A Boost on Confidence

Speaking of this powerful word confidence, many insights on it have been written by self-help authors as well as it has been spoken about by numerous motivational speakers.

Literary writer Anais Nin, famous for her no-holds barred memoirs, comes to mind. She says it beautifully, and I quote to reflect: 

"She lacks confidence, she craves admiration insatiably. 
She lives on the reflections of herself in the eyes of others. 
She does not dare to be herself." ~ Anais Nin

Nin describes well a woman who lacks self-confidence. How many out there are. The disappointment, the pain, and the constant search how to be accepted, how to belong in the eyes of others, of a society laden with prejudices and status quo.    Sometimes, we waver, still needing the assurance that we are loved, that we are okay, that we'll get there. That's when we need one another for that boost, that gentle kick. Knowing that we understand each other's fears and insecurities, and being there, give that comfort and strength to go on.

A writer's life a lonely life

I'm sharing this lovely poem by J.M. Robertson which I found among my lifelong collections of writing gems. I don't have the exact reference where I got this from but worthy of reflection.

Life can be a journey
With many variations,
A challenge - an adventure,
With changing destinations.

It starts at Optimism,

Then moves along the way,

Passing through Confusion,

Delight, and then Dismay.

There's the all-important question,
That the cross-roads stop entails -
Take the straight and narrow,
Or wander off the rails?

Watch out for the sign-posts,
And study them with care.
Some can lead to Happiness,
Others to Despair.

Though no one knows for certain
What lies around the bend,
Always travel hopefully
Until the journey's end.

A writer's life can be lonely.  If you are one and truly passionate about writing especially creative writing, hang in there for those long nights or early dawns. Keep going my friend. Some endeavours need to be done alone.

The Art of Being Content One Day at a Time

On impulse,  I wanted to write “Living Life in Chapter” on the title line.  It means the same thing to me.  The idea that we do everything in one sweep has been a notion with busy people. For many years I was in that path until I got burnt out. Really bad.

It's been a go, go, go once we feel better.  Never stopping to breathe normal. Well, until the body caves in once again.

While healing, I’d like to be able to savour time, and each chapter of the book I’m reading away from all these deadlines, most of them imposed.  Capture that breathing space and keep up with breathing.



Some of us have been running nonstop.  Guilty? I sure am. Then we get burnt out.  Ulcers.  Migraines. Stresses. Others with worse illness. And so forth.  I just got a call from a friend, and another one an email. Two in a row, one re-trenched, the other ill. I'm trying... positive thinking. However, on top all this, I thank God for all blessings, trying to make the most of what the day offers.

A researcher-friend set out to try to discover what is it that enables some people to live to a great age. Did they enjoy their work? A happy childhood? Enough rest? Good food? Meat eaters or vegetarians?  And the result of the researcher’s analysis? He found out that despite varying lifestyles, the old folks had one thing in common: they all learned the art of being content.

I'd like to share an inspirational quote on being content and living the moment from German novelist Thomas Mann:  "Hold every moment sacred. Give each clarity and meaning, each the weight of thine awareness, each its true and due fulfillment." - Thomas Mann, German Novelist

I'm trying to stay cool.  When we start devoting more undivided attention to what is the moment’s, we relish that moment. We live that moment.

Sure, some pursuits need to be taken up early from a biological clock, but this is not all, is it?

Earlier, I've just deleted two blog sites I've decided I no longer have the time to fiddle with. Right now? I’m about to have a cup of good coffee, while trying to decide what chapter I’m in.  Whether it’s chapter 10 or 11, I’d like to give myself to it, enjoy the rest of the afternoon and take it easy.  In about four hours from now, I should come out re-energized. Hopefully.

And you, dear friend?

Controlling the Power of our Minds

As psychologists continuously turn focus to positive thinking, researches have been showing that positivity has significant effect, that it can support us flourish in life challenges.

 

 
A good weekend. And the power of the mind caught up. Whilst adrift in one of my favourite local news agencies shop, there was this interesting motivational book that caught my eye. This small but quite contained news shop often sell remainder books piled on top the other in a tiny corner of the store. Any avid reader would want to dig in when the price is right.

