Forests Forever

“Your dream forest may lie within. The forest you have entered in your dreams. An irreplaceable treasure, our children's inheritance." – forests-forever.com

It must have been pure luck that I stumbled (I tend to do a lot of e-stumbling lately!) upon the most enchanting website I have ever come across.

This it literally a journey into the world of the forests. These forests exist right here on Earth, they are not the product of human imagination or hi tech computerized graphics.

From Treehuggers.com:

“Japan’s Fujifilm has put together an incredible site to raise consciousness concerning the planet’s forests and their irreplaceable beauty and their inextricable link to life is revealed through a seamless interface of history from the very beginning, collapsing time into something our brain can handle.

The exhibit is nearly perfect, delivering an enormous amount of content in an elegant and intuitive interface.

But the visuals that accompany the text (as it trickles onto the screen) are aesthetically beautiful, technically intriguing, and, along with the peaceful accompanying music, might even manage to establish a sense of 'serenity' in viewers before they proceed to the main presentation.”

If you're thinking of dropping in, having a quick look around and popping back out again, it's just not going to happen. Wait until you've got some time, or need a break - you should never rush through a museum.

“Everybody thinks that they already know about forests. Perhaps people need to alter their perspective a bit. Forests are not only groups of trees, but a function of the global environment. They provide us with fertile soil, water and food and their existence is necessary for us to survive. Forests are also fragile. Many are damaged by human beings. But, very few people think about how daily life brings harm to forests. Everyone must begin to think about the type of forests we will see 100 years from now.” — creator Shinzo Fukui

Navigating your way around the website:

FOREST GALLERY
The Gallery holds interactive exhibitions, each highlighting a unique woodland from locations around the world.

After the images, each collection has a few Information pages - holding articles written by the photographers, history and ecology of the forest in question, photographer profiles, and a horizontal scroll of the images featured - with captions and credits.

Cradle of Life at the Waters Edge
The Forests outlasting the Ice Age
Under the Forests Maternal Gaze
Primeval Forest – Timeless Grace
The Sanctuary in a Land of Harmony
The Forest of Infinite Genomes
A Guardian Deity, The Boreal Forest
Towering Evergreen Wetland
Enduring Forests, Eternal Forests
The Land of Eternal Jade
The Forest of Life in the Sea of Mist
The Forest of Life’s Blazing Colours
Sylvan Spiritual Haven
The Fabled Forest Living a Fairytale
Wilderness Revived on the Lava Bed

THE FOREST’S GIFTS

The forest and us. Walking side by side, each cradled in the peace that the vastness of nature bestows. The image and inspiration that those forests hold are here, waiting for you.

CONSCIOUSNESS
History traces developments from the first signs of life on the planet to the present day (the last section providing a very graphic demonstration of deforestation in Bolivia via some time-lapse satellite imagery).

History

Since the birth of this planet, the forests have poured their breath into every corner of the Earth for countless thousands of years. Over that time, the forests have grown as one, repeating their ebb and flow and taking their present forms. The Forests are the ecosystem’s genes, passed down from generation to generation for eternity.

Creation of the Earth
Emergence of Life
Benevolence of the Sun
By-Products of Life
Domination of the Land by Plant Life
The Earth’s First Forest
Vast Forests of the Dinosaurs
Coexisting Forest
Disappearing Forest

Vegetation

Vegetation clarifies such points as the differences between temperate and tropical, desert and savannah.

The lives of the forests on this earth are so varied, so diverse. You find them on chilly land, scorching wilderness and mild plains. And on humid islands and shimmering sea beds. But each forest quietly accepts the environment and the fate handed to it, living day to day, searching for ‘the ideal’. While also designing the livelihood of the beings that surround it. Become familiar with the forests that do not give up, but keep evolving, and their incredible wisdom and energy.

Tropical Forest
Subarctic Forest
Temperate Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Savannah
Temperate Forest

ISSUES

Imagine a world without forests, imagine an earth devoid of green.

If there was no forest
The smell of the wind, the sunshine
The joy of harvest, the revitalizing, thirst quenching water
We would not receive all this richness
If there was no forest
Our lives would be left with no order
Our world would be ruled by cruelty and savagery
It is undeniable now more than ever
The Earth faces a crise, a difficult reality.
But the forest stands before our eyes, living strong.
We humans, with out "reason" and "imagination" are the only ones with the power to deliver hope
The key of hope that opens the door to the future lies within us.

Thinning Earth
Overheating Atmosphere
Tainted Air
Eventually, Reason will Vanish

CONTRIBUTION

Forests are full of strength, so kind, its gifts vast and many
Brilliant gift nurtured over ages and troubles.
Possibility fills the forests
As they contain so much power that we do not even know of.
Capacity to connect and nurture lives of all creatures.
Generosity to grant creativity and heal the body and mind.
Forests are more than mere collection of trees.
Forests live within, and together with us all,
How many forests live in you?

Forests Nourishing Water
Forests Purify and Regulate
Cycle of Life’s Essentials
Living Forests

Tree lovers or not, Forests Forever makes an immediate and arresting first impression on its visitors. And the result could easily lead to planet-wide incidents of tree-hugging!!

I really recommend you visit the website http://www.forests-forever.com you will be mesmerized at the exquisiteness of both the images and literature.

Make you want to just run outside, hibernate in the forest, live in an eco village (that’s still the plan eh DB and Lobelia?!) and hug the trees!!

Tree Hugging Forest Love
Orangeblossom xxx

In Remembrance for London July 7th 2005

For hundreds of thousands of people commuting into London, the morning of July 7, 2005 began just like any other.

But at the peak of the rush hour, a series of coordinated suicide bombings that struck London's public transport system during the morning rush hour.

At 8:50 a.m. three bombs exploded within 50 seconds of each other on three London Underground trains. A fourth bomb exploded on a bus nearly an hour later at 9:47 a.m. in Tavistock Square. Fifty-two people were killed in the attacks, including the four bombers, and about 700 injured.

A week later, millions stood in silence to honor the victims of the deadliest single act of terrorism in Britain since World War II.

Today at 12pm, we pay our respects to the casualties of terrorism, not just in this country, but to the innocent millions whose lives have been sacrificed around the world.

I have added some passages and quotes about peace – because where there is darkness, there is also light. And this light is the enduring human spirit – the belief that within us all lies the ability to bring good to this world.

