June 1, 2021 – INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN's Day

 To all who observe this, HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN's DAY! 

On the first day of the meteorological summer, the attention to protecting the interests of children is drawn all across the world, while new emerging issues are examined thoroughly. What is also very important on this day, is addressing the sustainability topic: children are probably the most important and the most appropriate segment of the world's population for environmental discourse, as they represent the future generation. Numerous initiatives are taken upon on International Children's day, in order to educate future adults on how to better take care of the planet - today and in the years to come.

● My previous greetings on the same theme: INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN's Day – 2020, 2019

Alice’s Book Club – SPRING session of 2021

As the current spring is nicely unfolding around here, on Friday (May 28’21) I was very happy to be able to meet with few friends for my seasonal book club session, this time discussing relationships.

On the other hand, since lots of restrictions relating to this prolonged pandemic are still in place (to different degrees, in different areas), I continue to choose the available technology, having our meeting on line.  

Now, the topic of the evening (“relationships”) is actually really vast, and I truly believe that in life it is extremely important to know how to build healthy relationships, how to keep them and how to terminate them if they become toxic.
During our gathering this time, I think we just barely scratched the surface, but nonetheless, we addressed a number of significant aspects. Aside of that, participants were given ahead of time reading materials issued by two big Universities, but beyond that they each brought along many personal perspectives. It was really great to notice how easily my guests engaged so openly in conversation, bringing at the dialogue table different standpoints relating to the subject of the night. 

Like I always do, in my public briefing, I won’t get into very specific details, keeping confidentiality in mind, but I will pencil below only several highlights, worth considering, as well as several concepts extracted from classics:
- Relationships cannot grow without proper (& effective) communication; if communication starts to fade this would have a negative impact on your relationship/s
- Sometimes you learn more about someone at the end of a relationship than at the beginning (pay attention to details in order to avoid potential disappointments) 
- As we go through life, we understand that it is not important to have many relationships (or very many friends), but it is more important to have true relationships 
- It helps to understand that the relationship you have with yourself is the most important relationship in your life
- Choose your relationships wisely; being alone will never cause you as much loneliness or headaches as having the wrong relationships
- No relationship is ever a waste of your time; if it didn’t bring you what you wanted, for sure it taught you what you don’t want
- When a relationship is over, leave; don’t continue to water dead flower (keep toxic people far away)
- Great relationships are based on honesty and clarity, not on guessing or mind-reading / - Communicate respectfully, even when it is uncomfortable or uneasy
- Always remember that in a relationship, someone’s effort is a reflection of their interest in you (if the effort is not equal you might need to reconsider)
- Wise people believe that good relationships do not depend on how well we understand someone, but it depends on how well we manage misunderstandings
- A great relationship is about two important things: first, it is about finding out similarities, and secondly, it is about respecting differences
- It is important to know well your entourage, so make sure everybody in your ‘boat’ is rowing and not drilling holes when you are not looking.
We wrapped up the evening all agreeing that it is paramount to keep our relationships positive, remembering that quality is way more important than quantity.

Also, here I’m sharing with you two materials I put together a while ago, relating to this theme, called:
“Importance of FRIENDSHIP” & "Few additional words of wisdom about relationships".

As I conclude my briefing, once again much gratitude to these beautiful friends who made time to be able to join my seasonal book club….their kindness very encouraging and their support is always highly appreciated! Until we meet again, my warmest regards!
Alice

Time is precious, so make sure you spend it with the right people.

Few additional words of wisdom about relationships

As we each walk our own path, we encounter lots of beautiful illustrations teaching us to be wise…yes, I’m referring to that collection of experiences and virtues that shape our vision in life. For your reference, below I’m sharing few words of wisdom, which I find worth sharing further….enjoy this light reading!

Insights concerning relationships
′′Let go the people who are not prepared to love you. This is the hardest thing you will have to do in your life and it will also be the most important thing. Stop having hard conversations with people who don't want change.
- Stop showing up for people who have no interest in your presence. I know your instinct is to do everything to earn the appreciation of those around you, but it's a boost that steals your time, energy, mental and physical health.
- When you begin to fight for a life with joy, interest and commitment, not everyone will be ready to follow you in this place. This doesn't mean you need to change what you are, it means you should let go of the people who aren't ready to accompany you.
- If you are excluded, insulted, forgotten or ignored by the people you give your time to, you don't do yourself a favor by continuing to offer your energy and your life. The truth is that you are not for everyone and not everyone is for you.
- That's what makes it so special when you meet people who reciprocate love. You will know how precious you are.
- The more time you spend trying to make yourself loved by someone who is unable to, the more time you waste depriving yourself of the possibility of this connection to someone else.
- There are billions of people on this planet and many of them will meet with you at your level of interest and commitment.
- The more you stay involved with people who use you as a pillow, a background option or a therapist for emotional healing, the longer you stay away from the community you want.
- Maybe if you stop showing up, you won't be wanted. Maybe if you stop trying, the relationship will end. Maybe if you stop texting your phone will stay dark for weeks. That doesn't mean you ruined the relationship, it means the only thing holding it back was the energy that only you gave to keep it.
This is not love, it is attachment. It is wanting to give a chance to those who don't deserve it. You deserve so much, there are people who should not be in your life; be mindful of that and keep things simple and clear (for yourself and for those involved).
- The most valuable thing you have in your life is your time and energy, and both are limited. When you give your time and energy, it will define your existence. When you realize this, you begin to understand why you are so anxious when you spend time with people, in activities, places or situations that don't suit you and shouldn't be around you, your energy is stolen. You will begin to realize that the most important thing you can do for yourself and for everyone around you is to protect your energy more fiercely than anything else. Make your life a safe haven, in which only ′′compatible′′ people are allowed.
- You are not responsible for saving anyone. You are not responsible for convincing them to improve. It is not your work to exist for people and give your life to them! If you feel bad, if you feel compelled, you will be the root of all your problems, fearing that they will not return the favours you have granted. It is your only obligation to realize that you are the love of your destiny and accept the love you deserve.
- Decide that you deserve true friendship, commitment, true and complete love with healthy and prosperous people. Then wait and see how much everything begins to change. Don't waste time with people who are not worth it. Change will give you the love, the esteem, happiness and the protection you deserve.

“Wisdom is the supreme part of happiness.” (Sophocles)