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This photo is from a recent trip up north.
It resonates with something I felt yesterday while listening to a heartbreaking interview between Patrick Bet-David* and a young courageous woman named Yeonmi Park. They were discussing her dangerous escape from North Korea with her mother in 2007 as outlined in her book “In Order to Live”.
Not only did she escape North Korea but was then trafficked into slavery in China. Living in trauma for years, she explains that she felt numb most of the time because when you are starving and have no freedom to think for yourself, you do not even know what range of emotions are possible. From the time she was a baby, everything from her favorite color to her style of dress to what she was allowed to think and say was dictated to her. Disobedience meant incarceration or death. She did not risk her life in order to be free but to avoid starvation and later she left China to escape her life of slavery.
What particularly struck me was her remarkable response when Patrick asked her about how it felt when she finally did have a taste of freedom, was she in shock and when did that moment of recognition happen for her? In China? In South Korea or America?
I wrote down her response because the words shook me right down to the core of my Being:
“…being free wasn’t easy at all. It was so painful. At one point I thought if someone is not going to kill me and give me enough food in North Korea… just giving me frozen potatoes and no one will hurt me, I would go back to a place where everything was decided for me…because you know understanding freedom was a responsibility, was scary right?! If I choose to become, let’s say a dancer, I have to be responsible for that choice for the rest of my life. That was an insanely scary idea. I had to choose. Being free is not easy.”
I sat dumbfounded when I heard her words. Wow! I saw Patrick’s eyes open wide as he was deeply struck by how profound her words were. He had lived in a refugee camp in Germany for a few years after his family fled from Iran when he was a teenager. Even he seemed deeply moved and immediately acknowledged the depth of this insight and paused to really take it in.
Her words jarred me back to something I had heard before. Many prisoners, who were liberated from the Bastille during the French Revolution, came back within a few days. Why did they return? Did they feel the same way? Were they completely overwhelmed by freedom and consequence of choices? Why is this affecting me so deeply right now?
Today this powerful young woman’s pain has challenged me to celebrate my relentless journey of seeking value and meaning through art, poetry, singing and photography. That to live beyond the numbness of a mind on auto-pilot, to be open to feel a broad range of profound human emotions navigating the abundance of life is a noble pursuit in a society where we are able to express freely from the heart. I feel a sudden wave of gratitude pass through me.
I go back to the photograph. I stand again on that dock facing the opposite shore. It represents the next moment . The ladder welcomes me to enter the water. I carry all of my thoughts, habits, emotions and memories with me. Will this be enough to embrace the other side with courageous possibility thinking? Do I know enough about myself, my strengths and vulnerabilities to forge ahead and create something better than ever was before? Will I carry the weight of my freedom with responsibility? Will I exercise the enormous priviledge of shaping my limitless imagination to design the world I really want to live in or will a part of me simply seek refuge in old patterns of thinking and recreate the comfort of the familiar even if it feels empty or painful?
This question pulsates through the whole world right now.
*If you would like to see the whole interview with Yeonmi, Patrick’s show is called “Valuetainment”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=za34H-dT8I0
…or if you would just like to listen for context to the quote …41:59 to 44:14 is such a powerful bit to watch.
** The image quote is from Toni Morrison from the book "Beloved"
Let fear fall beautiful one
It is only a body inside you
Losing its shadowy dominion
Over your freedom
In this moment
As the entire universe holds you
With a love beyond
Your deepest imagination
That
Should you realize it
Your heart would cry an ocean
Of joy
Lift you above
The passing darkness
To be (t)here
Where there is no lack
No pain
No fear
No death
Lift your heart
And know it to be true
We are made for these times
We are here
Feeling the glorious height
and devastating depth
Of our own Beingness
The original photostock was a donated image by Rebecca Zama on "Unsplash" and these words came pouring out while I was staring at it. I love to swim and simply float and oftentimes meditating feels just like this, a kind of stillness and peace no matter what is going on around me.
It's how I navigated 6 years of intense medical treatments my late husband went through and all other kinds of storms We need to give attention to what is happening externally of course, but we also have the opportunity to dive into a deeper part of ourselves connected to such wonder and possibility Had I let fear rule my world, I would not have made love, travelled, sang, laughed and nurtured wonderful friendships or even started my Flickr site Let this be our focus to get us through this time We each have such glorious gifts to share. I added rendering effects to add resonance to how we and our feelings move as waves in a great Ocean.
If you have a practice already, keep going and if you don't, I recommend "Ancient Secrets of Success - The Four Truths Revealed", written by my Teacher and Mentor of 20 years., Tulshi Sen. My life and that of my husband went into a whole new gear when we let go of fearing what we would lose and embrace what is here available right now. My Flickr site is my testimony to this creative journey of profound self-discovery one courageous step at a time.
Keep singing and dancing and keeping good mental hygiene.
Love to you all.
How many times you teach me to overcome my challenges
You show me the way of Love:
The heart can feel such depths
The mind can conceive such heights
Without navigational training in this Immensity
Our own aimlessness fosters anxiety
We turn against ourselves
Afraid to dream
Afraid to feel
Terrified of reaching anywhere
But when we master the Self spiritually
When we understand the Self materially
We give treasures of the past their place
We create an ideal mold for the future
Poised and balanced in each breath
Euphoric anticipation expands
Every Where
Every When
With calm assured expectancy
© Ganga Fondan, 2012
*Again the Visitor came into my world. Such magnificent Love I cannot describe. My entire existence is made richer with His presence. This digital art is a fusion piece of two elephants, one in my Vision and the other, Ganesh, who with the head of an elephant became an immortal god with a human body. This rich legend that helps me to understand my own growth also includes a mouse which represents the undisciplined mind flitting about from place to place eating everything up. Ganesh rides this mouse with ease. He is called the "Remover of Obstacles" and many people keep images of Him.
