“LIFE’S LITTLE INSTRUCTIONS”

...FOR THE NEW YEAR :))

Sing in the shower – Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated – Watch a sunrise at least once a year – Leave the toilet seat in the down position – Never refuse homemade brownies – Strive for excellence, not perfection – Plant a tree on your birthday – Learn three clean jokes – Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank full – Compliment three people everyday – Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them – Resist the temptation to praise yourself – Don’t boast about tomorrow – Leave everything a little better than you found it – Keep it simple – Think big thoughts but relish small treasures – Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know – Floss your teeth – Ask for a raise when you feel you have earned it – Be forgiving of yourself and others – Overtip breakfast waitresses – Say ‘thank you’ a lot – Say ‘please’ a lot – Avoid negative people – Buy whatever kids are selling on card tables in their front yards – Wear polished shoes – Return your phone calls and emails promptly – Remember other people’s birthdays – Commit yourself to constant improvement – Carry jumper cables in your trunk – Be a good listener – When asked for help, be available, whether a menial or very important thing -- Have a firm handshake – Send lots of Valentine cards. Sign them, ‘Someone who thinks you are terrific’ – Look people in the eye – Be the first to say, ‘Hello’ – Use the good silver – Return all things you borrow – Make new friends but cherish the old ones – Keep secrets – Sing in a choir – Plant flowers every spring – Have a pet – Always accept an outstretched hand – Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life -- Wave at kids on school busses – Be there when people need you – Feed a stranger’s expired parking meter – Do not expect life to be fair – Never underestimate the power of love – Do a kind deed for no reason at all – Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation – Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I made a mistake’ – Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I don’t know’ – Compliment even small improvements – Keep your promises (no matter what) – Marry only for love – Rekindle old friendships – Count your blessings – Take time to encourage others --Call your parent(s).

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Simply put be all that you can be in the upcoming year. We are all special in our own way. Work on all those wonderful gifts and talents that lie within you and prosper and be happy...

God Bless You!

Love and Hugz
Shanti

My Wishes For The New Year

I wish you the best of everything...
That you so well deserve.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIEND!
Shanti

Wishes from me

The Dance Of Goat (Dansul Caprei)

The goat who dances ? Yes, see the best funny video. "The Dance of Goat", New Year Traditions (31 Dec - 01 Ian., every year), Baltatesti Village, Neamt County, Romania.

Guinness Book la Bucuresti - 3.939 Mosi Craciuni

Bucurestiul si-a inscris numele in Cartea Recordurilor, azi 21 decembrie 2008.

3.939 persoane costumate in Mosi Craciuni s-au strâns in Piata Constitutiei pentru a dobori vechiul record inregistrat la Taipei, la care au participat doar 3.300 de Mosi.

Primarul general al Capitalei, Sorin Oprescu, a primit din partea reprezentantei Guinness World Record certificatul noului record mondial, omologat la categoria „cei mai multi Mosi Craciuni care împart cadouri si i-a felicitat pe organizatorii actiunii care au reusit sa doboare vechiul record de 3.618 Mosi Craciuni, realizat la Taipei. Edilul-sef al Capitalei a multumit celor prezenti, precum si reprezentantei Guinness World Record, care „a avut rabdarea sa numere atâtia Mosi Craciuni, si a apreciat ca rezolvat o prima problema importanta pentru oras: „Bucuresteni, o chestiune am rezolvat-o: suntem în Cartea Recordurilor, a anuntat Sorin Oprescu în fata multimii adunate in Piata Constitutiei.

Cei aproximativ 4.000 de Mosi Craciuni au plecat în mars, în jurul orei 13.00, din Piata Constitutiei spre Piata Unirii. Fiecare personaj a primit câte o cutie rosie plina de cadouri, de la Coca Cola, care apoi au fost împartite trecatorilor de pe intreg traseul marsului. Conditiile impuse de Guinness World Record au fost ca la adunare sa participe peste 3.000 de Mosi Craciuni, care sa împarta daruri ambalate în cutii rosii.

The Xmas Romanian Goat (Capra)

Xmas Decoration

May joy and happiness snow on you, may the bells jingle for you and may Santa be extra good to you! Merry Christmas! Hugs, Shanti

Xmas Wreath

One thing that truly signifies the arrival of Christmas is the beautiful Christmas wreaths that are hung outside everyone's houses. Available in a plethora of designs, styles, colors and makes, these wreaths go a long way in making your home look wonderful on Christmas. For those who want a touch of elegance and tradition in their Christmas decoration, Christmas wreaths are the best bet for you. Here you have some examples. Pick up one for your taste.

