Clearly focus on what really matters

As time goes by and life continues to unfold on front of our eyes, a fairly large spectrum of situations emphasizing the 'art of living' are occurring...from small and trivial to big and significant...some of those inspire us, while others make us more vigilant or attentive, but all together (if we choose to pay attention and care) help each of us distinguish and objectively prioritize the most important matters in our personal, professional or social lives.
To further emphasize the point I intend to make, below I'm sharing with you a very popular story, which I'm sure most of you already know, but worth reviewing. Enjoy it!

Story: "The jar of life - rocks, pebbles and sand"
A philosophy professor once stood before his class with a large empty jar. He filled the jar with large rocks and then asked his students if the jar was full. 
He then added small pebbles to the jar and asked again, "Is this jar full now?"
The students agreed that the jar was indeed full. 
 The professor then poured sand into the jar and asked them again if the jar was full.
The students agreed that the jar was finally full.
The professor went on to explain that the jar signifies one's life.
The rocks are equivalent to the most important things in your life, such as family, health and relationships. If the pebbles and the sand were lost, the jar would still be full and your life would still have meaning.
The pebbles represent the other things that matter in your life, such as your work, school and house. These things often come and go, and are not permanent or essential to your overall well-being. And finally, the sand represents the remaining small stuff and material possessions in your life. These things don't mean much to your life as a whole and are likely only done to waste time or get small tasks accomplished.
The metaphor here is that if you start with putting sand into the jar, you will not have room for rocks or pebbles. This holds true for the things you let into your life too.

Moral:
Things and people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, and when you figure out which it is then you will know exactly what to do.
Aside of that, it helps to be reminded that only when you let go of what doesn't bring you joy any longer, you could create space for better things to enter into  your life. 
Elders often used to say that it is important to do well for yourself without harming others, but also equally important it is to make sure you help others without harming yourself. 
To be happy you must let go completely of what's gone, be grateful for what remains and with lucid positivity look forward to what is coming next.

High performance in life always begins with clarity.

January 24'21: Romanian Principalities Little Union

An old page of Romanian history: The Little Union of the Romanian Principalities

January 24, 1859 - January 24, 2021. This year it is the 162th anniversary of the Union of Romanian Principalities (Wallachia and Moldavia) under the leadership of Alexandru Ioan Cuza, as Cuza was concomitantly elected the ruler of both (principalities).
January 24th, also known as the Little Unification (Romanian: "Mica Unire") celebrates the political union of these 2 principalities, which is considered the foundation of modern Romania. The United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, also known as "The Romanian United Principalities", was the official name of Romania following the 1859 election of Alexandru Ioan Cuza as the ruling prince (Romania: "domnitor") of both territories.
Years later, on December 1st, 1918, the Great Union happened (Romanian: "Marea Unire"), when the 3 Romanian Principalities (Wallachia, Moldavia & Transylvania) became one country, one voice, called "Romania", and December 1st became Romania's National Day.

January 2021: Eminescu & Romania’s Culture Day

January 15, 2021: An evening of poetry featuring Mihai Eminescu & Romania's National Culture Day

Each year on January 15 is Romania's National Culture Day, fact which allowed me to organize on Friday (January 15, 2021) a festive literary evening, encompassing a poetry recital re-emphasizing Eminescu's geniality, fragments of prose and scholastic talks about some historic events as well as other significant contributors that influenced Romania's cultural development over time. 

Also, considering that officially the ongoing restrictions relating to the prolonged pandemic are still being in place, I'm continuing to adopt the video-conference modality in order to communicate with my group, as we move forward through this period of social austerity.

After all my invited guests arrived ('on line') and settled in, I was happy to welcome them with the immortal musical notes of the "Romanian Rhapsody", composed by George Enescu (G. Enescu was a composer, violinist, pianist, conductor and teacher, being regarded as one of the greatest musicians of Romanian history).
Then I opened the evening with several remarks as well as a concise slide show (published below), covering few key concepts relating to the theme of the evening.

Before I continue with the rest of the briefing, I would like to refresh that since 2010, the birthday of Romania's greatest poet Mihai Eminescu (whose short biography I'm including in the comments section) became the National Day of Culture in Romania, and many Romanians honor this occasion (in the country and abroad). Every year, this event takes place as a tribute to the emblematic personality of Romania's values, as well as a day of reflection on our contribution to the creation of cultural identity suggesting fellows to ponder upon the rhetorical question of "How Romanian is (or still is) each of us?"
In other European countries, the National Culture Day pays homage to the outstanding people of culture, representative of each state.
(For instance, the Moldovan authorities have also decided that Mihai Eminescu's birthday will become their National Culture Day as well).