"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.Lights of peace become circles of peace.Circles of peace become communities of peace.Communities of peace become a peaceful world community." - Bob Stewart

“War does not determine who is right - only who is left.” - Bertrand Russel

“In separateness lies the world's great misery; in compassion lies the world's true strength.” - Buddha

“We must be the change we wish to see.” - Mahatma Gandhi
“When in despair I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won; there have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall.” - Mahatma Gandhi

“We do not inherit the earth from our fathers. We borrow it from our children.” - David Bower

“The fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose.” - Heda Bejar

“You cannot fight for peace. You can only peace for peace.” – David Icke

I then came across these poems written by children in Bulgaria and they are expressed so beautifully, as only children know how…

I had a dream:
The elephants are running free
And the lions and the tigers.
The children are playing on the roads.
The birds are singing happily.
Men and women are walking in the parks.
Peace is an important thing
And everybody should know it
And try to save it!
Ilian Ivailov, 9 years

I dream for happy people
And those terrorists to disappear,
People to be free
And to live their life.
I wish to be free
And to be a star,
And to live in a beautiful house,
And to be in the future.
Tihomir Mladenov, 9 years

Love, Light and PEACE
Orangeblossom xxx

Soul Survival

I cannot help but feel sad and helpless when one of my friends is hurting and in pain. Sometimes one can’t find the right words to help ease the aching. Whenever I feel these moments of being “stuck” I turn to the Prophet writings, because somehow they just make sense of things in a way I could never even try to begin to express.

So this is what The Prophet has to say about Pain:

Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.
Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.
And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy;
And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields.
And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.
Much of your pain is self-chosen.
It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.
Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy in silence and tranquillity:
For his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided by the tender hand of the Unseen,
And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips, has been fashioned of the clay which the Potter has moistened with his own sacred tears.

Sometimes these words are hard to take in and accept or even just hear and you just want to scream out aloud to someone, no one, to yourself. As Chris says “Your feeling is your healing”. Embrace it.

And sometimes I find some answers in lyrics of some songs like Crowded House

“And your seven worlds collide Whenever I am by your side And dust from a distant sun Will shower over everyone You're still so young to travel so far Old enough to know who you are Wise enough to carry the scars Without any blame, there's no one to blame It's easy to forget what you learned Waiting for the thrill to return Feeling your desire burn You're drawn to the flame”

The flame. We engulf ourselves in the flames of our daily lives. It burns and it nourishes at the same time. But sometimes I guess we choke on the smoke from the fire too long to allow it to actually cleanse us of our wounds.

It is so difficult to survive in today’s world of external pressures and hardships. It’s not so much just ourselves, but other people that cloud our vision and damage our fragile esteems. The old school rhyme “stick and stones may break my bones, but words may never harm me.” Well truth be told, it is mostly the words of other people that do cause the most irreparable harm and psychological abuse. Especially when it comes from those you love or loved. Yet in saying that, words are words and do not always reflect the truth, merely it just reflects another persons own anger, hurt or sadness. Ultimately I feel it’s our own souls (and indeed the love from our true friends and family) that can heal our physical and mental traumas and hang ups, if only we would acknowledge that we have this inner power of healing to do that.

Lately I have been humming away to Tracy Chapman and I just love her soulful music…

“She say dont give or sell your soul away cause all that you have is your soul Dont be tempted by the shiny apple Dont you eat of a bitter fruit Hunger only for a taste of justice Hunger only for a world of truth cause all that you have is your soul.
Standing at the point The road it cross you down What is at your back Which way do you turn Who will come to find you first Your devils or your gods All you folks think you run my life Say I should be willing to compromise I say all you demons go back to hell I'll save my soul save myself.”


What happens when the fire of your love dies...it becomes smoke and ashes. But from the ashes, the phoenix arises and spreads its golden wings to fly heights of higher. I truly believe this, and I am loving flying in the silver lining of the clouds of love.

As time heals the wound, the scars sometimes still remain. But we are all made up of scars, a patchwork on our souls. But it’s these scars that ultimately heal us from within, and we rise up from the depths of our dark winters and into the light of our springs. As Jo always says “we see more walking from the dark into the light, than from the light into the dark”. In truth I think we realised this while literally walking from the dark into the light one night, but nevertheless at that moment I think we both reflected on what was just said. Fused energies and connected souls!

I have long been a fan of the band Live and this is an extract from their song “The Dolphin’s Cry”…

“oh yeah, we meet again it's like we never left time in between was just a dream did we leave this place?this crazy fog surrounds me you wrap your legs around me all I can do to try and breathe let me breathe so that I so we can go together love will lead us, alright love will lead us, she will lead us can you hear the dolphins cry? see the road rise up to meet us it's in the air we breathe tonight love will lead us, she will lead us life is like a shooting star it don't matter who you are if you only run for cover, it's just a waste of time we are lost 'til we are found this phoenix rises up from the ground and all these wars are over ”


Battles are fought until our own wars are won. But really, the fight is only with ourselves. So armour up with your soul survival kit of love, light, understanding, patience, acceptance, optimism and truth. We are all soldiers of freedom and when we break away from our own cages, may we dance the dance of life.

Love, Healing and Soul Survival
Orangeblossom xxx

The Great Illusion

I stumbled upon this linked website called www.thegreatillusion.com while I was browsing the latest news on David Icke’s website www.davidicke.com

For those who are not yet aware of David Icke, well he is a world famous (or infamous to most!) conspiracy theorist, but he is also a new age philosopher of sorts, and brings to light some profound and inspiring ways to liberate our own spirits and energies for a greater good. The media portray him mostly as a lot of a nutcase, but the fundamental vision that he has is so honest, he is just a truth seeker. And as Albert Einstein once said “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”

"Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut, that held its ground." – David Icke

"A gift of truth is the gift of love" – David Icke

"Don't let them tell you what to think, no matter how "different" your own views may be in relation to the official line. If you are not different in this world of stunning uniformity what on earth are you doing? Baaaaaaa." – David Icke

"Today, the stranglehold of the controlling negative forces upon Earth is extremely advanced and is choking the very life from our planet. The effects of this are evident everywhere in the form of fear, separation, war, disease and multifarious kinds of disharmony on all levels." – David Icke

"Infinite love is the only truth. Everything else is illusion." – David Icke

"You cannot fight for peace. We need to peace for peace." - David Icke

Anyway, The Great Illusion is an interactive journey, written by Victor Khan with illustrations by Jim Warren www.jimwarren.com Each passage is written with such insight and each image is so beautifully related.

