You know you are free when you don't compare yourself to anyone. Not just anyone, but no one.
When you accept that you are where you are simply because there is learning along that path,
My affirmation would be:
'I cherish every experience life throws at me and learn.'
Oh boy, do I make mistakes? Even when I know the outcome. But the words keep reoccurring: 'Haldita, Be Kind.' It only sometimes works with everyone, but I only beat myself up if I understood. C'est la vie! Life goes on.
Now, back in February, my carnival seasoning began in Sao Vincente, with our group of eight who had travelled from across the globe, adding up in numbers at each event, were driven back and forth to the tailors, set in a run-down house along a tight alleyway, for costume fittings to take part in the carnival. There was no time for the beach! How is that possible?! A table of twenty of us gathered at a late lunch under the sun (or umbrellas for most) at the St o André fresh fish restaurant in the middle of nowhere, near the airport. It was such a jolly day, full of smiles and happy faces. Great memory; meeting the elegant ladies from Egypt, the Cap Verdean birthday girls and their families and friends. The fabulous Alia with a see-through lace dress that only she, with her statuesque body and skin, could carry. Sitting next to Woody, with an afro wig hairdo and massive glasses, having photos taken. My dear friend and travel companion Donna managed to rid herself of a nasty cold by drinking water, ginger, lemon and honey from the bucket and pulling a brave face at all times with a smile. And there was the loveable Flint, amongst others.
The following day, Getting prepared for a carnival was not to be taken lightly; we rushed to pick up our costumes that morning behind an open van and came back to the hotel to dress up and meet everyone back at Clarice's house who had been in charge of organising it all. We managed to walk there in small groups as and when ready, to be greeted by friendly smiles all the way up to the top floor of her home and waited in queues for the make-up artists to do their paint magic on our washed-up faces. All very excited, we joked and laughed in a great atmosphere while Clarice ran up and down to offer us all the help needed. Once done, we hung the metal piece supporting orange feathers on our back, headgear similar to what the Queen of Shiba might have worn, hand and ankle cuffs made out of cardboard, and finally made it to the pedestrianised streets now jammed with people. All glittered up on high heels, we finally gathered together again and walked to the designated area at the end of the carnival line.
There was something magical about taking part in the Cape Verde carnival.
The photos here were from the first afternoon of the celebrations. On the last day, I carried the golden masked stick in one hand and organised the headgear with the other most of the time. I tried hard to unsuccessfully mimic the Portuguese song we were meant to have learnt on the first evening (not!) and only managed the word 'carnival' when due. The freezing evening did not bother us due to the excitement and warmth of the crowd standing in support on both sides of the streets, cheering.
The people of Cape Verde were warm and welcoming. The islands are charming and still untouched by tourist traffic. I am grateful to Woody, who made it all possible. After a hectic week in Cape Verde, it was time to return to London. I had one day to rest and one to pack for my next memorable trip to Italy again. I appreciate every single moment of my life. My gratitude is constant all the way.
Now... To Anthony Robbins.
Since it is relatively fresh in the mind, let me reflect on the four-day (each twelve-hour long) seminar I attended at Excel's convention centre with a massive attendance of 7,700 people, as quoted many times by Tony at his 'Unleash the Power Within' event; a rock concert at most! The workshop was intense as Tony, with his 6'7 presence and influential persona, grasped everyone's attention on the first and third days and showed how we can change our lives by believing in ourselves and our dreams. The power of the mind. There was a vibrant atmosphere with loud music and words to inspire the crowd. With all the exercise, dancing, walking over a fire, plus the long hours Tony conducted the seminar, with hardly any break, I lost most of the weight gained in Italy! Joseph McClendon took over the event for the rest of the time.
Tony's mention of billions (in dollars, of course) and his billionaire buddies hanging out in his resort in the Fiji islands and his castle in California, built of many dissembled ones, may have sounded somewhat egoistic, but he was there to hammer his story of success into the audience's brains and prove the absolute possibilities; everything is possible.
Boy, if anyone says I swear, the number of times the effing word was thrown in the air could have filled an air balloon lifting a whole house!
He mentioned that words are tools to express one's emotions and that using unacceptable ones is more effective as a shock tool. On the first day, Tony prepared us mentally to walk seven to eight steps on strips of red hot lit-up coal, followed by a cold water hose poured on our feet, straight after the parade on fire. We were told to take off our socks and shoes in the auditorium, walk barefoot in the thousands out in the open air, shouting out the words 'Yes, Yes, Yes' until we reached the queue, then look straight ahead and do the walk. I did not find it necessary to pick up the certificate offered for 'walking on fire' as it was a personal experience that I have nothing to prove to anyone, as I have earned the certificates while studying. Must admit, I was not terribly impressed by school in my days. Like, 'Why do I've to study physics?!' As one example.
