Category Archives: Moxie + Soul Fire

No Matter What

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Life is full of risks. We often avoid taking them because we fear getting hurt, getting scarred, losing ourselves in the process. 

But when you really think about it, a safe life is a boring one.

How can you discover new and exciting things if you are too afraid to try?

How can you gain your heart’s desires if you don’t put yourself out there?

Fear is debilitating and often groundless. The only way to fight it is to take a leap of faith and damn the consequences. The very phrase “leap of faith” is an affirmation of the necessity of action. You must act before you can overcome fear. It’s hard, I know. Everyone struggles with it. We’re only human and fear is a natural reaction to the unknown. It is, however, also a restriction from the exhilarating and the thrilling.

Everybody gets hurt. We all bleed. We all ache. It’s left to each person to love hard and for real no matter what. 

Choose to live without restrictions and regrets. Every mistake is a learning opportunity, and every failed experiment is one step closer to success. 

Choose to grab life in both hands and make it a full experience. Taste the exotic. Embrace the thrilling. Live the fabulous. No matter what.

The Will to Live

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For those who know me on a personal level, it is no secret that I believe we need to stop existing and start living. 

As individuals, as members of our families and communities, as citizens of our countries, and as members of the global community, it is time to live. 

It is no longer enough to simply strive for the basics, to accept perceived limitations and restraints, to settle for what they say is possible and let go of “unrealistic” dreams.

If we do not try, who will? If you do not take a stand now, then when? Complacency is comfortable, but also deadly. It is no longer enough to blame widespread problems on governments; what about the people? What are we doing to turn our lives around? What are we doing to eradicate poverty, unemployment, crime rates, and other societal afflictions? 

We leave so much to the government, shake our heads and wonder what the world is coming to, but how often do we ask ourselves what we can do to improve the world? It is often said that Utopia is an unattainable illusion, that such a paradise cannot last on this earth. So what? So what if we fall short of perfection? It is more honourable to strive for it than to remain locked in stagnation.

Break free today. Make the vow to start a revolution, to propagate a new way of thinking and a new way of life. A fellow blogger once said “you are what you believe” and it is a true statement. 

If you believe things will never change, they won’t. If you believe that there is no point in trying because your efforts would only be wasted, you won’t achieve anything. 

But if you believe that change is possible, that you can make a difference, then you will. If you believe you can work with others towards a better world and make it happen, you can. 

I believe in idealism.

I believe in positivity and the ability to leave a lasting impact as your legacy. Many will read these lines and scoff at my so-called naivete, and to them I say this: cynics live lives empty of the hope and passion enjoyed by dreamers. Naysayers are not happy people, innit?

The will to live. It is the desire to live a full life, the passion to experience more, and the determination to keep moving forward beyond all obstacles. It is not limited to personal gain and comfort, and it is not restricted to a chosen few.

It is a way of life embraced by heroes and pioneers, by dreamers and children, by those with hope and those with faith. Faith in human good, in values and ideals; hope for better days and brighter tomorrows, for a safer world for our children, for the continuous reign of peace over war; and the sacrifices made to protect these things are what make us heroes. We are all heroes. We are all protectors. Some of us have forgotten, and some have cast aside their roles.

I urge you to remember. Remember who and what you are. You are a beautiful person with potential and worth. 

Rouse yourself from slumber and be an agent of change. Act against bribery and corruption. Fight against oppression of the poor and the helpless. Work towards a kinder and safer society. 

Enough time has been spent wishing and waiting for something to happen; now is the time to make that nebulous “something” into concrete reality. 

It starts today, and it starts with you.

The Illumination of Imagination

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Imagination. A driving force behind every visionary. A light to dispel the darkness of restriction and stagnation. Imagination is the ability to take the sights and sounds and colours of our dreams, and express them through art. Melodies, movies, poetry, literature, sculptures, mosaics … they bloom when we dream but fade away as we wake. The illumination of imagination guides us to those lost treasures, makes it possible to capture and recreate the richness of expression, and helps us explore the worlds we carry within us.

We are all artists. Each of us creates something beautiful through one medium or the other. When I was a child, I  thought artists were only those who painted on easels. I didn’t understand how anyone else could claim that title, but then I didn’t understand the true nature of art. It is all around us, present from dawn till dusk, in everything we do. Now I realise that there are artists of the spoken word, of written rhetoric, of visual brilliance and auditory pleasure.

