I cannot change the direction of the wind- but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination.

With mindful living we are completely in the present,
allowing each moment to unfold and expand into the
blessings that it holds for us. We are aware of every
thought, action and word and how they affect our
reality. We use our power wisely and carefully, being
fully conscious of the fact that our power affects us
and everyone around us. Mindful awareness holds a
great blessing for us, as it allows us to see every
connection and how the Universe conspires to help us
on our path and bring us healing where we need it.

Every experience that we have, including the painful
ones, is designed to uncover an area of growth,
knowledge, understanding or healing. This is what we
came here to do, we just don't remember all of the
details of our soul contract. Being in mindful
awareness reconnects us to those goals and we can view
every experience from the perspective of understanding
and healing instead of fear. There is no secret to
this process and it can make a huge difference in
every part of our lives.

Our mindful awareness begins with the idea that we are
in control of every aspect of our reality and everyone
around us is too. From this point, we see situation as
an exchange in spiritual growth, healing and
understanding. Then we understand that no one can 'do'
anything to us or 'make' us do anything. Every
interaction is not condensed into a 'me-them'
situation. We have a wider perspective and can see all
of the connections, spiritual, mental and emotional,
that are being generated and why.

When we decide to follow the path of mindful awareness
we work with Universal energy, accept divine timing,
the perfection of every situation and do not fall into
judgment of anything or anyone. Then we can move
forward without expectations, so we are free to create
what is in our Highest Good, choosing the best of all
outcomes. With awareness our heart and mind are in
agreement and work together. This week, practice
mindful awareness by looking at a situation in your
life and asking for clarity as to its purpose and any
areas of healing it is bringing you. Accept it for
what it is and know that once you do, the lesson is
over and you can find peace.

 

I believe - That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change. 

I believe - . That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that. 

I believe - . That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love. 

I believe - . That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life. 

I believe - . That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be. 

I believe - . That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It
may be the last time you see them. 

I believe - . That you can keep going long after you think you can't. 

I believe - . That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel. 

I believe - . That either you control your attitude or it controls you. 

I believe - .. That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. 

I believe - . That money is a lousy way of keeping score. 

I believe - . That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time. 

I believe - . That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up. 

I believe - . That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel. 

I believe - . That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated. 

I believe - . That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself. 

I believe - . That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief. 

I believe - . That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. 

I believe - . That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever. 

I believe - . Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different. 

I believe - . That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you. 

I believe - . That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help. 

I believe - . That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being. 

I believe - . That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon. 

The happiest people don't necessarily have the  best of everything; 
they just make the best of everything they have .

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be

brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that

Other people won’t feel insecure about you.

We are born to make, manifest the glory of God that is

within us.

It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give

other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence

liberates others.

So often in our world we tend to think of strength as a quality that arises from a place of firm determination and a will to succeed no matter the cost. Even though we might want to think of a strong woman as being defined in this way, what really makes a woman confident is her capacity for listening to her true self and being able to call upon her feminine wisdom to any situation that may arise. A woman does not need to step into an assertive role or act like a man in order to be effective at what she does—she simply needs to get in touch with her insight and sense of compassion to truly demonstrate the depth of her strength.

Listening to the feminine side of ourselves may not seem easy at first for this type of energy is something that is often overlooked in many aspects of our everyday lives. If we can connect with this part of who we are, however, we will find that there is an unlimited wellspring of strength available to us. Our capacity to tap into our intuition and listen to our inner guides, to take into account the needs of those around us, and to view a situation with compassion and love are ways that we can show the world the true power that is part of our feminine nature. When we learn to integrate this source of strength into our daily tasks and decision-making, we will find that we can be more flexible and open to the things that happen around us and more receptive to new ideas. Not only will we see the world in a different light, but we will truly start to realize the potential for this form of energy to both empower ourselves and those around us.

As we cultivate our feminine energy we can redefine the meaning of strength. By embracing our feminine power as something that is strong in its own right, we are able to use it with true assurance and determination and draw upon what truly belongs to us.

