“This moment is just a dot in your life. Think about that!” —Mari Andrew

Am I There Yet? The Loop-de-Loop, Zigzagging Journey to Adulthood” by Mari Andrew is one of the most honest yet hilarious self-help books about navigating through life by way of a relatable medley of illustration, observation and advice. Even if the age reference is women in their 20s, the illustrated life lessons are applicable to women going through midlife challenges, as well.

The witty and astonishingly entertaining drawings cover various topics like love and dating, mending a broken heart, living in foreign places, perils of job hunting and growing up, and finding yourself.

The book has a wealth of insight and advice. As an artist, this illustrator shares that we are the only ones who have to live with our decisions. “You are the artist of your own life! Display it, take pride in it, polish it. It’s an exhibition, not a contest.”

So, I ask myself: Am I there yet? Will I ever get there? My present journey is a nonstop adventure of learning and growth. I recently reconnected with Elaine C. Kahn, health and wellness coach and self-mastery mentor (3/F Palma House, 6047 R. Palma St., Poblacion, Makati; tel. 0927-7780806; email [email protected]). A mind-body science professional, Elaine heals through nurturing and aligning your whole being. It is pretty complex to explain the incredible healing session with Elaine, but through our session together, I instantly felt my aura being cleared and my energy elevating.

With her life coaching and energy healing, she helped me have an emotional and trauma release. At the end of the therapy session, Elaine aligned me internally and connected with my spirituality, and I “crossed” the finish line of my current chapter.

We are all energies. We need to gain a deeper understanding of our core motivations, the fears we face and the unconscious realities that affect our life decisions.

A seasoned executive coach, Elaine has over 20 years of experience in coaching and leading high tech organizations. Most recently, she served Symantec Corp., the leading digital security company based in Silicon Valley.

Enjoy the show

It is quite amazing that even after a year-and-a-half of intense healing and therapy, I am continually gaining a deeper insight into my core values and embracing my personal transformation. Transitions and evolutions are never easy.

We need a strong yet nurturing support network: family and friends who are there with you no matter what emotion is prevailing—because life’s curveballs and surprises can fill us with different kinds of emotions.

In that way, life is like the theater. The stage of life could be featuring a tragic opera, a fairy-tale ballet, a rom-com musical or a K-pop concert. Sometimes we just need to sit back and enjoy the show. And with the entertainment industry slowly blooming again, we can all do that at live shows like festivals and theater plays.

Together with the help of Ayala Land and Circuit Makati, the Samsung Performing Arts Theater was launched to provide the audience with state-of-the-art performances from our very own Filipino performers.

On invitation of Buhay Retreats founder Tina Baron, I attended the opening of the 1,500-seater landmark performance facility built to provide a home for both Filipino and international talent. During the intermission, I met managing director Christopher Mohnani, who shared his excitement about upcoming shows.

The Samsung Performing Arts Theater is designed by US-based Theatre Projects Consultants and experts on sound design Akustiks, in partnership with GF & Partners Architects and world-renowned architects from CallisonRTKL. I marveled at the impressive lobbies and architectural details.

Dressing up for the theater’s opening was so delightful! I found a glittery gown by Cherry Veric in my archive, and I happily paraded while mingling with friends like before. The star-studded performance was highlighted by the ballet dancers of Steps Dance Studio and my favorite opera diva, Rachelle Gerodias. It was indeed a magical night.

Art for Ukraine

The local arts and theater scene is truly alive. Continuing from last week’s gallery openings, I was happy to host the unveiling of a display of powerful art pieces together with my forever favorite Red Charity Gala cohost Tim Yap. The one-day exhibition at Power Plant Mall in Makati was to generate funds to help war-stricken Ukraine.

The show featured powerful work from Ukrainian artist Arthur Tselishchev, Filipino painter Carlo Mecate and fashion designer Jerome Lorico, and their pieces conveyed their strong call for peace.

Tselishchev, Mecate, Lorico and their friends privately mounted this exhibit that aimed to demonstrate the solidarity of the Filipinos with the Ukrainians to aid those affected by the war. Good friend Eric Po helped the artists organize this worthy event.

Apart from artworks, giant monsteras and other plants from Pido Villanueva of PGD Botanique were auctioned off. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital, the biggest children’s hospital in Kyiv and a facility hit by a bomb in the earlier days of the war. The donations will go to the treatment of children who were victims of shelling.

Consulates and ambassadors from various embassies graced the event, including European Union Ambassador Luc Veron, honorary consul of Ukraine in Manila Dr. Beatrice Jane Ang, honorary consul of Tanzania in Manila Betty L. Ang, delegation of the European Union in the Philippines and embassy representatives from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Germany and the United States of America.

In all the confusion in life, be cheerful and let go of all the superficial nonsense. Go beyond and find your inner truth. No labels could define you, so go and discover the deeper essence of being. If that doesn’t work, sing off-key, dance to any beat and enjoy every stage of your life!

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