Monday 23 August 2010
Newsletter
Working as a Public Service Interpreter can be challenging.
The other day I had to attend a home visit to an Italian couple who had just had a baby.
Health Visitor: Your baby has sickle cell trait
What the fuck is sickle cell trait? gotta be some kind of blood disorder, trait? is it like trace? like he is carrying the disease rather than actually having it? I glance at the leaflet the health visitor has in her lap and I pick up the latin name for it, Haemoglobin blah, blah, blah and manage to sound convincing when I tell the family, Italians of Bangladeshi origins - thank God - that: "your son carries the gene of Haemoglobin in his blood.
Fortunately the Health Visitor went on to explain exactly what it was or all the poor family would have been aware of is that their child had blood running through his veins!
I trained for the English Law Option, darn it, not to talk about diarrhoea and milk formulas! Where are the Mafia guys I have to translate for at the Old Baily? Where's Marlon Brando?
Anyway, I started work at 9:30 and was done at 10:37 making what most people make in two days, can't complain.
I went to see the new flick with Leonardo DiCaprio, Inception. Total shit. All about living in a reality vs a dream world, the subconscious, planting ideas into it...please! If someone forces me to watch it again I will confess to any crime just to have them shut it off. At the end we are left wondering if we are actually finally in the real world or still in the dream one.
A sequel? Shoot me!
I love you, I love you, I love you. We use this word so easily. Love is about the pleasure of giving without personal gain, without an agenda. It is the ultimate unconditional, selfless expression of one's being. Are you still sure you love me or did you just mean you'd like to get into my....
On TV last night:
"You went to bed with.....?"
"I had to, she's a sex addict".
"She must be!"
Turning down jobs that are badly paid is bliss. People think the right thing to do is to take on board anything that is on offer because there are always opportunities that one may otherwise miss. I think it's selling oneself short. I wouldn't go out with a guy I didn't fancy just because it was on the offering thinking it's either this or nothing, would you?
Full moon in Pisces tomorrow, seriously considering lobotomy, can you tell?
Saturday 14 August 2010
The Higher Self
I don't believe in things like astrology, god, the angels, extra-terrestrial, various form of divination or others belief systems, per se.
I consider them all methods by which we can access our higher consciousness, or self.
This is because our minds are used to accept something which comes from high above with more ease.
Also we tend to be so untrustworthy and constantly thinking in terms of being better than the other that we dislike and distrust anyone who displays what we call psychic powers not understanding that there is no such thing as personal gain, but that's another blog.
All the above mentioned methods, though, are invaluable in providing us with the tools necessary in order to access our higher self.
Astrology, for which I have the greatest reverence (if I contradict myself here I'm only human and my mind is also a simple one), requires a great amount of study but at the end of the day it's up to the astrologer, having given the planets, aspects, houses and so on a precise meaning, to come to the interpretation or rather, to contact his/her higher self for the message. Thus astrology is also a tool, the more in touch the astrologer, the more inspired the reading.
I love what Abraham-Hicks videos say about just being happy and watch one's thoughts. The whole thing is very controversial and if Ms Hicks were to say those things herself people would immediately find faults and resist the concepts. When it comes from a higher source we are less guarded against it. Yes, we are guarded also towards what we believe in!
The higher self is integral part of each one of us and not at all distant or separate from our body. It's an extension of ourselves, the extra inches tall we want to be perhaps. The more we pay attention, concentrate and focus on hearing what it has to say - through whichever method we may chose or simply by itself - the more it speaks to us. At all times.
Saturday 27 March 2010
In awe of Italians
I am always very impressed with how highly some people seem to value themselves, I really am.
I was at the London Pirelli's head quarter the other day, meeting up with a successful business man I've known, literally, all my life to say hello as we were both in town and this is what one does.
I wasn't impressed with the premises, by the way, and the receptionist - although lovely -looked like Mortitia while the guy at the door was simply scruffy. Surely the Italians should be aware that we already have a bad reputation as it is in the rest of the world and pay more attention to first impressions? Most likely, full of it as the are and still living on Roman-times' credit, they are oblivious to it all.
Anyway, this gentleman tells me that he's thinking of taking his boat to the Caribbean where he can make lots of money just by chartering people around the islands for two months a year. ALL this guy needs is a woman who's willing to cook and clean for the guests and, of course, look after him too.
This 'lucky' woman will not be making any money as she will benefit enough from the amazing lifestyle as it is! In the meanwhile, this guy is planning to make around 90,000 pounds PER WEEK out of the enterprise and other people's work, while getting laid.
