Le Petit Papillon

The little butterfly has lost its wings. She can barely crawl now.

Opposites Attract vs. Birds of the same feather flock together

Hmm.. the topic was playing in my head, but I don't have the brains right now to talk about it. So I thought of dropping here and "discharging it" off my head. I've just been seeing some drama from "Opposites Attract" situation... I mean OK they might attract yes, but can they really survive together, given they are at the opposite sides of the rainbow?

Friendship Quotes

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one” - C.S. Lewis

“Much of the vitality in a friendship lies in the honoring of differences, not simply in the enjoyment of similarities.”

“A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.” - Donna Roberts

“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing... not healing, not curing... that is a friend who cares.” - Henri Nouwen

“Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.” - Mark Twain

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked” - Bernard Meltzer

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.”

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”

“A real friend is like an angel who warms you by her presence and remembers you in her prayers.”

“Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends.”

“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.”

“Always remember to slow down in life; live, breathe, and learn; take a look around you whenever you have time and never forget everything and every person that has the least place within your heart.”

Enfants De Tous Pays (Enrico Macias)

Refrain
Enfants de tous pays, tendez vos mains meurtries
Semez l'amour et puis donnez la vie
Enfants de tous pays et de toutes couleurs
Vous avez dans le coeur notre bonheur

C'est dans vos mains que demain notre terre
Sera confiée pour sortir de notre nuit
Et notre espoir de revoir la lumière
Est dans vos yeux qui s'éveillent à la vie
Séchez vos larmes, jetez vos armes
Faites du monde un paradis

Refrain

Il faut penser au passé de nos pères
Et aux promesses qu'ils n'ont jamais tenues
La vérité c'est d'aimer sans frontières
Et de donner chaque jour un peu plus
Car la sagesse, et la richesse
N'ont qu'une adresse : le paradis

Refrain

Et puis le jour où l'amour sur la terre
Deviendra roi, vous pourrez vous reposez
Lorsque la joie couvrira nos prières
Vous aurez droit à votre éternité
Et tous les rires de votre empire
Feront du monde un paradis

This song reminds me so much of school days; the most innocent days of our lives. It also reminds me of soeure Veronique, the sweet lady that stayed with us for a very short while, but had a lovely way of teaching.

Wagadtouhaa!!! : Lilali :D

Okay I've wanted to get this song for ages, but the problem was that I didn't know the singer, the song name or the song words (bass ya3ny :P). So today after searching for so many "Li La Li La Li La"s and "Li La Li La La"s I finally found it :D (If any of my friends told me he/she already had it hatgiely azma albeyya, so plz don't :P Anyways, the singer is Kim Kay, the song is Lilali or La Vie En Lilali and here goes the lyrics :D

Kim Kay, la vie en lilali

Il est sept heures quinze
Je prends le métro
Encore dix minutes
Je suis au boulot
Si je pourrais arrêter
Cette chaîne mécanique
Ça doit être assez facile
Une panne électrique

Li la li la li la, li la li la la
Li la li la li la, li la li la la
Li la li la li la, li la li la la
Li la li la li la, li la li la la

Il est douze heures trente
Il ne faut pas tarder
Je mange mes tartines
Avec du café
Si je pourrais m'échapper
J'irai au Pacifique
Si je pourrais me défouler
Une évasion physique

Li la li la li la
Li la li la la

Li la li la la
Li la

Le boulot fini
Moi je suis partie
Dans la discothèque
Je vois mes amis
Balayés et nettoyés
Fraîches et énergiques
Bien prête à participer
Une ambiance magique

Li la li la li la, li la li la la
Li la li la li la, li la li la la
Li la li la li la, li la li la la
Li la li la li la, li la li la la

Li la li la la
Li la li la la
Li la

Eh bien vous comprenez
Ce n'est pas compliqué
J'aime la folie
J'aime la liberté li la li la li la la
J'adore la musique
Je voudrais me perdre dans
Un rythme exotique
Le boulot fini
Moi je suis partie
Dans la discothèque
Je vois mes amis
Balayés et nettoyés
Fraîches et énergiques
Bien prête à participer
Une ambiance magique

Li la li la li la, li la li la la
Li la li la li la, li la li la la
Li la li la li la, li la li la la
Li la li la li la, li la li la la

Li la li la li la, li la li la la
Li la li la li la, li la li la la

Li la li la la la la

J'adore la musique
Je voudrais me perdre dans
Un rythme exotique

Moi je suis partie...

Singin' in The Rain

I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain
Dancin' in the rain
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
I'm happy again!
I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain!
I'm dancin' and singin' in the rain...

[ADDITIONAL VERSE]
Why am I smiling
And why do I sing?
Why does September
Seem sunny as spring?
Why do I get up
Each morning and start?
Happy and head up
With joy in my heart
Why is each new task
A trifle to do?
Because I am living
A life full of you.


Of course I have no idea why anyone would post this in the month of April :P

I've learnt

You are never sure if there is a tomorrow, a next morning, after an hour, in a few minutes. All you have is here and now. There could be no other chance. If you have something to say do say it. If you have a seed to plant go plant it. If you have a chance to live, to love seize that chance, with all the strength you've got. Fill the world with the warmth in your heart. Share your feelings. Show how much you care. Spread the energy of love, for you never know if you will have another chance. Let there be love. Let there be peace.

Solitary Sea

Swimming in My Ocean

Brothers and Sisters

"We've learned to fly the skies like birds, we've learned to swim the seas like fish but yet we haven't learned to walk the earth as brothers and sisters."

Indeed it seems. I just can't imagine how a person can have the heart to take a life?! Life of an innocent.. Life.. ALLAH's most preciousl gift and most special miracle. How can you just take a life away?!

Thank you Ryu for the quote.

Walls

Some build walls to keep people out.
Others build them to see who'd care enough to bring them down, or jump over to them.
They build their own prison with their own hands, though they don't really want it.
In both cases, the walls look just the same.
How can you tell whether it's a stay away or come hither wall?

Apple Red

You Are Apple Red

You're never one to take life too seriously, and because of it, you're a ton of fun. And although you have a great sense of humor, you are never superficial. Deep and caring, you do like to get to the core of people - to understand them well. However, any probing you do is light hearted and fun, sometimes causing people to misjudge you.

What Color Red Are You?

