Life Expectancy

Do you calculate how many years you've left?

I do.
The avarage life expectancy of Japanese women is 87 years old.
But I've lived in Ireland for the past 20 years, so I look at the the avarage life expectancy of Irish women, too, which is 83 years old.

So, I take the middle: 85 as my life expectancy.

85 - 44 (my age) = 41

41 years is the amount of time left for me.

Yes, I'm over my half way!
I know, I may live longer than 85 but I find it is a  good practice to check a realistic amount of time I've got left and see what I want to do for that time.

If I survive more than 41 years, that'd be a bonus.
I could die earlier than that. It could be tomorrow.
..............................

I was talking to my mother today.
She is 73.
87 - 73 = 14
Just 14 years!

I usually go home to see her in Japan once in two years or so.
Which means that I've got only 7 times left to see her.
..............................

I'm not talking about being pessimistic about life.
I mean, our morality rate is 100% anyway.
Looking at the reality of time I have left helps me to wake up and make actions for the list of things I want to do for the next 41 years.

🍎What do I want to do for the next 41 years?
🍎What can I do to make them come true?
🍎Who are the important people in my life?

The answeres change every now and then.
But I write them down and see what they are and where I am in relation to where I want to be in future.

Because looking at them makes me live.
Yes.
When you start thinking about death is the time you truly begin to live.

You can check the avarage life expectancy of your nations on this site! https://www.infoplease.com/world/health-and-social-statistics/life-expectancy-countries

Have you got a pen and a notebook ready?
How long have you got?
What do you want to do the next 40, 30, 20, 10 years?
Who are the important people in your life?

Will you start 'living' today?

Be Infectious, Go Viral!

This might be an off-putting idea for some.
But I will write it anyway.

In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, where the fear is playing a havoc in the society, I've wondered what would make me feel really strong both in mental and physical sense.

This is what I came up.

Here, I present you a simple mantra...

"I am the coronavirus."

It is NOT "I don't get the coronavirus." or "I fight the coronavirus." or "I hate the coronavirus."

But "I AM the coronavirus."

Yes, I become the coronavirus itself, rather than  being fearful about it.
But the important point is that I don't tap into the negativity associated with the virus.

Instead, I tap into the nature of the virus: how strong they are and how infectious they are.
And apply them with what I want to promote in the world; wellness, creativity, selfcare and peace.

When I say the statement, I can't deny the feeling of strength rose within me.

I mean, the coronavirus is literary the biggest 'influencer' in the society at the moment.

So, if you have ideas that you really would like to 'spread', the way the virus is working its way is...,dare I say, inspirational.

If you are an environmental activist who wish more people care about other creatures on earth and make changes,

If you are a peace maker who wish more people are willing to know about the conflicts around the world and take actions,

If you are an artist who wish to go 'viral' with your creations,

If you are a yogi who would like to promote the wellness in mind and body,

Why not to tap into the profound nature of the virus; rewrite, spread and stay strong, instead of being fearful about it?

"She has an 'infectious' laughter."
"His great music video went 'viral'."
"She is an 'influencer' in the world of environmental protection."

The words we are currently using in fearful ways have been used differently, too because those words are neutral; no negative or positive.

The energy is the same. The directions only exist. Which ways would you like to use the infectious, viral and influential energy?

We always have a choice.

Be influential, be infectious, go viral with what you believe to make the world more beautiful!

On The International Women's Day

I often say "Feminine nature is Power, masculine nature is Love."

It might seem a strange concept for some.
"Isn't it opposite? Women always seem to be talking about love. Whereas, men seem more competitive and into the power."

No.
The reason why women seems more into 'Love' is because THEY DON'T HAVE IT in their nature. (Well, they do have a bit. But it's not the main component.)

The reason why men seems more into 'Power is because THEY DON'T HAVE IT in their nature.

We are attracted to what we don't have in ourselves.
..............................

I often wonder men are more suited for parenting in nature.

Women seem to be too powerful to be bringing up a child.

I'm a mother myself.
And I must admit, when our son was smaller, the way I was protective about my son caused more stress than my partner's nonchalantly ways of caring about our son.

My powerful nature turned me into a grizzly mama bear who could not see a balanced view sometimes.

My partner may not be as careful as I am, but his spacey way of being around our son gave him more chance to make mistakes and learn from them.
And the love he gives to our son is the trust that you'll be ok even if you make mistakes. My partner's love comes through as the secure feeling that you'd be always accepted no matter what you do.
..............................

So.
I think women who are in politics or running her own business or in poweful positions in companies and being out there doing what they are passionate about, they are in the right places as long as our nature concerns.

Just imagine.
What is it like if the world leaders are all women?
We might chat a bit too long in bathroom between our meetings but I think the world would look differently.

Especially, we'd stop looking for the false idea of power that was created by men who didn't have 'power' in their nature. (I'm not dissing men, here.)

The idea of power we've had for centuries is the false image of the power.
Men don't have power in nature.
So, when they created the image of power, it came out superficial.
It didn't have the true nature of power.
And we, women went along with that false idea created by men.
We looked for the same things men looked for: by looking outside, by competing with others...

In fact, women have always had the power inside.

So, what is the true nature of power?

I think it is creativity and bravery.

Giving birth is a biological creativity and bravery (pregnancy and birthing can be still life threatening sometimes).

Looking at situations from different perspectives and making a change require creativity and bravery whether they are about financial or environmental issues.
..............................

For the day that's in it, I salute both to the powerful nature of feminine and loving nature of masculine.

For a long time, our roles have been confused.
I believe when we remember our true natures, our 'dream team works' will take us to infinite possibilities.

Accepting Your Quality

Imagine yourself as fish 'n chips.

