What's Bliss Got To Do with It?
What’s Bliss Got to Do with It?
March 16 , 2023
Bliss as defined is the perfect happiness or joy. A friend of mine Alicia, who I consider the godmother of Bliss Chains has once expressed that when she thinks of me, she thinks of “bliss”. Is perfect happiness or joy really attainable? I honestly think that what makes me feel blissful is my love of learning from other people who somehow embody a state of bliss.
I on the other hand, am still continuously learning how to choose happiness as a state of being. Sure, this may seem like an impossibility and I have struggled embodying it especially in my most trying time but I believe it is attainable.
I always give my departed mother an acknowledgment in co-creating this small business endeavor. It was only a year and a half ago when I lost my lovely mother Sonia, along with four other family members. It was sudden and heart breaking. Living life then felt like a cumbersome chore. Away from my family, in the midst of the pandemic and my economic well being was in a constant struggle. The Universe has tried and tested my mettle. Needless to say, it was the most painful era of my life.
I am very grateful for everyone who has mindfully shown compassion towards my plight, for encouraging me to stay vulnerable and to tell my story because it will liberate me. Not only it liberated me, it made me thrive. I’d like to express my profound gratitude to Hanai Foundation, Juniper Preserve, The Harmony House and Unity Community of Central Oregon for guiding my spirit back to its fullness. The mentors in the self-care community have enhanced my knowledge and broaden my tools in nurturing compassion for myself, how to engage in our community and to cultivate joy through play.
These are the fundamental aspects of what Bliss Chains is about nurturing self-compassion through play and connection with others. For me , a blissful state is tied with a mindful way of making positive choices that affected my life as a whole.
I am thrilled to share more about my journey through Bliss Chains that combine art , healing and connection with others through these bliss classes and play shops.
Genesis
I’m sharing this poetry inspired by “Plan for Bliss”, a tribute event for my mother’s life celebration.
My Cup Runneth Over with Bliss
By Genesis Ilada
In a town faraway from the South there lived a grandma
and her five grandchildren
The eldest is Boyd, next is Lithose, Indigo, Seraphim, and the
youngest Shouldipen
Grandma Nersiephone is old, wise and lived many eras, outlived friends,
family, and lovers
Her wisdom is rooted in experience and strengthened by the turbulence
in her life as it towers
She tells tales of defeat, heartache, grief to her grandchildren awake in the
middle of the night
But only to finish it with hope, triumph, tenderness and faith even
when out of sight
She fills each children’s cup with hot teacocoa and blended it with an
intention of triumph
As she teaches them to witness the cups peered through the filter of gratefulness
as they gather in a camp
Shouldipen the loquacious girl asked why her cup is half full compared
to her siblings
Nersiephone answers ” It’s the lesson of appreciation, enjoyment , gratitude
and understanding”
Through the lack of life brings compassion towards others’ plight but never to lose sight in filling your own cup
With self love, creativity, tenderness, honesty, prayers and hope
my dear buttercups
Through life perils and looking beyond, armored with strength of heart you will
emerge blissful
Boyd, Lithose, Indigo, Seraphim, and Shouldipen took a sip of their
half full cups and felt powerful