Gratitude Journal - Day Five -

 Today's prompt reads as follows:

What are three simple pleasures that you’re grateful for today?

When I first read this question, I thought of only one thing to write about. However, as the day went on, I realized that I had more. Here are my three simple pleasures I'm thankful for:

• The English class I taught online to my private student: what started one year ago as a grammar and speaking class ended up turning into a conversation class and I'm so happy about it. The topics are never.ending but the most gratifying thing is that it is always so spontaneous and filled with so much fun that it is impossible to get bored on either side.
• Going to the supermarket in the evening just before night time when the sun is still setting is so rewarding. The whole process of it beginning with putting on my headphones, walking those 800 metres to get there and choosing what to buy.
• Having an impromptu dinner plan with a close friend of mine because she was just in the neighbourhood. She texted me, we went to have dinner near my house out in the open with  wonderful summer wind blowing smoothly. The icing of the cake was ending the night with two delicious scoops of icecream each one of us.

💖💖💖 END OF DAY FIVE 💖💖💖 

GRATITUDE Journal - Day Four -

Good evening, bloggers!

I hope you are having a great day/evening. Today's prompt goes as follows: 

Reflect on a recent experience that brought you joy

I befriended him 18 years ago. We started sending messages online and then we moved to MSN Messenger. Since that first summer in 2007 til today he has become one of the most important friends in my life. 

Not so long ago, he introduced me to this world of roleplaying games similar to D&D but immersed in the world of Warhammer. I learned the craft - I still get mixed up with all the rules - and last time we played with other friends of his he let me host the game for the first time. I was flabbergasted. I didn't know whether I would do it well. Through ups and downs, I managed to pull it off and it made me feel like I had accomplished yet another thing. 

I know it seems silly and shallow when you read it but to me it was a lot of internal struggle: the idea of leading - that terrifies me. Having done this tiny thing for the firts time in this new experience of playing roles in a board game allowed me to conquer fear of being seen in a crowd.

This last thought reminds me of yet another milestone that happened last year - rounding up December 2024. I was celebrating a friend's birthday with some other friends and we had decided to go to a night club. Inside there were many stages and in one of those stages you could have the chance to sing karaoke in front of a crowd. 

One of my closest friends in this group insisted on going on stage with her and sing a song. I accepted immediately because singing is one of my favourite things to do. Again, the idea of performing in front of a crowd was petrifying to say the least but I decided to conquer my fear and do it anyway no matter how it went. It was last year's highlight no doubt.

I'm GRATEFUL for being shown these opportunities in which I can face my fears and overcome them. 

💖💖💖 END OF DAY FOUR 💖💖💖

Gratitude Journal - Day Three -

 Good evening, folks!

I hope you are having a great day. Here we are again with another prompt below:

Write about a place that makes you feel happy.

This is a broad subject to discuss in just a few lines so I'm going to devote more than a paragraph. Bear with me.

Starting with my own home, I feel the happiest in any room where I don't feel the need to do something compulsory. Let's delve a bit into it. First, my bedroom: the room where I sleep, I practise  meditation (listening to sleep stories for example) and I read before bedtime. It's the quietest place in my flat and I feel grateful for that. I still need to make some improvements regarding clothes and find some suitable fragrance like lavender or the sort that can help me go to sleep in a more relaxed way.

Next, my kitchen. It's the brightest room in my house during the day and because it  is integrated in my living room - being separated with just a breakfast table - it allows me easy access from one area to the next. I love cooking, I drink a lot of mate and I keep most of my plants in this section of the house.

Going third is my studio. It's the smallest room in the house but it is the room where I have my work stuff: laptop, bookcase, wardrobe and - luckily - a window where the light comes in. I enjoy being in this room because I can not only work remotely but also watch shows, listen to music or read online.

In order not to make this post so extensive I'm going to stop right here. 

Do you have a favourite spot? Is it indoors or outdoors? Let me know and thanks for reading!

💖💖💖  END OF DAY THREE 💖💖💖 

Gratitude Journal - Day Two -

Hello again! 

Here we are with Day 2 of our January Challenge and this is today's prompt:

What is one aspect of your daily routine you’re thankful for?

It is very difficult for me to choose in any given situation. Choosing for me implies that one is more relevant, more significant than the other(s) and I try not to do that in general but I know it's something I need to work on.

Considering that my daily routine changes when I'm working and when I'm on holidays, the one aspect that remains and the one that I am MOST thankful for is the time I allow to have for myself to do what I want: some days is listening to music, others watching a show on my laptop or on TV, some other times is reading. It is never the same pattern. It mostly depends on the mood I'm in at that precise moment.

I consider myself to be very sociable and I truly value the time I spend with my family and my friends but whenever I get the chance to be on my own I find real joy in just being in the moment.

What about you? How would you answer this question? Share your thoughts in the comments :)

Have a wonderful day!