Merry Xmas to You! Shanti

Romanian Xmas Traditions

"O, ce veste minunata" - Stefan Hrusca

In Romania, the winter holiday season is truly in full-swing from December 24 to January 7. Highlights include: Christmas Day, New Year and Epiphany, with their respective eves. The most important feature of these celebrations is their unique variety of colorful Romanian customs, traditions, and believes, of artistic, literary, musical, and other folklore events, which make the winter holidays some of the most original and spectacular spiritual manifestations of the Romanian people.

Children of all ages go from house to house singing Christmas carols, or through the streets on New Year's Eve reciting congratulatory verse. The whole traditional village participates in waists, although mostly children practice this custom.

The Caroling called ColindatulTraditionally, during the first hours after dark on Christmas' Eve is the time for children to go caroling and the adults stay home to greet them. As they go caroling from house to house, the children receive treats like candy, fruit, baked treats and sometimes even money in appreciation of their performance and as a sign of holiday good will.The grown-ups caroling goes on Christmas evening and night. The waits -young and mature people - gather in groups and they choose a leader. When they are in the front yard of a house, they perform their repertory to the host. The songs are always accompanied by dance. When the performance is over, the host invites the carolers inside the house for food, drinks and presents.

The Star Carol * Steaua*

Children make a star using colored paper and then they put in its middle an icon of Jesus. Many of children decorate their star using shiny tinsel. The “Star Carol” is a tradition during the 3 days of Romanian Christmas. While holding the star in the hands the children sing:"The star has appeared on high, Like a big secret in the sky, The star is bright, May all your wishes turn out right…

"The Goat Tradition * Capra*

Throughout the season, teenagers and young adults especially enjoy caroling with the “Goat”. The “Goat” is actually a usually boisterous young person dressed up in a goat costume. The whole group dances through the streets and from door to door, often with flute music. This tradition comes from the ancient Roman people and it reminds us of the celebration of the ancient Greek gods. This custom is also called "brezaia" in Wallachia and Oltenia, because of the multicolored appearance of the goat mask. The goat jumps, jerks, turns round, and bends, clattering regularly the wooden jaws.

Bear Custom * Ursul*

This custom is known only in Moldavia, a part of Romania, on the Christmas Eve. In this case a young person dresses up in a bear costume adorned with red tassels on its ears, on his head and shoulders. The person wearing the bear costume is accompanied by fiddlers and followed by a whole procession of characters, among them a child dressed-up as the bear's cub. Inspired by the crowd’s singing:"Dance well, you old bear, And I’ll give you bread and olives",the bear grumbles and imitates the steps of the bear, striking strongly against the earth with the soles of its feet to the sound of drums and pipes.

The Little Plough * Plugusorul*

Plugusorul is a small plough. In Romanian folklore is a traditional procession with a decorated plough, on New Years' Eve. This is a well wishing custom for the field fruitfulness into the new year. This custom arises from "Carmen arvale", a Roman wish for bountiful crops.The ploughmen are teenagers and children carrying whips, bells and pipes in their hands.

Mâine anul se-nnoieşte,
Pluguşorul se porneşte
Şi-om începe a ura,
Pe la case a colinda.
Iarna-i grea, omătu-i mare,
Semne bune anul are;
Semne bune de belşug,
Pentru brazda de sub plug.

"Sorcova"

Sorcova" is a special bouquet used for New Year's wishes early New Year’s morning. Children wish people a “Happy New Year!” while touching them lightly with this bouquet. After they have wished a Happy New Year to the members of their family, the children go to the neighbors and relatives. Traditionally, the "Sorcova" bouquet was made up of one or several fruit - tree twigs (apple-tree, pear-tree, cherry-tree, plum-tree); all of them are put into water, in warm place, on November 30th (St. Andrew’s Day), in order to bud and to blossom on New Year's Eve.

Sorcova, vesela,
Sã trãiti, sã-mbãtrâniti,
Ca un mãr, ca un pãr,
Ca un fir de trandafir,
Tare ca piatra,
Iute ca sãgeata,
Tare ca fierul,
Iute ca otelul,
Peste varã, primavarã,
Nici capul sã nu te doarã,
La anu' si la multi ani !

Merry Sorcova,
May your health be strong
And you life long:
As an apple tree
As a pear stately
As a rose bush fair
Blossoming beyond compare:
Strong as a granite rock
Quick as an arrow’s shock
Hard as an iron bar
Tougher than steel by far,
Over summer, over spring,
May your health be great
A New Year with happiness
And in everything success.

Nowadays people often use an apple-tree or pear-tree twig decorated with flowers made up of colored paper. The children receive all kinds of treats such as: cakes, honeycombs, biscuits, pretzels, candies, nuts, money.

