Below is a biography research paper a girl in junior high did on me and I thought I would share with all of you her questions and my answers. Enjoy!
What’s is your full name?
Nicholas Ulysses Papasideris. Niko is simply the Greek nickname for Nicholas.
Where were you born?
Houston Texas! I came out with cowboy boots on and a rope in my hands. Just kidding! Actually, the typical “Texan” stereotype is not so accurate. Not everyone has boots and a cowboy hat. : ) But I will say this, I think there are more pickup trucks in Texas than there are in the whole world combined!!! Texans love their trucks!
What are some important childhood events?
Family. I was very loved by both of my parents and I am so grateful to have grown up in that kind of environment. I was protected, provided for and nurtured. And as an adult, I can see the fruit of all of this in my life.
Playing. My brother and I played outside all the time! I also used to play outside alone. I would sometimes go and have a picnic alone in our chicken coop with the chickens! : )
Responsibilities. I did many chores around the house and outside of the house and I also working at my parents restaurant.
Travel. My family went on summer vacations most every year. It really helps you see the world with a much broader view, especially travelling to other countries. My travels to Greece at 3 and 5 affected me in a very deep way, in ways that I would not come to understand until I was in my latter 20’s.
Spirituality. I was raised with a great spiritual awareness, with far more emphasis on spiritual things than earthly things. Faith hope and love were at the foundation of my upbringing and are the solid ground I stand on today.
What are some interesting facts about your life?
MUSIC
In September of 1989 at the age of fourteen, in a single afternoon everything changed! I was at a friend’s house and he was playing a popular love song on his keyboard, I asked if he could teach it to me. Within a couple of minutes I had it down and in that moment something unexplainable happened inside the depths of me – I immediately said "I can play! I can play!! I can play the piano!!!" From then on, I began practicing six and eight hours a day! All I wanted to do was play the keyboard! If I couldn’t play at least 6 hours a day then I would become very sad. When I was headed somewhere with my family, I would take my little keyboard and sit in the back of the car and practice, practice, practice…all day and into the late hours of the night I would practice! It was all I wanted – my passion, my love, my desire, my future! I didn’t care so much about girls or dating or parties or most of the things that my peers were into, everything other than music just seemed like a distraction. As the years went by, I began to sing and then singing became as important to me as playing the keyboard. Eventually I tapped deeper into my gift and began composing full songs. It’s been an amazing journey and I am blessed to be able to share my gift with the world! I give thanks and honor to God for my gift of music.
TRAVEL
I have always loved to travel! I have travelled to Europe much over the last 10 years with a emphasis on Greece. My father is from Greece and in 1998 I decided to get much more in touch with my roots. I am glad I did. It has opened up many more parts of myself and has helped me understand and see things about myself that I did not before. I have also lived on the Hawaiian island of Maui for 2 years and that too did change my life! It’s such a magical place, unlike any place I have ever been.
DIET
You are what you eat. Your body is the container of your soul and spirit so be sure to guard it well. Keep it healthy by getting good rest, by exercising and by eating healthy foods. When I was a teenager I said to myself "I will never be overweight!" and I have lived up to my promise. The key is just being conscious every day of what you put into your body. And drinking lots of water.
Can you tell me one thing about yourself that others may not know?
In my lifetime, I want to live in many countries, maybe a dozen or more! I’d like to spend a year or two or three in each one. I love culture. I love seeing how other people think and live and eat and enjoy music and drive and communicate, etc. It helps me see everything with a much more open mind. It helps me think outside of boxes and certain cultural codes. Just when you thought there was only one way to do something, you go to another country and you realize that they do it totally different there. With so many things there is no wrong or right, it’s just personal preference.
What inspires your music?
Life!
Most of my songs are written out of experiences in life. It might be the laughter of a child, a friend in need, pleasant or painful memories, dreams, happiness, frustrations. Nature. I took a walk with my dog Magic and by the end of the road I had written a song for him, haha. Traveling, very much so. Being in other places far away stirs things up in me – the sights, the smells, the sounds of another culture and land. Sound inspires me. I will hear something like a car engine cranking up or the horn of a train or the wind blowing through the trees and it will actually inspire a melody or lyric or chord progression in me. Also, just sitting down at my piano inspires me. Most every time I sit to play, something fresh and new comes out. Sometimes it’s a song while other times it’s an idea or a melody that later becomes a song. Lastly, I must say that the hope of my music touching the world inspires me deeply. It is important that we as humans always have hope in our heart for through hope we find inspiration to fulfill our destinies.
