Tradition

I was born into a traditional Portuguese family. I did not know it - of course. I was just a baby. But with time, I flowered and changed into the various stages of life. My parents wanted me to give me a solid Catholic up bringing. After I left home I rebelled against these traditions. Now as I enter the various stages of old age - I see the flux of science and modern mass communication. The world is complex and unfolding on many levels. Truth and illusion are just a breath away from each other. "Be here now" is all we need to know. Spend time with stillness silence.  Do the tasks at hand. Let everything else take care of itself. 

Great Fall

You are not broken. Working through dark feelings can be crippling, but even in that state, you are not broken. We are not eggs. We might suffer to unimaginable extremes, but we are still not broken. Though, at times, it feels like we need all the king’s horses and all the king’s men, you never have to be put back together again.

Fortitude

Bella ciao is used worldwide as an anti-fascist hymn of freedom and resistance.

It was the anthem of the World War II anti-fascist Italian underground who fought against Nazi Germany and Italian fascists. They called themselves partigiani (partisans) for the resistance. In a haunting love song, solders always sang these final words to their lover the night before battle.

Questa mattina mi sono svegliato
This morning I awakened
Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao
Good-bye beautiful
Questa mattina mi sono svegliato
This morning I awakened
Ed ho trovato l’invasor
And I found the invader

O partigiano porta mi via
Oh partisan carry me away
Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao
Good-bye beautiful
O partigiano porta mi via
Oh partisan carry me away
Che me sento di morir’
When I feel death approaching

E se io muoio da partigiano
And if I die as a partisan
Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao
Good-bye beautiful
E se io muoio da partigiano
And if I die as a partisan
Tu me devi seppellir’
Then you must bury me

Mi seppellirai lassu in montagna
Bury me up in the mountain
Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao
Good-bye beautiful
Mi seppellirai lassu in montagna
Bury me up in the mountain
Sotto l’ombra di un bel fiore
Under the shade of a beautiful flower

E tutti quelli che passeranno
And all those who shall pass
Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao
Good-bye beautiful
E tutti quelli che passeranno
And all those who shall pass
Ti diranno che bel fior’
Will tell you what a beautiful flower it is

E questo fiore da partigiano
And this flower of the partisan
Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao
Good-bye beautiful
E questo fiore da partigiano
And this flower of the partisan
E’ il fior’ di liberta
Is the flower of liberty

The flower was the red carnation, which was the symbol of the resistance. Stand up for your beliefs, now more than ever. So many are counting on you.

Bella Ciao from recent film (2017)

Starboard Bound

Life changes so drastically moment to moment. We look for answers in each situation because justification brings a sense of comfort. Sometimes instead of comfort though it causes us to reflect on our own personal choices. That can be incredibly difficult depending on how far we are to our own personal goals. The fantastic aspect to this process is the human capacity for change. We learn through this uncomfortability how strong we are and what actions are needed for our lives to progress forward. You are at the helm of your ship! Sail towards your destination or get lost in the choppy seas.

Hallelujah

Follow what you hold sacred. Its a new day, new week, and new you. 

Magic

Never forget that anything is possible

Pause

Dont forget to breathe. Do it right now. Deep breath three times repeat three times

A little better?