I'm in awe.
Sunday 21 March 2010
Selfish People
Why waste precious time and invest emotional energy with selfish people? No matter the allure 'unattainable' people exude, it's only there for us to realize that we are wasting time on childish hopes and dreams instead of investing it in ourselves by doing things that make us feel good and are good for us.
Selfish people are a very lonely bunch. They are unable to let anybody in because they are too busy looking up their own arsehole. Soon they discover that the only people who stick around are the ones who work for them: Often they mistake their cleaners, drivers, secretaries and so on for friends.
Because of their inability to take an interest in other people, as well as their unwillingness to engage in the necessary give and take required by all relationships, these people are magnets for the emotional needy type whose self esteem is fragile.
The emotional needy type is the one desperate for love and attention who is prepared to put up with less than his/her share because a low self esteem does not allow for more.
Ironically, instead of looking where one's needs could actually be met, the needy type chooses to focus the search on the very people unable to provide him with what he needs. This happens in order to point out, through repeated disappointment, that one can't find outside of oneself what one is looking for.
In life we can learn through pain and through joy. This is evident in Nature. Pain doesn't have to be feared as it's only there to highlight the areas we have to work through. But we can also choose to let joy do the highlighting and concentrate on it instead.
Selfish people are a very lonely bunch. They are unable to let anybody in because they are too busy looking up their own arsehole. Soon they discover that the only people who stick around are the ones who work for them: Often they mistake their cleaners, drivers, secretaries and so on for friends.
Because of their inability to take an interest in other people, as well as their unwillingness to engage in the necessary give and take required by all relationships, these people are magnets for the emotional needy type whose self esteem is fragile.
The emotional needy type is the one desperate for love and attention who is prepared to put up with less than his/her share because a low self esteem does not allow for more.
Ironically, instead of looking where one's needs could actually be met, the needy type chooses to focus the search on the very people unable to provide him with what he needs. This happens in order to point out, through repeated disappointment, that one can't find outside of oneself what one is looking for.
In life we can learn through pain and through joy. This is evident in Nature. Pain doesn't have to be feared as it's only there to highlight the areas we have to work through. But we can also choose to let joy do the highlighting and concentrate on it instead.
Friday 5 March 2010
Guilt and Gratefulness
Guilt and gratefulness are two sides of the spectrum I am uncomfortable with.
Guilt is an emotion I simply don't experience - as I never intentionally mean any harm - and gratefulness carries with it the implication of having an agenda and, generally speaking, both parties benefit something from all undertaken gestures thus, no need to be grateful.
Both emotions are far too binding for my liking.
Guilt is an emotion I simply don't experience - as I never intentionally mean any harm - and gratefulness carries with it the implication of having an agenda and, generally speaking, both parties benefit something from all undertaken gestures thus, no need to be grateful.
Both emotions are far too binding for my liking.
Wednesday 3 March 2010
Trojan Horse
Whatever we do, say or give to someone must always come purely from the heart and from the honest and self-less desire to share with others, without any other motive involved.
When we give something in order to gain or tie someone's heart to us, we are setting ourselves up for disaster.
Beware of using the stratagem of the Trojan Horse to break into someone's heart.
These kind of gestures are easily recognizable by the emotional and often sexual connotation contained in the offering.
Manipulating, trying to win someone's affection with presents or by any other mean is only going to backfire.
This is the law of Karma.
When we give something in order to gain or tie someone's heart to us, we are setting ourselves up for disaster.
Beware of using the stratagem of the Trojan Horse to break into someone's heart.
These kind of gestures are easily recognizable by the emotional and often sexual connotation contained in the offering.
Manipulating, trying to win someone's affection with presents or by any other mean is only going to backfire.
This is the law of Karma.
Reincarnation
What happens to our souls when -- and if -- we re-incarnate? Do we only re-incarnate into human form in order to play out some sort of karmic plan? Will we be paying for what we have done now by, say, being re-incarnated into a mouse if in the previous life we tested on animals? Will we be enjoying the fruits of our hard labor? Is what happens in our present life some sort of 'setting the score right' from a previous existence? In my point of view none of the above applies...so many questions, so much superstition. Personally, when I don't like what's happening to me I simply accept it as something which I have to learn from for my next step up. Each episode, each situation will make me a better person. The only way is forward. Next time around, whatever shape my soul will take of one thing I'm sure: It'll be exactly what is right for me. Fear nothing but fear itself.
Love, always....
Alecs
Love, always....
