There is neither happiness nor unhappiness in this world; there is only the comparison of one state with another. Only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss. It is necessary to have wished for death in order to know how good it is to live… the sum of all human wisdom will be contained in these two words: Wait and Hope.

Edmond Dantès, The Count of Monte Christo by Alexandre Dumas

Just Read It…

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

Smile tho’ your heart is aching,
Smile even tho’ it’s breaking,
When there are clouds in the sky
You’ll get by,

If you smile
thro’ your fear and sorrow,
Smile and maybe tomorrow,
You’ll see the sun come shin-ing thro’ for you

Light up your face with gladness,
Hide ev-‘ry trace of sadness,
Al -‘tho a tear may be ever so near,

That’s the time,
You must keep on trying,
Smile, what’s the use of crying,
You’ll find that life is still worth-while,

If you just smile…

Music by Charles “Charlie” Chaplin; Lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons

another day another Dawn

the cover is from the bulgarian edition, I like it more :)

Last night I’ve finished “Oscar and the Lady in pink.” It’s a little book by the French novelist Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt. This small book really made me think about lots of stuff… made me smile, made me cry, made me feel.  The book contains the letters of a 10-year-old boy addressed to God. They are found by ‘Mamie Rose’, the Lady in Pink of the title, who visits him in hospital in the pink uniform worn by nurses on the children’s ward. The letters describe twelve days in the life of Oscar, twelve days described as 120 years of human life, and they are filled with funny, moving characters. These twelve days may be his last, but thanks to Mamie Rose, who forms a close and affectionate bond with Oscar, they are to become legendary
”Oscar and the Lady in Pink” is a part of Schmitt’s series “Le Cycle de l’Invisible” and most people say that world religions is the only matter of these books, but it’s not like that. They will make you think not only about religion, but about life itself.
Schmitt attempts a harmonization of religions and cultures. “Milarepa” is the first issue in this series and depicts Tibetan Buddhism. The second volume, “Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran” is dedicated to Sufism, a subset of Islam, also referencing Judaism. “Oscar et la dame rose” (the third volume) concerns Christianity. I’ve already read the first three and I’ve just bought “L’enfant de Noé”, which deals with Judaism and Christianity.
Honestly I’ve loved the most “Oscar and the Lady in Pink”, though other books are really good too. But this one… this made me remember that there’s always some hope even in the worst of suffering.
What I like about this book is that it’s simple, but yet brilliant… a small masterpiece, and you certainly won’t forget this short book with the little grain of truth it gives you, the little piece of hope, faith and strength.