Remembering my grandma....esp now during International Women day events

Good evening everyone! I decided to blog today after attending an event which was part of the International Women's day celebration hosted at the company I'm working for. International Women's day was on March 8, but it was really nice that a small group of volunteers in my workplace hosted a few events to celebrate it not once, but throughout the month :)

Happy Women's Day! Woohoo!

Today's session was a book discussion on 'Lean In' by Sheryl Sandberg. I haven't read the book - it's on my To Do list of 'Books to read or it will collect dust soon' :P - but I've seen the video of Sheryl talking about women lacking the will to lead. Among the audience today, a few ladies and 'thorns' - i mean guys :) - shared about their personal stories related to this topic. 

What is interesting, which Sheryl shared and confirmed by some of the ladies today, is that women sub-consciously slow down their career ambitions the moment they start to have a baby, or even much earlier, when they just got married. Sheryl highlights that it's very important to have a challenging and fulfilling career, because it's very hard to leave the 'little one' behind at home if you feel demotivated at work - think snoopy with his head on the ground. :) Women need to have that balance, but we intentionally sabotage it by thinking 'Oh, I'm the mother, I need to spend more time at home with the kids. It's my job, career takes a back seat'. Sounds familiar?

As the ladies in the room shared about their struggles at work; should they work hard for a promotion while pregnant with a child, should they volunteer for difficult projects etc....a thought flashed in my mind about my grandmother. In fact, it was a visual image, and the image was that of her name card.

Yup, I found this namecard while clearing my house 2 years back. I think I took it as a souvenir when I was just a kid. My uncle said she's the first business woman in KL back in the 1940s-50s. Not bad for a lady who could not read and write, but she did learn how to count and calculate...very important for business :)

In loving memory of my Grandma...
she passed away a few years ago

My grandma was born around the 1920s (I think) and got married early via arranged marriage. Both my grandparents (my mum's parents) were very poor, and my grandfather had to do many odd jobs, which include tin mining (which was dangerous), trishaw puller (I bet he had big abs!), painting the cinema screens (yeah, cool right?) and finally found his niche repairing bicycles. From bicycles he moved on to selling new and used cars, and my grandmother was instrumental to help his business succeed. 

The ladies who shared their stories, talked about how hard it was to have a kid, much more with 2 kids. My grandma had 6 kids...which was not considered a lot back then (my other grandma had 14 kids...yup...btw, she's super healthy now at the age of 92!). I don't have the full story, I probably need to get it from my mum and uncles, but my grandma did help out with business which lasted over 40 years. In fact, their shop was also their home, and my mum and her siblings would sleep in the 'super tight' attic above the shop. 

My grandma was born in China and came over to Malaysia while still a baby, so we do not know her actual birthdate. It would have been useful to know what was her Day Element. I'm assuming she's a Yang Metal - visualize a picture of an axe. Yang Metal people are hard workers who are true to their family. Among all the elements, they are very tough and can handle large amount of stress. They also enjoy challenges; imagine an axe that constantly needs to sharpen itself to be useful to chop trees.

My uncles and mum had a cantonese saying for my grandma, which is loosely translated as 'steel bones'. The reason was because she was a very tough lady, maybe a little bit controlling, super stubborn at times!! but acted her role as the head of family, especially after my grandfather passed away. So I guess the Yang Metal does fit her personality well :)

That is more on the BaZi birth chart. The other visual that came to my mind was via the Tarot card reading....and the first image that flashed in my mind was 'The Emperor' card

The emperor represents a personality of power and authority; he provides and protects his loved ones. His wisdom is borne through years of experience. He is also a representative of structure and stability. Talking about stability, my grandma worked hard to save money and invest in properties, which if you think back in 1970s and 80s, it's quite rare to find a women who would think about property investment. She did so to also ensure that her children and grand children would be taken care for. In fact, two of her properties are under their care, long after she has gone.