Standing amidst history, he embodies the unbroken chain of leadership, discipline, and unwavering commitment. The room whispers of battles fought, decisions that shaped futures, and a legacy etched in both valor and silence. Every medal, every line on his face speaks of an era where power was earned and respect commanded. This is not merely a man—it is the guardian of tradition, the symbol of enduring authority.
© 2010 Sarah Brooks. All Rights Reserved.
The Third Eye, or Ajna Chakra, is really quite interesting to do some research on. Thank you, My Face is My Canvas!
Random Fact: Charlie is kicking butt at Wii Baseball right now!
In the quiet shadow of discipline, where every detail is meticulously aligned, true command emerges—not from loud declarations, but from the composed gravity of presence. Here, an officer stands as a symbol of order and control, his bearing shaped by years of unwavering adherence to structure and tradition. The gloves set aside, the posture unyielding, his authority does not require words. It is understood, felt, and respected. A figure of stoicism, rooted in the timeless codes of duty and self-mastery.
© 2010 Sarah Brooks. All Rights Reserved.
One of three outtakes for the day. I really liked what this preset did for the shot. It was a combination of Cyanotype and Direct Positive (in Lightroom 2). I really like the colors that it brought out.
Random Fact: My students had "Naptime" today since they reached a goal. They chose to do it. Too bad I couldn't close my eyes myself, because I was tired.
A traditional playing card deck can be translated into traditional tarot meaning. The 8 of diamond translates to the 8 of pentacles. The 8 of pentacles speaks of apprenticeship and/or mastery. Seeing this card neglected and abandoned symbolizes the frustration one can have on the journey of mastering your skills.
I went to a Full Moon Circle last weekend - wasn't sure it was my thing to be honest, but I loved it and it has got me really inspired (cue trip to library to take out massive piles of books!). We all picked a self mastery card, and this was mine - Empowerment. Not at all unsuitable for this stage of my life!
I am an instrument of Immortality
Unraveling in time and space
Innocence and courage rise
Smashing one paradigm after another
The world leaps in colors through Being
In the song of life
In romantic artistry
In unity of every thing
Over the edge of a great abyss
Imagination and Intention dance
Revealing everything outwardly
In that very expression itself
Truth hits the mark
In that culmination of Unity
All masks fall away
© Ganga Fondan, 2011
(*Contemplation on 1 Corinthians 13, verse 11)
"We never know how high we are until we're called to rise and then if we are true to plan , our statures touch the skies." - Emily Dickinson
© 2010 Sarah Brooks. All Rights Reserved.
The last of the outtakes for the night.
Random Fact: My mind's been in the gutter all evening.
Executive Director of the UCLA Career Center, Author, Professor, Career and Life Mastery Consultant, Global Career Mastermind Leader, Career and Life Vision Thought Leader, Career Strategist, Philanthropist, Former Executive Director of the Career Design Lab at Columbia University, Former Professional Tennis Player, and Former Athlete Ambassador to the United States; Alumnus ‘03, Public Health
Discipline is the foundation on which true power is built.” In the heart of nature’s silence, where strength is measured not by brute force but by unwavering control, discipline becomes the core of true mastery. It is through rigorous self-command that authority is forged—steady, deliberate, and immovable. In every stance, every glance, lies a testament to the power cultivated through unyielding discipline.
"SUCCESS" as defined by The Spirit.
Q. How would you define "Success" for you?
My favourite definition involves "fruit" ie. results, outcomes.
A Life filled with these nine aspects would create a person who would be rather amazing to associate with, don't you agree?
🍇 #Love
🍇 #Joy
🍇 #Peace
🍇 #Patience
🍇 #Kindness
🍇 #Goodness
🍇 #Faith
🍇 #Gentleness
🍇 #SelfControl
The last one is a bit of a turn-off for me when defined as "self-control" - because it sounds restrictive and a bit boring. However, the Greek is 'egkratia' - "Mastery Within" - which is just about as exciting as it gets!
The Wheel I've created is to help you think about your own SPIRIT LEVEL in each of these segments. Imagine the levels like the Dan concept in Martial Arts. You may be a 7th Dan Master in Joy but only a 3rd Dan Master in Inner Mastery (self-control).
Q. Which one could you focus on today?
"Balance IS Power"
Background image credit goes to Patrick Fore on Unsplash
Authority is not born from a need to dominate others—it is cultivated through the mastery of self. Standing against the vast expanse of nature, this officer embodies the essence of inner strength and discipline. The serenity of the landscape mirrors the calm resolve required to wield true authority, which comes not from external validation but from an unshakable command over one’s mind and actions.
As the quote reminds us: “Genuine authority starts from within. It’s not a drive to command others but the power to master oneself.” This wisdom is a testament to the timeless truth that true leadership begins with self-mastery.
Through discipline, reflection, and perseverance, one earns the respect to lead others—not through coercion, but through unwavering example.
Executive Director of the UCLA Career Center, Author, Professor, Career and Life Mastery Consultant, Global Career Mastermind Leader, Career and Life Vision Thought Leader, Career Strategist, Philanthropist, Former Executive Director of the Career Design Lab at Columbia University, Former Professional Tennis Player, and Former Athlete Ambassador to the United States; Alumnus ‘03, Public Health
If you realize that you have enough,
you are truly rich.
Verse 33 Tao Te Ching
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
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ISO Speed: 100
Determination turns obstacles into mere stepping stones.” In the face of adversity, it is not strength alone that prevails but the relentless will to advance, to press forward without falter. True power lies in the resolve to transform every barrier into a pathway, each challenge a rung on the ladder to mastery. With a gaze set firmly on the horizon, there is no obstacle too great, no path too steep.