But somehow, you think bolognese is more popular than fish 'n chips.

So, you decide that you try to be more like bolognese; you pretend you are a tomatoey, meaty, Italian dish.

People who like bolognese come close to you.
Your friends and colleague think you are bolognese.
Your partner thinks you are bolognese, too.
They will try to sprinkle you with freshly grated parmesan cheese and put a basil leaf on top of you because that's what bolognese is about.

But you are fish 'n chips in disguise.
There will be a day you can't bear being the cheesy, meaty mess any more because your true nature is vinegary, fishy crispiness.
So, you began showing your chips here and there.
One day, you will say to everyone...
"I'm fish 'n chips! Stop sprinkle me with parmesan cheese! Sprinkle me with vinegar! You should love me as I am! Fish 'n chips is also nice, isn't it???"

"......."


Well.
I think it's fair enough if they leave you then.
Because they were people who like bolognese. They might have nothing against fish 'n chips but they didn't know that you were not bolognese.
I could imagine the confusion when someone finds out that they were eating fish 'n chips while they thought it was bolognese all along...


There are many people who love fish 'n chips.
Believe me.

If you show openly that you are fish 'n chips, people who like fish 'n chips come close to you.
You become friends with fish 'n chips lovers.

You thought the stinks of vinegar would put off people?
No, no, no!
More you smell vinegary, more attractive you are to some!
Someone find your greasy newspaper wrapping really lovely.

You can leave the rest of people in peace; bolognese lovers, curry lovers and sushi lovers can go else where. Not everyone has to love fish 'n chips.
The diversity is a key to all the thriving communities on earth!

Any relationship is not about others.
It's about you; if you can accept your qualities.

Being Unreasonable is A Reasonable Behavior

When my son was throwing a tantrum, I used to try explaining how unreasonable his behavior was.

Now that I think of...

HOW UNREASONABLE I WAS!

Because children often behave certain ways with...no reason.

Ok, he might have too much sugar on that day.

Something might be triggered in him that I hurt him in the past.

I can try to reason his behaviour from the explanations in child psychology articles...

But also, they are the beings that they can go so far with a momental emotion so that they can not come back easily.

It's like a momentum temper driving them, nothing more than that.

In fact, I remembered the feeling in me as a little girl!

After a while, I didn't know why I was crying so hard.

After a while, I didn't know why I was pouting my lips and couldn't say sorry.

It was more of a physiological reaction based on sympathetic nervous system, 'fight and flight' condition... 

On those occasions, it is actually unreasonable of adults to request children to behave reasonably or understand the situations.

Because it is treating them like adults! 

They are two different matters: treating my son as an equal individual and treating him as an adult.

Expecting him to understand my explanations.

Expecting him to be reasonable.

Expecting him to deal with it calmly...

Little children are not meant to do that.

And yet, we adults request them to do that so often and praise the kids when they can do that.

"You are a good boy/girl!"

I found myself expecting too much from my son.

Just because he could.

In truth, a little child like him is entitled to be unreasonable, allowed to be 'childish'.

When a kid is not allowed to be a kid and being expected to behave like an adult, I think they can not be an adult when they grow up.

They still keep their inner child who weren't allowed to be childish when they were small.

.......................................................................

Other day, my son had a big disappointment.

My partner and I tried to console him and explained why the plan had to change. 

He wasn't having it and spitted on my partner's jacket out of anger. 

He was told off and asked to apologise. 

Our explanations and reasoning weren't making any difference in the situation.

Our way of looking at him with piercing gazes wasn't doing any favour to anyone.

I stood up to go to the bathroom (I was bursting!).

When I came back, I opened my arms and he rolled onto my lap.

I wasn't talking about him any more but talking about myself.

"I'm not good at saying sorry. But I think someone who could say sorry is super cool. Like a super hero. Really cool. So, I want to be someone who can say sorry."

I stopped expecting him to apologise.

On that cue, a little red face murmured "...sorry."

I wonder why I forgot the feelings from the time I was a child.

Why do I refer parenting guidances more than how I felt when I was a child?

Why do I look at the child rearing from the perspectives of a parent, not as a person who used to be a kid herself once? 

I have mare 6 years experience as a mother but have a full term experience as a child. 

My son doesn't have any problems.

He is just being a child as rightly so.

It is my problem if I see his behavior as problems; it is a little child in me that I need to listen to.

Bye Bye Inner Troopers

A coin always comes with both sides.

I feel a positive side of this coronavirus outbreak is that it's showing us the time to let go of our inner troopers.

Our inner troopers have been great.
They are resilient.
They put others' needs before your need.
They feel responsible for others' wellness. ("If I don't do it, who will?")
They helped us trudge through to get things done.

But.
This outbreak may be showing us that looking after ourselves are benefitting others' wellness.

In fact, we may not have to do everything we thought we had to do.
Asking for help is not against trooper's spirit.
Asking for help is often the bravest thing you can do.✨

Yes! This is the time to be brave enough to trust that things are being looked after at your absence.

So, rest if you are not feeling well.
It could be the best thing you can do for everyone.
And it gives a chance for others to shine; you know how great it feels to be able to help others?
Taking a rest is not only beneficial for you but for others to feel good about themselves.

And I think this is really the time to embrace our technology.
Online shopping, instead of going out to the shops.
Skype meeting, instead of going out to attend a meeting.
Working online at home, instead of going to the office.
Online lectures, instead of going to school.

Meeting in person can never replace virtual meetings. But for the time like this, technology is our big friend.
..............................

Everything comes with both sides.
The negativity of the situation is magnified at this moment.
But if we are willing to see the other side, we will find it.
A pinch could be a chance.

Wishing you all a restful weekend!