Many years ago, I did a short video animation tribute for my grandfather. Although I wasn't very close with my grandma, I do hope that by retelling her story, in some ways, I'm paying a tribute to her as well. :)

Whew! Super long post but I hope you found her story inspiring :). She did all of the above during a time when there were hardly any women in business or held senior positions in companies. It didn't really occur to me, until today, that she had a very strong character, to the point that even thieves were afraid of her! I'll leave that story for another day (yes, she evaded thieves twice- one whom she kept kicking as he tried to enter the house, the other she er...negotiated with him to leave her house).

Nites everyone!

Back to square one - what and why are these five elements so important?

Hello folks! It's a rare lazy Sunday evening for me and my brain is currently functioning on 'sleep' mode. I guess it doesn't help that I'm sipping my favourite chamomile tea while I'm typing this out. :P

But enough excuses! I believe a weekend is not fully utilized if I did not do something productive....and that includes writing my blog :). 

In my past two posts, I mentioned about 2 elements, which is the Yin Metal and Yang Fire. Before i progress further, let me briefly explain the importance of these five elements.

To study any form of personal chart reading or Feng Shui, it is important to first understand the fundamentals of the five elements. According to the academy where I'm still a humble student, the five elements is the foundation for all metaphysic studies. All beings, characters, actions, events are a composition of the five elements which are created from the relationship synergy between Yin and Yang! The ever dynamic energy that 'bounces' between Yin and Yang are not too different from your electrons and protons.

A pictorial example of the five elements (L-R): Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water

Ok, I can just hear the 'cynic' in you go 'Phhpppt (tongue sticking out), that's a load of crap!'. Although, I'm pretty sure you all are nice human beings and would instead nod intelligently and say 'Hmmmm, that is really quite unbelievable'. Yes, I'm pretty sure most of you are the 2nd type of person (wink!) - except my husband who kinda looked at me with big skeptical eyes when I first brought this up. But now he's happy being known as a Yang Fire- the all powerful Sun - hehehe.

It's important to have fun studying any subject, and for me, the Five Elements is a fun topic when I could relate the character and personality traits of the elements to the people I know. Imagine wearing Google Glass, and as you look at your boss it states 'Yang Fire' or at your kids 'Yin Metal'! (Hint - Yin Metal people are generally quite loud and attention-seekers) Well, that was how it was for me and surprisingly, I wasn't very far from the truth. For example, at my workplace, two of my colleagues are often well-dressed and attractive looking - not surprisingly they are Yin Metal. One of my family members who loves to 'mother' her plants is a Yin Earth. Also, water people-specifically the Yin Water- are very intelligent and often have their head in the clouds!

See how it can be fun! However, it can also be a humbling experience for some of my clients who can't relate to their Day Element. This is due to many reasons; low self-esteem, lack of self-awareness or weak character. The last statement is not truly their fault, as the strength of their Day Element is very much determined by the season of their birth. Imagine a tree (wood element) born in winter....not very strong and lively ya?

In order to truly understand the five elements characteristics by heart, all it takes is a keen observation of nature. In fact, my teacher's first guidance to us was to close the textbook and just take some time off to observe nature. It's really that simple :) I can just imagine the ancient Chinese scholars of the past, taking a stroll along the mountain path and say (obviously in Mandarin) 'Ah, look at how lush and green the mountains are, how strong and sturdy they have always been over these hundreds of years. Hmm, in fact they have never moved! Reminds me of my younger brother who has always been a loyal worker to his employer for as long as I can remember'....or something like that. Although I'm pretty sure that if smartphones were invented then, they would be listening to music or surfing the web. As I mentioned previously, the only time we truly observe nature is when we're on holiday....or just plain bored. :P

Ok, adios, the weekend is ending soon (sob!sob!). I hope to posts more often and hopefully make metaphysics a fun subject for my readers and clients. :)

Comments and inputs are welcomed!

