"What" Am I?

Italian Renaissance despot Cesare Borgia (yes, Lucretia's brother and... what else!) is said to have wondered: "What kind of man am I?" Intriguing question, isn't it? We dont' know what conclusion HE reached, if he did, about his own crimes. Did he feel guilty? Was he proud? Did he find his behavior rewarding, amusing, fulfilling? What about us? Do we ever wonder what kind of people WE are? Do you dare to examine your motivations, do you take the time to at least try to understand why you do certain things, behave in a certain way? As nothing happens by chance, so nothing we do is done without a deeper, mostly hidden reason. Knowing ourselves implies finding out these reasons.

To Change Or Not to Change

Is it OK to allow yourself to change your mind? Or are you one of those people who believe that - once you've made up your mind about something or someone- you are not going to change it for any reason? I, personally, have just had an interesting experience. I love quotes and I was going to jot down my comment on an interesting, simple one, whose meaning was extremely clear (or so it seemed). But... oh, my! When I actually started writing, I realized that the meaning those words had "for me", was exactly the opposite of what it had seemed at first. I was astonished for a few seconds ....then I happily went on to write down my changed interpretation. Too often are we rather superficial and prefer to stick to appearances rather than dig more deeply into our beliefs and "certitudes". But it's worth trying, whenever the opportunity arises.

The Power of Words

Someone said: "I feel responsible only for what I say, not for what you understand". Interesting isn't it? But, probably, not totally true, though. How come that I say something and you may understand something else? Don't words have the same meaning for everyone? Actually, they don't. The same word, phrase or sentence may be interpreted in different ways, according to how they are uttered, the intonation they are accompanied by, the context in which they are used. It also depends on the situation, the mood, the  expression and body language. Can you see how important it is to be aware of how you speak? Of what you say? Of how you say it? Instead of simply speaking your mind out, you should also wonder about who is listening and, if necessary, make some adjustments. In this way many misunderstandings could be  avoided.

Broken Dish

A famous Italian song, "Perdere l'Amore" (Losing Love) says: "Pick up the broken pieces of an (=your) imaginary life". It makes me think about how often our lives are lived in a way that is all in our minds instead of in truth. Then - when we are faced with reality - we tend to refuse to see situations as they are. If were wiser, we would accept the fact that our dream was unreal  and would pick up the shards. What then? We could try to glue the pieces back together (but the cracks will always show) or simply accept that the "dish" is not there any longer. How to react? Cry and mope? Do without it with a smile? Get a new "dish"? You decide.

Things Happen

The telephone rings (it's an important call) just two minutes before you leave the house; an unexpected bus materializes and you are able to catch your connection with an only thirty-second wait (instead of half an hour). Do these coincidences suggest anything? I believe they tell us that sometimes things happen without our participation. What does it mean? That we should be grateful and appreciative when they are pleasant and patient and accepting when they are not. Things will go on happening in a way or another; what we have control upon is only our reaction (and consequent mood).

One Wild Precious Life

While checking something online, an unexpected quote popped out, by contemporary American poet Mary Oliver:
                            "What do you do with your one wild precious life?"

It made me stop and think. Yes, what do we do? We have one life to live right now, so it is our duty to make the best out of it, without neglecting any chance or opportunity. Is it also a "wild" life? According to the dictionary, one of the definitions of wild is : "Living in a state of nature". What nature? Certainly "our own". Do we live according to what our true self suggests, if we only take the time to listen? Is our life "precious"? Definition = of great value. How much do we value our life? What do we do to preserve it in a sound, healthy way (physically, emotionally and spiritually)?

Excuses, As Usual!

Why don't you do more of the things that you want to do and less of the things you don't want to do? You have several justifications ready, I know. You are too busy, you have responsibilities, you can't find the time, it would be too expensive, you don't have anybody to go with you, you feel you are not up to it, you are too old, you are not fit, you ... Wow! An overwhelming amount of excuses for not doing and not being what you would like to!  Do you believe you could make a little effort in order to find whatever you need to do to fulfill your wish or do you rather prefer to complain and be miserable? Think this over carefully. You might be surprised with what you discover.