Alecs
People who get away with it and people who don't
Category: Life
Have you ever noticed how some people seem to get away with murder (and I don't mean O.J., here), while some other get caught for the smallest thing? I bet you've asked yourself why that is...well, it's simple:
Only those who would be able to learn from their experience get punished, the other ones don't...poor bastards!
Only those who would be able to learn from their experience get punished, the other ones don't...poor bastards!
They who get what they want, and they who don't
Category: Life
The main reason behind the success of any enterprise lies in one's motivation --
the reason behind wanting to achieve something is most important.
In order to be successful one has to really want to do what one has set out to accomplish, and, generally speaking, one's main motivation has to be that of wanting to share one's talents without having any further motive. Whatever comes from it -- applause, recognition -- will be a bonus.
Having said that, you may all have noticed that plenty of "unworthy" people seem to enjoy success. One doesn't actually have to be pure at heart or even honest in order to be successful, all that is required is that one believes to be so.
Scary?
the reason behind wanting to achieve something is most important.
In order to be successful one has to really want to do what one has set out to accomplish, and, generally speaking, one's main motivation has to be that of wanting to share one's talents without having any further motive. Whatever comes from it -- applause, recognition -- will be a bonus.
Having said that, you may all have noticed that plenty of "unworthy" people seem to enjoy success. One doesn't actually have to be pure at heart or even honest in order to be successful, all that is required is that one believes to be so.
Scary?
Capital Punishment
Category: Life
It goes without saying that I'm against the death penalty. It also goes without saying that the hanging of Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with Justice and all with Revenge. What perhaps few have considered is that as Saddam died showing his dignified agony to the world, we saw a man who had not been given a chance to repent, a man who died believing he was right and even misunderstood. A man, unfortunately, who will therefore have to go through a similar life path again.
Poison
Category: Life
Why do we send out so much poison in our lives? Why can't we just be nice? Are we afraid that people will do things for us only if we make them?
But what is the outcome of something achieved under such means?
At the very best, all we can accomplish is a "one timer", not something that will endure in time.
We can't make people do for us, or behave towards us, the way we believe they should; It is a pointless waste of our time to withhold thanks or to act cold and disappointed when - say - whoever we believed should have called earlier, finally calls.
Much better to appreciate what we are being offered in the knowledge that if there's more to come we will embrace it, otherwise we would be just fine.
It is possible to apply this formula to any situation, all that is required is the understanding that - ultimately - we move through life spending every single second of it only in our own company, we might as well become our best friend then, don't you think?
But what is the outcome of something achieved under such means?
At the very best, all we can accomplish is a "one timer", not something that will endure in time.
We can't make people do for us, or behave towards us, the way we believe they should; It is a pointless waste of our time to withhold thanks or to act cold and disappointed when - say - whoever we believed should have called earlier, finally calls.
Much better to appreciate what we are being offered in the knowledge that if there's more to come we will embrace it, otherwise we would be just fine.
It is possible to apply this formula to any situation, all that is required is the understanding that - ultimately - we move through life spending every single second of it only in our own company, we might as well become our best friend then, don't you think?
Revenge
Category: Life
One thing that I have frequently come across during the course of my life is the human desire for revenge.
I don't know how many times I came across weird and complicated revengeful plans, which usually require lots of effort and leave one feeling exhausted.
The feeling of wanting revenge -- like the rest of what we call 'negative' emotions -- in itself cannot possibly makes us feel good.
Perhaps at first we think we are feeling elated, that setting the score right is empowering but in my experience the opposite is true: how often do we end up feeling anything but happy instead?
And what about those horrible butterflies in the stomach telling us that maybe we've gone too far...that we really have screwed up any chance for good this time?
I believe that all of this is easily avoidable by simply trusting that whoever has hurt us will get his/her due, and that Nature -- in its infinite power and knowledge -- will know where to hit much better than anything we could ever hope to come up with.
Usually we end up paying for our shortcomings where it hurts us the most and very few people can claim to know someone as well as the very force that created that very being.
Therefore, my advice is to let Nature do its job -- try it, it's very liberating.
I don't know how many times I came across weird and complicated revengeful plans, which usually require lots of effort and leave one feeling exhausted.
The feeling of wanting revenge -- like the rest of what we call 'negative' emotions -- in itself cannot possibly makes us feel good.
Perhaps at first we think we are feeling elated, that setting the score right is empowering but in my experience the opposite is true: how often do we end up feeling anything but happy instead?
And what about those horrible butterflies in the stomach telling us that maybe we've gone too far...that we really have screwed up any chance for good this time?
