While I finish my post about optimism (trust me it's going to be a great and long one), I leave you this song.
About time to take over the world?
Welcome to my Blog. I will be updating this space everyday with a wide variety of posts that are shaping the way I perceive life around me.
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Monday, 27 September 2010
To stay or to leave?
Sadly, despite looking at all the pros and cons, I can't stay in Brazil. However I will be back here in december and january for the brazilian summer, will be hitting Rio de Janeiro big time.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Following up on yesterday's entry, I leave you a song that could cheer you up and change your mood.
Juan Luis Guerra: La bilirrubina.
And here is a song about memories and optimism, a strong message in such a short song.
Tomorrow will be a day for optimism.
"Preserve your memories" and your future will be brighter.
Juan Luis Guerra: La bilirrubina.
And here is a song about memories and optimism, a strong message in such a short song.
Tomorrow will be a day for optimism.
"Preserve your memories" and your future will be brighter.
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Happy people.
While jogging around the parque da cidade the other day with my ipod on shuffle, the song happy people by R.Kelly came up. I remember how, back in the days, it used to be one of the top songs at the clubs and I would dance it over and over again. However, up until now, I had never stop to think about the meaning of the song, or at least the meaning of the title.
What is happy people? How can we judge if a person is happy or not?
Well, first of all, the word happy is very abstract. Being happy is subjective to one's opinions. And each of us see happiness differently. For some happiness is reflected by the mood, whereas for others happiness depends on external factors such as a stable job, money and family. This shows that happiness depends on several factors.
Happiness, generally, is the ability to feel satisfied with your life, to enjoy yourself and others and to have fun. It is associated with a general feeling of cheerfulness and enthusiasm, a strong capacity to enjoy life and be spontaneous. Happy people tend to take pleasure in the small things in life.
If you wake up in the morning thinking: "another day of work...I wish I did not have to wake up", once at work keep an eye on the clock throughout the day waiting for the quitting time, and once the evening arrives you prefer to stay home, on your own, watching a tv show. Then most probably you are avoiding happiness. Why does that happen to you?
There are probably two reasons why we end up feeling unhappy:
Firstly, we hope we will obtain something we desire, or expect the something good will happen to us. If these hopes do not happen, we feel disappointed, frustrated. We may then start thinking it is our destiny, and simply give up.
Secondly, in other occasions we fear that something bad is going to happen, and therefore we try to avoid it. In other words, we lack spontaneity and a little bit of risk taking. Unhappiness here comes through conformity. Instead of looking for happiness with the risk of failing and fall into severe unhappiness, depression, we rather stay in that light level of unhappiness.
It is a fact that the pursuit of happiness ranks up there with the search for love as one of the preoccupations of humankind.
Although we can be happy in private moments of reflection, happiness is often linked to friends, family and loved ones. We feel better around people. Therefore extroverts tend to be happier than introverts. However happiness is personal, and therefore it comes from the inside out. Stephen covey said that private victories precede public victories.
As I said earlier, setting goals is important, but keep them realistic. A key skill is to readjust our goals to make them attainable, but yet hard.
Happy people are able to take pleasure in what they have done and can do.
Finally, as Howard E. said on his book, emotional intelligence, "if you are satisfied with your life and not particularly envious of anyone else's, it's much easier to build strong and lasting relationships".
Well, first of all, the word happy is very abstract. Being happy is subjective to one's opinions. And each of us see happiness differently. For some happiness is reflected by the mood, whereas for others happiness depends on external factors such as a stable job, money and family. This shows that happiness depends on several factors.
Happiness, generally, is the ability to feel satisfied with your life, to enjoy yourself and others and to have fun. It is associated with a general feeling of cheerfulness and enthusiasm, a strong capacity to enjoy life and be spontaneous. Happy people tend to take pleasure in the small things in life.
If you wake up in the morning thinking: "another day of work...I wish I did not have to wake up", once at work keep an eye on the clock throughout the day waiting for the quitting time, and once the evening arrives you prefer to stay home, on your own, watching a tv show. Then most probably you are avoiding happiness. Why does that happen to you?
There are probably two reasons why we end up feeling unhappy:
Firstly, we hope we will obtain something we desire, or expect the something good will happen to us. If these hopes do not happen, we feel disappointed, frustrated. We may then start thinking it is our destiny, and simply give up.
