Philosophers’ Café with ALICE & Friends: October 2024

 The complete briefing will be available soon. Thank you!

Alice’s Book Club – AUTUMN session of 2024

As autumn gently continues to reveal its beauty in our part of the world, on Friday (October 18, 2024), I hosted the fourth edition of our seasonal book club series – occasion which marks the last session of this type for the current year! The selected book (we choose as a group) for discussion was quite fascinating and profoundly informative, resulting in numerous ‘aha’ moments. 

Once again, dear ones, I would like to refresh that reading is an indispensable skill in life, which allows you to discover new facts, by opening for you the door to new ideas, stories and opportunities. This beautiful habit of reading books could bring people knowledge & wisdom, making them more intellectual & sensible. 

Also, since this was the last book club session of the year, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those loyal, dear friends who each time (not just occasionally) make themselves available to honor my invitations, and who genuinely & continuously are supporting the activities of ALICE & Friends Circle™.

Until our paths will meet again on the same wavelength, my best regards to all!

Alice

Reading could be a valuable source of personal growth, knowledge and inspiration, continually enriching the mind.

October 2024 – Message for THANKSGIVING Day

 Today (October 14’24) in Canada we celebrate a new Thanksgiving Day, occasion which allows me to send along another bunch of heartfelt wishes to all my dear friends (old & new, closer or more distant), collaborators (occasional or recurrent) and at large sympathizers of ALICE & Friends Circle™ for their ongoing support throughout the almost 7 (seven) years of existence of our literary and socio-cultural group!

I always enjoy working with thoughtful and positive people! Please continue stay close, to be compassionate, to be wise, to lend a hand, because in the end I believe that we all will be blessed with the splendid joy that only kindness brings along...that special Joy which is so uplifting and refreshing for our souls.

Nay  we  continue to enjoy each other's presence, while attending our Circle's events!

● My previous greetings on the same theme: Thanksgiving Day – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

The Beauty of Love & Trust

Upon recent observations, here I’m sharing with you all a short and very simple tale, where trust and true love are beautifully highlighted. Pleasant reading, dear ones!

STORY: Hold My Hand

Once upon a time, a little girl and her father were crossing a tall bridge. Father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter, "Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river."

The little girl said, "No, Dad. You hold my hand."

"What's the difference?" asked the puzzled father.

"There's a big difference," replied the little girl…"If I hold your hand & something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go, but if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what, you will never let my hand go."

The best proof of love is trust!

September 22, 2024: Happy AUTUMN, dear friends!

Officially speaking, today (September 22’24) is the first day of a new autumn (also known as the autumnal equinox) in our Northern Hemisphere,
occasion which allows me to send along my best regards to all for a prosperous season ahead!

Pleasing harvest, dear ones! Let the bounty of this autumn fill your hearts and homes!

"Coboara toamna-ncet din slava. Naframa galbena-i rasare...." (Octavian Goga)

● A brief oasis of poetry and inner reflection:

         ● (Ro) ”Şi totuşi, vine toamna... Şi tu o simţi şi o îngâni... Şi totuşi, vine toamna... Şi vai, suntem bătrâni! ”

                                    ”Totuşi toamna” (poem de Adrian Păunescu;  interpretare Tatiana Stepa) – video clip

         ● (English)...September musical notes...”Try To Remember, the kind of September” (song interpreted by Harry Belafonte)

● Short scientific briefing on AUTUMNAL EQUINOX:

The Autumnal Equinox is an astronomical event, nearly noticed by everyone, marking the arrival of fall in Northern Hemisphere. During the equinox, the night & day have almost the same length (12 hours) throughout the world. The word "equinox" derives from Latin, meaning “equal night". The equinox happens when the equator passes the centre of the sun. This is when the North & South Poles of the Earth are not tilted towards or away from the sun, as at other times, but are aligned so as to give, theoretically, the same amount of daylight in both of the Earth's hemispheres.

