, so much so that I would get angry and agitated whenever someone would correct me, even with the smallest things. I remember having arguments with my siblings about something that doesn't matter now, and I ended up being at fault and on the wrong side. I didn't like it. Who does, honestly? It hurt my pride and self-esteem. It made me feel like I wasn't good enough.

I was young, I didn't know how to accept that I can't be right all the time. I didn't understand how the word accept would fit in with emotion and willpower. I thought it was just a word they used for when you get accepted at universities or jobs.

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Time and Effort in Your Daily Do's

January 16, 2017

Time management. That's one thing the actually stuck from my Managerial courses at uni. I remember writing my first essay on time management and efficiency and used Starbucks as an example since I was hella obsessed with the aura that Starbucks give out. I still am too!

And since the New Year rolled through, I've been trying to keep my breakdowns aside and coolness alive with staying organized. I've been keeping track of my events, to-do's, shopping lists, and keeping my energy up with the help of my PlannersGoogle Keep, and of course, dressing well every morning.

We all get those weeks when we're just too exhausted to even dress well and do our hair, but let me tell you, it's worth it to make an effort. Even if it's just to slap on some lipstick to make you look alive or wear a color that brings out the color of your eyes. It really boosts up your adrenaline and confidence to walk high and tall like nobodies business. You go girl! (or guy!)
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Are You Ready to Give 2017 a Good Whack?

December 26, 2016

2016 ends in less than a week, we're wrapping up our accounts, ticking off the final things that need to be done, and giving our thanks to all who have made our year. But there is still quite a bit that needs to be done.

December marks a time of reflection and creation of new goals. What better to end the year feeling accomplished for the little things rather than dreary about the unfinished. So, let's do this together. Open up an empty Google Doc file, MS Word file, or go old school with a notebook and pen, and let's get to the finishing line.

So, are you ready to get hit by 2017? or are you ready to give it a good whack?
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Meditate Peace

December 22, 2016

I was reading Gabby Bernstein's book last night; trying to catch up to my Goodreads Reading Challenge. And I got to the chapter where she mentioned Maharashi Maheshi Yogi's prophecy. 

Maharashi theorized that when groups of people meditate together with shared intentions of peace, their alpha brain waves become synchronized. The coherence of brain waves then causes people who are not meditating to receive the same properties in their subconscious minds. – Gabrielle Bernstein, The Universe Has My Back

As I was meditating today, I recalled what Gabby had written and I began to picture that I was with a group of people. We were sitting and meditating peace. I could feel the energy oozing and goosebumps started to grow. I could feel something lit up inside me, no idea what it was but it felt great. I feel like it's one of those spiritual experiences that sort of stick with you, you know?
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Keep Your Passion Train Going

December 19, 2016

The colder it gets, the more I want to stay in bed with a nice cup of hot coco, and binge watch Empire. Alas, the bills and subscriptions must be paid, and the passion train must keep going! Choo Choo!
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Appreciate the Change

December 5, 2016

I found myself scrolling through Facebook one morning when I came across a status from a friend. It was a list comparing how she was in 1995 and now. When I asked her to give me a year to compare, she chose 2012. Looking back at the years that have gone by and comparing the successes of then and now, is such an amazing way to appreciate the change. So, for this post, I thought I'd see how much time has changed
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The Benefit of Love Notes

November 14, 2016


Do you have post-its around your desk to remind you to do what makes you happy? or that everything is going to be okay?

After I put down The Secret  years back and started to change the way I thought, the first thing I did was create a Vision Board. And when Pinterest came along, quotes with gorgeous backgrounds and intricate fonts came to play, gave me more access to some eye candy; not men of course. Lol.
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Your Moment in a Date Dress

October 17, 2016

Back when I was a hopelessly romantic young adult, I had purchased this dress with the idea of a casual dinner date in the summer. Now, still a hopelessly romantic young adult, a few years later, I've grown tired of waiting for the right guy so that I can wear this dress. One day, I decided to fuck it, this dress is cute, and I'm going to wear it whenever I feel like it. And from that day on, it has turned into something much more than a date dress, but a dress for all occasions.

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