Infections & Mucous Membrane Health

As the fear of contracting the coronavirus (2019 nCov) seems to be making more damages than the virus itself in my home country Japan, I would like to write my thoughts on how to stay well in the midst of the outbreak.

🍎Rest
We overlook the importance of rest. The lack of sleep supresses the immune system and our body doesn't get the proper chance to recover, making us more susceptible towards infections. Infection-finghting antibodies and cells are reduced when we don't have enough sleep. During the sleep, the immune system releases the cytokines which are the proteins your body need when pathogenic microbiota is in the system.

🍎Eat Well
It's said that just a spoonful of sugar compromises our immune system for over 6 hours! Be mindful to include immune supportive foods, rich in Vitamin C, E, D, zinc, iron, beta-glucan and probiotics. Feed your gut microbiota with fiber rich foods, in particular, the water soluble fibers. They are called 'prebiotics' and the food rich in prebiotics are chicory, beets, onions, broccoli, asparagus, etc... Prebiotics have direct and indirect effects on how our immune system responds to germs. Anti-viral foods such as garlic, ginger, some herbs like lemon balm, cinnamon could be good oned to include in our diet, too.

🍎Look After Your Mucous Membrane
The mechanism of how the coronavirus infects our body is that the virus has the spikes which work like a key to a receptor (the lock) on the surface of our cells. Once the key opens the lock, our cell lets the viruse in. The virus messes up inside and moves onto another cell. The cell left behind dies.
As you may know, the virus is known to affect our resperatory system severely. Our resperatory system has a defence layer called mucous membrane. Lips, mouth, throat, nasal passages, middle ears have mucous membrane protecting against any pathogenic microbiota sticking to the cells. Nasal passage and the ear have also got cilia, tiny hair like structure, that trap the debris from the air and excrete out from the body or in to be swallowed (and killed by stomach acid).
For the mucous membrane to function properly as a protective layer, we need hydration. 💧Water, Water, Water! 💧
Hydration is crucial. If drinking water is hard for you, I'd recommend drinking herbal tea with antiviral & mucous supportive herbs.
To keep the water in the body, good fats such as Omega 3 and other essential fats are important, too. Our cell membrane is fat permeable. We have an old system where moisture and fat go with hand in hand.
Other nutrients that are important for the membrane health is Vitamin A, C, E, zinc, herbs such as mullein, marshmallow.
A humidifier could be a good thing to have in the office or anywhere with a dry atmosphere, particularly in this time of the year.

🍎Wash hands & Gargle
Simple practices of washing hands and gargling are vital.
But I'm weary of using too many antibacterial products.
First of all, coronavirus is a virus. So, antibacteria or antibiotics don't work for them. By using antibacterial products, we might damage good bacteria which protect our skin and membrane as well as pathogenic bacteria.
I'd go for washing hands with a bar of soap and gargling with water.

..................................

It is understandable to feel the fear,  especially if you have a compromised immune system or have elderly people in your life.
But the stress is also a huge factor for supressing our immune system.
I think none of the above tips are unusual practices for preventing any infections or leading healthy life styles.
I hope that coming back to the essentials with simple practices would bring back the ease of mind as well as the body. ✨🙏

..............................

P.s. *Addition*
Additional tip:
🍎Brush Your Teeth Thoroughly
Our mouth is a complex habitat of microbiota (with little corners, gaps and folds in the mouth). Each tooth is said to be a host for a billion bacteria. If you brush your teeth, you could reduce the number to around 100,000 per a tooth. The mouth could be mainly harboring bacteria and fungi, maybe not so much of viruses. However, if you have a weakened immune system or an absence of beneficial microbiota due to the use of antibiotics, it may make you more susceptible to infections in general. Whenever my family members are coming down with cold, I suggest brushing teeth more thoroughly than usual. Afterall, our mouth doesn't have cilia like nose or ears to filter the debris from the air coming in. Oral hygiene practices (brushing teeth, gargling, etc) help the mucous membrane in the mouth to be in a good form to defend from pathogens.

Not A Nice Person

Life is too short when you are trying everything you want to do.
But life is too long when you are making the excuses why you don't try things you want to do.

That's why I became a minimalist in my life. (Not my belongings...)

I don't socialise with people I'm not interested in personally.
I prioritize the sparks of joy and curiosity over the potential future benefits.
I don't spend too much time looking back the past, thinking "...I wish I have done/ haven't done that."

Yes, I know I'm not nice and I could be missing out.

But these things take up so much time.
And I know if I do them all, I'd use them as excuses why I can't try things I really want to do. (i.e. "I don't have time to make flower mandala today because I have to go to my client's party to get to know her contacts. It will be good for my business.")

Yes, I might meet interesting people by going to a party.
Yes, I might get business opportunities by doing freebies and promotions.
Yes, it is useful to review up to a certain point.

But I'm far too busy having fun doing what I want to do.
Writing this blog doesn't produce any money (no ads on my page) but I love doing it.
When I die, I won't be able to take money with me.
But I'll be grinning thinking about all the fun I had by writing this blog.

I don't have time for being nice to everyone and pounder for all the future potentials and the past regrets.
When things don't work out, I just say "That's too bad." and move on to next.

For the same reason, I don't have a hesitation to stop what I'm doing as soon as it doesn't nourish my soul.
I like learning about microbiota, making flower mandala, singing and facilitating workshops at the moment.
But if I lose interest in them tomorrow, I'd have no problem stopping them and do something else.

Because I know my worth is nothing to do with what I do.

What my worth?
The same as yours!
The same as everyone else on earth.

My signing teacher has been lying in bed motionless for years due to Parkinson disease but it doesn't mean she is worth nothing. Quite contrary, the fact that she is still alive gives me so much strength and hope.

