Rafael Scarfullery's Blog

Happines & Unhappiness

2009-06-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

The old saying, "there's a time for everything under the sun", can be applied to our lives. To me it means that it's wise to be open and accept what happens, even if we don't like it. We've learned to be happy if something happens as we wished and unhappy if the result is against our wish. Happiness is sought and unhappiness avoided. Life, in that way, can be compared to a race where only those who become happy can win.

The key to living a peaceful life is to accept good and bad moments as they come without harboring negative feelings. The time we spend enjoying life is great, but we should also learn that suffering, unhappiness and death are also part of life and we should accept them without complaining.

In this world happiness is not permanent. We can only enjoy moments of it. We can't trap it and put it in a bottle for us. What we can do instead is to be fully engaged in the moment. We know that time is an illusion and only the moment exists, nothing more. We experience peace in our souls only when we accept each moment and live it fully.

Our Modern Food Distribution System

2009-02-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

In this modern world we use a complex food distribution chain system. We can have whatever we want at any time and season and from anywhere in the world. Just imagine! As someone said, "The world comes to us every time we go shopping the grocery store."

The food distribution system works this way:

1. Growers: grow the food

2. Processors: convert the raw product

3. Transportation: transport food from production to distribution centers

4. Packagers: package and grade the product into retail units

5. Warehouse operators/Distribution centers: store the food for future use

6. Retail Grocers: market, display, and sell the product to costumers

This system has its pros and cons. Pros: It's highly efficient for mass distribution. Also, we eat like kings! Food has never been cheaper, especially in the USA. It's so cheap that we see buffets offering a wide variety of food and all you can eat. Every time we enter a buffet it's like being in a banquet. And in other times banquets were reserved for the very rich, kings, special occasions, weddings, etc. Now we take it for granted.

Cons: Cheap food uses fertilizers and pesticides from petroleum and other chemical products. In fact, we're eating petroleum in our food (read the book, "The Ommivorous Dilemma"). Cheap food is also many times genetically modifed, but studies are scarce and uncertain. However, the biggest con I find in the modern food distribution system is that it can lead to hunger in different parts of the world. Large fields in many countries are reserved for a particular crop. Big growers can do well in business, but not small growers, who usually have to sell their land and migrate to cities to find work. If there are only big growers and their crops fail, what happens? Lack of food, but in big quantities that feed many people in different countries. Hunger. Also, whenever people get sick because of eating a particular food and the FDA notices it's tainted food, it orders the company to recall thousands or even millions of pounds of it.

Now, imagine the opposite. Small growers do well in business and even home owners are encouraged to grow some food in their yard. They sell directly to their community and sorrounding areas, and the surplus is sold to cities and even other countries. Homeowners buy only what they need and don't grow. If the small growers' crops fail, starvation will only happen in that area. Not in a large area or even in a country. Also, with local food growers, tainted food will only be a local issue.

So the best option is to encourage local food production. Even organic food is not a good option if it's grown far away. We may still want (for comfort) large food productions such as rice, wheat, etc., but local food production is by far the best choice. So everytime we see a local market, let's stop and support it. And maybe we too can learn to grow food, which can bring joy to our lives.

2009-02-24T14:51:00.000-08:00

I was just reading a little about people who have helped to further peace and this, by Swami Satchidananda, caught my attention:

"A harmonious life "is achieved by maintaining:

1. Our natural condition of a body of optimum health and strength.

2. Senses under total control.

3. A mind well-disciplined, clear and calm.

4. An intellect as sharp as a razor.

5. A will as strong and pliable as steel.

6. A heart full of unconditional love and compassion.

7. An ego as pure as a crystal.

8. And a life filled with Supreme Peace and Joy.

These traits may be for a super human. However, I think, Jesus, who was the son of God, had these traits and he said that we too are God's children. So that means we can have a harmonious life and be a blessing to others.

How to Get Success

2009-02-14T12:44:00.000-08:00

Shakespeare stated that to get success we need to:

1) Know more than others

2) Work more than others

3) Expect less than others

It has been proven over and over again that knowledge plus relentless work lead us straight to achieving our goals. In a LiveScience.com article by Robert Britt, "Is Einstein the last great genius?", he states, "A 35-year study in 2006, which looked at mathematically gifted children to see what they ended up doing with their lives, revealed the ingredients of a great and productive mind: cognitive abilities, educational opportunities, interest, and plain old hard work. Not everyone who starts out smart ends up brilliant." Let's see some people who have achieved great results:

1. St. Paul (yes, the evangelist). He stated in I Corinthians 15:10: "I worked harder than all of them." In fact, Christianity wouldn't have spread throughout the world without St. Paul's hard work.

