ALMOST FULL MOON WITH ECLIPSE...THE END OF 2009

The Lisbon X´masTree! Beautiful and enourmous, overooking the city from one of its 7 hills!

Dear Friends,

For a long while I have not updated this blog, mostly out of tiredness for too much work and a year that was also rich in tribulations... But, how else would we learn and acquire more skills, if we would not be faced with CHALLENGES?

There are things we know, such as the power of being POSITIVE and rising up to each challenge - but ONLY the REALITY of LIFE can put us to the test and help us GROW!

Imagine, I am over forty and still growing! Is this not wonderful???

Even though it has been an exacting year, I am ending it in a POSITIVE note which I wanted to share with all of you!!! Welcome to my good wishes for a New Year filled with laughter, love, good health, success and fulfillement!

Let the JOY that is not bound by external achievement be BORN from your HEART!

Best wishes,

Maria Carmo

Lisbon 31st December 13H00.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR FRIEND SOURAV !

Dear Sourav,

Even though we live on the other side of the world, we want you to fell that we wish you a Happy Birthday with many Happy Returns!

Living is not merely going through the motions - but when we are young we think it only has to do with the speed with which we attain our ideals and desires.

Of course, one must have something to look forward to and to want to reach - without goals, no man can fulfill himself or feel the energy to go on.

But maybe wisdom comes from learning to choose our goals in life and the, stiking to our ideals.






We celebrate this day and hope you will have every chance of celebrating it, too.

You ar a youthful entrepreneus and you will attain all your goals if you follow some simple principles:

• Do unto others, as you would like to be done unto you

• Live with gusto and enthusiasm: cry if you have to, laugh whenver possible, be good and be Happy!

• Never forget those who helped you and never stop generously giving your friendship

Happy burthday dear friend, LIVE A GOOD LIFE!

Be yourself and be happy.

Maria Carmo

Lisbon, 10th. September 2009.

(My photos).

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER...

It was July 1969 and I was seven years old.

Lisbon was a quiet city back then, much as many others around the world, and yet, that night there was a certain excitement in the air!!! Were the Astronauts going to be able to land on the Moon? Suddenly, life itself became a bit like science fiction and this was a source of excitment for all!

Dad said I could stay up, exceptionally, because "this was an historic moment"!

Even at that young age, I had the feeling I was living something exceptional. One day, I would be able to tell my children or my children's children: I saw the first Man who walked on the Moon!

In Portugal, the actual landing happened during the wee hours of the morning. But I managed to keep my eyes open and watch through it all... And I never forgot it!

Today, thinking back, I felt like sharing this with you. Do you still remember where you were back then? Leave me a comment!

Even though it may have been "a small step for man, but a giant leap for Humanity" - for me this landing also marked the moment from which it became visible that EARTH is but a small HOME where we ALL live together - so, why not make the best of it? With Friendliness, Respect for others and Good Will? We can make this a BETTER WORLD!

Maria Carmo

Lisbon, 08th. Julhy 2009

(Photos from Wikipedia)

Are we all witnessing a new world in the making?

Having been alive during the last bit of the twentieth century and now through the almost first decade of the twenty forst, makes one wonder about the conditions in the world and how one is supposed to deal with them...

My dream has always been one of change and improvement, from the social and cultural conditions of citizens all over the world, to their well being and even spiritual achievement and happiness.

We are on the verge of apparent changes in climate, geography and and geo political panorama... Leadership is needed and wea re also witnessing novelty there.

Is it possible to do good without finding goodness in ourselves first?

A great educational campaign would probably be a good start into helping people all over to learn to live better, know more and find happier lives.

Maria Carmo