The beautiful winter

The easiest or the most difficult

The most difficult things to do are simple things you need to do on a daily basis.

But once I tie them up to the routines I already do, they become the easiest things to do.

Things to do on New Year season

- Declutter
- Do karaoke
- Have a disco
- Predict the future
- Meditate
- Cook for fun
- Rewatch old movies
- Play games
- Relax and be myself :)

Tolerance and intolerance

Tolerance is great, but my world needs selection. 

What if I get too strict and cut everyone out? 

What if I get too tolerant and let everyone in?

Research areas

1. Shamans

2. Tarot

3. Runecraft

4. History

5. Alchemy

6. Current events

7. Feng Shui

8. Astronomy

9. Ecology and green homes

10. Gardening

11. Crafts

12. Languages

13. Art

14. Indigenous cultures

15. Practical psychology

Why learn a lot?

1. The more you know, the easier it is for you to learn.

2. The more you know, the more options are open to you in life.

3. The more you know, the more tolerant and understanding you become - or at least you're supposed to. :))

Building my world pt 3 - Finding the courage

I must find the courage to be myself in the world of stereotypes.

Stereotypes are dangerous, because they oversimplify and overequalize. 

Getting off the beaten track is challenging, but also rewarding, and it brings the Universe the most value.

Pain of death

Having pets means experiencing their life and death.

- Value the limited time
- Learn to get over pain
- Give your best shot first, always!
- Value every moment, good and bad

When your pet is gone, there's no need to watch your step, close the doors carefully, clean the cage or toilet, or do any of the dozens of little annoying things you used to do. 

But then you think, 'I'd rather do those things again. Please, don't go...'.

Winter train

For those who are fascinated by trains. :)

Vintage paradox

A thing 10 years old is just an old thing.

A thing 50 years old is vintage.

A thing 100 years old is historical value.

Perfect and imperfect

The difference between perfect and imperfect is one millimetre off the target, one note off the pitch, one wrong detail. 

They are too closely intervined to allow carelessness.

Suffering

Suffering shapes character. 

Experiencing and getting over pain, facing discomfort make me stronger and teach me important lessons about real life.

It leaves me on my own to figure out what to do, and it cuts off everything of minor importance.

They say, no pain - no gain.

This also works in learning languages.

22. Pa-ling’s Secret Transmission

A monk asked Pa-ling,

"What do the words 'secret transmission in the east and in the west' mean?"

"Are you quoting those words from the poem of the third patriarch?", Pa-ling inquired.

"No", answered the monk, "those are the words of the master Shih-t'ou".

"It is my mistake", Pa-ling apologized. "I am such a dotard".

(from The Iron Flute)

Such is life

Seven times down,
Eight times up - 
Such is life.

(by unknown)

The first snow last Saturday!

Some snow pictures from Wikimedia Commons.

The painful dilemma

I'm one body, but I can't eat with my eyes, or walk with my hair.

A mother and her child are one, but they have different destinies.

Drawing ideas

- paper dolls (fantasy, vintage, folk)
- traditional Irish motifs
- portraits
- animals
- fantasy creatures
- Tarot/oracle decks

Gardening inspiration

A home garden is a source of endless inspiration and life lessons.

1. Watching the cycle of life and death.

2. Every plant is the way it is. It grows in its own way, and no plant's way is higher or better, lower or worse than that of other plants.

3. Plants don't hurry and don't do wrong things. They float with the current of life and accept life the way it is.

4. Plants grow slowly, but steadily. There is endless patience in the way they live.

Wonders

Wonders are closer than we think.

We all belong here

I'm not upset when the weather is bad or life is cruel.

No matter what happens, I belong here. This is my planet, my place to live, and everything that's around me is my friend. 

Abundance of the Universe

The excessive abundance of the Universe is overwhelming. 

But it also offers limitless options for creating and changing my world.

The sense of life

The sense of life is being happy. If you're unhappy, you have no reason to live.

Happiness comes from being in control of your own life. 

The ability and possibility to choose what and who are in your world make you truly happy. 

