Your Space in my Blog: 19th of May 2009

by Paulo Coelho on May 18, 2009

This space is for you to share your ideas on anything that you consider relevant today.

You can publish here excerpts from your blogs or news and articles in general that you think make a difference to the world today. Try to make a bit of editing on what you post here – try to highlight passages with copy-paste, rather than simply giving links.

Please keep in mind that this blog is currently viewed by 230.000 unique visitors a month, and chances are that many of them are going to read your thoughts.

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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }

Rossana Curri May 20, 2009 at 10:10 am

Alexandra, Europe has a VISA WAIVER PROGRAM with the U.S., meaning we do not need a visa to reach the States if we have a “modern” passport (LOL) and are just going there for tourism, for no longer than 90 days.
Now we also need to fill up an application on line in order to be granted an authorization to get in.

The visa I was talking about is the immigrant visa, that allows you to live permanently in the States, work and be in a condition that is comparable to American citizenship, except the right to vote.

Thank you for your wonderful support!!

PETRU SIMION, what you wrote touched me deeply… That’s exactly what’s on my mind: I don’t want to be a slave any longer. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Love and have you all a bright and joyful day!

Rossana Curri

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Lily May 20, 2009 at 9:34 am

Alexandra,
I think everyone entering the US needs a Visa. I’m not sure though.
Petru, nice story!
love
lily

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Petru Simion May 20, 2009 at 7:41 am

For those of you who “left your jobs” :-)

I remember it was back in 2000, I was living in Canada, wishing would live in the US, doing work as a software developer and not feeling happy about felling I WAS A SLAVE.

Not that I was making no money, or was worked out.
By far NOOOO.

I was waking up whenever I wanted to.
Got to work, had “stuff” for free. Stuff that kills you, like coke.
And meetings, and free hats, and lunches with cheap cakes that made me wonder, why am I not getting more money, so I can buy the food I want. Like, cheese and red wine for example :-)

And I remember that for that New Year, I had wished, vocally, to “Not be a slave anymore”

Well, soon after I had my wish come through.
I was LAID OFF :-)

And was off for a year.

But what I see now is that was the year when I started my phisical recovery.
I did not have much to do, and decided to address my cholesterol high, by getting back into sports, rather than joining the junkies of the pharmaceutical companies.

I got a job, later, after a year.
Then I moved to contracting, realizing that I was right that night wishing not to be a slave anymore, even if I got the dark side of my wishing for a year :-)

This reminds me the joke about the fisherman.
There is this fisherman, that is poor, very poor.
He goes fishing one day, and got no fishes whatsoever.
So, … by the end of the day …, a little golden fish gets in the hook.
But when the fisherman wants to take it off, the fish SPEAKS.
Hey, please, let me go, I am in fact the KING OF FISHES, and will make three wishes come truth for you, if you let me go.
The fisherman thinks, what the heck, the fish is so small, I can not feed from it, and lets it go.
The fish asks, what are those three wishes ?
Well, answered the fisherman:
I want to be reach.
I want to be a prince.
I want to live in a castle.

The fisherman goes home, goes to sleep hungry(same as all of us if we want a six pack :-) ), and wakes up.

He feels something strange about the bed sheets, they feel SILKY …
He opens his eyes, and … here he sits, in a huge bed, everything around him is in gold and silver.
HE LIVES IN A PALACE.

The door opens, and here is a butler, serving breakfast.
The butler “addresses” the prince:
-Your Highness, you must hurry. We have a train to catch. To … SARAJEVO.

That thought me the saying:
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, it might come through.

Which sounds kind of, hey, stay in your own egg shell.
You will not be exposed to the wind.

But also, years later that:
FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE.

And even if you do not get fortunate, or lucky.

YOU LIVED A LIFE.

If you left a job, or whatever you left, IT WAS FOR A REASON.

Enjoy the ride !

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Alexandra May 20, 2009 at 6:39 am

Rossana,Italians need visa for USA? I thought it was granted freely …See Cat, is still alive “The American Dream”.Today I stop that kind of talk,from tomorrow only poems,because I want to forget all hard things from real life.Bye,have a nice day.

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Alexandra May 20, 2009 at 6:32 am

Candie B, you are surpassing me…You much more original.
Dear Cat, I know I was talking on the spot, I know problems are everywhere. But for sure USA is not the poorest country in the world,in fact is still a dream for many. Well, big deal in our country, it was aproved a law that give a month to the debtors, that one month for a process, so bank can not take their houses on the spot. Banks went crazy…Altruistic people,what to say. Is not enough we have the highest rate of interest in whole Europe,but if one take money for a house,will pay to bank the price for 3 houses…
Dear Rosana, you are well prepared,I am sure you will find a good job .Take care,good luck.Much Love,
Alexandra

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molly May 20, 2009 at 4:26 am

If you knew you were going to be dead in a year, what would you be doing presently that you’ve been putting off?

