Happy New Year 2014

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. I wish everyone a happy, healthy & honest new year, a year free of illusions. Have a wonderful 2014.

An interesting book to read

A very emotional and beautiful story that is written in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Persian in one book. I bought it from Amazon at the discounted price. It is an excellent choice for a gift to a loved one.

Social and personal space

There are considerable differences among different spaces: the public space, social space, personal space and finally intimate space that extends outward from our bodies in every directions. Different people in our life can be placed in different spaces and sometimes we change their positions when there are some conflicts with our comfort zone. The criteria for these divisions can be explained in individual, cultural, or social differences but sometimes it is much more complicated and we have just to rely on our feelings.

What is not forgotten

Words can be easily forgotten, but the facial expressions stay forever in the mind.

Unpretentious act of kindness

Nothing can be more impressive that an unpretentious act of kindness from a stranger. The other day I was at a train station and saw a passenger struggling to buy a ticket from the ticket machine with her credit card and it was an unsuccessful attempt and she had no cash and could not find a cash machine and the train approaching any minute; she was frustrated; suddenly another passenger bought her the ticket and while giving it to her said: "You do it for another person."And left, she did not wait to be thanked. And once I was on a bus and saw an old man got off the bus several stops earlier just to help a stranger who was looking for an address. Beautiful and unpretentious acts of kindness from strangers is what make the ultimate chain of kindness.

An interesting film to watch

It is always worth to watch a good film even for several times. I recently re-watched Cookie's Fortune directed by Robert Altman. It is a really funny and interesting film that undoubtedly has the feel-good  factor and shows some realities of life too. I was wondering why this good film is relatively unknown  to even those people who know about the films worth watching!

Running for health

I doubt any exercise can beat running in improving our health in both mind and body. Twenty minutes of running at least three times a week can make a huge difference in our well being. Twenty minutes of running is more effective than even six hours of walking. Running makes us feel much better and makes us sharper with better functioning of our brain. It is also very good for our skin, after several months of regular running, we will see the difference, it will make the skin glowing and radiant without using the artificial make up. Of course, it should be with healthy eating too, by avoiding the processed foods and just eating fresh and home made foods.

Difference between high self-esteem and pride

There are lots of differences between high self-esteem and pride. A person with high self-esteem respects human dignity, as a result respects everyone including himself or herself; she or he does not consider herself or himself above others. But a proud person usually consider himself or herself better than others. No one, absolutely no one can humiliate a person with high self-esteem and of course, he or she never humiliates anyone, but sometimes a proud person can be easily humiliated. High self-esteem has deep roots, but pride is on the surface and can be easily ruined.

Unique beauty

Some places have a beautiful sight or aspect that is unique and distinguishes it from other places; some of these heartwarming sights that can have long-lasting positive impressions on anyone who is able to appreciate the beauty of it are as follows: Golden Gate bridge when it is partly covered in mist in San Francisco, the local shops and beach in Carmel, the butterflies and the ocean waves especially when they meet the beautiful rocks in Pacific Grove. I could post some photos but I did not because it does not do the justice and they are more dreamy than even the best photo can show.

Trust

Trust: it takes a long time to build but it takes just a second to lose.

One incident, dozens of views

Always there are dozens of different views about one single incident. By reading the comment sections on the news websites we can see how people perceive things differently. A recent example was in the chaos of the shooting incident, while every one was running to save their own life , one kind person helped a terrified blind man. In the comments about this, many readers praised his kindness, but there were also many opposite comments such as "the blind man was used as a human shield"! "they knew each other, no one does it to a stranger"; some readers gave comments about his appearance in the picture and so on. All shows how subjectively people see things, that person who mentioned "human shield" obviously is incapable to understand kindness and was searching for another motive for this action. We can find so many examples in different aspects of the life.

Nature: very generous with low demands

The oceans, seas, forests, rivers, flowers, birds, butterflies and...all demand very little from us, but they give us a lot, a unique thing that we cannot find in any other relation. In addition to all the usefulness of nature, it's special calming and relaxing effect is very essential for our well being.

ups and downs in life

Life has its ups and downs. That is a reality; should not be proud in a good day and recognise the potential downs in the future and also not to loose hope in a bad day and be certain that the good luck is just around the corner. This attitude towards life clear the clouded mind and is helpful in making the right decisions at the right times.

beautiful colors

It is good not to judge or be judged by the skin color.

Unrelated incidents

Sometimes it is not difficult to find connection of some sort between apparently unrelated incidents by simply analyzing them.

11 Years Without You

Eleven years have passed without your presence; you have always been in my heart and will be. Almost all of your anticipations occurred, all that you foresaw in society, politics, people and etc have already happened; some of them to my great surprise! I miss everything about you, your insight, your warm personality, your sense of humor, your humanity, your sincere eyes, and your beautiful smile. I miss YOU: my hero, my guardian angel, my mother.

Learning from the children

Sometimes we should learn from the children rather than teaching them.

When a picture tells us a thousand words

This funny picture tells us a thousand words and makes us smile at the same time. It shows how powerful a picture can be and there is no language barrier to understand its meaning or message; it is universal; people from any culture can connect with it, understand and enjoy it.

Making our day

Just the mild sunshine, the gentle breeze and a clear conscience can make our day.

True stars

True stars are in the sky.

Being able to say "No"

Sometimes it is absolutely necessary to say:"No".

