Choice

A statement by Helen Keller, who was blind, deaf and dumb, should make us reflect. She said that the world is full of suffering but it also gives us the means to overcome the pain. It is easy to become prey of desperation when things don't go well. But the way you face and react to challenges is what determines the quality of your life. If you are hungry and are offered food that you don't like, do you prefer to starve or accept what you are given? Every dramatic situation (illness, accident, end of a relationship, financial problems etc.) is never without a way out. Such way out can be found in the choice you make about "how" you face the challenge. If you resist it, the suffering increases. If you accept the reality of what "is", although the pain may not disappear, at least it becomes more tolerable.

  

Greatness

Thinking about the lives of people - such as great artists, heroes, inventors - who have had a huge impact on the world and left a long-lasting trace of their existence, one may experience a feeling of inadequacy. But it wouldn't be right. Not all human beings can be geniuses, but this  shouldn't prevent them from having high ideals. Greatness can also be found in the quality of what you do day after day. What counts is to have a goal that goes beyond the mere living (work, money, family, sex, fun..). Your goal (and everybody else's) should be the expression of your true self, the achievement of  "perfection" (as much as possible) in whatever you do. Try not to settle for mediocrity. You can be 'great' in your own personal way, if you endeavor to improve yourself. Such an effort, and its positive result - being the best you can be - is "heroic" enough.

Today

Today is a "new" day.
Let us enjoy it.
Let us be grateful for it.

A Realization

It's interesting, but also quite alarming, to realize how Life is actually moving on parallel lines. I perceive this as green and you see it blue. I find a piece of music delightful, you find it boring. I consider a book awful (and stop reading it) and then I discover that it must have been a bestseller because they even made a movie out of it. I utter a word intending to convey a certain message, and you perceive something totally different.  

I am right - from my point of view, and you are right - from yours. It can be rather sad but .... this is the way it is.

Solar Eclipse

Yesterday, while watching the total solar eclipse, a thought came to my mind. The seemingly slow journey of the moon across the sky can be likened to Life. The eclipse happens when the moon starts to cast its shadow over the sun - the birth of a human being. It goes on to hide all sunlight - the completion - when he/she reaches maturity. Finally, the moon slowly moves out. The return of sunlight marks the end of the journey - the natural demise of the human body.

I watched it till the very end. It felt like a meaningful spiritual rite.

Quote to Ponder # 17

It's so easy to judge others negatively, isn't it?
But such judgement is mainly based on ignorance.

Quote to Ponder # 16

Reading and accepting these words is not enough. Let us try to 'absorb' them and make them an essential part of our 'being'.

Quote to Ponder # 15

7 Golden Rules:
Endeavor not to be superficial.
Be careful about how you express yourself.
Be open to accepting others.
Perceive every experience humorously.
Try your best in whatever you do.
Be generous towards others.
Treat them as you would want them to treat you.

Quote to Ponder # 14

Acceptance: consent to receive what you are given.

Tolerance: willingness to be patient with what you don't like.

Forgiveness: ability to release anger and resentment.

Life-altering lessons? Even more: the actual bringers of peace and serenity into your own existence.

Quote to Ponder # 13

Things appear different if you have changed. They might still be the same if you have remained the way you were.

Quote to Ponder # 12

It's easier to hold on than to release.
It's as simple as that.

Quote to Ponder # 11

You may be a leader capable of showing others the path, or you may prefer to follow someone else's footsteps.

It's up to you to decide what to do. There is no right or wrong. It's just your choice.

Quote to Ponder # 10

You 'endure' Life when you keep complaining because the glass is half empty.

You 'enjoy' Life when you are grateful because the glass is half full and... take a sip!

Quote to Ponder # 9

When you are willing to keep on learning, Life becomes a never-ending discovery that can fill you with enthusiasm, awe and satisfaction.

Quote to Ponder # 8

After listening, it's up to you to be brave, take action and ... make things happen.