What are some important adulthood events?
Having loved someone. It opened up so many parts of me that I had never seen!
Living in other places and spending time in other places that I was not familiar with. It has had immeasurable positive effects on my life.
Becoming friends with people in other countries. It has taught me much about love and patience and has also helped to broaden my perspective in so many ways.
Completing my album titled Love. It was a very long journey but I stayed committed and after 3 years it was finally complete.
Deciding to give my music away for free and then gaining fans around the world as a result of it.
Performing live in another country and having a group of people sing along with me because they knew my songs from the radio. A great feeling!
Owing my own business. It has been lots of hard work and many sleepless nights but it has taught me much about life and has brought a sense of accomplishment that is different than any other I’ve experienced.
What obstacles did you have to overcome?
I have overcome fear and doubt a thousand times! I have never let go of my hopes and dreams.
There have been several times when I have cried because things seemed to be too much to bear but after releasing those tears I whipped them from my face and carried on.
I have overcome the obstacle of having little resources (time and money) to accomplish great tasks. The key was persistence, dedication, coming up with creative solutions and having a willingness to sacrifice things I wanted in order to obtain things I needed (what you want and what you need are often times two different things).
I overcame the obstacle of not letting society and systems dictate to me who I am and why I am here. I dedicated years of my life to seeking and searching for those answers and I began to find them. They are inside of each and every one of us.
What is the greatest thing you have ever discovered in your life?
Love. If you have it then it doesn’t matter what you don’t have, if you don’t have it then it doesn’t matter what you do have.
Where can people learn more about you and your music?
You know, we get so bogged down by little things and by owning things and trying to control things… but what does it really matter at the end of our short lives on this planet? If you step back and look at the bigger picture you will realize that so much of what often consumes much of our precious energy is just so petty. In life, seek to be happy, seek flow, love, give, BE. Don’t worry about this and that. Open up your heart and mind. Let go of all that weighs you down and holds you back and then take hold of that which lifts you up and propels you forward.
Filled with all the good stuff including organic leafy greens, assortment of olives from around the world, tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries, red bell pepper, sun dried tomatoes, a clove of garlic and then doused with an ounce of Naked fruit juice……Yum yum good!
Here’s a great list I got in an email of things to practice on a daily basis for healthy and positive living…
Health:
Drink plenty of water.
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
Live with the 3 E’s – Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
Make time to pray.
Play more games.
Read more books than you did the year before.
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Sleep for 7 hours.
Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Don’t have negative thoughts or be anxious about things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Don’t overdo it. Keep your limits.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
Dream more while you are awake.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner about his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.
Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Smile and laugh more.
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:
Call your family often.
Each day give something good to others.
Forgive everyone for everything.
Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
Do the right thing!
Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
The best is yet to come.
When you awake alive in the morning, thank God for it.
What if you knew that in exactly 346 days from now you were going to die, how would it affect you? What could you do differently about the way you life your life today and for the next 345 days to follow?
Someone forwarded this to me, thought I would pass it along…
What Is Perfect Health?
Health isn’t merely the absence of disease or symptoms; it is a higher state of consciousness that allows well-being, creativity, and joy to flow into our experience. We are healthy when we’re able to fully digest everything we take in, extracting what is nourishing and eliminating whatever doesn’t serve us. This includes our food, our relationships, our jobs, and all our life experiences. Illness, in contrast, develops when there is a disruption ― a blockage in the flow of energy and information. Symptoms and sickness are the body’s signal that we need to restore balance, eliminate whatever is causing the blockages, and reestablish the healthy flow of intelligence.
One of most powerful ways we can influence our health is through our choices and interpretations . . . the food we choose, the relationships we engage in, the sensory input we expose ourselves to, and the daily patterns and rhythms of our life.
