If we hope to live not just from moment to moment, but in true consciousness of our existence,
Then our greatest need and most difficult achievement is to find meaning in our lives
"Don’t let the world bring you down. Not everyone here is that fucked up and cold. Remember why you’re here, and while you’re alive experience the warmth."
Illness makes us realise that we are not invincible. We are human. We should appreciate every day that we have got because we won’t be here forever.
(no sugar) Fruit, Seed and Nut bars - Hallelujah!
Once in awhile I have a craving for super healthy things. But because of my terribly unrestrained sweet tooth I find it really difficult to make healthy sweet snacks that are still satisfying. Then, at last, I came across this recipe which you can make in endless variations with your favourite fruits, seeds and nuts! If you’re feeling extra naughty you could probably throw in some 70% dark chocolate chunks as well and still not feel guilty about it!
What you’ll need to make this healthy but actually pretty delish snack:
60g mixed seeds and/or nuts (sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds etc)
25 g coconut
2 medium soft banans, mashed
160g oats
50 g dried fruit (apricots, cranberries, raisins etc)
100 g butter/low-fat vegetable spread
3 tablespoons clear honey
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius.
Mash the banana in a bowl and mix in the seeds, nuts, coconut, oats and dried fruit so it’s all well blended.
Place the butter and honey in a pot over a low heat and stir until melted. Pour over the other ingredients and mix together.
Put some baking paper on a cake tin or baking ray and spoon the mixture into it, pressing down well to make an even layer. Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown.
Leave to cool before slicing into bars. ENJOY, guilt-free!
Did you know that there are hundreds of thousands of child slaves in Haiti, where this continues to be culturally accepted?
Listen to this remarkably inspiring man tell his story
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wdgcv
How are you supposed to be a fun, happy, positive person who loves life when life continually throws shit at you?
Dr. Diener, a psychologist who looks at happiness and satisfaction with life says “When a person tends to be chronically dissatisfied, they should look within themselves and ask whether they need to develop more positive attitudes to life and the world.”
I wonder if people who are unhappy with life just have the wrong attitude, or if they’ve simply been dealt the wrong cards one too many times?
Test your happiness with Dr.Diener’s Satisfaction with Life Scale :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/happiness_formula/4785402.stm
I don’t want to float through life.
Because floating means not appreciating, not earning, not reflecting.
It’s no surprise that so many people are lost and don’t understand the meaning of life.
I am aware of these shortcomings but I still don’t know the meaning of life. But I’m glad that I’m at least trying to understand.
It’s just so easy to get caught up in the Westernized ‘stages of life’ and meeting all the goals within them, without realising that these are all man-made ideas. We set our expectations so high that we are in a constant uphill struggle. I at least found that the rewards and the satisfcation were not on par with the effort I put in. It is not surprising that so many people are unsatisfied.
We get lost in our endeavours to do well in school, to get accepted to a good university and eventually land a good job with good pay and good future prospects. Meanwhile we forget that the meaning of education is to learn, not to party all term then pull all-nighters to cram for exams and finish essays and likewise, not to spend your waking hours in the library all term in order to get the best grades and thereby neglect all other aspects of life. We’re constantly living for the future and forget to make the most of the present. We forget that a job is not just a means of bringing home good money, but a place where we spend a rather large part of our lives. We should follow our hearts and choose a job we are passionate about, which suits our personalities and where we can make a difference (obviously this is idealistic and easier said than done since jobs aren’t exactly abundant, but I also think that we shouldn’t settle for jobs that make us unhappy).
We are generally unspiritual and I think this is our problem. And by this I don’t mean religious. I mean being in touch with our emotional selves to acknowledge what makes us happy and what doesn’t, to explore what makes other people happy and how to induce happiness in others; to abandon the pursuit of material wealth and instead find that you can gain so much by helping others, by finding the time to spend quality time with the people you care about and by understanding yourself and your faults and working on making yourself be the best person you can be. I believe these are the things that bring true satisfcation and make us understand the meaning of life.
I am writing this not to preach, but to remind myself.
The party of the year?
Is New Years just another party night? A night which is meant to beat all others in regards to what you’re wearing, where you’re going and how much you’re gonna have to drink? No wonder people are continually dissapointed.
It’s taken me until recently to realise that New Years should be spent with those who you care about, who have in one way or another made a difference in your life in the past year and whom you hope to share your life with in the coming year. It’s a celebration of friends, love and life. It’s about being thankful for what you have and looking forward to what the future brings.
It’s easy to get caught up in the New Years preparations and feel disheartened when things don’t go to plan. This year I’m reminding myself not get lost in the New Year frenzy and remember what it’s really all about.
The Calling of the Good Samaritan
Experiment after experiment in social psychology demonstrates how inherently uncaring human beings are.
The higher the risk of us putting ourselves at a disadvantage, the less likely we are to help.
The more people there are around, the less obliged we feel to take responsibility ourselves and do what is right. If other people don’t react, neither do we.
But we sure love gaping passively at scenes involving ambulances and police cars.
I think most people reviewing these experiments would say “I am different, I would definitely help.” In hindsight you see the participants’ mistakes.
But if you were put in the position, would you give yourself to help a total stranger?
Got lost so I’m taking three steps back
In stark contrast to my previous post, I have come to a realisation.
A realisation that difficult times shine a light on true friends, pointing out who is real, who is not; who cares, who does not.
Friends can walk miles more for you than some family ever will.
They say you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family.
I think you can choose what friends become your family.
THEME BY: ©HELOÍSA TEIXEIRA
BASE BY: ©YAM16