Three Question Personality Test

Your Personality Is

Idealist (NF) You are a passionate, caring, and unique person.You are good at expressing yourself and sharing your ideals. You are the most compassionate of all types and connect with others easily.Your heart tends to rule you. You can't make decisions without considering feelings. You seek out other empathetic people to befriend.Truth and authenticity matters in your friendships. In love, you give everything you have to relationships. You fall in love easily. At work, you crave personal expression and meaning in your career. With others, you communicate well. You can spend all night talking with someone. As far as your looks go, you've likely taken the time to develop your own personal style. On weekends, you like to be with others. Charity work is also a favorite pastime of yours.

The Three Question Personality Test

Sunset

You Are Sunset

Even though you still may be young, you already feel like you've accomplished a lot in life. And you feel free to pave your own path now, and you're not even sure where it will take you. Maybe you'll pursue higher education in a subject you enjoy - or travel the world for a few years. Either way, you approach life with a relaxed, open attitude. And that will take you far!

What Time Of Day Are You?

Quotes of Inspiration

The little space within the heart is as great as the vast universe. The heavens and the earth are there, and the sun and the moon and the stars. Fire and lightening and winds are there, and all that now is and all that is not. --The Upanishads

Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely. --The Land Before Time

Serenity isn't freedom from the storm, but peace within the storm. --Unknown

The way is not in the sky, the way is in the heart. --Gautama Buddha

The flute of the infinite is played without ceasing and its sound is love. --Kabir

More grows in the garden than the gardener knows he has sown. --Spanish Proverb

All know that the drop merges into the ocean but few know that the ocean merges into the drop. --Kabir

The winds of grace are always blowing, but it is you that must raise your sails. --Rabindranath Tagore

Men cannot see their reflection in running water, but only in still water. --Chuang Tzu

Every answer asks a more beautiful question. --e e cummings

What the soul knows is often unknown to the man who has a soul. We are infinitely more than we think. --Kahlil Gibran

At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want. --Lao-tzu

The elixir is hidden in the poison. --Rumi

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes but in having new eyes. --Proust

They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. --Edgar Allan Poe

Real generosity towards the future lies in giving all to the present. --Albert Camus

No tree has branches so foolish as to fight amongst themselves. --Ojibwa Indian saying

There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread. --Mother Teresa

While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about. --Angela Schwindt

We can do no great things; only small things with great love. --Mother Teresa

Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother. --Gibran

Sometimes life's shadows are caused by our standing in our own sunshine. --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Walk with those seeking Truth. Run from those who think they've found it. --Deepak Chopra

There are treasures beyond compare in the ocean. If you seek safety stay ashore. --Sufi saying

There are times when we must sink to the bottom of our misery to understand truth, just as we must descend to the bottom of a well to see the stars in broad daylight. --Vaclav Havel

I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love. --Gandhi's Prayer For Peace

Who knows where the road will lead us...

All The Way Lyrics
by Celine Dion

When somebody loves you
It's no good unless he loves you - all the way
Happy to be near you
When you need someone to cheer you - all the way

Taller than the tallest tree is
That's how it's got to feel
Deeper than the deep blue sea is
That's how deep it goes - if its real

When somebody needs you
It's no good unless he needs you - all the way
Through the good or lean years
And for all the in between years - come what way

Who know where the road will lead us
Only a fool would say
But if you'll let me love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you - all the way, all the way

Tagged

I have been tagged by Rain. Thank you Rain, a nice way to break the boredom while this software setup finishes :)

1.Grab the book nearest to you, turn on page 18 and find line 4.
"Outside, Gudrun and Ursula listened for their father's playing on the organ" – Women in Love, D. H. Lawrence.

2.Stretch your left arm out as far as you can.
I did it, even stretched my right arm backwards too :D

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?
Huh.. TV? Well there was that mosalsal playing yesterday while I was having dinner; "Lel tharwa 7esabat o7'ra". I saw the last 2 mins of it, does that count? :D

4.Without looking, guess what time it is?
7 PM

5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?
6:39 PM.

6.With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
Air Conditioner. I remembered now I'm feeling cold. *reaches out to the remote and switches it off.* Now it's the sound of the Neon light saying zzzzzz. Well, I'm sitting in an empty room in an almost vacant company and everything is soooo dully silent.

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
Almost two hours ago, I came work from the client's.

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
Rain's blog.

9. What are you wearing?
Very Casual wear. Turquoise vest, 2 turquoise LiveStrongs, 1 Lamouny, Turquoise watch that I love. (a total aquatic look :D)

10. Did you dream last night?
Question is, did I sleep last night?

11. When did you last laugh?
Almost an hour ago.

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
an air coditioner, two posters; one saying "Accumulate learning by study, understand what you learn by questioning" Ming Jiao Jiufeng and the other saying "I have not failed, I've just found 10 000 ways that won't work" - Thomas Edison. LOL, development room be sa7iee7 :D

13. Seen anything weird lately?
Hmm.. define weird :D

14. What do you think of this quiz?
Nice :)

15. What is the last film you saw?
Anna and the king

16. If you became a multimillionaire overnight, what would you buy?
A villa by the sea having a private beach and a decently large swimming pool with palm trees surrounding the place and no high buildings around :D No need for the villa even, just a little hutt with a pool and private beach :P

17. Tell me something about you that I dunno.
LOL, what is it that you dunno about me ya Rain? :P


18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
Spread Love and open-mindedness somehow. And start Aikido, Tai Chi and Salsa classes for girls :P Have a swimming day for ladies all day long just as well :P

19. Do you like to dance?
I LOVE it and adore it :D I love moving in general (sports and stuff), so dancing is basically such a beautiful form of moving in a way harmonious with the music. A way of expressing one self physically, and just create beauty simply by moving spontaneously the way your heart desires. (I'm thinking ballet-like moves as I write this, but I love many kinds; latin, slow, eastern, etc...)

20. George Bush.
No comment.

21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
I've always wanted a "Nada", but now that I know guys have that as a family name makes me think twice. I like Nirvana just bcoz of it's meaning, but it's too much for a little one.

22.Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
I never imagined my first child as a boy :P I think Yousef is nice.

23. Would you ever consider living abroad?
A little, but discarded the thought.

24.What do you want GOD to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?

25. 4 people who must also do this meme in their journal.
Well I'm not very sociable around blogs (A).