The old way

You do it how you feel, how your heart sings. Not bothering about rules, not worrying about doing it the correct way.

Following the flow of the world through me is the old way. 

The Faroe Islands

Sources: Wikipedia in English, Wikipedia in Russian

Nocturne

With so many people making all kinds of flutes from PVC water pipes, there's a new meaningfulness to Mayakovsky's lines:

Could you play a nocturne
On the flute of drainage pipes?

(А вы ноктюрн сыграть могли бы
На флейте водосточных труб?)

Things I don't need

They say, Socrates walked through a street market once and said:

'There are so many things I don't need'.

He was a great declutterer, but he wasn't an artist. :)

Free will

Human will can do anything. 

The aim of a truly free will is fulfilling your dream and making the Universe a better and lighter place. 

Looking at myself in the mirror

Why do I always look ugly when I look at myself in the mirror? Why do other people insist I'm good-looking?

I can see only the face as it is. As it is, no face is beautiful. 

What makes a face beautiful is my soul sparkling from behind it: shining eyes, a smile and a vivid expression. 

Old things and the feeling of home

The cosy feeling of home you have when you see certain old things: old curtains with flower patterns, slightly cracked crockery. The feeling of something from your past, something incredibly important and comforting, but long forgotten.

This feeling is precious, but unfortunately too elusive and too personal to share.

Keeping the best for the future

Poor people often keep their best things 'for the future'. One day, they think, there will be that special time when they'll be able to use them.

I want my every here and now to be special enough to use my best things and feelings in it.

What's inherited

Most things I do in my life have been inherited from my ancestors. Who I am, where I work, what I wear, how I react, what I like doing, what I'm interested in - those things are programmed by my ancestry.

My character hasn't changed much since childhood. The biggest changes that have happened are about getting back to who I am, not changing who I am. 

1. I can't change who I am. That's the one sphere where I must float with the current. 

2. All the changes I can make should bring me back closer to my true self.

I believe that every creature's true self is essentially good. 

Dealing with scary people

Imagine them as kids. 

What are they afraid of? What do they like or hate? What makes them feel insecure?

Incidentally, it works for scary kids too. :)

Never too good

You're never too good at doing anything. 

Whatever you do, you can always do it better. 

Silence time

Sometimes I need to make a stop.

Don't do anything, just flow with the life around me.

The Earth continues her journey through the space no matter how difficult my personal problems are.

I need to go on doing what I have to do, without worrying.

Being usual

Common and unique

There are two things hard to understand and accept:

1. I'm a usual, common person, like any other. I have no exceptional rights and no special brilliance among others.

2. I'm unique, there's no one like me. What I am and what I do, no one else can do.

They're both true.

Illuminated manuscripts

Copying books manually and illuminating them with your own pictures is the forgotten branch of reading. 

- It makes you read the book carefully.
- It makes you write carefully.
- It offers you an opportunity to express your own ideas about the contents of the book in pictures.

Overall, it helps you to make the book a part of you. 

That's why you must choose the book very carefully.

Big problems, small problems

When I was at school, every start of a school year seemed very difficult to me. We had new subjects, new - and difficult - assignments, new tests. But the following year, the problems of the previous year seemed so simple and insignificant to me. By the Year 5, I've articulated a rule which sounded something like this:

Every year's problems will seem silly and insignificant next year.

By remembering this rule, I've saved myself a lot of worries. :)

Defending your principles

Source

More often than not, people don't follow the principles they defend. It's easy to formulate perfect situations, but it's hard to create them every day, all your life.

Does it mean I shouldn't talk perfect?

No.

Defending principles gives inspiration and a reference point.

Someone said:
Aim for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll still land among the stars.

Priorities

1. Live my life my way and let others live their lives their way.

2. Curious mind and joyful heart.

3. Always improve myself and develop my world.

    - Improve my skills, both physical and intellectual.
    - Learn something new all the time.
    - Travel, broaden my horizons.
    - Simplify whatever can be simplified without losing the essence.
    
4. Keep the link to the nature.

Mars

Source

I hope humans will never exploit this place the way they exploit the Earth.

