The citizen of the box

I have come to realise that sometimes we can become tourists of the city, in which we live. Going only to “recommended” places, following specific routes, talking to a few handful of people are daily routines that save us precious time. Time, which we so skilfully manage to spend meeting deadlines, fulfilling responsibilities and setting up future goals. These necessary evils do not allow us the luxury of experimentation- the luxury of getting to know the area, in which we work, drive, commute...live. 

There is no time for  that.
We, then, inhabit but not live. We inhabit in a well-ventilated sunny and stable box, constructed by the "have to's" and "should do's".  Undoubtedly there are some people, who have a yearn for travelling. And they do travel. They visit other cities, other countries, even other continents...

An old story has it that a banker went on holidays with his family in a beautiful island. Everyday while he was enjoying the sun by the sea, he could see a fisherman returning from his work. One day he asked the fisherman why he never stayed longer in the sea to catch more fishes."What for?" replied the fisherman. Then, the banker eloquently explained that the fisherman could sell the additional fishes and soon enough he could buy a second boat. Slowly he could build a fleet and a successful business. With careful planning his company could even be listed in the New York Stock Exchange, and in about 25 years from now he could sell it and come back in that island to retire and fish for leisure. The fisherman gave a pat at the banker's back and before he walked away he said: "That's what I already have".

4 hugs a day!

In the beginning of January, I was discussing with a couple of friends about new year's resolutions..then, I don't know how, but we changed our discussion into 'hugs' and their importance in our life. 

At that time, I had, recently, read a quote by Virginia Satir, pioneer in Family Therapy, according to whom, we need 4 hugs a day for survival; 8 hugs a day for maintenance and 12 hugs a day for growth.

Reflecting on my childhood memories, where mum's hug was the safest shelter in the world, this quote does make sense. Nevertheless, my adult part needs some more evidence...Thus, I made a small internet research into the topic and found a lot of scientific journals talking about the positive effects a hug can create in heart rates, blood pressure, hormone production and more. My aim, here, is not to elaborate on medical terms, but to spread the word that 'Hugs do good!' :)    

Don't hesitate, allow yourselves to get a 'shot of health' everyday! 

Saudade

Saudade:
a Portuguese and Galician word for a feeling of nostagic longing for something or someone that one was fond of and which has been lost. It often carries a fatalist tone and a repressed knowledge that the object of longing might never really return. It was once described as "the love that remains" or "the love that stays" after someone is gone. (source)

.   .   .  

Preethi had to leave back to India as her Postgraduate Visa was due. She first arrived in Uk three years ago to study a Master's degree. She did her Master's and at the same time she created a whole new life here..friends, job, appartment.

Have you ever experienced the departure of someone special for you?

Nadia left,as well, two years ago. She decided to go back to Jordan not because of Visa requirements (she is half Brittish anyways), but because she wanted to go back where she was born. She, too, left a whole life (12 years) and had to start all over... new friends, job, house.

It is always hard, isn't it?

One of the most difficult processes one has to pass is to say goodbye to a very good friend. And it is hard for both the person who leaves and the one who stays back. The hardest part is not that specific moment of 'goodbye' that can be easily faked behind a 'statuesque' smile. It's the conceptualisation that nothing will be the same again..and this is a whole process. Allow me to explain...

Laughing Out Loudly

Hello world!

I hope life is treating you well :)

Today, I would like to share with you my thoughts about laughing, laughing out loud! A friend of mine, PJ, is giggling half of the day and she inspired me to write this post! :)

How many times a day do you smile? How many times do you realy laugh?

Did you know that laughter reduces the stress hormones and increases the number of antibody-producing cells? Are you aware that laughter is contagious and by bringing more laughter in your life, you, also, improve the mood of those around you?

Photo Source:  http://marchyourfeet.wordpress.com/ 

As Milton Brene once said "Laughter is an instant vacation" and it trully is! When we laugh, we don't think about any problems, any difficulties! When we are rolling in the aisles, we just enjoy the moment; we feel stress no more, we are happy! 

For me the best laugh is the one that comes from the heart! It leaves you in a state of euphoria, like you have just meditated! This type of laugh is easily observed in little children, who are giggling with almost everything they see! : ) : ) Well, I guess we should learn from those little angels and invite some laughter in our life!

What images an apricot can bring to mind?

Today, I would like to share with you a short film written and directed by Ben Briand. You may find it at Vimeo by clicking here.

Apart from being an excellent artwork (in my opinion at least!), it is a great narrative that explains that we shouldn't take anything for granted and that..who knows with whom we will be having a coffee in 10 or 20 years time... 

Enjoy life! :)

Have you fed your soul lately?

Hello! :)

I was wondering today...how do we feed our soul?
I think there are a lot of different ways, but one of them is a r t ! :)

Have you been occupied with something artistic lately? For instance, you could draw a painting, write a song, take some photos, decorate your room...

