"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."
Reading this baby. Really good and insightful book! More than I expected! I love it when books do this. Just as this book explained, this feeling of novelty, of mindfuck, changes our perception of the world for a moment.
"your awareness sharpens and your attention zooms in on the unexpected
scene - "what the hell!" your preconcious brain utters, and in that very
instant your world morphs from an indifferent and impressionistic
background into a scene of hyperrealism".
Identify Skills Acquired / Enhanced While Abroad, such as:
"Enhanced cultural awareness and sensitivity to customs and
cultural differences * Foreign language proficiency * Adaptability *
Ability to identify and achieve goals * General improvement in
communication skills * Increased confidence, initiative and independence
* Greater flexibility and sense of humor * Awareness of global,
economic and political issues and realities * Ability to maintain an
open mind and be tolerant of others * Clarification of goals and
improved self-awareness * General travel skills * Resource management *
Organization * Problem solving and crisis management * Patience *
Listening and observation * Specific professional skills and/or
knowledge base * Greater cultural understanding and sensitivity *
Ability to work in cross-cultural teams and function in ambiguous
environments."
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!
This is why I want a job, fast. And the reason why summer vacations suck. In Portugal, when I got bored I would go to my family's business shop and just stay there all morning, or all afternoon or even all day (spending some time at the cafe too).
As this book has taught me, I'm going to make the best use of my time to gain new insights through reading, to relax and to practice my comedy and reasoning skills though tv dramas.
