Constantly Seeking Inspiration

You Just Have To Be The First One

"You just have to be the first one. Be a leader, be the guinea pig or be the sacrificial lamb.

There will be a time when you will be the first one out of your circle, your friends or family to go through (for a lack of a better word) shit obstacles.  It’s okay.

You won’t be able to go to anyone for advice. I mean you could. You won’t be able to confide in anyone. You could, but you rather not. If You can't crack the code on your own; then you might as well accept the mundane norm. It is the journey.

You will have to make your own way. You will have to fight your own battles,spark your own ideas and fuel your own soul.You will have to unlock those doors yourself. You will most definitely have to seek far beyond your current state of being.

Let me remind you it’s okay. You have yourself. Because it’s YOU, you will overcome it. Then and only then, is when, you will write about it, share it, or perhaps even inspire. You will be the first one. It is okay. Be the leader. Be the innovator. Be the sculptor. Be different. Be You."

-Farida

File Under:

"You Can Quote Me On This"

Here Comes September

3 months left till 2010. Can you believe it? I can't. The year has flown by and frankly, so many changes in my life; consisting of  epiphanies, perseverance, diligence, faith, tears, smiles, gains, and losses. Man, this has been an eye-opening, life affirming year. Guess what? It's not over yet. That's right you have 3 more months to make something go. I have learned much, and I have taken some heart breaking times and turned them into lessons I needed to learn. There was no way I would have learned or toughen up with out enduring a little. I am grateful for those moments. Oh, and not to shock my readers with an emo post, but I just want to blurt out; "I forgive it all." I am letting stuff go. Delete. I sincerely believe every good action is rewarded in life and often we find ourselves giving to some who don't appreciate it. Call it optimism and hope that keeps your actions aligned with your heart.

Sometimes you are put in the position of supporting, cheering, and celebrating first. Because You believe all beautiful moments are on a divine clock for each individual. Oh well,No regrets. All you can do is honor your truest self; after all you know you best. You and the Guy upstairs. 

I have learned lately through my writing that I am an indeed a soft, yet strong person. I feel and I share. My life is a journey of expression. That is my purpose in life. To share messages of hope, triumph, humanity through various mediums. I am not a robot. I don't run on auto-pilot and only use exclamations points.

Not every day is super-out of this world amazing, but it is a gift and is amazing. It is amazing. Health, jobs, shelter, are gifts-indeed. That's what makes those days that we have to do ritual tasks and work- wonderful days, because they are part of the process. Your life started at Point A the journey to Point B is always a colorful one. Excitement, contentment, fulfillment, beauty; all is subjective.

So anyways, yeah, this seems more like an end of the year post, but for me, it marks a new beginning. I know I tend to be cryptic, but I like to call it private. Plus, I hope that my vague references can be applied to you too. Because our lives have central themes. Right? I am excited for September. I am excited for all the newness I am about to embrace. I am eager to explore my destiny even further. Yeah, I am doing the homework, [homework in reference to the student of life metaphor], keeping the faith, and sharing the best of me. The H and I are working hard, and can't wait to share with you all. September, You rock.

xoxo

Farida

Twitter:        @adiraf
Tumblr:         DIGITAL BIN

personal blog:  Constantly Seeking Inspiration

A Mermaid's Evolution Part 1: Eight Psychological Types

One of the first books I bought when I got into Psychoanalysis was, "Introducing Jung" by Maggie Hyde and Michael McGuiness. I highly recommend this book if you never heard of Carl Gustav Jung, and want to learn about archetypes and myths. I was lucky enough to work with a Jungian Psychoanalysis back in 2003. At that time in my life I was interested in making sense of my writing styles and other areas of my life. Needless to say, it opened many chapters in my life and opened my mind to a whole other world of creative exploration and meditation. It was also when I realized that my archetype was the "Mermaid". I am sure you have taken notice of my Mermaid fondness in my blog, "Take a Dive, Make a Splash". (You have if you have been following Farida blog since 2001 ). Seven years later, I am out growing the "Mermaid" archetype in my writing.