Secondly, in other occasions we fear that something bad is going to happen, and therefore we try to avoid it. In other words, we lack spontaneity and a little bit of risk taking. Unhappiness here comes through conformity. Instead of looking for happiness with the risk of failing and fall into severe unhappiness, depression, we rather stay in that light level of unhappiness.
It is a fact that the pursuit of happiness ranks up there with the search for love as one of the preoccupations of humankind.
How can we increase our happiness level?
It seems obvious that if we are strong and active we are more likely to be happy. If we develop goals that give our lives meaning, and attain them, then we'll be happy. It is key to have dreams and take risks in life. Although we can be happy in private moments of reflection, happiness is often linked to friends, family and loved ones. We feel better around people. Therefore extroverts tend to be happier than introverts. However happiness is personal, and therefore it comes from the inside out. Stephen covey said that private victories precede public victories.
As I said earlier, setting goals is important, but keep them realistic. A key skill is to readjust our goals to make them attainable, but yet hard.
Happy people are able to take pleasure in what they have done and can do.
Finally, as Howard E. said on his book, emotional intelligence, "if you are satisfied with your life and not particularly envious of anyone else's, it's much easier to build strong and lasting relationships".
Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy
7 days is a week. And, what is the highlight?
A bright saturday evening in Brasilia, at sunset time. I find myself in Carrefour (Yes, the highly popular french supermarket is also in Brazil), buying some last minute stuff for Sunday's churrasqueira (bbq). Every country is different and therefore unique, however gastronomically that difference is regressing, quite sad. As I stroll around the supermarket I find most of the products you find in a supermarket in Spain, France and the UK. Some more expensive, some cheaper. Well, it really isn't surprising, nowadays only the big chains are able to survive and even thrive in the food market. Small owned brands will never be able to compete.
And why is that? I look around and all I see is people moving around with their shopping carts full, people and more people. Coke here, kraft biscuits there. And most of them with a smile on their face. They spend minutes to pick one product over another, sometimes they compare only the price, other times the weight and rarely the quality. They are happier when they buy the cheapest and biggest product (2 x1 they think!). But, I tell myself, you can't blame them, that is the only way left for them to survive. It is just consumerism, nothing can be done... because "it isn't that they can't see the solution. It's that they can't see the problem".
However, for a large number of people that hour spent in a supermarket on a saturday is their highlight of the week, it is the only time where they can give themselves a few things to look forward too, such as a tablet of chocolate, or a bottle of wine. It is so tempting they cannot escape. What are the dangers?
In management we would talk about impulse control, as Oscar Wilde so rightly said "I can resist everything except temptation".
First let's define impulse control: It is the ability to resist or delay an impulse, drive, or temptation to act. It entails a capacity for identifying your angry and aggressive impulses, being composed and putting the brakes on angry, aggressive and irresponsible behavior.
Well, you might be asking yourself, why is impulse control so important? I believe it is the strongest tool against the growth of consumerism that results in severe social problems, such as higher unemployment, increase of poverty and separation of social classes, amongst other demographic and social issues.
As Steven J.Stein describes on his book, emotional intelligence, we need a impulse gate. It is a gate that opens and close depending on feelings and behaviors. If the gate is working well, then feelings are left aside for a while. We are aware of them, but we don't do much about them right now. Take for example frustration, it is left aside to cool down, its got nowhere to go and therefore the gate impedes immediate action.
What happens if the gate is faulty, and feelings pass through the door right away? Well frustration turns into instant action, no time to evaluate probable outcomes. At first it feels right, it actually feels really good, we've released all the tension we had inside. However, we've dealt ourselves in for long term pain, by failing to study possible outcomes.
This metaphor applies to several events that occur during our lives.
Think first, and then think again.
And why is that? I look around and all I see is people moving around with their shopping carts full, people and more people. Coke here, kraft biscuits there. And most of them with a smile on their face. They spend minutes to pick one product over another, sometimes they compare only the price, other times the weight and rarely the quality. They are happier when they buy the cheapest and biggest product (2 x1 they think!). But, I tell myself, you can't blame them, that is the only way left for them to survive. It is just consumerism, nothing can be done... because "it isn't that they can't see the solution. It's that they can't see the problem".
Consumerism is a social and economic order that is based on the systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods or services in ever greater amounts. (Wikipedia, great definition though)
However, for a large number of people that hour spent in a supermarket on a saturday is their highlight of the week, it is the only time where they can give themselves a few things to look forward too, such as a tablet of chocolate, or a bottle of wine. It is so tempting they cannot escape. What are the dangers?
