Love and the Empowered Woman (TEDx)

As some of you might know, I am a big fan of TEDx talks. I especially love this eighteen-minute talk by dr. Ali Binazir. He shares some wise words about (what's new) L-O-V-E and The Empowered Woman.

 

All begins by loving yourself. Love yourself like your life depends on it. Recognize who you truly are and lots of things will just take care of themselves. And a friendly reminder: ful-fill-ment is a feeling - NOT a person.

 

Namasté.

 

Saraï

 

 

A new year might be a new beginning

At the beginning of a new year we often reflect on the 365 days that we just passed. We become aware of all that we accomplished and experienced, but also what is now outgrown, what has served its purpose and what is no longer needed.

Be conscious of endings and honor them with gratitude in order to move on and leave the past behind – where it belongs. See, before a new chapter is begun, the old one has to be finished. So accept and let things go. Release and detach yourself from them. It may be difficult, but it is important – a habit is not a need. Shutting doors, ending chapters or closing cycles… A new year might be a new beginning.

And as Jack Kerouac once stated: "Be in love with your life. Every detail of it.”

With a grateful heart, I wish each and every one of you all the best in 2013.

Saraï 

Loyalty is a choice

"Loyalty can never be imposed by force, fear, insecurity or intimidation. It is a choice that only strong spirits have the courage to make. And because it is a choice, it will never tolerate betrayal, but will always be generous with mistakes."

- Paulo Coelho (Manuscript found in accra, 2012)

The condition of the ethical life

"To be a good human being is to have a kind of openness to the world, an ability to trust uncertain things beyond your own control, that can lead you to be shattered in very extreme circumstances for which you were not to blame. That says something very important about the condition of the ethical life: that it is based on a trust in the uncertain and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a plant than like a jewel, something rather fragile, but whose very particular beauty is inseparable from that fragility.
" 

- Martha Nussbaum

Lean in...

In life, we think that the point is to pass the test or overcome the problem. The real truth is that things don't really get solved. They come together for a time, then they fall back apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It's just like that.

Personal discovery and growth come from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.

Suffering comes from wishing things were different. Misery is self inflicted, when we are expecting the "ideal" to overcome the "actual", or needing things (or people, or places) to be different for us so we can then be happy.

Let the hard things in life break you. Let them effect you. Let them change you. Let these hard moments inform you. Let this pain be your teacher. The experiences of your life are trying to tell you something about yourself. Don't cop out on that. Don't run away and hide under your covers. Lean into it.

What is the lesson in this wind? What is this storm trying to tell you? What will you learn if you face it with courage? With full honesty and - lean into it.

 

- Pema Chodron

The flow of life

"We must look at the lens through which we see the world, as well as at the world we see, and understand that the lens itself shapes how we interpret the world." - S. Covey

 

con-tent-ment [kuhn-tent-muhnt] noun

1. the state of being contented; satisfaction; ease of mind.

 

Everything in life is about perspective. My perspective defines how I view the world, situations, opportunities, events and circumstances. Life is in the eye of the beholder. Feeling content with life, at this moment, right now, is most deffinitely the key to being at peace. And, enjoying my own unique life journey to the fullest. It defines the life I am living. And there actually is no where I would rather be, than right here. Right now.

 

"Becoming a great enjoyer, a great doer and a great renouncer will result us in leading a content and peaceful life." - Unknown


Love,
Saraï

 

 

 

 

Brazilian jiu-jitsu Ladies Summercamp 2012

Eindhoven, August 24 2012

 

The third edition of the Brazilian jiu-jitsu Ladies Summercamp Holland is about to start. Over 50 ladies registered for a weekend full of BJJ, grappling and fun. Ladies from Norway to Spain, Germany to Austria, and from the UK to the Netherlands. All sharing the same passion: Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Why I think women should practise BJJ or grappling? Being a female, and being generally smaller and less strong than most guys, we get knocked down more easily. Considering that a large percent of altercations end up on the ground, it is important for us ladies to know what to do in that situation. So from a self-defense perspective it's valuable that we are able to think clearly and defend ourselves on the ground. Furthermore BJJ shows that you don't have to be the biggest or strongest to be successful. Practising BJJ makes you feel empowered and confident, in any situation. And it's so much fun!

So, photographers Phillipp Schmidt and Kevin Kwee, both BJJ practitioners, took pictures during this awesome weekend. Please take a look:

First class on Saturday

 

 

Mixed class, ladies and Gracie Barra NL

Gi's

Warming up @ grappling

Headinstructor Yasmin during grappling

Helping Brechje with a choke

Instructions after take-down

Grappling take-downs

Ezi-kiel choke with gi

All smiles :-)

 If you are interested in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, take a look at www.brasateam.nl and join us! :-)

Saraï