2. Will Smith (a Hollywood actor). He stated: I have less talent, but I work harder than anyone in Hollywood. And it pays off. His movies are the most rentable.

Let's learn from others and get to work harder than anyone.

2007-03-21T08:06:00.000-07:00

Who are those who really make life worth living? These, according to Jesus:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Let us memorize these verses and live accordingly. Then life will be a blessing, not only to us, but to others.

2007-03-16T17:39:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I went to see a piano that is being sold at a thrifty store in Lynchburg, VA. Not Salvation Army or Goodwill, but a small one run by a pastor and his wife. When I finished playing the piano, they asked me to play the guitar and I gladly accepted. I played "Let us take bread together on my knees". Having finished playing, the lady told me that she and her husband sang and played together. Then they set up their instruments and sang a song that he'd composed. It was so beautiful to see this couple singing and playing together! So much eagerness and love! Then they invited me to have some doughnuts. I was struck by the service and work they showed to their customers. Just imagine all businesses run by people like them!

Real Estate at Risk

2007-03-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

Nowhere in the world can you buy a house so easily. Just in the USA. I suppose. Sometimes even with no downpayment and even if you don't make enough money to pay the monthly bills. In other countries you must have at least 20% or 30% of the total price of the house as a downpayment and prove that you have sufficient income every month to pay the loan.

Nowhere in the world can you see so many foreclosures. The reason behind this, according to Steven Pearlstein in a Washington Post article from today, is the greed from investment bankers and mortgate brokers. According to him, these are the various kinds of loans we can take:

1. The balloon mortgage: the borrower pays only interest for 10 years before a big lump-sum payment is due.
2. The liar loan: the borrower is asked merely to state his annual income, without presenting any documentation.
3. The option ARM loan: the borrower can pay less than the agreed-upon interest and principal payment, simply by adding to the outstanding balance of the loan.
4. The piggyback loan: a combination of a first and second mortgage eliminates the need for any down payment.
5. The teaser loan: qualifies a borrower for a loan based on an artificially low initial interest rate, even though he or she doesn't have sufficient income to make the monthly payments when the interest rate is reset in two years.
6. The stretch loan: the borrower has to commit more than 50 percent of gross income to make the monthly payments.
7. Even the NINJA loan: No Income, No Job and No Assets.

Why are they doing these? Because they make money by selling the mortgages. It doesn't matter to them if people aren't able to pay the loans.

The Bible admonishes us not to have debts for more than 7 years. Dave Ramsey, founder of Financial Peace University and Christian financial counselor, urges us to avoid the debt trap. He advises buying a house only when we have a good downpayment, enough cash in our emergency and savings funds (3-6 months of salary), and don't have any other big debts. If you'd like to know his Christian and conservative approach, go this website: http://www.daveramsey.com.

Be aware of the buy now, pay later mentality. One never knows what will happen later. The Bible states that the 'borrower is servant to the lender'. So be cautious and only buy if you have enough cash and can pay back on a regular basis. Let us not become slaves.

Is Fast Food killing us?

2007-03-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

Some months ago I read the book, Fast Food Nation, by Eric Schlosser. It is a book that we all must read. It gives light on health and food issues that are growing every day because of the popularity of fast food. It seems that we don't like to cook anymore. Is that because we may think that buying raw healthy food and cooking is a waste of time? Or is it because we want everything right away? No waiting time. Period. Give it to me now or forget it!

If we all discover what kind of meat, chemical ingredients, and fats we're eating, and what effects they're making on our health, we would all stop buying fast food. I also watched "Supersize me", a film by Morgan Spurlock, and I was amazed at the further light it shed on this topic. I remember he put cooked french fries that he bought from McDonalds to a test and see how long they last without spoiling. Two months passed and they hadn't spoiled! What chemicals do those french fries have?

Another issue with the fast food chains is obesity. They're making people eat more. That's gluttony! An overindulgence of food and drink! At McDonald's they ask you: Would you like to supersize it? At the buffet restaurants: All you can eat! At parties and social gatherings: Please, help yourselves! At home they tell you: Don't leave any food! It's interesting to know that during early Christianity, sins were classified in order to educate people about our sinful nature. In the classification, gluttony is number two! No wonder when the Catholic church, in order to induce fear, stated that gluttons went to the Purgatory, where they stood between two trees, but couldn't reach or eat their fruits. So gluttons starve there! But meanwhile, here and now, we are getting obese, sick, tired, and hopeless. Thus we live less and have less time to fulfill our purpose on earth.