This year, at my circle, in addition to Eminescu's important contribution to Romania's culture, we discussed the major impact that Spiru Haret (1851-1912) had on our country's culture. Spiru Haret was a very well-known mathematician, astronomer and politician, as well as 3 times Romania's Minister of Education, significantly reforming Romania's educational system. For your further reference, in comments section I'm including his concise biography. 

So, before the announced presenters from the group began their deliveries, I was happy to present my guests some fragments of Eminescu's poems.
Then our evening together continued with a number of very interested presentations, which I won't get into the full length of them because it will be way too lengthy, but for your reference, below I will share only some highlights: 
- Our dear friend Dorina Aldea read us few fragments from a great article she wrote (with Dorina's permission, the entire article is published in comments section), which was well received by the audience and also published by "Observatorul" Newspaper (from Toronto). In her expose, in addition to Eminescu's importance for the Romanian culture, Dorina also mentioned, among other important names, the major contribution of Spiru Haret, specifying some of the big educational reforms he brought to the country
- Further, our friend Dr. John (from a medical perspective), discussed Eminescu's medical situation, offering us all a very interesting and professionally documented presentation as well as a deeper viewpoint
- Next, Dragos Agapescu, after he expressed his thankfulness for our gathering meant to honor such an important event relating to Romanian culture, he referred to Eminescu's extended family (who still lives nowadays in the Northern part of Romania), to aspects of his vast poetic work, to the historic time he was living in, and by further extrapolation he brought into conversation the major contribution of Spiru Haret to the Romanian educational system
- Then, our dear friend Rodica P. read for us the beautiful poem composed by Eminescu, called "Rugaciune", which is published in comments section. Also, she made a number of interesting comments about how much Eminescu's poems influenced so many generations (past, present and for sure in the future as well)
- Further, writer Dean Phillip commented on Eminescu's political ideology and advised that his views must be considered in the light of the historic times Eminescu was living in. He explained that if something that is taken out of its original context, in which it was created, it would have a different meaning and won't make justice to the original author
- Next, our friend Dr. Victor P. commented about Eminescu's life (on aspects less known) and reiterated his geniality
- Subsequently, Teodor T. expressed his consideration for the initiative to honor such an important day for the Romanian culture as well as his appreciation for the host, for each participant and for our country of origin. After that, he read a poem and interpreted a song for all (both being personal compositions and with Teodor's permission, the materials he sent are published in comments section)
- Then our dear friend Emilia A. shared with the group her perspective, which enriched the spectrum of viewpoints
- Last, but not least, our friend Ileana M. also added a number of personal comments, expressing how beautiful it is to think together with likeminded people.

During our time together as a group, I was intercalating in between presentations few audio-visual fragments and here I'm sharing them, as well as some additional materials, relating to the theme:
- "La steaua" (a poem composed by Mihai Eminescu) 
- "Mihai Eminescu: Lucruri mai putin cunoscute" (a short documentary about Eminescu, containing aspects less known about this personal life)
- "Vis" (a poem composed by Mihai Eminescu, and interpreted by actor Adrian Pintea)
- "Poezii" (several poems composed by Mihai Eminescu & interpreted by few well-known Romanian actors).

As usual, we all enjoyed our time together, realizing yet again that no matter how long the session would be, there is still something left for next time. 
Wrapping up my briefing, I would like to express once again my most sincere appreciation for all those who were able and willing to join me this evening in order to honor the Culture's Day of our country of origin! Until next time, my warmest regards to all!
Alice

"Every human being is a repeated question asked to the spirit of the Universe." (Mihai Eminescu)





This event has been delivered in Romanian Language, featuring Romanian culture. 

● ARTICLE featuring our event on January 15, 2021, offered by OBSERVATORUL (from Toronto)

A grateful acknowledgement 
Here I am pleased to announce that Alice & Friends Circle™ cultural group from Vancouver was honored to receive on January 15, 2021, an appreciation diploma from the official representatives of "Observatorul" Newspaper, from Toronto, for our successful ongoing cultural activity.