Wherefore art thou is the missing plane? May the Yang (Bing) Fire shed some light into this mystery

Hello folks! Some of you have asked why I haven't post in a while, and I admit that besides the same excuse of 'no time' :( I was also keeping myself busy on FB and the web to find the latest news on the missing plane. You know it's gained worldwide attention when even a well-known Tarot reader in Australia did a card reading to figure out what happened to it!

I still have the surreal feeling whenever I watch CNN or bloomberg and the news is about MH370. It's times like this when you need some optimism and prayer for the hundreds of lives on board the plane, especially the lack of news (or worse, embarrassing conduct of u-know-whos) with every passing day. 

Among all the elements, the most optimistic and giving is the Yang Fire-none other than Mr Sun :)

The sun radiates warmth, energy and gives freely without asking anything in return. Just look at the smiley-sun picture above; don't you feel like smiling as well? :) People born on the day of Yang Fire (also known as Bing Fire) are always vibrant, happy-go-lucky and often look at the positive side of things! 

If they are 'fired up' about something they believe in, they are also known to have strong perseverance skills; just as the sun rises and sets every day without fail to give life to all living beings on earth. Of course, since we're on the subject about the Sun's job, you'll never see the sun go 'Hmm, let me just take a nap for 1 hr...I think life on earth wouldn't mind...ZZZZ'...If that happens, you can be sure humans would call it the end of the world as they wait in darkness. Or maybe they'll call the FBI (I just learn a new acronym, Federal Bomoh Investigation) for help....ok, inside joke for Malaysians. :P

So yes, Mr Sun keeps to a routine, which probably explains why Yang Fire people keeps going to the same restaurant, orders the same food, drink the same drink, etc etc. Now don't laugh! If your chart has Yang Fire elements (meaning you're born in the hour, month or year with Yang Fire present) you will have this same behaviour as well. My husband is a Yang Fire person, with an ever-ready smile (his wife is the opposite, with an ever-ready frown :( ) and would often go to the same cafe after work. He has now stop the habit, after thinking about the 6% tax he has to pay to fund (*blackout*)...Oh, did I say something, can't remember what is it...old joke for my Malaysian friends.

Back to MH370, let's hope that the next dawn will shed some light of hope for the families who are waiting anxiously for far too long. May the Yang Fire bring happiness or closure soon for these families. Our prayers are with you.....

Diamond Rings, Coins and something known as Yin Metal

Hello folks! I'm back after a dry spell know as 'work stress'. Of course, seeing the ultraman fiasco in my country is enough to put me back in my 'smiley-face' mood.

Taking advantage at lunch break to write a short post about the five elements - continuation from my 2nd post. Thank you for the feedback and 'pat-on-the-back' comments I've been receiving from some folks - made my day :) 

The five elements that we study in Metaphysics are Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire. Each element has a Yin and Yang nature to it, which naturally leads to the first question my clients ask me: "Which one better?" or even "Aiyo, all yin means bad ya?". If you refer to the picture below, this is the famous Yin/Yang logo which depicts a balance nature, which means no good and bad. Although, I do get folks saying "Ee, I dont want to have the black (Yang) element. Bad luck!" (*Author hits head on virtual wall)

Now, back to the five elements, remember when I mentioned that all of us have a main element? What this means is that the day you are born, that element is your Day Element and your strongest nature. For me, I was born on the day when Yin (or Xin) Metal was the strongest. 

Before we delve further, the ancient Chinese texts usage of the five elements is to lend a pictorial image to help chinese scholars to interpret characters, events, actions, etc. Just imagine in the old days, 5000 years ago, when no astro or samsung smartphone were invented, people actually had time to go out and appreciate nature and its interesting characteristics. Nowadays, we appreciate it during holidays, or worse, via National Geographic channel :P.  