Did I accidentally step into a lost paradise, or is it just the grass, greener on the other side? Is it paradise or hell?

I don't know how to fake it

I never know how to do anything from 'behind my heart' as we say in Arabic. I don't know how to pretend. The best I can do is hide my feelings of care or being touched, but never the opposite, never pretend the existence of feelings that are not there, or acting like they exist. I like things natural, spontaneous, coming right out of the heart, warm and sincere. Otherwise it'd be meaningless and tasteless.

I can't pretend anymore that thread is still there, intact. It had been cut and I don't know if it's possible, or if it'd do anyone any good to get it back the way it used to be. It got thinner and thinner every day. I am not free from blame for it getting thinner. I was not a good friend. I did not stand there the way you needed, the time you needed me. But I didn't quite understand you. Let's just say that things work in totally different ways inside both of us. That's why I wasn't able to get it. You never ever were able to get it just as well. You never understood me. Whenever I needed your support, all I found was sarcasm for my so assumed 'stone-heartedness' and whatever stuff you found worth making fun of.

I have met other people who have helped me understand myself better than that. For the first time I was able to reach down and understand the real me. I have quite understood them so well too. I have been able to connect to them and understand how they feel. That kind of mutual understanding has increased the functioning of some 'caring' and 'giving' glands in there. It has made me feel secure enough to show that kind of care. It has made a better person out of me. Thank you my friends.

I really don't know what to say, but I don't deserve the labels you still stick to me. You took the scissors and made the final cut. It cut right through me, and with that cut into pieces that thread and the labels. I just don't feel it anymore. I wonder if you still do, or is it just out of duty or habit?!

I think that post was just plain cruel. I had to let it out though, knowing I can never really communicate any of that to whom it might concern.

Zehe2t

Huhh.. still sitting here since the afternoon lamma zhe2t!! I've been doing too much of those blogthings tests, while I should've been in Sheraton in the ICIT reunion (after missing the other 2 reunions for the most stupid reasons:S). I miss those people really. I wish I could've been able to make it today, was dreaming of it actually/ :(

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

Your Brain's Pattern

You have a dreamy mind, full of fancy and fantasy. You have the ability to stay forever entertained with your thoughts. People may say you're hard to read, but that's because you're so internally focused. But when you do share what you're thinking, people are impressed with your imagination.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

What Color Green Are You?

You Are Mint Green

Balanced and calm, you have mastered the philosophy of living well. Your friends seek you out for support, and you are able to bring stability to chaotic situations. You're very open and cheerful - and you feel like you have a lot of freedom in life. Your future may hold any number of exciting things, and you're ready for all of them!

What Color Green Are You?

Type of Writer Should You Be?

You Should Be A Poet

You craft words well, in creative and unexpected ways. And you have a great talent for evoking beautiful imagery... Or describing the most intense heartbreak ever. You're already naturally a poet, even if you've never written a poem.

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

How Happy Are You?

Oookay, that was the exact percentage I got in a similar Tickle test!

You Are 68% Happy

You are a very happy person. Generally, you feel content and that all is right with the world. Occasionally, you have a down day - but you have the ability to pick yourself right back up.

How Happy Are You?

The Five Factor Personality Test

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have low extroversion. You are quiet and reserved in most social situations. A low key, laid back lifestyle is important to you. You tend to bond slowly, over time, with one or two people. Conscientiousness: You have high conscientiousness. Intelligent and reliable, you tend to succeed in life. Most things in your life are organized and planned well. But you borderline on being a total perfectionist. Agreeableness: You have high agreeableness. You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly. Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone. You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance. Neuroticism: You have medium neuroticism. You're generally cool and collected, but sometimes you do panic. Little worries or problems can consume you, draining your energy. Your life is pretty smooth, but there's a few emotional bumps you'd like to get rid of. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is high. In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas. You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits. A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

The Five Factor Personality Test

What Do People Envy About You?

Well that was the test name, I can't see it though as a cause for envy!

People Envy Your Compassion

You have a kind heart and an unusual empathy for all living creatures. You tend to absorb others' happiness and pain. People envy your compassion, and more importantly, the connections it helps you build. And compassionate as you are, you feel for them.

What Do People Envy About You?

How Is Your Inner Child :D

Your Inner Child Is Happy

You see life as simple, and simple is a very good thing. You're cheerful and upbeat, taking everything as it comes. And you decide not to worry, even when things look bad. You figure there's just so many great things to look forward to.

How Is Your Inner Child?

World's Shortest Personality Test

Your Personality Profile

You are dependable, popular, and observant.Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness.In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive.You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while.And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

The Book of Life

In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back. -- Charlie Brown

Sleepless...

Sleep wouldn't come easily to me yesterday. I was too bored, came online to read more movie quotes, chatted a bit with Bareek Amal. By the time I got up it was a little after dawn. The morning light was finding its was through. I looked out of the window admiring the scene. At the very far end of the horizon stands the Mokattam hill. The street lights look so beautiful from afar. Like precious gems scattered along the horizon. Little white and orange twinkling lights, like stars shining through the milky way. I also imagined them like waves in the ocean (don't ask :P , everything 3andy takes them form of water sooner or later it seems lol). I stood there filling my chest with the morning fresh air. The birds were singing as they were starting their day... and with that I go to bed :D I try again to sleep but in vain. Thoughts are rushing through my head, trying to assess the whole past year. I feel it is truely time for a change. I can't go on like this for I don't know how long. K. once told me it's not the right way to start a change in oneself aggressively. Like telling myself.. I want to be like that (inside), then force the change upon oneself. Thinking about it, was that what I'm trying to do here? I guess not. I mean I wasn't trying to force an external change, I was merely trying to free who I am inside. I didn't even force it. I only started putting the idea in head. I do not quite know what happened after that. One wave hit me, I lost my balance and that was it. I lost count of it all. It was the catalyst that moved the whole reaction on fast forward. It's a positive thing to have a catalyst in one's life that would accelerate transformations that might take ages otherwise, but no, not a sad catalyst. I made many things linked to her, to the memory of her. Everything that happened during that period. The connections and disconnections. They have become so sacred to me, all for the memory of her. But nothing in this world is permanent. No, neither the chain reaction that was initiated back then. And I have to let go, let loose. "Expect poison from the standing water" they say. No I don't want poison in there. Purity is the one good thing I was glad to have. I cherish it and want to hold on to it no matter what. Even if it means sending all the water away. It all came too soon. Everything has a place and time, and now was simply not the time. Go back to sleep, precious one. It's not as cold as it used to be, don't fret.

