"When there is no emotion, there is no motion either. What is missing is the spiritual energy called enthusiasm.
... When we are enthusiastic, we develop a determination to equal the endurance of the muscles, a fortitude to match the courage of our hearts, and a passion to join with the animal strength of our bodies. To succeed at anything, you need passion, you have to be a bit of a fanatic. If you would move anyone to action, you must first be moved yourself. To instigate, said Emerson, you must first be instigated."
I've been meaning to read Jack Kerouac's "On the road" for some time, but this passage, in another book that I am now reading (Little Brother) made me change my mind into doing it sooner. The way W1nst0n (the main character of the book I'm reading) depicts Kerouac's work is so very well done that, well, I'm convinced.
The two young lovers discussing the book and the circunstances surrounding them was one of the good moments of this piece called "Little Brother".
I need people like those. With a burning desire for something. These are the people that make the world function. That are able to change the world.
"The belief that becomes truth for me... is that which allows me the best use of my strength, the best means of putting my virtues into action."
Andre Gide
Reading this book now. So far so awesome.
I'm reading this book because the author of another book I'm reading mentioned Anthony Robbins in her book (so I was reading "Quiet" before starting "Awaken the Giant Within").
I have this horrible tendency to make comparisons (starting to having more consciousness and therefore control over it though). I always compare myself with people I am afraid that are better than me, or that effectively are better than me (for example classmates from my undergraduate course). And this kind of gives me some anxiety, and drive to improve.
However, today, while talking to a friend of mine from my home town (one of my best friends and whom I can trust), now living in Scotland (before he was in Norway, I've written about him before), on skype, I compared myself with people from my hometown.
And man! Me and him, we are two fucking rock stars! I mean, in my hometown, a small city in the central region of Portugal, there's not much place for ambitious dreams. Everyone ends up working for the minimum wage in some factory, or supermarket of cafe, and even those are already full. But we, we took a risk coming abroad, to live outside of our comfort zones. We followed our passions, the passions we have since we were kids. We want to do what we love, because we have something we love.
And I'm here talking, I had everything. My friend has no University diploma! He worked a few years to save money to take the course (to become a flight attendant)! He more than myself, fought and fought hard! Talking to him inspires me. And makes me want to become better. To become stronger.
No, I don't compare myself to this friend, for starters we know each other since we were 5 years old, and we aren't even competing against each other for a job.
We were kind of the two weirdos throughout school, the anti social kids, the kids who were more reserved, the kids who liked video-games, the paragon of anti-popularity, but now, who's who? Not saying we are popular, that's the last thing I want, but looking at the kids who bullied us, they are below average. And that was actually proven in a study.
S/he who laughs last laughs best.
I still don't have a job, but I can't fucking wait to see myself wearing a conservative skirt and blazer! Corporate style! Sheryl Sandberg and Tina Fey inspired!
Following the example of "Japanese Level Up", I too am going to share the reasons why I'm learning japanese.
Today I will write in english...why? Because I miss writing in english, too. And also because 日本語で書けないほど疲れている。Sorry, couldn't remember how to say that in english.
I want to be able to speak/read/listen/etc to japanese as soon as possible, that's why my methods are a little extreme (or at least some friends of mine consider it to be so, personally I don't). I want to know japanese ASAP because...
- Japanese language is beautiful;
- My study takes me about 1 hour everyday (though from now on that number will increase substancially)
- Not many people were I live speak japanese and I was already offered two jobs.
- I want to study in Japan (not necessarily japanese language, actually)
- My favorite singer is Japanese and I want to understand her lyrics fully;
- I love watching japanese dramas (though I don't do it often);
- I love listening to podcasts (on several subjects);
- I want to work for some japanese company;
- Knowing japanese makes you look cool and smart;
- Knowing japanese is useful for my chinese studies;
- Japanese is the 3rd largest economy in the world, has many prestigious companies, world leader in technology;
- I want to play videogames in japanese;
- I really like the business culture in Japan (not entering into details)
2011年3月17日
"10,000 people wanna do it. 100 people start. 1 keeps it up"