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Marie-Christine May 20, 2009 at 3:45 am

Alexandra
Thank you for your message. “I will weigh it carefully”
Have a nice day.
PS Some people might see things as a complaint other might see it as a way to take action, depending on the perception of the individual.
“The cup is either half full or empty, it is your choice.”
Love
:)

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candie b May 20, 2009 at 1:09 am

They come on strange forms:words.
he’s around again,wow..anything you want to say?lol
was he?Am I?Are we?Oh not dead,never dead.No one dies.Death is a matter of perception.All about perception.But you know that already,don’t you?Yes,you do cause you’ve been there once or twice..and the “wheel” turns..And the “will” turns,going into circles to reach and return to where it came from.On strange nights filled by pieces of broken days.Leaving you to feel empty.You want to stop trying to become and you just start to be.

From him to you

Candie

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candie b May 20, 2009 at 12:54 am

Oh crap!I just realised something about myself!I thought about it before but this time someone came to whisper it to me and a flash about a few days post just went through again.This is creepy..mystic and not realistic at all.Can’t be or what cannot be in fact?
Ooooooooohhhhhhhhh!
Good night everyone!

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Lily May 20, 2009 at 12:26 am

Paulo, how was the display for ‘The Witch of Portobello’? will you be telling us about it?
Rossanna, I am also in your situation currently. I left my job, for a while I can survive, but soon my money will run out and have to find something to do. so I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve loved writing always, so i’m going to start that and i’ve also loved acting, i’ve been thinking about that too. but i know both take time, it’s not like a regular job i can go in and get paid… Well, life is what happens to you when you’re making plans, was the John Lennon who said that? I think I’m just gonna go with the flow and know that God will give me what i need. Right now, I don’t need anything!
love
lily

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Rossana May 19, 2009 at 11:03 pm

My answers to Kirsten

I live in Italy, but I am ready to move to any English speaking country; btw, I won the Green Card Lottery and will get my immigrant Visa to the U.S. before September.

As for the other questions… I am still thinking about them :)

Thank you, my friend.

Love,

Rossana Curri

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Rossana May 19, 2009 at 11:00 pm

Alexandra, thank for your comment: you are so right, this is not the right to play games. Actually, I am indeed looking for another job, before leaving my present one.

Kirsten, your suggestions and questions have been so precious to me!!
They made me think a lot, and now my mind is clearer. Thank you so much!! You cannot even figure out how much you helped me.

B*Sofie and Jill, thanks for reminding me that practical solutions must always match our heart and passion.

Thanks to all of you… Your support is precious!

Love,

Rossana

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Cat May 19, 2009 at 9:17 pm

I am looking forward to seeing the film collaboration … very exciting ;o)

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Cat May 19, 2009 at 9:14 pm

Hi Alexandra – have you been to Ghana?!! Would love to hear your stories ;o)

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Heart May 19, 2009 at 7:23 pm

A great photographer and fashion commentator, invites people to a party in Sao Paulo at the Nonno Ruggero Restaurant @ 7 pm tonight. Wish I could be there, but am happy for those who can, and to share some of the photos on his blog.

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

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Robin Gainey May 19, 2009 at 7:07 pm

that’s http://www.rfgainey.com….talk about editing!!!

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Robin Gainey May 19, 2009 at 7:06 pm

Paul:
I would love to hear more from you about the processes of writing: idea, utlines, editing, etc. Most think that writers still at the keyboard all day, every day. Not true as we both know, though an author friend of mine once said that the only thing a writer needs to be successful is “bum glue”. This level of writing is self-reliant and inward looking. The ideas come from inside. When they do you need to be in your chair. That’s the bum glue part.

But, for most writers, pacing is not just something you wish to achieve on the page.

If a writer-cam were created and attached to the skull of every writer, I’m fairly sure the view would be the same: Look at the keyboard, look at the screen, look out the window, pet the dog, pour some coffee, do a load of laundry, fix a snack, look out the window, look at the phone, check the email, walk to the bathroom, walk to the computer, look at the keyboard, look at the screen, pour more coffee…..you get the idea.

But, I believe there is another level to writing called the editing process. This is co-dependant and outward looking. It’s where the brilliant idea you thought you had gets ripped to shreds along with your confidence. Usually there is less pacing and more wine consumption.

Editing is the SAT part of the writing education. Pressure and skill come to bear, and if the writer can learn to take none of it personally, there is a beacon at the end of the tunnel called publishing. Here is a little illustration that you might enjoy, created by a first-time author friend of mine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKkR9S2lq6Q

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jill May 19, 2009 at 5:48 pm

Hi Rossanna Curri,

what kind of suggestions are your pertaining to? a new line of work? a business of some sort? or anything one can possibly think of?

