Δευτέρα 20 Οκτωβρίου 2014

Memories, unfiltered

Photo by Misa the Great
Moments with family, times with the people who are precious to you. Great times with friends, unique experiences, moments of triumph and big achievements. Simple walks in nature, admiring beautiful sunsets and wonderful scenery. Discovering secret beaches, rare flowers, or just cute animals.
That moment when your pet does the most unexpected thing, or when your child makes their first steps. When your other half smiles happily. The day that you moved in your new house, or the first drive in your new car. A friend's wedding or your birthday party.
All kinds of memories are surely fuller, more clear, intense, detailed and maybe even staying with you for longer, if you are focused on the moment. When you open all your senses to the things that make a moment special. 
But, if you are only focusing on which filter you should use on your camera, or which angle you should go with, how will you later remember the way you felt at that moment? If you see the memory only through your lens, what feeling will manage to be imprinted in your heart? 
My opinion? Unless you are an actual photographer at work or an inspirational peak, put your camera down and live life with both your eyes open and your hands free to embrace the world. 

Δευτέρα 18 Αυγούστου 2014

My special friends

During my life I have always been blessed with extraordinary friends. Funnily, quite a few of them are geniuses, and this is no exaggeration (I know they have papers to prove this, formal objective acknowledgement :P ). Some have unparalleled creative minds, genuine artists of their kind. Some, fewer, have emotional and spiritual 'geniusness'. 
We all love our friends, not for being special, but for who they are and what they make us be. But those ones, the special ones, have allowed me to see the growth and evolution of their talents. It is like watching a small miracle happen! Each and every one of them would blush or laugh and dismiss the topic, but I am proud to say that I admire them all. Each one for their unique mind and soul, all of them for their humility and brilliance. And you know what the oddest part is? Most of them always make me feel like the special one, the talented and admirable. Now, that is quite the emotional experience! 
My special friends, my precious friends, each of them a unique, vibrant colour of my world. 

Τετάρτη 16 Ιουλίου 2014

Magic!


Have you ever witnessed magic happen? That amazing moment when something touches something else and a miracle happens? When a flower blossoms in an instant, or a butterfly appears out of nothing? Have you ever seen a transformation? That magical process where the ugly, clumsy little birdy suddenly reveals a gracious, magnificent swan?

Sometimes, people go through transformations like that too. Very rarely, this might happen when you find the person who is you true and undeniable 'other half'. Yes, I know it is a very strange term to use, but it's the only one that really captures the point. And often, if you are one of the two people involved, you may not realise just how unique and amazing this is. But if you find out, if you see that this is what is going on here, wouldn't you want to stay there forever and grab on to this and never let go? After all, it would be the only rational, normal and natural thing to do!

Κυριακή 13 Ιουλίου 2014

Twilight


It is twilight time in London. Sitting by the river, watching the gorgeous colors of the sky. The lights from the bridges and the buildings add a sense of magic. The air is warm and there is an unusual feeling of peace. Everything is calm, but you know that there is so much happening, not far from here. Parties, festivals, events, this city is constantly celebrating. And even though this city is so full, intense and vibrant, at this moment, this scenery brings to mind a very different time and place. Not so long ago and not so far away, everything was completely different. Sitting on the beach, the waves on my feet, the stars bright and glorious above me. Moments of relaxation in a routine full of hard work, endless partying and so much love!
The change has gone through various phases, some of them more exciting that others, some others quite hard. And now it finally feels like this process is really coming to its end. Not that things will stop changing, not at all. It just feels that from now on, there is a course to follow. As if the process so far was testing different roads without destination and taking turns with no idea where they might lead. But now, now it feels that I have chosen one road. It will surely have some ups and downs, unexpected curves and the occasional bumps, but it will still be the same road. And you know what? It may have taken a lot of driving around blindly and getting lost in order to get here, but the experiences gained on the way are simply priceless!

