www.faridarafique.com

Ear Candy: This Could Be Beautiful. (It Is)

Photo by F.Rafique
I am waiting for the next big wave of inspiration.
But in the meantime, there is no reason that I cannot share some music with you all.

Check out Metronomy's song "This Could be Beautiful (It is)". I find myself listening to them a little more these days. A  subtle eeriness, a mysterious undercurrent and even a simple hop skip; all essential when waiting for the next big wave.

Take a Listen HERE.

For Original Post visit HERE.

INT. Mini-Rant in a Minute

<vent>

Compassion is NOT a weakness. The ability to empathize is ONE of the reasons humanity is still going on. If you have a problem with "nice, "compassionate" people--than go screw yourself. Compassion is what is going to pick you off the side of the road, give you a drink of water, give you shade and a piece of bread to eat when you are hungry. ARGH.

</vent>

"You Do Not Hold Words in Ration"

I'm going to jump right in with my thoughts tonight. Here's a recent essay I wrote about growing up in your Thirties.

"You Do Not Hold Words in Ration"
by
Farida Rafique

Sometimes you find that what you learn in a short amount of time is more valuable, hefty, and revealing than all your life's lessons. It's a crash course into epiphany 101. Sometimes, you have so much of that to share with unknown friends and people that seem to know you, but there really is no platform or occasion to paste it out. Some of it, if not most of it, important for your own personal growth. You learn that how much your value is worth in actions and in words. You realize not all the time, every action receives an equal reaction. Sometimes you just find yourself in times of amazement at what you thought you knew and what you know now. Other times, you wonder how even in your thirties you can be somewhat of an innocent naive child; and struggle to accept certain defining truths. Cliche perhaps; but a blessing in disguise.

Time is never-ending, yet slipping through our fingers every millisecond. Here we are face to face with our deeds, our beliefs, our dreams, and our realities. Which direction do we go in? How much of our past history defines our present? How easy do you make it look? How high are your path to the top? How self-reliant are you? How much do you forgive? How much do you forget? How predictable are you? How mysterious are you? Who are You? Can you fit into a cush label? Do you seek to find your place in your brackets []? Does it matter? Has it always? Every body has a story. A story so complex, so layered, so different than yours, mine, the guy sitting next you, the lady eating across from you, and the person that just walked past you.

We say what we want to say, but not how you wish for us to. That is why we choose to speak in abstracts.* A code, a puzzle, a message, a thought form-still forming. When your head hits the pillow at night you know that it is your time that you are responsible for. You decide which direction to go in. How big is your heart? How open is your mind? How much do you believe in the power of intent? How much do you share in others' joy? How much do you console in others' sorrow? How often do you ask, "How can I help"? How often do you say, "Thank You." How often do you congratulate?

You do not walk away from everyday miracles. You open your eyes to the sun. You take refuge in air-conditioning. You sip from a filtered water pitcher. You do not give up on the heart's wishes. You do not walk away from a lost cause. You believe everything in this world responds to love and words of love. From trees, to television, to friends, to your Love, and even your Pet. Everything does indeed respond to Love.

You do not hold words in ration. They convey your thoughts. If there is anything left unsaid, it is not because there was not any time left. It is because there is nothing more to be said. Not such a bad thing necessarily. Silence speaks volumes.

Age is a label. Time is a measure. You have so much to learn. I read somewhere, "If you are not growing; then you are dying.". I will let You answer that.

-Farida Rafique

*We, the Collective We, as in Writers

We All Are.

-Farida Rafique
"You Can Quote Me on This"

Yet Another Simple Truth

Ideas need time to incubate. They need to be developed. Be patient with yourself. Ask yourself those questions that are still unanswered. What is your purpose? Whose it for? Why? Why not? How?

Sometimes it's okay to take a break from an idea and let it develop in the subconscious mind. Go out and explore. Don't invest all your energy into a block and fall prey to a rut. Let your idea develop. If after some time away you still have that passion you had when this brainchild came into being. You know you are trusting the process. Let it be and let it grow.

It works every time.
I'm breathing life into an old idea. Revamping it for 2009. I still have the eagerness to share that idea. I can't hardly wait. I'A.
-Farida

Celebrate (safely) Indie-pendence

Post It

Alan Watts

Writing Prompt: 07/02/09

File Under:

Writing Prompts

Agree or Disagree

Ponder

Quote:

The Different Drum

The letters are in bold type.

If it can be written, or thought, it can be filmed.

Stanley Kubrick

File Under: (see image)

File Under:
1.     color pencils, white paper, inner child
2.     coffee and journals
3.     outdoors
4.     You can Quote Me on This
5.     No rhyme or reason
6.     Just felt like coloring
7.     Was downloading songs and thought I would scan an image
8.     Crushing on my new Character
9.     Can't wait to come to an end
10.    Begin my first rewrite

graphic by ?