Let us strive to walk in His image and likeness everyday. -Nash Benitez

1. Say something positive as early/soon as possible.

2. Believe in miracles but don't depend on them.

3. Never allow anyone to intimidate.

4. Don't work for recognition but do work worthy of recognition.

5. Remember the credo of Walt Disney: Think. Believe. Dream. Dare.

6. Never comment on someone's weight unless you know it's what they want to hear.

7. Seek respect rather popularity.

8. Seek quality rather than luxury.

9. Start a "read again" file for articles you might want to enjoy a second time.

10. Look for opportunity that's hidden in every adversity.

11. Remember that when your mom says "you'll regret it" you probably will.

12. On your birthday send your mom a thank you card.

13. Never let the odds stop you from pursuing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.

14. Be happy with what you have while working on what you want.

15. Celebrate even small victories.

16. Don’t forget that a couple of words of praise or encouragement can make someone's day.

17. Whenever you hear an ambulance siren say a prayer for the person inside.

18. When in doubt smile.

19. If it's not a beautiful morning let your cheerfulness make it beautiful.

20. Marry someone you’re equal or a little bit better.

21. Remember that a minute of anger denies you 60 seconds of happiness.

22. Never give up on a dream just because of the length of time it will take to accomplish it.

23. Don’t write something you don't want others to read.

24. When taking a true-false test, remember that any statement that includes the word any, all, always, never or ever is usually false.

25. Never tell anybody they can't sing.

26. Become the world's most thoughtful friend.

27. Remember that anything worth doing is going to take longer than you think.

28. Remember that bad luck as well as good luck seldom lasts long.

29. Root for your team to win not for the other team to lose.

30. Accept triumph and defeat with equal grace.

31. Learn your great-grandparent's name and what they did.

32. Savor everyday.

33. Share the remote control.

34. Remember it's not your job to get people to like you; it's your job to like people.

35. Never miss a chance to shake hands with Santa

36. Remember that the only dumb question is the one you wanted to ask but did not ask.

37. Spend time with successful (lucky) people.

38. Stand up for your right principles even if you have to stand alone.

39. Remember that everyone has bad days.

40. Marry someone who loves music.

41. If you know you are going to lose, do it with style.

42. Remember that not all right are popular and not all popular are right.

43. Work diligently.

44. Live simply.

45. Think quickly.

46. Fight fairly.

47. Give generously.

48. Laugh loudly.

49. Pray faithfully.

50. Love deeply.

LOVE Transforms. Compels. Astounds. (July 22, 2005- Fr. Madulid Francisco)

Written by Marco Diaz

Please copy and repost on your blogs. Help start something meaningful.

How can anyone think of fully pardoning Joseph "Erap" Estrada after he was sentenced to a lifetime in prison? I know we all think that most of the people in the Philippine Government are corrupt, but by even considering pardoning him, they prove that there is no real justice left in the country. Might as well let all the crooks out of jail (the murderers, the child rapists, the rebels, and everyone else) because for me, Erap's crimes destroyed more than one or some lives. Pardoning him for a flimsy reason such as "national reconciliation" is a hazy lie that simply translates to me as "Get to the top and you are beyond the Law." Every educated person sees it as a hypocrisy of the people in government, the degradation of the rule of absolute law. We are reconciled because the case has been decided and he was proven guilty by the Republic of the Philippines.

In the words written by George Orwell in Animal Farm "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

Is this what it means to be a Filipino? That we forgive those that have destroyed the future potential of perhaps a whole generation of our countrymen? Pardoning him is inviting yet others to do even worse to us, our children, and our neighbors. Perhaps they are already doing such things. By not doing anything, we have MADE the decision to let it happen.

Destroy a generation is what Estrada has done; his actions as president have affected every single one of us; local or OFW. He's pillaged the Social Security System, damaged the reputation of our stock exchange, supported and strengthened the base of political corruption through gambling pay-offs. It only takes looking at our neighboring countries to see what our potential is and what we are considering forsaking again.