💖💖💖 END OF DAY TWO 💖💖💖 

Gratitude Journaling - Day One -

It's been a long time since I last wrote something of my own and with the excuse of starting a new year - and with it new projects - I decided I wanted to give GRATITUDE JOURNALING a try. 

This has always been on my mind since I first heard of it but for whatever reason it never came into fruition. As with every new project or task ahead, the first step is always doing some RESEARCH so here's what I have learned so far:

• USE PROMPTS if you don't know where or how to start journaling
• MOST COMMON TOPICS to write about: FAMILY, HEALTH, NATURE, FRIENDS.
• FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE aspects of life.
• CREATE A HABIT - do it on a daily basis at around the same time every day.
• CHOOSE A JOURNAL that helps you stay MOTIVATED - I wondered whether to do it handwritten or digital but given the fact that I hadn't been writing on my blog for a long time I thought it would be a great idea to start my journey here WITH YOU.

I believe this is it. Today marks my FIRST DAY so I'll start with a prompt right below this introduction. Please share your thoughts, recommendations and any improvements you think I should be working on.

LET'S MAKE A STARTING GOAL: GRATITUDE JOURNALING THROUGH JANUARY 2025.

PROMPT NUMBER 1:  List five people in your life who you’re grateful for and why.

MY PARENTS (1 UNIT) I'm grateful for my parents being still in my life and sharing every single moment I can with them. They are my foundation and I owe EVERYTHING to them.

MY BROTHERS (1 UNIT): I'm grateful for my brothers because it's through them that I have learned the ability to share, debate, argue and love other people around me. 

MY FRIENDS (1 UNIT): I'm grateful for the friends I still carry with me after so many years together sharing laughs, cries, misunderstandings and time apart. Some of them are engraved in my heart, some others have taught me harsh truths and then there are those who have fulfilled their mission for a while and decided to follow their own paths. To ALL OF YOU I say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. I'm who I am today because of everything you taught me.

MY WORKMATES (1 UNIT): I'm grateful for the people I work with. Some mates have become very close friends, some others are great people to work with. Considering my bosses in this group, they have shaped me in so many ways professonally that I have nothing but gratitude towards each and every one of them.

MY NEIGHBOURS (1 UNIT): Since the day I started living alone in my block of flats, I have never had any disagreement with any of my neighbours and I am very grateful for that. 

💖💖💖 END OF DAY ONE 💖💖💖

A Toddler Serial Killer short story (inspired by true events)

In the small, sleepy town of Worcester, nestled among rolling hills, there was an unusual shop that always seemed out of place—a haberdashery run by an eccentric old man. The shelves brimmed with peculiar trinkets, buttons, and hats that no one seemed to need. Locals said the shop carried a darker history, but no one ever had the courage to ask.

One rainy afternoon, Valentina, a cherubic toddler with wild curls and an unsettlingly wide smile, skipped into the shop clutching a Hershey's chocolate bar. Her parents, blissfully unaware, had left her to roam freely while they browsed the nearby bookstore.

The old man behind the counter raised an eyebrow. "What brings you here, little one?" he asked.

Valentina's large eyes sparkled with mischief as she plopped her chocolate onto the counter. "You have sharp scissors," she said sweetly.

Flabbergasted by her request, the man chuckled nervously. "Aren't you a bit young for crafts?"

Without missing a beat, Valentina reached into her tiny coat pocket and pulled out a crude, hand-drawn list. The words "Mr. Higgs - Haberdashery" were scrawled at the top. Beneath it were names crossed out in crayon.

"You're next," she whispered with a giggle, her grin now unnervingly wide.

The old man froze, a cold shiver running down his spine. He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Who taught you this game?"

Valentina shrugged, her small fingers already reaching for the scissors on the counter. "Nobody," she replied, "but I always win."

The bell above the shop's door jingled as her parents returned, laughing about their bookstore finds. Valentina smiled sweetly at them, her innocent facade firmly back in place.

As they walked out hand-in-hand, the old man locked the shop door, his hands trembling. For the first time in decades, he considered closing the haberdashery for good.

Valentina glanced back, her Hershey's bar still on the counter. "I'll come back for that later," she called, her voice like a melody—but to Mr. Higgs, it was a promise.

THE END

Limericks - Be and Let It Be (by Guada Dodero - the one) Work in progress :p

There was once a girl called Vicky

who held it played her tricky

She saw my face

I thought I aced.

But she ended... leaking!!! 

💧🙈

Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation by George Washington - PART II -

 It's been a while since I last published the first TEN RULES. Behold! I give thee the next TEN to discuss among friends, relatives, colleagues or even in a pop-up stand... Wouldn't THAT be nice?

11. Shift not yourself in the sight of others nor gnaw your nails.

12. Shake not the head, feet, or legs roll not the eyes lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your spittle, by approaching too near him when you speak.

