watching

watching the world go on around me,
wondering, am I really a part of that world?

or is that just a reflection of me,
rather, what I want to see?

watching people I love grow up,
becoming, changing, accomplishing.

or is it only I'm not moving?
Have I stopped my walking altogehter?

if I am not making the world a better place,
can I?

if I am not moving along with the world,
do I still belong?

Elephants, Rachael Yamagata

If the elephants have past lives,
Yet are destined to always remember,
it´s no wonder how they scream,
Like you and I, they must have some temper.

And I am dreaming of them on the plains,
Dirtying up their beds,
Watching for some kind of rain
To cool their hot heads.

And how dare that you send me that card
When I´m doing all that I can do.
You are forcing me to remember
When all I want is to just forget you.

If the tiger shall protect her young,
Then tell me how did you slip by.
All my instincts have failed me for once
I must have somehow slept the whole night.

And I am dreaming of them with their kill,
Tearing it all apart,
Blood dripping from their lips,
And teeth sinking in to heart.

And how dare that you say you will call,
When you know I need some peace of mind..
If you had to take sides with the animals,
Won't you do it with one who is kind?

If the hawks in the trees need the dead,
If you´re living you don´t stand a chance.
For a time, though you share the same bed,
There are only two ends to this dance.

You can flee with your wounds just in time,
Or lie there as he feeds,
Watching yourself ripped to shreds
And laughing as you bleed.

So for those of you falling in love,
Keep it kind, keep it good, keep it right.
Throw yourself in the midst of danger,
But keep one eye open at night.

Inspiring Thoughts

Anger is a condition in which the tongue works faster than the mind.

You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present
by worrying over the future.

Love...and you shall be loved.

All people smile in the same language.

A hug is a great gift... one size fits all.
It can be given for any occasion and it's easy to exchange.

Everyone needs to be loved... especially when they do not deserve it.

The real measure of a man's wealth is what he has invested in eternity.

Everyone has beauty but not everyone sees it.

If you fill your heart with regrets of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow,
you have nothing today to be thankful for.

The choice you make today will usually affect tomorrow.

Take time to laugh, for it is the music of the soul.

If anyone speaks badly of you, live so none will believe it.

Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.

Love is strengthened by working through conflicts together.

The best thing parents can do for their children is to love each other.

Harsh words break no bones but they do break hearts.

To get out of a difficulty, one usually must go through it.

We take for granted the things that we should be giving thanks for.

Love is the only thing that can be divided without being diminished.

Happiness is enhanced by others but does not depend upon others.

Scaphandre et le papillon, Le (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly)

Movie synopsis:
A flamboyant editor of fashion magazine is suddenly struck with stroke, and is left paralyzed and vocally impaired except for the muscle of his left eye. His medical condition was known as the Locked-in Syndrome.

Bedridden, he falls into depression naturally at the beginning, but slowly comes to life again in his imagination. In his words, "though I may be dead in body, 2 things are alive, my thoughts, and my imaginations". He looks back at his life and decisions he has made - some good, some bad. And he also visited wild fantasy worlds with no limitations. And through the help of his speech therapist and a transcriber, he dictated his memoir, "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly".

The Diving Bell was his paralyzed, unmovable and burdened physical body, while the Butterfly was his imagination freed.

My take:
Beautiful movie. And inspiring. Besides the great colors, film grade and lovely soundtrack, what leaves the deepest impression was the director's way of portraying parallel several key things about Jean-Dominique Bauby. He regretted not having spent more time with his children, but he was not sorry for his affairs. He wished he could spend more time with his aged father, but he was not guilty of anything. Little incidents, and choices that we make in life really matters when everything comes to a screeching halt in your daily routine.

Most importantly, I loved the fact that though he may not have been the best person or most sensitive guy, when he died, he was surrounded by the people he loved, and those who loved him more. I admire that. I would want that.

think of you by a fine frenzy

…I thought I had it figured out
in a brand new life
with a great big house
and green initials on the towels
I should be happy now

well, you’ve got yourself a family
and you planted roots down by the sea
I saw you once on the street,
you didn’t notice me

but I think of you,
whenever life gets me down
I think of you
whenever you’re not around
you rest your bones
somewhere far from my own,
yeah but you still pull me home

just to put your mind at ease
you don’t owe me anything
you paid me well in memories…