Let us stop eating fast food and eat instead healthy food such as vegetables and fruits, whole grains, beans, and nuts. Check these websites below. They can help us find better health and eating habits:

http://www.chooseveg.com/vegan_food_pyramid.asp?bandwidth=high&rate=992

http://www.wholehealthlifestyle.com/html/8laws.html

Hope fuels our lives

2007-03-10T12:10:00.000-08:00

From the instant we're born, we hope. We hope that we'll continue breathing, eating, and being safe; all this in order to survive. Well, I forgot pleasure, which is the main hope of this entertainment-oriented generation: Are you having fun? Cool! Awesome! Heavy! All these hopes define our lives throughout our life stages and they can stop us from doing the real things that matter: our small contribution to others in the form of goodness, peace, love, sharing, and compassion. These are the things that matter.

Just think this way: Since our birth we're dying and we have a limited amount of years to accomplish our destiny. We then choose one of these paths:

1. Get an education, work or start a business in order to make a living and live well, have a family, buy a house or more, buy and buy things, invest, save the most we can for retirement, retire, and die.

or

2. Get an education, work or start a business in order to accomplish your destiny, have a family, buy a house, supply needs, give to or start a non-profit organization to help people in need, invest in worthy causes (not Wall Street which is full of greed), save for retirement just in case, not retire (continue working until there is strenght), and die.

We decide which one will direct our lives. Selfish motives? Choose the first one. Unselfish? Choose the second. Let me put it this way: Imagine just the moment before dying. What matters more? Our past hopes are gone. Our deeds are done. We have lived our lives. A sweet and sour feeling sorrounds the selfish: We lived well and had fun, but didn't accomplish my destiny and didn't make the world a better place. Now what's next? On the other side, a sweet feeling is all around the unselfish: We lived happily, enjoyed life, accomplished our destiny and did all possible to make the world a better place. Now we hope to see God in eternity.

Thinking and working your dream

2007-02-25T20:21:00.000-08:00

This year is a special year for me. I've always had a lot of jobs and I've always been studying. However, this year I've just been performing concerts and composing. Nothing else. And let me tell you, it is wonderful! For many years I was afraid to do this. Jobs are secure, no? Well, I don't think so because if I work from 7 am till 9 pm, as I did before, I don't have time for doing the things that I do really care. I don't have time to think, create ideas, make plans and act upon them. And the great Albert Schweitzer said that 'men nowadays don't think'. We just are very busy and that busyness does not let us achieve the activity that differentiates us from animals: thinking.

Now I spend my days practicing, composing, arranging, performing concerts, thinking, learning, and finding new opportunities to make contributions with my art. This is great! And I am being paid! My dream is my job. Well, we all can do the same and make the decision to live our dreams.

2007-01-21T06:15:00.000-08:00

Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.
Norman Cousins

Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows. Pope Paul VI

Let us not judge

2007-01-19T19:13:00.000-08:00

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. Carl Jung

If you judge people, you have no time to love them. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

The more one judges, the less one loves. Honore de Balzac

We do not judge the people we love. Jean-Paul Sartre

A major advantage of age is learning to accept people without passing judgment. Liz Carpenter

2007-01-17T14:36:00.000-08:00

Defer no time, delays have dangerous ends. Shakespeare

You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future.

Time is free, but it's priceless. You can'town it, but you can use it. You can't keepit, but you can spend it. Once you've lost ityou can never get it back. Harvey MacKa

We don't have an eternity to realize our dreams, only the time we are here. Susan Taylor

Discover your World (Descubre tu Mundo)

2006-09-28T12:21:00.001-07:00

“Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.” Buddha

Spanish Version:

"Tu trabajo es descubrir tu mundo y entonces dedicarte a él con todo tu corazón." Buda

Discover your World (Descubre tu Mundo)

2006-09-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

Have an active life (Ten una vida activa)

2006-09-12T16:16:00.000-07:00

"Those who cry more when dying are those who have never lived. They have been just observers of life, but not active participants. They have not taken any risks. Thus, they have remained on side of the road". E. Kubler-Ross

Versión en español:

"Quienes más gritan en el lecho de muerte son quienes nunca han vivido. Han sido meros observadores de la vida, pero no participantes activos. No se han arriesgado. Han permanecido al margen del camino". E. Kubler-Ross

Follow your Light (Sigue tu Luz)

2006-09-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

This is a fragment of a poem by a dominican poet. I hope you enjoy it.

What are the applauses or the hatred of a moment to the conscience of an honest person? They are echoless and worthless rumors that get lost with the wind. Only the pilgrim's torch lasts with everlasting brightness, and you go towards truth, to a light that guides you. Salomé Ureña

Versión en español:

Este es un fragmento de un poema de una poetiza dominicana. Espero que lo disfruten.

