...why I am happy!

I feel like tons of things have happened in my life in the last few weeks. That's the reason of my missing in the blogsphere. But here I am, to write about connections... I can't remember right now the details but the inspiration for this post is a report about Steve Jobs, from Apple. Since I read it, a month ago, I've been thinking of how much it has to do to what I've been living right now. In this report he says something like we aren't able to make all the connections in our lives (in the present for the future), which means, we can't figure out what exactly is going to happen based on what we do. We just know something is going to happen. I've had a professional opportunity lately (the reason of my lack of time to write) that I believe to prove this theory. The theory that future is made by ourselves. But, hey, I am not talking about great things... I believe that little but powerful details build our destiny. For the good or not. Quoting a good friend ...

I can't forget their faces... Their way to look at me as if we had met before. Their request for my lap as if I were their mom. I can't forget their laughs... Their smiles as if their lives were only happiness. Their hugs as if we could stay like this forever. I can't forget that moment... With so much love for a stranger. A tough moment to say goodbye. These words represent exactly what I felt yesterday, when visiting (for the first time) an orphanage. I thank God for this opportunity, showing me life just the way it is (or it should be). When I left, all I could remember was a big lesson - of happiness , hope and true love .

"Success is a journey not a destination." Ben Letterman I read this phrase in a Mizuno's advertising a month ago. Do I agree with that? I thought a thousand times... and couldn't stop thinking about it. Maybe there was some kind of "secret of happiness" in it... Maybe not. But the thing is that after a while I realized it has a lot to say, so this is what this post is about. People often live of making plans in order to guarantee a successful future. Sometimes thinking that one day they won't have to fight in "battles" anymore. They'll won and that's it. But the truth is that battles never finish. When you are a child your battle is to finish school. Then you get older and have to finish high school. After that, your struggles become what course you will take at the university... Ufff, you've done all that... you must find a job... where? how? am I going to be good at it? how much? You think "things will get better when I find ...

Some photos of Rio de Janeiro from the Statue of Jesus.

Yesterday the New 7 Wonders of the world were announced. For my sweet surprise my city (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) was chosen as a new wonder because of our beautiful and famous Statue of Christ Redeemer! I am so happy, especially because it is a statue of Jesus. It is an inspiration from everyone who visit the statue and for those who have the privilege to see the statue everyday, like me! :o) The Christ Redeemer from New7Wonders's website : "This statue of Jesus stands some 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. The statue took five years to construct and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. It has become a symbol of the city and of the warmth of the Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms. " The New 7 Wonders of the World: The Great Wall of China, Petra, Chichén Itzá , the Statue of Christ Redeemer, the Colosseum, Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal.

Yesterday I felt like Shrek... not belonging to the world. I felt like a stranger and that made me feel really sad. But you know what? Today I see a positive side of it. I mean... what is the point of being like everyone? Being different doesn't mean, in the first place, being wrong. Being different means being yourself. How many brilliant and talented people have contributed to the world? Weren't they different? That's why they could make the difference. From this point of view, I kinda like the idea of being different. In fact, I love that! Check out what people think about being different... "In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different." (Coco Chanel) "Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary." (Cecil Beaton) "Share our similarities, celebrate our differences." (M. Sco...

photo: of mine (check out more here) How many times we get surprises from life... Sometimes desired in our hearts, they can make us the happiest person in the world. Other times unexpected, they hurt us so profoundly that it seems to be hard to breath. These daily surprises of life are actually the life itself. I am the kind of person who make plans for everything, living always ahead of time. Or behind, analyzing my past. My favorite questions are "Have I done the right thing?" or "What would have happened if I had done that?". Questions that will never end, because past and future will last forever. So today I ask "What about today?". Why do we make so many plans if these surprises of life come, sometimes obligating us to start all over again? I still believe it is important to think of both past and future; to avoid mistakes, to improve, to achieve goals, to make the difference, to be happy... But if that costs us the present, then we should care less ...

Note: I wasn't able to make a colorful and interesting post from youtube, so I've decided to use my creativity (okay) in the next post. Enjoy!

Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)- Baz Luhrmann While organizing some stuff at the office last night I found an 'old' CD that I brought home and played this morning. Everybody's Free was the first song. So touching. So true. Just amazing. So I've posted the video here. It's funny how everytime I feel blue something great happens to show me how life is incredible and marvellous. God is always there to help us out. Wow! It's so good to exist! My Top 10 phrases: Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours. Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives.Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don...

I don't know who wrote this but it has been circulating in the internet, so I've decided to post it here. It is simple but true. "Work like you don't need the money, Love like you've never been hurt, And treat people, just the way you want to be treated." Não sei quem escreveu isso mas tem circulado na internet, então decidi postá-lo aqui. É simples, mas verdadeiro. "Tabalhe como se não precisasse de dinheiro, Ame como se nunca tivesse se magoado, E trate aos outros exatamente como gostaria de ser tratado."

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.