The school of life is what interests me. The only break here happens during meditation, the highest way of tapping into universal energies. We allow it to take its course, with results beyond our limited beliefs and to levels beyond our imagination.
When miracles happen (however big or small), believe them, smile and move on. You have nothing to lose.
Oh my! I must stop as I look up to see the moon smiling at me...
Watching the rounded full moon shining bright,
Through a glass roof, I'm humbly mesmerised beneath.
Patches of grey appear as landmarks on a map,
On a shiny moon glittering in a navy sky,
Clouds gently stroking it in transparency,
On their journey to the unknown future that beholds them.
The full glory of the night is all I have to observe,
To feel the blessings and gratitude I owe the Lord.
My God is your God, and your God is mine
We are all one and One for all.
You know how my mind wonders!
Oh well, to cut this short-ish, the Tony Robbins experience was... An experience!
On the third day, I met a tall, good-looking Italian dude and enjoyed his company as we paired in, sharing moves from high fives to heartfelt cuddles, dancing and laughing as we absorbed Tony's messages of hope. It was pretty weird behaviour when, on the last day, the Italian made no attempt to even say hello! I thought: 'Hey dude, honestly, I've no interest in you. Get off your high horses. No need.'
Oh well, each to their own.
Confirmation of what I practice generally, my intake from the seminar was:
'Have faith.'
'Go after your dreams and think Big'
'Good is the enemy of Great.'
'Trade your expectations for appreciation.'
'You are your rituals.'
Basically, his message was, Be Outstanding!
He talked of growing up in poverty and how he made it to the top by persevering in helping so many accomplish achievements beyond their expectations. Even if momentarily for that period of time, he touched many. What intake each took and how that developed in their lives once they left the seminar and got enrolled back into the everyday routine of daily life is a thought.
What I loved about the inspirational Joseph McClendon, who took the stage on the second and last day of the seminar, was the man's humbling confidence. He looked terrific for his sixty-two years.
His teachings were:
Become your own best friend. Your fan.
Admire yourself.
You are awesome!
Trust it. Believe it.
"I freakin' Rock!" Keep telling yourself. This is what Joseph got us shouting time after time.
"I FREAKIN' ROCK!
When you accept that you are where you are simply because there is learning along that path,
My affirmation would be:
'I cherish every experience life throws at me and learn.'
Oh boy, do I make mistakes? Even when I know the outcome. But the words keep reoccurring: 'Haldita, Be Kind.' It only sometimes works with everyone, but I only beat myself up if I understood. C'est la vie! Life goes on.
Now, back in February, my carnival seasoning began in Sao Vincente, with our group of eight who had travelled from across the globe, adding up in numbers at each event, were driven back and forth to the tailors, set in a run-down house along a tight alleyway, for costume fittings to take part in the carnival. There was no time for the beach! How is that possible?! A table of twenty of us gathered at a late lunch under the sun (or umbrellas for most) at the St o André fresh fish restaurant in the middle of nowhere, near the airport. It was such a jolly day, full of smiles and happy faces. Great memory; meeting the elegant ladies from Egypt, the Cap Verdean birthday girls and their families and friends. The fabulous Alia with a see-through lace dress that only she, with her statuesque body and skin, could carry. Sitting next to Woody, with an afro wig hairdo and massive glasses, having photos taken. My dear friend and travel companion Donna managed to rid herself of a nasty cold by drinking water, ginger, lemon and honey from the bucket and pulling a brave face at all times with a smile. And there was the loveable Flint, amongst others.
 |
| An abandoned ship, a tourist attraction |
 |
| The view from our hotel room at Sao Vincente |
The following day, Getting prepared for a carnival was not to be taken lightly; we rushed to pick up our costumes that morning behind an open van and came back to the hotel to dress up and meet everyone back at Clarice's house who had been in charge of organising it all. We managed to walk there in small groups as and when ready, to be greeted by friendly smiles all the way up to the top floor of her home and waited in queues for the make-up artists to do their paint magic on our washed-up faces. All very excited, we joked and laughed in a great atmosphere while Clarice ran up and down to offer us all the help needed. Once done, we hung the metal piece supporting orange feathers on our back, headgear similar to what the Queen of Shiba might have worn, hand and ankle cuffs made out of cardboard, and finally made it to the pedestrianised streets now jammed with people. All glittered up on high heels, we finally gathered together again and walked to the designated area at the end of the carnival line.
 |
| Our flying wings |
There was something magical about taking part in the Cape Verde carnival.
 |
| Carnival Time! |
 |
| First day at carnival |
 |
| Loved the straw skirts! |
 |
| Flying bicycle (not entirely)! |
The photos here were from the first afternoon of the celebrations. On the last day, I carried the golden masked stick in one hand and organised the headgear with the other most of the time. I tried hard to unsuccessfully mimic the Portuguese song we were meant to have learnt on the first evening (not!) and only managed the word 'carnival' when due. The freezing evening did not bother us due to the excitement and warmth of the crowd standing in support on both sides of the streets, cheering.
