My favorite asana in the insane plethora of poses that one encounters in the world of yoga is Vriksha-asana, or known more commonly as the Tree pose. I love the feeling of balancing on one leg and then stretching out, up into the sky. The power, balance and poise inherent in this asana has always resonated soundly with me. Probably, it’s also because I found this asana to be particularly easy, a welcome break from the tiring flow of the Vinyasa. Whenever the teacher would ask for any requests at the beginning of a yoga practice, I would always be the first to chirp: “Tree pose please!”.

SuperForest, you may know from reading previous entries, that I work for my family business. Now I don’t want to go into too much detail about it – suffice to say, what I was doing was not fulfilling nor allowing me to channel happiness. I had only been doing it for 9 months, knowing from the start I didn’t want to, but felt obligated by familial responsibility to at least give it a try. For that period of time, I had tried to make it work, tried to convince myself that this was the right choice. I listened to my head and ego, instead of my heart.

There are several occasions in life when you know that the decision you’re about to make WILL change the rest of your life. I always think that every decision somehow causes a ripple effect and affects your environment in ways you can’t even fathom, but it’s not so common when you’re faced with a decision that you KNOW will change everything.

Two days ago, I flew back from Vancouver to Hong Kong. I had spent a month there, on an extended business trip. Little did I know that in a month’s time, I would fly back a different person. The time I spent there was transformative. I began to practice yoga daily. I rediscovered the joy of simply walking through a forest. A real green one, not the concrete one I was so used to. I let go of past distractions – things that I used to take my mind away from the life I was leading, one where I was not the captain, instead, just along for the ride. Sitting in the plane at 34,000 feet, I poured everything out onto pieces of paper, allowing my pen to be the extension through which all could be released. I did this to not only better organize what I wanted to say, but also as a sort of rehearsal in my mind. I had always been afraid of talking frankly with my Dad. Imagine tough as nails, cunning and cool businessman. Now multiply that by 10. Needless to say, I was pretty nervous.

Picking him up at the train station, I saw a hint of a smile flit across his face as he got on the car. We had not seen each other in a month. After lunch, we went hiking. In between the buzz of insects and the seemingly suffocating humidity, Dad listened calmly as I explained my decision to leave the company. As we walked, I talked more and more, letting it just flow. He listened silently. When we reached the top and turned around to trudge back down, he began to speak, explaining his thoughts on what I said, and though we still differ in opinion, he gave me his blessing.

I want to live exactly like my favorite asana, firmly planted to the Earth in balance and power, cheekily on one leg and arms outstretched in grateful exultation to all. Now is the time to explore, to look inside and out and see where it takes me. The opportunity to live and love as my heart desires is upon me. Luckily, I have more support from all of you then I had ever imagined. SuperForest is a pillar of strength. Reading about all your incredible lives and adventures gave me the courage to forge my own and  to stand tall and strong. Heather’s post gave me even more strength when I needed it most. So thank you for reading and know that each one of you that reads, comments or simply reflects are all a part of this incredible community of superheroes. I may be but a single Tree, but together, we make up an incredible, incredible SuperForest.

Thank You.

Jackie

Good afternoon!

Nothing like a sunny day at the Great Wall. I took this picture and immediately thought of SuperForest.

I hope you’re enjoying wherever you are as much as this gentleman is..

Idea just struck. It would be wonderful if you (our lovely readers and fellow SuperForesters) could take a picture of yourselves just like this guy and send em in! Wherever you are when you feel a moment of happiness. We’ll put them together into a gratitude post .

send to:contact{at}superforest{dot}org

love from Beijing,

Jackie

Straight from the source, SuperForester Tricia Huffman, a.k.a. The Joyologist posted this on her wonderful blog, I AM BEING today:

“In the spring of 2008 I eliminated the word “should” from my vocabulary. It happened immediately after the death of my father. I never had a conversation with myself planning to do this. It just suddenly became important for me to not use that word, ever. I feel that using the word “should” is just setting myself up for failure and guilt. I can still say the same thing and feel better about it. For example, “What should I eat for dinner tonight?” compared with “What do I want to eat for dinner tonight?” Which one is more powerful? Maybe using the “should” warrants a big salad and what I want is pizza. Well, I feel that eliminating the “should” and putting in the “want” puts me in control and gives me the ability to choose a healthy salad or pizza and not feel guilt or to feel like I am doing something because I feel I have to. It is all my choice.

That summer, I explained to friends, family, and acquaintances about my “should” banishment. Besides the fact that I wanted others to experience this newfound freedom I also wanted to explain why I sometime spoke as if I had turrets syndrome. The word would start to come out of my mouth, I would catch it and then find a new more powerful way to say it. It made me become a more mindful speaker. I was no longer able to let things roll off my tongue without thinking about them first. I became so aware of how much “should” was a part of my regular vocabulary as well as other’s.