You can be an artist through dance and sport and intellectual avenues. It is simply the level of intensity that separates the professionals from the amateurs. You may not be able to earn a living with your particular art form, but you do have one. The question is, are you aware of yours?

Art is my craft. My expression is art. Love is my passion. How do I know? I am an artist of the mind. I express myself through my journal, poetry, my blog, and my drawing. I believe in intellectual bliss, in the power of the written word, in the beauty of love as an emotion and a lifestyle. I read, I write, and I observe. I am inspired by life: the triumphs and defeats, the flow of time and creation of history, the constant search for something higher and purer.

So when I speak of the illumination of imagination, I think of the bright fire burning in my soul and exciting my spirit to reach until I touch the stars. The same fire burns in every child but snuffs out when the joy of discovery fades after childhood. Fuel that bright blaze. There is so much to be enjoyed that way: vibrancy and diversity of sounds and colours in dreams, a richer life as an individual, and a greater range of expression and emotions. Try the illumination of imagination. I promise you it rocks. 😉 Shalom.

Your Life, Your Rules

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Isn’t it funny how those who try to force their views on you never want to hear what you think? It is always about them: how right they are, how wrong you are for refusing their wisdom, and how much better the world would be if everyone followed their advice. Indeed.

Doesn’t it stand to reason that the best ways are not always the loudest or most forceful ones? In a throwback to an earlier post, high volume does not necessarily indicate proper thought or correct reasoning. If I walked around with a megaphone and swore that giving me all your money was the key to solving your problems, would you believe me? I’d do it for many days, everywhere I go, nine to five even. :) Heh heh heh. But yeah, would you accept it? No? What if I had a large followership, would that do the trick?

Anyway, I don’t mean to communicate mostly through questions. This is not an examination, LOL. It just seems like some people expect one to accept their opinions sans any resistance or thinking on one’s part. I’m like, really? They obviously believe in what they have to say, so much so that they feel compelled to spread the word. OK great, no problem at all. But it irks me when that belief is used as an excuse to shove ideology down my throat whether I like it or not. I have a brain, innit? I have the right to decide, to choose what I do and how I do it.

We all live our lives according to our rules (except for the enslaved and/or oppressed), and we protect our right to do so with everything we have. That is why people from different schools of thought are susceptible to violent disagreement. It is possible for an argument to get so heated, so emotionally intense, so personal that anything can happen because the individuals involved react to threats against a basic human right. I mean, of course, the right to choose.

If another person belittles or condemns your choices, he/she indirectly challenges your decisions and your lifestyle. In other words, you are judged and found wanting. If you also think you are wrong and need to change, then you interpret such a challenge as a wake-up call to turn your life around and improve yourself.

But, what if that’s not the case? What if you’re quite happy with the way things are, thank you very much, and you don’t need anyone’s grief or hassle? That is when you take it as an affront to your person and react accordingly. You may not make a scene then and there, but you will definitely resent the intrusion on your privacy. Like how nosy can people get, right? I certainly think so. If that resentment is not speedily expressed, it festers and hardens into a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode. Heaven help the poor souls around you when that happens, eh? It would not be a pretty sight.

So. Your life, your rules. Words to live by, methinks. As always, keep it positive and healthy. 😉

Solace

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For the weary and care-worn, the lost and forlorn
A new day is coming so your dreams can be born

For those in the dark, shivering with cold
Warmth is coming in light and fire gold

For those in search of hope and meaning
Strength is coming to fuel your winning

For those who need someone to understand
Help is coming to hold your hand.

The Banner of Social Awareness

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It can be flown anytime, anywhere, by anyone. It is a way of life: a belief system that transcends age, gender, and political or religious affiliation. The ability to operate on a higher plane of awareness, to envision progress on a grand scale, to make your dreams reality and effect widespread change: that is flying the banner.

You don’t have to be a genius for people to listen. You don’t have to be drop-dead gorgeous, filthy rich, or terribly prestigious to get others interested in your cause. You just need the core of a great idea. When you allow yourself the illumination of imagination, you tread the path of transformation.