¿Qué son a la conciencia del honrado los aplausos o el odio de un momento? Rumores que se pierden con el viento sin eco y sin valor. Sólo perdura un brillo permanente de la verdad la antorcha peregrina, y tú vas, como a luz que te ilumina, de la verdad en pos. Salomé Ureña

Preparation (Preparación)

2006-09-05T17:01:00.000-07:00

Please, read these great quotes on being prepared:

"Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity”. Henry Hartman
“If your're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job.” Brooks Robinson
“Luck is a crossroad where preparation and opportunity meet. Anonymous
“I have yet to be in a game where luck was involved. Well-prepared players make plays. I have yet to be in a game where the most prepared team didn't win.” Urban Meyer
“What we do upon some great occasion will probably depend on what we already are; and what we are will be the result of previous years of self-discipline.” H. P. Liddon

Versión en Español:

Por favor, léa estas citas sobre estar preparado:

"El éxito viene cuando la preparación se junta con la oportunidad." Henry Hartman
"Si no estás practicando, alguien está practimente, en algún lugar, y esa persona estará lista para ocupar tu trabajo." Brooks Robinson
"La suerte es un cruce donde la preparación y la oportunidad se juntan." Anónimo
"Todavía no he estado en un juego donde esté envuelta la suerte. Los jugadores bien preparados hacen bien el juego. Todavía no he estado en un juego donde el equipo más preparado haya perdido." Urgan Meyer
"Lo que hacemos en un gran momento depende de lo que somos; y lo que somos es el resultado de años previos de disciplina." H. P. Liddon

Let us Be Quiet

2006-08-29T15:05:00.000-07:00

In a single day we keep ourselves very busy working, watching T.V., surfing the internet, chatting online, listening to music, speaking on the phone, etc. However, do we have some quiet time? It is important to be quiet because it gives us time to think on how we are doing in this point of our lives, have a broad view of it, and then continue to fulfill our destiny. Read these great quotes about how being quiet helps to live better.

“I lived in solitude in the country and noticed how the monotony of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind” Albert Einstein
"A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, for it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy dare live” Bertrand Russell
“There is always music amongst the trees in the garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.” Minnie Aumonier
“Quiet people are well able to look after themselves.” Irish Proverb
“A quiet mind cures all.” Robert Burton
“All men's miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone.” Blaise Pascal
“In quiet moments when you think about it, you recognize what is critically important in life and what isn't. Be wise and don't let good things crowd out those that are essential.” Richard Scott
“Be Silent yourself, that will induce Silence in others. Do not fall into the habit of shouting, talking long and loud. Reduce contacts to the minimum. Carry with you an atmosphere of quiet contemplation, wherever you happen to be. The less you talk, the more will become your mental power. With the increase in your mental capacity, there will be increase in your power of discrimination too. Consequently, you will give up individual discrimination . Because of this, you will begin to consider the good of the world at large rather than your own individual welfare. You must cultivate such broad feelings from this young age itself.” Sri Sathya Sai Baba
“Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world.” Hans Margolius
The best cure for the body is a quiet mind.” Napoleon Bonaparte
“Learn to be quiet enough to hear the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others.” Marian Edelman
“We need quiet time to examine our lives openly and honestly. . . spending quiet time alone gives your mind an opportunity to renew itself and create order.” Susan Taylor
“The good and the wise lead quiet lives.” Euripides

No to War. Yes to Love (No a la guerra. Si al Amor)

2006-08-28T16:24:00.000-07:00

Hello:

Today I wanted to include some great quotes about war and its futility. Please, read and ponder about them.

"The greatest warrior is one who never has to use his sword." Anonymous
"Every war is against the world and every war against the world is lost." Alice Walker
"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that we have to erect the ramparts of peace." UNESCO Charter
"At the root of all war is fear." Thomas Merton
"Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him." Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Our best hope for survival is to change the way we think about enemies and warfare. Instead of being hypnotized by the enemy we need to begin looking at the eyes with which we see the enemy." Sam Keen
"If we could read the secret history of your enemies, we should find in each person's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility." Longfellow
"The ultimate dragon is within you." Joseph Campbell
"You cannot overcome the enemy until you've healed in yourself that which you find despicable in them." The I Ching

Versión en español:

Hoy he querido escribir algunas citas sobre la guerra y su futilidad. Por favor, léalas y piense sobre ellas:

"El más grande guerrero es aquel que nunca ha usado su espada." Anónimo
"Toda guerra es contra el mundo y toda guerra que es contra el mundo está perdida." Alice Walker
"Como las guerras comienzan en las mentes de los hombres, es en las mentes de los hombres que tenemos que eregir los cimientos de la paz." UNESCO Charter
"En la raíz de toda guerra se encuentra el miedo." Thomas Merton
"No violencia significa evitar, no sólo la violencia física externa, sino la violencia interna del espiritu. Usted no solamente se niega a dispararle a un hombre, sino que usted se niega a odiarlo." Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Nuestra mejor esperanza para sobrevivir es cambiar la manera en que pensamos sobre nuestros enemigos y sus métodos de guerra. En vez de ser hipnotizados por el enemigo, debemos comenzar a observar los ojos con los que mirarmos al enemigo." Sam Keen
"Si pudieramos leer la historia secreta de nuestros enemigos, podríamos encontrar en la vida de cada persona tanta pena y sufrimiento que esto bastará para desarmar cualquier hostilidad." Longgellow
"El dragón más poderoso está dentro de ti." Joseph Cambpell
"No puedes derrotar al enemigo hasta que hayas sanado en ti mismo aquello que repudias en ellos." El I Ching

By being kind we find happiness (Al ser bondadosos encontramos la felicidad)

2006-08-26T15:10:00.000-07:00

Mother Teresa said: “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”

I hope that every single moment we encounter our neighbor becomes an opportunity to be kind. Ancient Mayans greeted in a very interesting way, which reflects that we all are brothers: "I am another you." So, let us be kind to one another and remember to do to others what we want them to do to us.

Versión en español:

La Madre Teresa dijo: "No deje que nadie venga a ti sin salir mejor y más feliz. Sé la expresión viviente de la bondad de Dios: bondad en tu rostro, bondad en tus ojos, bondad en tu sonrisa."

Espero que cada momento que encontremos a alguien sea una oportunidad para ser bondadosos. Los antiguos Mayas tenían una manera peculiar de saludarse que refleja que somos hermanos: "Soy otro tú." Así que seamos bondadosos unos a otros y recordemos hacer a otros lo que queremos que ellos nos hagan.

Use visualization to enhance your performance (Use la visualización para mejorar su rendimiento)

2006-08-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

Visualization is imagination 100%. It is making a picture in your mind of whatever you'd like to accomplish before it happens. Every person knows how to use visualization. We just have to be aware of it and learn how to use it correctly to help achieve our goals. Do you remember ordering for an ice cream? Did you visualize enjoying it? I guess so! Do you remember your thoughts before that dentist's appointment? Awful! Remember Abraham. In the Bible story he decided to obey God and move to a strange and far land because he visualized all the generations of children when he looked up at the stars at night. That's also anticipating and visualizing.

How do we do it? First, we imagine what we want to accomplish. Then we split it to the smallest detail. We do this over and over and always remain in the present. It is important to think that it is really happening. Otherwise it won't work.
Many professional athletes, actors, musicians, speakers, and others use this technique to attain excellent performances. In fact, it enhances effiency so much, that astronauts practice visualizing their trip before going to space.

Versión en español:

La visualización es imaginación 100%. Es crear un cuadro en su mente de lo que usted quiere lograr antes de que suceda. Cada persona sabe como usar la visualización. Solamente tenemos que estar conscientes de ello y aprender a usarla correctamente para ayudarnos a lograr nuestras metas. ¿Recuerda cuando ordenaba un helado o nieve? ¿Recuerda haber visualizado disfrutándolo? A lo mejor que si! ¿Recuerda sus pensamientos antes de ir al dentista? Ay! Recuerde también a Abraham. En la historia bíblica, él decide obedecer a Dios y se muda a otra tierra extraña y lejos porque él visualizó todas las generaciones de sus hijos cuando observaba las estrellas en la noche. Eso también es anticipar y visualizar.

¿Cómo lo hacemos? Primero tenemos que imaginar lo que queremos lograr. Entonces lo ponemos en pequeños detalles. Hacemos esto muchas veces, recordando siempre estar en el presente. Es importante pensar que está sucediendo realmente; sino, no funciona. Muchos atletas, actores, músicos, y otros usan esta técnica para lograr una ejecución excelente. De hecho, la visualización mejora tanto la eficacia en la ejecución, que astronautas la usan en su práctica de viaje antes de ir al espacio.

