Prolific Living

life

The Spirit of Bali wrapped in 9 Gems of Advice

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Small sitting statues in Ubud

I looked high and low for the perfect Buddha statue to bring home from Bali; I desperately wanted to own one!

My husband made an annoying observation as usual, that I am neither a Buddhist nor a Hindu, and the statue, while “very cool”, could not carry for me the intended and true significance it does for its worshipers – which, in some irony, was the very reason I wanted one in the first place. True, I am neither a Buddhist nor a Hindu but I would have considered becoming one in a heartbeat if it meant being forever wrapped in the spirit and harmony that was the magic of Bali. I wish I could carry home with me with this island’s [Read more…] about The Spirit of Bali wrapped in 9 Gems of Advice

Alexandre Dumas: “The Count of Monte Cristo”

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Alexander Duma on the Kindle

Dear Monsieur Dumas,

It is the year 2010 today, nearly 166 years since you published The Count of Monte Cristo. Your contemporaries recognized it as the accomplishment it is, which is the least we can say for the treasures which have come to us from your period. It makes me immensely happy when a society understands a genius masterpiece in all its brilliance during the lifetime of its creator. Still, you would probably like to know that The Count of Monte Cristo, your labor of love and sweat, is cherished and recognized as a magnificent novel in the world to this day. It is even part of the reading requirement in most school education programs, albeit they sadly choose the abridged version much to your (and my) dismay. Not knowing any better when I was much younger, I too read the abridged version, which even in its brevity, left an indelible mark on me and a desire for return for more someday. [Read more…] about Alexandre Dumas: “The Count of Monte Cristo”

Beyond the First 30 Days: Staying Committed to Habits

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Forming Habits and Ocean of Possibilities

As I commit to another fantastic month long health-forming challenge, I question one thing: How long does it really take to form long-term, sustainable, healthy new habits that seamlessly integrate into your life as though they have always been there? What type of commitment? Habits that once formed never part. Habits of a lifetime.

Forming life-long habits is not easy for me, not for lack of self-discipline or motivation. Rather, I fear for boredom and loss of creativity if committed too long to a particular habit so sometimes I flounder in my commitments. My fear is completely unfounded – I know – and has yet to materialize. Forming truly health-conscious, self-improvement habits clears the mind, strengthens the body, and wakes the spirit – in fact, they make room for creativity and new flows of energy. They bring new life into our lungs and a renewed sense of purpose into our hearts, lest we forget [Read more…] about Beyond the First 30 Days: Staying Committed to Habits

Self-Reflection: 19 Things I Wish I Knew Earlier in Life

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What do you wish you knew when you were younger?

Self-reflection of the soul

A dear blogger friend asked me to write my thoughts about this in a post and at first I thought, thanks but I’ll get to it when I can.

Then I started reading the collection of bittersweet thoughts and sentiments from a few brave souls who took on this seemingly subtle but intense challenge and a burst of inspiration showed up, unannounced, uninvited and unexpected and not taking no for an answer.

It shoved my other priorities aside to make room for the urge to write from the heart.

Oh how stubborn and selfish the heart can be, how unreasonable on an idle Tuesday afternoon, and in this case, how ironic, dropping all else to take a trip down memory lane to recount its own silly mistakes, its near regrets, its long wishes, and its sincere apologies to the self.

Alas, I have learned to follow this stubborn, unreasonable, selfish heart to the end of the world and back so there’s no refusing it this small request now. But panic not, my dear readers!

I will guard the flow of thoughts, keep my promised attempt at brevity in this post and rest assured I shall not be getting naked on my blog or delve into too much transparency but what needs to be said shall be said.

Alright, shall we get on with the show then? [Read more…] about Self-Reflection: 19 Things I Wish I Knew Earlier in Life

My Top 10 Pillars of Blogging Excellence: Part 1

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Content is king (or queen if you will permit me the variation), no questions asked. The personal (in your eyes) and perceived (in the eyes of others) success in the blogging world belongs with those who can clearly articulate their thoughts, connect with the heart and mind of their readers and consistently write authentic content even on non-original commonplace topics. It is your writing voice that carries you through and through!

With that slap of truth out of the way, I admit I have been itching to write about blogging beyond the writing. I want to write this post my best discoveries in this world of changing and evolving technologies. I want to share only the top tools, platforms and applications which I use to create and maintain Prolific Living. I call them my indispensable pillars of blogging excellence and I must share the genius of these pillars with you. [Read more…] about My Top 10 Pillars of Blogging Excellence: Part 1