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! 

A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.

My dear friend,

I am writing to you cause I feel you need a helping hand – even though I may be miles away...

It’s been days, now, that I am thinking of your sensitive heart and I am wondering what may have happened to you. I don’t know, but I won’t ask. I am just going to sit next to you, imaginarily, and tell you a story.

Once upon a time, there was a sweet girl with a happy heart named Katie. She was born happy and nature endowed her with kindness and affection. Growing up in an environment full of love and understanding, Katie realised that she could get easily hurt by people who were clumsy in their behaving... Nevertheless, she wanted to grow wiser; so she sailed away to a remote island. There, she met a lot of different people from diverse tribes and nations. She started learning habits from other cultures and her awareness of diversity increased.  She understood that people are very different and that many times one should make the effort and give the other person the chance to explain him or herself.

Everything was going well and Katie started feeling like home! But at that particular time, Katie got hurt from a person, whom she perceived as a friend. And this happens in life... But Katie had a sensitive heart and could not forget that incident. She started becoming less sociable; trying to focus only on her purpose of being in that island, that is, to become wiser. She needed a sign...something to make her happy again.

As Katie could not see any sign soon, she decided to leave the island. Before she was about to board the ship, that would bring her back to her motherland, she stopped for a moment to think all the good and bad memories she was taking with her, as lessons for life.

A new year, I'm still here! :)

Hello everybody!! Happy New 2012! : )



It's been a loooooong time!!

I know, I know... I haven't been posting lately, but my mind has been a maze the past couple of months!

However, January is a classic month for resolutions! And here I am, keeping one of mine, for this year. I love writing, I want to write, I feel better after writing, so why not I do a favour to myself and write at least once a week? :) However hard it may be to express my thoughts, however difficult to find time, I shall write once a week. Cause that's what makes me happy!


What makes you happy? Did you make any new year's resolutions regarding things/people/situations that make you happy? Did you make any resolutions at all?

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!

Hidden truths in forgotten bags

Have you ever used a bag after a long time ago?

Isn't it great when you find that pen you were looking for everywhere, or that small notebook? Have you ever found money and felt 'wow, that's a gift'!?  I really enjoy it when it happens! :)

Well, some months ago, I started using again a white handbag I have got (since it was summer!). Inside, I found a lot of interesting objects (like a keychain!). However, when I unzipped the inner pocket, I discovered some forgotten post-it notes, on which I used to write down my thoughts one year ago - whenever I did not have any notebook with me.One specific note draw my attention:

"Two people reach the massive forest which is run through by the river Amazon.

One of them open his hands and feels he is the king of the world, since he managed to reach this place.The other one, open his hands too, but he feels he is a tiny piece of the amazing cosmos.

I value and appreciate both of them."

I remember very well when I wrote down this quote one year ago; I wanted to give merit to diversity.There are different personalities in the world and people react different in similar situations. Nevertheless, every single person is valuable and has lessons to teach and to be taught.

Today, I feel it is time to enhance my story with the 'lessons' of the year passed. That is,

I can see a third person, who reaches this forest by the river Amazon and feels like ... home. 

No feelings of awe, of pride, or of fear. Just appreciation of the beautiful nature. An internal feeling of warmth; inspiration. Inspiration that can be transformed into action. Not loudly or swaggeringly, but silently and peacefully. Action that could be depicted in a drawing, written in a book, sung with a song...

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! :)