My friend's daughter had a baby. Babies don't do anything useful for anybody but they are so precious and loved.

Your worth is nothing to do with what you do or what you don't.

Your worth is solid, permanent and uninfluenceable no matter what your job is, what mistakes you made in the past.

If you get up and brush your teeth, you're benefitting a tooth paste company.
If you bought yourself a cup of coffee, you're benefitting the cafe owner.

You're doing enough, no?
We all are walking benefitters, no?

If we're already enough, it's ok to do what we want to do for the rest of time, no?

I'm not nice.
I don't listen to people.
I'm a cold therapist. 😂

But my life really started when I accepted that. And strangely, I've got more friends since.

So, I like you when you are absorbed into your passions so much so that you forget to be nice to me.

❤️Heartburn ❤️

For the day that's in it (?), I'm talking about the heartburn (Gastroesophegeal Reflex Disease) today.

One of the most asked questions when I was working in health shops was how to deal with the acid reflux.

In fact, so many people are on the anti-acid medications in Ireland, including babies some times!

But when I explained the mechanism of acid reflux, people used to get all puzzled...
So, here we go.
......................................

❤️You Need Stomach Acid To Close Your Lower Esophageal Sphincter❤️

Your stomach is naturally very acidic.
As acidic as your car battery to be exact. (Ph 0.8) 🚗👀
That's because our stomach has to kill pathogenic microbiota as well as breaking down the food we eat.

It's amazing that this organ has a strong enough lining so that its contents don't melt itself! The contents stay safely enclosed in the stomach. The part that is responsible for it is the lower esophageal sphincter: stopping the foods to come back up.

This sphincter closes properly in response to the acid in stomach! 💡

When your stomach is not acidic enough for whatever the reason, it gets loose open and the acid (and the acidic contents) leaks back up. Your esophagus doesn't have the same strong lining like the stomach. So, your esophagus would be damaged (burnt by the acid), you have hear burn.

So, the anti-acid medication is questionable to me since what you need is your stomach to produce acid.

By lowering the stomach acidity, you are more susceptible to infections because pathogenic microbiota might survive.

Also, the stomach acid and Ph of the foods coming out of the stomach is a trigger for the certain hormones to adjust the ph of the foods to be more alkaline to suit the environment of the small intestine and encourage the beneficial microbiota to grow.
Also, various digestive enzymes are produced by the digestive organs taking a cue from the stomach acid. What a system! ✨
................................................

❤️How To Produce More Stomach Acid❤️

So, you might find anti-acid medications give you a relief but it might be a temporary fix.

We need our body to produce the acid so that the lower esophageal sphincter closes properly.

My suggestions are as below.

❤️Prepare the meals by yourself.
When you touch the food and smell the foods cooking, the sensory nerves sending signals to your brain. The brain sends digestive organs the signals saying "Food is coming! Be prepared!" Your mouth gets watery with saliva, your stomach begins producing the acid and the other digestive organs get ready with enzymes!

❤️Don't Drink Too Much Water Right Before/After and During The Meal.
Hydration is important. But drinking too much water before/after/during the meal dilute the stomach juice, causing slower digestion.
Sip water to moisten your mouth so that you don't choke on your food. But no gulping down the glass!

❤️Chew, chew, chew...
We eat too quickly! I confess I do, too! But, really, the digestion is like a domino. If it goes well at the start (in the mouth), it most likely goes well with the rest.

❤️Eat Bitter Foods Before The Meal
Rocket leaves, dandelion leaves, chicory, warer with lemon, etc... When we taste bitter, our digestive organs produce what they need to break down foods that come after. The reason why the bitter has been known as a great digestive aid in the west is for this.

A quick run through of what I think of the heartburn.

May your heart be burning with love, not with reflux! 

Happy Valentine's Day to us all! ❤️

Love and Relationships

For the week that's in it, I'm writing about love and relationships today.

Recently, a friend asked me what being in a relationship means to me.

My answer was 'I was given a chance to love myself as I am again.'

What I mean by it is this...

As a baby, I don't think I was apologetic about my nature.

I haven't seen a baby feeling sorry for their dirty nappies or waking up their parents every 45 minutes in the night.

They are just being themselves, neither happy nor unhappy about who they are. 

They cry when they are uncomfortable and they laugh...just because they feel like or their zygomaticus majour moved accidentally. (I don't think they feel obliged to laugh out loud for the funny face you made for them...) 

And they are loved! 

You know the way how the room lights up when a baby is in? All the eyes go onto them. How a little laugh makes us feel so warm!

Babies don't have any intentions to fix anything about themselves.

And they are loved as they are.

However.

As I grew up, there came the times I doubted the love I used to receive so freely.

Maybe the arrival of my sister. ("Now I have to share my parents' love with this shiny smaller being!")

Maybe my parents said something which I interpreted as 'they don't love me any more...'

And suddenly, I began making associations with what I was told as my undesirable features for the reasons why I was not loved.

Maybe my parents told me that I was untidy. 

Maybe someone told me that I was always late.

Maybe another person told me that I was not thoughtful enough.

And I thought I had to fix those qualities in me to be loved again.

So I did.

Voila!

As a young adult, I was a tidy, punctual and thoughtful Japanese woman who should be loved by everyone!

But deep inside, I was scared of people finding out my true nature. It was like a walking on a thin ice. If people knew 'the real me', they wouldn't love me. I was keeping an eye on myself not to make mistakes. I also tried to follow other people's preferences in clothes, make-up, behaviors in order to be a likable person by them.

I had romantic relationships during that time but they didn't last long as you can imagine.

Then I began going out with my current partner.

It was romantic and lovely at the beginning but again it got rocky quickly.

But this time, I realised why.