Timeless Healing Principles
By listening to our body and honoring its needs, we nurture our innate healing ability and move closer to experiencing a state of perfect health…
1. Take time each day to quiet your mind and meditate.
2. Each day eat a healthy diet that includes a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.
3. Engage in daily exercise that enhances flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness.
4. Follow a restful sleep routine.
5. Let go of whatever isn’t serving you, including stored emotional pain.
6. Cultivate loving relationships.
7. Find your unique gifts and talents and use them to serve others.
As you nurture yourself and practice the tools of spiritual awakening, you will open your heart to ever expanding levels of fulfillment. Even when you are surrounded by chaos, face a health challenge, or find yourself on a financial “detour,” you will discover that you can transcend outworn assumptions and create a life filled with wellbeing, happiness, and love.
I got these in an email, thought I’d pass them along…
Safety Tips To Protect You Against Predators
1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do: The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do.
2. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, do not hand it to him. Toss it away from you… Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and / or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. Run in the other direction.
3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won’t see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.) Don’t do this. This can give a predator the perfect opportunity to get in on the passenger side of your car. As soon as you get into your car, leave. If someone is in the car, do not drive off. Instead, gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your air bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run.
5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
Be aware: Look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat.
If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most predator attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
Look at the car parked on the driver’s side of your vehicle, and the passenger side… If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. Be wise. Be safe.
6. Always take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are a common crime spot.
7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, always run. The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then, it most likely will not be a vital organ. Run, preferably in a zig -zag pattern.
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If you have some safety tips to share, leave them here in my blog.
Are you a left or right brained person? If you don’t already know, you are about to find out! : )
If you see the lady turning clockwise you are using your right brain. If you see it the other way, you are using left brain.
Some people do see both ways, but most people see it only one way.
See if you can make her go one way and then the other by shifting the brain’s current.
BOTH DIRECTIONS CAN BE SEEN
Experimentation has shown that the two different sides, or hemispheres, of the brain are responsible for different manners of thinking. The following table illustrates the differences between left-brain and right-brain thinking:
Left Brain Right Brain
Logical Random
Sequential Intuitive
Rational Holistic
Analytical Synthesizing
Objective Subjective
Looks at parts Looks at wholes
Most individuals have a distinct preference for one of these styles of thinking. Some, however, are more whole-brained and equally adept at both modes. In general, schools tend to favor left-brain modes of thinking, while downplaying the right-brain ones. Left-brain scholastic subjects focus on logical thinking, analysis, and accuracy. Right-brained subjects, on the other hand, focus on aesthetics, feeling, and creativity.
Interesting stuff huh?
Leave a reply so I and others can read your thoughts!!
I’ve been using The Ultimate Meal every day for 5 years. It is a super high quality meal replacement powder. Note: I do not work for the company. I have written this blog entry simply becasue I want others to know about this great product.
It’s 100% Vegan, Mostly Organic, and High Raw. I recommend reading through the entire website about it (Check out the FAQ, too).
Great for weight loss – The Ultimate Meal is great for helping people lose weight, it will help you stay "full" up to 6-hours after drinking it. Many people enjoy it for breakfast and lunch or breakfast and dinner. Some have it for all of their meals on some days.
Great pre / post workout shake – Great for before or after a heavy duty workout. It’s filled with carbs from the fruit, protein, and nutrients – lots of fuel for your muscles!
Convenient and travel worthy – It’s fast and easy to make. I love that I can take this with me when I’m traveling. It’s important to make sure I’m still packing my body with nutrients when I’m not at home.
So, how does it taste? I’m totally down with it! It’s good.
I took some photos for you to see how I make mine on most days – 2/3 of a banana, 4 strawberries, a handful of blueberries, handful of assorted nuts, soy milk or almond milk, one scoop of The Ultimate Meal – then I blend it…
You can purchase it from Amazon at the best price you will find on the internet!
1 & 2 THE ULTIMATE QUINOA® & THE ULTIMATE MILLET®:
Pronounced "keenwa," these are THE ultimate superseed/grains on Earth. Ultimate Life developed them over two and five years (respectively) exclusively for THE ULTIMATE MEAL®. They are the first and only PROPERLY sprouted seed/grains to offer ALL of the following, using NO heat from beginning to end: CERTIFIED ORGANIC: Grown and processed without pesticides or chemicals. PROPERLY SPROUTED: Greatly improves the amino-acid profile and substantially increases enzymatic activity, thus the assimilation of nutrients. COLD-PASTEURIZED (not irradiated): Prevents high bacteria counts. FRESH FREEZE-DRIED: The ONLY DEFINITIVE method to retain enzymes. COLD-MILLED: To retain enzymes and increase assimilation of nutrients. THE ULTIMATE QUINOA® & MILLET® are superb sources of complete protein, lysine, complex carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, etc.