13. Kill no vermin as fleas, lice ticks in the sight of others, if you see any filth or thick spittle put your foot dexterously upon it if it be upon the cloths of your companions, put it off privately, and if it be upon your own cloths return thanks to him who puts it off.

14. Turn not your back to others especially in speaking, jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes, lean not upon any one.

15. Keep your nails clean and short, also your hands and teeth clean yet without showing any great concern for them.

16. Do not puff up the cheeks, loll not out the tongue rub the hands, or beard, thrust out the lips, or bite them or keep the lips too open or too close.

17. Be no flatterer, neither play with any that delights not to be played withal.

18. Read no letters, books, or papers in company but when there is a necessity for the doing of it you must ask leave: come not near the books or writings of another so as to read them unless desired or give your opinion of them unasked also look not nigh when another is writing a letter.

19. Let your countenance be pleasant but in serious matters somewhat grave.

20. The gestures of the body must be suited to the discourse you are upon.

So, what do you think of this set?? Is it getting outlandish, is it reasonable? Would you impose any of these rules upon yourselves or others?

Let's discuss!

:)

Happy Teacher's Day :)

Today we celebrate this special day in my country and while pondering on something to say trying not to sound repetitive every year, I came across this wonderful article entitled: 10 Rules for Students & Teachers Created by Sister Corita Kent, and Popularized by John Cage

I would love to comment on each one of them but it would take too long so I'll just post them below. I hope you find them as insightful and entertaining as I have and I'd love to know your thoughts about them as well. 

RULE ONE: Find a place you trust, and then try trusting it for a while.

RULE TWO: General duties of a student: Pull everything out of your teacher; pull everything out of your fellow students.

RULE THREE: General duties of a teacher: Pull everything out of your students.

RULE FOUR: Consider everything an experiment.

RULE FIVE: Be self-disciplined: this means finding someone wise or smart and choosing to follow them. To be disciplined is to follow in a good way. To be self-disciplined is to follow in a better way.

RULE SIX: Nothing is a mistake. There’s no win and no fail, there’s only make.

RULE SEVEN: The only rule is work. If you work it will lead to something. It’s the people who do all of the work all of the time who eventually catch on to things.

RULE EIGHT: Don’t try to create and analyze at the same time. They’re different processes.

RULE NINE: Be happy whenever you can manage it. Enjoy yourself. It’s lighter than you think.

RULE TEN: We’re breaking all the rules. Even our own rules. And how do we do that? By leaving plenty of room for X quantities.

HINTS: Always be around. Come or go to everything. Always go to classes. Read anything you can get your hands on. Look at movies carefully, often. Save everything. It might come in handy later.

Source: Open Culture

A Potus Life - an impromptu story created by Belu and written by myself :)

 🌱 A Potus Life 🌱

Hey world! 🌎 

We were talking in class when we came up with this idea of having a "Potus week off" but, what does that mean you may ask? 🤔

Well, the idea is getting one week off not working, nor studying; not socializing, not doing any other thing than sitting on the couch, moving your arms in a “waving potus” style (that is optional, but essential too, I mean, you’re a potus, duh)

And maybe we were asking: where does this idea come from? (If you’re not asking that, we really have no idea why you are still reading 💁) The truth is that we are tired of EVERYTHING. We are going through a pandemic, we are still working and still living in South America… I MEAN… RIGHT? You catch my drift? 

Initially, this was an idea for a blog, but while we were writing we noticed that this SHOULD and WOULD be a decree. Therefore, now we need your help. You could be part of this too by signing this petition *insert future change.org link* 📝

“Because deep within our hearts we are all potuses faking an active life” 💚🌱

✨ Belu - Geek and Modern Philosopher. ✨

Thank you for reading.

International Day of Friendship

 Let's start by stating what the UN explains about this special day: 

"The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities." 

(International Day of Friendship | United Nations)

I found out about this a few years ago and when I learned of its significance I thought it was a wonderful initiative to spread among friends, colleagues and people you get to know on a daily basis.

I mean, it gets you thinking: "what is FRIENDSHIP to you?" I myself have not had many wonderful experiences with it for a while until I started asserting myself and being grateful for the people I have come to know as my second family.

What's more, being an avid reader - curious about almost anything and everything - I came across this wonderful article written by Maria Popova on her blog "Brain Pickings" - a seriously good blog, I highly recommend you give it a read some time. She had published it under the heading: "The Science and Philosophy of Friendship" and I couldn't help but delve into it and...oh, what a treat! Who better to explain, analyse and comment on friendship than the exquisite Aristotle, right? 

I'll leave you with the link below and I hope you enjoy reading and learning from it as much as I did:

LESSONS FROM ARISTOTLE ON THE ART OF CONNECTION

 Have a wonderful week ahead and I'll write again soon.

“One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives.”- Euripides -