The Leader Who Had No Title

36. Potential unrealized turns into pain.
38. Your months are numbered. what's the point of playing small? failure? worrying about others' opinions?
sustained change only happens when we shift at an emotional level.
39. The real key is to bring some emotion, energy and passion into the equation.
40. 10 Human victories

1. I reach my end full of happiness and fulfillment on realizing that I am all used up-having spend the fullness of my talents, the biggest of my resources, and best of my potential doing great work and leading a rare-air life. 
2. I reach my end knowing that I played at a standard of concentrated excellence and held myself to the most impeccable of standards in each thing I did.
3. I reach my end in noisy celebration for having the boldness of spirit to have regularly confronted my largest fears and realized my highest visions.
4. I reach my end and recognize that I became a person who built people up vs. one who tore people down.
5. I reach my end with the understanding that while my journey may have not always been a smooth one, whenever I got knocked down I instantly got back up-and at all times, never suffered from any loss of optimism.
6. I reach my end and bask in the staggering glory of my phenomenal achievements along with the rich value I have contributed to the lives of people I was lucky to serve.
7. I reach my end and adore the strong, ethical, inspirational, and empathetic person I grew into.
8. I reach my end and realize that iI was a genuine innovator who blazed new trails instead of following old roads.
9. I reach my end surrounded with teammates who call me a rock star, customers who say you're a hero, and loved ones who call you a legend.
10. I reach my end as a true Leader WIthout a Title, knowing that the great deeds I did will endure long after my death and that my life stands as a model of possibility. 

43. If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep the streets as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, "Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well." -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Maleficient

Elle Fanning was a smiling darling. She won my heart with her simplicity in acting and charm.

Sam Riley did a wonderful job and loved his character.

Very much loved the three fairies, just delightful. They were funny, chirpy and just delightful.

Sharlto Copley - I don't know why but I thought he struggled at times to talk naturally with his accent. However I'm not an expert on accents so that might just be the way he wanted King Stefan to talk.

The main character, Maleficient is full of wonderful possibilities. She is a lovely, powerful, courageous fairy that suffers when someone steals her most prized possession: her wings. Out of vengeance she becomes evil and enjoys people's suffering. Then she feels true love toward her victim. This is without doubt a character that just begs for millions of layers of understanding and human complexity. It's a helluva role to get cast in. I know Angelina Jolie is who she is, and her name will definitely bring people to see the movie but I just don't think she rose to the challenge. She did an ok job. She is beautiful but it was tiresome (at least for me) to see her making faces and small sounds 'humm' and 'ahh' to the camera. It's just that this role is open up and so giving. She could've really rocked it!

The scene with her real daughter was nice too. Maybe I'm expecting too much of her and this is why I may sound harsh. I just thought she could put more reality, gravity (not in unnecessary drama but truthfulness to the situation, to the story).

When talking to her army, her voice didn't carry far nor her power. She hurt her throat in the process to. I think it would've bee adequate to talk from the depths of her stomach. That way it demonstrates a more tranquil power; like saying I know I can defeat you, hence I will not shout - you will hear my voice thunder without hurting my vocal chords.

Then when her wings were cut, it was somewhat painful to watch that. I might be wrong. Maybe the reality was cut down a bit to be fit to show children... but I just wish she would've taken more risks with this role. I have faith she can definitely do this so I'll keep an eye out for her work. I believe she has been through a lot lately and that she's an exemplar human being. So keep doing what you love Angelina.

xx

Requiem for a dream [film]

I wanted to know what it would be like to go through an addiction.
I looked up 'best films addiction'
So there it went, 101 minutes of a clear picture.

I guess that's the strongest type of addiction a person can go through. I have a personal friend who went through a similar help although with (I am guessing) more help from family and friends than the characters of the film.

In the end, all that the mother wanted was that love and close relationship with her son. She could have had it if they both listened.

One of the most impacting images is the last one of the Tyronne who cuddles into a little ball, like a child.

It portrays how fragile we are in the end.
How small and yet all-encompassing our inner world and mind is and appears to be.

How we seek so desperately that feeling of bliss, love, connection, purpose (as Sara Goldfarb said, it gives me a reason to lose weight).