I have collated a few of Jim Warren’s stunning artwork above. I have also extracted a few passages from The Great Illusion journey.

The Great Illusion
Close your eyes and go inside, breathe the air and clear your mind. Changing colors lead the way, not a thought to slip away. Search the darkness for a light, see the sunshine in the night. Inside-out is on display, a paradox that hides the way. A twist-of-fate is there to find ~ create the peace found all inside.Get beyond your point-of-view, those limitations hinder you. Anything can be achieved, the mystery behind the scenes. Déjà vu of long gone times, past ignorance that closed the mind. The secret path is locked within, it's opposite to where you've been. Contemplate what life can be, the rhetorical question of reality. Dreams appear that do come true, your love will bring them all to you. Manifest and do pursue, it attracts the higher side of you. Karma that is never known, the oxymoron twilight zone. A parallel of life in rhyme, the great illusion of all time. Behold the threefold flower ~ the eye, the heart, the hand...revealed is all the wisdom that the mind can understand. BELIEVE, ACHIEVE and RECEIVE!

Starting Points
The world as we view it, is much like a dance, you can take what is coming and live it by chance...Or seek answers to questions and live it by choice, just follow your heart and answer its voice. Chance brings that karmic phenomenon,manifested reactions from what you have done.Look for a place that’s hidden within, search for the message, that’s where to begin. Talk to yourself, have conversation inside,it’s a matter of choice, create from the mind. Picture yourself in a world all your own,then bring it to life from the seed to the sown. Search & discover the source of white light,don’t settle for anything, reach for the heights. Your goals are the answer to what you achieve, and it’s almost like magic when you start to believe. Truth & intuition ...bring gifts to rejoice, go it by chance or live it by choice!

The Art of Looking
Look clearly at life and not just your own, how much is reality, and how much is unknown. It's not measured in beauty, possessions or wealth,but measured in consciousness and judged by yourself. Do you wonder if this is your chance,to examine the future and all that might last?Material things just gather the dust,whereas thought becomes life force and this is the thrust. A look in the mirror at the start of each day, a vision of emptiness ...but a nice résumé. It's all in the cards ~ but its not yet a deck.sit back and slow down, take the time to reflect. Look clearly at life and into your own, understanding the choices that cannot be postponed.

Choices
When you think of your past and remember that day, just think of the choices that sent you this way. Try to comprehend how the pieces fit in, realizing the enigma as the shadows wear thin. Timing is everything to see the next step, a wrong choice or decision is a long non-stop trip. If we could see answers to all life's little ways, it wouldn't be so hard to see through the haze. Seeing is learning and that is the test, if you made the right choices at the start of this quest.Live in the real world, a life and a goal, good friends and true meaning ~ let love feed your soul. So be careful of false signs, of tricks and of strife, you'll remember those choices when you look back at your life. The right things in life are here by your choice, you made this yourself, now sit back and rejoice.

The Tiger Within
Have you begun to question the rules of this game, reflect on your actions and take some of the blame. For all that just happens there must be a cause, to find it ...the answer, sit back and just pause. Feel what you’re thinking ~ investigate all. Think what you’re feeling ~ grow to stand tall. Look at yourself then ponder the facts, it’s a positive attitude that makes you attract. All is in harmony ...it’s a quieting sound, the secret of life is very profound. The reason is curious, as above so below,and knowledge is hidden at the end of rainbows. Calming your mind and the tiger within, all is not viewed by the color of skin. Outward appearance is not genuine, it's not what you look like ~ but from where it begins. Thoughts are like mirrors ~ just slightly bizarre, and it all comes from wishing each night on a star.

I seriously recommend that you go on this journey, the graphics and messages are both breathtaking and freeing.

Peace, Love and Believing
Orangeblossom xxx

Hubble Bubble, Space Toil and Galactic Trouble

I thought I would continue posting some more awesomely jaw dropping pictures of our outer space. These are famous images taken by the Nasa space telescope, Hubble. For more astronomical pics and info, go to http://www.nasa.gov/home/

Where Eagles Fly

Perhaps one of the most famous and easily recognized space objects, the Eagle Nebula (also known as Messier Object 16, M16) is a young open cluster of stars in the constellation Serpens. This region of current star formation is about 7,000 light years distant. The Hubble image is one of the most popular poster images of outer space, and often appears in science-fiction movies. I put together a collage of some of the most spectacular images of Eagle Nebula.

Like Sands through the Hourglass

The Hourglass Nebula (also known as MyCn18) is a young planetary nebula situated in the southern constellation Musca about 8,000 light-years away from Earth. It is conjectured that MyCn18's hourglass shape is produced by the expansion of a fast stellar wind within a slowly expanding cloud which is denser near its equator than its poles.

The Eye in the Sky

Often called “The Eye of God”, The Helix Nebula (also known as NGC 7293) is a planetary nebula about 650 light-years away in the constellation Aquarius. It is one of the closest planetary nebulae to Earth.

Are there words to capture one’s sheer awe at what exists beyond the twinkling stars that we see in our night skies?!

As Buzz Lightyear would say…“To Infinity, and Beyond!”

Wanabee Space Cadet OB xxx

* * * Twinkle Twinkle * * *

These pictures (thanks Ty!) illustrate perfectly just how small Earth is within our galaxy. Never mind what lies beyond our own galaxy, into our universe.

To quote Thomas Henry Huxley; “The chess-board is the world, the pieces are the phenomena of the universe, the rules of the game are what we call the laws of Nature. The player on the other side is hidden from us."

Or to break it down in pictures…

Big Blue Earth

These are the smaller planets in our solar system, where Earth is the biggie.

The Rest of the Crew

Here Earth is shown alongside the Big Boys of our Solar System.

The Sun is Shining

This shows the comparison of all the planets in our solar system with the star that is the Sun.

Starry Starry Night

Earth is invisible at this range and here resides Arcturus, the third brightest star in the night sky, after Sirius and Canopus.

The Big Daddy and the Glitterbugs

Jupiter is now invisible and the Sun is but a dot where Antares reigns supreme and is one of the brightest stars in the nighttime sky. Along with Aldebaran, Spica, and Regulus it is one of the four brightest stars near the ecliptic (The ecliptic is the apparent path of the Sun traced out along the sky in the course of the year.)