I was annoyed by him because he is untidy, late, unthoughtful but still loved by his friends and family.

(well, let's say he is tidy, punctual and thoughtful in his own way...)

How annoying is that!?

He was the manifestation of all the qualities I despised in me, which I had needed to correct in order to be lovable (and yet I still felt I wasn't loved).

But here is the person who is getting away with having those and still being loved so much!

Loving another human is different from having a romantic relationship.

Loving him means that I was given a second chance to love myself with all the faults, just as the way I am.

He is my mirror. 

Loving another human is a decision I make.

You can call it 'commitment' if you like.

The commitment that, regardless of my feelings and benefits, I support his happiness.

Loving him means that I wish him well and happy even if I know that I could be sad or gain nothing by what he chooses in life.

That equals to the commitment to myself: I let myself do things I'm passionate about even if I may fail or gain nothing by choosing to do so.

And the same goes to my son, my family and friends.

Nothing stays forever.

Even in my little family, I feel we are sharing parts of each other's lives for a mare few decades under the same roof.

We just don't know.

Maybe that's why I feel it is worth making explicit that I made a decision to love my partner, my son, my family and friends at every opportunities I can grab.

Happy Valentine's Day to us all!

Spring

I didn't feel the Imbolc energy on 1st February this year.

On the day, I was at my usual nest, Findhorn in Scotland; huddling with my tribe of singers as I do for the last few years. 

The ground still felt asleep.

It was 3rd of February that I finally felt St. Brigid spreaded her green cloak over the land. 

Over night, on the 4th February, I was in Spring.🌼

Interesting to know that this year is the end of the era where 節分 (Setsubun - the divisions of seasons celebrated in the East. The new season starts the next day) is celebrated on 3rd February. 

Since it depends on the ecliptic coordinated system, it will be a day early for the next 35 years.

I may blossom in the West but my root is still in the East.

If I see the Eurasian continent as a human face, Japan and Ireland are two ears listening to the sounds of the Earth.
I am listening.

As I arrived back home at an early hour of 5th February, I breathed in the sweet scented air to welcome the vibration of Spring in my body.

May you thrive in this new season in wherever you are and wherever your root would be. 🌱✨

🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

My upcoming workshops and courses.

🍎Voice & Sound Class : Friday Fortnightly (7pm - 8:30pm) @yogagorey. 90 euro/ 6 weeks, 17 euro Drop-ins. (Next one on 7th February)

🍎Femininity & Masculinity Within: Microbiota & Flower Mandala Making, 9th February (10:30 - 12:30) @yogagorey. 25 euro.

🍎Gut Instinct: Microbiota & Flower Mandala Making, Sun 23rd Feb, 1pm - 3pm Maureen's Cork. 25 euro

Talking About The Solders: Kids & Immune System

I love talking to my son about the immune system.
We call the immune cells as 'little solders'.

They really are like loyal solders.
They are trained by the set of microbiota given by me (mother) when my son was born.

🍎The major training was done by the time he was 2 years old but the solders keep learning.

🍎They learned the difference between bad guys (pathogenic microbiota) and good guys (beneficial microbiota) so that they won't attack the good ones or his own cells by mistake (=autoimmune illnesses).

🍎How some solders tag the bad guys when they find them to let others know.

🍎While one solder would eat up the bad guy on the spot, another would put it in a balloon and go around the blood stream to show off what he caught! Etc, etc...

🍎How a spoonful of sugar weaken them for as long as 6 hours but they also bounce back well if he eats well and takes good rest for the rest of time.

You can see his eyes shine and mouth opens with an astonishment, hearing all the complex actions his immune system takes. 😲 👀 ✨
And it's all to keep him well so that he can enjoy what he loves: scootering, doing crazy science experiments and running on the beach.

And the immune system is one of the systems that work and communicate closely with our microbiota. (Others are the nervous system and endocrine system.)

So, feeding the microbiota with right foods are the key to the harmonious environment for them (symbiosis).

But what is the 'right' foods for your microbiota? 🧐
Fibers and fermented foods?
It's true that they are beneficial to some microbiota.
But also, the microbiota keep sending us their order for nutrients they need through the vagus nerve as a form of "Mmm, I facncy a pizza tonight." Half a million messages to be exact.

So, really, it's about listening to your body: what foods make you feel good and not so good, when to eat and what amount.

My son is 5.
He is young but I feel it's never too young to start listening to our body.

🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

My upcoming workshops and courses.

🍎Voice & Sound Class : Friday Fortnightly (7pm - 8:30pm) @yogagorey. 90 euro/ 6 weeks, 17 euro Drop-ins. (Next one on 24th Jan)

🍎Inner Voice: Microbiota, Flower Mandala Making & Kirtan with Yasia. Sun 26th Jan (1pm - 4pm) Sold Out but a waiting list available.

🍎Femininity & Masculinity Within: Microbiota & Flower Mandala Making, 9th February (10:30 - 12:30) @yogagorey. 25 euro.

🍎Gut Instinct: Microbiota & Flower Mandala Making, Sun 23rd Feb, 1pm - 3pm Maureen's Cork. 25 euro

Life As You Believed It To Be

If you believe that life is a struggle, your life must be a struggle.

If you believe that nothing comes for free, you would always find hidden charges.

If you believe you are popular, you must be popular.

If you believe that you are lucky, you must be lucky.

Our life is exactly as we believe.
Our preconceived ideas are the bases of our perceptions. 💡
What we focus on do manifest in our world.

For instance...

When I got pregnant few years ago, suddenly, I began seeing so many pregnant women on the streets!

When I'm hangry, cafes' and restaurants' signs jump at me on the streets.