● My previous greetings on the same theme: AUTUMNAL EQUINOX – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

September 21, 2024: INTERNATIONAL PEACE Day

September 21^st 2024 reminds us that the entire world unites to celebrate International Peace Day, and the theme for this year is “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.”

PEACE…what is “Peace”? Peace is the path we each take if we wish to bring along growth and prosperity, in order to make our society a better place to live in.

It has been observed countless times that if we do not have peace and harmony within ourselves first, achieving political strength, economic stability and cultural growth will be impossible. Therefore, if we truly wish to transmit the notion of peace to others, it is vital for us to make sure we have it within, while keeping in mind that is not only a certain individual’s responsibility, but everyone’s duty.

”World peace can be achieved when, in each person, the power of love replaces the love of power.”

● Historical background info:

“The International Day of Peace, also officially known as World Peace Day, is a United Nations-sanctioned holiday observed annually on 21 September.
It is dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1981 and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and people.” (Source: Encyclopedia)

● My previous acknowledgements on the same theme: PEACE Day – 2023, 2022, 2021

Alice’s Book Club – SUMMER session of 2024

On Friday (September 20, 2024) I was glad to organize the summer book club session for my Circle, focusing on a very interesting theme: Human behavior – the importance of human social conduct vis-à-vis of knowledge. Needles to say that all my Canadian friends invited to this event were so inspirational in their deliveries and perspectives, highlighting the profound impact thoughts and attitudes have on behavior and character. 

 

As usual, respecting the privacy of the matters discussed, here are few useful concepts emerged from our conversations, which might be of interest to you:

– Human behavior is profoundly shaped by social interactions and the expectations of collective life

– The importance of human social conduct lies in its ability to foster cooperation, trust and empathy among individuals, ensuring societal stability and cohesion

– Polite communication, ethical decision-making and respect for shared norms cultivate environments where collaboration thrives, and conflicts are minimized

– Social conduct influences learning, emotional well-being (even physical health), highlighting the interconnectedness of personal actions & communal outcomes

– By prioritizing ethical and responsible behavior, humans sustain relationships, build communities, and advance cultural and moral development, underscoring the essential role of social responsibility in daily life.

In closing, once again, my most sincere appreciation to all my friends who were able to join me this evening, wishing them each a wonderful rest of the season! Until we meet again, my warmest regards to all!

Alice 

”We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” (Aristotle)

About the human BEHAVIOUR

Time has showing us repeatedly that human behavior is a truly vast and fascinating subject, clearly emphasizing an intricate web of emotions, actions and reactions which in essence set us apart from other living species on this planet.

Extrapolating a bit, we could safely affirm that human behavior refers to the way people act, interact and/or react with others and with the surrounding world, aspects which could be influenced by many things, such as feelings, the environment, or past experiences (more or less significant, but with extensive ramifications).

In other words, human behaviour encompasses everything from our thoughts and feelings to our physical actions, which are often shaped by where we are and who we are with (for instance, if we are with friends, we might act differently than when we are alone).

Anyhow, clear is the fact that every day, we make choices that reflect our behavior, or choices that shape our behaviour.

Personally, I truly believe that human behaviour is an interesting blend of both nature and nurture, having on one hand the individual’s genetic predisposition, and on the other hand having culture, upbringing, as well as peer influence….all leaving fantastic and long lasting imprints on people.

The reason I’m bringing this subject forward is to emphasize how important it is for each of us to realize how much we could be influenced by others, many times without even realizing it! Human conduct is very complex and at times it does help a lot to pause, to reflect and only then to proceed (with cautious, if necessary).  

Of course, there will never be a one-size-fits-all kind of explanation for why we do what we do, but I’m confident that the ongoing research and continuous advancement in neuroscience combined with psychology’s constant achievements will keep people on the right track towards gaining a much deeper and clearer understanding of the intricacies of mankind behavioural matters, benefiting the entire world as a whole!

