Happiness is the Way

Another card I got from a friend. What she wrote on the back is very personal and means a lot!

la femme d'argent

Yesterday I was going back home from work, approaching our house, walking slowly, waiting for my doggy find a nice place to shit. I don't know what is so special about this ritual. However, he usually takes his time and needless to say, eventually chooses the most inappropriate place. So, I was rummaging through my bag looking for a plastic bag, when I suddenly heard this song coming from somewhere far. It was such a mysterious sensation! Did I really hear the song? Where was it coming from?

I used to love Air's Moon Safari and listened to it maybe twenty times in a row. For days, and weeks. Ten years ago, this is to say... And now this song was in the air floating around. You could hear that the sound was great, even from afar.

Is it possible that I have a neighbour listening to Air? No, I don't think so. (Yes, I have my preconceived ideas.) Maybe the white car waiting at the crossroad? No, it made an U-turn, but the sound stayed... I loved this moment and I needed someone to be grateful to for it. (OK, someone more specific than the Dear God.) As I came closer I finally got it - the fancy bar across the street. This time they definitely surprised me with their choice of music.

Guys, even though I don't like it that you play your music too loud on Fridays and Saturdays, and in fact I rarely like what you play, I now love you for La femme d'argent and this rare moment of beauty you have given me. Thank you!

about the freedom of choice

I had come across the name of Dr Victor Frankl before but never really knew much about his work.
After watching the video on TED I was struck by this man's passion. So, I searched the web to find more about him. This interview tells a lot about his beliefs, and his own life full of meaning.

Tulips and Lilies of the Valley

These most beautiful flowers were growing in the hidden garden of a house where nobody lived, visible only to the cats passing by. Well, egoistically enough they are now in our living room.

spring is in the air :)

...and also in our office!

As I began to love myself

They say Charlie Chaplin wrote this on his 70th birthday, on April 16, 1959. I found it here, and touched by the beauty of this poem I browsed the internet to find the original verses. Here they are...

As I Began to Love Myself

As I began to love myself I found that anguish and emotional suffering
are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth.
Today, I know, this is "AUTHENTICITY".


As I began to love myself I understood how much it can offend somebody
As I try to force my desires on this person,
even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it,
and even though this person was me.
Today I call it "RESPECT".


As I began to love myself I stopped craving for a different life,
and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow.
Today I call it "MATURITY".


As I began to love myself I understood that at any circumstance,
I am in the right place at the right time,
and everything happens at the exactly right moment.
So I could be calm.
Today I call it "SELF-CONFIDENCE".


As I began to love myself I quit stealing my own time,
and I stopped designing huge projects for the future.
Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do
and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm.
Today I call it "SIMPLICITY".


As I began to love myself I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health -
food, people, things, situations, and everything the drew me down and away from myself.
At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism.
Today I know it is "LOVE OF ONESELF".


As I began to love myself I quit trying to always be right,
and ever since I was wrong less of the time.
Today I discovered that is "MODESTY".


As I began to love myself I refused to go on living in the past and worry about the future.
Now, I only live for the moment, where everything is happening.
Today I live each day, day by day, and I call it "FULFILLMENT".


As I began to love myself I recognized that my mind can disturb me
and it can make me sick.
But as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally.
Today I call this connection "WISDOM OF THE HEART".


We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems
with ourselves or others.
Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born.
Today I know "THAT IS LIFE"!