The way we actually are

If  we consider the way that we are as a circle; the way that we think we are as one circle; the way others see us as a circle; also the way we think that others perceive us as one circle; and finally the way that we want to be perceived by others as one circle. Usually these five circles overlapping, but for some people can be separate and for quite few people completely overlapping. When the first and second circles are not overlapping is the case of self deception that is the worst type of deception. When the third and the fourth circle are not overlapping is the case of real misunderstanding. Finally if the fifth circle is not overlapping it means the failure in communicating.

Understanding and education

Education does not necessarily increase the understanding; there are some highly educated people with Ph D that are incapable to understand and they are easily manipulated; education just increases knowledge. Knowledge without understanding and the capability to analyse things can make us like a machine that memorizes things and lacks the human side that involves understanding. 

Beauty of nature

politicians and actors

There are lots of similarities between politicians and actors, but one main difference is that people know the actors are acting.

Amazing feeling

An amazing feeling when we plant a flower or vegetable, water them and watch their growth, it makes us more human.

A short memory

It is surprising to see how people generally has a short memory and forget things even very controversial subjects are forgotten after a period of time. But it is good to forgive, not to forget.

Happy Birthday June 1st



Happy birthday to all born on June 1st regardless of their age, race, nationality, religion, social background and belief.

Belief in human dignity

"Those who honestly believe in human dignity never do wrong" this is what you used to say my dearest father and you emphasized that it should be in practice and in heart, not in speech.

Going in circles

Sometimes we just go round and round in circles and wondering why we have not reached the destination.

How different people see the same thing

The same event usually is interpreted differently by various people and often there are many other factors involved that influence our understanding and impressions. Experiences, health conditions, knowledge, emotions, honesty, etc...affect how we see things. It also shows how subjective people can be in their judgements and how difficult is to be completely objective and see things as they actually are. One obviouss solution is avoiding judgement.

Nothing to fear

An honest person has nothing to fear.

Breeze in springtime

It is good to be able to go outdoor in nature and watch the freshness of trees and feel the breeze in springtime.

Turning an unpleasant experience to a positive one

Sometimes it is not difficult to find a way to turn an unpleasant experience to a positive one. For example, when we get unexpectedly unpleasant news we have two options either to get angry or disappointed, or alternatively to think and find other ways and not let to be defeated by worthless things and finally to be happy with the choice we have made. 

Alive or dead

Only honest people after they pass away, they are still alive; there are people who live a decent life, they are alive; those who dream of having a good life, undoubtedly they are alive; and finally those "walking dead" who breathe and think they are alive, when they "die" they just stop breathing and no difference has been made, they had already being dead!

Toxins out

Spring is the best time to remove toxins from the body. One effective way is jogging; by sweating we can cleanse ourselves of toxins that are absorbed into our bodies from the air we breath, the food we eat, the water we drink, or even the clothes we wear.

Unpolluted senses

Unpolluted senses can enjoy all: watching the bright stars at nightfall, listening to the wild bird songs in the garden, smelling freshly cut grass, feeling the sea breezes at dawn, tasting the naturally grown fruits and feeling the thrill of watering the plants.

Spring Celebration

The beginning of the Spring is the renewal and rebirth of the nature; it is the time that nature wakes up after stillness of winter and it is great time for a new beginning; the renewal of nature in Spring has been celebrated for more than seven thousand years in Persia, it is called NOWRUZ that means New Day and it is the best time for a fresh start; at the same time that bare branches begin to bloom and grass begins to grow and nature renewal shows itself in every aspects, we can be inspired and start a new, healthy and fresh beginning, Happy Spring, Happy NOWRUZ.

Free like a river

The river is never still and it is always on the move; it is always flowing, so it never stagnates and it is free forever. An active mind and spirit also work in the same way and like the swift water is always free.

Heart and face

In so many poems there are various beautiful descriptions on how faces reflect hearts; even sometimes there is no need to be a good judge of character to be able to read faces.

Happiness & money

There is no doubt that money cannot buy happiness, but lack of money leads to unhappiness. The most obvious example is having a decent, comfortable house that is an important factor in being happy and no one can deny it. Living in a "box that is called apartment can bring some troubles that lead to unhappiness.

Looking in the mirror

It is good when looking in the mirror being able to recognize yourself.

Eyes & smiles

Nothing like eyes and smiles can reveal the true personality of each person.

unique day, unique life

Each day is unique in its own way and each one of us has a unique life. We cannot compare different people's life, each person has his or her own standard for happiness. May be this is one of the elements that makes life interesting and worthy of living.

Songs of a nightingale

The other day I was passing a lovely garden, suddenly I heard one of the most pleasant and beautiful song that I have ever heard in my life; it was so delightful, dreamy and relaxing that I could not move; I was standing there and listening, my body was motionless and my soul was deeply affected by the song and I felt it, yes, my soul was dancing with the song, I felt it; I was in this state for about three minutes that suddenly a harsh and horrible noise of construction in a building site nearby shattered my dream and worse it made the nightingale stop singing and I waited there waiting for the song, but there was no longer any song; the nightingale was silent...

Spontaneous or Carefully planned

A healthy spontaneous day can be much more fun than a carefully planned one.

Running after debt

All my life I stayed away and avoid any type of debt, recently to my own surprise I was running after it! and when it was rejected it was a feeling... mixture of disappointment and relief!!

Unnoticeables

There are very tiny and barely noticeable things in our life that at the certain situations can have a considerable impact on our life and gives us a firm lesson not to ignore them.