I have never been addicted to any drug. But I am certainly aware of looking to substances to make us feel better. Everything ranging from alcohol, coffee, chocolate, cookies, etc. Who decides which substances are deamed acceptable and which don't?

I think our best guide in our lives can be found in our communion either with nature or your own self in silence.

I don't know why, I feel that we all are a little lost. Yet we have the answers inside. I'd love to write a coherent response after watching this film but this is response is what rose immediately. I'd rather not meddle with it as of now.

Before watching this film I saw a beautiful youtube video on addiction: "addiction begins with pain and ends with pain." Instead of asking why, or who's to blaim, it's best to help the person be with their pain instead of trying to run away from it. 'The sure

Addictions are attempts to soothe the pain.

So it all links back to what seems to be our everlasting quest for happiness. Thinner? Richer? Smarter? Braver? Invincible.

These things I say to myself:
Then get to know your self, that's a quest of a lifetime. And commune with nature, it's the simplest way to connect back. Or help out, be there for somebody else (this helps to burst the bubble that your inner world is so goddam important). You're one in

But you're also here. Now. So there must be something to do, something to learn? Something to give, something to improve, something to shine on focus. Who knows. 

You do. If you start listening.

ALSO, this is a really good video on addiction, at least I read the description, haven't seen it all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3p_LuTM73k

QUOTES The Tempest

Prospero:
We are such stuff
as dreams are made on,
and our little life
is rounded with a sleep.

Miranda:
O wonder
how many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world
That has such people in't.

in flame

Mother: It's all a leap in the dark, dear. You spend your whole life leaping.

ConstructionWork Meditation

Construction work in the field in front of my bedroom. Remodeling of the floor above.


The noise has gotten so intense that I cannot get mad at it anymore. It's funny for I have a feeling that it is my hammering thoughts have been translated into the physical realm.


I guess it could be worse.

And then, I stand corrected:

peace.

it does not mean to be in a place

where there is no noise, trouble

or hard work. it means to be in

the midst of those things and still

be calm in your heart.

(Unknown)

Zeitgeist - Part 1

Zeitgeist states that basically all the stories of the bible are copied from pagan rituals, ceremonies and traditions. So the historical Jesus might have not actually existed, just made up to mimic the story of Horus, the Sun God of Egypt. Meaning it all comes down to the movements of the sun across the starry sky.

The video is extremely interesting as it states similarities between veneered people throughout history; even Krishna (900BC) and Mithra (1200 BC, Persia), as well as Jesus Christ. Apparently all these characters where born of a virgin, performed miracles, died and after 3 days resurrected. I wont tell you anything more about the video, you can watch it yourself, which will be much more didactic. Click here to see the video.

For those who have watched it:


This video does not have to be a shocking display of information in terms of spirituality. What if the Jesus from Christianity did not really exist? Does that take away the credibility of your spiritual life?

I do believe that in the past Christianity was used as a medium to control the people and exercise power. The inquisition and crusades as probably the two strongest examples. I believe religion is helpful when it comes to encouraging people to become better human beings and search for the light, or inner peace or God within themselves. But, as I said, a religion loses this whenever it tries to judge what's right, what's wrong and, well, control people.

In truth, I do not follow any religion altogether. I find it a bit presumptuous to even think that one doctrine can be a perfect fit for more than one person. Isn't each person unique? Each person has his or her own path to follow anyways; each person will experience falls and moments of truth or discovery.

Therefore, religions might become fragile in the eye of a historian or scientist, or anyone. We have to remember that all the spiritual leaders (let's not question their existence right this instant to get to the point) said that we should not worship them as physical beings. We should admire their teachings; the truths that helped the people 'see' God/whatevernameyouwanttochoose.

Buddha said so, yet people still do pilgrimages to where parts of his body lie. I am not criticizing this, I am merely saying that we should remember what's truly important.

In this sense, if we are made in God's image and likeness, then we have that divine essence within us, with us. At all times.

What is important then is to try to feel that presence of God through us. I believe this can be achieved through meditation which is known as the 'progressive silencing of the mind'. This can be done using mantras, or repeating a syllable or saying prayers repeatedly as with the rosary in the Catholic religion.

By doing this we become aware of the present moment. All our concentration in this sole, present moment, allowing us to not fuss too much over the future or the past. This is the essence of the ending of suffering as well (and the beginning of true life).