What matters in life (Lo importante de la vida)

2006-08-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

If we are just living at the mercy of others and not living our lives fully, then it's time to make a stop. If life is complicated, full of troubles without solution, then think about this simple quote:

Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and work and to play and to look up at the stars. Anonymous

Versión en español:

Si estamos viviendo a merced de otros y sin vivir nuestras vidas completamente, entonces es tiempo de parar y meditar que pasa. Si la vida es complicada, llena de problemas sin soluciones, entonces piensa en esta simple frase:

Sé feliz con la vida porque te da la oportunidad de amar y trabajar y jugar y mirar las estrellas. Anónimo

Live well, laugh often, love much (Vive bien, sonríe a menudo, ama mucho)

2006-08-23T12:27:00.000-07:00

Many times we keep ourselves very busy and then we realize that we have missed the most important things in our lives. And that's because we don't take time to ponder about our purpose on life. Some anonymous author said:
"Take time for what matters most...Life is not measured in the breath we take, but by the moments that take our breath away...Live well, laugh often, and love much."

Versión en español:

Muchas veces nos mantenemos muy ocupados y entonces nos damos cuenta que hemos dejado de hacer las cosas que realmente nos importan en la vida. Y eso pasa porque no tomamos tiempo para meditar sobre nuestro propósito en la vida. Un autor anónimo dijo:
"Toma tiempo para lo que es más importante...La vida no se mide por el aliento que tomamos, sino por los momentos que nos quitan el aliento...Vive bien, sonríe a menudo y ama mucho."

Peace is possible (Es posible la paz)

2006-08-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding. Ralph Waldo Emerson
One cannot subdue a man by holding back his hands. Lasting peace comes not from force. David Borenstein
Peace hath higher tests of manhood, than battle ever knew. John Greenleaf Whittier
It is easier to lead men to combat, stirring up their passion, than to restrain them and direct them toward the patient labors of peace. Andre Gide
Yes, we love peace, but we are not willing to take wounds for it, as we are for war.
John Andrew Holmes
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. John F. Kennedy
You don't have to have fought in a war to love peace. Geraldine Ferraro
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa
Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice. Baruch Spinoza
The pacifist's task today is to find a method of helping and healing which provides a revolutionary constructive substitute for war. Vera Brittain
He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows or all he sees.
Benjamin Franklin
A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser. William Shakespeare
Peace and justice are two sides of the same coin. Dwight D. Eisenhower
It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it. Eleanor Roosevelt
Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it. Thomas Jefferson
An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind. Mohandas Gandhi
Peace begins with a smile. Mother Teresa
War will never cease until babies begin to come into the world with larger cerebrums and smaller adrenal glands. H. L. Mencken

Versión en español:

La paz no se puede lograr con la violencia. Solamente se logra con el entendimiento. R. W. Emerson
Uno no puede controlar un hombre atando sus manos. La paz duradera no viene de la fuerza. D. Borenstein
La paz prueba al hombre más que la batalla. J. G. Whittier
Es más fácil dirigir hombres al combate y hacer que se enojen, que hacer que tengan paciencia y entonces dirigirlos hacia la paz con paciencia y trabajo. A. Gide
Si. Amámos la paz, pero no queremos sufrir por ella, como no queremos sufrir por la guerra. J. A. Holmes
Los que hacen que la revolución pacífica sea imposible hacen que la revolución violenta sea inevitable. J. F. Kennedy
Usted no tiene que haber peleado en una guerra para amar la paz. G. Ferraro
Si no tenemos paz, es porque hemos olvidado que nos pertenecemos los unos a los otros. Madre Teresa
La paz no es la ausencia de la guerra, es una virtud, un estado de la mente, una disposición de benevolencia, confianza y justicia. B. Spinosa
La tarea del pacifista moderno es encontrar un método de ayuda y sanamiento que provea un substituto construtivo y revolucionario de la guerra. V. Brittain
El que quiera vivir en paz y tranquilidad no debiera hablar todo lo que sabe o lo que ve. B. Franklin
La paz es la naturaleza de la conquista. Las dos partes son derrotadas noblemente y ninguna parte es perdedora. W. Shakespeare
La paz y la justicia son dos lados de la misma moneda. D. D. Wisenhower
No es suficiente hablar sobre la paz. Uno debe creer en ella. Y no es suficiente creer en ella. Uno debe tratar de buscarla. E. Roosevelt
La paz y amistad con toda la humanidad es la política más sabia, y deseo que se nos permita lograrla. T. Jefferson
"Ojo por ojo" solamente logra que todo el mundo llegue a ser ciego. M. Gandhi
La paz comienza con una sonrisa. Madre Teresa
La guerra nunca cesará hasta que los recién nacidos comiencen a llegar al mundo con cerebros grandes y glándulas adrenales pequeñas. H. L. Mencken

Expanding our sphere of influence

2006-08-12T17:53:00.000-07:00

Every person has a sphere of influence. And it is very important to be aware that we have at least a little influence on every person we meet, no matter if they are our friends, relatives or any other. Then we should ponder about it and try to live a dignified life, a touching life, a life that makes a contribution to other people.