Merry Xmas Everyone! Hugs, Shanti

Color Xmas Tree

Friends forever are hard to find and even harder to hold on to. Christmas is a time of the year, when friends come down from far and wide to cherish their long fruitful relationships. Christmas is a time to forgive and forget. So if you have had a break up with your long time friend, this is the time to patch up.

Happy Xmas,
Shanti

Funny & Sexy Xmas

Another Day, another Year, another Smile, another Tear, another Winter... May lovely Happy Time, decorate this time of the season. May Warm, Special Memories Brighten Your New Year, may the Wonder of Xmas Be With You Forever!

Hugs, Shanti

Magic Night by Marie Minxova

Under the dark veil
of the night
my heart exploded
and burst
into millions of stars.
I´m blissfully burning
in the dazzling flames.
I´m flying
and floating
and falling
and rising…
Where is the Earth?
And where´s the Heaven?
Angelic choirs
have started their hymns,
heavenly harps
and guitars
are playing,
and I am singing
a glorious song,
sitting on Cloud No.7.

Have a magical nite,
Hugs, Shanti

ANCA PARGHEL - COLINDE SUPERBE... [-IN MEMORIAM-]

mesaj de la mos craciun :))

Mos Craciun pitic sau Mos Nicolae?

A venit Mosu ,,,la fete

Mos Craciun (Santa Claus)

Dedicat copiilor din lumea intreaga :)))

Dedicated to all children :)))

When Santa Claus Comes (author unknown)

A good time is coming,
I wish it were here,
The very best time
In the whole of the year;
I'm counting each day
On my fingers and thumbs--
The weeks that must pass
Before Santa Claus comes.

Then when the first snowflakes
Begin to come down,
And the wind whistles sharp
And the branches are brown,
I'll not mind the cold,
Though my fingers it numbs,
For it brings the time nearer
When Santa Claus comes.

Rovaniemi - The City's Santa Claus

Rovaniemi (Finland) named also the city's Santa Claus is situated close to the Arctic Circle and between the hills of Ounasvaara and Korkalovaara, at the confluence of the Kemijoki River and its tributary, the Ounasjoki River.

A phenomenon also attracting numerous tourists is the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. In Finnish Lapland the number of auroral displays can be as high as 200 a year whereas in southern Finland the number is usually fewer than 20.

Xmas Fireplace

Friends forever are hard to find and even harder to hold on to. Christmas is a time of the year, when friends come down from far and wide to cherish their long fruitful relationships. Christmas is a time to forgive and forget. So if you have had a break up with your long time friend, this is the time to patch up.

Let it snow!

It is Christmas in the heart,
That puts Christmas in the air. (W.T. Ellis)

So Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

Anca Parghel intre Cer si Pamant...

Anca Parghel, o voce aparte a jazz-ului romanesc

Cântăreaţa de jazz Anca Parghel, a încetat din viaţă, vineri dimineaţă 3 decembrie 2008, la un spital din Timişoara, la vârsta de 51 de ani. A fost una dintre cele mai importante voci ale muzicii româneşti, profesoară de jazz şi canto şi colegă de scenă cu artişti de prestigiu din ţară şi din străinătate.

Anca Parghel s-a născut în Câmpulung Moldovenesc, pe 16 septembrie 1957. Înzestrată cu o voce ieşită din comun, care cuprindea patru octave, dar şi cu talentul de a scrie muzică, a început să compună de la vârsta de 10 ani, iar un an mai târziu participa deja la concursuri naţionale, unde cânta arii din opere celebre.

Cântăreaţa şi-a făcut studiile la Iaşi, unde a absolvit Liceul de Muzică şi Conservatorul, cu lucrarea de licenţă cu lucrarea Charlie Parker, un geniu al improvizaţiei. Contactul cu muzica jazz avea să aibă loc odată cu întâlnirea cu pianistul Ion Baciu Jr., la Iaşi, după examenul de la Conservator.

Începând cu 1984, a cântat la marile festivaluri de jazz din ţară - la Bucureşti, Braşov, Sibiu, Costineşti, dar şi la cele din străinătate, în Leipzig, Varşovia, Leverkusen, Munchen şi Bratislava.

A realizat peste 10 albume şi a colaborat cu mari muzicieni ai lumii, printre care Larry Coryell, Archie Shepp, Peter Herbol, Paolo Radoni, Norma Winstone sau Tzeimer Bergali.

De-a lungul carierei, Anca Parghel a concertat alături de muzicieni români ca Johnny Răducanu, Mircea Tiberian, Garbis Dedeian, precum şi alături de nume celebre din jazz-ul mondial, printre care Billy Hart, Archie Shepp, Larry Coryell, Jean-Louis Rassinfosse, Phillip Catherine, Marc Levine, Claudio Roditi, Thomas Stanko, Ricardo del Fra şi Stephane Galland.

