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Mostrando postagens de março, 2007

Inspired in a romance

I've just finished reading the book The Kite Runner from Khaled Hosseini. I found it amazing and touching. A beautiful story that I highly recommend in case you haven't read it yet. "For you, a thousand times over!" he said to his friend. I kept thinking of how special a relationship must be for someone to say that. I believe it has to exist a sentiment, strong enough to make everything worth it, even a sacrifice. Other amazing thing is to know that, when done by heart, this 'sacrifice' can be transformed in such happiness for the person who does it. As written in the book M inutes of Wisdom : Always try to give the most you can... a good word... a smile... a gesture of incentive... a generous thought... And you will feel the greatest truth in your heart: is much better to give than to receive! Haven't you noticed it yet? Try it then! Help someone with no interest, and observe how it will come and knock at your door, with hands full of joy, the greatest h

Too meaningful

That's from a small research I did some weeks ago. I didn't use it at that time but couldn't erase nor leave it as draft. They are too meaningful for that. Enjoy. Wisdom is the ability, developed through experience , insight and reflection , to discern truth and exercise good judgment. "Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak." -- Sun Tzu "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." -- Plato "I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be." -- Thomas Jefferson

How come?

"How come can you leave at this time and still have a smile in your face?" That was what I heard from a co-worker last night, as I left the office at 10 pm. I stopped for a moment, trying to figure that out. "What could make me feel that happy?" I thought for a second. Then I remembered of an article that I read a few days ago and has a lot to do with it. "The 90/10 Principle" - by Stephen Covey What is this principle? 10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light, but you can control your reaction. Let's use an example. You are eating breakfast

Making a parallel...

I've been practicing rowing for 2 weeks. Last week I had an interesting experience. The tank where the beginners practice (including me) was pretty full, except for a single spot in the front. The instructor called me. "Okay, it's just a spot", I thought. As soon as I sat there he said "You are the watch of this boat. Whatever you do, they'll copy you." Then he repeated the same instructions to the group. Trying to avoid an embarassing moment I whispered "It's my third class, isn't it better if I exchange with someone more experient?". "No, you'll be okay." he replied. At this time, I became sure it wasn't going to be an easy task. I was right. During the trainning, part of my mind was out of there. There were so many feelings going on at this time... It was just a simple trainning day, but the moment and atmosphere made this particular day greater than itself. I could only think of how similar sports and life can be s

More from Coelho

A wise man arrived in a village called Akbar but people didn't give him much importance. Apart from a small young group, the wise man couldn't be of anyone else's interest; in contrary, he became the reason of irony for the villagers. One day he was taking a walk with his disciples through the main street, when a group of men and women started insulting him. The wise man approached them and blessed them. As he walked out from there, one of the disciples commented: "They said terrible things, and you responded with beautiful words". The wise man responded: "One can only offer what he has". This passage was adapted from an article written recently by Paulo Coelho in a magazine. It reminded me that the best way to react to any kind of aggression or disrespect is to do exactly the opposite. In fact it's contraditory to complain or disgard others attitudes if we react to them in the same way. So let's remember to use our strongest weapon when facing a