A day not as boring

Yesterday was not as terrible as the day before it. It had a nice start, with Rain calling in to check after reading about all the stuff that'd been happening to me here. Grandma followed and then Suma, who was quite surprised as she didn't have the slightest idea. Umm.. my boss called too, telling me about this task he wants me to perform.. then asking me to do it on Saturday if possible!! From how my voice sounded it was quite clear I can't guarantee anything. I was able to lift my head out of bed, quite an advancement from the day before, so I logged in. I started my research about greek mythology, one certain myth I had started to write about, but realized I was unsure about some of the details. The search took me from Mythology to Salvador Dali paintings to... Freud.. All I have read or heard about the guy so far had been bits and pieces here and there, so I am not yet in position to form a complete image. Some of his conclusions really strike me. I mean poor Oedipus guy, and that Electra. I bet Ovid never suspected his heroes will ever by considered "Complexes" and for what.. I mean they didn't.. well I dunno how to put this, but Oedipus didn't even know that man he killed was his own dad and that lady was his Mum. Electra too, well her Mum killed her dad. Don't expect her to be so happy about it. It was all quite platonic, why make a big fuss out of it and transform all characters to "complexes". I really wonder how he proved his... theories. Where did he find all these people with all kinds of abnormalities, and research their backgrounds and find those common points, from where he could come out with credible conclusions. I personally prefer Jungian analysis.

Quotes From Still Breathing

Rosalyn Willoughby: There are two things I always wanted to believe in but didn't dare. One is that there was one man, somewhere, who was made just for me. The other is that I just might deserve him.



Fletcher McBracken: I have this terribly archaic notion that art should be about beauty... and passion... and, well, redefining an imperfect world in a perfect way.



Ida, Fletcher's Grand Mother: I know. It's more of a curse than a blessing.
Rosalyn Willoughby: What?
Ida, Fletcher's Grand Mother: Being smart and what people call beautiful. I'm not bragging, but in my day I was considered quite a catch. I don't think I ever met a man I felt could outsmart me - out-think me. How those silly creatures did bore me. Oh, it does cause quite a fuss, that combination: smart and beautiful. But it's mostly in your own gut. See, the problem is, you stop believing that he *could* be out there waiting for you.
Rosalyn Willoughby: Who?
Ida, Fletcher's Grand Mother: Your true love.

Quotes From Anna And The King

Prince Chulalongkorn: It is always surprising how small a part of life is taken up by meaningful moments. Most often they're over before they start even though they cast a light on the future and make the person who originated them unforgettable.

King Mongkut: When a woman who has much to say says nothing, her silence can be deafening.

Quotes From Equilibrium

Partridge: You always knew. [begins to read from Yeats]
Partridge: "But I, being poor, have only my dreams. I have spread my dreams under your feet. Tread softly because you tread on my dreams." I assume you dream, Preston.


John Preston: I'll do what I can to see they go easy on you.
Partridge: We both know they never "go easy".
John Preston: Then, I'm sorry.
Partridge: No, you're not. You don't even know the meaning. Its just a vestigial word for a feeling you've never felt.


John Preston: There's no war. No murder.
Partridge: What is it you think we do?
John Preston: No. You've been with me, you've seen how it can be - the jealousy, rage.
Partridge: A heavy cost. I pay it gladly. [Reaches for his gun]


John Preston: When we return from the Nether it always reminds me of why we do what we do.
Partridge: It does?
John Preston: [Pauses; He takes notice of Partridge's intonation] I beg your pardon?
Partridge: [Withdraws Prozium-administering device from his pocket and injects himself with it.] It does.


Mary: Let me ask you something. [Grabs his hand]
Mary: Why are you alive?
John Preston: [Breaks free] I'm alive... I live... to safeguard the continuity of this great society. To serve Libria.
Mary: It's circular. You exist to continue your existence. What's the point?
John Preston: What's the point of your existence?
Mary: To feel. 'Cause you've never done it, you can never know it. But it's as vital as breath. And without it, without love, without anger, without sorrow, breath is just a clock... ticking.


John Preston: Then I have no choice but to remand you to the Palace of Justice for processing.
Mary: Processing. You mean execution, don't you?
John Preston: Processing.


Brandt: Always practicing, Cleric. Maybe that's why you're the best.
John Preston: Maybe I'm just better.


Brandt: What are you doing?
John Preston: I'm rearranging my desk.
Brandt: You didn't like the way it was before?
John Preston: I had no feelings about it. I'm merely attempting to optimize.


Brandt: I'm not feeling! He is the one who's feeling!


Father: Libria, I congratulate you. At last peace reigns in the heart of man. At last war is but a word whose meaning fades from our understanding. At last, we are whole. Librians, there is a disease in the heart of man. Its symptom is hate. Its symptom is anger. Its symptom is rage. Its symptom is war. The disease is human emotion. But Libria, I congratulate you, for there is a cure for this disease. At the cost of the dizzying highs of human emotion, we have suppressed its abysmal lows. And you, as a society, have embraced this cure. Prozium. Now we are at peace with ourselves and human kind is one. War is gone. Hate, a memory. We are our own conscience now, and it is this conscience that guides us to rate EC-10, for emotional content, all those things that might tempt us to feel, again, and destroy them. Librians, you have won. Against all odds, and your own natures. You, have, survived.


Father: Prozium - The great nepenthe. Opiate of our masses. Glue of our great society. Salve and salvation, it has delivered us from pathos, from sorrow, the deepest chasms of melancholy and hate. With it, we anesthetize grief, annihilate jealousy, obliterate rage. Those sister impulses towards joy, love, and elation are anesthetized in stride, we accept as fair sacrifice. For we embrace Prozium in its unifying fullness and all that it has done to make us great.


Father: Mankind united with infinitely greater purpose in pursuit of war than he ever did in pursuit of peace.


DuPont: Be careful Preston. You're treading on my dreams.


