Get Close to Inspirational People

Hello!

Whether I like it or not I am simply always ALWAYS prone to getting sick or experiencing pains on my body parts. Today is my third day at the office after being away from my work desk for 5 days (weekend included). FEVER SEASON! Coz all the local fruits are out (as the superstition goes, idk) BUT oh boy, am I glad that I get to be at home all those days ago.

I am prepping for another charity sale and this time it involves the things that I hold dearly close to my heart: ART and CATS. Kitty cats! Meowers!

LA LA LA LOOOVEEE!!

So anyhow, I think I speak for all makers slash sellers out there who struggle to get things done (and to get things done right) for our customers. I know a number of dedicated makers (referring to bracelets, cakes, clothes, bags, crochets, etc.) out there who shed their blood to get orders done. It is never easy especially when, like me, we have to wake up and stop thinking about our passions to get to the office and get another thing over and done with before we can run quickly home and start over again. 

Having to go through this can sometimes become very demotivating. I can't count how many times I've told myself I'm gonna quit making all these lovely things out of fatigue. But the end result is always uplifting, especially when people appreciate what you do. Not everyone value things made by hand as they would associate it with dodgy and low-class but hey, in this modern world, DIY-ed things have upped their ante and more and more people want to get their hands on these things.

So whenever I get tired of looking at strings or when I become frustrated after having broken my sewing machine (as have happened last two weeks), I try to do things that can help me keep myself going again. Besides watching FRIENDS (harhar), trying to catch a tempo, driving and talking to people, I like getting myself acquainted to those who inspire me. I do this mostly by reading. Sometimes random blogs or indie magazines (like the above on my ipad) but mostly of people who had to start from the bottom to be on top. LOVE IT! There are just so many people who can inspire you to keep going and I find that keeping a close read of their lives very inspirational. 

Anyway, I am quite glad that a number of those who have inspired me in my tiny business are going to be at the charity sale! Excuse my shyness if I suddenly become talkative or uneasy or try to get away quickly but that happens when I'm surrounded by people I look up to. OOOhhh very excited to be basking in the aura of lovers of things that are made with love.

Just a little advertising though: The STILLCARVINGS table will be filled with lovely things too! Everything on sale will be handmade, no cheats! So if you are a lover of good value and craft, and of cats mind you, do drop by and show us your love. You don't need to necessarily buy (although that would help cover fuel haha) but just drop by when you can for a quick picture or a hug =)

4 November 2012

Rainforest Gallery, Kiulap (above Vincci shoe store)

10am to 5pm

How Best to Cope with Stress

Assalammualaikum lovelies,

STRESS. It's something that we go through every day. It is no stranger to us, especially at work and school - probably worst when you have to do both at one time. It's something that seems to have no means to an end. But then again in order to be happy we have to be able to cope with stress, as opposed to whine and not doing anything about it. I would like to share with you the things that I do to cope with MY own stress. I think it is already safe to share with everyone that my day job as a General Manager requires me to do thousands of things in a span of 8 hours and as time complies with common sense, I don't usually have the energy though the pressure would still be on even until after I come back form work. 

Let's do the math;

1000 job orders x 8 hours at the office / 24 hours in a day = finishing about 300 job orders at one given hour. 

Whether the math is wrong or right, the common sense is that no matter how many things I try to do at one given hour at a time, I still do not have time to finish doing everything in a day! This, and stress, then come in hand in hand with broad smiles on their non-faces. So how do I cope?

1. My hobbies. I have loads! And the rate at how many I do in a day depends on what I want to do during that day. I usually just read a book, surf on my ipad, watch TV, dance, draw and write.

2. Get involved in my passions. Of making, of creating, of watching and of listening. These would require me to sit and evaluate things. I like it when my brain works intensely. I like the high it gives me.

3. Exercise. It's a great substitute to chocolate (although chocs help too!) and the more intense my intervals are for that day, the better I feel. This includes yoga. Yoga is the best thing man has ever invented before. And the fact that it co-relates to your spirituality makes it even more meaningful whilst you're trying to cope with stress. True story. When you do yoga, blood flows to the areas that need attention and as you breathe out and rise back up, you will feel a lot LOT better. Yoga moves can be similar to when you perform your prayer.

4. Pray. As stated in #3. Read up about the scientific relation of the movements you do during prayer and when you do yoga. You can choose between the two but only one can be done while also gaining deeds and the mercy of Allah.

5. Learning the Quran. BEST stres reliever of all!!! Hands down. The good thing is during this time of technologically advanced days, we can download the Quran and its translation to our phones and tablets so you can still read even when you're menstruating. I like reading the translations and learning about the different surahs. But the thing I like best about this would be reading about the struggles of those before us. When you read the Quran you will definitely realise that the struggles you go through are the same as theirs were but mind you, during the jahiliah times people would treat you worst then how they would treat you now (especially with the abundance of knowledge and education). I always feel a lot better after learning and reading the translations. My favourite Surah at the moment is Surah Maryam. Read it and you'll get to see why :)

Well there are so many things that you can do in order to cope with stress. Your mind, body and soul depends solely on how you bring yourself about. The Creator will not bring you through anything in this world if He knows you wouldn't be able to cope with it. So remember that with every hardship that you are struggling with right now, the worst it feels the stronger a person you actually are. Hope you realise that you are actually much stronger than you give yourself credit for. Push yourself to the limit of insanity if you have to. Worse comes to worst, you'll cry or throw a fit, but always remember that in the remembrance of Allah will you find ease. So connect yourself to the Lord every day. Give #3 and #4 the benefit of day and you'll get hooked!

I am thankful for.... // as inspired by Dee, Rina & Dedek

I have been reading Dee's posts on Instagram where she posts what she's thankful for for that particular day. Then last night I saw Rina's post and also my cousin's, posting the things that they are thankful for.

I reckon I should do the same as I am feeling very blessed as of late.


Things that I am thankful:

1. My Customers

Just look at the array of beautiful colours they have given to my babies. I am always so happy to see customers posting and tagging me pictures of them wearing my products and creations. I am very thankful for this. I am also very thankful for having friends whom I don't mind being generous for and giving them lovely things to wear and use ;) 

2. Football Matches DPMM FC 3 - 2 HOME Utd. Hello! What else can I say? Sitting at the drumline section really does a chapter on your adrenaline. (Funny pic of me at Rano looking like I was wearing the niqab/purdah. My cousins and I are currently laughing our asses off on Whatsapp at the sight!)

3. Family. I love my family! With all my heart and soul, with every single connective tissue, with every laughter and tears. 

4. Joey. 

5. Kinect. Hello, I get to play Just Dance, how can I not be thankful?

So anyhu, hope you all have something to be thankful for everyday. This is especially helpful when you're feeling stressed out either at work or at school. When you feel like you've given up hope, take a moment to sit back and think about the things that you are thankful for and bask in the happiness of that one, insyAllah you will feel a lot better. Don't wallow on your bitterness and self pity coz then you'll feel worst than when you started.

I think I have said this before: Happiness is Contagious. 

The rest is up to you :)