Today is all about cats; they are on the streets, on my FB feed and online news because I miss my cat.😢

It's not that the population of pregnant women shot up in 2013, or cafes popping up in the village this week or everyone is talking about cats today.

It's my perception of the world changes as my interest shifts.💡

And of course, your perception of the world is different from mine.
Everyone in your world could be talking about champagne and witchcrafts today.
Who knows?
We all live in different worlds.
..........................

So, it's no point for you to tell the person who believes 'life is a struggle' that it's not true and life is full of wonderful things.

Because it is true for the person that life is a struggle. No argument about that.

And also, it's not about whose perception is right or wrong, better or worse.

Just, we each live in the worlds as we believe them to be.
That's all.

A nice thing is that you can change the world you live in at this very minute, without changing your job, divorcing your spouses or moving to another country, but just by changing your focus.✨

Experience The Sound

So, when you are listening to the sound of waves at the beach, is it only your ears that experiencing the sound?

I don't think so.

When I really really pay attention to my body, and if necessary, destruct my ears by rubbing them with plams of my hands to create white noise, I begin 'feeling' the sound of waves in different parts of my body.

The crushing waves on the raised seabed in the  far distance are felt in my tummy, around the diaphragm with low heavy vibrations.

The sound of the waves approaching towards the shore goes on my left shoulder and quickly moves to the right.

And my face and head feel the thousands tiny bubbles busting on the pebbles at the shore.

While I'm feeling them all, my memory of 'how the waves should sound like' joins in the whole experience of listening to the wave, which adds a different dimension to it. (As we have selective eye sights, we have selective hearings, too!)

We do listen with ears.
But we use other parts of the body to listen without realizing much.

In my 6 weeks course of voice & sound class, we explore 'listening potentials' as well as our vocal potentials.
Finding our voice comes with listening to ourself: listening with compassion and openness.

........................................

My Voice and Sound class in on at 7 - 8:30pm, Friday fortnightly (the next one is on 24th Jan) @YogaGorey.
All welcome, no singing experience necessary.
90 euro/ 6wks, 17 euro/ drop-ins.
For booking, please contact Ruth on 086 7702840.

🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼🌱🌼

My upcoming workshops info.

🍎Inner Voice: Microbiota, Flower Mandala Making & Kirtan with Yasia. Sun 26th Jan (1pm - 4pm) @machayogastudio . Sold Out but a waiting list available.

🍎Femininity & Masculinity Within: Microbiota & Flower Mandala Making, 9th February (10:30 - 12:30) @yogagorey. 25 euro.

🍎Gut Instinct: Microbiota & Flower Mandala Making, Sun 23rd Feb, 1pm - 3pm @maureenscork in Cork. 25 euro.

Personal Experiences

                                     Today's dawn.

                                Today's Dask.

I was lucky enough to see the dawn and dask today. 

It might be nothing special for some people, but I felt I was more in tune with the rythm of the planet for it today.

My personal experiences are what matters to me most.

I may come across thousands expressions of beautiful dawns and dusks in poetry, painting and music, etc...
But experiencing them weighs lot more than knowing expressions.

Whether I find them beautiful, ordinary, incredible or just feeling freezing, they are all mine and all valuable.

I want to stay with my own experiences.

Have a nice weekend.

🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱

My upcoming workshops and courses.

🍎Voice & Sound Class : Friday Fortnightly (7pm - 8:30pm) @yogagorey in Gorey Wexford, Ireland. 90 euro/ 6 weeks, 17 euro Drop-ins. (Next one on 24th Jan)

🍎Inner Voice: Microbiota, Flower Mandala Making & Kirtan with Yasia. Sun 26th Jan (1pm - 4pm) Sold Out but a waiting list available.

🍎Femininity & Masculinity Within: Microbiota & Flower Mandala Making, 9th February (10:30 - 12:30) @yogagorey in Gorey, Wexford. 25 euro.

🍎Gut Instinct: Microbiota & Flower Mandala Making, Sun 23rd Feb, 1pm - 3pm Maureen's Cork. 25 euro

Bungee Jumping

When I picked the name of my company, I had two choices.

My Self Care Journey
My Self Care Adventure

The both came from the idea that self care can be fun rather than just a chore.

Both 'Journey' and 'Adventure' represent a path with good days & bad days and above all, 'we are on the way'.
..........................

We will never be perfect.
That means we just have to start somewhere as an imperfect self.

"I don't have enough experiences."
"I don't have good enough qualifications."
"I'm not good at speaking in front of people."
"There are so many people who do what I do better."

All of the above may be true.
But still.
You need to start somewhere.

With crumbling speaking, shaky legs and drumming heart, you make a first step.

I call it a bungee jumping!✨

You might pee in your pants or embarrass yourself and swear you'd never do it again.

But.
I'm telling you what effect it has on other people who see you bungee jumping.

Aside from what you sold to them, they got to see you jumping off that cliff!
They saw your bravery to try something you've never done before but believe that it works.

Isn't it the gift itself?🎁
You might feel you're in bits but you are showing others that they can do it, too.

I've received some gifts like that in my life.
And boy, what amazing gift they were!
The reason why I'm here doing this work is because of those gifts: inspirations.

So, if you haven't tried what you really love to do yet because you are scared, I would like to congratulate you.

Congratulations! You've got a big chance ahead of you to inspire many many many people by making the first step.

The people who play safe all the time won't have that chance!
It's only you who have a courage to follow your gut.

For that reason, I will keep bungee jumping for the rest of my life: challenging something new that there is no promise it's going to be a success.

Success is not as simple as 'Msking lot of money = Success'.

Your magnificent fall could be an inspiration for someone to be brave like you to try their dreams. 

We just don't know.

We are all on our journey.
We'll know the final result when we depart this earthly body.