La catedră, a predat jazz vocal şi canto la Bruxelles, Koln, Linz, Leipzig,Munchen,Viena, Hannovra, New York şi la Conservatorul Regal Sisloe, din Marea Britanie.

Într-un interviu acordat publicaţiei Formula As, Anca Parghel spunea: Cred că nu eu am ales muzica, ci muzica m-a ales pe mine. Cântăreaţa mai mărturisea că, pe scenă, se simte cel mai bine alături de cei doi fii ai săi, Ciprian (chitară bas) şi Tudor (percuţie).

Santa Nicholas has come in town

Holy Bishop St. Nicholas lived faraway
Near the Aegean Sea is where Turkey did lay.
Travel back with us now to a time long ago.
We will visit his country, his life we will know.

We remember this saint, such a holy, good man.
Be like him in charity, do all that you can.
Many miracles Nicholas hastened to do,
Helping people in need with gifts that were new.



Bishop Nicholas traveled to Nicea town,
Where the Creed would be written, to us handed down.
During church every Sunday, we stand for the Creed.
Thank you Bishop St. Nicholas, for doing this deed.

Sailors tossed in the wind and the storms of the sea,
Saw a vision of Nicholas who guided them free.
Now patron of sailing, they remember him yet.
Many icons and pictures with fisherman's net.

Giving money to poor girls, so marry could they,
Made our Nicholas famous, remembered today.
With dowry in hand, soon they were wed.
"God bless you and keep you," St. Nicholas said.

Kid's patron in Germany, Netherlands, too.
Asks that presents be given to children like you.
Their customs are different: they put out their shoes—
Filling them with toys, his coming's good news!

Here stockings are hung by the chimney with care,
In hope that St. Nicholas soon will come there.
Dressed as bishop or Santa, he's one and the same—
Jolly, friendly, good man, we're glad that he came.

French card, St NicolasCall him "Santa" or "saint," they both mean the same,
For his nickname is Claus, short for Nicholas' name.
Giving gifts was his custom—we still do today.
Deeds done in Jesus' name forever will stay.

Bishop Nicholas still is a hero to all.
Christmas Day, and all others we follow his call,
Bringing gifts and some joy to children in need.
Follow Nicholas today—do a good deed.

Kisses from Shanti :))***

Xmas Magic House

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace." (Agnes M. Pahro)

Blue & Silver Xmas Tree

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." (Norman Vincent Peale)

Toughts for a wise time

chinese proverb says

If you want happiness for an hour – take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day – go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month – get married.
If you want happiness for a year – inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime – help someone else.

Have a wise time, dear friends. Hugs, Shanti

Thanksgiving Day

More Than A Day by Karl Fuchs

As Thanksgiving Day rolls around,
It brings up some facts, quite profound.
We may think that we're poor,
Feel like bums, insecure,
But in truth, our riches astound.

We have friends and family we love;
We have guidance from heaven above.
We have so much more
Than they sell in a store,
We're wealthy, when push comes to shove.

So add up your blessings, I say;
Make Thanksgiving last more than a day.
Enjoy what you've got;
Realize it's a lot,
And you'll make all your cares go away.

Have a blessing thanksgiving day. Many hugs, Shanti

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve - Sarajevo

The Hands Of Time by Beckie Martell

The hands of time cannot erase
The thoughts of you and your embrace
The longing for a single kiss
Your touch, your voice, I always miss

The hands of time, like the rolling sea
Cannot wash away what you mean to me
My Heart, My Soul, I'll give to you
The greatest Love I ever knew

The hands of time, that past so fast
My Love for you will always last
To be together, is on my mind
This special love, is one of a kind

The hands of time, We cannot turn back
But Love and Devotion, you will never lack
I vow to you, You will always be
The only Man in my life for me

The hands of time, will stop one day
But there is one thing to you, I'll say
If I should go before you do
I'll be there waiting, for only you.

I wish u a lovely week. Your sincere friend Shanti

Sweet Snowman

Frosty The Snowman :)))

For Kids & Adults - those who have not forgotten the baby hatch in their soul

Food for Spirit

What matters is to live in the present, live now, for every moment is now. It is your thoughts and acts of the moment that create your future. The outline of your future path already exists, for you created its pattern by your past. (Sai Baba)

WONDERFUL WEEKEND. Hugs, Shanti

Wine In Paintings

Celebrate the wine, the passions and the pleasures, among the paintings

Joy Of Wine

Cheers!

Romantic Wine

Who loves not wine, women and song, Remains a fool his whole life long (Martin Luther)

Pleasure of wine ...

Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. (William Shakespeare)

Wine gives great pleasure; and every pleasure is of itself a good.

Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing. (Ernest Hemingway)



Cheers, my friends. Have a delightful autumn! Hugs, Shanti

Magical Bonsai's Color

Bonsai - an old & amazing Chinese & Japanese art!

Music: Zen Meditation

The Magical Green Bonsai

Beauty in bonsai can not be achieved if you do not have beauty within.(Onko Chishin)

Respect the old, know the new. (Japanese Saying)

Autumnal Emotion

Salvador Dali - Art & Muse

We are all hungry and thirsty for concrete images.
Abstract art will have been good for one thing:
to restore its exact virginity to figurative art.
(Salvador Dali)

All quotes from video belongs to Salvador Dali

Halfway Down by Rebecca

Halfway down the stairs
is a stair
where i sit.
there isn't any
other stair
quite like
it.
i'm not at the bottom,
i'm not at the top;
so this is the stair
where
I always
stop.



Halfway up the stairs
Isn't up
And it isn't down.
It isn't in the nursery,
It isn't in town.
And all sorts of funny thoughts
Run round my head.
It isn't really
Anywhere!

It's somewhere else
Instead!

Hugs for u, Shanti

Filosofia socanta a lui Patapievici

Horia-Roman Patapievici este un scriitor controversat, un fizician, filosof si eseist contemporan.

Nascut pe 18 martie 1957 in Bucuresti, in prezent Patapievici este presedinte al Institutului Cultural Roman, post in care a fost instalat de presedintele Traian Basescu.

Dispretul pentru romani

Ca eseist, Patapievici a socat prin parerea sa despre poporul si limba romana.

„Radiografia plaiului mioritic este ca a fecalei: o umbra fara schelet, o inima ca un cur, fara sira spinarii. Toata istoria, mereu, peste noi a urinat cine a vrut. Cand i-au lasat romanii pe daci in formula hibrida straromaneasca, ne-au luat la urina slavii: se cheama ca ne-am plamadit din aceasta clisa, daco-romano-slavi; ma rog.

Apoi ne-au urinat la gard turcii: era sa ne inecam, asa temeinic au facut-o. Demnitatea noastra consta in a ridica mereu gura zvantata, iar ei reincepeau: ne zvantam gura la Calugareni, ne-o umpleau iar la Razboieni, si asa mai departe, la nesfarsit.

Apoi ne-au luat la urina rusii, care timp de un secol si-au incrucisat jetul cu turcii, pe care, in cele din urma, avand o basica a udului mai mare (de, betiile…), i-au dovedit. Noi ne-am zvantat putin intre 1866 si 1940, cu intermitente, apoi ne-au luat iar: acum insa, inovatie, au inceput sa urineze si unii romani peste romani, patriotii de la 1 ianuarie 1948, cand, ca la start, au inceput crimele in masa si deportarile.

Valea plangerii a fost transformata de romani pentru romani intr-o vale a urinei corosive. Care era mai smecher se suia pe capul vecinului si-l pisa. Si, cum toti romanii e destepti, urinarea a fost, din noul pasopt incoa’, generala.”

„Un popor cu substanţă tîrîtă. Oriunde te uiţi, vezi feţe patibulare, ochi mohorîţi, maxilare încrîncenate, feţe urîte, guri vulgare, trăsături rudimentare.”

“Românii nu pot alcătui un popor pentru că valorează cît o turmă: după grămadă, la semnul fierului roşu”.

“Puturosenia abisala a statutului suflet romanesc”

„Româna este o limbă în care trebuie să încetăm să mai vorbim sau... să o folosim numai pentru înjurături.” (Politice, 1996)

„Eminescu este cadavrul nostru din debara, de care trebuie sa ne debarasam daca vrem sa intram in Uniunea Europeana” (Revista ROST, 2005)

Giant Chairs

John Steinbeck Quotes

A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.

If you're in trouble, or hurt or need - go to the poor people. They're the only ones that'll help - the only ones.

One can find so many pains when the rain is falling.

Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.

(quotes by John Steinbeck)

Gypsy Soul

When do we have a day of fast? When there is no bread and ham in the larder.

Where rich people can make honest money, poor people have to steal.

You don't kill a gypsy by cutting him in ten pieces -- you only make ten more gypsies. (Gypsy proverbs)

Music: Russian Gypsy Soul "Miteletsa"; Victor Busilyov & Siberian Gypsy "Dadoro"; Monica Anghel "Jelem, Jelem"

Old Things Are More Beautiful...

Old things are more beautiful
than many things brand new
Because they bring fond memories
of things we used to do.

Old things are more beautiful,
more precious day-by-day.
Because they are the flowers
we planted yesterday.

Memories are heartbeats
Sounding through the years
Echoes never fading
Of our smiles and our tears.
Moments that are captured
Sometimes unaware
Pictured in an album
Or a lock of hair.

