Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2015

Merry Christmas &

I wish everyone a happy, healthy, simple, natural, respectful and charming new year 2015.

Films that respect the viewers

There are some films that we can watch dozens of times and each time discover a new point and enjoy watching it; films made by directors such as Altman, Kubrick, Bergman,..are worth to watch dozens of times. But on the other hand, there are some films that are difficult to watch even for one time without feeling insulted or frustrated by wasting the time.

Smell a lemon

Smelling lemons can revitalizes our senses. A slice of lemon can be added to our glass of water or our  cup of tea. It also can be used in baking different cakes and biscuits. In a variety of foods such as stews and soups we can add lemons and make it more delicious.

Pleasant voice

A warm and pleasant voice is more appealing than the contents of the speech.

The art of cooking

Even the best meals in the best restaurants cannot compete with a healthy home made meals cooked with organic ingredients and tastefully decorated. One great advantage is huge difference in the cost. Home made foods cost much less and can taste even better because you make it according to your own taste by adding some ingredients that you like.

Feel the breeze

It is so pleasant to be able to stroll in the nature with a clear conscience and to feel the gentle and mild breeze on the neck.

Refreshing teas

It is a good idea and very relaxing to include drinking a refreshing tea which is organically grown and is pesticide and chemical free in our afternoons or evenings.

Transparent airplane

Living in a bright house that has lots of windows and lights and a nice view is ideal for almost everyone, what about travelling in a transparent plane that we can clearly see the outside? It should be an interesting experience.

Chic and graceful skirts

Those who are not in fond of skirts reason that it is not comfortable. But in fact the high heel shoes that usually accompanying the skirts make them uncomfortable. Wearing skirts with relaxed shoes is both elegant and comfortable. 

Is a vegetarian diet healthy?

A balanced diet is very important for our health because our body's organs and tissues need proper and balanced nutrition that consists of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, oils and proteins. Meats are primary source of protein which is essential for brain development. Atleast two times a week (four times  a week is ideal ) we should include meats in our diet and hardly anything else can be a proper alternative.

Feeling relaxed

Feeling relaxed can be enjoyable only when it comes after a long pressure.

The only one

You were the only one that could be told anything in the heart and mind. You could listen elegantly with a sincere smile and never be judgmental. Your beautiful smile has had an ever lasting effect on my life, my dearest mother.

Traveling light

Nothing like carrying heavy suitcases can ruin the interesting experience of traveling. The scene that we all have seen in the airports or train stations: people struggling to carry heavy luggages. The best way is to travel with just a light handbag if you can. It will be the removal of an unnecessary burden and  just focusing on the experience of traveling.

The biggest sin

"The biggest sin is undermining a person's self-respect."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Two proverbs

To be angry is to revenge the fault of others upon ourselves and the second proverb says "never forget       what a person says to you when he or she is angry."

Without them

Only when we want to move out we realize how many unnecessary items we have in our house and we wonder how much time, money, energy we have spent on these items that we could easily manage our life without them.

Self rewarding experience

It is very self rewarding when you choose the principles over the financial gains; it is a case of proven integrity.

A simple test for friendship

One true friend worths more than one thousand acquaintances. There is one simple test to evaluate the sincerity and truthfulness of friends, relatives or even siblings: simply ask them a small favor. If they are sincere, they do it without hesitation. If they are not sincere but polite, they try to make some sort of excuse and avoid any possible hard feeling. And finally if they are none of them, you won't hear from them soon!

When we look carefully...

Usually it is not the action itself, but our interpretation of it that hurts us.

Simple, healthy and delicious

There are variety of dishes made with eggs that are very tasty, but none can replace the boiled egg that is simple, healthy and delicious. With a little taste, we can decorate a chic table dish just using the boiled eggs.

Nothing wrong with...

There is nothing wrong with nonconformity as long as the main principles are kept.

Looking back

Sometimes when we look back at our previous decisions, we really wonder what on earth made us to do that! With a fresh look we see things completely different from another angle. 

Home made lemon cake

The process of making a lemon cake in less than 20 minutes is both fun and rewarding. You will have a delicious and healthy home made dessert and also save money by avoiding to purchase a ready made cake. The scent in the kitchen is marvelous after the cooking. Try and enjoy it.

Unforgettable piece of music

The above picture shows Maurice Ravel in 1928, the year that Ravel composed his masterpiece, Boléro, an unforgettable piece of music that deeply affects heart and soul of the listener. Ravel was a French composer in early 20th century (born in the Basque town of Ciboure in 1875). He was a genius who is loved and highly cherished by those who appreciate good music. This piece of music is a suitable gift to be given to a loved one for the birthday present.

What I learned from you

Being responsible and faithful is what I learned from you my dearest father. I am always grateful for that.