All stars except the Sun appear to the human eye as shining points in the night sky that twinkle because of the effect of the Earth's atmosphere. The Sun is also a star, but it is close enough to Earth to appear as a disk instead, and to provide daylight.

Astronomers estimate that there are at least 70 sextillion (7×1022) stars in the known universe. That is 70 000 000 000 000 000 000 000, or 230 billion x 300 billion in our own Milky Way.

Fascinating hey! Makes you want to just jump in a spacecraft and go exploring the night sky…Beam me up Scotty!!

So I will leave with the nursery rhyme by Jane Taylor…

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!

Outer Spacey, Starry, Universal and Sparkly Love

Orangeblossom xxx

Stonehenge Summer Solstice Celebrations

To celebrate the summer solstice, English Heritage allows the public access to the 5,000-year-old stone circle for the annual event.

Drum-beating and chanting turned to cheering as the sun broke through the clouds shortly after 0500am.

Although the overnight weather dampened the sky and atmosphere, I still think these pictures are especially magical in their own right.

Mystical Love and Sun Worshiping
Orangeblossom xxx

Once upon a Time in the Shire…

Once upon a time across the land of the shire country, lived three hobbits; Orangeblossom Brandybuck of Buckland, Dimple Boffin of Whitfurrows and Lobelia Grubb of Everywhere.

One day there were all sent alone onto the Great Road that led them to the New Yorkshire Forest where they spent 6 months working with other fellow hobbits. It was there where they met each other for the first time. It has been a few years since those days of shared, but the three hobbits have drifted in and out of each others merry lives, always carrying with them the fondest memories of each other.

Of late, the three hobbits have found themselves together in the Old Forest and their friendship and connection just keeps getting stronger. Over rivers, meadows, mountains and fields, they find each other and spend many lazy and exciting days together, basking in the bubble that surrounds them in their ventures. They share so much fun and laughter as they play, and also wonder together about the world to which they belong.

And now Lobelia Grubb of Everywhere is going to settle in the Cornshire with another lovely hobbit called Mungo of the Warwickshire and live happily ever after. Because Lobelia is such a beloved hobbit, some other hobbits may be reluctant to let her go, and maybe cast some shadows of doubt over her new green and happy fields.

And if these other hobbits cast gloomy clouds upon the horizon, willing the rain to pour down, her hobbit sisters will be her sunshine and keep the grumpy clouds at bay.

Her fellow hobbit princesses also want her to remember that they will be her beacons of light and pillars of strength in all times. Not just sad, but happy and merry too. They rejoice in her bliss and hold hands as they dance and jump barefoot in circles of love, friendship and soul sisterhood.

As Bramblerose Cotton of Overhill truly reflected about hobbit sisters:

“She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your sister."

How blessed Orangeblossom feels to have such beautiful and inspirational soul sisters!

Love and Soul Sisterhood
Orangeblossom xxx

I am an African

I am an African
Not because I was born there
But because my heart beats with Africa’s

I am an African
Not because my skin is black
But because my mind is engaged by Africa

I am an African
Not because I live on its soil
But because my soul is at home in Africa

When Africa weeps for her children
My cheeks are stained with tears
When Africa honours her elders
My head is bowed in respect
When Africa mourns for her victims
My hands are joined in prayer
When Africa celebrates her triumphs
My feet are alive with dancing

I am an African
For her blue skies take my breath away
And my hope for the future is bright

I am an African
For her people greet me as family
And teach me the meaning of community

I am an African
For her wildness quenches my spirit
And brings me closer to the source of life

When the music of Africa beats in the wind
My blood pulses to its rhythm
And I become the essence of music
When the colours of Africa dazzle in the sun
My senses drink in its rainbow
And I become the palette of nature
When the stories of Africa echo round the fire
My feet walk in its pathways
And I become the footprints of history

I am an African
Because she is the cradle of our birth
And nurtures an ancient wisdom

I am an African
Because she lives in the world’s shadow
And bursts with a radiant luminosity

I am an African
Because she is the land of tomorrow
And I recognise her gifts as sacred

I am an African

~~ a poem by Wayne Visser


I think this poem is so stunning and inspiring about Africa. Once you have walked upon her sacred ground, breathed in her heavens, and witnessed her pure and extraordinary beauty – you are never left the same. I like to think that I take a bit of Africa’s spirit with me wherever I go, because I am also an African, and what a magnificant blessing that is.

Peace, Love and Happiness
Orangeblossom xxx

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

My many moments of small revelations, present themselves lately while I am on the bus – and yesterday morning was no exception.

I had started thinking about all the decisions I have made in my life so far and how they have influenced and affected me and my outlook on the world.

If you have ever seen the movie “The Butterfly Effect” will agree how well it presents the notion of “every action has a reaction”. Perhaps this reaction is direct or indirect. Every decision affects you or those around you or a strange or all of the above in one way or another. Sometimes for the best and sometimes not. If one really had to analysis every decision one makes, I think that would in itself drive you straight up to the gates of the loony bin.

But I guess one of lifes many lessons (I think this Life Lesson List belongs in a Mary Poppins bag because it becomes never ending!) is that instead of analysing why you made a decision, you should focus on what you learnt from that decision.

I think that through every decision we have something to learn. Learn about ourselves and/or others.

That is all well and good if you feel you have made the right decision, but a whole different ball game if you feel you made the wrong decision. Yet, in saying that, one could argue that who is to say what is “right” and “wrong”. What is sauce for the goose is not always sauce for the gander.

Many things influence the decisions we make as well, like your friends, family, circumstances, values, morals, consequences etc etc. So when faced with a difficult decision, how do you know what to weigh up against what.

Now often I have these mental debates in my head. Sometimes they are quiet and civil, other times it is like a waging war going on. When the verdict is in, I am left with two options. Either I emerge with a winning verdict or I am left feeling like a prisoner of my own convictions.

The latter is the one that we struggle to come to terms with and accept. But I reckon that even in these sad times, we can either come out reformed and safe in the knowledge that we have lived with the consequences of our own actions and have learnt the lesson entailed. Or we continue to look to the past for answers, instead of focusing on the future and to where our decisions have brought us on our life’s path.