Memories are roses
Blooming evermore
Full of fragrant sweetness
Never known before.
Life must have a meaning
Goals for which to strive
Memories are lights that burn
To keep the heart alive.

For u, my precious friend,
Shanti

Music through times...

Emotie de toamnă de Nichita Stanescu

A venit toamna, acopera-mi inima cu ceva,
cu umbra unui copac sau mai bine cu umbra ta.

Mă tem ca n-am să te mai vad, uneori,
ca or să-mi creasca aripi ascutite pana la nori,
ca ai să te ascunzi intr-un ochi strain,
si el o să se-nchida cu o frunza de pelin.

Si-atunci mă apropii de pietre si tac,
iau cuvintele si le-nec în mare.
Suier luna si o rasar si o prefac
intr-o dragoste mare.

****

Autumnal Emotion by Nichita Stanescu

Autumn has come, cover my heart with a shelter,
the shadow of a tree, or your own shadow better.

I fear that I'll see you no more, that I'll go,
That sharp wings to the clouds I will grow,
That in a strange eye you are going to hide
And the eye will shut close to lock you inside.

And then next to the rocks, silent me,
I drown all the words in the sea,
I call whistling the moon and I rise it above
And I change it into powerful love.

A Creed To Live By

Don't undermine your worth
By comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different
That each of us is special.
Don't set goals by what other people
deem important,
Only you know what is best for you.
Don't take for granted the things
Closest to your heart,
Cling to them as you would your life,
For without them life is meaningless.
Don't let your life slip through your fingers
By living in the past or for the future.
By living your life one day at a time,
You live all the days of your life.
Don't give up when you still have
something to give.
Nothing is really over
Until the moment you stop trying.
Don't be afraid to admit that you are
less than perfect.
It is this fragile thread
That binds us to each other.
Don't be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances
That we learn how to be brave.
Don't shut love out of your life
By saying it's impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love
is to give love,
The fastest way to lose love
Is to hold it too tightly,
And the best way to keep love
Is to give it wings.
Don't dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope.
To be without hope is to be without purpose.
Don't run through life so fast
That you forget not only where you have been,
But also where you are going.
Life is not a race
But a journey to be savored
Each step of the way...

By: Nancye Sims

YES...WE CAN!

Barack Obama - visul implinit al lui Martin Luther King Jr.

Yes, WE CAN!

Barack Obama a fost declarat invingator. El este al 44-lea presedinte al SUA! Recorduri atinse: cel mai tanar presedinte (si candidat) din istoria americana, primul negru care ocupa aceasta inalta functie, a convins peste 250.000 de americani sa voteze pentru prima oara in viata, a mobilizat electoratul sa se prezente la vot intr-un procent de peste 65%! si a cheltuit 1 miliard de dolari in campanie! Carisma sa extraordinara a adus beneficii inclusiv partidului democrat al carui membru este, care, datorita succesului sau enorm, a reusit sa ocupe cu o majoritate confortabila fotoliile Senatului american.

Barack Obama este perceput ca un pacifist, carismatic, energic, convingator, persuasiv, hotarat, cu priza la toate categoriile sociale, inovator radical al regimului politic american sfasiat de atatea razboaie inutile. Asteptarile sunt mari iar schimbarile se vor la fel de profunde si la fel de mari!

Programul sau a avut priza la electorat: bine structurat, pragmatic, direct, plin de solutii ce par a fi viabile, a atins aproape toate sectoarele de activitate si de interes incat fiecare american sau imigrant s-a regasit undeva intr-un rand. E adevarat ca echipa din campanie a fost una extrem de profesionista. Si-a ales oameni cu idei indraznete, sclipitori, tineri si maturi, buni finantisti, buni strategi, buni cunoscatori ai politicilor de mase. De la fiecare in parte a avut cate ceva de invatat iar discursurile sale s-au dovedit pur si simplu magnetice, electrizante. Iradia mereu. N-a clacat niciodata. A convins electoratul, fiecaruia i-a dat o speranta de mai bine, discursurile sale au reusit sa aduca la voturi un numar suplimentar de peste 250.000 de americani care nu isi exercitasera acest drept niciodata, i-a mobilizat extraordinar! Instantaneu indragit de tineri, iubit de studenti, adulat de imigranti si zeu pentru negri. Barack Obama trebuie sa confirme si sa demonstreze ca nimeni nu s-a inselat cand a optat pentru el, trecand chiar si peste vechile bariere rasiale. De data aceasta, americanii au ales OMUL nu culoarea politica, nu pielea, nu religia!