Those girls who ran

Last month, some criminals kidnapped about 280 girls in a high school in Nigeria. The approximate 330 girls were more or less in the same cruel situation; 280 were kidnapped and 50 escaped. Those girls chose to escape by running and running as fast as they could. Their right decision at the right time saved them. Humiliation paralyzes the mind and kills the self-esteem. In the societies that girls are not treated fairly and humiliated; they lack the determination to do the right thing in the extreme situations. One of the brave girls who escaped, in the latest interview boasted that she has six brothers and she can run faster than all of them; her admirable quality saved her from the criminals who kidnapped the poor girls as easy targets in the society that tolerates these acts.

Problem Solving Ability

Problem solving ability cannot be learned at school or university; hardly any teacher can teach us how to solve the problems that we face in our daily life. It is time and only time that can provides us with the skills  to identify the problems, examine the options, decide and act accordingly; and finally analyze the result.

Smile and say cheese!

There are hundreds types of cheese from various countries. There are thousands of different delicious cheese recipes. Cheese can be used in main dishes, side dishes, salads, desserts, and etc. Hardly any other food can take its place in  different recipes. Cheese that made from the milk of grass-pastured animals is an excellent source of nutrient. But we should avoid the processed cheese with coloring agents and eat the natural cheese.

A writer's job

Gabriel Garcia Marquez passed away on Thursday. He was the most popular Spanish-language writer since Miguel de Cervantes. He won the Nobel prize for literature in 1982 for his novels and short stories.
Writing career is one of the most honest and fascinating job; the independent writers are their own boss. They do not take or give orders. They decide and think for themselves. Beautiful job, but there is no guarantee to generate income.

Wisdom and Health

Wisdom and Health are two most precious blessings.

Exceptional music

Those who have heard Beethoven's 5th Symphony,filled with the feeling of admiration, praise its exceptionality. It is called the symphony of the symphonies that embodies all the powers and possibilities of music, a journey from tragedy to happiness and triumph, the reflection of life. No other piece of music can reach its glory. No one who listens attentively to this symphony can be the same person.

Thinking

"Few people think more than two or three times a year; I have made an international reputation for myself by thinking once or twice a week....when a thing is funny, search it carefully for a hidden truth."

George Bernard Shaw

A cheerful film to watch

"Smiles of a Summer Night" directed by the talented Swedish director, Ingmar Bergman, is a cheerful and funny film to watch. Most of the films directed by Bergman are deep and philosophical, but this one makes the viewers laugh heartily. It brought Bergman international recognition and is considered by many film critics as a masterpiece.

Happy Spring

Nature renewal in spring time urges us to go out, feel the pleasant breeze and breathe the fresh air deeply. March 20, the first day of spring, is Persian New Year and the most important day in Persian culture. This day has been celebrated for thousands of years, since the period of Persian king, Jamshid who established it about 9000 B.C, nearly 11 thousands years ago.

A good book to read

Last week I bought this book; this story is an enjoyable puzzle for mind, intellect and feeling. When you start reading it, you cannot stop until the end when the puzzle is solved. I recommend this book to all who enjoy reading. The story is in four languages: English, French, Spanish and Persian in one book. Enjoy reading it.

A happy moment

This joke made me laugh, I hope it brings a smile on your face:

"A lawyer's dog heads for a butcher shop and steals a roast. The butcher goes to the lawyer's office and asks, " if a dog running unleashed steals a piece of meat from my store, do I have the right to demand payment from the dog's owner?" The lawyer answers, "Absolutely." The butcher says, " then you owe me $9 because your dog stole a roast from me today." Without any objection, the lawyer writes a check for $9. The butcher leaves happily. 

Three days later, the butcher receives a bill from the lawyer: " $100 is due for the consultation!""

To those who have never hurt anyone

This beautiful bunch of flowers TO those who have never hurt anyone in their life regardless of where they live, what they do, what religion or idea they have, when they born or how they look. 

Happenings and Consequences

Happenings or actions do not happen in the abstract and always have consequences. The only difference is the duration of the consequences that varies: it can last days, months, years, decades or even centuries.

Some simple tips for a more pleasant life

It is not difficult to create a more pleasant living places. For example, we spend some time at our kitchen to prepare healthy foods or eat...it can be made more pleasant and beautiful by using some simple and tasteful techniques that do not cost much. We can buy a happy color fabric and make a curtain for the small kitchen window by just following some instructions. Fresh fragrant flowers can bring beauty, happiness and hope to our life; they can last for two weeks in a room with more fresh air.

Truth and Fiction

"Truth is stranger than fiction."

An old saying

People and photography

Photography is so widely used; almost everyone regardless of age, education, experience or background can take pictures and enjoy the process. Last week while I was running I saw a very old and fragile man who was trying to take picture of a flower, his hands were shaking terribly and he was struggling over and over again. Finally he could take a less shaky picture; at that moment he had a triumphant smile and hopeful eyes. I was impressed and thinking how interesting and useful, the photography could be for so many people: a source of enjoyment and hope.