What inspired you to do humanitarian work?
I had been training in Qigong & Kung Fu since the age of 7. When I was 9 years old, I was in a serious accident that resulted in memory loss. My mother was distraught. The doctors had little to no hope for my recovery, but even at such a tender age I told them that I had faith, given the Lord was my best friend. I remember running outside and saying “Lord, make me normal again and I will serve your planet!” After my recovery, I made it my mission to do just that.
Was there a defining moment in your life that made you choose this course?
After that initial spiritual awakening at 7, I had another “a-ha” moment when I first encountered my shifu (master) Dr. Hong. He created an Era of Consciousness that I feel I truly belong to; a community filled with contented people. If ever any of your readers were curious about this or him, please don’t hesitate to reach-out!
What are some of your latest activities in the Hollywood scene?
I’m the executive producer of a production called Bucks of America. Director Robert Gatewood spent years researching a group of men post-Boston Massacre who came to be known as the Bucks of America during the Revolutionary War. He felt compelled to tell their story and share their cultural significance in American history. I backed the project because I feel as though it has key messaging that applies today; primarily in accepting diversity and uniting America. With a cast of over 62 performers, Larry & Louise Dunn composing the film score, internationally-renown painter Davood Roostaei creating a billboard, multiple publications promoting our feature, schools interested in having it as a part of their curriculum, and international premieres already in the works – with all of these aspects already in play we won’t have to seek-out investors. They’ll be coming to us.
Aside from my filmic involvement I’ve also started the Art 4 Peace Awards and Wisdomland International. I use these as avenues to create jobs and promote tourism. Since I care greatly about the mental wellbeing of our employees, I also work closely with thinkpositiveworld. com, a program that I make mandatory for all Wisdomland International employees to participate in.
What motivated you to start the Art 4 Peace Awards and Wisdomland projects?
I endured a relationship fraught with domestic violence for 12 years. My ex – though an educated man – was unfortunately not a mentally stable one. While that sounds horrific I’m actually thankful he put me through that hardship. As a result he gave me a purpose; to build the first self-sustainable shelter in the world that houses women, men, children, and animals. I have visited over 500 shelters globally wanting to impart my knowledge and promote positive change. So I created the Art 4 Peace Awards to primarily generate funds for the shelter. As it turns out, I wasn’t that good at it; I don’t like asking people for their hard-earned money. Alternatively, I developed an ambitious plan for the community to generate more income and have a portion of their tax dollars go into the shelter. Thus far it’s going well, I think largely due to the fact that it’s all for positive change.
I have personally spent thousands of dollars in trying to pass three legislations in California. Despite my late husband telling me it was not possible, I listened to my heart. He had no idea how much I had invested. These investments went largely to: 1) Trying to have a separate manicuring test for Vietnamese in their native language, so as to bolster employment in the beauty sect. 2) When that proved to be difficult, I purchased three Vietnamese salons in order to implement the change myself. As a result 94% of nail salons are now Vietnamese owned, thanks to my efforts. And finally, 3) to facilitate Chinese and Korean immigrants getting jobs as masseuses by creating a method of testing for them in their native languages. Again, now they have a monopoly over that job position. My next endeavor is working with Syrian refugees. I actually just saved a family through government charities.
What has been your greatest achievement to date?
Divorcing my ex-husband. After liberating myself from his prison, I went on to have successful businesses, am in a much better emotional & physical state, and have experienced a lot of mental & psychological growth. I have always been a woman of exquisite tastes; owning 200 to 400 pairs of shoes, being blessed with 40 homes… My ex-husband lost everything when I left, and I supported him and his family through our son. Despite all of this, I taught my kids not to hate him. I wanted them to be compassionate towards the mentally ill. Then I met my second husband, who was perfect. We were blissfully married for 24 years. We travelled the world first class, raised two beautiful children, and above all else he loved my family.
From your experiences, what are some of the biggest issues women are facing in today’s world?
I choose not to see women and men as having different or separate issues in the western world. I think we ought to view problems as universal in order to solve them, rather than attribute them to different genders. Take the eastern world for example, like India; where women’s rights had been taken away by cultural pressure. But the newer generation there, millennials – with their universality – are changing the world. The majority of my own fan base is young people. Our society is filled with intelligent people who are full of anger, stress, skepticism, and distrust. We can mitigate this by teaching what I like to call “heart development” in schools. They would be happier learning about how to remain calm, credulous, about clairvoyance, and manifestation. We need more heart development in universities than we do technology.
Do you think the younger generation needs to be more involved in philanthropy and their communities?
We cannot expect anything from these young people unless we create jobs for them. We need to facilitate their lives in order for them to help others. Wisdom and meditation needs to be taught in preschools, all the way to the university level. Take the Think Positive World in New York for example, who already have full curriculum ready. They are willing to share their programs with India and the globe – how hard could it be to implement this into the current system? This will give birth to a new philanthropic society naturally, not by forcing it or being motivated to simply show off.
We are just here to serve. No rituals or meticulous research were needed for me to find God. I found him in utter silence. I wish the different religious institutions realized and acknowledged this. They need to promote meditation to connect with God for social growth. We have ONE universal religion; just different faiths to show it. Every leader, whether it’s Lord Krishna, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad…they all meditated. Their modern followers seem to have forgotten that. Religion is a lifestyle; connecting with the universe. People are wasting time critiquing different faiths. Why would you choose to expend your energy that way? If any religious leader teaches that one must point the finger at another, then I highly recommend you run as fast as you can, for that person has not awakened yet. An awakened human is not capable of hate or anger, for their body and mind remain calm.
What is the biggest obstacle on the road to global peace, and what can we as individuals do to conquer it?
Not having a personal agenda. I feel I am personally very successful in making positive global change, because I am free from attachment to money and fame. I’m free just to serve.
On a personal note, what keeps you motivated? Whom do you draw inspiration from?
My Lord is my best friend and I surrender to him, which has made my life very simple. My purpose in life is very clear: I work 14 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, without stress. I am happy and content. I am self-motivated. I don’t need a boss to lead me
What advice can you offer young people who are pursuing their dreams? Most people look at others wanting to be like them. I never did. Through my own early childhood wisdom, I developed my own purpose. I aspired to be a philanthropist and prepared myself to be global peace leader. I reached financial independence at 19 and retired in 2008. I am successful because I am present. Everyone I meet is an important part of my life’s puzzle and I value them; everyone from the current sitting president to my housekeepers. I also have a wonderful loving family.
There are two types of dreams people have. The first are materials dreams, like to make money, find a spouse, buy a big house, etc. The people who pursue these types of dreams remain simply dreamers, and not doers. They never find themselves, and as such how can they possibly fulfill their dreams? The universe provides us with everything we want, but only when we are ready. The second type of dream is the one felt in one’s heart, the silent ones we choose to follow. These are the ones that inspire you to start and grow a business, or present a platform for you to serve. Those who dream to simply make money usually fail. They can hit the jackpot and still not be happy. My advice? Do your homework correctly. Listen to your heart. If it beats with excitement don’t question it or listen to what others have to say, just do it. Value everyone you meet. Ask how you can serve that person. He may be the poor man that has a rich friend, who can thereby give you your first big job. Just be aware in every moment. Make positive decisions. Don’t dwell, move on.