Inspiring thougts by Bertrand Piccard

Murakami

I stumbled on Murakami's work by accident. Surfing the web, bored and unamused, I landed myself upon a site depicting 10 books you must read for this decade. And out of the 10, 1 caught my attention. Like a calling from the internet abyss, I was subtly drawn closer to the link...., "Click me.. Click me...." it whispered... sheepishly obedient I did, and in hindsight, I am glad that he did not disappoint.

That was a month ago, and currently, I am digesting a second of his literature. Indeed, Murakami is a great writer. His style of artistic compositions tells literature of cats, jazz bars, relationships, sheeps and life in Japan. And he tells it as it comes to him.... raw, mysterious and at time edgy. My interest in his work is ever growing (the above is his latest, the second book of his I am reading... a story of different sort, rather Murakami's imagination, this inks his reflections when running).

My curiousity in literature has never crossed the borders of business writing. My staple literature diet consists of marketing, business strategies, leadership and other business related writings. Ofcourse there are the occassional lifestlyle articles which seeks to help you understand yourself better for the gazzilion-th time.... or how to scan, disect and analyse your relationships intricately with such precision as relationship surgeon can... just by answering 10 multi choice recycled questions. But I have yet to venture on literature of this nature.....

Admittedly, my interest in Murakami's writing is encouraging. The book above is his latest, and my second book by him. The moment I read the initial pages, I am hooked. Though not his usual writing, this books exclusively invites us to have a partial glimpse of his life and also his passion (besides writing ofcourse). This book depicts his passion to particiate in marathons and triathlons; and more inportantly, his thoughts while running. And it is here I had one of those epiphanic moments..... his foreword reads "Pain is inevitable,..... Suffering is optional". And its this very thought that is left lingering in my mind.... playing over and over like a record repeating itself. Though Murakami puts it into the context of running, I sense a deeper perspective which hints towards a life philosophy. Maybe its unintentional or maybe it is.. but when I read it, it struck accord with my thoughts... and its so true.

Though pain is not an option for all of us.. suffering is inflicted and in most cases relates to our unwillingness of letting go. How coincidential that what I have been expressing and writing about revolves around that.

Indeed, Murakami's books are a good read. Cannot wait to finish this one and start another.

Life and how to live - Randy Pausch

I always wanted to write about this guy. Saw his video last year and I was inspired.
Most refer to this video as the "Last Lecture", but if you listen closely, the lecture is about Life and How to Live.

In this video, he shares his life with us and how he has lived it. And more importantly, he enlightens us with his perspectives on the things that really matters in life. These are the intangible moments which makes people feel good and gratified. We can learn alot on how to live from a guy whos is going to die. I am no exception to that fact. We can all learn a thing or two from this guy.

Have a watch of the "Life and how to live" video. This is a summarised version from Oprah.



If you have the time, should watch the full version which is about 80 mins long. And there was a really emotional moment in there. You can find the full version here.

papergirl

Over the past month or so, I had the privilege to be introduced to papergirl's "love poem" recital through a youtube video someone sent me. Oh, how I savoured the poem she recited. Her passion, witty expressions and choice of apt words embedded within her recitals bowled me over. I was motivated to share her poem here. So, I asked for permission to put her "love poem" here, and EUREKA! I got it.
(*Thanks, Mary! For letting me to post your poem here*)

Enjoy!

======================================
love poem 2002.
Tennessee Mary Fons, copyright 2005

this poem is for the pillow clutchers/for those looking into the imaginary eyes of the person who fills their mind with sugarplum smiles/for those who have a cannon of dreams ready and waiting to blossom/for the men and the women who want to be understood in that way that only someone who kisses you can understand you/this poem is for you.

this poem is not for the desperate/the pathetic/the lame/the loser/not for the one who hasn’t gotten laid in awhile/not for the one who says they’re “choosing not to date” for awhile/there is no such thing/this poem is for the people who cannot bring themselves to admit that they would give their right leg for any length of time with the person on their mind.

forgive me/I am not a brave woman/I do not know what lurks in the hearts of humans and I don’t really want to know/if what’s there mirrors memories I show in my face on bad days it holds kisses that are long gone/people who have disappeared/and passions that have faded into the ether of the past/nothing lasts/that is the one lesson this coward can say she is able to teach.

this poem is for all those who wish to say “I’m sorry”/I’m sorry I couldn’t love you/you deserve love/I’m sorry I couldn’t give something to you/you deserve to be given to/I’m sorry that for every person that loves somebody/another person just doesn’t want to/and sometimes we’re the lucky ones/right/we get to feel sweet truth in the night/the bodies we reach out to are miraculously there/but I know the despair that comes when they are not/I know the long nights and the doubt and the fear and that crawling back to a womb that just isn’t there/I know intensity’s address and the letdown that rents there/I’m sorry for it/it takes years off your life and it cannot be avoided.

and some times these little words are crutches for the crush that we feel/so this poem is a pathetic vehicle for me to tell you/each one of you/that I love you/in so many ways/in the same ways that stay up nights and days/dreaming up the perfect way to be there for someone/meals you would cook for them/poems you would write for them and the things you plan to say when they say no/well I love you/and you will never know how in the slight of a magician’s hand we could’ve been lovers and grandly in love/could’ve changed the whole game/written words on the horizon/changed the compromise/but you will know something else instead/bitter as bitter ever gets/more bitter than a rotten peach pit/more bitter than a child’s most terrifying nightmare at night/you will know that I don’t reflect what I see in your eyes/will will share some banal recognition/some cordial understanding but have I mentioned that I love you for not lying/so many people lying all the time/I hate them/so I love you/and you will still go home alone/and that is very hard to do.

for all the humans with love for those who aren’t their lovers/I love you.

and so the poem ends because we know that it will/but before it slips away like everything else/I will attempt the only words I can think of that are a fraction as good as a kiss: when you reach out at night and find not someone/but the cold grey light of day that wakes you up like a slap/like a curse/like an insult/I love you/when you stay at home thinking of those who are long gone or those who are getting kisses from someone that is not you/I love you/for those who want what they probably need and whose bodies are starving not for food/for me and for you and for all the people who never knew or understood what you would do for them/I love you/I love you/I love you.
======================================

I am an instant fan!

Here is Mary's recital on youtube. Great stuff.



Also, for those who would like to tantalise your poetic appetite with more of Mary's work, you can get your fix at her Youtube channel. More great stuff. Link