...why I am happy!

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

A forwarded message that I received in my e-mail this week... ___________**__**_____* ___________***_*__*_____* __________****_____**___****** _________*****______**_*______** Being happy is not ________*****_______**________* ________*****_______*_______* having a perfect life; ________******_____*_______* _________******____*______*Being happy is recognizing __________********_______* __***_________**______** that is worthy it to live *******__________** _*******_________* even with all challenges and losses. __******_________* ___***___*_______* ___________*_____* _______****_*___* Being happy is stop _____******__*_** ____*******___** being victim of the problems ____*****______* ____**_________*to be the author of your own story... _____*_________* _______________* _______________* Being happy is a conquest not a coincidence. _______________*

This is so true. Sentiments are the only thing (as far as I can remember or recall) capable of being multiplied when shared. Love, peace, happiness... for these things, we all should use this 'math' on daily basis. I've read this phrase today in the book "By the river Piedra I sat down and wept", written 13 years ago by the famous brazilian writer Paulo Coelho . Besides this thoughtful sentence, I am also quoting a part that I liked a lot and wanted to share with you. "(...) Every day God gives us - with the sun - one moment when it is possible to change everything that makes us unhappy. Everyday we try to pretend that we don't perceive this moment, or that it doesn't exist, that today is like yesterday and it will be like tomorrow. But, those who pay attention to their days, find their magic instant. It can be hidden in the time we put the key in the door in the morning, in the instant of the silence right after the dinner, in one thousand and one th...

It was an interesting and sweet surprise! My blog was nominated "the best blog of the day". Well, I don't know much about this award; I just know that someone has nominated my blog as "the best blog of the day". And that's pretty cool. Even though it might have come from just one person, it means a lot to me. It shows how important we can be to other people and their importance to us as well. It proves that everyday our simple attitudes influence people's lives and in many cases we don't even notice. Every contact, smile, 'hi', every single movement has impact to the others around. Thank you reader. You make all the difference to me. I only have a few readers, but even if I had just one, it would be worth it to keep writing. I've been learning a lot from you. Thanks, thanks and thanks! ;o)

There is a story that comes to my mind every now and then, since I've heard it from a close friend of mine. That was some days ago, while I was sort of complaining about having too much responsabilities to carry on. When he told me that story, I stopped. There wasn't space for complaining anymore. By that time, I became sure that life is what you want it to be. It is also what you choose to see. I might not tell the story the best way, but I'll try. By the moment I heard it, it sounded magic to me... Sometimes life puts you in a position, as if you were holding a candle. This candle is necessary to illuminate yourself and the others around you. It is dark and you are the person who holds the candle. While you see yourself as a privileged person for being in that position, you'll be very proud, happy and thankful. On the other hand, as soon as you start thinking of it as tiring or an obligation, the simple candle will turn to a heavy pack to carry. Then you will stop and...

I am impressed by the fact that most people doesn't know what is really important in their lives. In fact, everybody knows what is best and could make their own top 10 list, but theory sometimes is far away from the reality. I myself have had a hard time trying to balance my priorities. And it seems that I never get it. I had a teacher in my master who used to compare economy to a short blanket. He used to say "If the country reduces the interests in order to acelerate the economy, it will suffer from inflation. On the other hand, if it increases the interests in order to control the inflation, it will suffer from stagnation". From that I want to make a parallel to our lives. To cover all we need or want we sometimes change our priorities. In this way, we are constantly trying to balance our lives, though not always with success. Since the last few weeks I've had some struggles. I've had no answer for them or maybe I just couldn't see their real importance. Th...

I want to share with you a passage that my friend Fari took from the Bible and sent to me yesterday. It has a lot to do with this blog cause it shows us some important attitudes we all should be guided by. Those are: Compassion Kindness Humility Gentleness Patience Forgiveness Peace Thankfulness Each one is important and can make all the difference in our lives and relationships. Now I invite you to think of how many wrong things (like wars, arguments and violence in general) wouldn't happen if the world were guided by these amazing words? May we be the example around us. Have an awesome week! :o) Colossians 3:12-17 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.Let the peace of Christ...

Since the last few days I feel like writing poetry. Many things have come to my mind, but at the same time, nothing has made sense to be written. I guess I'll have to insist in writing about my thoughts until I get something interesting. To fullfill my current desire I've decided to write down some verses from songs I like. Because they are in portuguese, at least in english they will sound like new poetry to me. :P I've been working all day I've been thinking a lot I've been doing some things That are not quite right I've been thinking about you I've been thinking about you When will you return? *** Who has invented the love? Please explain to me Who has invented the love? Please explain to me While life comes and goes You look for someone That one day will tell you I just want to stay with you Who has invented the love? *** They tell me about a place But where is it? Where there are virtue and intelligence and people are good and sensitive and the light in...