Now back to metal. I'm a Yin Metal element, which is easily explained as precious metal or jewelry items. This means among the five elements it is the 'prettiest' in nature...*ahem*. Shiny mah! :)

When you think of a diamond, what do you think? Yes! We love to shine and better yet, be the center of attention! We love to enjoy life, think that we are slightly better than others (er...), love compliments (yes, the more the merrier, come come!) and can be sensitive (ouch!). 

Now, what happens if you know a friend who is Yin Metal, who wears drab and bland clothes, looks down, prefers to eat alone and basically ignore the world? Something wrong yeah? Well that was mua many many years ago....although my fashion tastes still not the best yet- must learn from Miranda Kerr! How and why did this happened? 

If I were to travel back in time, and ask this question to myself, the answer posted back would be - I didn't feel valuable. I felt then, that I could offer no value to the world. Thus, I shun the world and the world (which I felt at that time) ignored me. Also, I was going through something called luck cycle which was not in favour for me to 'shine', so to speak (senior practitioners nod their heads in understanding). I'll share more about luck cycles in future posts.

This is how I felt when I was a teenager...er minus the smoke, alcohol, 

pierced earring (that would be cool!), and mickey mouse ears. Oh and the wrinkles too. :P

That's why a diamond that shines with no value, will stop shining after a while and becomes a plain stone. Add the element of earth (if it's present in the hour, month, year you are born), you may find the 'diamond' buried further in earth, never to shine.

This is just a first lesson on why knowing your self is important. I had gone in the opposite direction of self-realization in my teenage years - i had no value, no one likes me, yada yada...okok, I should not be hard on myself :) But now, I realize what I am (actually, pictorially, I'm a coin, not a diamond...hehe) I take efforts to make it come true and i do become happier.

Ok....that's the mini-lesson for today. Learn about the good spectrum of yourself (I have value like a diamond), not the bad spectrum (I have no value- worthless). And to all 'diamonds' out there, and all women too, happy international woman's day!

Oh, and Happy Friday!

Whew! now back to work!

The Other World....woooooohhh (*ghostly sound effects)

Wow! I actually made it to post 2. (Author pats herself on the back, nearly twisting her stiff arm :P)

Ok, that's being too melodramatic :) but my close friends who knows me, know I have many ideas but hardly follow thru on them. The only time I really do follow thru with my ideas is during my day job at Company I (It who shall not be named for now).That's probably because I'm paid to do it, and when it's your own life and no one is paying you anything, it's a little harder to follow through on your grand plans, don't you think?

Well, some folks asked me about my latest interest which is metaphysics. Why metaphysics?

According to Wikipedia, metaphysics is termed as:

"...a traditional branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world that encompasses it, although the term is not easily defined"

Wikipedia also states that

"A person who studies metaphysics is called a metaphysicist [4] or a metaphysician.[5] The metaphysician attempts to clarify the fundamental notions by which people understand the world, e.g., existence, objects and their properties, space and time, cause and effect, and possibility."

In plain english, I believe that metaphysics is the so called 'other world' which explains how human beings, animals, plants, objects coexist via a form of pure energy.

Ok, I think I lost you there. I can just imagine your blank looks :) Wikipedia explained it better I think :P

My first glimpse of metaphysics was probably the game 'Spirit of the Coin' way back when I was 12 years old.

I'm not sure if this really does fall under the category 'metaphysics', but there was certainly the element of mystery in it. I can still remember young children hunched over a scribbled paper and fingers moved as if guided by an invisible hand. But I'm not recommending anyone to try it (although interestingly someone posted a wiki-how page).

The area under metaphysics is really a combination of mystery, the unknown, a thrill factor and also unnecessary fear (e.g like the game spirit of the coin). When I first began my studies in metaphysics, my mother was very worried about what I was getting myself into, particularly on tarot reading. Her fear is also mirrored across a few well-meaning friends who may see some tools or practices of metaphysics as a 'cult' practice.