In management we would talk about impulse control, as Oscar Wilde so rightly said "I can resist everything except temptation".
First let's define impulse control: It is the ability to resist or delay an impulse, drive, or temptation to act. It entails a capacity for identifying your angry and aggressive impulses, being composed and putting the brakes on angry, aggressive and irresponsible behavior.
Well, you might be asking yourself, why is impulse control so important? I believe it is the strongest tool against the growth of consumerism that results in severe social problems, such as higher unemployment, increase of poverty and separation of social classes, amongst other demographic and social issues.
As Steven J.Stein describes on his book, emotional intelligence, we need a impulse gate. It is a gate that opens and close depending on feelings and behaviors. If the gate is working well, then feelings are left aside for a while. We are aware of them, but we don't do much about them right now. Take for example frustration, it is left aside to cool down, its got nowhere to go and therefore the gate impedes immediate action.
What happens if the gate is faulty, and feelings pass through the door right away? Well frustration turns into instant action, no time to evaluate probable outcomes. At first it feels right, it actually feels really good, we've released all the tension we had inside. However, we've dealt ourselves in for long term pain, by failing to study possible outcomes.
This metaphor applies to several events that occur during our lives.
Think first, and then think again.
Saturday, 18 September 2010
You are the king of pretend.
Be yourself.
"Die as a good man or live as a monster". Those are the choices.
A monster would be the result of pretending, the result of changing to appear better in the eyes of her and them. Once you dive into that pool, there is no way out, you are trapped as if you were in shutter island. Moreover as time goes by you become heavier, because not only you change physically and personally but you also turn into a lying machine, and therefore you sink deeper and deeper. Why change for the worse?
Sadly nowadays one can be seen through different angles, and what is even pitiful is that the most used angle is the internet with its social networking, such as facebook, myspace etc.. People show themselves differently on the net that in person. HEY! Life is not a dress rehearsal, enjoy life. Be yourself.
And that is when a "man" (person) comes into action, stop pretending and get out there. Life is full of opportunities, every minute you spend wandering around in front of your computer or worrying about what others think of you, is a minute you could be experiencing with life, meeting new people that could change the curse of your false life.
"We could not care less cos we are us not you".
"Die as a good man or live as a monster". Those are the choices.
A monster would be the result of pretending, the result of changing to appear better in the eyes of her and them. Once you dive into that pool, there is no way out, you are trapped as if you were in shutter island. Moreover as time goes by you become heavier, because not only you change physically and personally but you also turn into a lying machine, and therefore you sink deeper and deeper. Why change for the worse?
Sadly nowadays one can be seen through different angles, and what is even pitiful is that the most used angle is the internet with its social networking, such as facebook, myspace etc.. People show themselves differently on the net that in person. HEY! Life is not a dress rehearsal, enjoy life. Be yourself.
And that is when a "man" (person) comes into action, stop pretending and get out there. Life is full of opportunities, every minute you spend wandering around in front of your computer or worrying about what others think of you, is a minute you could be experiencing with life, meeting new people that could change the curse of your false life.
"We could not care less cos we are us not you".
You are not 20 forever
You are not 20 forever.
That is the mentality, live everyday, every moment, as if it was the last one. Don't think about the past, it cannot be changed, and it happened for a reason. Situations of the past will come up in the near future, just like a deja vu. And it is then when your experience will make a difference.
Do not plan the future either, let it flow, set short in time goals, attain them and set new ones. It is much harder to take a big step than several small ones. The present will decide your future, over-organizing yourself will ravage your present.
Hopefully you have enjoyed your moments this summer, by the beach, mountain or walking around cities. Hopefully you have been able to disconnect from the real world even if it was just for a short period of time. And surely you have spent time with special persons this summer, that you have either just met, that have always been by your side, or that you thought you had lost only to realize you were wrong.
Personally that describes my summer. I had moments when I wanted time to stop, where I was on top of the world, and playfully enjoyed every single minute of it. Unfortunately I had to move on, but I know that those moments will come back in the future, I live for those moments.
When you less expect it, it happens. So don't force it.
Don't just sit there and wait for that person to get back to you, and don't just desperately try to revive that moment, it will never be the same. If it was special it is due to many factors, of which the most important is time. And, unfortunately time cannot be altered. Just push on and learn from it. The moment will come.