3 BROWN RICE PROTEIN 70% CONCENTRATE (Belgium):
One of the most potent sources of easily digestible complete protein. Very low in fat and allergenicity. Good source of tryptophan, methionine, magnesium, potassium, pantothenic acid, vitamins E and B complex.
4 YELLOW PEA PROTEIN 84% ISOLATE (GMO-FREE) (Canada):
This legume (superior alternative to soy protein) is the perfect partner to the rice protein for an improved amino acid profile. Contains all eight essential amino acids and is especially high in lysine.
5 CERTIFIED ORGANIC RAW FLAX SEED MEAL (Canada):
The ultimate, because the long cool days in North Canada increase the level of essential Omega fatty acids and lignans (the most potent source on Earth – period!). It is cold-milled directly into light-proof vacuum-packed pouches to preserve freshness and prevent rancidity. Also a great source of gentle, natural fiber and protein.
6 CERTIFIED ORGANIC EARTHRISETM & SPIRULINA PACIFICATM: 2,000 mg
The original ultimate superfood. Very efficiently assimilated. The most potent source of complete protein, lysine, beta-carotene and chlorophyll on Earth. Rich in B complex (including human-active B-12), potassium, DNA, GLA (gamma linolenic acid), RNA (ribonucleic acid), phosphorus, copper, chromium and trace elements. (Earthrise from USA; Pacifica from Hawaii)
7 DE-OILED LECITHIN (GMO-FREE) (USA): 1,500 mg
Guaranteed to contain 97% phospholipids. Our vegetarian lecithin is derived from soy, yet due to the absence of its fiber and protein, it rarely causes allergies. Rich in choline, inositol, phosphorus and linoleic acid.
8 THE ULTIMATE BROCCOLI® (USA): 500 MG
The ultimate cruciferous vegetable created exactly as THE ULTIMATE QUINOA®. High in enzymes, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, sulphurophane, and sulfur indoles (including MSM), calcium and potasium.
9 VITAMIN ESTER C® (BUFFERED W/CAL. & MAG.) (USA): 500 mg
Human studies have shown that this anti-oxidant is far more potent, acts much faster and remains in the bloodstream far longer without acidity or stomach upset than any other form of vitamin C.
10 CALCIUM MALATE & CITRATE (22%) (USA): 250 mg
Calcium is the most predominant mineral in the human body. It helps prevent osteoporosis, heart disease and menopause problems. Calcium malate is produced exclusively for THE ULTIMATE LIFE®.
11 WILDCRAFTED FRESH FREEZE-DRIED HORSETAIL (USA): 400 mg
This herb, unrelated to horses (except in appearance), is 10 times more potent than the fresh plant. Harvested in the spring and produced exclusively for THE ULTIMATE LIFE® by Eclectic InstituteTM, it is the most potent consumable source of silica, which is a primary constituent in bones, hair, skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, hair, nails, and collagen.
12 NATURAL VITAMIN E SUCCINATE (NON-GMO) (Germany): 300 i.u.
At 1210 i.u./gm , this is one of the best anti-oxidants in its most potent form. Derived from soy, yet due to the absence of its fiber and protein, it rarely causes allergies. It has at least 36% higher biological activity than synthetic vitamin E.
13 CITRUS BIOFLAVONOID COMPLEX (50%) (USA): 200 mg
Derived from citrus fruits, these are highly water soluble natural anti-oxidants which increase the absorption of vitamin C and help keep collagen in healthy condition. Good source of rutin, hesperidin, etc.
14 MAGNESIUM CITRATE (15.5%) (USA): 115 mg
The other major mineral essential for strong, healthy bones and teeth. It also helps regulate the body’s energy levels, as well as maintain normal heart function and nerve transmission. The ideal catalyst for calcium.