Having began my studies since May 2013, if anything I feel that my life has gotten better, and close family and friends have also noted that I've changed. And (touch wood!) I haven't had lightning strike me down and a deep voice proclaiming ' Ye shall not be allowed to practice BaZi or Tarot!'.

Jokes aside, this blog post is really my simple and steady approach to help educate my future and current clients on what metaphysics is about (No, I won't say at what age you will die...who wants to know that?:P). Also, to help educate anyone reading this blog that it is not mumbo-jumbo stuff and actually has helped people to live a better life. Hmm, although the ability to predict 4D numbers would be helpful (kidding!).

Also, hopefully, through my blog posts folks can see me as a normal human being and not a gypsy lady with a crystal ball (although my husband is still pestering me to take on the name Madame Zimza)

Now, back to the topic at hand.

More current examples of metaphysics world would be 'Law of attraction' which most folks may associate with positive thinking. The Secret (by Rhonda Bryne) talks about a corresponding frequency that is sent out into the universe that attracts back to us events and circumstances on that same frequency. This has proven to be very popular although I can see heads nodding going 'Yup, heard about it, tried it, don't believe it, nope!'.

The field i'm currently studying is BaZi (or four pillars of destiny) and Tarot Reading.

Originally, I studied BaZi to understand myself better (For some reason, I was quick to judge others - yup, that person is going to be tough to talk to, best to avoid- but found it harder to judge myself - er, who am I?). I paid a hefty fee for the class despite having holes in my pockets but felt it was about time I try it. Mind you, this is not the first time I've signed up for courses to understand myself or 'program' myself to who I want to be, but for some reason, I had  $XXXX amount to spare (which could have been used for a holiday I think) and voila! I swipe my credit card with gusto - and tried to ask for freebies with no luck :(

I had a great teacher in my first class (who incidentally read my first blog post *sweating*) and I began peeling the 'onion' layer about myself. I love themes and theories, and the first one we were taught was on the five elements. Although, the first thought that came to my mind was the cartoon Captain Planet....remember the theme song? Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Hearrtttt! Go Planet! Let your powers combine, I'm Captain Planet! Pretty catchy, check it out here.

Er, where was I? Ah yes, the five elements. Did you know that each of us have a main element? Oooohhh, the 'other world' will be revealed soon.....patience my young padawan.The force will be revealed to you soon.......

Until then, adios, and in my upcoming posts I'll be less academic and share more on personal or sharings/lessons from my clients (they who shall also not be named).

Comments, inputs and total silence (kidding!) welcomed!! ;)

Hello! I'm Regina Ong, Penang gal and practitioner of metaphysics, facilitation and other weird stuff

Hello! I'm Regina Ong, Penang gal and practitioner of metaphysics, facilitation and other weird stuff :) I'm starting a blog to record my journey on my current interests, particularly on life chart and tarot reading. I'm easily excited by new things, hence you'll see me blogging about topics which are totally not related to each other; Open space facilitation and BaZi metaphysics reading....er, what's the connection here? 

I'll also be blogging about the lessons I've learnt throughout this journey, and the many interesting people I've met in my consultations (no names mentioned, pinky promise :)). In case you're wondering, yes, I do offer freelance reading on BaZi life chart analysis, Tarot reading and soon on Feng Shui remedy tips. I also do offer my services as a process facilitation, e.g I can help design facilitation programs to suit any key or critical meeting discussions regardless the group size...yes give me the challenge!!

More importantly, I hope that the stories or lessons I'll be sharing may hopefully help you on your own self-discovery to find your own strengths and passion. What I meant is that what I've mentioned above is really about me finding my dream job and I hope that it can help provide you insights in your own self-discovery to find your own passion and meaning in life. I'm not particularly interested in finding financial freedom (gasp!) as long as I'm doing something I love every day. And I hope you will to :) (unless you're busy checking out fb while simultaneously reading this. Don't worry, I'm a fb freak too :))