I believe that all of this is easily avoidable by simply trusting that whoever has hurt us will get his/her due, and that Nature -- in its infinite power and knowledge -- will know where to hit much better than anything we could ever hope to come up with.
Usually we end up paying for our shortcomings where it hurts us the most and very few people can claim to know someone as well as the very force that created that very being.
Therefore, my advice is to let Nature do its job -- try it, it's very liberating.
Heal Thyself
Category: Life
A recurrent factor in life -- perhaps one that keeps presenting itself most regularly and in varied manifestations throughout, it's having to face situations where one's self-esteem is challenged and old, atavistic suffering and anxiety re-emerge.
In order to stop re-encountering this kind of situation and its determination to make us conquer it once and for all, we had better deal with it at its very onset.
Often the way one reacts whenever -- for example -- one is being told something derogatory, is at first to get angry then to feel hurt. Once one realizes that other's opinion of oneself does not necessarily coincide with the opinion one holds him/herself in, one can choose to ignore people's comments or, at least, to smile sweetly and let it all be as water off a duck's back.
The constant, insatiable need to prove and justify oneself usually comes from a scarred self-esteem (not from the actual opinion one holds oneself in), and from having been repeatedly put down by people who – because of their actual poor opinion of themselves and unwillingness toward any form of self-improvement – project their inadequacies onto others: the old twisted idea that by calling someone names, for some illogical reason one comes out looking better in comparison.
The same concept applies to the feeling of being unloved or not loved enough. Here,though, it's also important to make an effort to stop being over sensitive whenever total demonstration of never-ending love fails to come one's way and to remember that human beings have their limits.
Often such situations would seem to occur at the worst possible time -- a time perhaps when one was in dire need of re-assurance -- consider that, instead, what is happening is happening exactly when the impact would be the greatest, thus forcing us to give it all of our attention and allowing us, by resolving the issue once and for all, a chance to heal.
Love yourself, always
In order to stop re-encountering this kind of situation and its determination to make us conquer it once and for all, we had better deal with it at its very onset.
Often the way one reacts whenever -- for example -- one is being told something derogatory, is at first to get angry then to feel hurt. Once one realizes that other's opinion of oneself does not necessarily coincide with the opinion one holds him/herself in, one can choose to ignore people's comments or, at least, to smile sweetly and let it all be as water off a duck's back.
The constant, insatiable need to prove and justify oneself usually comes from a scarred self-esteem (not from the actual opinion one holds oneself in), and from having been repeatedly put down by people who – because of their actual poor opinion of themselves and unwillingness toward any form of self-improvement – project their inadequacies onto others: the old twisted idea that by calling someone names, for some illogical reason one comes out looking better in comparison.
The same concept applies to the feeling of being unloved or not loved enough. Here,though, it's also important to make an effort to stop being over sensitive whenever total demonstration of never-ending love fails to come one's way and to remember that human beings have their limits.
Often such situations would seem to occur at the worst possible time -- a time perhaps when one was in dire need of re-assurance -- consider that, instead, what is happening is happening exactly when the impact would be the greatest, thus forcing us to give it all of our attention and allowing us, by resolving the issue once and for all, a chance to heal.
Love yourself, always
Superiority, Inferiority complex
Category: Life
Why is it that at times we all tend to feel either superior or inferior toward our fellow human beings? By thinking ourselves either more or less intelligent then someone we miss out on perhaps the most important lesson in life: the chance to learn or to teach something valuable.
I believe that with a little humility, empathy and by sincerely trying to understand one-another even world conflicts might either be avoided or resolved diplomatically.
We are here to strive for harmony not to fight those we share the world with......
More in my latest book. Secure your copy now.
Love, always
Alecs
I believe that with a little humility, empathy and by sincerely trying to understand one-another even world conflicts might either be avoided or resolved diplomatically.
We are here to strive for harmony not to fight those we share the world with......
More in my latest book. Secure your copy now.
Love, always
Alecs
Jealousy, a self defeating beast
Category: Bloggin
So what is really happening? Well, it's quite obvious: our insecurities have crept in.
Unfortunately, though, what we are about to do is to self-sabotage our wonderful relation-ship.
The second one, is not to give in to our insecurities and to trust that he/she has chosen to be with us like we have chosen to be with him/her. Learning to control our emotions takes some effort and practice and especially the applying of temperance.
"The word 'temperance' is often used to mean moderation and control of natural impulses which would lead to foolhardy behavior. A person who practices temperance may appear self-controlled, calm and restrained in difficult circumstances, but the important feature is balance. Nothing is repressed or held back to cause tension or inner turmoil".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)