By the title you might think this post is sort of old, since this movie came to theaters in November, 2006. In fact, I am writing about " Copying Beethoven " because I want to bring up something more than the film itself. The reason for writing this post is to make you think rather than giving you information. Even though this drama has been 'created', it has still a beautiful message. That's what I want to share with you. First believe in yourself. Then act. Don't miss either. Surpass your limits. It is always possible. Pursue your dreams. That means dedication and also sacrifices. Listen to your heart. It always tells you what is the best. Have passion in all that you do. Use love as your fuel. Be yourself, whole. You have amazing things to share with the world. Life isn't black and white. Don't miss the variations of the gray. Nobody is perfect. Everybody is beautiful. Get to know the first; live according to the second. Music is the language of the...

I think difficulties are important to bring us to our center, even though we have the tendency to think the opposite when facing a hard time. This week has made me reflect a lot about this. It's been tiring and busy, including the longest hours ever, at the office. Many things didn't seem to be right this week. Besides that, I broke my first resolution for 2007 (no long hours... lol). Today is Saturday. This morning I had planned to catch up some stuff in the computer when I found out it was someway broken. I don't know, it's just not working. Maybe my PC is in a bad mood. Anyway, all these little 'big' things would make me mad in other times. But I chose not to react that way. A friend of mine told me "we must learn how to live in the chaos". Things come and go, good or bad... so take advantage of what you have. I am now in my brother's computer, happy to have at least a chance to write in my blog today. Thanks bro! I'm going now to the office...

Last year I did my first trip abroad and I can say it was the best experience I've ever had! Travelling is like changing an old B&W televison to a brand-new colored widescreen. You see things so much better! You have so much fun! You amplified your limits, being able to make better comparisons. You become addict to it. :o) Reading a magazine today I've found an interesting article, written by Martha Medeiros (a very good brazilian writer). She describes her experience in letting her teen daughter travel out of Brazil. At the end of the article there is a poem written by her about 12 years ago, that reminded me of my adventure to Canada. "I've embarked my daughter in the ship and said, my daughter, go said, my daughter go to find out what exists in the other side of the ocean I embarked and said, go my daughter, find out what exists that aren't possible to tell said, go and look with your own eyes what none love can detail go, my dauhter, dream and know the wor...

"Your light must shine from inside to outside. Manifest to everybody your interior light which vibrates in you through your acts and words of comprehension and optimism. Be yourself your own light, illuminating all with your words of comfort and incentive, your smile of enthusiasm and encouragement, your example of faith and optimism." Extracted from the book "Minutes of wisdom". "Sua luz deve brilhar de dentro para fora. Procure manifestar a todos a luz interior que vibra em você, através de seus atos e de suas palavras de compreensão e otimismo. Seja você mesmo sua própria luz, iluminando a todos com suas palavras de conforto e incentivo, com seu sorriso de entusiasmo e de encorajamento, com seu exemplo de fé e otimismo. " Extraído do livro "Minutos de sabedoria".

My trip to the countryside was awesome! A bit of what (and who) I've seen there... Minha viagem para o interior foi tudo de bom! Um pouco do que (e de quem) eu vi por lá... There is much more at my Flickr album . Why don't you check it out? :P Tem muito mais no meu álbum de fotos do Flickr . Por que você não dá uma conferida? :P

Using google to translate sentences to French, like I did in the title of this post? This is a tip for brazilians who are interested in learning French online. Created last year from a partnership between Brazil and France , Francoclic is a free access website where you can learn French and also get to know more about the France culture. It's a very good initiative of Brazil and France, that amplify the possibilities for people to learn another language. It is not enough to be able to communicate perfectly in French but it is a good start! Have fun! I will too! :) Usando google para traduzir frases para o francês, como eu fiz no título deste post? Uma dica para brasileiros interessados em aprender francês online. Criado ano passado de uma parceria entre Brasil e França, Francoclic é um site de acesso gratuito onde você pode aprender mais sobre a língua e cultura francesas. Uma boa iniciativa do Brasil e da França, que amplia as possibilidades das pessoas em aprender outro idioma. N...

After some reflection, I've decided to disactivate my other blog "why I say no". Although I do believe we have many wrong things to complain about (in a constructive way, of course) writing about it has changed my focus. As written in a religious lyric: "I just want to bring to my memory what brings me hope". This is the way I will contribute to make another world possible! :)

Have you made promises to 2007 yet? Every year I make them, but forget in the first month. So I've had an idea to make a good use of my blog and write down my promises, in order to be able to check them later. 1) I will work less - no 'endless' long hours anymore. Yes, that's a tough one. I always make this promise but never realize it. This year I'll make it! 2) I will have enough sleep - which means discipline to turn off the computer... no internet stuff after 11pm. Ok, weekends are permited. yes! (this one is necessary because of the third promise) 3) I will practice sports - after one entire year doing nothing it is time to get back to the gym, dance class, jiu-jitsu, whatever makes me less sedentary. 4) I will make a good use of my time - taking care of my relationships, meeting new people, reading & writing, having fun, learning something new, loving more, helping more and keeping my heart in Jesus Christ. Enthusiasm, passion and courage to you in this Ne...