That is the mentality, live everyday, every moment, as if it was the last one. Don't think about the past, it cannot be changed, and it happened for a reason. Situations of the past will come up in the near future, just like a deja vu. And it is then when your experience will make a difference.
Do not plan the future either, let it flow, set short in time goals, attain them and set new ones. It is much harder to take a big step than several small ones. The present will decide your future, over-organizing yourself will ravage your present.
Hopefully you have enjoyed your moments this summer, by the beach, mountain or walking around cities. Hopefully you have been able to disconnect from the real world even if it was just for a short period of time. And surely you have spent time with special persons this summer, that you have either just met, that have always been by your side, or that you thought you had lost only to realize you were wrong.
Personally that describes my summer. I had moments when I wanted time to stop, where I was on top of the world, and playfully enjoyed every single minute of it. Unfortunately I had to move on, but I know that those moments will come back in the future, I live for those moments.
When you less expect it, it happens. So don't force it.
Don't just sit there and wait for that person to get back to you, and don't just desperately try to revive that moment, it will never be the same. If it was special it is due to many factors, of which the most important is time. And, unfortunately time cannot be altered. Just push on and learn from it. The moment will come.
"never mind you’ll probably never look that pretty again"
Thursday, 16 September 2010
Does he take you places that I don't?
Back to the writing, about time.
It has been a hectic summer so far, a summer I wish would never end, a summer with its ups and downs, a summer spent with friends from university, with friends from the Philippines, with new friends from all over the place from Krakow (Poland) to Brasilia and of course with family.
However I am very much looking forward to this year, my last year in Loughborough. I can't wait for the season to start, unfortunately this year I have had to do my own pre-season out here in Brazil, but I believe it is on the right track and can't wait to start.
Academically it should be a good year, I am well excited for my Final Year Project, a 10000 + words dissertation about "Nationalism and football in Spain following the Euro 2008 and FIFA World Cup 2010 victories" and will hopefully contain interviews from prestigious spanish journalist, players and directors. The center will most probably evolve around Barcelona and I will be making countless trips to that lovely city.
I am sure it will be a long journey, with a lot of bumps, but "nobody said it was easy" and despite what coldplay say, I am not going back to the start.
Anyway, I've still got more than two weeks in Brazil, enjoying the spectacular weather, shinning sun every day as I make my way to the "Parque da Cidade" for my 12km run. Happy people all over the place. A great sunset in the evening as I drive around the city, and a vivid nightlife full of caipirinhas, caipiroskas, samba, salsa and mulatas. I cannot wait to spend New Year's in Rio de Janeiro.
For this two weeks will be spent wisely, concentrating mainly in fitness, spending time with family and getting all the energy needed for a long year, that will surely be a good one.
Now I'm just waiting for something that might never come
If it's a million to one shot I'll make sure I won.
It has been a hectic summer so far, a summer I wish would never end, a summer with its ups and downs, a summer spent with friends from university, with friends from the Philippines, with new friends from all over the place from Krakow (Poland) to Brasilia and of course with family.
However I am very much looking forward to this year, my last year in Loughborough. I can't wait for the season to start, unfortunately this year I have had to do my own pre-season out here in Brazil, but I believe it is on the right track and can't wait to start.
Academically it should be a good year, I am well excited for my Final Year Project, a 10000 + words dissertation about "Nationalism and football in Spain following the Euro 2008 and FIFA World Cup 2010 victories" and will hopefully contain interviews from prestigious spanish journalist, players and directors. The center will most probably evolve around Barcelona and I will be making countless trips to that lovely city.
I am sure it will be a long journey, with a lot of bumps, but "nobody said it was easy" and despite what coldplay say, I am not going back to the start.
Anyway, I've still got more than two weeks in Brazil, enjoying the spectacular weather, shinning sun every day as I make my way to the "Parque da Cidade" for my 12km run. Happy people all over the place. A great sunset in the evening as I drive around the city, and a vivid nightlife full of caipirinhas, caipiroskas, samba, salsa and mulatas. I cannot wait to spend New Year's in Rio de Janeiro.
For this two weeks will be spent wisely, concentrating mainly in fitness, spending time with family and getting all the energy needed for a long year, that will surely be a good one.
Now I'm just waiting for something that might never come
If it's a million to one shot I'll make sure I won.
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