I am not sure if I will keep the title of my blog, considering I want to whole-heartedly focus on my new calling and central theme in life. Which, I am still exploring; this time without the guidance of a Mentor, but through my own writings and meditation. I am eager and excited about the uncertainty of the new muse/theme/archetype I will channel into my work. Only time will tell. You do have to keep an open mind however, when approaching this subject. It is easier to understand and hard to explain, if you don't already get it.

I am sure I will journal more about this process in the near future. One observation I have made in my life recently is, that how in some areas I have become so much stronger, and other areas where I was titanium, have softened up a bit. I am sure these lessons are in preparation for something greater. I can feel it in my bones, in my cells, and in my mind.  I don't share as much as I used to. Do not get me wrong, I still share my blessings, good thoughts, and wishes. It's those candid thoughts, the almost private thoughts, that I used to freely share, I sometimes miss. I am definitely more guarded in more areas of my life. The experiences in the last few years of my life have proved themselves to me.

Writing is such an outlet. More than a passion sometimes, but an expression. Whether or not, I have readers or not, the idea of putting it out there is freeing. Although I cannot lie, it is always nice to know I have readers. It makes it all the better. I like to think all the "matter" I cannot share concretely, I spread through out my writings and characters like layers.

Writers, at all levels are creating something from themselves. It is  selfish, it's maternal/paternal, it's proof, and it's a living testament of their life. Good or bad, a writer's mark is made with every punctuation and paragraph.
Words don't die. They live. Maybe discreetly, under folders, in flash drives, in leather bound notebooks, scratch pads and even post its. They live on forever.

More on this matter later in part 2. In the meantime, I scanned a few pages from the book. The book is filled with entertaining illustrations of the different psychological types. Take a look and enjoy. Oh, one more thing, you can click to enlarge the image.

With Love,
Farida Ansari Rafique

 

 

5 minute journal: Click. Click. Click.

*a quick journal post, on the fly.*

-Farida

Click. Click. Click. Switch- static-Click.

 

“Sponge”, me? Yes, that is so. That is what they call, Information overload?

Please make room for some more data. The universe is expanding and you are growing. Filling up space, it’s not hard, just different. Pardon the simple words. They are from the heart; they say what I feel, and nothing more.

 

Rhythm is present in everything.

Flow is beautiful.

Share some more? No mystery here, just rather be unclear.

Energy never dies. It is the law before it was a title of an album.

I maybe late to the party, but according to my watch I am on time.

 

Crossed off would be items. Met my episodic for the first time. Loving it deeply. Can’t wait to share it with the world. It is created. This is where I start speaking in abstract.
Not much fun to figure out. There is nothing to figure out, if there is no inclination to.

 

The past is certainly not part of the present. No need to delete. It is all saved in my leather bound notebook. All etched in my head. What I didn’t say has been typed out, and the lines to be delivered.

 

For the lovely souls I met along the way. Couldn’t say it enough.

What I have learned in my short time on terra firma, is what you give, give, give, you do receive, receive, receive. Not always from the ones you gave to, but in mysterious ways, ways of the Creator, ways of the Universe.

You do, sometime receive a lesson or two, but those too, are priceless; gifts. I think you would agree too.

 

Be who you are, and nothing less. You are one of the kind. You can only be your own best. The higher the goals, the unthinkable the goals to some—all the sweeter it will taste when you get there. Be steady. Keep steady. Keep the faith. Soon, everything falls into place. Work is not work, when it’s passion. Every step is a step towards a fulfilled purpose. Each deadline, each roadblock, is a new growth. It is an opportunity to learn and be in charge of your own path.

 

No one ever got to his or her destination without doing some individual work. It’s so.

Life is what you believe it to be. “Crunchy granola, anyone”?

 

Flip flip. Scan. Scan. Scan.

Highlight. Underline.

Type. Type. Type.

Read, absorb, read, time alone. Study time. Make it so.

You are a sponge. This is information overload.

Expand your mind. Grow.

This is indeed Time.

No better time, no past time, any future time.

Represent yourself. 

The time is now.

Dialogue

HERMAN BLUME
What's the secret, Max?

MAX FISCHER
The secret?

HERMAN BLUME
Yeah, you seem to have it pretty figured out.

