Weather

Sunny weather and rainy weather. Two atmospheric situations that can be interpreted very differently, in spite of remaining the same. In a dry country, where the sun shines constantly, a rainy day is welcomed and praised like a great gift from above. On the other hand, in a wet country a sunny day is longed for by most and anxiously awaited. What does this mean? It simply means that the same situation can be seen in different (often opposite) ways according to who is looking at them. It would be best to think like a peasant who, when asked about his favorite kind of weather, answered, "I don't have a favorite. I like them all."

Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky is definitely my favorite composer. I find his music to embody the deepest feelings and yearnings of the human soul. Among them is the desperation of a spirit looking for answers that it already knows will never be found. Listening to the "Nutcracker" or "Swan Lake", you can't help identifying yourself with the composer in a sort of search for the meaning of the human condition, of the suffering that exists in the world, as well as wondering where all this is leading to. There is sort of "running" not so much away from something, but rather towards an unknown destination that, nevertheless, eludes human understanding. Tchaikovsky's music is not always sad, on the contrary. But even in the cheerful pieces you can detect the underlying sadness that can be seen in the eyes of a person who, although profoundly tormented, still endeavors to offer the world a smile.

A Question

A question keeps bothering me: is the change that takes place throughout the ages a natural one, or is there a hidden "force" that brings it about? Is the change happening truly spontaneously, or is it orchestrated by a mysterious plan where "someone" (something or ... whatever) already knows where mankind is going? If it is so, who can be so wicked to have driven the world to the present moment, where what we see is certainly not the most desirable evolution point one may wish for. Has humankind gone through so much to arrive... "here"? Have all the lessons learnt through history brought us to ... "now"? Has the ethical, moral, spiritual search created the "modern family" world?

A Card Game

Author Anthony de Mello writes that life is like a card game where each player makes use of the cards he (or she) receives as well as he can. The one who insists on playing not according to the cards he has got but according to those he claims he is entitled to, is bound to fail in life.

We are not asked if we want to play. We have no choice on this. Everyone must participate in the game. But it is up to us  to decide "how" to play.

Doubt vs. Certitude

Lucky the people who are totally contented with their beliefs. They have no doubts whatsoever, and happily live in an unbreakable bubble of certitudes. On the other hand, others can't help asking questions, wondering why, reflecting upon different possibilities. They live in a reality that offers options. They are free to choose. Are they happy? On the contrary. Although someone said that doubt is the father of knowledge, it's certainly not the best way to pursue happiness.

Coins

We are used to saying that a coin has two sides and that each side is a true part of the coin. By this well-known comparison we try to prove that, in any argument, - in order to find a fair solution - the reasons of both interlocutors should be taken into consideration because they are both true. But a thought occurred to me: is a fair solution really possible to find? I mean, "really" possible? Yes, the two sides of the coin do belong to the same object but, in a way, not only are they different, they are also completely separated. They do not "see" each other. They give their backs to each other and, therefore, they are unable to "communicate". Could this mean that connecting the two parts of the truth is not as easy as it might seem?

Thinking

Is "thinking" good? Weird question, you may say. Thinking is, in fact, a very important activity of your brain (beside regulating all other activities). Ok, so let us change the question. Is thinking "always" good? Here, I believe, the answer is not immediately obvious. When your thinking activity is limited to studying, facing and solving life's challenges, it is positive because it helps you deal with tasks or problems you have to carry out or find a solution to. Trouble arises when thinking becomes the "main" activity of your brain. When you cannot stop wondering, hypothesizing, worrying about, brooding, analyzing any unpleasant situation that is present in your life and that you feel you are unable to resolve. What to do?

To think or not to think (too much)? This is question!