Love always

Wishing you love today and always ...

We have lots of room in our hearts to love, not only those dear to us, our family, friends, partners, but also, all those who come into our lives. It is in our nature to spread love ... it is free and limitless.

An interesting article that discusses the benefits of spreading love: 6 Reasons to Spread the Love

This article explains the various aspects of love beautifully: What is Love and What isn't? From it, some quotes that I can relate to:

Love does not come with conditions, stipulations, addenda, or codes. Like the sun, love radiates independently of our fears and desires."

Love does not say, "If you want to be loved, you must be nice," or "Do what i want," or "Never love anyone else," or "Promise you'll never leave me."

Love cares what becomes of you, because love knows that we are all interconnected.

Gratitude

Feeling grateful ...

Winter can be darn cold and icy

but when nature paints the landscape with snow and mist

creating an enchanting and surreal world

I'm under its spell

When we focus on the positive

it's so much easier to let go of the negative.

Sharing this interesting article about the benefits of gratitude.

The Neuroscience of Gratitude and how it Affects Anxiety and Grief

Winter 's fog and mist

blurs the hard lines of the mind

softens our vision

The Coral Heart's lovely journey - Le beau voyage de Coeur de Corail

It was a pleasure to read this positive review on the French translation of my book, The Coral Heart. Thanks again Robert Furlong for helping me with the translation. Thanks to Alain Gordon-Gentil of Pamplemousses Editions for editing and publishing it. 

Quel plaisir de lire ces commentaires encourageants sur mon livre Coeur de Corail. Merci encore une fois à Robert Furlong de m'avoir aidé à traduire ce livre. Merci à Alain Gordon-Gentil de Pamplemousses Editions de l'avoir édité et publié. 

https://litteratureilemaurice.blogspot.com/2019/09/peggy-lampotang-coeur-de-corail-le.html?fbclid=IwAR15Hly3NbdCRwQ321Y8QR4hwdD4X1yPluOmF9Br2BUHj5lOLYYYoeYlqMo#comment-form

I'm also thrilled that 3rd year students at University of Mauritius are currently studying The Coral Heart and Coeur de Corail for their BA French with Translation. 

Both books are available in Mauritius in all major bookstores. In Toronto, the English version is available at Book City St. Clair and Yonge, and worldwide on amazon.

  

Winter Weekend at Niagara Falls

Heavy snow, rain, and slashing winds 

did not stop us from driving to the falls.

Warm inside, we watched through windows

the mesmerizing force of pounding water

heard nature's roar, its continuous rush

felt the thrill of life, of friendship.

At the casino, a different kind of rush.

Bleary-eyed players pushing buttons

feeding bills into garish machines

seeking the thrill of winning

at the risk of losing everything.

Taking risks, an inherent part of human nature, 

makes me curious about why we choose to put ourselves in danger.

Or do we really have a choice when our genes are hardwired to do so?

Or did our childhood environment determine our risk-taking needs?

Some interesting articles that explore these issues:

https://theconversation.com/why-danger-is-exciting-but-only-to-some-people-64680

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00874/full

Authors' Afternoon with Lee Gowan and Ranjini George

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to meet our guest authors
Lee Gowan and Ranjini George

Come by and be inspired by these two fabulous writers who will share their writing journeys 

and read from their memoir, a work-in progress titled:

LOVE, KANNON: OUR PILGRIMAGE TO TOKYO

Looking forward to seeing many of you there. 

This is our last Authors' Afternoon at Stella's Café. 

More information will follow regarding its continuation in a different format, location, and with a new host.

Wishing you Peace and Love in 2020

Best wishes to all my blog readers for the holiday season.
I love Christmas, a beautiful time of joy in giving.
May the spirit continue all year long.

As I reflect on 2019, a year of growth, forgiveness and love,
I feel blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people,
family and friends who warm my heart each day.
May 2020 bring the same to you.
Keep your heart open with love and kindness
and good things will come.

Harbourfront at dusk

Grateful that in this city, 

we can find our way, within minutes, to the water, 

to a vast sky uninterrupted by the ever-present jungle of buildings,

to a tranquil lake that allows us to unwind,

even when the weather is darn cold.

We take in the crisp air, a brisk wind slapping our coats,

whipping strands of hair across our elated faces,

and I realize I love winter, its toughness,

the resilience it brings out in us, 

and I wait for the softness 

of its snow flakes.

Winter

Winter is finally here. But shades of spring are always around when you're surrounded by the warmth of good friends. Wishing you all a cosy day at home with loved ones. Stay safe.

A collage to bring some dreaminess on this brutally cold day.

I'm gonna run to you

Womanvoice 2019

Inviting you to Womanvoice, a celebration of women. I will read a few poems from my book Island Lovers. My talented friend Shannon Hancocks will accompany me with her graceful interpretive dancing. 

This yearly event is organized by Honey Novick to honour the women who were massacred 30 years ago at the École Polytechnique in Montreal.  It is a platform to allow women to explore new ideas, find their voices and make friends.

