The Art of Life: Success & Maturity

“Make experience the only success and you will never fail.” - Emmanuel

What does failure mean? Something didn’t turn out the way you wanted or expected. Life is an experience that is always perfect when you understand the wisdom behind each action. We all like to win, but always winning doesn’t seem to make us grow. The slowest people to mature seem to be the ones that get everything they want. They appear to mirror the idea of success as having all their endeavors flourish. Sadly though, they become childish because of their expectations, pushing themselves and others to the level of abuse to satisfy their petty demands.

Maturity it seems, comes with knowing you won’t always win and accepting losing as winning at times. The idea of failure fuels us and compels movement towards goals. Living a meaningful life requires actions now before we succumb to regrets because we never tried.

We collect our mistakes and push forward. We embrace failure and see the wisdom from our efforts. Finally we are no longer a slave to success, but accept both aspects and see the beauty of doing our best in all situations. Maturity then brings us to duty and responsibility.

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel, Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black Orchid Spa and Sol Spa.

The Art of Life: Mind Space

By Christopher Emmanuel

“A cluttered mind can’t find focus”

Everything you acquire takes up mental space. I call this “Mind space”, because you hold it in your thoughts. Someone gave me a gift and I was thankful for it. But I thought to myself, “What am I going to do with it.” Have you ever gotten a gift you don’t want? But you kept it anyway because you don’t want to hurt the person - it’s like a gift you take out when they are coming over to visit. You want to be kind but you just don’t have use for it. Hey! Don’t get me wrong, who doesn’t love to get gifts? But only gifts that have value are the ones you can use. But come to think of it I am using the gift because it is the subject of this article.

We are possessed by what we own. For instance, you get a new boat, for the next while all you can think of is how you can enjoy it. Then it becomes something to maintain and the real cost comes into perspective. If you truly enjoy it, then it’s all part of the pleasure, but if you only love it when it works, you feel shackled by the thoughts when it’s not working.

So if you find your mind cluttered with too many thoughts, consider clearing your space. Physically clean out your closets and things at home that you don’t use. If you haven’t used it in six months or a year, trade it, sell it, and give it away. You will find your thoughts start to become clear.

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel, Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black orchid Spa and Sol Spa.

The Art of Life: End Purpose

“Your greatest legacy is held in the people you leave behind”

Most tourist come to Belize for a break. They want to slow down reassess. “Am I on track?” “Is there a purpose to what I am doing? Walking by the empty beach chairs you can almost hear the residue of leisure thoughts left behind. We slow down either to end a purpose; navigate the one we are in; or get started on a new one. We are all preparing for the final end purpose.

And what is our final end purpose? Some say, “It’s what you make it.” Others, “to go to heaven or hell,” Some don’t believe in either, but look to science reverting back to energy that never stops just become something else. Purpose is a human made concept and we need one to take a step in any direction. Even no purpose is a purpose. As you co-create it’s important to step away to get a bird’s eye view, now and then.

You make the brush strokes daily. Whatever you believe will be there to face you in the end. For me, its love, not that gushy stuff you see on TV though. When I think of love it is an unconditional energy that is inside and all around us. You can say we live inside this essence. This Divine energy communicates and is experienced through our heart-this energy is the same connected to the earth’s magnetic meridian.

Finding this essence everyday is your divine connection to going back to where you came from. After all no one knows when your purpose will truly end, that is why it’s a good idea to practice love in action, everyday.

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel, Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black orchid Spa and Sol Spa.

The Art of Life: Some things to wonder

“Humankind is a very small thing, compared to the wonder of nature”-Emmanuel

Swimming near the beach in San Pedro a tourist asked me why there is so much sea grass along the shores. From what I heard, I said, “The small marine life depends on the sea grass for safety and shelter from large fish. Also, they help create that clear turquoise green that is unique to the Cayes in Belize, as well as provide food for the birds and many species of fish that live near the coral reef.”

As I stopped talking I thought to myself. “Do I really know this?” We hear and read so much information. Some things we can make sense of and others we are just left to wonder: Such as; why more sand is taken by the sea in one place more than the other; Why butterflies migrate certain times of the year; why babies are born and die weeks later; why is it once we accomplish goals they lose meaning. We can all find some answer for all this, but all are in the realm of human definitions. We can spend all our lives searching for meaning. Today there is so much information who knows how to manage it all. Life is too short to spend time taking it all in, trying to understand it all. Better to slow down take only what you need to live now. When on the beach in San Pedro, just find a clear spot and enjoy the water to your heart’s content and leave the rest to wonder.

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel, Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black orchid Spa and Sol Spa.