MAX FISCHER

The secret, I don't know... I guess you've just gotta find something you love to do and then... do it for the rest of your life. For me, it's going to Rushmore.

for scene video click HERE.

Wordy: Taking Risks

"So what if my telephone is turned off again at home? Or my electricity is shut off?  Or my credit cards canceled? If you don't bet, you don't have a chance to win. It's so silly in life not to pursue the highest possible thing you can imagine, even if you run the risk of losing it all, because if you don't pursue it you've lost it anyway. You can't be an artist and be safe."
Francis Ford Coppola

Dialogue

"A couple of hundred years ago, Benjamin Franklin shared with the world the secret of his success. Never leave that till tomorrow, he said, which you can do today. This is the man who discovered electricity. You think more people would listen to what he had to say. I don't know why we put things off, but if I had to guess, I'd have to say it has a lot to do with fear.
Fear of failure, fear of rejection, sometimes the fear is just of making a decision, because what if you're wrong?
What if you're making a mistake you can't undo? The early bird catches the worm. A stitch in time saves nine. He who hesitates is lost. We can't pretend we hadn't been told. We've all heard the proverbs, heard the philosophers, heard our grandparents warning us about wasted time, heard the damn poets urging us to seize the day. Still sometimes we have to see for ourselves. We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today's possibility under tomorrow's rug until we can't anymore. Until we finally understand for ourselves what Benjamin Franklin really meant.
That knowing is better than wondering, that waking is better than sleeping, and even the biggest failure, even the worst, beat the hell out of never trying."

Dr. Meredith Grey

"Grey's Anatomy"

Wordy: August 7, 2009

Anais Nin

I appreciate it. All of it.

Really wanted to say this today. I know I feel this way more than I say it. So if you stumble upon this post, please don't glaze over it. I mean it. Thank You.

Why? Everything that has happened up till now has been a part of my process. I wouldn't change anything ever. All the highs, all the lows, and all the in-between times are blessings. One million and one blessings. I wouldn't change one hurt, one single challenge ever, because it prompted growth.

Am I being mushy? Do I care? Does it matter? Just wanted to thank every being in my life up till now. The biggest being, the Creator, and all the Love I have ever experienced.

I am truly grateful. So Thank You. Did I close a deal? Did I create life? Did I make a profit of 15 million? Did I see miracles? Every day is a miracle. Every day is a day that speaks volumes. A day that has added to my dialogue, to my characters, to my message and to my being. Too abstract to understand? Do you read on the surface? Do you read in between the lines? Do you pick apart paragraphs? Do you deconstruct thoughts? Do you peel away layers? Think.

Gratitude. Plain and simple. I chose to express it more externally today. Why you may ask? Why not? They say a smile is contagious. I'm coining gratitude contagious. Let it spread like a field of flowers. Let it grow in our hearts. Remember, (oh, and I remind myself this too when I need it) it can always be worse. Focus on what's right, what's in control, what is working for you. Work on what's not and keep your eye on the prize, your mind on your goal and your heart open to gratitude. You will never be at loss when you share and you know you are being taken care of. Share, trust the process. Share your good thoughts, your sympathy, your help, your ears, your smile, your knowledge, your job leads, your intent, your miracles, your wealth, your spirit, share.

Abundance recycles in so many ways. Ways that work in unexpected ways. Miracles happen over night. Solutions appear in your heart. Will stronger than ever. Believe. Your life is your process. Don't concern yourself with the popular vote, the safe way, if you have that passion, the desire, it will all fall into place. Risks involve faith. Win big, risk big. If you don't get the outcome you expected, it's what is best at the given moment, that will in turn lead you to other better paths. But it won't make sense now. Trust it. Trust the process. Share. Say Thank You. Smile. Keep Charging ahead. Don't despise small beginnings. Keep the faith. Keep charging ahead. Share. Say Thank You. Smile.

It's about time I share my feelings about my own theories more publicly. How life works (well, I'm student for life, so that's a work in progress ;) )How it synchronizes meaningful coincidences in your favor; when you least expect it. Those are times that you just sit back in awe, and say, "THANK YOU".