No actor in the Philippines is worth the Php 1 Billion that the country is thinking of handing back to him. There is no way that he can prove he is worth more than Php 1 Billion; much less all those billions that he might have already been able to salt out of the Philippines.

Let's get real for a change. Write to your Congressmen and Senate representatives or just write a blog about it. If you can't be bothered, simply copy and paste this blog! There has to be a point where all this bullshit chokes us, where we can't hold it in and we vomit it out. I don't think that everyone in government is corrupt, but now is the time for everyone to speak out. If he is pardoned by or before Christmas, that 1 billion returned to him will be paid off to the top crooks in government and another criminal is allowed to be kingpin again.

If we are real "Christians" and treat our neighbors like we would like to be treated ourselves, then surely we would forgive Erap as a man, but let him stay in prison for his crimes.

Secrets of successful people
LIVING ALIVE By Dero Pedero
Tuesday, September 11, 2007

SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE ARE CUT ABOVE AVERAGE PEOPLE.. They are passionate and driven, and seem to have more energy than ordinary folks. They believe in their talents and capabilities, are brilliant at conceptualizing ideas, and are highly effective in actualizing their dreams and goals.

SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE ARE HIGHLY MOTIVATED. They set high, demanding goals for themselves. Whether at work, at play, or simply taking care of their personal and family affairs, successful people are winners who love to create and achieve. Most importantly, the ones who succeed most are those who persist and hold on to their vision when the going gets rough.

Here are more distinguishing qualities that separate successful people from the mediocre ones:

• SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE LOVE THEIR JOBS.. Through their occupation, they are aligned to their passions and purpose in life. They value and enjoy what they do, and find fulfillment and significance in their work and accomplishments. Successful people would rather work than play.

• THEY HAVE A GOOD SUPPORT SYSTEM.. Successful people are connected to people who nurture, value, love, and support them — their family, relatives, caring friends, and associates. They find strength in others who encourage and believe in them.

• THEY ARE WELL-CONNECTED AND CAN RELATE TO ANY STRATA IN SOCIETY.. They are always building their network of social and business connections, increasing their number of friends and supporters. Successful people know one of the greatest secrets of success: It’s not only what you know that matters, it’s who you know.

• THEY HAVE AN INFECTIOUS, POSITIVE ATTITUDE.. Successful people always look at the bright side of life and count their blessings often. They spread happiness and sunshine wherever they go, and maintain a healthy optimistic mindset, feeling assured and confident. They have a driven, “I can do it; it can be done!” attitude.

• THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTH AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR BODIES.. They keep physically fit and strong to meet the demands of the fast life. Successful people know the importance of a good diet and consistent exercise regimen. They know how to pace their schedules and effectively manage stress.

• THEY HAVE WELL-SET PRIORITIES.. Successful people have a clear vision of what they want and give precedence to what are most valuable to them. They prioritize their goals, set them on a time schedule, and work on them according to the importance assigned to them.

• THEY KNOW HOW TO MANAGE THEIR RESOURCES.. Successful people develop a systematic way of managing their time, talents, money, and energy. These four elements when properly handled can lead to outstanding achievements and accomplishments for they are the primary investments needed for great success.

• THEY BELIEVE IN THE PRUSUIT OF EXCELLENCE.. Successful people have high self-worth, and won’t settle for anything but the best. They strive for spectacular results and aim for the extraordinary. They put in a hundred percent effort in everything they do.

• THEY TURN EVERY DISSAPONTMENT AND FAILURE INTO SOMETHING GOOD.. Successful people look at failure as a temporary setback in their journey to success. They have great focus and try, over and over again, until they succeed. Winners never give up.

• THEY HAVE GOOD FUNDAMENTAL VALUES AND SET HIGHER GOALS.. Successful people live meaningful and more significant lives because they have clear-cut fundamental values. They set higher goals than typical people and set their goals above everybody else’s.

• SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE-ORIENTED.. Success comes to those who sincerely love being of service to other people — educating minds, uplifting lives, inspiring others. Ever wonder why Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates are mega successful? They are people-oriented and share their talents, ideas, and achievements with the world.