“With knowledge comes power – power to change patterns for better decision making, fostering healthier relationships and creating societies where everyone feels understood and valued.”

August 31, 2024: ROMANIAN LANGUAGE Day

August 31^st highlights the ROMANIAN LANGUAGE DAY, which offers Romanians (around the world & in the country) a new occasion to honor their roots.

May we each take a moment to remember Eminescu’s comment vis-à-vis of this, which says: “The language is the very flower of Romanians' ethnic soul”. 

”Cine nu gândeşte în limba maternă şi-a uitat drumul spre casă.”

● Academia Română (follow the link to learn more about the Academy.... Romanin Academy) – Sesiunea festivă „Ziua Limbii Române“ (video clip)

● Historic background info:

Romanian Language is mother tongue of around 30 million individuals, taught as a foreign language in universities, in 45 countries.

Romanian Language Day is “celebrated nationally on August 31, starting from the year 2013 when the law establishing this holiday was enacted. The programs and cultural-educational events, with evocative or scientific characteristics, dedicated to this day emphasize the importance of the Romanian language not only as a means of communication but also as a repository of history, culture, and national identity”. (Source: Business Reviews News)

● My previous greetings on the same theme: ROMANIAN LANGUAGE Day – 2023, 2022, 2021

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). 

Few LESSONS life is teaching us

 We all are fully aware that life is beautiful, but definitively not always easy…it has its occasional difficulties, and the challenge lies in facing them with courage, grace and dignity! Happiness or sorrow, victory or defeat, day & night, etc. are affecting each life on Earth.

For your enjoyment, here I’m sharing the perspective of a 90 years old lady about life in general, wisdom worth pondering upon…peaceful reading, dear ones!

Thoughts

“To celebrate growing older, I once wrote few lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

– Life isn't fair, but it's still good. | – Life is too short…enjoy it. 
– When in doubt, just take the next small step, one at the time.

– Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.
But for sure your true friends and family will be there for you.

– Pay off your credit cards every month.
– You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

– Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
– Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

– When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
– Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

– It's OK to let your children see you cry.
– Don't compare your life to others under any circumstance.
Truth to be said, you have no idea what their journey is all about.

– If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
– No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

– Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. | – Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

– Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. | – It's never too late to be happy...it’s all up to you and no one else.

– When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. | – The most important organ is the brain.

– Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. | – Over prepare, then go with the flow.

– Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. | – Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

– Always choose life. | – Forgive, but don’t forget. | – What other people think of you is none of your business.

– Time heals almost everything. Give time time. | – However good or bad a situation is, it will change. | – Believe in miracles. 

– Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. | – Growing old beats the alternative of dying young. | – Your children get only one childhood.

– All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. | – Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. (I love this one!)

– If we all through our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. | – Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

– The best is yet to come. | – No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. | – Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.”

“Always stay strong as you live your life and always remember your blessings,
no matter what circumstances you might need to face.”

Socializing: Summer Picnic 2024 & Travel Stories

 The complete briefing will be available soon. Thank you!

Meanwhile, please continue to enjoy the ongoing summer!

Warm regards,

Alice

Summer vibes of 2024

As these days I’m taking my time to enjoy every summer day more intensely than ever before, I realized that I’ve become even more observant of my surroundings, of my neighbours, of my friends, of all the people we meet along the way during our walks in nature – my conclusions are truly astonishing, but what I find really interesting is the fact that people sense the presence and the authenticity in a very pleasing manner.

Usually folks love to be at the center of the world, but I would rather prefer a peaceful corner where my entire world could be.

Generally speaking, you may think that you are not important at all in this world, but actually you are because your thoughtfulness, your compassion, your positivity, your genuine amiability leave behind fragrant echoes of kindness, which is quite marvelous!

