Posts
- One thought leads to another, and soon I’m carried along a current that brings me to considerations far from the original point. Reading “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, I encounter the idea that a small change in our life can lead to a significant and profound transformation if we are consistent and observe its effects over a sufficiently long period. Nothing new, right? If we go to the gym for the first time today, we won’t see much change in our body.
- Reflecting on ‘Ikigai’, a Japanese concept that sits at the intersection of what we excel at, what we love to do, what society needs and what can earn us a living. This confluence whispers the secret of a happy life. Having only read the first few pages of Héctor García and Francesc Miralles’ text Ikigai, it is remarkable how it inspires personal reflection beyond the study of Japan’s long-established Okinawa community.
- Just started reading “Feel good productivity”, a fascinating book by Ali Abdall. Now, while it might not unravel revolutionary esoteric secrets, it does invite us to ponder over simple truths that we all can observe in our everyday lives. Plus, it dishes out some pretty amusing insights, which I’d love to share with you. Ever pondered over the thought of work being a bit of a laugh? Many of us likely don’t look at our jobs as something to “enjoy”.
- How can we navigate the vast ocean of time in a nutshell, amongst waves of work and family commitments, looming deadlines, tasks, and ever-present responsibilities? The bitter taste of being unable to achieve everything gnaws at us. We could become masters in time management, but our schedule overflows, seemingly impossible to clear. The wisdom of Brian Tracy intrigues me, author of the appreciated “Eat that Frog!” and a plethora of motivational treatises, who asserts that the sole way to master our time is to change our thinking, accepting the existence of actions that can be accomplished, and others that will inevitably be neglected.
- Today, we honor Mahatma Gandhi, also referred to as the “great soul,” whose teachings of non-violence, or “ahimsa,” altered the path of Indian history and had a global impact. We mourn the killing of Mahatma Gandhi Punyatithi on January 30, the 78th anniversary of his death, and his conviction in nonviolent resistance and tolerance. Gandhi was crucial in helping to secure India’s independence, but his impact extended well beyond that, as he ignited a global movement for nonviolent means of achieving justice and peace.
- Some texts seem to never cease to amaze, and every page you turn unveils a new treasure. This is the case with “The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching”, a masterpiece written by Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and a true Master of contemporary Buddhism who has devoted his life to teaching mindfulness and compassion as tools for personal transformation and social peace. I should mention that I’m not a Buddhist, but I maintain an eclectic approach and am more interested in spirituality than in religions, although I understand how it was necessary to formalize certain teachings to preserve them and to reach a greater number of people.
- In the quiet wake of Christmas festivities 🎄, I found a moment of solace on the morning of Santo Stefano, turning to my yoga mat for a focused Ashtanga Vinyasa flow. This session was more than a physical exercise; it was a deliberate step towards recentering and shedding the weight of festive overindulgence. Repeating this mindful flow four times, I embraced each round as an opportunity for deeper purification and balance.
- “The ocean of suffering is immense, but if you turn around, you can see the land. The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don’t wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy. When one tree in the garden is sick, you have to care for it. But don’t overlook all the healthy trees. Even while you have pain in your heart, you can enjoy the many wonders of life — the beautiful sunset, the smile of a child, the many flowers and trees.
- “If your entire happiness depends on what someone else does, I think you have a problem,” writes Richard Bach in his wonderful “Jonathan Livingston Seagull”. If we stop to reflect on what our happiness depends on, we’d likely discover that it’s not entirely up to us. True, we now know that we play a very important role in the game of joy; however, we reach a point where we feel limited by the actions and relationships of those around us (spouse, friends, colleagues, children…) waiting for something external to intervene and change our mood.
- “There is a story in Zen circles about a man and a horse. The horse is galloping quickly, and it appears that the man on the horse is going somewhere important. Another man, standing alongside the road, shouts, “Where are you going?” and the first man replies, “I don’t know! Ask the horse!” This is also our story.” (Thich Nhat Hanh, The Heart of Buddha’s Teaching) Riding through life without knowing where you’re going?