Saturday Morning HAHA

I am risking my rep. and sharing these videos. Seriously, how freaking ADORABLE is Keyboard Cat Fatso? I am almost tempted inspired to direct my cat Goldie in an upcoming video. Almost.

Links:
Keyboard Cat Fatso
True Internet Story: Keyboard Cat

Ear Candy: Live Long

Kind of folksy with just enough whisper. Enjoy.
xoxo
Farida

Photo by Farida

Summer child that sits by the water,
weaving sunlight threads in his hands.
The golden river that day a shelter,
a stream where he could make pebbles dance.
You looked around you,
nobody had taken,
any notice of what you saw:
Against the evening sky a formation,
a million black birds looking like one.
Live long, save ten years to remember,
live long, hold it in front of your eyes once more

-Kings of Convenience


Listen HERE.

Previous Ear Candy posts can be found here:
 http://www.faridarafique.com/splash/music/

What Moves You? : A page from a Mermaid's Diary

Dear Diary,
Today was a day filled with so many stories.
My mind is milling around with stories of real people and unbelievable circumstances. The stories are filled with fictional characters living real harsh moments. For me finding the shimmer in the collection of self-destructive decaying spirits seems to be an extravagant notion. The days of their lives not only test them but the Writer also. They test your faith, your existence, and your future. They do not explain; they reveal, they tell.
Do I share these stories?
The ink inside me affirms, "Yes, share those unnamed harsh moments. Share, those last minute miracles. Add to them your own ending."
The optimist in me knows the power of the written word has the incredible ability to foretell the possibility of reason.
A Writer merely is a messenger of thoughts and truths; A Reader, a Gatherer, and an Interpreter. Each one uses the truths towards their own advantage and utility.
What do I learn from their stories? Why do I keep turning the pages?
I am going to dwell a little longer on this thought.
I am going to gather more stories; come to better conclusions.
To be continued.

Still Continuing on the Path of Inspiration,
-Farida Rafique

Are we there yet?

Have you reached your goals? How far are you from achieving your '09 Resolutions? This post is your nagging friend, the doting Mom, the obsessive compulsive neurotic reminder that half of 2009 has passed. It's still not too late to get going on your Resolutions. You can still reach the finish line. So what if you have to sprint; you know life has built your endurance. Go for it.

FOR REAL; Rededicate yourself today. Commit to your goal today. It's not too late. I promise.

For those of you who live in a resolution free world. Rejoice. It's summer! Relax. Take some time to sun and smile the whole year through. :)

I've got a date with life. :)

Sharpie on Paper

"Sharpie on Paper." What is my medium? I found myself doodling today. I have a cherished collection of inks, sharpies, graphic pens and pencils. I am a total novice, an amateur doodler, a die hard sharpie lover. When I experience a creative block in my writing; there are usually two things I do: 1. free write  and 2. draw. [the complete list much later; need content for the future. ;)]
I don't have any agenda or idea of what I am going to do. I let my subconscious guide me and let my emotions flow. Sometimes it's just plain mind dribble, other times a telling stream of consciousness. The same is with drawing. I feel so alive just letting my marker go crazy on bright white drawing paper. I love movement. I love harmony. Movement and Harmony, friends in writing too. Every scene needs to lead and work in harmony with the next scene. Such are drawings that move in harmony. Lines paired with curves. Sharp triangles dancing with organic fertile leaves.  I used to draw all the time. Nothing too fancy; no formal training here. My moleskin notebooks and numerous journals consist of nothing more than patterns, designs, and words. An occasional cartoon too can be found. I wonder if all that was a good thing? Was I experiencing more creative blocks then? Hmm, something to revisit and ponder at a later time. Be still my hippie heart-all the hearts one can chuck up.

xoxo
Farida

Sharpie on Paper

Scanned.
Click to enlarge.

What is stopping you?

"I am infinite being. The age of my body has no bearing on what I do or who I am."

I absolutely believe that our soul life is in stages. We live here and we exit here to live somewhere else. Hopefully in a more peaceful and loving place. Therefore, it makes sense to realize that we are infinite in that sense. Life is measured in years on Earth, but measured entirely by different scale in the big picture of the Creator's Universe.
This affirmation really ties me to my focus when I need to be reminded that only I can limit myself. You are never too old to start anything. You are never too old fulfill a goal. You are never too old to give it all you got. At the end of day you have to remember; you have ONE life here on Earth. How do you want to spend it? Do you wish to carry regret? Do you wish to operate at 50%? Do you wish to share only a portion of you and your gifts? Give all of you. Share your blessings with those who need them and even those you might think may not. Start believing in everyday miracles. Age is nothing but a number, an excuse, a limitation. You are more than your age. You are more than a number. You have so much to offer. So much to share. So much to receive.
Time passed-forget about. Time-present, embrace it.
What is stopping you? (answer this in depth next entry).