Instrument practice

There's a simple way to excellence in music:

Practice your instrument every day. 

Get used to it, express your ups and downs on it. Try out different techniques and invent your own ones.

Just do it every day. Let time work for you.

The simplest meditation ever

This meditation won't allow you to doze out. It is a simplified version of a technique described by Andrey Levshinov (unfortunately, his page is only available in Russian).

1. Find a wooden stick or staff. Standing on the floor, it should reach your shoulders or be at least 150 cm/5 ft long, and thick enough to be comfortable to grab.

2. Stand comfortably with your feet apart by shoulder width, with one foot somewhat further to the front, knees slightly bent to your comfort.

3. On your right hand, cover your ring and little fingers with your thumb, leaving the other two fingers straight.

4. Put the staff onto the two free fingers and try to keep it standing on them. Use your hips and thighs as levers.

5. The first milestone is to try to keep the staff standing on your fingers for 12 seconds. The ideal time is 144 seconds (12 by 12).

6. Do the same with your left hand.

7. Don't rush it. Make it as safe as you can. The goal is to do it every day rather than to break any 'time records'.

Time

Time is the most precious treasure we have. What we do with our time defines what we do with our lives, naturally. And the conclusion is:

Don't waste your time on things and people you don't like and don't want in your life. Whatever you spend your time on will stay, and whatever you don't spend your time on will disappear from your life.

Getting over pain

Emotional pain is energy conserved in one idea, one memory. To get over pain, you need to open it up, let it go.

1. Concentrate on the pain.

2. Feel it, let it flow. 

3. Don't suppress it, let it hurt. 

4. Watch it. If it grows weaker, remember the painful situation once again and concentrate on the pain again.

5. Watch the pain go up to your heart, then your throat, then higher.

6. Don't rush it, let it transform naturally.

This way, you can get rid of almost any painful feelings, memories or emotions.

Old frames

My old feelings and my past perceptions of the world are kept in old things and childhood artifacts. They help me remember who I am, who I was before I became a boring adult. 

I do declutter, but I don't throw away all of them. Old things keep the essence of me intact.

Wrinkles

Wrinkles on a face are like words in a book. They tell a story of a lifetime, and the more wrinkles, the more stories.

A perfectly smooth face of a model tells me nothing. It's as plain and boring as an empty book.

The difference

I was looking at this really big spider in the corner and thought I should relocate it, because my cat wouldn't give it a chance. It was the kind of spider that don't build a web, so it wouldn't stay in one corner.

I thought, if I were a bug, I'd certainly not want to be around it. And if I were a bird, I'd love to catch it, and it wouldn't have a chance.

And then I thought: here's the difference between humans and animals. Only a human would want to catch one animal (which is clearly not their kind) and let it go in a different place in order to save it from another animal, because they just wanted it to have a chance to live a little longer.

Freedom

Many people want freedom without realising a simple thing. 

Pure freedom means freedom from your wishes and inclinations as well. Pure freedom means doing senseless things, because once something has a reason to be done, it's tied up by that reason and thus 'not free'. 

For me, freedom is doing something that rings true to my nature, not doing random things. Going to work when it's time to go, going to bed when I'm tired, eating things that agree with my body are my freedom. 

Building my world pt 2 - being selective

My world can't contain everything. I need to let in only the things and people I want to stay.

Things/people I don't let into my world:

- books/TV programmes on topics I don't want in my life (prison life, famous maniacs/criminals and celebrities in general, etc.)

- things I'll never use/won't use in the nearest future

- things I'll never wear/won't wear in the nearest future

- people who have worlds conflicting with mine

- 'materialistic' anything

- people and things that are essentially 'bad' (guns, drugs, criminals, etc.)

Beading ideas - Regions and Eras

1. Ancient Egypt

2. India

3. Africa

4. Middle Ages

5. Ukraine

6. Fantasy
7. Sci-Fi
8. Vintage
9. Native American

Limitations to overcome (general)

1. Fear of change
2. Distrusting myself
3. Distrusting other people
4. Lack of free energy

1, 2, and 3 are overcome by getting knowledge and careful observation. This way, I build trust in myself and people who are worth it, and I get rid of the fear of change by learning the new ways.