Please join us if you can. Let's encourage women to keep expressing themselves, their intelligence and creativity and not let themselves be intimidated by men who try to suppress their voices.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

A few inspiring quotes by strong women:

We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.

Malala Yousafzai

Each time a woman steps in for herself, without knowing it possibly,

without claiming it, she stands up for all women.

Maya Angelou

Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity.

It's your place in the world; it's your life.

Dr. Mae Jemison

There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.

Virginia Woolf

I am too intelligent, too demanding, and too resourceful for anyone to be able to take charge of me entirely. No one knows me or loves me completely. I have only myself.

Simone de Beauvoir

Authors' Afternoon with Naben Ruthnum

Inviting you to meet and chat with our guest author Naben Ruthnum. His best selling thrillers were written under his pen name Nathan Ripley. He will share his writing journey and talk about his books. It will be a thrilling afternoon for mystery lovers. See you there at this free and fun event.

Naben Ruthnum's books will not be available for purchase at the Authors' Afternoon. If you want the author to sign your books, please bring them to the event. They are available in all major bookstores.

On a trail in Cedarvale Park

On a trail in Cedarvale park

two red leaves on colours dark

startled me with such sorrow

so vibrant and sprightly

yet lost and scattered below

on a bed of soil and weeds

they lay there touching lightly

together, apart, friend or foe

poised, radiant, unaware

of their short lives so near

thriving in the moment

they spread their glow, ardent

with no fear, they dare the future

infusing the air with sweet rapture

two red leaves left their mark

on my walk through the park

Learning and growth

The last rays of summer on a cool fall day. Leaves turning shades of gold and red are so beautiful, invigorating, yet instil a melancholic feeling, preparing us for the dormant stage of winter. Fall may seem the same each year, but the delightful change of colours always fills me with a new sense of wonder.

Still working on my short stories. Lately, reflecting on past loves coming back into people's lives, perhaps to seek the comfort of what they miss from good old times. But when they repeat the same harmful patterns that broke the relationships, and cannot meet you where you have moved on, be strong enough to let go, or guide them in their inner journey. Learning from past experiences means not repeating negative habits. The key to growth is to be truthful to yourself and each other and to be willing to change.

We tend to think that when we get older, it's impossible to change. But there is hope. Check this video. I may not agree with everything Dr. Joe Dispenza says, but I do believe in his theory that when we desire change, we can rewire thinking habits, and create new positive connections in our brain.

Wishing you wisdom and growth in your evolving relationships on this gorgeous fall day, and a very happy Thanksgiving weekend among family and friends.

Authors' Afternoon with Susan Glickman

Inviting you to an inspiring afternoon with our guest author, Susan Glickman. 

She will be reading from her books and will discuss them with us. 

As usual, this is a free event and everybody is welcome.

Abstract Art

It was dark out there, and lights were reflecting on a window that had some kind of pinkish red pigment. Condensation from a quick change of temperature formed this interesting abstract image.

When we see things from only one angle, we miss so much. If the mind is flexible, a wondrous world opens up, not only in viewing things around us, but also in seeing people's positive potentials.

See all with your heart

through the complicated mess

feel sparks of wonder

Liter-Arti 2019

Inviting you to a fun afternoon of poetry and music.

Thrilled to be among these talented poets and songwriters.

I will read a few poems from my book Island Lovers.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Authors' Afternoon with Chris Hercules

Please join us for an exciting afternoon with our guest writer and story teller, Chris Hercules. He is among the new generation of spoken word artists who call themselves jazz poets. His material is inspired by jazz, world events, house music, and his everyday life experiences.

Night reflections

A cool summer night at Harbourfront
A Caribbean band's rhythm in the background
Lights flickering on the waves
Abstract art in the making

Reflections dancing on the water

gliding, swaying, shimmying, 

mesmerizing us with their 

shifting patterns 

Rainbow over the falls

I was at Niagara Falls last week with some friends, and we were thrilled to see this beautiful rainbow spreading its happy colours over the powerful rush of falling water. 

arc of hope and joy

ephemeral, compelling

defies all danger

                            

Authors' Afternoon with Honey Novick

Inviting you, book lovers and writers to meet our multi-talented guest author Honey Novick. She will talk about her latest poetry book, Undefeated Relevance and will share her writing tips with us.

Join us for an amazing afternoon with this dynamic poet and singer, and winner of the 2018 Canada 150 Outstanding Neighbours Award.

Creative vibes in Montreal.

Montreal always inspires me with its creative vibes. A few weeks ago, while we were walking through the Concordia University campus, we stumbled upon this sculpture. Mesmerizing. Just love the rhythmic movements propelled by the wind.

The Di-Octo is the creation of Anthony Howe, a kinetic wind sculptor. I'm fascinated by his work and checked them all. More if you click here.

Often, in our busy city lives, we forget to take time to enjoy art. Perhaps if we had sculptures like this in our concrete jungle, more people would be elated, joyful, and cope better with stress.