Summer thoughts

Suņuks uzliek ķepu uz manas kājas, prasot mīlestību un uzmanību. Bērns tāpat gaida, kad tiks aprūpēts un apbužināts. Neko vairāk kucēniem, kaķēniem un cilvēkbērniem pirmajā dzīves gadā nevajag kā mīlošus vecākus un komfortu. Un pretī tu saņem pirmo smaidu, smieklus... Bērns pieglauž savu galvu tavam ķermenim.. Tās ir dāvanas, kas piepilda sirdi.

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Sajūtas.
Lavandas piepilda telpu ar aromātu. Grāmata, kas liktenīgi nonāk tavās rokās. Gaisīgs olu kultenis. Viegla vēja brazmiņa pārskrien pāri ādai. Bērns pieglauž savu galvu manam ķermenim. Pēdas iegrimst dubļos. Sīku akmentiņu un smilšu graudu masāža pēdām. Tikko maltas kafijas pupiņas. Auksta duša, esot nokarsušam un nosvīdušam. Gaiss īsi pēc vasaras lietus. Krāsu palete ziedos. Savu māju smarža, atgriežoties pēc vairākām dienām.

 

Some go to projects to run away from something, others – to run after something. Although project coordinators try to convince us that the former is not the right reason (no matter how far you go, you won’t run away from yourself), in my opinion, it doesn’t matter. Change of environment can be stimulating for self-exploration, development, and it can even direct you back to your true self. I returned more joyful and self-satisfied from the voluntary work.

It was the vicinity of nature, some kind of isolation from society and social networks as well as balance between activities of the project and free time that motivated to turn focus on myself. I hiked, went for bike rides and afternoon runs along flocks of sheep, across the fields and through apple orchards. I learned to play musical instruments and do crafts from other volunteers. While working on personal projects, I got to know positive effects of common plants and learned how to edit videos. During activities led by other teammates, I became aware of what really brings me joy and which goals I should realize. However, it is only a part of activities, besides informatively interactive lectures and practical tasks, from which we all learned something new.

In addition to practical skills, we developed organizational and group leading skills, improved to express opinion and share tasks. It proved that even boring, monotonous or physical jobs can be fun if done together. It’s good to remember to support and cheer each other up. Finally, during these times of change, I started to care less about things that are out of my control. The less you try to control situation, the more you can enjoy every single moment of it.

The topic of the voluntary work is not crucial. Most significantly, what you will get out of this experience, is self-development. Appreciate the time that you devote to a certain goal, the people who help ideas come true, and moments which are unique and unrepeatable.

I am thoughtful about same-sex marriage topic today. I am going to express my opinion only, which is not based on research data.

Argument: Children of same-sex parents often have psychological, mental problems.
My opinion: Happy children also grow up in same-sex families. It depends on parents and environment.
Argument: A child with 2 mothers or 2 dads is predisposed to become a homosexual.
My opinion: If that happens, then what? Are homosexuals worse than heterosexuals?
Argument: Children of same-sex parents lack affection of non-existing sex and lack traits that non-existing gender could provide.
My opinion: Isn't it so that in a gay relationships one of the couple usually takes a female / male role or has feminine / masculine qualities more pronounced? Furthermore, how many divorced families have children raised by a single parent?!
Argument: Same-sex marriage undermines the traditional family model and threatens demographics.
My opinion: In my opinion, same-sex couples adopt children much more actively. Wouldn't it be better if as many children as possible grew up happily, rather than having a miserable childhood in orphanages or alcoholic families? Before prohibiting same-sex couples to adopt children, make sure that those children don't end up in devastating families just because statistics need to be improved in the country.
Argument: This topic is represented in the media only one-sided by LGBTQ.
My opinion: Isn't it the case that this has been taboo for a long time, and only recently we have started to talk about it openly, therefore it seems that we solely notice / hear the "loudest" side?
I believe that the reason for not recognizing same-sex couples is homophobia, and that is discrimination! What are human rights? Do we live in a developed country, and is this a democracy?

Love is love.

   I don't want to be a money slave who works long hours to pay for rent and taxes and save up for retirement. The more you earn, the more you spend and the more you are eager to own more. These are two truths that everyone knows, yet most of people tend to ignore them. Fear and greed is base for money slavery.
   Money doesn't matter to me. I have never had as much as now, although I don't have permanent income. I don't attribute worth to things, instead I value well spent time, experience and adventures.
   I have enjoyed all volunatry works and jobs for pocket money I have done, but never quite well-paid jobs. I would go to a shift unwillingly, and it made me think why I am doing this. Whereas voluntary work I see to be more valueable - it gives experience and satisfaction.
   Every loan you pay back more than twice of its actual worth, and your money profits solely the bank. It doesn't even go to the state social funds (which aren't much fairer either). I feel truly relieved and free that I don't wear shackles of debt for the rest of my life.

Everyone must read the first chapter (The Rich Don’t Work for Money) in "Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert T. Kiyosaki. It will take only a few hours, but can be a life-changer on your attitude towards work, money and thinking.

"Most people fail to realize that in life, it’s not how much money you make. It’s how much money you keep."

"Mood swings"

We met
In my brain
Between neural synapses
In the middle of lungs and throat
You come at night
And go in the morning

And here we are
Crazy mad and furious
Later on self esteem drops
And we sink in tears
Desperate

Is that me
My real myself
Or just a feeling
Controllable
And sculpted like a plasticine

I take you in hands
And tear apart
Pull the rooted parts
Out of my body
And throw the dirt out of an open window

Since I started to eat vegetarian, my diet has become healthier and more various.

🍝 I used to hold stereotypes: vegetarian meals are boring, it's expensive, I won't feel full etc. In fact, I eat restaurant worthy dishes (but for low price) for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Take spinach omelette, chickpea curry and pumpkin puree for example. I also make vegetarian homemade burgers and sushi. My dishes are creative and colorful.

💉 Moreover, my blood test results are better than before! So those who think vegetarians must watch out their iron levels - take that.

💪 Not to mention, I always feel energetic. My muscle mass has increased (I still eat eggs and dairy products, but large part of proteins comes from legumes).

🙏 I believe strongly that you must listen to your body what it requires, therefore vegetarian diet might not be for everyone. And that's ok, I don't judge.

🌱 I love to see (as everyone knows, we eat with eyes too), cook and enjoy fresh food that doesn't carry any sacrifice.

Here I am. I have dreamt of going to New York since teenage years. Dream of Central Park and Central Station from romantic movies. Christmas feeling from "Home Alone". New Year's celebration at Times Square. Elite lifestyle and intrigues from "Gossip Girl". Elegance and sophistication from "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Followed Latvian supermodel's life in the world metropolis. Had a quick thought of becoming a stockbroker, influenced by movies about Wall Street. Listened to songs that go about the Empire State, Brooklyn, "concrete jungle where dreams are made of" and state: "[if you] made it here, [you] can make it anywhere". It was an old, unreachable dream but I kept hoping: "One day..."
Here I am, standing on the Brooklyn Bridge. In the city that goes 24/7. My dream of seeing NYC has come true, but the idea of New York as a dream city - vanished. Some people find it inspiring, but I understood it's not for me. I didn't meet my expectations, but I'm still glad I experienced it (you never actually know until you experience it yourself).