DuPont: Wait! Wait! Look at me. Look at me. I'm life. I live... I, I breathe... I feel. Now that you know it... can you really take it? Is it really worth the price? [Preston sees a flash of Mary's face]
John Preston: I pay it gladly.

Quotes From Dream For An Insomniac

There are too many mediocre things in this world to deal with, love shouldn't have to be one of them.

"In order to win, you must expect to win." Dan Fouts

"Every action and pursuit is thought to aim at some good. The good has rightly been declared to be that at which all things aim." Aristotle

"Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers." Lord Tennyson

"I am now a central part of your mind's landscape whether you care or do not." Steven Morrissey

"I am troubled immeasurably by your eye. I am struck by the feather of your soft reply. The sound of glass speaks quick disdain and conceals what your eyes fight to explain." Jim Morrison

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man." George Bernard Shaw

"Life can only be understood backwards." Kierkegaard

Dare to dream...

My Day as a Zombie

I was planning to go to work today, but I woke up like a zombie. I was shivering in my sleep. I called at work and told them I can't make it today also... Boring day... I had plans for spending these days I was resting at home for foot injury and was planning to make good use of them. Little did I know that flu was planning to jump in. And that stomach ache.. Oh GOD!! I spent some time online then threw myself to bed. I stayed there senseless for I don't know how long. I got some phone calls from people who have heard the news. It was really nice of them. Moon called me too. She wanted us to go to el Sakia, but I didn't know how make it out of bed :S I called Grandma to check on her, since she's ill too. Before coming to write this I lay on a sofa, covering myself with a blanket. I do some crochet then feel tired and fall to sleep. I WANNA GET BETTER BA2AAAAAA !!!!!!

Full Stop

She gets the ball. For her that is the final catch. It isn't just a ball to her, she considers it a full stop. Yes, a full stop for the last sentence of the last section of this chapter. She has grown so exhausted from that game. She wants to learn the lesson so she was holding on till the last moment. But she has come to the end of the line now. She has learned the rules of the game, so isn't it enough? Doesn't that put an end to that chapter? "Nobody can help you if you cannot help yourself" it states. Indeed she has learned that lesson, grasped it to the fullest. The ones who care unfortunately do not have the means to. And those who do.. well she bets they wouldn't care. Please tell me she hasn't come out of this chapter empty handed. Please tell me she's not back to the very starting point again. Well, she wants to close down those bridges she had built for others to cross to her, but at least she doesn't want to rebuild the walls she once had. She doesn't want isolation no more, no quite the opposite. I guess that's a good distance away from where she had started.

The Oyster

(Written almost two weeks ago)

The little oyster decided to put an end to its isolation. It wanted to start opening up its shell. Cautiously she starts doing so, deciding this should take place only small steps at a time. Taking things gradually has been the safest way she had learnt. She starts peeping from the small opening in her shell to the vast ocean in amazement. How could she keep herself away from all that beauty for so long, she wondered! She was glad she had taken that step, yet sticking to her decision; only one step at a time.

Suddenly a strong wave struck the little oyster at a time when she least expected it. Her shell was hard enough to handle that kind of strong waves and keep the soft thing protected. But this time, it was not as sealed as it used to be. It had that small opening, the oyster had caused with its own hand which made the shell too weak to resist. The wave sprang the shell wide open. The oyster found such powerful currnts of water rushing in. Water is life, but it can bring death just as well. A beginning and an end it could be. She stands there, not knowing what to do, not knowing how to deal with all the new things that have invaded its soft fragile private space.

The Hidden Messages in Water

I was really happy to come across this post in Haal's blog, being someone so deeply in love with water. I was very happy also to find these links there: http://www.whatthebleep.com/crystals/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaru_Emoto. I was supposed to attend a session actually about this topic in Serafis, but I was ill and couldn't go :( Anyways, I wish I could try out these experiments myself.

The laws of love

I went sailing in the blogsphere where I came across this in La Perfuma De La Rose blog. Although I don't like the word "Laws" connected in any way to the word "Love", I do like what is being said.

From 7 Habbits of Highly Effective People:
The Laws of Love & the Laws of Life
When we make deposits of unconditional love, when we live the primary laws of love, we encourage others to live primary laws of life. In other words, when we truly love others without condition, without strings, we help them feel secure and safe and validated and affirmed in their essential worth, identity, and integrity. Their natural growth process is encouraged. We make it easier for them to live the laws of life - cooperation, contribution, self discipline, integrity-and to discover and live true to the highest and best within them. We give them the freedom to act on their own inner imperatives rather than react to our conditions and limitations. This does not mean we become permissive or soft. That itself is a massive withdrawel. We council, we plead, we set limits and consequences. But love, regardless.
When we violate the primary laws of love - when we attach strings and conditions to that gift we actually encourage others to violate the primary laws of life. We put them in a reactive, defensive position where they feel they have to prove "I matter as a person, independent of you". In reality, they aren't independent. they are counter-dependent, which is another form of dependency and is at the lowest end of the Maturity Continuum. They become reactive, almost enemy-centered, more concerned about defending their 'rights' and producing evidence of their individuality than they are about proactively listening to and honoring their own inner imperatives. Rebellion is a knot of the heart, not of the mind. The key is to make deposits - constant deposits of Unconditional Love.

Looking Beyond

I have an issue with my eyes it seems.I find it hard to see things that might be right in front of me. I instantly go searching for what is beyond the apparent. I don't see what is there, but rather what could be. I guess the word "see" is inappropriate in this context. I am not sure if what I "see" truely exists hidden and I'm feeling it, or it doesn't even exist there and I'm merely imagining. Unfortunately I could easily lose connection with how things and people presently are. I imagine people's inner selves as vast huge oceans, with no limits, no ends. I don't like shallow water, but would rather jump right into the abandoned depths, dive inside, search for the treasures and hidden gems, free them, take them out to the light. A naive little girl diver I am I guess. I hope I don't go after a mirage, or drown in the ocean in the end.