The Agony and the Ecstasy

By Timothy Hoy

There are no guarantees that the sun will shine tomorrow

I once heard someone say that depression makes poverty look like a picnic. In the economic sense that may be true. But in the psychiatric sense, serious depression makes physical death look like a party.

In physical death your heart stops beating, no more breaths are taken and the brain ceases to function. Slowly the body begins to cool and the stiffness of rigormortis settles in. This all happens without the knowledge of the deceased.

Depression is akin to the beginning of a mental ice age. Before the victim understands what is happening the warmth of the sun is replaced by the onrushing freeze. He is dying a mental death. His brain begins to slow down like a mountain stream in the dead of a harsh winter. Thoughts barely trickle between the ice that blocks their free flow. He desperately seeks the warmth that will melt the glaciers that are carving deep dark crevices in his psyche. The bitter cold settles into the pleasure centers of his brain and pushes out the emotional warmth that once nourished him. As this ice age covers more of the emotional landscape the victim tries everything to free himself and escape the deep dark freeze that keeps pulling him down. Slowly, any and all warmth that once dominated the visionscape of the mind is replaced by the desperation and bitter cold of emotional pain. Unfortunately, depression doesn't kill all of the brain and stop one from breathing. No, it's victim is all too aware of the hell into which he has slipped. But the emotional rigormortis has made climbing out all but impossible. He watches his life slowly become frostbitten and die. Suddenly, he's face to face with the painful reality that he just is. He's just there...not alive and not dead...just being. His old life is just a shimmer of hope onto which he clings. Never knowing if he will return but staying totally focused on the dim light of those memories that remind him of what once was. He waits in a suspended state of emotional desperation never accepting the predicament but realizing that he cannot extract himself. He teeters upon the razors edge between surviving the mental ice age and precipitating his own physical death.

The lucky and the strong might survive long enough to see the light of the oncoming spring. From somewhere a sensation breaks through one of the emotional glaciers. A quick feeling of warmth and a glimpse of light. A single photon that magically increases hope and strengthens his resolve to hold on. Slowly the light of spring breaks through the eternal emotional winter. He can see the light of hope again but he still frozen in emotional hell. This in itself is a new trauma for the victim. Surrounded by the light of hope but still deprived of the emotional warmth. It's seeing life but not living it. Like mother nature dangling a carrot in front of your minds eye but keeping it out of reach. He wonders is this all there will be. Again he waits.

Suddenly he feels a tinge of life fight it's way through the freeze. A simple warm feeling that came from nowhere without reason. A drop of water from his frozen pleasure center. Then another drop and another as the depressive glaciers begin their spring thaw. Thoughts and pleasurable feelings begin to once again flow freely. A sense of well being begins to sprout out of some previously buried seed. The mental freeze slowly gives way to the warmth of life. It is the agony and the ecstasy of living. Glaciers becoming mountain lakes and their tributaries. Memories and thoughts all in their prospective places. However, he realizes that he is no longer what he was. The crevices created by the emotional glaciers are much deeper than before. They are now full of the cold clear water that once was the ice from which there was no escape. Emotional lakes full of the knowledge that life holds no guarantees. Waters so deep and dark that hold the memories of the emotional death and despair through which he has just emerged. He never swims in these lakes but never forgets them. Their depths are always with him. The only way he can avoid diving in and drowning is to live life to it's fullest. Painful memories of the never-ending despair are transformed into empathy and compassion for the living. He realizes that he is deeper and wiser than before. Life's little hassles are put in their proper perspective. For he realizes that feeling life's hassles is being alive. He welcomes the challenges of life and all the living that they provide. No longer does life seem so hard to live when compared to not being able to be alive at all.

But deep in the dark cold crevices of his mind is the constant reminder that another ice age could be cast upon him. His only alternative is to live life to its fullest every day. For he knows that there are no guarantees that his sun will shine tomorrow.

"Those who Dream by Night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that all is vanity; but the Dreamers of the Day are Dangerous People, for they may act their Dream with open eyes and make it Possible"

-Lawrence of Arabia

I am the dangerous kind- people tell me that I always have my head in the clouds... what they don't know is that it is filled with visions and dreams that are becoming reality.