Wanted to throw this out there. A thought that I usually don't share, but hope in time you will see what I am trying to do not only for myself; but for others who are out there living the process, keeping the faith, and charging ahead. Good Luck to each and every one of you. Wish you much success. Remember when you do get there to share, say Thank You, smile and Keep charging ahead.

With love,

Farida Ansari Rafique

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

Feeding..

Growth is a funny process. We are all growing at a different speed and level. Are we growing apart? Or are we evolving? I have been dealing with the theme of growth the last month. My life is different now. A combination of choices made by me, and the destiny dealt to me. I now know what I want, and how badly I want it. It might be late for some standards, but not mine. I refuse to throw in the towel. My dream is a baby I gave birth to a long time ago. It's growing up and its needs to be nurtured by me.

Farida

Space holder: See You Lovelies Next Month

"Life is beautiful

life is hectic and full

life is on the verge of happening

life is heading towards destiny

life is playing itself out every second, right now, this very minute, this exact breath. 

Thank You God."

xoxo

Farida

I've Been Riding "This" All Week

Been riding this "thought" all week. It just makes sense. It can be applied to anyone. I mean you can apply this to lovey dovey stuff, work stuff, health stuff, money stuff, goals, etc. You get it?

I can go on and on with this "thought", this mantra that I have been bill boarding everywhere. Heck, I could have made t-shirts. Oh, let me tell you, it's not an original thought. That's right, it's shared, it's inspired, it's lived. Aren't all thoughts really connected? I believe in pure innovation, but believe thoughts are interconnected and inspired.

I guess I should get to the point, considering its 1:30 am on a Friday night before my out-of town Guest arrives, and I still need to frost the orange chocolate cake I made. A cake that will probably look a little lopsided but taste damn good. Because it's all about substance baby. Isn't it?

Orange you say? Yes, orange because it's a little unexpected, a little MOD, a little off the road. Even cakes have their own personalities. Never met a  Coconut Cream that I didn't like. Seriously, stay away from the Red Velvet, total hater. For real. That cream cheese frosting; watch out!

Yes, that "thought" I have been toting around with my other old found wisdom. What to make of it?  I am telling you, I know too many good beings sitting in their homes watching a ticker tape  parade. Pondering, wondering, lingering, and sometimes even, yes, even, dreaming. Oh no, not the "D" word! Dreaming, when did that become so bad? Who is the Brazil Nut that attached the unattainable value to the word "Dream". Can I wiki it?  The dictionary defines it as: a strongly desired goal or purpose b: something that fully satisfies a wish.
I think we should all be Dreamers again. We should all be born again Dreamers. Dreamers Have feelings too {put that on a bumper sticker!}.

Which almost brings me to my "thought", remember it's an inspired thought. It running through like minds as I type like bursts of electricity. The thought is zipping through the universe. (Think mini fireworks of neon pink and yellow, if you are the visual type).

I  must warn you it's rather simple. Not much to it. But, it's one of those simple yet powerful phrases that when read at the right time, it makes sense and puts things in motion. Provided the right time and right frame of mind.

"There is no better time than NOW. Go do your thing! The Time is NOW."

It made sense to me this week. It's confirmed. *Click* *Light Bulb* *harp*

xoxo
Farida

Are You an Autodidact? Self-Taught?

I really love the concept of "self-taught". Go out and Explore! Take the initiative, use your potential, and surprise yourself.

Don't let fear or outdated notions hold you back. Find what you love and just dive in.

Your passion will be your greatest coach. Be a student again.
Being a student without a looming graduation deadline is more refreshing. Unleash your creative blocks and just go with it.

Want to dive into photography? Start snapping away and learn from your own work. Join a community. Want to cook authentic Chinese food? GO out and buy the stuff already and get cooking via Internet recipes. Just start something.

Want to belly dance? Put in your favorite slinky inspiring grooves and let yourself move.

Golf? Tennis? Pottery? Piano? Pastries? Oil Painting? Sewing? Knitting? Acting? DO it.

Sound cheesy? Let me say this again, "You don't have to be an intellectual snob to excel at what you love. Let your passion be your coach." Trust it and trust yourself."
Need some formal instruction? Have time to spare? Books and leisure learning are always there. Do it. Do it today!

xoxo
Farida