What you see and what could be are often two sides of the same coin, and they are separated only by your ability to recognise that. So when you find yourself wondering if things can’t be different, you are simply following the lead of your subconscious, which by the way is more in tune with the world around you than your conscious self. The subconscious is not bound by any laws or restrictions; it simply exists. As such, its potential is limitless and its scope of vision is much wider than one would allow the conscious mind.

Questioning the status quo is often the psyche prodding one to reach higher and do better, to go beyond the constraints placed on us by others and achieve what we see in the mind’s eye. It is the subliminal urge to step outside a comfort zone and stretch for excellence, to challenge oneself on a constant basis, to aim for a lasting legacy of enlightenment and positive change.

Deep down in each and every one of us, we know when a situation can be better. We know when something can be improved or renewed, when change is inevitable, and when it is necessary to act or risk being stifled. We know when we must cast off apathy and achieve the “impossible”. It is left to us to be courageous enough to take that first step.

In order to fly the banner, you must act. In order to act, you must believe. In order to believe, you must think. Think. Task your mind. Mine the treasures waiting within you. Know that having a vision seemingly ahead of your time or generation is an awesome thing, a sure sign that you are aware of the power of an open mind. When your mind is broad, limber, and receptive to new ideas, you are capable of great things.

Embrace the chance to be the best version of yourself. Live your dreams. Fly the banner with pride.

This Is My Dream

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I believe in the power of positive thinking, the efficacy of sound reasoning, and the revolution borne of enlightenment. It is my dream that my peers realise the greatness asleep within each and every one of them. 

Every time social change rocked the world, young people were at the forefront. Picket lines, violent and nonviolent protests, open letters in the media, demonstrations and rallies … the youth are always there, participating, thinking, acting.

It’s not just those who are youngsters because of age, but also those who visualise the future and want to make it the present. When you free your mind and think without boundaries or constraints, when you believe that anything is possible, you are young. 

Haven’t you noticed how pioneers never really seem to age? Their bodies may become old and frail, their health might not be as robust as before, but they are still young in their hearts and minds. You can see it shine in their eyes and hear it sing in their voices.  Continue reading →

Victory

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Had I yielded, fallen at your feet
You’d happily have tossed me out in the street
As it is, held strong and retained my pride
It irks you, angers you, petty joy denied

Had I faltered, altered, robbed of my footing
You’d be the first one pointing, circling, hooting
Now you glower and grumble, pout and frown
Irate this warrior isn’t some spectacle or clown

Had I shown fear and followed its lead
You’d have torn me to pieces with unholy speed
Still you poke at me, hoping for holes
My resolve is absolute, you hate that it grows

I stand here whole, unspoiled, triumphant
Untouched by schemes, of failure defiant
You lurk in the dark, refuse to concede
The battle is over; now you must bleed.

Your Voice

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Everybody has something to say. More often than not, though, we only hear the thoughts of those with the loudest or most strident voices. I guess it’s somewhat inevitable since there’re so many different ideas out there and only so much time people are willing to spare to listen amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life. Because some speak louder than others, eventually their ideas become our mantras. Now how did that happen?

You have a voice. Speak your truth. High volume does not necessarily indicate proper thought or correct reasoning. It’s not about how loud you are, it’s about what you have to say. It is easy to have one’s voice drowned out by the ideology of others, but it is much more rewarding to make oneself clear and distinct even in all the hubbub.

You have a voice. Speak your truth. You can, and you shall, be heard.

No Games. Just Love.

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Hey, all. My Facebook status for this past week was the title of this post. No games. Just love. I was thinking about how we often hide how much we really care about our loved ones, and I wonder why it’s like that. I mean, if you love someone, he/she should know, right? Apparently not always.

If you have to guess what you mean to a person you deeply care about, if you keep the nature and extent of your emotions under wraps, if you play games to maintain the upper hand…..it just seems pointless to me. It’s not business, it’s a friendship, a relationship. It’s personal.

Put yourself out there. It’s worth the risk. Win or lose, rise or fall, acceptance or rejection, you did it anyway. You weren’t afraid to let your feelings show. If you fear the other person might not value your openness, well, there’re valid reasons for such a concern. All I know is one ought to be comfortable sharing if the object of your affection is good for you, and I’m talking about all sorts of relationships here. I won’t go near business because, yeah, it’s governed by a different set of rules. But otherwise? Let them know, people. Let them know.