Negrii si-au vazut visul implinit. Visul Lui Martin Luther King s-a materializat prin Obama! Cine ar fi avut indrazneala sa viseze pana aici? Oh!, da, un scenarist a facut-o si asta intr-un film ce avea actiunea prin anul 2500 si ceva. Evident ca totul era o bascalie. Iata ca bascalia aia a devenit realitate! Afro-americanii plangeau de fericire, dantzuiau, se prindeau in hore, se imbratisau, asa cum faceam si noi la “revolutie”, cu diferenta ca la noi visul s-a dovedit o cacialma… Unul de-al lor a ajuns in topul topurilor mondiale. A ajuns Presedintele SUA! Este inca inimaginabil!

Barack Obama a invins cu un procent zdrobitor un alb, un amaricano-irlandez, fost soldat in Vietnam, fost si iarasi fost. A castigat cu peste 340 de voturi (validarea cerea un minim de 270). A demonstrat pentru prima oara in lume ca totusi, electoratul, daca este ferm convins de schimbarile promise in platformele program ale candidatilor, poate fi mobilizat si poate cu adevarat schimba un regim politic perimat, corupt, distrugator. Pentru asta e nevoie insa de convingere si nu vorbe!

Oare noi putem invata ceva din aceasta frumoasa lectie de democratie? Poate ca da, poate ca nu. Intrebarea care ramane agatata intr-un cui ruginit dar infipt bine in ochii romanului este ca NOI NU AVEM PE CINE ALEGE! NOI NU AVEM ALTERNATIVE! TOTI SUNT LA FEL DE CORUPTI. NIMENI NU VREA SA SCHIMBE NIMIC, indiferent de culoare politica, varsta, sex, religie….

Deoarece rasismul este inca o mare problema in SUA, imi pun intrebarea daca minunatul OM Barack Obama va reusi sa-si ia in primire mandatul de presedinte pe 20 ianuarie 2009 si daca va rezista pana la finalul sau? De altfel sunt convinsa ca acest om va reusi sa reaseze politica americana pe alte principii, abandonand principiile de sictir si dominatie mondiala practicate pana acum. Deja presedintii lumii cred ca in SUA a venit cu adevarat schimbarea mult asteptata. Daca Obama va reusi sa-si exercite mandatul neimpiedicat, sunt convinsa ca va reusi ceea ce nu a reusit nici un alt presedinte american. El va uni lumea dezbinata. Semnele deja incep sa apara. Sa nu uitam ca Obama este “detinatorul” unui ADN interesant - melanj de rase complet diferite: afro-american, kenyian, putin musulman si crestin. Va fi prieten cu arabii dar si cu amerindienii, asiaticii si alte natii. Intrevad un viitor frumos numai daca i se va permite sa faca ceea ce a promis ca va schimba! Dumnezeu si Allah sa-l ajute si sa-i binecuvanteze intreaga familie! Felicitari, Barack Obama!

Martin Luther King Jr. quotes

“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”

“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

“We must use time creatively.”

“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.”

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

“Cowardice asks the question, ‘Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it politic?’ But conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?’ And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but because conscience tells one it is right.”

“A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live.”

Barack Obama quotes

“My first job is to say thank you to those who voted me.

Those who didn’t, I’m going to get your vote next time.”

“Money is not the only answer, but it makes a difference.”

Etna, a furious vulcano

FRICA DE NECUNOSCUT

Sa fie asta o noua fobie incidenta internautilor? Am intalnit pe net persoane care socializeaza foarte greu temandu-se de cei care-i abordeaza!! Mirare si nu numai! Acesti “internauti” considera ca orice persoana necunoscuta este periculoasa sau poate deveni un potential pericol. O fi o “dara” ramasa din educatia primita in copilarie cand parintii ne spuneau dojenitor “Sa nu vorbesti niciodata cu necunoscutii. Iti pot face mult rau, te pot rapi...” :))))

Frica nu duce la progres ci la stagnare si chiar regres. Este mai mult decat evident ca aceste persoane sufera de fobia necunoscutului si a celei fara obiect distinct!

Minciunile Albe

Se spune ca sunt si minciuni nevinovate si necesare (proverb arabesc). In Drumul catre tine insuti exista intotdeauna justificari suficiente pentru o “minciuna alba” (adica o minciuna care nu face rau nimanui).

Adevarurile fabricate sunt tot minciuni si tot o manifestare a fricii. Frica de efectul destabilizator pe care il poate avea adevarul.

De ce navigheaza unii pe net?

Nu stiu de ce unii navigheaza pe net? de ce isi fac bloguri? de ce cauta sa intre si sa se identifice cu o lume virtuala? De ce isi cauta prieteni ideali uitand insa ca prietenia asta este si ramane doar...virtuala? Acestia se rup complet de realitatea cotidiana. In clasa acestor naivi internauti intra, printre altii, adeptii curentului “Emo” care nu sunt intelesi sau cred ca nu sunt intelesi de cei din jur. Dar...excluzand “Emo” descopar si altii, neputand defini o categorie specifica de varsta.