Παρασκευή 25 Απριλίου 2014

Points of perception


This is a painting that came with the place I rent. I could have replaced it with anything else, something mine, something that suits me and expresses me better. Everyone who sees it, thinks of it as a sloppy, amateur attempt of a sexy and maybe imagination-triggering result. It is still on my wall and it will remain there, because what I see in it is a moment of freedom, carelessness, child-like joyfulness, a hint of a summer day and the lightness of the sun on your skin, the sense of no stress, no danger, no worries. It's like it whispers to me 'You can relax now, you are safe here and nothing can harm you, so go on... Dance as if no one is watching, sing as if no one is listening, fool around as if no one is judging. Because you know what? No one is.'

Παρασκευή 11 Απριλίου 2014

Happy Hour

'Make every moment count'
'Live each day as if it was your last'
'Live in the here and now'
'Tomorrow hasn't come yet and yesterday is in the past'

Yeah, all's good in theory, but I've got news for you, hun. Reality is a bitch and every day life is kinda ruthless. So, practically, it is not possible to put the above quotes in action unless you have unlimited money. I know, I know, that sounds pessimistic and cynical, but wait for it...
Here's another aspect I have just for you: Positivity is indeed a choice, your choice. So, wanna play the Happy Hour game? Come on, I just used the word 'positivity' in the previous sentence, your subconscious should have forced you to say 'YES!'. 
Here's the deal. Every night when your day is over, take a minute and think of the happiest hour of the day you just had. On day 1, you might have nothing. Don't beat yourself up, you've only just started. But prepare yourself to change this. Find something that makes you happy and try to spend 1 hour doing that the next day. And since happiness doesn't like routine and repetition, you'll have to come up with something new for day 3, something different for day 4, and so on. I wouldn't want you to get bored now, would I? Try this for 2 weeks and see what happens. Doesn't need to be anything extraordinary, could be a nice bubble bath, a good movie, a yoga course, seeing a dear friend, simple things are often the best! Make this a habit and let positivity and happiness fill you life, your mind, your soul and every bit of your existence! Ooops, this probably sounds just a tiny bit too much... Well, you're a smart one, you get the point. 
When there's been a Happy Hour, there's been a good day ;)

Παρασκευή 7 Φεβρουαρίου 2014

Stargazing

Photo credit Ottawa Family Magazine


It is always so relaxing to watch the stars. The sight of a clear night sky gets to everyone as soon as they look up. Is it because it gives a sense of the infinite, a reminder that there is so much more out there that we could see and explore? A whole world, challenging you to discover it! Most people will not take up the challenge, they are not so adventurous and unconventional. There are just a few people who cannot resist their desire to experience as much as they can from this world. They want to enjoy the clear night sky from as many places of the earth as they can. And they will value every moment of it. They will love every new road they take, they will keep in their hearts every beauty they have seen. Sooner or later, they will see that the simplest and closest things can be as mesmerising and inspiring as the most extraordinary ones. But then again, the journey towards this realisation is what makes it so much more special. 


So what if it's raining and who cares if the sky is always red here? Nothing stops you from looking up, who knows, you might be surprised.

Παρασκευή 3 Ιανουαρίου 2014

Lost Dreamland



There was a time when emotions were flowing and overwhelming.
When we would sit in the dark, turn the radio on and let the music lead us in our dreamland... 
But it was nothing like you would now call a dreamland, it was filled with desire, sorrow, regret, determination and doubt, insecurities and hopes. We couldn't see its true colours, we hadn't lived enough to know them. 

And now, now that we have lived enough and we have discovered most of them? Where is our dreamland now? What did we do, how did we lose that part of ourselves? We still have the same feelings, just as mixed and often irrational as back then. 

Tonight, when you go back home, take the night off from your regular schedule. Pour yourself a drink, turn the lights of, put on the music you listened to all those years ago.I bet you still remember the lyrics. Let them carry you away, let your soul open again as it used to. And after you are done with the memories, let yourself feel again, feel with the same emotional freedom about the life you live now. You might be surprised with the effect.