Institute of Mexico inaugurates Women’s Photo and Film Exhibition

Press Release - Belmopan - 24 March 2011 - As part of the celebrations of Women's Month in Belize, the Embassy of Mexico inaugurated yesterday an exhibition of photography and film at the Institute of Mexico in Belize, with the support of Quintana Roo Women's Institute. The main objective of the exhibition is to raise public awareness on gender violence issues and share information on public programs that contribute to women’s empowerment.
The opening ceremony was headed by Ms. Icilda Humes, Director of the Women’s Department of the Government of Belize, Ms. Karla Patricia Rivero-Gonzalez, Director of Gender Perspective of the Quintana Roo Women's Institute (IQM), and Mr. Hector Peralta, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Mexico. Ms. Humes acknowledged the tremendous support received from Mexico and especially from Quintana Roo for assistance and cooperation projects on Women’s issues. She also expressed the Belizean government’s commitment to continue the coordination and exchange with the IQM.
Ms. Karla Rivero, on behalf of the director of IQM, Ms. Cecilia Loria-Maria, emphasized the excellent cooperation with Belize as well as Quintana Roo's interest to continue contributing to the development and empowerment of Belizean women. She stressed that women are characterized by diversity and called for increased efforts to combat gender violence. Mr. Peralta, meanwhile, delivered the welcome address and called for continuing the joint work between the two countries, in particular on women's issues.
The photographic exhibition includes 30 posters designed by women, using their artistic skills, and creativity. Through these posters, women denounce the excruciating reality of gender violence in different cultures and countries.
During the exhibition the short film “En el tiempo de las mariposas” (In the time of the butterflies) was presented. It tells the story of a group of sisters that fought for the release of their husbands during the Dictator Leonidas Trujillo’s regime in the Dominican Republic.
The event was also attended by artisans from Mexico's Mayan communities, who presented various embroidery techniques and results of development projects implemented in the Yucatan Peninsula.

The Art of Life: Your Chemistry

Hangovers- considering the amount of bars in San Pedro, I am sure they are people experiencing this daily. You can’t do anything but wait till the alcohol departs your body. Most often it takes a whole day to recover. Imagine you could see inside yourself-all your organs and the different circulatory systems that make your body work. Now everything you eat or drink that enters into your blood stream is there for you to see. Having the ability to see this we would all think twice before we consume the foods we do. Our bodies are machines that work efficiently with the right chemistry. Food is really just a form of chemistry.

Unfortunately we can’t see our chemistry, but we all have the ability to feel. Seeing inside yourself is listening to what your body is feeling. The language of the body is feeling. Some people are so out of touch with their bodies they never feel what their bodies are telling them. They continue to consume harmful chemistry until it’s too late. I often ask myself does pleasure have to cost so much.

Living your best requires knowing what is best for your body. Each one of us requires a unique chemistry, a balance only you know. No doctor can know you like you. Learning the language of your body is to know the nutrition that creates your personal balance.

Next time you find yourself in pain because of something you ate or drank, ask yourself if the pleasure of the experience was worth it. Then consider other ways to enjoy life without hurting your chemistry.

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel , Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black orchid Spa and Sol Spa.

The Art of Life: Carving inside out

“You are a work of art and you are being shaped everyday by the choices you make” - Emmanuel

Woodcarving is one of the great local arts in Belize. “I never pass up a good piece of drift wood,” explained a local carver. “Then I look at it or a few days till the wood talks to me. Seeing the shape it needs to be, I simply remove the unwanted wood around it carving it inside out.” Consider you life to be a sculpture in the making, you work on each day. Some days you progress more than you think. Other days you have setbacks.

On the road to improving your life you cannot stop strengthen yourself and cultivating the power inside you. Some days you will do better than others but if you cease your efforts you will slide back. Discipline is your hammer and chisel. It takes determination to create the greatest works of art. Eventually there is nothing more to achieve but the process and discoveries along the way to becoming the essence you already are.

The supreme master is inside everyone, while you are carving life, he’s’ shaping you, people places and experiences are his tools. You choose what you want to become-whether it is sandstone, limestone or shale, no one or thing can shape you unless you allow it, and that the God inside. And you never know how much you have to carve to find your personal perfection. How you would like to be shaped, hammer or feathers?

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel, Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black orchid Spa and Sol Spa.

The Art of Life - Tiny Stories

By Chris Emmanuel

“Words only have the power we choose to give them”

I am having a bad day.

He did it on purpose.

She let me down.

They are wrong.

These are the tiny stories we tell ourselves to justify our actions. When life doesn’t go the way we expect, we need to find a way to satisfy the small self. They are mostly a complaint to assert our behavior to others-designed to render judgment making rights and wrongs. We create unreal boundaries to push others down and build ourselves up. Through these boundaries we create enemies, most often never understanding the truth of a situation.

