Penguins, an Epiphany...Perhaps even Two...

I guess I had some type of "epiphany" today...it didn't come out of the blue, really...
I had seen something on television...a guy, an M.D. to be precise, was doing some kind of cross between stand-up-comedy and psychotherapy (I kid you not!). Anyways, it was absolutely BRILLIANT. He said a couple of things that sounded quite banal, yet they made my mind go *click*...

Firstly: It's way more effective to strengthen one's strengths than it is to try working on one's so-called weaknesses.
As banal as this sounds, how many times (per day?) do we actually think 'Ah, I so wish I was more disciplined,' or else: 'Oh, I so wish I wasn't so impulsive.'
How often do we critizise ourselves for being the way we are.
Why fight ourselves? Why not allow ourselves to be - impulsive, chaotic, flawed, less than perfect (but then, who is perfect?). Maybe our impulsiveness is nothing but an expression of our creativity, and perhaps our lack of discipline is paired with the ability to enjoy the good things in life.

Secondly: Instead of trying to change yourself, why not try accommodating the conditions?
So you're incredibly communicative - well, then maybe the desk job as an accountant simply isn't for you. Try to find your own element...[see below!]

Thirdly: Do not compare yourself with others.
How many times do we actually think that we're not as good as the rest, not as good-looking, not as productive, not as slim, not as what-ever...
What we see/perceive of others is just a very small quantum of themselves. It is very likely, that they're just in the same boat.
We only see what they show us. Their doubts, fears are things we hardly hear of.
Besides...why would we want to be like them, like the others? There's plenty of them already...would be a waste, wouldn't it?

That M.D. (Eckhart von Hirschhausen) made a wonderful analogy with a penguin...he said, "I saw a penguin in a zoo once - the penguin was standing on a rock and he really looked pathetic with his short, useless wings, the bloated little body...'poor little creature,' I thought. But then the penguin glided into the water and it was just divine. His odd little body was just perfect for the water and penguins are indeed the most efficient swimmers on the planet. And then it dawned upon me...water is his element - the ELEMENT is the key."

You have to find YOUR element...an environment that matches your personality, conditions that strengthen your capacities.
The bottom line is...don't try so hard to change - to be somebody that you're not - change your environment instead, change the conditions until the fit to YOU!

And one more thing...
Different conditions - a different environment - can show us and our capacities in a whole different light. We're not like this or else like that...we're many things and we have the potential to be completely different in a different context - from zero to hero so to speak.
Don't give up on yourself because you failed once...at a school play, in college. You can be a winner the very next moment - in a different setting - especially when you're being in your element...

And the Rest...

Berlin (Potsdamer Platz), London (inside Tower Bridge:), Brussels (EU Parliament).

London (Docklands, City Hall), Lyon (spiral staircase/Vieux Lyon), Canterbury (Canterbury Cathedral), Berlin (the Reichstag/Dome and Sony Center).

Fame and Fortune...

I left this comment on Elizabeth's blog, but I found it "relevant" enough in order to post it again - on my blog this time...

My take is this, regardless of the fact that these people are stinking rich and/or famous, they're human beings in the first place - with feelings, doubts, fears, hopes, dreams, old wounds etc.
I don't think that you ought to trade your dignity for fame and fortune - and online slander, as much as razzi pics or tabloid gossip, hurts and damages said dignity - and no amount of money on Earth can make up for the cruelty and the heart-ache in my book.
The thing is...whether they're stinking rich and/or a Hollyweird A-lister, I REFUSE to see anything but a fricking HUMAN BEING in these people, regardless of who they are...in fact, I simply can't see anything else in them, because at the end of the day, that's what they are.
These people aren't better or more important than you and me, but at the same time they aren't "lesser". They shouldn't be (ab-)used as laughing-stock for the amusement of the masses and/or cashed in on by the press (the yellow press to be precise) at the cost of their privacy and dignity.
We're all in the same boat (it's called life btw) it is that fucking simple!
All the money society, i. e. us, pays these people doesn't give society, i. e. us, the right to treat these people poorly.
And all the accolades and privileges don't make up for a daily kick in the butt - below the belt.
This is such a fucking sick business, and while I find that these people are insanely over-paid and equally over-rated (Jesus, they're entertainers - 'Court Jesters' if you will - they cannot walk on water, cure cancer or end world famine), I also think that the total loss of privacy or the loss of basic human rights (like the right to dignity and respect) is a price no one should have to pay - despite a bunch of kazillion Dollar paychecks...it's cruel and un-called for.

I really wish the film industry and the press would cut down on this madness and focus on 'good films' and 'good acting' again...

Miracles do happen...sometimes...

Plane goes down in New York...and everybody survives...
The pilot/copilot apparently did an amazing job...trying to stay away from the heavily populated areas of NY, "landing" the plane in the Hudson River - without a single working engine.
Luckily, water taxies and a couple of ferries were at the scene in NO time...
Amazing...what an amazing story...Wow...

To happy endings...

There's probably no God.

Now stop worrying and enjoy your life!

[the British Humanist Association]


I don't know if I subscribe to this motto - I don't know what to believe actually, but I just found this quote amazing.
For several reasons...
A) So many horrendous acts have been committed and continue to be commited in the name of God and/or are motivated by various religious dogmas/ideologies (the Crusades, the holy Inquisition, wars, wars wars).
B) Many of these acts are based on the belief in an after-life (either martyrs will be compensated for their acts in said after-life, or else, those who perish don't really perish as they too will be granted eternal life in paradise). If people actually believed that this life was all we have, they might be less willing to throw it away so thoughtlessly.
C) Most people don't live in the "here and now"...they either worry about their future or they hold on to their past. It might be this idea of an after-life (that the best is still to come - after THIS life) that sub-consciously drives a lot of people to be neglectant and careless with regard to THIS life. If we acknowledged the possibility that the time we have on this planet is THE ONLY time we have, the only shot we have, maybe we would use our time more wisely instead of wasting so much of our life time.

As I've said above, I don't know what to believe...I guess we'll have to wait and see :)
I just found this motto to be very thought provoking...and let's just assume it's true...that there is no God, if just for the sake of argument...what difference would it make...regarding your mindset, your lives...just think about it.

Food for thought...

Carpe Diem et Noctem - Yes, we can...

The NEW YEAR is approaching at lightspeed...this is for all you bloggers out there...you know who you are :-)

Firstly: May we have the strength to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can change and and the wisdom to know the difference.

Secondly (another good motto): Sing like there's nobody listening and dance like there's nobody watching!

Thirdly: A musician once said the following - fail, try again and fail *better*. (Don't shy away from failure, it's part of the process!)

And lastly: Be your *best* friend...don't expect too much at once - one step at a time - and be kind to yourself whenever you fail...just like a really good friend.

Vive the sparkle!

I'm really glad that I met you guys - thanks for your inspiration and your comfort!

A VERY HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL 2009 - Lots of Happiness, Love, Health and May your wishes, hopes, dreams and aspirations come true - if they shouldn't...well, at least you tried!