4 is overcome by physical exercises + meditation.

Getting to the bottom of my self

My inner world is like an old well. Moss covers its walls, and the water is shallow and dirty. I need to get to the bottom of my self to make it clean again.

Three inches down from the belly-button. Breathe in, breathe out, nothing else.

A system that works

A self-improvement system that works must:

- improve your health
- improve your finances
- improve your physical and emotional environment
- make you happy, energetic and willing to live

If any of these doesn't happen, the system doesn't work.

Biodiversity of the human species

All kinds of humans exist, good and bad, intelligent and stupid, moral and immoral. Every person is a unique mix of different qualities. Every person contributes something to the Universe. 

Thus, 'bad' people can't be removed from the world without ruining the subtle balance.

The insatiable hunger

- Learn everything you can, every day. 

- Analyse, compare, draw conclusions. 

- Watch and remember every moment. 

- Filter out only the things you definitely don't want in your world, after careful and conscious consideration.

- Don't filter out the things you don't know anything/much about. Use your own discretion to see if they are safe to explore.

- Never give up learning.

The simple prayer

Here's a simple prayer to the Universe if you have a problem you can't solve. Note: if it's something you can solve, you should do that. You can still ask for support and help, though.

The simple prayer:

1. Think of a problem you have
2. Keep your palms together
3. Feel your problem flow in between your hands
4. Wish for the problem's solution in general terms or a concrete way
5. Separate your palms, let it go
6. Don't think about it anymore

Talking to trees

Friendship with trees is very rewarding. I can learn many things from trees, and it broadens my prospective about life and the Universe in general.

*Choose a tree I find attractive
*Talk with my heart, not with words
*Watch the tree change with season
*Feel the tree as part of me, and feel myself as part of the tree
*Humble myself in front of the magnificent world around me
*Tell the tree about my problems and see them vanish
*Share my happiness with the tree
*Ask for the tree's advice and support

Surround myself with nature

Nature is beautiful because everything in nature is alive, including water and stones. Also, nature doesn't follow limited aesthetic ideals of humans, for instance, those who plan and design gardens. In nature, every creature follows their own path, and that makes nature a unique and limitless source of inspiration.

Surround myself with nature in urban areas:

- walk through a park whenever I can
- stop and touch trees
- watch birds and other animals
- smell flowers
- look for edible berries (use caution!)
- make friends with trees
- go out of urban areas as often as possible
- grow plants indoors
- keep pets

Divination and interpretation

Success of divination is not in the chosen system (Tarot, runes, I-Ching...). It's in the interpretation. That's why you can predict future using just about anything.

When you see a sign and perceive it as such, you interpret it in terms of what's most relevant to you right now, regardless of whether you recognize it consciously or not.

Divination works especially well when you don't recognize/do fool yourself about certain aspects of your life. Interpretation makes you totally sincere with yourself.

Things I've learnt from cats

The main thing: Everything is made to match its purpose, every single cell of it. Eyes, a nose and whiskers are at the front - to investigate. Vital organs are in the middle - to be protected all the way round. There are four paws and a tail - to keep perfect balance.

Other things I've learnt from cats:

1. To walk quietly and graciously.

2. To love and forgive unconditionally.

3. To pay attention to detail.

4. To slow down and watch.
5. To be patient.
6. Purposefulness doesn't have to kill beauty.
7. To accept loss.

Divination and the power of now

You can predict your future by looking at your past and present. If you don't change anything this moment, your future will reflect your past and your present. To really change your future, you need to look at the present.

That's how divination works. Don't ask questions about your future, ask questions about your present.

Languages as association games

Etymology is a science revealing associations. Very basic, concrete words are easy to name, while words denoting more abstract or constructed things are often named by association from concrete, easy to understand words.

In English, pen = "writing implement," c.1300, from O.Fr. penne "quill pen, feather," from L. penna "feather," from PIE *petna-, suffixed form of root *pet- "to rush, fly" (source).

