By Paulo Coelho
Epictetus (55 A.D.-135 A.D.) was born a slave and became one of the great philosophers of Rome. He was expelled from the city in 94 A.D. and it was while in exile that he came up with a way of teaching his followers. Here is an extract from his Art of Living.
‘Two things may happen when we meet someone: either we become friends or we try to convince that person to accept our beliefs. The same thing happens when a hot coal meets another piece of coal: it either shares its fire with it or is overwhelmed by the other’s size and is extinguished.
But, since, generally speaking, we feel insecure when we first meet someone, we are more likely to affect indifference, arrogance or excessive humility. The result is that we cease being who we are, and matters move into a strange world that does not belong to us.
In order to avoid this happening, make your good feelings immediately apparent. Arrogance may only be a banal mask for cowardice, but it prevents important things from flourishing in your life.’
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Bonjour monsieur Coelho,
Our local daily (malayalam) carries a write-up about your blog.
thank you for taking your time to inspire….
count it as my own way learning to make good feelings apparent.
ben.
Très cher monsieur Coelho,
firstly, I want to tell you what a wonderful inspiration your writings are to me. I am sure you hear this many times every single day, but I am going through a period of important life transitions at the moment. The many conversations I share with my mentors and supporters—and through my own writing (such as it is)—only confirm to me every day that I am making the right decision at this time, mainly by slowing down to smell the roses, but more importantly, to reflect on what the real priorities in life are.
As you very well know, these are most difficult times, and our world is undegoing very rapid and very scary changes. Human nature being what it is… we are constantly pulled between our higher and baser natures and greed and desire unfortunately do not always help us make the best decisions.
But unlike poor Justin, I have been given the necessary tools and resources to make my mark on this world while I am still alive and well. I have been blessed with much luck, good fortune and loving support from those living and those already beyond, and I have every intention of putting those gifts to the best possible use. I am not quite sure yet how all that will materialize, but I do know that my own quest is inspiring others to ask questions and to look into their own motivations. For the moment, while I sit here and regain my strength, that is good enough for me.
I wish you to know that your blog has prompted me to send an email to some 60 people among my network of acquaintances around the world to direct them to you post containing Justin’s letter. I titled my own post on the matter: “Warriors of the White Light, Unite”.
I’ve tried to ignore my real calling as a flower child far too long. The time is now for action, and my real life’s work is now only just begun. Thank you for being a part of that journey and providing me with such wonderful inspiration.
Amitiés fidèles et sincères salutations,
Ilana Shamir
Peace, love & namaste!
For more news, visit:
http://fromsmilerwithlove.blogspot.com
Hello All,
Yup, one time I had a serious task: producing, directing and playing one part of a film in the same time. I was complaining, how to “play” these different roles then a girlfriend of mine just said: be yourself, that’s the only way to do this and why on Earth do you want to play roles at all? I was complaining a little more while she was only smiling at me. So I stopped hesitating between the parts I was tearing myself into and just did my job with an opened heart.
Oh, my! I felt I have to be so brave.
The simplicity of being who I am sometimes(?)is still shocking.
Blessings
Li
Flap … for a funny Dodo bird landing
Stoicism as a discipline tries to show us how to better live with ourself. Thanks Paulo, I had forgotten this part of my life where I was found of this !!!
bonjour,
je viens de decouvrir votre blog, grace a un article paru sur vous , sur femme actuelle de cette semaine.
ca faisait longtemps que j’avais entendu parler de vous, et plusieurs fois, je me suis dit tiens, il faudrat que je lise les livres de cet homme qui porte le même nom que moi et quelques annees de difference, j’ai 39 ans.seulement moi je suis d’origine portugaise.
et puis je me suis mise a lire vos livres et franchement , je regrette de ne pas l’avoir fait avant, car je deviens vraiment boulimique de votre ecriture.
j’adore la facon que vous avez de tourner les choses, vous avez l’air de quelqu’un de tres poser, mais qui en as passer des galeres.
honnetement , vous me faite penser a mom pere, qui est décédé en 1999,et dont j’en ai beaucoup souffert, je me suis souvent dit que j’allais écrire un livre sur lui, car c’était un homme formidable ( je pense que ca doit venir du nom)!!.
et puis je commence je ne vais jamais au bout, tampis , les souvenirs sont dans ma tête.
j’ai chercher une adresse mail pour vous ecrire, mais je n’ai pas trouvé, alors je vous laisse ici mon message, en souhaitant qu’il ne vous ennuieras pas, mais je suis sure que non.
et c’est aussi avec grand plaisir que j’ai vu qu’un nouveau roman venait de sortir.
merci pour tous ces moments.
marie coelho mompertuis
saintes en charente maritime france
je sais ecrire et lire portugais , au cas ou vous voudriez me repondre, car je suis nulle en anglais.
encore merci
THis makes me think about my meeting with you. Lord knows i was so scared and shy to walk up to you and say the simple words hello! for i thought i would faint.
All i knew was this is the man who has written books that have helped change my life, give me understanding of life, books that showed me another world, Books that inspired me to keep fighting the good fight, To let my light shine, to love with no limits.
So when i walked up to you, instaintly i could feel your great loving energy, and it calmed something inside of me. You made me feel welcomed :)
I still think to myself oh my oh my and that box that i always held up in front of me for years afaid to open not quite sure how to open. I’ve taken a peek inside of it now. :)
meeting you what a great experience.
So today I have chosen a new name for myself——Understanding.
Olá Paulo! :)
Hi everyone!
Hi Marieee! :D
What a beautiful thing that you said, Marie! :)
Yeah, it’s like that, we know Paulo’s soul through his books but when we meet the man… Ohh my! He rocks! :D I could say that with you! :P
I’m still waiting for the time to meet Paulo in person and I’m pretty sure that the moment will be as magical as his books and his teachings and that it will also change my life, like it changed yours. It’s sooo good to see you happy, Marie. I can be very happy for you too!
Understanding… That’s a great name, girl! :)
Be blessed you, Marie, with all my heart!
Be blessed you too, dear Paulo!
May the blessings of the Goddess be to all!
Beijooo!!!
Marta :)