DE CE SUNT eu pe net

- pentru a ma culturaliza, a ma implini spiritual, pentru a-mi largi cunostintele, imi place sa intalnesc persoane din toate tarile lumii (aspect ce in alte conditii nu s-ar fi realizat).

- pentru a ma relaxa si a cunoaste cat mai mult din tainele frumosului

- pentru a-mi exprima liber gandul, pentru a interrelationa cu cei pe care-i simt aproape de pretentiile mele intelectuale.

CE NU CAUT pe net

- Jumatatea virtuala;

- Flirt;

- sa ma enervez cu mitocanii – astia sunt destui si in viata reala;

- grupuri de barfe, razbunari si alte polemici gratuite.

CE MA INTERESEAZA

- Comunicarea la un anumit grad de cultura. De aceea nu ma intereseaza cum arata fizic persoana cu care comunic, ce varsta are, ce profesie, atata vreme cat eu am gasit o cale extraordinara de dialog cu aceasta.

De ce isi fac unii blog?

Daca cineva isi face blog si pretinde ca acesta ar fi sau ar trebui sa se identifice cu pagina lui profesionala, e treaba lui. Nu cred intr-o astfel de promovare! Personal am alte pretentii!

Blogul e lumea virtuala in care gandurile zboara deasupra cerului cel mai inalt, e libertatea dupa care tanjim cu totii in strafundul nostru si pe care aici o revarsam in liniste si pace. E detasarea de dominatie si dominion.Blogul a ajuns un al 2-lea Eu pentru unii; isi publica pana si jurnalul intim. Ei bine, chiar cu asta nu sunt de acord! Viata mea nu poate fi o banala carte deschisa pentru oricine stie sa faca dublu click pe o pagina de net!

Ce personaje negative intalnim pe net?

1. Mitocanii - intotdeauna rau-intentionati, ei vor sa aduca nori in aceasta frumusete celestiana creata in imaginatia ta, vor sa murdareasca lumea creata de tine, nu suporta lumina ta personala si feerica, este invidios si rau pana in maduva oaselor. Acestia iti intra in “viata” ca si cum ar intra cu bocancii in suflet fara sa-ti ceara voie, te iau la palme, te jignesc, fara ca tu sa ai vreo vina decat aceea de a avea nenorocul sa te intersectezi intamplator cu ei in lumea asta imensa.
2. Idiotii – astia sunt “manipulati” de pozele din avataruri. Hahaha! Cum poate fi un om atat de cretin incat sa admita ca orice avatar reprezinta persoana din spatele acestuia? Ma bufneste rasul. Cata tembelizare! Pai daca as fi fost atat de naiva, cred ca pana acum ma puteam lauda cu niste prietenii de milioane (de euro :)): Banderas, Keanu Reaves, Britney Spears, Madonna s.o. Hahahaa... A pretinde cuiva sa-si posteze propria poza la avatar este o nebunie.Aceeasi nebunie paranoica este si a pretinde unui bloger sa-si scrie numele si prenumele real, nr.de telefon, adresa. Pana aici au ajuns unii sa intinda idiotenia! nascuta din paranoia lor. Semnele bolii sunt mult incrustate in mintea lor cetoasa si multipersonalizata.
3. Hartuitorii – avem si din astia. Daca-i ignori, continua sa te bombardeze cu e-mailuri (daca le stie), cu mesaje vulgare sau de amenintare. Ce le putem face astora? E trist si periculos ca pe Blogger nu exita optiunea de a da IGNOR sau BLOCK unui asemenea retardat! E singurul site (din cate cunosc) in care aceasta absolut necesara optiune NU EXISTA! Cum ne putem totusi apara de asemenea personaje?

Ecstazia netului continua sa ma tina in brate. Imi place sa discut cu nestiutul si sa patrund in necunoscut. Ce ma intereseaza pe mine daca tu, cititorule, esti om de afaceri, VIP sau Very Important Papagal (cum zicea Becali) atata vreme cat eu te-am ales din atatea alte milioane sa discuti cu mine? Te cer de sot, ma iei de nevasta? Nu, doar incerc sa ingemanez niste ganduri, idei, pareri, obiectiuni cu oameni care-mi impartasesc aceleasi pasiuni. Daca am un punct de plecare luminos si drumul este incitant, surprinzator de adanc, poti ramane in lumea mea pana la capat, dar daca esti unul dintre cei 3 “Negativisti” intelege ca jocul s-a sfarsit in secunda in care ai spart linistea mea.

Navigare buna si vant la pupa!