Just think about these…if someone drinks coffee every morning from the favorite cup you gave them,

Or if someone heard a song on the radio that reminds them of you,

Or if someone is reading a book you recommended and it's stuck in their head,

Or if someone remembered a joke of yours and smiled coming home from work in the evening,

Or if someone now loves themselves a little more because you gave them a nice compliment, you really brought a certain amount of kindness into this world.
Never think that you don't influence anything, because it is impossible to erase the beautiful traces you leave behind, even with small deeds.

Dear friends, I wish you  enjoy the ongoing summer - flower by flower!

“Summer time” – by George Gershwin (classical music)

Benefits of TRAVELLING

According to many, travelling should be considered an essential human activity because it seems to be in our genes, as extensive scholastic studies are demonstrating that it is not natural for us to be sedentary.

Historically speaking, for most of the time our species existed, people lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers moving around quite often, approach which proved to be quite useful.

Personally, it feels to me that the very nature of travelling entails a fair share of wishful thinking, demanding at the same time a leap of faith and imagination. From making you happier, to reducing stress or by teaching you about the world or yourself, travelling could be considered an exquisite nourishing “food” for the soul.

Whether traveling for a vacation, business trip or some other adventure/s, whether taking a quick weekend getaway or a multi-month sabbatical around the world, travel offers a wide range of benefits, and for your convenience, here is a concise list various experts put together:

- Travelling could improve your communication skills, your creativity, and it could help expand even further your personal development

- Travelling could help you achieve a lasting peace of mind (by reducing stress & anxiety) and it could boost your self-confidence effectively

- International travelling could make you more tolerant and it could broaden your understanding of different cultures

- Travelling could help you appreciate even more the beauty of our nature and Earth

- Travelling could expand your horizons and your social network, while giving you the possibility to create new lifetime memories

- Travelling could sharpen your mind, it could shift your perspective about life in general, and (if needed) it could help you find a new purpose

- World travelling could help you appreciate even more your home, your friends, your country or your life.

Concluding, dear friends, I truly believe that travelling it is not always or necessarily about a certain place or specific destination, but rather about what we bring to it and how we interact with it. Extrapolating, we could state that travelling it is not necessarily about the destination or about the journey in itself, but rather about how you transform yourself during the experience…it is not necessarily about leaving your home, but about leaving behind old habits that are not serving you any longer.

Wherever life might take you next, I wish you happy and safe travels!

Socializing: CANADA Day 2024 – Morning Coffee Talks

 The complete briefing will be available soon. Thank you!

July 1, 2024: CANADA Day

Yearly, on July 1^st, Canadians across the country and around the world display their national history, showcase their culture and acknowledge achievements…without any doubt, this is a special day, when lots of festivities are held throughout the entire realm, since 1868. 

Once again, as I’ve mentioned few times in the past, CANADA truly reflects the old concept of unity in diversity, and diversity in unity.

Congratulations to you, Canada…and once again, a very warm and happy Canada Day to one and all!

● National Anthem: “O Canada” – audio  

● Historic background info:

On July 1, 1867, the nation was officially born when the “Constitution Act” joined three provinces into one country: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Canada province, which then split into Ontario and Quebec. However, Canada was not completely independent of England until 1982. The holiday called “Dominion Day” was officially established in 1879, but it wasn't observed by many Canadians, who considered themselves to be British citizens.

“Dominion Day” started to catch on when the 50^th anniversary of the confederation rolled around, in 1917. In 1946, a bill was put forth to rename “Dominion Day”, but arguments in the House of Commons over what to call the holiday stalled the bill.

The 100^th anniversary of the nation's official creation in 1967 saw the growth of the spirit of Canadian patriotism, and “Dominion Day” celebrations really began to take off. Although quite a few Canadians already called the holiday “Canada Day” (“Fête du Canada”), the new name wasn't formally adopted until October of 1982.

● My previous greetings on the same theme: CANADA Day – 2023, 2022, 2021, 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).