Its hard to know where to look for answers. I feel that if you trust your own self enough, those answers will never be far away. Sometimes our lessons are not so obvious and it takes time to finally see the light, so to speak.

I like to believe that everything happens for a reason. How cliché that is, but how so very true. Change happens. And we change. Sometimes I feel I push others to hard for this acceptance of change, but I know that everyone in their own time. Change is neither good nor bad, it is just change. It is the attitude towards these changes that ultimately determines how we allow it to affect us.

So decisions and change…how they add to the trials and tribulations of our lives.

But these trials and tribulations are what makes us stronger. They are a part of life. A part of us. We cant escape them, else we would not be able to learn our lessons and move forward.

So have faith in others, but most of all have faith in yourself because every ones journey is unique and extraordinary.

I will leave you with a few quotes:

“A peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one.” ~Rita Mae Brown

“Life is the sum of all your choices.” ~Albert Camus

“The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.” ~David Russell

“It doesn't matter which side of the fence you get off on sometimes. What matters most is getting off. You cannot make progress without making decisions.” ~Jim Rohn

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” ~Confucius

“We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.” ~Kahlil Gibran

“Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson


Love and Happy Decision Making
Orangeblossom xxx

Summer in the City

England is no doubt a stunningly pretty country, with their green meadows and vast fields carved out by meandering river streams. But oh how this land of the shires comes to life under the beaming rays of the gloriously baking summer sun.

London, especially, is a city transformed when the sun comes out to play. The sun seems to magically inject people with a new vitality and lust for life and the outdoors.

This was the occurrence I witness upon my visit to the capital city this weekend.

I woke on Saturday morning to crystal blue skies, warm sunshine and crisp air. A good start to my journey already. So off I went on my very merry way to Jo’s place in Canada Water.

I think both of us were so eager to bask in the glorious weather, we immediately set forth to catch the bus to Greenwich Park. Greenwich Park lies smack bang on the footsteps of the Greenwich Meridian Observatory.

We found a patchy piece of grass, munched on our picnic munchies and did a bit of people watching. As you do. The sun was belting down and we retreated to some nearby shade on the other side of the park. And we just chilled, lying back and listening to the music of human commotion and activity all around us.

As the afternoon progressed, we walked to the Village. Well sort of. More like we stumbled upon a market with all these great stores. Quality European produce – especially the delicious Turkish Delight we bought.

I have never been to that part of London, but now I will definitely visit their more often. Another fascinating part of London’s multi cultural megalopolis.

So we trekked home, had a cup of tea and contemplated our next move. We were not going to stay indoors on an almost perfect evening. So out we came with the tube map, and let our fingers to the walking, where it stopped by Angel. We decided to just roam the high street and look at all the pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants before deciding on a place to settle. But we found this bustling little Turkish café and managed to secure a table on the street. The chairs were adorned in lush purple velvet and they had all these brightly coloured silk cushions (which we insisted on getting!). Anyway I think (ok I know) our waiter thought we were quite insane, but he warmed to us. As we sat to some authentic Mint Tea and Hookah, our waiter brought us shawls to wear (they had just been washed and smelled like flowers!). Talk about pampering! We felt like princesses! Anyway we tried all sorts of tea… Mint Tea, Turkish Apple Tea and then Mint Tea with orange blossom! Hey we had to try it, and I must say that if I were a flower, I would taste mighty fine indeed!

Before calling it a night, Jo made us some more tea and we went out to the bench by the water and had such a wonderfully insightful and energetic chat – at one point we realized how loud we were talking and how nuts we must of sounded, and in turn, erupted in fits of girly laughter!

Sunday arrived and the sun will still out in full force, although not as intense as Saturday which was maybe a relief as I was beginning to feel giddy with sunny happiness! Its so amazing the effect that sunshine has on you. Its such a life force.

Oh yes, so Craig kindly took us out for breakfast at a traditional English café down the road – very warm and welcoming in there. We lined our stomachs and headed to Regents Park for the Camden Green Fair and Bike Fest.

The Green Fair is to promote Environmental Day and London Sustainability Weeks. There are all sorts of campaigns and charities on show – I headed to the Climate Change and Friends of the Earth stall and chatted to some guy about my degree. But then he started rambling on about something and I couldn’t follow his train of thought, so I hopped along to the next stall. But there were also crafts and vendors offering organic and fair trade food and clothing. There was a stage where some unusual bands played thumping good tunes.

We met some of Jo’s friends throughout the day, and in doing so managed to get permanently lost and walked in circles and circles. But Jo got to have a few conversations with the resident ducks along the way, so happy days!

We finished off the day watching a bit of Street World Cup football between Columbia and Bulgaria in the one section of the park. I am not a sports fan (let alone a football fan!) but I enjoyed the vibe and energy of the game and of the fans.

After two such magnificent days, I was reluctant to leave and only arrived back home at 11:30pm last night.

But it was all worth it – bring on the English summer!!

Love, Happiness and Sunshine
Orangeblossom xxx

Dawn in Darfur

Thanks to Werner for his daily updates, pictures and insight in Darfur. Its so amazing to read what is really going on in places that we see so frequently on tv, but cannot really relate to.

So I read this poem on one of his postings last month and it was so touching. I will keep the authors name Anonymous, to respect his identity. But his poem carries the echoes of his soul, and those of millions of other Sudanese refugees, trying to make sense of the turmoil and devastation left around them.

Darfur is a Casualty

Worry nights about poor babies

whose life on the ground resources

Still waiting for the cloud raining

cleans starvation conflict boiling

The youth instead of standing by

They left Darfur to North Sky

Music of Darfur drums noising

not only for singing and dancing

neither for harvest nor collecting

only for chairs politicians are fighting

also for diet many people are suffering

The youth instead of standing by

They left Darfur for North Sky

Darfur is a great mother of men

she paid for now and then

but nature of life is often

loses hand of generous thieving smile

wonderful world beautiful people exile!

and the robust case which is alive

When do we build responsible life?

The youth instead of standing by

They left Darfur to North Sky

To end off on a more positive note, I have attached a picture that Werner took.

I don’t really have the appropriate words, but when I look at it I don’t just see a man and a boy standing looking out to the horizon. But I see what they must see; the sun rising and bringing with it a new dawn of hope. Surrounded by nothing, the still stand, side to side, in prayer and giving thanks to the sun. Giving thanks and praise to the life that still lives on in Darfur.