15 WILDCRAFTED FRESH FREEZE-DRIED NETTLES (USA): 100 mg
This herb, also harvested in the spring by Eclectic InstituteTM, is 10 times more potent than the fresh plant and is one of the best sources of natural iron, silicon, chlorophyll and acetylcholine. Excellent catalyst for Horsetail.
16 OPTI-PURETM GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT (Japan): 20 mg
This is the purest and most potent ginkgo extract with a minimum of 24% flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones (active ingredients). It is one of the finest anti-oxidants available.
17 OPTI-PURETM CO-ENZYME Q10 (Japan): 20 mg
Derived from raw cane or beet sugar, this pure and potent organic compound anti-oxidant is known to benefit the heart and the body’s cellular energy production WITHOUT being a stimulant.
18 OPTI-PURETM GRAPE SEED EXTRACT (Japan): 20 mg
This is one of our ultimate anti-oxidants, extracted with water and ethyl alcohol instead of solvents. Studies have shown that it is FAR more potent than vitamins C, E and beta-carotene.
19 OPTI-PURETM ALPHA LIPOIC ACID (95%) (Japan): 20 mg
This unique anti-oxidant has an essential role in cellular energy production and helps the body recycle and renew Co-Q10 and vitamins C and E.
20 OPTI-PURETM CAFFEINE-FREE GREEN TEA EXTRACT (Japan): 20 mg
This anti-oxidant is the most potent (1200:1) source of catechins at 95%, 50% of which are comprised of EGCg (Epi-Gallo-Catechin gallate) the most beneficial member in the catechin family.
21 OPTI-PURETM MILK THISTLE EXTRACT (80%) (China): 20 mg
A relative of the artichoke, this anti-oxidant herb extract, standardized at minimum 80% potency, helps significantly in detoxifying the liver.
22P STEVIOSIDE (China): 20 mg
This dietary supplement is extracted from the Stevia leaf (without aftertaste) which is completely safe for ALL sugar-related problems.
23 L-OPTIZINC® (USA): 5 mg
Also known as zinc monomethionine. Proven in human studies to be the most potent and bioavailable NATURAL anti-oxidant zinc on earth.
24 CHROMEMATE® (USA): 100 mcg
Also known as chromium polynicotinate (not picolinate), this anti-oxidant trace mineral is the most potent source of biologically active chromium. It helps with insulin production and protein synthesis.
25 NATURAL SELENIUM (USA): 100 mcg
Also known as L-selenomethionine. This yeast-free, natural trace mineral is one of the most powerful anti-oxidants available.
NO GIMMICKS . . . JUST THE ULTIMATE INGREDIENTS
BASIC BREAKDOWN
THE ULTIMATE MEAL®
… w/APPLE-BANANA
Serv. Size (1 scp) 40 g
……….. 16-20 oz
Calories ………. 170
……………. 350
Protein ………. 16 g
…………. 17.5 g
Carbohydrates …. 20 g
…………… 60 g
Fiber …………7.5 g
……………. 9 g
Fat …………… 4 g
……………. 5 g
Sodium ………. 95 mg
………….. 97 mg
Potassium …… 175 mg
…………. 780 mg
Calcium …….. 300 mg
…………. 320 mg
Magnesium …… 175 mg
…………..225 mg
Beta-carotene 5,000 IU
……….. 5,200 IU
Vitamin B12 …. 15 mcg
…………. 15 mcg
Folic Acid …. 125 mcg
………… 125 mcg
Iron …………. 4 mg
…………. 4.5 mg
Choline ………300 mg
…………. 300 mg
Omega 3 …….. 770 mg
…………. 770 mg
Omega 6 …….. 350 mg
…………. 350 mg
MORE INFORMATION ON CAN LABEL
CERTIFIED ORGANIC INGREDIENTS GROWN & PROCESSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CALIFORNIA ORGANIC FOODS ACT OF 1
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
"Here’s to The Crazy Ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently.
They’re not fond of rules and they have no respect for the status quo. You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them, disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward.
While some see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." ~ words of the commercial
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They imagine. They believe. They see. They invent. They create. They explore. They inspire. Yes, they are crazy – how else could they stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?
They are so visionary that they are blind to impossibilities. They see so many solutions that they do not believe in limitations. They have “Yes” faces and “Can do” attitudes. History has shown us that the crazy ones believe so strongly in something not yet tangible that they are even willing to sacrifice their own life to see it come to pass.
