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Stepping stone

"Once, in a dream I flew. I saw myself as a baby with many eyes looking at me. These eyes came with faces... faces that were talking to me lovingly in a language I couldn't understand.

Then I watched myself as I exchanged vows with my husband. I looked on, only to see myself sink into a sad and repressive environment where I was bombarded with other people's opinions... I felt worthless and oppressed... tears were my daily norm.

Then I saw an inner me leaping in with strong determination to make life with the freedom of my own mind; slaving in a delicatessen for endless hours of the day and the business grew despite the turbulent roughs.

I observed myself sitting down, asking what else can I do... and, unexpectedly, my epiphany came. I could go beyond by helping many. At that moment a Buddha appeared, accompanied by countless human beings in the form of light with no skin colour... all luminous and happy with bliss.

Buddha then asked me, "What do you want to do now?". I said, "I would like to bring heaven back to Earth."

Since waking up from this dream, I have a powerful call inside me to make it into reality. I'm now leading a multicultural project which will provide multicutural humanitarian aid to the needy and celebrations of different traditions of food and therapy to all in Wales... creating a platform to enable people to live with happiness, respect and dignity as one race, one species, in a heaven made on earth."

Please tell us about yourself
I am a Chinese woman aged 43 this year. I came from Hong Kong at the age of 25. I started my business in pursuit of stable life for my children.

What's your story about?
My story is about the dream that I had. Being divorced and coming from an ethnic minority background, I have experienced helplessness, isolation and many years of hardship. Yet, difficulties have become my stepping stone for business growth. My Buddhist faith has helped me to surface my setbacks - I learn to live, to enjoy and to cultivate compassion and empathy for others.

Why was it important for you to tell this story?
It has progressed from the combination of my Buddhist faith and epiphany from going through a lot of struggles in my life. I believe in promoting compassion and understanding in everyone's life.

How did you find the workshop?
I have learned how to be creative and would like to participate with more creative workshops in the future.

Your comments

"Alice, I think you might consider the name of the bar as Papillon." Mike Cullen, Cardiff.

"That is great and wonderful writing Alice ,, i would be happy to hear more from you." Faraido from London.

"It is so touching, and I understand how the faith is so important to you; it not only to help you go through the hardship, but also support you all the time. I like your workshop. And wish you all the best. " Ivy Fung, China.