It is better to believe in people too rashly, and regret, than believe too meanly.

06 December 2007

Below are three fotos of Palhaco's birthday - his first ever, remember. What you see on the table is it. Rather pathetic, isn't it. That's all we could scrape up that day. The return fare to the little community [one hour from Copacabana] is US$5 - so we could only manage Daniel getting to the party. I had to share it through text messages.

But for Palhaco it was dream heaven. I mentioned somewhere before that Daniel can drag a smile out of a dead cat. Little Palhaco had a day he will take to his grave. Sadly we couldn't organise a decent camera to catch it all, but read his face in the fotos we managed below.

And notice how proudly he is wearing his new underpants! See Blog 02 December for that story.

Daniel gives and gives and gives, and doesn't want anything back. The giving is complete pleasure in itself. He may be just a kid but he holds some learning for us in this: a lot of relationships founder because they are based not on giving, but on trading. I go to work and earn the money, therefore you look after the house and kids. As a practical situation there is nothing wrong with this, but if your relationship is based on such trading you are slowly destroying it. It implies that what you do for each other is a chore. A relationship based on fair trade is in for a sad end.

It is always better to give than receive. If you are afraid you will give more than you get back, then sorry but you ain't giving at all - you're trading. Giving needs no reciprocation.

And there is something truly magic in true giving: when you give what you really need, or feel you are wanting or lacking - that's the best way to actually get it!!

That's kinda linked to the title of today's blog. It's better to be licking your wounds because it didn't work out, than to be eaten by regret for what 'could have been'.

Join the Clown Club and receive daily fotos and weekly videos not available on the site. Only $10 a month, help Daniel launch more Projects.

Sign up for a year and gain a $20 discount.

  • 10 ways to enrich your life.

    1. Ask

    Simple, isn't it. When you don't know something, ask someone who does. Two things will happen: you will increase your knowledge base, thus giving you leverage to make better life choices; and you will have interesting conversations with a variety of people who are knowledgeable/expert in their field.

    So, why don't we ask more often? A mistaken thing about pride: we don't like to show our 'ignorance'. But in fact the opposite is the truth: people respect your questions and truly value your interest in their area of expertise.

    2. Read

    A zillion worlds await you.. just open a book. Start with a biography: read the gripping details of someone living the life you have always dreamed of.

    Next step, maybe plan YOUR autobiography. Start living your dream so you can publish it to share with others.

    3. Compare

    How many different brands of beer are there, or coffee? The answer might stun you. How many have you tasted? Why do you always stick to just your regular? There are many that are better - and many that are worse! But you won't know until you try.

    4. Listen

    A good listener is rarer than a good lover. And when you close your mouth, and actually listen to what the other person is saying, you are in for a surprise... How much have you been taking for granted?

    5. Look

    Put aside one minute in every hour to stop and look. Look out the window, at the trees. Or watch the rain.

    But LOOK - notice the tree, the rain. Don't think of anything else other than what you are looking at. Interesting, huh.

    6. Taste

    Not the same as 'Compare'. When you are eating, don't just chomp, chew and swallow. Take the time to enjoy the taste, and the texture.

    7. Touch

    Texture, temperature. Lose yourself for a few moments in the feel of an object.

    8. Smell

    How many of your warmest memories are shrouded in a certain smell? What does the smell of the ocean conjure up? Baking bread? A perfume?

    9. Slow down

    Are you racing to the office, to the supermarket, to wherever? When you leap out of bed, rush through your coffee, run to the car... you are pushing life out of the way. Take it slow, and see the difference.

    10. Reflect

    Not all the answers are outside. The greatest gift you can give yourself is time to be with YOU. Sit, relax, reflect, remember.

  • Popular Blogs