Versión en español:

Cada persona tiene una esfera de influencia. Y es importante reconocer que, al menos, tenemos una pequeña influencia sobre cada persona que conocemos, no importa si son nuestros familiares, amigos o cualquier otra persona. Entonces debemos pensar sobre eso y tratar de vivir una vida diga, que toque a los demás; una vida que haga una contribución a los demás.

Let us help those in need

2006-08-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

Let us love our neighbors and help those who are in need. A long time ago I read about a story and I pondered about it. A man found a child in need. Think about what happened:

After inviting him with some food and a soda, he asked the child if he was cold, and the child answered: "Why should I be cold?...I can't afford to be cold because I don't have any coat"...

Versión en español:

Amemos a nuestros prójimos y ayúdemos a los necesitados. Hace mucho tiempo leí un incidente que me puso a pensar. Un señor encontró a un niño necesitado y piense lo que pasó:
Luego de invitarlo con unas empanadas y una gaseosa, le preguntó si no tenía frío, a lo que el niño le contestó: "Para que voy a tener?...Si yo sé que no tengo que ponerme..."

Let's have a conscious effort to live with dignity

2006-08-10T13:15:00.000-07:00

I don't know anything more motivating than the unquestionable capacity of human beings to dignify their lives through a consciuos effort. H. D. Thoreau

Versión en español:

No conozco ningún hecho más alentador que la incuestionable capacidad del ser humano para dignificar su vida por medio del esfuerzo consciente. H. D. Thoreau

The little decisions matter

2006-08-09T14:48:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I consider the tremendous consequences of the little decisions...I feel tempted to think...that there are not little decisions. Bruce Barton

Spanish version:

A veces cuando considero las tremendas consecuencias de las cosas pequeñas...me siento tentado a pensar...que no hay cosas pequeñas. Bruce Barton

Let´s have a positive attitude

2006-08-08T08:36:00.000-07:00

1. Instead of complaining, we make the most of our current situation.
2. We won´t get stuck in bad situations for long because we aren´t resisting them. What we resist persists. Instead we will simply take action.
3. We will be more accepting of the emotions we experience. When we are sad, we will fully experience the sadness. When we are angry, we will be angry. When we are happy, we will enjoy the happiness.
4. We won´t be so judgmental about events. Life is life. It is just what´s happening. Everything that happens is instructive in one way or another. It is part of the grand experience. In a world where no one ever got sick, no one would appreciate health. Everyone would take it for granted. Maybe the "bad" things happen so you will be grateful for the good things. Just an idea. Taken from "Coach yourself to success" by Talane Miedaner

Spanish version:

1. En vez de quejarnos, hagamos lo mejor de nuestra situación actual.
2. Si no resistimos nuestras situaciones malas, no nos hundiremos en ellas. Lo que resistimos, persiste. En vez de eso, tomemos acción.
3. Aceptemos las emociones que experimentamos. Cuando estemos tristes, experimentemos la trizteza. Cuando estemos enojados, experimentemos el enojo. Cuando estemos contentos, disfrutemos la felicidad.
4. No juzguemos demasiado los eventos. La vida es la vida. Es solamente lo que está pasando. Todo lo que ocurre nos enseña algo de alguna manera. Es parte de la gran experiencia. En un mundo donde nadie se enferme, nadie apreciaría la salud. Todos pensarían que es algo natural. Tal vez las cosas "malas" ocurren para que seamos agradecidos de las buenas cosas. Esto es solamente una idea. Tomado del libro "Coach yourself to success" de Talane Miedaner

Let us be humble

2006-08-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

One of the most beautiful and greatest virtues of human beings is to be humble. Let´s read what a great sage has to say about this:

Great sages have childlike natures. Before God they are always like children. They have no pride. Their strength is the strength of God, the strength of their Father. They have nothing to call their own. They are firmly convinced of that.
Ramakrishna

Versión en español:

Una de las más bellas y más grandes virtudes de los seres humanos es ser humilde. Leamos lo que un gran sabio nos dice acerco de esto:

Los grandes sabios tienen la naturaleza de un niño. Siempre son como niños antes Dios. No tienen orgullo. Su fuerza es la fuerza de Dios, la fuerza de su padre. No poseen nada que sea de ellos. Están firmemente convencidos de eso. Ramakrishna

Decide what to do in your life

2006-08-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

If you want to have a successful life, then decide who you want to be, then act on that decision. By doing so you will effortlessly attract the life you want. And a funny thing happens when you start living this way - you discover what you really want. You no longer waste precious time on goals, projects, or relationships that aren´t fulfilling...When are at our best, doing fulfilling work and feeling happy and excited about life, it is natural to attract success. Taken from the book "Coach yourself to success" by Talane Miedaner.