The back precis of a particular book caught my attention, enough to scribble down the practical way to unleash the powers of the mature mind. The book is The Forever Mind with authors, Priscilla Donovan and J. Wonder. In the end, I decided to buy the copy, and for almost 80% discount of the recommended price, why not.

What are these ways of unleashing the powers of the mind?

The authors suggest 8 ways in easy and enjoyable ways:

• Remember names, faces, places, and ideas
• Control the details of your life
• Learn more, and absorb it more easily
• Make wise decisions
• Think your way through emotionally charged situations
• Keep your brain healthy
• Learn to love change
• Have more fun by pursuing your passions.

They make sense.  Hindsight, other things and abilities may change as we age, but it's up to each of us to take the proper steps to work on those that we can still harness to keep us strong, a matter of taking advantage of whatever powers are still available in our minds.

Good tips. Guess what I've been musing about whilst browsing the book? How I can age properly by managing the power of my mind.

When were the best moments of your life?

Recalling some best moments of my life, I remember an old popular song I used to sing with my university friends: "Those were the days, my friend, those were the days."

When were the best moments of your life?  When you were a child? Growing up? First love? College years? First job? Now?

Reminds me of my friend's four-and-a-half year old daughter Caitlin who said, "I don't like school, but I think I might change my mind when I leave it!"

At all times and in any stage of life, there are always things we dislike and at the same time those we relish.  Whilst writing this post, one of Matt Monro's songs came to mind, an oldie, but leaves too many memories in time:  "They are so few, the precious moments of our lives... Which would they be..."

Thanks to YouTube, I found the song featured in the film "The Sea Wolves" (1980), starring  Gregory Peck, David Niven and Roger Moore - all brilliant and popular actors in their time.



It's never easy to accept things as they are... as well as accept ourselves as we really are.

YouTube Link of "The Sea Wolves" if the above doesn't work.

Perhaps Love

Listening Pleasures

"Perhaps Love" is a famous song that American songwriter-singer wrote and recorded as a duet with tenor Placido Domingo. The song appeared on Domingo's 1981 album of the same title. This poignant song was addressed to Denver's wife Annie Martell (the eponym of his No.1 hit "Annie's Song" while they were separated and moving towards a divorce.

In an interview the day after Denver's death in 1997, Annie said that "Perhaps Love" was her favorite song of Denver's although she enjoyed "Annie's Song" too. 

Perhaps Love.  Stirs the soul. It's beautiful! 




Perhaps Love - John Denver (with Lyrics). Youtube, uploaded by France Manga. Accessed February 14, 2015.  

Resource:

Perhaos Love (song). en.wikipedia.org.   


(c) 2015-2018. Tel Asiado. Leaves from my Musings. All rights reserved.

The Need to Belong

It's often been said that writing is a lonely pursuit for as writers, we need a lot of time alone to put to paper our thoughts, our creative juices. So, yes, it is lonely. But it doesn't need to be all the time. It isn't really.

We are familiar with that famous Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Come to think of it, doesn’t loneliness push us to behave in a way that sometimes compounds more loneliness, writers, artists, or not?


Aside from immediate family, we need that sense of belonging - to a group with common interest, workmates, fellow writers, church mates, neighbours. Yes, a group we call friends for whatever levels of friendship.

Some of my good friends the past years have been my online friends especially from my Mozart groups and some writing groups, few I've been blest to have met in person. Only a handful nowadays come from the Information Technology (IT) world where I belonged for many years. Today, I was blest to have a late afternoon tea with a friend I consider one of my greatest blessings the past 3 years.

The security of knowing we belong to a group, or the loyalty and thoughtfulness of friends, eases us from the seeming loneliness, a sense of feel good. We view and embrace the world with a much better outlook.

If we expect the best or try hard to keep positive thoughts, something wonderful might just happen. Have you ever tried smiling to the first person you meet? It feels good when the other person smiles back, or even better, when the other person is ahead in smiling.

Are you feeling alone? Someone has just upset you? Go for a walk, a drift to the shops, to your favourite book store. Have a hot cup of coffee or tea.

An old song is haunting: 'When life is making you lonely, you can always go --- downtown.