-Farida

Affirmation courtesy of Dr.Dyer.

Continue with the "Thank You "

-Mark Nepo

On living a life inspired

-J Stone

What are you thinking about?

05/28/09

It’s almost tomorrow. My body is angry from pushing itself. My mind is exhausted from deadlines. My heart is overflowing with joy for many and a little sad about others. My soul is optimistic. My cell memory is rejuvenated. My intuition is spot on. My faith is my rock, my friend, and my coach.

Now my eyes are sleepy and my fingers a little weary.

Saying good-night to today and looking forward to tomorrow.

All in all a good day.

Thank You.

Thank You.

Thank You.

Farida

Test i-post

Words to end the evening with:
"Life is forever expanding...anything that's not growing is dying."

Go go grow!

Wordy: What is your motivation?

Wordy: Have you found it yet?

Award Winning Recipe

Pardon the cheesiness you smashing humans, it was just too good of a recipe to keep to myself.
xoxo
Farida

 

Click to enlarge or visit this image on my flickr page.

PS: You are welcome to share this image, as long as you provide the link to this post/blog. Share a "Sweet Idea".

Heart Meditation

Another mindful breathing exercise for you.

• Sit comfortably, eyes closed.
• Bring thumbs and forefingers together to form a triangle over your heart center.
• Exhale. Inhale through your nose for a count of 8.
• Exhale fully through your mouth.
• Repeat for several rounds.
• Lower your hands to your sides and ask yourself the question:

If my heart were planted, what would it grow?

• Sit with the question for a while. Breathe deeply as you visualize an answer or an image.
• Focus on the visualization.
• Breathe.

Benefits:

• Slows the mind
• Reduces blood pressure and heart rate
• Calms the entire being
• Promotes peace and serenity
• Brings you back to the present

Meditation courtesy of Yoga Deck.

Flexing the Mind & Body

Stretch the mind and stretch the body. For me Yoga is more of an exercise regimen with philosophy. I substitute my own words during breathing exercises. In fact the Islamic prayer is very therapeutic for mind, soul and body. The practice of dhikr is our own form of meditation.

You can see how when it comes down to centering ourselves in stressful times, Sufi philosophy, Yogi, Zen; all encourage us to slow down and pay attention to ourselves and more importantly calling on God. It brings us into the flow of life again. Our bodies are representative of our internal feelings. Many people ignore pain, stuff pain, or manage pain. Healing that starts with a decision in the mind, a call to Divine guidance, and eventually the dismantling of pain in the body; takes a more proactive role. You must do your homework to make the grades. Start stretching.

Often we decide to let go of pain and chaos in our minds, but our bodies take a little bit longer to catch up. Don't despair, keep at it. They will be at parallel tracks in no time. In exercise, in resistance training, in sweat, you challenge yourself-that energy you exert is pain leaving the body. That is change. Push yourself. Oh, and for the blessed Ones, who have maintained a healthy mind and body, don't forget when you value something you have to protect and nurture it. So continue to push down those walls, jump those hurdles and share your inspiration with someone who you think might appreciate it more than you.

Below are a few postures that are quite simple and easy to embrace. The postures are scanned from The Yoga Deck.

xoxo
Farida

Thunderbolt

• Sit in a kneeling position, thighs on calves, legs are approximately six inches apart.
• Face forward with arms resting gently on knees.
• Close your eyes or gaze at a spot on the floor. Breathe deeply.
• Rest quietly in Thunderbolt position.

I am fully present in my body, in the light of consciousness.

Benefits:
Promotes a deep sense of peace and serenity
Improves the posture
Provides complete relaxation

Bound Angle

• Sit with your back straight. Place soles of feet together; interlace fingers around toes.
• Roll shoulders down and away from ears.
• Lower knees toward the floor without forcing the stretch.
• Breathe deeply into the stretch.  Allow the grain muscles to relax a little more with each exhalation.

I recieve goodness. I radiate happiness. I am content.

Benefits:
Provides an excellent stretch for the groin muscles.
Improves posture
Increases suppleness in the tendons as well as the muscles of the knees and hips.

 

Listen to the Birds

A) C'mon now, there is no need to yell.
B) Kiss it out.

On Stories

Maybe there are only three kinds of stories:
The stories we live,
The stories we tell,
And the stories that help our souls
Fly up towards the greater light.
Ben Okri

You Will Never Know, Unless You Try. Go for it.

Go Ahead..

"Faith begins where imagination ends."
Soren Kierkegaard

Behold, the Blossoming

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
Anais Nin