Till then, we keep walking with these trembling feet, shaky hands, and speak of our dreams with sparkles in our eyes.✨

Me and Religions

It's been a while I post on this blog.

(I post regularly on my business Facebook page if you are interested in reading them.  My Self Care Journey )

........................................................

The festive season is upon us. My son (age 5) talks nothing but Christmas these days. 

However, he goes to a non religious school.

So, he's learnt about Diwali, Hanukkah and other religious celebrations in the world as well as Christmas since he started the school last September.

The way he embraces different religious celebrations made me think about my own religious background.

"What is your religion?"

I don't get asked the question that often but when it happens, it takes a moment for me to reply.

It is not because I'm an atheist.

On the contrary, I went through 4 different religions at the earlier stage of my life.

My parents respect all religions they've encountered in their lives.

But Buddhism and Shintoism (originate in Japan) are the two main religions they've been following. Since Japan has the long history of 'Shared practice in Shintoism and Buddhism (神仏習合)', I think it is a common enough style for many Japanese people.

When I was about 7, I was sent to a Protestant Sunday School by my parents. They didn't have any intention to convert me into a Christian. It was just because they thought it was a good idea for me and my sister to learn something different from the academic subjects.

I was given a bible which was a book with the smallest font I had ever seen in my life. So, I didn't read it. But I can still recite Lord's Prayer off my heart from the years I spent there. And I used to pray before I went to bed and asked for forgiveness from God. I think that was my earliest memory of the idea that someone invisible watching me and that I could not hide any bad behaviors. 

I found the church was dark and cold and had a strange smell. We didn't have a pastor but had two pastoresses. We had an old lady with a middle aged daughter first and a new pastoress after the old lady with a daughter retired. All of them spoke softly, looked pale and not so expressive.

We sang songs but none of the songs were like the ones we sang in school or at home. They had beautiful melodies but the lyrics were strange to my ear.  Again, I can still sing them to this day. I did the Christmas play, too (Me = shepherd, my sister = a sheep).

My visit to the church got less frequent, as I began to get too 'busy' on Sunday mornings by watching an American sitcom 'Different Strokes'.

Instead, I began getting interested in Buddhism sutra when I was about 11. One day, I found 'The Heart Sutra', the most well-known sutra in Japan, printed on the back of a flyer in between the morning news paper. All written with Chinese letters with Hiragana (Japanese) on the side so that I could read them all. What strange sounds they were when I read them out loud! Gya-tei-gya-tei-hara-gya-tei-hara-sou-gyatei!? I had been always fascinated by listening to Buddhist monks' chanting whenever I sat in temples. I couldn't detect where their voices were coming from.  It felt like the vibrations shook every bells and tapestries in the room.
I decided to memorise the Heart Sutra. I can still recite most of the Heart Sutra to this day. I like the philosophical approaches even if I feel Buddhism is a male orientated religion. (When Buddha was finally persuaded by Ananda, who was his cousin and had accompanied most of Buddha's journey, to allow women to be Buddhist monks, he said that Buddhism would extinct 500 years earlier by allowing female monks.) 

Apart from the sounds of sutras, I also appreciate many Buddhism practitioners' perspectives. I like how the religion encouraged us to search inwardly, rely inwardly rather than looking externally for inspirations. 

Then, I worked as a shrine maiden at a Shintoism shrine between 17 to 19. I was helping the priest at the ceremonies and the festivals. I liked the shrine maiden's outfit.  I liked the idea that every objects on earth have gods inside them and their sacredness lies in nature. So, the real sacred part of any shrines are actually not in the buildings, it's the forest behind them. I liked that the gods and goddesses are quite like humans - they get angry, grumpy and holly. It is a harmony in chaos just like nature itself. Unlike Buddhism, I feel Shintoism is a feminine religion. Amaterasuohmikami - the Sun God, the protector of the country, is a goddess (although there is a new study revealing that she could be male lately.) 

The priest at the shrine was short tempered, middle aged, overweight man whose father wished him a good wife to look after him. I don't know what happened to the shrine now. Almost 10 years ago, I went back to visit there. It looked abandoned. I spent a little while there alone to pray. I had a strange experience after that but that will be a story for some other times.

And then, I came to Ireland and stayed in a student accommodation in a suburb of Dublin for 2 years. It was run by Catholic nuns from South America and Spain. I don't know what you'd imagine when you hear an accommodation run by Catholic nuns in Ireland. But the sisters there were so much fun with groovy dance moves and life stories to change my image of stereotypical women who go into religious life. One of the new things I experienced there was a curfew. If you didn't make it to the curfew (around 12am), you have to wait until the door is unlocked at 6 am the next morning. If you call the sisters from the disco that you are coming back in the morning, it's no problem. But if you don't call them, you are in trouble. I remember waiting outside of the door with inmates for few hours after coming back from a party. So, the curfew wasn't there to protect the students. It was there for the students to take responsibilities of their actions. There was no sense of over protectiveness. And it was interesting to witness the sister's approaches to the balance between business and faith. It was done lovingly, a matter-of-fact-ly and boldly sometimes. I still have great photos from a long summer's day we all got on the sisters' wagon and went to a beach. Sisters all took off their shoes and run into the sea lifting their habits! 

....................................................

I agree with some parts and also disagree with other parts in all religions I've encountered.
One thing I can say is that I've appreciated who they are than what they preach when I met each religious practitioners.
I don't know enough about the teachings of all 4 religions I mentioned above. But I opened towards those who were kind, loved a bit of laugh, missed their families, made mistakes sometimes and forgave; their human qualities. And I saw their Gods when those very human qualities shone through them.