What is that I ask? It’s rooted in the human spirit and it’s so deep that it’s beyond words. It’s like love. You cannot define it or contain it or quench it.
I identify with "the crazy ones", they are the ones that move me, the ones that leave an impression on me, they are my heroes. I aspire to be as them, crazy enough to believe that I can change the world.
P.S. Feel free to copy, forward or quote anything I have written.
People in the video, in order of appearance – Albert Einstein, Bob Dylan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Richard Branson, John Lennon (with Yoko Ono), R. Buckminster Fuller, Thomas Edison, Muhammad Ali, Ted Turner, Maria Callas, Mahatma Gandhi, Amelia Earhart, Alfred Hitchcock, Martha Graham, Jim Henson (with Kermit the Frog), Frank Lloyd Wright and Pablo Picasso.
Someone wrote me today and asked, “Which of your songs do you enjoy most? Are there any that are more special because they have cost you more (emotionally) to compose them? Some that are more sentimental?
My reply:
Although I obviously feel connected to every song I’ve ever written, I am most drawn to my darker/melancholy material. Here’s a list of the songs that are deepest to me…
Shame
The Exodus
Angel Rising
The One
Put Away The Gun
The Special One
Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of Cleveland, Ohio
"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
When in doubt, just take the next small step.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
Pay off your credit cards every month.
You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
Over prepare, then go with the flow.
Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
The most important sex organ is the brain.
No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’
Always choose life.
Forgive everyone of everything.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Believe in miracles.
God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
Don’t audit life.. Show up and make the most of it now.
Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
Your children get only one childhood.
All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
The best is yet to come…
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
Yield.
Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”
Patrick Wayne Swayze
(August 18, 1952 – September 14, 2009)
I always felt a connection with Patrick Swayze, perhaps part of it was that he was from Houston (very close to where I grew up). He died thsi week and I feel very sad. I won’t even begin to try to express all the thoughts and feelings I’m having. But I will say… May we enjoy each day for as special as it really is. May we live with no regrets. May we love, feel and give with all of our hearts. And may we be true to who we are and why we are here. Patrick, we will miss you, thank you for all that you gave to us, we will never forget you. Rest in peace.
I invite you to share your thoughts in honor of Patrick.
I have been thinking about touch and how it is the most valuable of all the human senses which can be given or received. Why? Because it cannot be duplicated. Sights and sounds can be sent across the internet. Sights, sounds, smells and tastes can be sent through the mail. But touch can only be experienced face to face. An affectionate kiss, the warmth of a hand, the comfort of a loving hug – these cannot be duplicated. It is one of the most sacred things we will ever experience in our life and it is as precious of a commodity as time. Touch is a giftthat we too often withhold and too often shun. I will look for it with more awareness and I will give it more freely.
Other thoughts on this subject…
We live in a world where touch has become more and more rare. We’re afraid of people, germs, dirt, etc. It’s a world we’ve created for ourselves.
I was thinking, my grandfather and I have had hours and hours of talks (more in the last 10 years than before) but the amount of time we have touched is very limited…maybe 10 minutes worth of touching in the last 10 years if I total up all the hugs that occur when we meet up and all the moments when we get close for a photo. That’s absurd! It should not be like this! Even if it’s 30 minutes or if it’s one hour, one hour of touching across 10 years of time?? What lie did we buy into on that one?!?
What if when we are together with our families we held hands more? What if we kissed each other on the cheek more often and not just out of habit but actually with feeling and meaning? What if we held each other in a hug for 1 minute solid instead of the usual quick 3 seconds? I think the reason we don’t is because of pride – fear (what they will think of us) and judgment (what we think of them).
Me and my sister Angela
Today a friend told me “A few weeks ago I was at a friend’s house and we were working out. We were both sweaty and her daughter woke up and came in a saw me and ran up and gave me a huge hug. She did not even pay any attention to the sweat, she did what she felt in that moment. When and why do we lose that!?” We have become so afraid of what people think, it controls our actions. And we have all these cultural codes. All of this makes life more and more sterile and as a result we feel less and less alive, we slowly die inside, our once warm beating hearts become like dry cold stones.