This is how we create suffering. Through time we block ourselves in, only gathering around us those who fit within the wall of our ego. And if that’s not enough, we tell others these tiny stories and spread poison on each other gathering disciples to justify our position. So many people today have lost the ability to think and not knowingly given their minds over to gossip, media, society and their peers. Brainwashing is always going on.

How nice life would be without these tiny stories that create divisions between people. How nice it would be to get the truth about what really happened. The great thing about a small island is you know everyone. The bad thing is that you know everyone. Suffering starts when we start naming or labeling our situation. Next time you find yourself suffering because of a tiny story, ask yourself: why do I let other people’s words and ideas become so important to me? Then spend your time focusing on what you want to get out of life.

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in the Sun breeze Hotel, Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black orchid Spa and Sol Spa.

Huge Gallery Sale This Saturday!

ABC Pre-School parents create Valentine art with children

Valentine's Day is super special for many reasons...at ABC Pre-School, parents were invited to join their little ones in creating some beautiful artwork honoring the day of love. Parents got into the crafting with glue, paper, crayons, scissors and more...helping their sons and daughters to make beautiful memories...

Happy Valentine's Day to all!!

The Art of Life - Lovers Nature

Cooking is like making love, you need the right ingredients

Immortal Kiss

Let’s speak of love and so we should

A boy of youth I thought I could

Did take the oath to make a mark

On tender heart stained passion dark

In bold desire we did spend

Brave emotion constant sent

And when the time had come to part

We tried, wept a broken heart

That love can leave one empty so

A turn in time we cannot know

Kissing, touching immortal soul

Once again makes us whole

Making love is part of our human nature. Why should we be ashamed of it? Like nakedness, it’s simply our humanity. In today’s’ world sharing our bodies have become complex. Sex has so many taboos, and meaning attached to it, it has become like eggs in our societies dark closet.
Sex should not be used to control or manipulate, to abuse or for selfish pursuits. I dare say those who have known the painful results for a quick minute pleasure.

Anything hidden and denied becomes a perversion. Some religions confine and control it, advertising glorify it, Obsessive’s perverts it, and spiritual seekers deny it. No wonder it has become a seething undercurrent in our culture. Lovemaking is far more than these ideals. We need to make lovemaking natural and healthy. Make it precious like the food we take time to prepare with the right ingredients. It is a natural need that should be properly respected. It is a gift from the divine, which unites love through physical expression. It is a sacred, profound act between two consenting souls. The result is our legacy and co creates our existence.

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel, Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black orchid Spa and Sol Spa.

David Terrelonge captures Coco Locos Bar on canvas

David Terrelonge is a Jamaican artist living in Belize (Billy White, Cayo District). He has been traveling back and forth to La Isla Bonita, painting in Belizean Arts Art Gallery when he does visit, capturing a variety of subjects on canvas. One such subject was Coco Locos bar, located a short distance from the bridge in North Ambergris Caye. With his brushstrokes, Terrelonge captured the essence of one of the favorite bars on the island. The original painting was snapped up by Tyler Cadieux of Sarnia, Ontario, but prints will be available for sale at Coco Locos. Other artworks by Terrlonge are available at Belizean Arts gallery, located at Fido’s Courtyard on Barrier Reef Drive.

THE ART OF LIFE - By Christopher Emmanuel

“There is an art to life. Every moment is crafted by you”--Emmanuel

We are all artists of life – whether we accept it or not, take charge or follow. Whatever we choose to believe or do, we are the one who give our lives purpose by using our abilities to form joy and meaning. Artists have many tools and materials to create with; creative beings are constantly looking and learning to improve their craft, creating their lives.

There are many ways we color our world; some experiences generate disturbing purples blackish red moods and others cause golden rays to shoot from our hearts bringing joy to ourselves and others. Like the morning my partner and I observed dolphins dancing near the shoreline in San Pedro. Three Dolphins came close to the docks and we watched in amazement as they looped and danced in the air splashing in the aqua green sea. The joy these happy creatures displayed took us away from planning our strokes for the day to a timeless place of wonder. Who does not love dolphins!! I think dolphins are the true mermaids.

Did you know, there were cases of dolphins which defended shipwrecked people swimming in the water from shark attacks till rescue ships appeared. And real incidents of people saved from drowning by dolphins are known; this behavior is mentioned in many tales, from ancient Greek and Roman stories to the legends of the Polynesians and Maori of New Zealand. Sometimes they carried people more than 20 miles to shore. In other cases, dolphins guided fishermen lost in the mist or shipwrecked, and people lost at sea to the shore. But dolphins do more than save people; they create part of the wonder which transports us beyond to a magical place of hope, adding color to our canvas. Keeping the shoreline free of garbage and debris is a simple way of preserving this wonder for our children’s’ children.

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel, Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, and Sol Spa.