Would I wish I had had the one and only God to believe in my life?
No, I don't think so.
I feel I'm a lucky human whose life has been enriched by meeting all different religious practitioners.

Wake Up. You Are Amazing!

Sometimes, I'm overwhelmed by the urge to grab your shoulders and shake.

"You are amazing!"

The way you underestimate yourself is a joke.
I'll tell you what I mean.

..............................

You eat breakfast every morning.
Do you know how many people skip breakfast? Getting up early enough to eat breakfast means you care for your wellness.
Sometimes, you even cook porridge for breakfast instead of corn flakes.
OMG!

What!? You read a book on the way to work?
These days, so few people read 'books'. Many are just happy with reading online articles here and there.
You are so bloody intellectual!

You hummed your favourite tune as you make yourself coffee.
Do you know how humming has a direct effect on the vagus nerve?
You are doing amazing favour for your inflammatory condition.
What? You didn't know?
You must be a natural born healer or something...

You cooked dinner for your family.
Are you a reincarnation of Mother Teresa?
You could have just ordered a take away on Monday night, but instead, you cooked not only for you but for the entire family.
You must be a saint.
Hm? What's this light?
Is that a halo I see behind you...?

You went to bed early.
That's like the best self care you can give to yourself.
You're looking after yourself so well.
You set your priorities right.
So wise.
You don't need me (therapist).
I call you the Self Care Yoda.

You flushed the toilet.
How considerate you are...
In my household, I'm the only one who flush the toilet.
You are so thoughtful.

You said hello to your colleagues.
You don't know what your 'hello' means to people. Most of us are too busy to say it or just ignore others.
You lift people up.
You must be an angel.
Better give Francis a call in Vatican at this stage...

You gave a hug to someone today?
&%#@+=3!?*
Are you God?
I must be talking to God.

..............................

Wake up.
You are amazing!

Young People These Days

I'm 43 years old. Whether the age is considered young or old, it's up to individuals to decide.
But it is safe to say that I'm at the 'middle' age.

All my life, I have been one of the youngest of most groups I belonged to.
Choirs, poetry club, tanka (a Japanese poetry) club and circles of friends..., I was the baby of the groups. And I liked the status very much!
(Even when I was a small kid, I preferred hiding under the table listening to the adults' conversations than playing with other kids!)

My uncle, my teachers and other interesting adults taught me valuable lessons in different areas in life and I'm forever grateful for not only their knowledges but also their generousities to let me follow them wherever they go.
And, that still continues.
I have some older teachers that I still would love to follow everywhere they go like a puppy. 🐕

However.
Recently, I got few occasions to work with younger people; starting from as little as 5 years old up to early 40s.

And I was constantly dazzled by their talents, open mindedness, innovative minds, flexibilities and abilities to look for the essence rather than decorative packages or superficial matters!

They were my singing teachers, the participants of my workshop, and people whom I studied together, and of course, my son.

If I'm Nokia, they are iPhone 11.
Love Nokia's stability but also love all the fun and technologies iPhone 11 can offer, too!

Up until few years ago, I used to look side way and think scornfully "I can't connect with younger people..."
How shortsighted I was!
Anyway, what was I going to do when I'd be 95 saying "I can't connect with younger people..."?
Most of older people will be under the graves by then.

The younger people I met have welcomed Nokia-me with open arms and listened to me open heartedly but I felt so many times that I didn't have to explain much to them.
I felt they've already known how to connect with their gut and their intuitions.
And if they want information, they have better access to it than Nokia does.

Then, I wondered what I can offer them as an older person.

My answer is to show them how I fall and how I stand up again!

That's I can offer.

After all, what I was ashamed of as mistakes in my life might not be just useless failures.
I could be a living proof that we all have invisible safety belts that we would be ok whatever happens in life!

I received many messages from younger people since my workshop. And I'm ever so happy to hear about them and also looking forward to share my magnificent falls and the experiences of getting back on track.

As a sturdy Nokia, I still have a lot I can contribute for younger people.
But for lot of other things, I'm ready to knock their doors for inspirations.

Life is A Journey To Collect Evidences for Our Beliefs

Yes!

It is a journey to prove what we decided to believe is 'correct.'

So, if your belief is 'I'm not lovable',
you'd look for evidences that could prove your belief is right!

🌱He hadn't returned my call.
🌱I wasn't invited.
🌱She slammed the door.
🌱I was ignored by them.

You can't settled for 'He must have forgotten.' or 'The wind was so strong that the door closed too quickly.'
Because you are on the journey of collecting the proofs that 'you are not lovable.'

But we often don't realize that we are on the proof-collecting-journey. 💡

So, we make efforts.
Here, you make efforts to be 'a lovable human'.

🌱Being understanding of others' needs.
🌱Prioritizing others.
🌱Trying to sort things by yourself when you really can do with some help.
🌱Being the last person to stay to clean up.

People appreciate your kindness.
But their appreciations don't resonate in you deeply.

Because.
Your belief is 'I'm not lovable.'

So, it's the path that you have to keep making efforts without fulfillments.

No matter how much people tell you that they love you and that you are wonderful, talented and kind human being, it doesn't resonate in you.

Because.
Your belief is 'I'm not lovable.'
..............................

The good news is you don't have to make that efforts anymore! 🎊

You just need to rewrite your belief.

'I'm loved.'
'I've always been loved.'

It's not easy.
But everytime you collect all your courage to find the proofs of 'I'm loved' (I call this process 'Bungee Jumping' 😂), you rewrite your belief firmly.

🌱Ask for help.
🌱Prioritze your needs.
🌱Say 'No'.
🌱Leave the gathering first and leave the dirty dishes to someone else.😂

It's not the efforts we need.
It's the courage that we need.

What would you be collecting these evidences for?