I have thought about leaving my current job too.. plenty of times actually. for just one and the same reason. but maybe a topic for another time.

logically, i do suggest to find a new one first, just to be safe. you know, bills to pay, kids to take care of.. etc.etc. but, there is another thought that just pass through my head… why not find something you are passionate about? wow. its so easy to suggest but such a loaded statement. dont you think?! hehe. just assuming that you dont like your job.

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jill May 19, 2009 at 5:36 pm

“i could not blame you, this is what i want anyway.
you’ve stepped one bit closer and i’ve gone running. so, this is what being unprepared for feels like.” – a thought when i was thinking about someone

Even in relationships, the most difficult thing would be to start one. but how can you start when you dont know how?

Once you’ve thought that its everything you want in this world, becomes something insignificant or not that important to fight for. maybe because of the following reasons:
- scared
- too much time to put in
- complicated
- not really important, not a priority
- uncertain
- and all that other BS i cant remember

Does this mean i know what i want? or i just know what i dont want? is there a difference between these two? somehow for me it is. …sigh… how about you guys?

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Monika May 19, 2009 at 5:20 pm

I wish good luck for the witch and the magician right now!

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Alexandra May 19, 2009 at 4:05 pm

Marie Christine,if you are trying to complain,mention your country name. Than,I will give some names of other country,where is much much nicer… As Ghana,Somalia, even countries in est Europe. In my country for example, suicide increased a lot, many lose their houses due to debts. The govern took money from international banks, but for poor theres no hope ever. Why young people dont get a job,but if you was not employed,you get no assistance,you are alone,go and beg…Something like this. And an year ago, there was no enough workers,wage high…What happened? That is an incredible made up situation.

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B*Sofie May 19, 2009 at 3:06 pm

Dear Rossana!

Follow your hearts desire*

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Kirsten May 19, 2009 at 2:54 pm

Where do you live? Are you in Italy or looking to move to an English speaking country?

What are you aiming for? Where do you see yourself in five years – how are you going to get there?

Some ideas:

Higher level Human Resources management
Employment lawyer (maybe what you are doing already?)
Political – working with MPs or Senators
Headhunter

Why do you want to leave your present job? What does this tell you about where you need to go next?

Sometimes more questions help people find their own way – I suspect you have the answers anyway but often we don’t ask ourselves the right questions in order to move on effectively. At least this is what I’ve found in my own life.

Hope this helps a little?

Kirsten

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Alexandra May 19, 2009 at 1:55 pm

Dear Rosana,I have. Dont leave your work till you havent found a new one. Is not the right moment to play. Only if you have a fortune in bank,than…take your time. Have you tried to got a place in the European Parliament, there are some interesting jobs?Why not.I wish you good luck, and beg you to think very well before acting.
Love,Alexandra

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Marie-Christine May 19, 2009 at 1:46 pm

Budget has been passed a while ago.
We are lucky our pension has increased by $10.14.
Straight away the food items have too, the humble sheppard
‘s pie has gone up by $1.00 and the grapes are now costing $20.00 (they are the seedless one though)I don’t want to sound like sour grapes though I am lucky, we have a roof under our head whilst 75% of the world population has not.so,what am I complaining about?
We have to keep our education standard though, education, education, education.
Just remember in a community of 100 people.
43 live without sanitation, 18 without an improved water resource,
meantime we are spending 1.12 trillion of dollars on military expenditures and only 100 billion on development aid.
What are our basic needs? I would say a roof under our head, water, food and good health.
Come to think of it, we must be around 100 in that community, and what are we doing about it? are we going to stand there and just look?
Oh well, you cant’ say I didn’t warn you….Me and my big mouth
“Placido Domingo left in the middle of the concert he was giving when he was informed of the appointment of Isaras Rodriguez as the new Ambassador for Venezuela.
That’s what I call a man with principles. I like you Placido.
Well, if he can do it, why can’t we?
Thank you Sheela Nandini, Ca, Annie, Thelma, Savita, Paul, Adytia, Shantosh for your comments and kind words and everybody that participates in this blog.
You all rock.
Robert Dupre retired Eagle, I like your comment too.
Love to all and keep on smiling :))))))))))))))) good vibrations to all.

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THELMA May 19, 2009 at 1:20 pm

Good luck for the presentation of the “Experimental Witch’, dear Paulo, and I wish you will manage to enjoy the …luxury of Cannes: the 8 hours sleep, as you say in the side/Twitter!
LOVE,
Thelma.

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Rossana Curri May 19, 2009 at 12:26 pm

A very practical comment (LOL):

I am a lawyer, graduated in International Law and mainly dealing with Business Law; I was admitted to the Italian Bar Association in 2001.
I have also been a store manager for two years.
I can speak Italian and English fluently.
And I am a nice person :)

I am planning to leave my present job. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you.

Love,
Rossana Curri

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