Black Friday was here recently and I got caught up in the hype. Then regret set in when my family and I arrived at the humongous shopping mall in our neighborhood and saw the long line of cars trying desperately to find vacant parking spots and imagined nightmarish long lines at the checkout stands. An alternative was needed. So we headed few blocks north and took the road less traveled.

It's the road filled with used book stores, antique and consignment shops. There is also an excellent little bakery tucked away between a mom-and-pop furniture store and a theater. My then 11 year-old son and I had come to this theater during summers past to enjoy multiethnic musical performances.

Sadly, many spaces were empty. My favorite antique shop was out of business...gone! It was across the street from the Youth Art Center, which thankfully remained in operation. I have nothing against mega shopping malls and people who are drawn to them. It's just that such establishments seem to put these charming, unique, and more personal shops, I prefer, out of business.

Despite feeling sad and nostalgic about what I experienced then, we were determined to have a good time. My husband revisited his favorite Harley-Davidson motorcycle shop and fantasized about the day he will be on one of them riding across Europe or USA. I insisted on stopping by a place that specializes in Arts and Crafts furnishings. Some day soon, that beautiful, elegant writing desk will be mine, I tell myself. Our son had to check out rare collection of military badges and weapons...obviously he's into war movies now.

And of course, to put a nice end to our shopping excursion, we had our favorite sweet treats at that french bakery. Then as we drove home passing by the long line of cars entering and exiting from the mall parking lot with a cacophony of horns and screams, we looked at each other and gave a knowing smile that indeed, we did take the right path for a satisfying shopping experience.

I went through a major financial upheaval which challenged the strength of family relationships.  Whew, I am glad that period is over...well, maybe not over completely but the experience gave me new insights and new paths to take in order to create more meaningful, fulfilling life.  Hence, I am thankful for that hardship...I think :)

I see the beauty of caring, compassionate  people reaching out to others who are hurting.

To heal past wounds and reconnect with my siblings with deeper love and compassion.

Interesting question, hmmm...

I have learned that I am a highly sensitive person (HSP).  About 15-20% of people in the world share this trait.  Having this innate trait can be a blessing in many ways (e.g., intuitive, creative, compassionate, loyal, etc) but also can be disadvantageous, affecting my life adversely.  I can't tolerate noise, crowd, large social gatherings too well.  Also, I get overwhelmed by sensory overload and stress out.  I am easily affected by others' moods and problems which in turn create mood swings in me.  Also, HSP tends to worry more, feels physical pain more intensely and not so good at dealing with big life changes.

Well, at least I know better about myself and learning to embrace and value my "eccentricities." 

I think teenagers get a bad rep more often than not.  We read and hear about their disturbing, unhealthy behaviors like stealing, lying, violent attacks on or even killing others.  News media tends to focus on the negative too much and not enough on good deeds practiced by teens.

A 14 year old teenager named David Ashby exemplifies the latter.  He plans to walk from Florida to Washington DC during this summer in order to raise public awareness to the 1.4 million homeless children in the US.  He intends to sleep on the street and eat only free food given to him through begging.  He will chronicle his audacious, remarkable experience on his blog.

How great is this young guy...how wonderfully creative and meaningful is this!
I wasn't able to post a video about this impressive young teen onto this page, so click here to view and learn more about his ambitious, inspiring plan.

Are you living this day with awareness of mind and kindness in heart?

The need to know.  Knowledge is essential but life experience tells me it is limited.  I can only comprehend so much.  I am gradually and yet still with some trepidation, beginning to embrace the mystery, the uncertainty, the ambiguity inherent in life.

I used to deny my own needs but now I reject my tendency to deny my needs and wants.

I am running from my past so it does not define me now.  This is a paradox for me because the past shaped much of how I see myself.  And I often dwell in the past in its familiarity.  But as I become more aware of its power over me, I try to loosen its grip without judgment...accepting what was and yet moving past it.  It's a process that, I suspect, will be lifelong.