Lets Mots (English Translation)

Fixedly, the sky twists
When the mouth generates a word
I would give my whole life just to hear you
Speaking the the most tender words

When all becomes all alone
I'd break my life for a song
And two lives, that's to tomorrow's smile
I know, I will say goodbye
But a fraction of this life
I will give anything, anytime

The universe has its mysteries
The words are our lives

We could kill a life with words
Soul, how would it feel

If our lives are so fragile
Words are mysteries

Words, feelings
Words of love, a temple

If I swept the world away
What could touch the universe
I would tell you how the sun rose high
We could with a word become one

And for all these words which wound
There are those which we cherish
Those that illuminate, that touch the infinity
Even if nothing exists

For a fraction on this life
I will give anything, anytime

The universe has its mysteries
The words are our lives

We could kill a life with words
Soul, how would it feel

If our lives are so fragile
Words are mysteries

Words, feelings
Words of love, a temple

Home Captive

Yesterday was such a dull day. I woke up with such a pain in my feet to start with. I have been 'bastahbel' for too long. The poor thing started hurting Thursday before last, but I didn't wanna give up and get some rest. I continued walking, jogging, swimming till it wasn't able to take it anymore last Wednesday. Only then I decided it DOES need some rest. I still went shopping with Mum on Thursday, went to gradnma on Friday and attended my graduation party on Saturday (I kept going here and there and jumping around in the latter :S). So it was its natural right to give me so much pain on Sunday morning, may be I would a7ess 3ala dammy and give it a break. Taurus are known for their patience and ability to endure (for me endure physical pain only), but that's not always a good thing, and I'm a living proof for that I guess. All the games I used to play before didn't work anymore; tiptoeing, dragging it along, "a3rog"... It still hurt so painfully. Soooo with that I went to work :D and what a wonderful day at work it was. I sported that sad face all day. Beside being in pain, I was too scared. I don't wanna have to stop the activities that I do. They are the main (may be the only) joy in my life currently. I wake up with a smile only for the promise I will do one of that stuff during the day. Huh.. anyways the day passed somehow. I was supposed to go to Chillis with my work mates, but instead I just said hello then went to the Emergencies doctor straight. He told me not to play any form of sports for the coming two weeks :S Yet he told me I can go to work (which I realized was impossible since I truely can not step on the ground without feeling so much pain). Anyways, I got back to my sad blog. I haven't been spending much leisure time on browing the internet or posting here since I was trying to 'live' instead of reading and writing about life ('Live' here means sports, friends and Sakiet El Sawy). But guess what.. being captivated at home, in my seat I guess "Reema" will get back to its old habit. It started with downloading Celtic and French songs yesterday and posting some of their lyrics and.. researching.. umm.. the nature of love. YES philosophy again! :P I guess that might be the main theme of my blabbering here for some time.

Philosophy and Football

I don't know why I remembered this discussion with K yesterday. He was saying how eveyone has a refuge that helps him escape his problem. He gave football and its players as an example, and celebrity obsession in general. I started thinking about my own refuge. Since giving up the Backstreet Boys obsession at the age of 18 I guess I was never interested in anything of that kind. I do not know if it is appropriate to compare this to that, but I was wondering if I subconsciously use philosophy and psychology for that purpose myself, as a hiding place?! I mean, instead of mentioning the problem in its very simplistic form I keep philosophising about it. I make it a universal issue, think about it in its most general terms instead of focusing on the specific case of my own self. Not only that, but I get the Sun and the Moon into the issue, not to mention awakening lady Venus from her sleep. Lots and lots of talking about earth, water and fire.. and.. and.. and.. bringing more and more sophistication into my world and my issues... instead of solving them.

Les Mots

Mylene Farmer et Seal

M.F.:
Fixement, le ciel se tord
Quand la bouche engendre un mot
Là, je donnerais ma vie pour t'entendre
Te dire les mots les plus tendres

Seal:
When all becomes all alone
I'd break my life for a song
And two lives, that's to tomorrow's smile
I know, I will say goodbye
But a fraction of this life
I will give anything, anytime

M.F.:
L'univers a ses mystères
Les mots sont nos vies
Seal:
We could kill a life with words
Soul, how would it feel
M.F.:
Si nos vies sont si fragiles
Seal:
Words are mysteries
M.F.:
Les mots, les sentiments
Les mots d'amour, un temple

Seal:
If I swept the world away
What could touch the universe
I would tell you how the sun rose high
We could with a word become one
M.F.:

Et pour tous ces mots qui blessent
Il y a ceux qui nous caressent
Qui illuminent, qui touchent l'infini
Même si le néant existe
M.F. & Seal:
For a fraction on this life
I will give anything, anytime

M.F.:
L'univers a ses mystères
Les mots sont nos vies
Seal:
We could kill a life with words
Soul, how would it feel
M.F.:
Si nos vies sont si fragiles
Seal:
Words are mysteries
M.F.:
Les mots, les sentiments
M.F. & Seal:
Les mots d'amour, un temple

Et si tu n'existais pas...

Et si tu n'existais pas,
Dis-moi pourquoi j'existerais.
Pour traîner dans un monde sans toi,
Sans espoir et sans regrets.

Et si tu n'existais pas,
J'essaierais d'inventer l'amour,
Comme un peintre qui voit sous ses doigts
Naître les couleurs du jour.
Et qui n'en revient pas.

Et si tu n'existais pas,
Dis-moi pour qui j'existerais.
Des passantes endormies dans mes bras
Que je n'aimerais jamais.

Et si tu n'existais pas,
Je ne serais qu'un point de plus
Dans ce monde qui vient et qui va,
Je me sentirais perdu,
J'aurais besoin de toi.

Et si tu n'existais pas,
Dis-moi comment j'existerais.
Je pourrais faire semblant d'être moi,
Mais je ne serais pas vrai.

Et si tu n'existais pas,
Je crois que je l'aurais trouvé,
Le secret de la vie, le pourquoi,
Simplement pour te créer
Et pour te regarder.

May it be

May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you
May it be as darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh, how far you are from home

Mornië utúlië (Darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornië alantië (Darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now

May it be the shadows call
Will fly away
May it be your journey on
To light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun

Mornië utúlië (Darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornië alantië (Darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now

A promise lives within you now

One World

I hear a baby crying
A sad sound, a loney sound
I want to take her in my arms
And then I dry away all her tears

I see a boy, who's frightened
A young boy, with old eyes
I long to say 'You're welcome here,
You can be happy now that you're warm'

We're all a part of one world
We all can share the same dream
And if you just reach out to me
Then you will find deep down inside
I'm just like you

Loud voices raised in anger
Speak harsh words, such cruel words
Why do they speak so selfishly
When we have got so much we can share?