Message received from "Observatorul" Newspaper from Toronto together with the enclosed appreciation certificate:
Happy Birthday, good health and growth on all aspects in 2021!
The group from the "Observatorul" from Canada (collaborators and friends of the newspaper, the Nicapetre group, participants of different professions) gives on January 15 (the birthday of our great poet Mihai Eminescu, which later became the National Culture Day), in memory of some Romanian community members, appreciation diplomas to some people whom we respect and appreciate. 
At this time, we are happy to send our appreciation to those who initiated, developed and ensured the success of Alice & Friends™  Cultural Group.

With friendship and consideration,
on behalf of the Group from "Observatorul",  
Dumitru Puiu Popescu

(Romanian) Mesajul primit de la "Observatorul" din Toronto ce a insotit certificatul de apreciere oferit grupului cultural Alice & Friends™ de la Vancouver:

La Multi Ani, sanatate si spor in toate cele in 2021!
Grupul de la ziarul "Observatorul" din Canada (colaboratori si prieteni ai ziarului, cenaclul Nicapetre, participanti de diferite profesii) acorda in 15 ianuarie (ziua de nastere a marelui nostru poet Mihai Eminescu, devenita apoi si Ziua Culturii Nationale), in memoria unor membrii ai comunitatii romanesti, diplome de apreciere unor persoane care se bucura de respect si apreciere.
Suntem bucurosi sa va trimitem aceasta apreciere pentru cei care au initiat, dezvoltat si asigura succesul Grupului Cultural Alice & Friends™.

Cu prietenie si consideratie, in numele grupului de la "Observatorul",
Dumitru Puiu Popescu

● Previous events I organized on the same theme: Eminescu & ROMANIA’s CULTURE Day – 2020, 2019

NOTE: Dear readers, please be advised that on this website each of the previous postings, pertaining to the recurrent annual themes, portray a different perspective of the subject/s presented (same theme/s, but a different outlook without duplication due to the cultural richness of the specific topic/s discussed). 

Thoughts at the beginning of the year (January 2021)

A new year is unfolding on front of us, allowing people to reflect and to re-evaluate, to analyze, to make fresh plans and to build new dreams for the future.
Given that 2020 was so tumultuous, in ways that many of us never experienced before, it offered the entire humanity the occasion to learn lots of valuable lessons as well as to ponder deeper about life in itself, about meaning, and about everything else in between.

Based on a number of observations, here I will share some thoughts. 

Things that 2020 clearly re-emphasized and
what to take with us into the New Year

- Life is a mix of good and bad, of chaos and order, and we each need to pay close attention to our daily existence, to be more present, to stay well informed and to make wise choices
- You can't please everyone or make everyone like you; don't worry if some people don't like you....typically, such individuals are struggling liking themselves
- Stay away of negativity or negative people because usually they have a problem for every solution...some people will only like you as long as you fit into their sand box...ignore them and follow your dreams
- There are people who try to build themselves by tearing others down, instead of looking within to find out how they could improve their own lives, so it is wise and healthy to avoid such troublemakers
- Help everyone to the best that you can, but in your circle team up only with positive people (team up only with real friends - the ones who sincerely encourage & support you)....always keep good people in your life & stay far away of profiteers, melodramatic, selfish, jealous, ungrounded & fake individuals, incapable of maintaining a pleasant, steady & positive friendship (on front & behind you)
- Nobody has a perfect life and everyone has their own things to work on, but some people simply know how to deal with issues in a perfectly civilized manner
- Never let your fears decide your destiny and as you walk your path and mind your business, never stop learning because life never stops teaching
- Life in itself is the most difficult exam and many people fail because they try to copy others, not realizing that everyone has a different question paper, so it is always wise to focus on solving your exam paper, on answering your questions, and on fixing your issues
- Life is like a book, where some chapters are happy, some are sad, some are interesting, some are boring, but regardless, we always need to continue to be willing to turn the page otherwise we will never know what the next chapter has in store for us....so, keep going, no matter how harsh things might become
- There are 4 very important words in this life that we always need to pay attention to & these are: love, honesty, truth and respect....without them life would be empty
- Into the New Year, it is wise to take with us trust, forgiveness, joy and the willingness to learn new things, while leaving behind fear, blame, anger and resentment
- Understanding that a good life is when we assume nothing, do more, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot and realize how blessed we are for all what we have
- Life becomes a master piece only when we learn to master PEACE.
So, while the journey continues & life goes on, I wish we all have plenty of strength, wisdom, good health & happiness as the New Year whispers hope to our hearts.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are".