I get into the best conversations with my father when we speak one on one. There's a special bond there, that rejuvanates me and gives me courage.

During one of these talks, he was telling me stories of everything he would show me when we went to Georgia. 

He told me, when go there, we can go to "Mta", a mountain close to his village, and we'll be able to see Georgia above the clouds.

I was wowed, and I asked him when he saw such a beautiful scene. 

He told me when he was a child, his sister took him. That's where all the villagers would go during the summer.

During my father's childhood, he was very poor. His father had died, and his house had no floor. Yet, he could still enjoy the scenery above the clouds. 

No matter where you are in life, happiness is there.

Happiness is not attached to your goals.

Perhaps, happiness is the essential ingredient for experiencing life, and there's a different reason altogether to achieve in life.  It might have something to do with zest, with testing yourself, with curiosity regarding your reach.

Note: this was a note to myself 

Before interacting with the ones you love,

Take a breath, close your eyes, and focus your entire mind on them. 

Bring to bear the affection you have for them, your unconditional acceptance.

Imagine your were in their shoes and see with your mind's eye what they must be thinking about. With this mindset, enter the conversation, and truly listen.

Make your goal to understand them as best as you can. 

Than, without pushing, learn from them, and guide them the best you can. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is to listen. Sometimes, it's to comfort, sometimes to guide, and sometimes to quietly help. 

Approach life this way to develop a greater love of your family and the world, and grow to see their happiness reflected onto you and vice versa.

Sometimes, it feels like I'm panting. I look around, and see other people panting. Running, running with all intensity. With only one thought, "When will I succeed, so I don't have to be running anymore?". 

Okay, let's get into Oxford. Okay, let's sell a company for a million dollars, let's buy an investment condo. 

What do we think is going to happen when we reach that success? 

There's so much beauty to see, but we're busy running. We can't sleep, because we need to be running. When we eat, we think about running. It's not a real thought, but an undercurrent to all of our thoughts. This belief in the very back of our heads.

So far, I'm confused about this. I think about this alot. Now, to figure out how to sleep soundly.

Looking through you
 to where the child lies
  Eyes that can see
   You are superman
   You are beautiful
   You mean well

I was thinking about this after reading James Altucher's book, "Choose Yourslef"(no aff link). I think it's his best work. It's beautiful and uplifting to read, and the daily practice works. The idea muscle works. Read that book :). 

This woman, who nurtured me, who made me, me. Who would hold me when I was 6 and warm my hands when I was cold. This woman, who when I feel anxious and I question everything, it is only her undying belief in me that I don't question.

This woman tells me a story on Skype, and all I can think about is

"No mom, you're wrong"

"Business works this way"

"Life works that way"

"Why are you asking me redundant questions?"

When all we want to do is to talk to each other, to help eachtoher uplift our days.  

It's easy to let the events of the day seep into places they don't belong. When speaking with a loved one, forget the past, let go of the future, let that person encompass your being, feel the affection you have towards them, and say hello. Really say hello.