So let your hearts be open
And reach out with all your love
There are no strangers now
They are our brothers now
And we are one

We're all a part of one world
We all can share the same dream
And if you just reach out to me
Then will find deep down inside
I'm just like you

We're all a part of one world
We all can share the same dream
And if you just reach out to me
Then will find deep down inside
I'm just like you

I'm just like you

The Soft Goodbye

when the light begins to fade
and shadows fall across the sea,
one bright star in the evening sky.
your love's light leads me on my way.

there's a dream that will not sleep,
a burning hope that will not die.
so I must go now with the wind,
and leave you waiting on the tide.

time to fly, time to touch the sky.
one voice alone, a haunting cry.
one song, one star burning bright,
may it carry me through darkest night.

rain comes over the gray hills,
and on the air, a soft goodbye.
hear the song that I sing to you
when the time has come to fly.

when I leave and take the wind
and find the land that faith will bring,
the brightest star in the evening sky
is yours to find for me.

is yours to find for me.

Last Rose Of Summer/Walking In The Air Lyrics, Celtic Woman

We're walking in the air
We're floating in the moonlit sky
The people far below are sleeping as we fly
We're holding very tight
I'm riding in the midnight blue
I'm finding I can fly so high above With you
Far across the world
The villages go by like dreams
The rivers and the hills, the forests And the streams
Children gaze open mouthed
Taken by suprise
Nobody down below believes their eyes
We're surfing in the air
We're swimming in the frozen sky
We're drifting over icy
Mountains floating by
Suddenly, swooping low on an ocean deep
Arousing of a mighty monster
from it's sleep
We're walking in the air
We're dancing in the frozen sky
And everyone who sees us
Greets us as we fly

Write Positive

I truely pity my friends. Well not all of them, but those unfortunate enough to visit my humble blog. I did some browsing here once and was simply shocked at how sad and melancholic the whole thing sounds. If I didn't know the writer I would say it was some dull negative person who doesn't even know the taste of joy. The thing is that simply isn't me. I do have my dull moments yes, but I usually have a positive optimitic approach to life. The smallest of things can really make my day; the morning zest, a beautiful rose or the smile of a child, well you get the picture. The thing is that I usually try to express my feelings when I'm sad so as to get out the negative energy, which is okay I guess. What I've been thinking about was, why not share the positive too? May be because when I'm in my positive moods I'm just too happy to write? :D Too hyper too probably? The happy go lucky mood that some people who'd never been here before mistake it for my default state? I guess that's probably it. Hmm.. OK there was a time when I didn't know how to express myself at all on paper; positive or negative, but here I am filling dozens of postings with tearful stuff, may be the day will come when I can talk as easily when I'm in a cheerful mood and share the kind of positivity I feel inside? I'm not really sure, but I promise I will try.

Your Way To Happiness Action Plan

Cheerfulness:
Laughter can renew your spirit, heal your body, and awaken your proverbial inner child. As we get older, few of us laugh as much or as hard as we did as kids. When's the last time you let yourself have a real belly laugh? Research indicates that the average adult gets by on only 15 smiles or laughs a day. Children, on the other hand, laugh or smile an average of 400 times a day. As adults, we have some catching up to do. A lot more laughter is in order.

At first, it may be hard to let yourself give in to fits of laughter; you may not quite remember how. But with practice, you'll likely be able to recapture at least some of your childish mirth. If you do achieve riotous laughter, congratulations! You're doing your health a big favor, not to mention your well-being. You'll also probably feel a lot happier to boot. Try these tips for increasing the laughter in your life.


Find humor in everyday situations. There is almost always something funny happening.


When you get upset about something, try laughing out loud. Sometimes you can gain perspective on a negative situation by laughing it off. It's rarely as bad as you think it is.


Dare yourself to laugh for 10 seconds without a break once every hour. If you can do that, you will already be laughing more than most adults do!


Try remembering funny things from your past. Amuse yourself throughout the day by conjuring up funny things that have happened to you in the past or imagining new ones. Allow yourself to laugh out loud. Who cares if people see you cracking yourself up? You're just thinking of something funny.


Make funny friends. It's good to spend time with people who keep you laughing.


Join a laugh club. Laugh clubs started catching on in India about six years ago; now they are international. People all over the world are meeting on a regular basis to promote laughter. See if you can find a club in your area.


Gratitude:
People who reflect on the things they are grateful for — whether in journal writing, quiet contemplation, or sharing with others — are shown to have a greater overall sense of well-being than those who don't. Try this five-day journal exercise to begin your daily habit of being grateful:
Find a blank book or writing tablet that you can use to create your gratitude journal.


Each day, write down how and why you are grateful for the things listed below. Think about ways you can begin to more fully appreciate each.
Day 1: Health. For example, "I am thankful for my health because it enables me to do active things that I enjoy, like bicycling to work on nice days. I can appreciate my health more by trying to eat right and by exercising more often."


Day 2: Family. For example, "I am thankful for my mother because she always stands by me when I have a problem. I can appreciate my mother more by calling just to say hello more often and letting her know how much I value her."


Day 3: Friends. For example, "I am thankful that I have a small, tight-knit group of friends because they make my leisure time much more enjoyable. They also support me in tough times by making me laugh. I can appreciate my friends more by throwing a dinner party to thank them for being such great company."


Day 4: Work. For example, "I am thankful that I have such a great job because I truly enjoy what I do for a living. I can appreciate my job more by continuing to give it my best effort."


Day 5: Home. For example. "I am thankful for my apartment because it is a very comfortable, enjoyable place to work, play, and relax. I can appreciate my home more by keeping it cleaner."


You may choose to find even more things to be grateful for and record them in your journal. Try looking at smaller things. For example, "I am grateful that my husband made me breakfast this morning because it got my day off to a great start. I can appreciate him more by letting him know how much it helped me this morning." The more you write in your journal, the more conscious you will be of the small things — and the big things — that make your life great.


For bonus points, try following through on some of the things that you can do to show your appreciation. Thank people more. Appreciate your life more. You might be surprised how good it makes you feel.

Personal Growth:
Although a commitment to personal growth comes naturally to some, others need to work a little harder to make space in their lives for change. Establishing and achieving goals is hard work and often takes great effort, even if you have a strong motivation to do so. Try taking the following steps to help make yourself more receptive to personal growth and change.