I felt as if I was reclaiming myself and getting rid of all of my guilt. What do I want? I should do the laundry, turned into I want to do the laundry. I explained to people that in using the word “should” it felt as if my shoulders hunched in and made me feel small. In saying, I “want” or another word my shoulders are back, chest out, and I stand tall. I wanted to put a speech and presentation together and tour high schools around the country about the word “should”. I will empower the nation!

As time went along, I was able to speak without even attempting to spit out this word. Sometimes, it is still hard for me to find a replacement for it, mainly because that means taking a more powerful stance. I can recall I few times on tour the past year when I fought with myself about using it when asking our tour manager questions. He is the head hauncho on tour and was afraid to be to upfront and blunt with my words and suggestions.

The other day during the drive to San Diego, when I just wanted to vomit everything up. I decided that I am going to eliminate all of the filler words that I have been using. Words like “think”, such as “I think that I want to stay in tonight.” From now on I am choosing to say, “I want to stay in tonight” instead (if that is what I want of course). I know what I want and what I don’t want. That word and others are just fillers to soften the blow and they take power away from me and my choices. Also, eliminating these words sets up the people that I am talking with to make more powerful choices too. For example saying, “Do you want to go to Tawney’s yoga class in Santa Monica before Gina’s pot-luck on Sunday?” Instead of saying, “Do you think you might want to go to Tawney’s yoga class in Santa Monica before Gina’s pot-luck on Sunday?” I am saying the same thing. The first example is just to the point, while the second tiptoes. I am choosing to be direct and hopefully this lets the other person be direct in their answer.

All I know is that eliminating these words makes me feel freer, more in control, and more honest.”

Thank you Tricia! What fresh and inspiring words. Lets all unblock our intentions and be empowered. If all it takes is a little mental readjustment, why not? I WANT you all to share this with your family and friends!

In Love and Want

-Jackie

(photo via One Fork, One Spoon)

Hello readers!

I’m in Jeollabuk-do,  a province within the great country of South Korea. Not only is this the place where the amazacrazy bibimbap originated from, but the city I’m in, Jeonju, is the sister city (how awesome is this sister city concept?) of a place I’ve never visited but felt a great kinship for… San Diego! Photos and videos are coming as soon as I get back into Hong Kong and properly type and arrange everything. It’s only been two days here but it has felt like a long, long time! The way of life here is something to be admired. The food is fresh, straight from the farm next door and always served with a warm smile and an offering of soju : P

soon soon soon!

love from Korea

jackie

(Michael Oliveri, a muscular dystrophy patient, with his mother, Christiane, left, and Diane Rivera-Riportella after passage. Via The New York Times)

New Jersey just initiated new legislature that will lead to the signing of a new Medical Marijuana Bill for the state of New Jersey! This bill will allow those suffering from chronic illnesses (such as AIDS, cancer, muscular dystrophy etc.) to use marijuana produced and sold from state-monitored dispensaries.

Congratulations to the families that fought so hard for this for their suffering loved ones!

New Jersey – WIN!

love

(The New York Times)

A conversation with a friend and then a bit of online perusing led me to this image. How fittingly appropriate!

enjoy!

(via swissmiss via FFFFound!)

Jackie here. It’s been a crazy ride! So you may have noticed that I haven’t been talking to you much lately. I just moved back to Hong Kong from the ever breath taking New York City. So here I am, settling in, getting used to the pace and environment. The multitude of cars, people, sights, smells and sounds are all such a shift from the place I called home for 3 years. Even sirens sound different here. That electronic wail was the norm back in the City, without hearing it at least 3 times a night meant that I’d be up wondering were all the crooks are.

2010 huh? 09 was an excellent year. Even though I had big hopes and dreams for 09, some have come true and some have failed dismally. The recurring theme this year has been HONESTY. To myself, to everyone else.

This decade I went from middle school to high school to graduating college. The next decade is ours, a new world is upon us!

Thank you to all my readers ! Your visits have not gone unnoticed! From the day I started this blog till now, readership has been steadily climbing each and everyday. Not so much lately given the lack of posts but that will soon all change!

Have a great year.

love,

-j

Brilliant.

For the final session, our teacher and mentor asked us to write down our legacy. How we want to be remembered and what we want to become. Imagine writing your own obituary or funeral speech. The point was to then ask yourself if you have a plan in your life right now that would bring about this legacy and is it presently engaged and active?

My legacy hopefully would go something like this:

He was a lover. He loved with all his heart and let that be the embodiment of his spirit.

He was kind. Whenever he saw opportunities to contribute and make a difference, he did.

He was a poet and musician. His music and words inspired others to be change and be love.

He lived and laughed. He danced and he cried. He kissed and he hugged.

He was love always.

I can go happy with that : )

What would yours say?

love

-jackie

p.s. Happy Birthday CSC

Wait a minute…. is that Lady Gaga?! Most of you would probably not recognize her without her crazy get-ups and flamboyance. I’ve never heard any of her music pre-mainstream and this stuff is incredible! Her talent really shows through. I wish you didn’t stop making these grooves Gaga! From a NYU concert in 2005, Gaga shows off 2 original pieces.

P.s. Dark hair suits you much better

(via my lovely friend Shiori)