Peace, Love and Hope
Orangeblossom xxx

The Bookseller of Kabul

I picked up this book called “The Bookseller of Kabul” by Asne Seierstad, in the library a few weeks ago and finished it this week.

I began reading it and was so taken back by the stark reality and honesty of this story. A fire within me was ignited when reading about the way in which the majority of Afgan families live out their every day lives. In a country torn by war, this book focuses more on how their religion and politics dictate and still reign supreme. It’s the women that bear the brunt of the suffering. My heart bleeds for them and countless other women around the world, ones that we hear of, read of, but seldom stop to just think about what their lives are like in comparison to our own.

At times I had to stop myself from reading further, because I got so upset by the truth of these people and their existence. I felt like just shouting at them in the book! I found this review (from Publishers Weekly) of the book that gives a good overall summary and insight:

“After living for three months with the Kabul bookseller Sultan Khan in the spring of 2002, Norwegian journalist Seierstad penned this astounding portrait of a nation recovering from war, undergoing political flux and mired in misogyny and poverty. As a Westerner, she has the privilege of traveling between the worlds of men and women, and though the book is ostensibly a portrait of Khan, its real strength is the intimacy and brutal honesty with which it portrays the lives of Afghani living under fundamentalist Islam. Seierstad also expertly outlines Sultan's fight to preserve whatever he can of the literary life of the capital during its numerous decades of warfare (he stashed some 10,000 books in attics around town). Seierstad, though only 31, is a veteran war reporter and a skilled observer; as she hides behind her burqa, the men in the Sultan's family become so comfortable with her presence that she accompanies one of Sultan's sons on a religious pilgrimage and witnesses another buy sex from a beggar girl-then offer her to his brother. This is only one of many equally shocking stories Seierstad uncovers. In another, an adulteress is suffocated by her three brothers as ordered by their mother. Seierstad's visceral account is equally seductive and repulsive. An international bestseller, it will likely stand as one of the best books of reportage of Afghan life after the fall of the Taliban.”

“Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little.” – Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta (founder of Buddism)

Sands of Time

A while ago, I read a famous book called “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran (I think it was actually Shireen that bought me the book – once again another shining example of my sisters enlightened influence on me!)

In a nutshell, this book was written by the Lebanese poet, philosopher and artist, Kahlil. It regales the story where, in a distant, timeless place, a mysterious prophet walks the sands. At the moment of his departure, he wishes to offer the people gifts but possesses nothing. The people gather round, each asks a question of the heart, and the man's wisdom is his gift.

It is Gibran's gift to us. On the most basic topics--marriage, children, friendship, work, pleasure--his words have a power and lucidity that in another era would surely have provoked the description "divinely inspired." Free of dogma, free of power structures and metaphysics.

Over time, I will post chapters of his writings when I feel they are most relevant to me - with what is happening in my own life, in the lives of others close to me.

Talking of time, that is what I wanted to blog about. Lately I just feel like I am urging time on, looking to the imminent months ahead, becoming impatient at time. I feel like a child sitting under the Christmas tree, staring at my presents, willing time to hurry up so that I may open them! So, I read this passage again, and I feel more relaxed and at ease. Time is really quite irrelevant, when you think that is only really a measurement of sorts, created by man to explain, justify and live out and our existence.

I always tend to overuse the expressions “Only time will tell” or “Everything and/or everyone in their own time”, but we are all on our own paths, walking along with our own clocks, which tick and tock to the individual rhythms of our own spirits. In essence I believe we will all reach the places we are meant to reach, meet the people we are meant to meet, and live the life we choose to lead, all in our own space and time. Time that is ours…making our time, timeless.

This is what Kahlil has to say about Time…

“ On Time

And an astronomer said, "Master, what of Time?"

And he answered: You would measure time the measureless and the immeasurable.

You would adjust your conduct and even direct the course of your spirit according to hours and seasons.
Of time you would make a stream upon whose bank you would sit and watch its flowing.

Yet the timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness,
And knows that yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream.
And that that which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space.

Who among you does not feel that his power to love is boundless?
And yet who does not feel that very love, though boundless, encompassed within the centre of his being, and moving not form love thought to love thought, nor from love deeds to other love deeds?
And is not time even as love is, undivided and paceless?

But if in you thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other seasons,
And let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing.”

Timeless Peace, Love and Happiness
Orangeblossom xxx

To Stir Or Not To Stir

Well it only took me five days to write up a posting about last weekend – I have been in “recovery” mode. But I was also waiting for my photos to be developed, even though I know that photos can never truly justify an experience or moment. So you will just have to take my word for it!

So let’s start from the beginning. I arrived in London on Friday evening and met Jo at Baker Street and we headed up to Shazz’s house. We just mellowed out there until Shazz and Justin (who I hadn’t seen since New York two and a half years ago) arrived. We then went out to Brick Lane in the East End. The evening was warm and mild and there were so many people on the street outside 1001 Café that it looked and sounded like a street festival was on.

We met up with Shelly and Kerry upstairs (it was like a New York reunion of sorts!) and stayed for a few hours. We didn’t do an all nighter, as we were preparing ourselves for Saturday night. Upon waking on Saturday morning (after sleeping on the biggest bed I have ever been on!! Seriously it was like a King and Queen put together!), we were entertained by Shazz’s flatmate Nathan and his friend. They had just come back from a night out in Willesden, so needless to say there were pretty mashed. Shazz made us breakfast in bed and we chilled out there until Jo arrived and then we started getting Shazz’s bags together (as she has taken up care work outside of London) and got a cab down to Jo’s place near Canada Water/Surrey
Quays. Pic below of us by the water.

Justin and Shazz then trekked to Camden, while Jo and I lazed at home and attempted to watch The Fifth Element, but we passed out before halfway. I made us dinner, then we got dressed, were joined by Jo’s mate Craig and made our way to Vauxhall (where we met up with Bryony and Mariano). Finding our way to Stir, we entered the Renaissance Rooms. Ill let you read the review:

“Psy Trance and Breaks two of the fastest-growing underground dance music scenes in the UK are set to merge at STIR the new night from a joint venture by Nano records and Breaksday. STIR follows on from the successful merging of the Breaks and Trance crowds at last summers festivals creating an indoor festival vibe, with two banging dance rooms supported by 2 other tripped-out areas, plus an outdoor chill, chai café, markets and lots of colourful nutters for a pre summer hit of festival feeling. There’s not been anything like it before... Make sure you can say you were there for the first one.”