The people of Cape Verde were warm and welcoming. The islands are charming and still untouched by tourist traffic. I am grateful to Woody, who made it all possible. After a hectic week in Cape Verde, it was time to return to London. I had one day to rest and one to pack for my next memorable trip to Italy again. I appreciate every single moment of my life. My gratitude is constant all the way.
Now... To Anthony Robbins.
Since it is relatively fresh in the mind, let me reflect on the four-day (each twelve-hour long) seminar I attended at Excel's convention centre with a massive attendance of 7,700 people, as quoted many times by Tony at his 'Unleash the Power Within' event; a rock concert at most! The workshop was intense as Tony, with his 6'7 presence and influential persona, grasped everyone's attention on the first and third days and showed how we can change our lives by believing in ourselves and our dreams. The power of the mind. There was a vibrant atmosphere with loud music and words to inspire the crowd. With all the exercise, dancing, walking over a fire, plus the long hours Tony conducted the seminar, with hardly any break, I lost most of the weight gained in Italy! Joseph McClendon took over the event for the rest of the time.
Tony's mention of billions (in dollars, of course) and his billionaire buddies hanging out in his resort in the Fiji islands and his castle in California, built of many dissembled ones, may have sounded somewhat egoistic, but he was there to hammer his story of success into the audience's brains and prove the absolute possibilities; everything is possible.
Boy, if anyone says I swear, the number of times the effing word was thrown in the air could have filled an air balloon lifting a whole house!
He mentioned that words are tools to express one's emotions and that using unacceptable ones is more effective as a shock tool. On the first day, Tony prepared us mentally to walk seven to eight steps on strips of red hot lit-up coal, followed by a cold water hose poured on our feet, straight after the parade on fire. We were told to take off our socks and shoes in the auditorium, walk barefoot in the thousands out in the open air, shouting out the words 'Yes, Yes, Yes' until we reached the queue, then look straight ahead and do the walk. I did not find it necessary to pick up the certificate offered for 'walking on fire' as it was a personal experience that I have nothing to prove to anyone, as I have earned the certificates while studying. Must admit, I was not terribly impressed by school in my days. Like, 'Why do I've to study physics?!' As one example.
The school of life is what interests me. The only break here happens during meditation, the highest way of tapping into universal energies. We allow it to take its course, with results beyond our limited beliefs and to levels beyond our imagination.
When miracles happen (however big or small), believe them, smile and move on. You have nothing to lose.
Oh my! I must stop as I look up to see the moon smiling at me...
Watching the rounded full moon shining bright,
Through a glass roof, I'm humbly mesmerised beneath.
Patches of grey appear as landmarks on a map,
On a shiny moon glittering in a navy sky,
Clouds gently stroking it in transparency,
On their journey to the unknown future that beholds them.
The full glory of the night is all I have to observe,
To feel the blessings and gratitude I owe the Lord.
My God is your God, and your God is mine
We are all one and One for all.
You know how my mind wonders!
Oh well, to cut this short-ish, the Tony Robbins experience was... An experience!
On the third day, I met a tall, good-looking Italian dude and enjoyed his company as we paired in, sharing moves from high fives to heartfelt cuddles, dancing and laughing as we absorbed Tony's messages of hope. It was pretty weird behaviour when, on the last day, the Italian made no attempt to even say hello! I thought: 'Hey dude, honestly, I've no interest in you. Get off your high horses. No need.'
Oh well, each to their own.
Confirmation of what I practice generally, my intake from the seminar was:
'Have faith.'
'Go after your dreams and think Big'
'Good is the enemy of Great.'
'Trade your expectations for appreciation.'
'You are your rituals.'
Basically, his message was, Be Outstanding!
He talked of growing up in poverty and how he made it to the top by persevering in helping so many accomplish achievements beyond their expectations. Even if momentarily for that period of time, he touched many. What intake each took and how that developed in their lives once they left the seminar and got enrolled back into the everyday routine of daily life is a thought.
What I loved about the inspirational Joseph McClendon, who took the stage on the second and last day of the seminar, was the man's humbling confidence. He looked terrific for his sixty-two years.
His teachings were:
Become your own best friend. Your fan.
Admire yourself.
You are awesome!
Trust it. Believe it.
"I freakin' Rock!" Keep telling yourself. This is what Joseph got us shouting time after time.
"I FREAKIN' ROCK!
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