In Russian, pen (ручка) is diminutive from 'рука' (hand, arm) making it something like 'a small hand/arm'.

This way, languages = idea pools/association ranges

Language wish list

- Old English
- Scottish Gaelic
- Coptic
- Icelandic
- Chinese
- Finnish
- Dutch

Curiosity

Curiosity rover still at the lab

Happy landing to NASA Curiosity rover!!!

http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/

Sources of inspiration

- watching the nature/animals
- watching programmes about other countries/cultures
- listening to various music
- watching people in everyday situations (including film)
- travelling
- browsing through random reading/watching
- browsing through random languages

Composing poetry

Poetry has rhythm like music. If I have a certain rhythmic phrase on my mind, it's very easy to add words to it.

Usually, a poem begins with a beautiful first line. The other lines come naturally once the first one has been caught.

How to learn a new language

1. Set a clear, motivating goal
2. Learn it for fun, every day
3. Watch and read everything I can in that language (random)
4. Dive into the culture
5. Write and speak the language, even to myself
6. Learn songs in the language
7. Watch soaps
8. Read articles and interesting books

Perfectly fitting shoes

Even perfectly fitting shoes rub sore at first. What about unfitting ones?


Even perfectly matching people have disagreements at first. What about mismatching ones?

Talent

Talent = passion + skill + practice

But passion comes first.

Learning excellence

1. Watch a master do it
2. Imitate + learn the skills
3. Apply the skills to your own ideas

Building my world pt 1 - cleaning up the mess

Things:

- clothes I don't wear
- food supplies I'll never use
- books I won't read/reread
- stationery I don't like/won't use
- things that have lost their sentimental value
- any other old, unused things

Emotions/Thoughts:

- old offenses

- old infatuations

- memories of unpleasant incidents (except the learnt lessons)

- worries about the future

- worries about other people's opinions of me

No limitations

Limitations exist only in my brain. All I have to do is get rid of the illusion I can't do this. Some illusions are more persistent than other, but then again I can't do everything without losing my unique nature.

1. Identify my dream.
2. Get rid of the illusion hindering its achievement:
    - Invent my law of nature
    - Allow myself to want this particular thing
    - Find examples of other people

Lucky charms and the power of prayer

I always get what I believe I'll get. Sometimes, when the pressure's too high, I get the opposite. Hence:

1. Always assume what I want it to be.

2. Let it go, don't insist on it. The Universe will do the rest.

My dreams

1. Making my music

2. Learning new languages

3. Making new friends

4. Exploring the world

5. Making the world around me greener and more magical

6. Exploring the spiritual

My happy life rules

1. Eat healthy food regularly.

2. Go to bed at 8-9 pm.

3. Love my work.

4. Have a circle of close people around.

5. Have a goal in life.

6. Love every day of my life.

Things I've learnt from trees

1. Slow down, take your time.

2. Bloom with my own bloom.

3. Give freely.

4. Take what comes.

5. There's more to life than just the material world.

6. I'm never alone. We're one.

7. Wish everyone well.

Playing the flute - improvisation

Playing a musical instrument is like playing with a toy. There are no rules to follow, no limitations to what I can produce. I can play nonsense, or I can play a beautiful melody. The only rule I follow is the melody of my heart. 

Every heart has a melody. The melody of fear is different from the melody of peace, the melody of love is different from the melody of jealousy. 

There's no right or wrong melody. Every tune exists as it is.


Things to try:


1. Noise effects (laughter, bird songs)
2. Ornaments
3. Varied breathing

Things that make me unhappy/avoid list

1. Reliving negative moments from my past.
2. Watching too much TV, reading general-audience press.
3. Spending more time online than offline.
4. Ignoring my body.
5. Ignoring my dreams, living someone else's life.
6. Neglecting my brain.
7. Having nothing unusual/exciting to do, expecting nothing good in the future.
8. Having no true friends/close people.
9. Spending too much time indoors, not going out to the nature.
10. Ignoring my spiritual needs.