Versión en Español:

Si usted quiere tener una vida exitosa, entonces decida quién usted quiere ser, y entonces actúe basado en esa decisión. Al hacer esto usted va a atraer, sin esfuerzo, la vida que quiere. Y algunas cosas pasan cuando usted comienza a vivir de esta manera - usted descubre lo que realmente quiere. Ya no perderá tiempo precioso en metas, proyectos o relaciones que no le satisfacen...Cuando hacemos lo mejor que podemos, como cuando hacemos trabajos que nos gustan y cuando nos sentimos llenos de vida, entonces es natural atraer éxito. Tomado del libro "Coach yourself to success" by Talane Miedaner.

2006-08-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

Learn and Help Learn
(Taken from the book "Mindsent" by Carol Dweck)

Every day presents you with ways to grow and to help the people you care about grow. How can you remember to look for these chances? Each morning, as you contemplate the day in front of you, try to ask yourself these questions:

What are the opportunities for learning and growth today? For myself? For the people around me? As you think of opportunities, form a plan, and ask:

When, where, and how will I embark on my plan? When, where, and how make the plan concrete. How asks you to think of all the ways to bring your plan to life and make it work.

As you encounter the inevitable obstacles and setbacks, form a new plan and ask yourself the question again: When, where, and how will I act on my new plan?

Regardless of how bad you may feel, do it! And when you succeed, don't forget to ask yourself: What do I have to do to maintain and continue the growth?

Versión en Español

Aprende y Ayuda a Aprender
(Tómado del libro "Mindsent" de Carol Dweck)

Cada día nos presenta diferentes maneras para crecer y ayudar las personas que tú crees necesitan crecer. Cómo puedes buscar estas oportunidades? Cada mañana, mientras contemplas el día que comienza, hazte estas preguntas:

Cuáles son las oportunidades para aprender y crecer de hoy? Para mi mismo? Para las personas que me rodean? Mientras piensas cuales son las oportunidades, desarrolla un plan y pregúntate:

Cuándo, dónde, y cómo vas a comenzar tu plan? Cuándo, dónde, y cómo hacen que el plan sea concreto. Cómo te hace pensar sobre todas las maneras en las que puedes realizar el plan de tu vida y hacer que se cúmpla. Mientras encuentras obstáculos, desarrolla un nuevo plan y hazte la pregunta de nuevo:

Cuándo, dónde, y cómo vas a poner en práctica tu plan? No importa cuán mal te sientas, házlo! Y cuando tengas éxito, no olvides preguntarte:

Qué tengo que hacer para mantener y continuar creciendo?

2006-07-31T15:17:00.000-07:00

Our hopes keep us alive. A friend of mine from Kansas, Glenn, taught me that life is not a destination, it is a journey. My desire is that throughout this journey we may see our hopes a reality. Think about this:

Men and women are limited not by the place of their birth, not by the color of their skin, but by the size of their hope. John Johnson

La esperanza nos mantiene vivos. Un amigo de Kansas, Glenn, me enseñó que la vida no es un destino, es un viaje. Mi deseo es que durante este viaje podamos ver nuestras esperanzas como una realidad. Lea este pensamiento:

El ser humano no está limitado por el lugar de su nacimiento, ni por el color de su piel, sino por el tamaño de su esperanza. John Johhson

2006-07-29T21:32:00.000-07:00

The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours. No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen. And the fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not a jot. The possibility is always there.
Monica Baldwin

El momento cuando te levantas por primera vez en la manana es el mas maravilloso de todas las 24 horas del dia. No importa cuan cansado te sientas, posees la certeza de que durante el dia que tienes delante de ti, cualquier cosa puede pasar. Y aunque casi nunca pase nada, no importa. La posibilidad esta ahi.

2006-07-26T13:46:00.000-07:00

Hello! I hope that you may see the beauty that is around you.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever:
Its loveliness increases;
It will never pass into nothingness;
But still will keep a bower quiet for us,
And a sleep full of sweet dreams,
And health, and quiet breathing.

By John Keats, Endymion Bk. i, I

Rafael Scarfullery's Blog

2006-07-19T14:02:00.000-07:00

Rafael Scarfullery's Blog

This is an excellent way to live to the fullest:

Take every moment, as though it may be your last.
Live it to its fullest, for soon it shall pass.
On your way to the end, make as many memories as you can,
For when you reach the end, it may be all you have left.
While I am away don't look down or back, because you won't see me,
Just look in your heart and dreams, and I will always be there.
So till I return, follow your heart and dreams,
Because I will be there with you, every step of the way.