Take care of yourself. Eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep are important to your day-to-day well-being. If your health begins to suffer, you probably won't have enough physical or emotional energy to devote to your personal growth efforts.


Keep your eye on the ball. Do your best to stay focused and determined, even when life presents you with obstacles. If you do lose focus, acknowledge why it happened and vow to get back on track. Beating yourself up for minor setbacks will harm you more than it will help.


Integrate change into your lifestyle. Think of personal growth as part of a lifelong improvement process. If you see it as more than a short-term fix, you'll probably remain much more motivated.


Have fun. The more you can enjoy the journey of personal growth, the more positive change will tend to flow toward you.


Celebrate your victories. The best rewards often don't come after making a change but are in the positive change itself. Give yourself credit for making these positive steps happen. You deserve it.

Relationships:
Social interaction is a basic human need, and its benefits are numerous. No matter how independent you feel you are, humans actually require a certain amount of social interaction in order to thrive. The amount and variety of social interaction each person needs to be at their peak happiness levels will vary. Regardless of what you find your specific needs to be, below you'll find three ideas to help you tend and grow your connections with others.
Give priority to your closest relationships. Make a list of the two to five people you regard as your closest confidants. When you have a choice to make between spending time with these close friends that you've listed or hanging out with someone else, choose those close friends first. Also, try keeping in touch with all of your close friends on a more regular basis. Show each one of them that you value the connection the two of you share.


Throw a party. Invite everyone you know or would like to know better and encourage your friends to bring guests that you don't know. This way, you'll have the opportunity to expand your network of friends and acquaintances easily and quickly. This tactic can work even better if you invite a slightly smaller core group of people for a monthly get together. Festivities could take the form of a potluck dinner, a book club, a movie night, or even a bowling party.


Help others. Your support network also provides you with the opportunity to support others when they need it. Giving help to a friend makes you feel needed, brings you closer to your friend, and generally makes you feel better about yourself.


Optimism:

Research has proven that optimists are happier and more successful than their pessimist counterparts are. The primary difference between optimists and pessimists is the way these two types of people view setbacks. An optimist will ordinarily see setbacks as temporary while the pessimist will tend to see them as permanent.

Also, optimists claim less personal responsibility for setbacks than pessimists do. The primary reason that optimists are happier and more successful than pessimists appears to be that optimists are more likely to act, and even take risks, to do something about a setback. Because optimists see setbacks as temporary, they believe that situations are changeable and to some degree within their control.

Pessimists, on the other hand, believe that they're stuck with things being the way they are until the situation changes on its own. Although pessimists can sometimes see reality more accurately than optimists, their passive attitudes are more apt to lead to depression and away from happiness. To become more optimistic, you must change your thought patterns to include more positive thinking. Here are the two major secrets to optimism.


When something negative happens in your life, tell yourself that "this too shall pass." When you believe that a negative change is temporary, you'll be much more motivated to take action to move things in a more positive direction. Take stock of all the things not affected by the negative change. Acknowledge everything in your life that has remained positive. Making these mental notes can help you see that all is not ruined. In addition, remember that events rarely have a single cause. It's usually a combination of factors. Try to minimize the amount of blame you attribute to yourself when bad things happen.


When something positive happens in your life, believe that it is going to last. When you feel that a positive change is permanent, you rid yourself of unnecessary worry and let yourself truly benefit from every new, happy change that you experience. So instead of worrying, focus your attention on all of the things in your life that have been improved by the positive change. Allow yourself to bask in the glow of good fortune. Also consider anything you did that may have helped this change to happen. Feel good about all the ways big and small that you're contributing to your own happiness.

Commitment:

Research has revealed that the secret to contentment doesn't come from wealth or health or any other sort of abundance. The utter absence of money or physical well-being affects contentment, but any level beyond basic subsistence levels of health, wealth, and so on has no effect on contentment at all. The main lesson in this fact is that contentment springs from being happy with what you have and believing that, all in all, life is good. Consider this research finding while doing the following exercise.
On a piece of paper, begin the following sentence: "I would be happier if...."


Let yourself be petty. Write down everything that comes to mind when completing this sentence. Maybe you will write, "I had more money," "I were more attractive," "I were smarter," "I had more friends," or similar statements.


Now look at each of the things on your list. For each, ask yourself the following questions:
How could your situation be worse than it is?
What about this area can you be content about (even in a small way)?
Is keeping your feeling of discontent worth a small measure of your happiness? If not, cross it off your list and resolve to be content with what you have in that area.
If you have crossed off everything on your list, congratulations on your new contentment! Now you just need to remember to honor the decisions you made in this exercise. You can stop here.


If there is at least one item on your list after you finish crossing things off, close your eyes and imagine yourself having what you believe you lack. How much more content do you think you would feel? Now try imagining yourself unable to get what you think you lack. How much less content do you think you would be?


Your chances of ever being content — even if you obtain what you think is missing — are lower if you cannot find contentment with the present moment and the present situation. This is because it is easy to slip into a pattern of putting off contentment because you feel you need something more. This way of thinking will keep contentment just slightly out of reach for your whole life.


Self Confidence:

The way you feel about yourself doesn't just have a huge effect on your confidence level. It also impacts the way you treat yourself, the way you treat others, and the kinds of life choices you make. Know that you can greatly improve the quality of your life through the power of your mind alone. To do so you need to honestly assess how you feel about yourself and take steps to change your self-concept for the better. The good news is that you don't have to be born with confidence; you can learn to be more confident. For starters, try to figure out what is negatively affecting your confidence and why.


List your top five negative criticisms of yourself. (Leave a few blank lines below each criticism.)


Review your criticisms for gross generalizations. Omit words such as always, never, and totally. If you can't omit them, change them to words like sometimes and somewhat.


Try to make the criticisms more specific. Come up with examples that illustrate why you believe in your criticism. If you can't come up with anything, take note of that and use it as ammunition against your negative self-talk in the future.


For each criticism ask yourself:
What about your negative criticism is true?
What is untrue?
What could this negative criticism be doing to serve you? In many cases, our negative criticisms of ourselves are there to warn us against danger, to keep us from making mistakes, or to guard against failure.
Finally, be honest with yourself about your weakness. Accept that you are flawed, but realize that you are probably not as bad as you were originally making yourself out to be.