-Nash Benitez

10 Ways To Marry The Wrong Person

 by Rabbi Dov Heller, M.A.

 With the divorce rate over 50 percent, too many are apparently making 

a

 serious mistake in deciding who to spend the rest of their life with. 

To

 avoid becoming a "statistic," try to internalize these 10

 insights.

 #1. You pick the wrong person because you expect him/her to change 

after

 you're married.

 The classic mistake. Never marry potential. The golden rule is, if you

 can't be happy with the person the way he or she is now, don't get

 married. As a colleague of mine so wisely put it, "You actually can 

expect

 people

 to change after their married... for the worst!" So when it comes to 

the

 other person's spirituality, character, personal hygiene, 

communication

 skills,

 and personal habits, make sure you can live with these as they are 

now.

 #2. You pick the wrong person because you focus more on chemistry than 

on

 character.

 Chemistry ignites the fire, but good character keeps it burning. 

Beware

 of

 the "I'm in love" syndrome. "I'm in love" often means, "I'm in lust".

 Attraction is there, but have you carefully checked out this person's

 character?

 Here are four character traits to definitely check for:

 Humility: Does this person believe that "doing the right thing" is 

more

 important than personal comfort? Do I want to be more like this 

person?

 Would I like my child to turn out like him or her?

 Kindness: Does this person enjoy giving pleasure to other people? How 

does

 she treat people she doesn't have to be nice to? Does she do volunteer

 work? Give charity?

 Responsibility: Can I depend on this person to do what she says? she's

 going to do?

 Happiness: Does this person like himself? Does she enjoy life? Is she

 emotionally stable?

 Ask yourself: Do I want to be more like this person? Do I want to have 

a

 child with this person? Would I like my child to turn out like him or 

her?

 #3. You pick the wrong person because the man doesn't understand what 

a

 woman needs most.

 Men and women have unique emotional needs, and more often than not, it 

is

 the man who just doesn't "get it." Jewish tradition places the onus on 

the

 man to understand the emotional needs of a woman and to satisfy them. 

The

 unique need of a woman is to be loved -- to feel that she is the most

 important person in her husband's life. The husband needs to give her

 consistent, quality attention. This is most apparent in Judaism's

 approach to sexual intimacy. The Torah obligates the husband to meet 

the

 sexual needs of his wife. Sexual intimacy is always on the woman's 

terms.

 Men are goal-oriented, especially when it comes this area. As a wise 

woman

 once pointed out, "Men have two speeds: on and off." Women are

 experience-oriented. When a man is able to switch gears and become 

more

 experience-oriented, he will discover what makes his wife very happy. 

When

 the man forgets about his own needs and focuses on giving his wife

 pleasure, amazing things happen.

 #4. You choose the wrong person because you do not share common life 

goals

 and priorities.

 There are three basic ways we connect with another person:

 1. chemistry and compatibility

 2. share common interests

 3. share common life goal

 Make sure you share the deeper level of connection that sharing life 

goals

 provide. After marriage, the two of you will either grow together or 

grow

 apart. To avoid growing apart, you must figure out what you're "living

 for," while you're single -- and then find someone who has come to the

 same conclusion as you.

 This is the true definition of a "soul mate." A soul mate is a goal 

mate

 --

 two people who ultimately share the same understanding of life's 

purpose

 and therefore share the same priorities, values and goals.

 #5. You choose the wrong person because you get involved sexually too

 quickly.

 Sexual involvement before the commitment of marriage can be a big 

problem

 because it often precludes a fully honest exploration of important 

issues.

 Sexual involvement tends to cloud one's mind. And a clouded mind is 

not

 inclined to make good decisions.

 Of all the studies done on divorce, sexual incompatibility is never 

cited

 as a main factor. It is not necessary to take a "test drive" in order 

to

 find out if a couple is sexually compatible. If you do your homework 

and

 make sure you are intellectually and emotionally compatible, you don't

 have to worry about sexual compatibility. Of all the studies done on

 divorce,

 sexual incompatibility is never cited as a main reason why people 

divorce.