Now to those that are new to the trance music/party/festivals, it is difficult to define or explain what it is, but this guy wraps it up pretty well:

“I think it’s misunderstood, it’s certainly not easily accessible music - you have got to be in the right frame of mind and that can be challenging,” he suggested, “But like so many things that are acquired tastes, once you get it, you’ve got it and it has long lasting rewards. Another great thing about psy-trance is that the people who are into it are some of the friendliest, most creative people on the planet.”

Happy, Shiny People!!

Anyway….yes so the night kicked off, the rooms were all amazing and the music was trancetastic! We ended up staying in one room, mostly, with us drifting to different rooms and outside. The vibe was really comfortable and not invasive. People just going about doing their own thing, chilling out, chatting, dancing, wandering.



Pics (from left to right): Jo and Shazz ripping up the dance floor. Mariono, Jo and Justin. Mariono, Me and Justin. Byrony, Jo and Me.

We ended up staying until 5am, by the dawn had broken. Shazz, Byrony and Justin took a cab home. Jo and Mariono stayed on. Which left Craig and I to make our way back to Surrey Quays. Now I had printed off a TFL (Transport for London) itinerary earlier in the day, so that we would know which night buses to take. So off Craig and I head on our merry way home, we manage to get two buses to get us to Parliament Square where we had to catch another bus to get us home. That was the plan. Of course, plans rarely go to to plan. So instead of walking all the way round the square to find our bus, we flagged down two lady police offers to guide us the way. Which they did…over the bridge to Waterloo. But hey, I got to see Big Ben and the London Eye on our way – Craig did say we would be doing some sightseeing! So we are standing by the bus stop waiting for about 30 minutes, when we see the bus we want heading in the opposite direction. So off we trot down to Waterloo station, wander along there for a further 30 minutes. Then we see the bus we want, hop on it, head upstairs and rest. About 5 minutes later the bus stops and everyone gets off – but we were in the centre of London – we had got the right bus, just not the right direction!!! So we walk aimlessly for about 10 minutes until we get to Tottencourt Road. By this time we had had enough. And I had run out of change for the bus. So we went into some café and grabbed a juice (which got us going for a few more metres) and finally Craig saw a bus that would take us to Surrey Quays. Which we did and we walked back to Jo’s – finally arriving back at 7am. Two hours later!! Our own little mini adventure! I made us a cup of good ol Rooibos tea and we sat outside, chatting and listening to the birdies chirp their morning tunes.

Jo arrived back soon after and I showered and then headed to meet my “ex” boss from South Africa at her hotel near Hyde Park. By this time I am running purely on ovetiredness – auto pilot mode. We go to Camden and I showed Ann all the crazy, weird and wonderful sights, people and markets. We had a yummy Thai vegetable curry lunch and then I took Ann back to her hotel. From then I just missioned back to Jo’s and arrived just in time – because my feet were about to fall off and I was going to burst into tears because I was soooo tired (29 hours straight, no sleep) and my brain felt like it was all dryed up and I was going delusional!! After a 3 hour nap, I trekked to Euston to jump on the train back to Coventry.

That night and Monday and Tuesday I was pretty knackered and getting ill – nothing an overdose of Vitamin C wouldn’t cure! But it was all worth it.

And that is the just of my weekend – now I am going to hibernate and relax this weekend!

Ta da !!

Love Orangeblossom xxx

The Truth about Cat and Dogs

My precious fairy, Lobelia, sent me these gorgeous pictures a while back. And I thought I would also include some rather agreeable quotes I found on the species of the animal kingdom. Ok I know I may have displayed my affections for cats so obviously, but I did include other animals too!

Oh and the kitty cat in the clothes hanger is actually my cat, Shandy, who has now joined his brother, Oscar, in Cat Heaven.



“Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms” ~ George Eliot

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

“If we treated everyone we meet with the same affection we bestow upon our favorite cat, they, too, would purr.” ~ Martin Delany

“Man is the only animal for whom his own existence is a problem which he has to solve.” – Erich Fromm

“Ever consider what pets must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul - chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!” ~Anne Tyler, The Accidental Tourist

“Lots of people talk to animals.... Not very many listen, though.... That's the problem.” ~Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh

Earth from the Air

Hello all you wonderful earthling dwellers!

I have come across a most awesome website (well actually I was given the 2006 diary and saw the amazing pictures and startling facts about the Earth we all inhabit) and thought I would share it with you.

You can have a closer look on www.earthfromtheair.com

I did send this via email a few months ago – but I feel I should Blog it too!

Please take time to read the literature as well (I know it looks lengthy, but it's worth it!), and not just the pretty pictures! It puts things and life in perspective and I think that after reading all the facts, figures and statistics, you might find yourself appreciating your own life and blessings in a new light.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our own chaotic lives and worlds, we tend to forget that most of the people in the world are not as lucky as we are. We also don’t appreciate the beautiful planet we live on as often as we should or would like to.

Love the Tree Hugging Wannabee OB xxx

Earth from Air Exhibition – by Yann Arthus-Bertrand

“Our Earth is art, the photographer is only the witness.”

Some facts: how people are living in the world today
This Exhibition presents of aerial photographs show the astonishing beauty of natural and man-made landscapes. Closer up there is a starker reality… illustrated by some facts about humanity at the start of the new millennium:

· If the Earth had formed a year ago, on January 1st, life would have appeared on February 26th, dinosaurs would have arrived on December 10th to vanish 16 days later, and Homo sapiens sapiens would only have showed up very late on December 31st. A few minutes later, in less than a second, he would have drastically altered the fragile balance between land, seas and atmosphere.