Me and my brother Costa
The good news is that we have the power to change things in our life and if we are breathing then we have the gift of touch. I plan to use that gift more often than ever before.
Please share your thoughts here in my blog, I always enjoy reading them! Also, feel free to copy, forward or quote anything I have written.
We’ve all asked ourselves, “What do I really love?” or “What makes me happy?” But I was recently asked “What do you hate NOT doing?” I like that! It’s a great way to find out what you LOVE doing!
What makes you feel dissatisfied, unhappy, irritated, annoyed or off-track if you are not doing it?
What do I hate NOT doing? These were some of my personal answers…
I hate not working out / exercising.
To say I don’t have time to exercise is just stupid because the honest truth is that I don’t NOT have time to exercise. I say that because exercising is TOO important. If I lose my health then what good are so many other things? What good is a great job, a profitable company, a beautiful family – what good are these things to me if I am unhealthy and sick and if I die young simply because I did not take good care of myself. Exercise has so many benefits – energy, longevity, physical appearance, etc.
I hate not working on music.
When I get too busy with working and with “things” and do not work on music, it saddens my soul, it grieves my being. Conclusion? Don’t work on music and slowly become a miserable human being. Or, work on music and be a happy human being. Simple as that. Why is it so black and white for me? Because music is not just something I do, it’s who I am. That’s why. It is not a thing, it’s alive. For me, ignoring music is the equivalent of a man ignoring his wife that he loves with his blood. Why would a man ever do that? It can only be because he has believed a lie, he has somehow become terribly jaded. So, I have to protect myself from all the distractions/lies that take me away from my music that I love with my blood.
I hate not travelling.
When I don’t travel I feel like I’m missing out on one of the most important things in my life. Why? I feel the world in my being and have a need to be in the world. I’m not talking about taking a vacation. I’m talking about being in a place and really BEING THERE. Feeling the people, taking in the landscape, eating the food, listening to the music and language, watching the way people drive and interact and think and speak and act. Soaking up the culture as a whole. I’m the kind of person who will visit one place and stay there for weeks and absorb everything I can. It’s a deep and intense experience for me. It always changes me. It’s broadens my perspective. It reveals mysteries to me. It inspires me – to write, to compose, to travel more, to open up my mind… to live, to love.
I hate not living closer to the people I love – family and friends.
The solution? I suppose it was mentioned in the previous paragraph, I need to travel more! : ) I need to go and see them all more often, meet up more often, create more memories with them, show them how much I love them, let them love me back.
I hate not living closer to water / being closer to water more often.
I live in mountainous area. And it’s beautiful but there is nothing to me like being near the ocean. It does something for me that I should not even try to explain. The solution? Well, I could move, sure, but I don’t feel that that is what I am suppose to do at this particular time in my life, so that means I need to…. you guessed it TRAVEL! : ) Boy, it seems that NOT travelling can have a serious negative domino effect on my life. I better keep a very close on this or else I will one day find myself filled with regret. Nope, I’m not gonna let that happen, I bet you that!
I hate not writing.
For this answer, I’m going to quote the man who asked me this question to start with, Derek Sivers, “There are so many things I’ve learned that I think would help other people. Things I wish someone had told me sooner. Things that have made my life better, brighter, or wiser. I want to tell everyone these things before I die, in a well-explained way so they’re not misunderstood, and easy to pass on to others. And more new ones are added every week. So I have to keep writing to get them all out. Any day I’m not writing, I’m falling further behind in this goal, which I makes me feel worse.”
The good news…
I’m working on changing all these things in my life. What good would it do me to think about them in such detail and write about them and then not have a plan in motion to change them? I have a plan and am carrying it out RIGHT NOW, not tomorrow, TODAY. Today is what I have, THIS moment.
Asking the double-negative seems to be a better indicator of what I really love doing, than asking it in the positive.
Now, I’m curious, tell me some of the things you hate not doing. Share your thoughts here in my blog, I always enjoy reading them!
Niko
P.S. Feel free to copy, forward or quote anything I have written. : )
I’m not one of those people who waits to see who will remember my birthday, nope, I’m the guy who shouts from the highest rooftop "It’s my birthday, it’s my birthday don’t forget me!"
If you wanna send me wishes, please write them here in my blog, I’ll be stopping by to read them! : )
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