 #6. You pick the wrong person because you do not have a deeper 

emotional

 connection with this person.

 To evaluate whether you have a deeper emotional connection or not, 

ask:

 "Do I respect and admire this person?" This does not mean, "Am I 

impressed

 by

 this person?" We are impressed by a Mercedes. We do not respect 

someone

 because they own Mercedes. You should be impressed by qualities of

 creativity, loyalty, determination, etc. Also ask: "Do I trust this

 person?"

 This also means, "Is he/she emotionally stable?" Do I feel I can rely 

on

 him/her?

 #7. You pick the wrong person because you choose someone with whom you

 don't feel emotionally safe.

 Ask yourself the following questions:

 Do I feel calm, peaceful and relaxed with this person? Can I fully be

 myself and express myself with this person?

 Does this person make me feel good about myself? Do you have a really

 close friend who does make you feel this way? Make sure the person you

 marry

 makes you feel the same way!

 Are you afraid of this person in any way? You should not feel you need 

to

 monitor what you say because you are afraid of how the other pers on 

will

 view it. If you're afraid to express your feelings and opinions 

openly,

 there's a problem with the relationship.

 Be on the look out for someone who is always trying to change you. 

Another

 aspect of feeling safe is that you don't feel the other person is 

trying

 to control you. Controlling behaviors are a sign of an abusive person.

 Be on the look out for someone who is always trying to change you. 

There's

 a big difference between controlling" and "making suggestions."

 A suggestion is made for your benefit; a control statement is made for

 their benefit.

 #8. You pick the wrong person because you don't put everything on the

 table.

 Anything that bothers you about the relationship must be brought up 

for

 discussion. Bringing up the uncomfortable stuff is the only way to

 evaluate

 how well the two of you communicate, negotiate, and work together. 

Over

 the course of a lifetime, difficulties will inevitably arise. You need 

to

 know

 now, before making a commitment:

 Can you resolve your differences and find compromises that work for 

both

 of you? Never be afraid to let the person know what bothers you. This 

is

 also

 a way For you to test how vulnerable you can be with this person. If 

you

 can't be vulnerable, then you can't be intimate. The two go hand in 

hand.

 #9. You pick the wrong person because you use the relationship to 

escape

 from personal problems and unhappiness.

 If you are unhappy and single, you'll probably be unhappy and married,

 too. Marriage does not fix personal, psychological and emotional 

problems.

 If

 anything, marriage will exacerbate them. If you are not happy with

 yourself

 and your life,

 take responsibility to fix it now while you are single. You'll feel

 better,

 and your future

 spouse will thank you.

 #10. You pick the wrong person because he/she is involved in triangle.

 To be "triangulated" means a perso n is emotionally dependent on 

someone

 or

 something else while trying to develop another relationship. A person 

who

 hasn't separated from his or her parents is the classic example of

 triangulation.

 People can also be triangulated with things as well, such as work, 

drugs,

 Internet,

 hobbies, sports or money.

 Be careful that you and your partner are free of triangles. The person

 caught in the

 triangle cannot be fully emotionally available to you. You will not be

 their

 number one priority.

 And that's no basis for a marriage.

Painting by: Rene Magritte

"A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we’re pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we’re safe in our own paradise. Our soulmate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we’re two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we’ve found the right person. Our soulmate is the one who makes life come to life." - Richard Bach

When I see two blue balloons in my sky, I will have known I have found him. - Natalia Benitez

Here's a clip from one of my favorite movies, Modigliani which stars Andy Garcia as the charming painter Modigliani. Set in Paris, in the year 1908- the film depicts landmark moments in the life of the painter. This is one of my favorite parts as it is a scene wherein Renoir, Pablo Picasso and Amadeo Modigliani (the latter are two of my most favorite painters of all time) are having afternoon tea. Modigliani's spirit captures me. He is both an Artist and was a Genius in his own right.

http://img.youtube.com/vi/dtef6vVuO5w/2.jpg