For me, art is to do something in a different way than everybody else does.. to give a different meaning to objects & actions that seem ordinary to other people... For instance, you could tidy your clothes in your closet in such a creative way, that you feel there's a touch of art there! :)

Instead of doing repeated, everyday movements for ordinary habits, you may want to put some colour in your life! In this way, life does not go by thoughtlessly, but you feel everyday you have done something different for you! Of course, at work or at other responsibilities, a big percentage of us are 'obliged' to do something different or extraordinary.. but what about our personal life? What about the time when we are just with ourselves?

Do you spend time with yourself? Doing something you really enjoy and not only 'survival' movements, such as showering, brushing your teeth and eating breakfast?!
Sometimes, when I forget to feed my soul... routine makes me feel 'un-human', a robot!
The best remedy is to do something 'artistic' everyday. Even cooking could be art, if you don't see it only as a 'survival' action! : )

If you are afraid/shy and don't know how to start, why don't you get yourselves inspired? Read books, listen to the music, go to art galleries.... this time, though, the aim will not be to fill  your spare time but to find your muse, to get inspired!

Apart from the above, I find inspiration in 'real' persons and in 'real' feelings...have you ever thought to draw the feeling of anxiety you have before a very important meeting? It could be so nice, that you may even like to frame it! :) Have you ever thought to create a dish that will express your feelings for another person? I bet the result will be amazing and even the greatest chefs will be jealous!

So, go ahead and try! : ) Feed your soul today with some art!

Are you the artist of your own life?

Good morning! :))

It's been a week since my last post, but now I have been inspired again and "I will write all down", as Shakespeare said in his Cymbeline II. =)

Yesterday, Maya Aggelou, an American author and poet, posted on her facebook status: "Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realized that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art". Wow!! What a quote!! 

Indeed, life is an adventure, our own one. We are the ones that decide if we will use crayons or watercolours. We may not get the colour we thought we would, but it's in our will to appreciate the new, 'unexpected' colour, find it beautiful or hate it forever. 

They say that an artist finds beautiful what everybody else finds it weird..and this could be an image, a song, a feeling, even an experience. We don't have to regret about past mistakes in our life- they taught us a lot.. actually never encounter them as mistakes..they are opportunities to fully experience life! =)

With the above quote, I feel that Maya Aggelou urges us not to be afraid to live! She invites us to experience life without fears,  to write our own song lyrics and sing it in our own special way. An artist experiences days of inspiration and flow, and days filled with boredom, without any ideas or motivation. And that is o.k. =) Artists know that inspiration comes and goes, like a life cycle..

I conclude with a quote from Seneca: "The whole future lies in uncertainty. Live immediately". So, till the next time, treat life as art - live imnmediately! : )

What is that?

Ok, today I have been writing a lot for my PhD (yeap, I do one of this!) so I want to share with you a short-film of 5:31 minutes without comments. .

I will let you make your own thoughts, draw your own conclusions, but I am sure the film will make you look at things quite differently!

Till the next time.. enjoy life! : )

I hope you dance!

Do you like dancing? I love it! : )


Today though, I will talk about another dance.. the dance of LIFE! =) 
And I will talk through the lyrics of a song, as it describes exactly how I feel people should deal with the ups and downs of their life. :)

This version is performed by Ronan Keating. Songwriters: Sanders, Mark D. and Sillers, Tia.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat, but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
and when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,
I hope you dance, I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking
Loving might be a mistake but it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,
I hope you dance (time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance (rolling us along)
I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance (where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,


Dance! ! ! I hope you Dance,
I hope you dance (time is wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance (rolling us along)
I hope you dance (tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance (where those years have gone)
(tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder) (where those years have gone)

My first Blog!

So here we go... I finally made the first step towards creating a blog I always wanted!
I am glad for that. :)
Purpose of this blog is to offer some short of inspiration, a bit of a hope, a pat on the back! 
How I am thinking to do this? Photos, quotes, videos and speeches will help me put a smile on your face :) and ignite your heart! <3


I would love to receive your comments and have fertile discussions on the various topics! I promise - it will be fun! :)


Of course, I am more than happy to receive any suggestions and why not, requests!


For the time, enjoy the photo from which I inspired the name of this blog!

I found it on http://piccsy.com/2011/04/art-wygmmgzd/ and I believe it is so true! Everytime I do something creative (or at least I see it in this way!) I feel it's a bit of art.. a bit of a 'new way of seeing things'. This helps me a lot to take away any stress, bad feelings or insomnia I may have!


ART washes from the SOUL the dust of everyday LIFE... that's what I would like to do with my blog as well! : ) 


Till the next time, I hope you will put a bit more art in your everyday life. 
Go on and feel more precious! :)