· In the last century, the population of our planet has been multiplied by 3, the world fresh water consumption by 6.
· 20 % of the world population lacks access to improved water supplies.
· 20% of the world population living in the richest countries consume 60% of commercial energy.
· 40% of the world population does not have access to electricity.
· World population :1800 : 1 billion1960 : 3 billion (30% urban)2000 : 6 billion2050 : 9 billion (70% urban) projected
· Every week, more than 1 million people are added to the urban population in the world.
· The amount of oil consumed in 6 weeks, half of which is used in transportation, would have lasted 1 year in 1950.
· The decade of the 1990’s was the warmest since 1861.
· Half of humanity lives on less than $2 (£1.15) (AU$2.80) (R12.55) a day.
· Total world military expenditure : $798 billion (£457 billion)
· Official Development Assistance : $53.7 billion (£30.8 billion)
· In industrial countries, the volume of garbage generated per inhabitant has tripled in the last 20 years.
· World available reserves of fresh water :in 1950 : 600,372 cubic feet per capitain 2000 : 275,465 cubic feet per capita
· 826 million people are under-nourished in the world.
· 11 of the 15 major fishing zones in the world are in decline today.
· One out of five adults is unable to either read or write ; 98% of them are in developing countries and 66% of them are women.
· Average temperature has increased by 0.6 °C in the last century; it could increase by2 to 6 °C over the next 100 years.
· CO2 releases due to human activities are responsible for over 60% of the increase in greenhouse effect.
· The average thickness of the Arctic ice field has dropped from 3.12 m in the 1960s to 1.8 m in the 1990s.
· During this century, ocean levels should go up by 50 cm *5 . Holland could see 6% of its lands disappear under water, and Bangladesh, 17%. The evacuation of the Tuvalu archipelago in Micronesia has already started.
· The frequency of climate related natural catastrophes has more than doubled between the 1970s and the 1990s.
· From the 1980s to the 1990s, the number of people affected by natural catastrophes has increased by 50%, and the related costs have multiplied by 10.
· The death toll of a natural catastrophe is 47 times greater in developing countries than in rich developed nations.
· Every year, there are 15000 to 20000 casualties due to antipersonnel land mines and other unexploded devices.
· Throughout the world, over 300,000 children, both boys and girls, are soldiers. Many of them aren’t even 10 years old.
· Over the last 10 years, public aids to development have dropped by 29%.
· On average, an American draws 600 litres of water per day, a European, 250, an African, 30.
· 80 countries, accounting for 40% of world population, suffer from serious water shortage.
· 70 % of fresh water are used to irrigate cultivated farmland.
· A third of the world landmass suffers from desertification.
· In developing countries, 80% of farmers do not need to alter their production methods to be certified organic.
· The making of a personal computer necessitates 8 to 14 tons of non-renewable raw materials.
· In the course of his or her life, a child born in an industrialised country will consume more and generate more pollution than 30 to 50 children born in a developing country.
· 40 million people die of starvation every year in a world that produces 356 kilos of cereals per person.
· The food industry spends $40 billion a year in advertising. Children are the first victims: 10% to 30 % of children in developed countries suffer from overweight. At the same time, 500,000 children throughout the world become blind each year for lack of vitamin A.
· At harvesting time in Kenya, 30% of coffee pickers are children.
· The sales of fair trade products in Europe are going up, but they account at best for 3.5% of purchases on their leading product – coffee.
· 600 million people throughout the world live in the insalubrious shantytowns around big cities.
· Some 140 countries out of 200 worldwide now hold pluralistic elections.This is more than at any other time in History. However, 82 countries only, accounting for 57% of world population, are fully democratic.
· Nowadays, dire famines only appear where there is no democracy.

Amazing Art Work

Just thought I would place these amazingly different pieces of art on my blog (thanks to Lobelia fairy!)

They are awesome - great to place is some frames, something different.

OB xxx

Soldier of Africa

My sister, Shireen, sent me an email this week, which included info on OCHA (the UN Office for the Coordination Humanitarian Affairs). I have researched OCHA and other NGO’s as part of my Disaster Management research. It is not just the amazing efforts by these organizations that strengthen the response to both complex emergencies and natural disasters. But by the soldiers on the ground, from all over the world, united as one movement to help aid those in need.

Werner is a South African soldier, working as an infantry captain and is also a UN/AU military observer in Darfur, Sudan. Please check out his blog “Soldier of Africa”

http://rsasoldier.blogspot.com/

His pictures are truly amazing and heartbreaking. It really puts the truth of the situation into perspective.

My admiration and awe at people like Werner cannot be fully expressed in words, and I hope one day (after I finish my degree) I can join in their league of people doing extraordinary things. Like Werner says in his blog: “This is my world and I could not imagine doing anything else”.

It’s simply...a calling.

PEACE, love and safe travels (esp to Werner!)
Orangeblossom

Shiny Happy People

After my last blog of unhappiness, I thought I’d balance it out with a blog of happiness!

What is the definition of happiness anyway? It is probably impossible to objectively define happiness as we know and understand it.

Here are some happiness quotes and some happy thoughts:

“True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” - by Helen Keller

“Happiness is man's greatest aim in life. Tranquility and rationality are the cornerstones of happiness.” - the meaning of happiness according to Epicurus

“A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” - by Hugh Downs

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” - by Aristotle

"If you want happiness for an hour -- take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day -- go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month -- get married.
If you want happiness for a year -- inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime -- help someone else.” - Chinese proverb

"Until you make peace with who you are, you'll never be content with what you have." – by Doris Mortman

There is also Positive Psychology in happiness or doing things that make you and others happy. Martin Seligman in his book Authentic Happiness gives the positive psychology definition of happiness as consisting of both positive emotions (like comfort) and positive activities (like absorption).

He presents three categories of positive emotions:

past: feelings of satisfaction, contentment, pride, and serenity.
present (examples): enjoying the taste of food, glee at listening to music, absorption in reading, and company of people you like e.g. friends and family.
future: feelings of optimism, hope, trust, faith, and confidence.

There are three categories of present positive emotions:

bodily pleasures, e.g. enjoying the taste of food.
higher pleasures, e.g. glee at listening to music.
gratifications, e.g. absorption in reading.


There are so many ways to find happiness. What makes you happy? What brings you happiness?

I will leave with a song from REM that automatically popped in my head when I wrote the subject line.

Shiny Happy People – by R.E.M

Shiny happy people laughing
Meet me in the crowd
People people
Throw your love around
Love me love me
Take it into town
Happy happy
Put it in the ground
Where the flowers grow
Gold and silver shine
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
Everyone around love them, love them
Put it in your hands
Take it take it
There's no time to cry
Happy happy
Put it in your heart
Where tomorrow shines
Gold and silver shine
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing

Peace, love and HAPPINESS
Orangeblossom xxx