...why I am happy!

Movie clip of the song about the story of Profeta Gentileza. I love what it says: "Love, the word that gives freedom"

Gentleness generates gentleness. How a simple phrase can make so much sense nowadays. A simple attitude that makes the difference in a world hungry for peace and love. I want to take the example of a man called José Datrino or Profeta Gentileza, that became famous in 80's for his words written under a viaduct in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While a child he had a very simple life in a rural area, where he started to work very young with his 9 brothers. Because of his work he learned to brake in donkeys. Many years later, he would describe himself as "the tamer of not clarified urban men". When he was 12 years-old, he started to have premonitions about his mission in the world, where he believed one day he would leave family and possessions to do it. Eight years later he moved to Rio, where he got married and had 5 children. There he opened his small company, which became successful. In 1961 there was a big fire at the circus called "Gran Circus North-American", a tra...

Free Hugs Campaign is based on a real life story of Juan Mann. Hope it inspires you as it did to me! If you are too shy to hug strangers, start giving smiles! What matters is that we can always give something good (and free of costs) to the others who need. And believe, sometimes that's the best we can give. Lots of hugs, smiles and kisses to you!

Everyday we have difficulties. But everyday we have opportunities. Remember life is short. We should make of our daily choice the best one, renewing our votes of hope and faith and staying happy. Sometimes bad things happen, bringing us unsureness, but trusting in God gives back peace and love into our hearts. May you all have good options everyday! and thanks for the support. :o)

Hey, I invite you to check out this blog - The Cool Hunter . It is really worth it! Have a good week. ;o)

This week I've thought I couldn't post anything. How could I write about happiness if inside my heart was crying? I've had some struggles and a great loss in my family. My uncle has passed away after suffering from a heart attack. He would get married in 3 months, that was his dream. Why? I thought. What does that mean? I knew there was something else to learn from that. I believe it always has, although many times we don't see. This questions ended up as I read an e-mail that showed me the difference from living and existing. "The last day" That was his last day, but he didn't know. In that morning, he wanted to stay in bed a little longer. He was tired and hasn't had a good night of sleep. He gave up the idea, thinking of how many things he should do at the office. He got ready automatically, paying no attention to his exausted semblant, result of so many nights without sleep. He had his coffee in a hurry and left, wishing a good morning that couldn...

How interesting life is. This week has been tiring for me and for some time I thought I couldn't stand such stressful atmosphere. I shared this with a co-worker, who said: "This is the right moment for you to make the difference, by holding tight, instead of giving up". That simple and almost obvious phrase was enough for me to have my enthusiasm and optimism back. Today, I've got a message from a person I worked with about 3 years ago. She is now married, pregnant and looks very happy. Her message was exactly the song I sang to her when she needed help. We were working together by that time. "Everything I want, I'll try even harder than before, wherever my destiny might be, I'll search for the luck and be happy. Everything I want, my Father in heaven will give me, He will give me all the courageous I want, and may I never lose my strengh to fight." It really touched my heart, especially because the same song has so much to do with me now. Life is so...

That's what I first saw as I got up this early morning. A sweet surprise of a beautiful sunrise. At that time, my reaction was to catch my camera and take as many shots as I could. So I did. I didn't want to forget this moment ever. Especially because I felt, at that very moment, the greatness of God. And His incredible creation. Happy Easter to everyone! :o)

What you'll read now it's a mix of thoughts from different sources... There is a way to be good again. You should never let anyone take from you: Your faith in love , even in times of war; Your power to transform lives ; Your hope to make dreams come true ; Your freedom 's mind; Your pride to be yourself, even with imperfections; Your energy to start over again ; Your courage to face challenges; Your capacity of asking for help ; Your happiness in doing the right thing; Your certainty that life is worth it ! The worst place to be in this life is in the half-way. Never be conformed with less than everything.

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...