Hakuna Matata

As my 2-week holidays approach, I ask: are you worried about anything?

Hakuna Matata
It means no worries for the rest of your days
It's our problem free philosophy
Hakuna Matata

Now in your own language:

Chalk messages as one walks

Photographer and environmentalist Anna Hilllman walks on Edingburg's streets holding a piece of chalk.

As she observes the sites, she leaves messages which question, suggest or simply point out something about the immediate environment. They end up bringing distracted walkers back from their monkey-mind-like thoughts and waking them up for the present, the only time that actually exists.

Can you hear the birds singing?

Welcome Age of Aquarius!

Remember the song from the 1960s Age of Aquarius, by 5th Dimension?

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
The age of Aquarius
Aquarius!


Well, it seems that today - yeah, Valentine's day in many countries - is the start of this new age. See the astrological explanation by globalpsychics.com

"The Aquarian chart of 14th February reveals an incredible concentration of cosmic influences blending with the energies of Aquarius in the twelfth house. Expansive Jupiter and energetic Mars are aligned with the higher purpose of the North Node. The presence of Chiron the wounded healer offers us the opportunity to heal the schisms that have separated us for so long. Neptune emphasizes collective humanitarian movements and the co-creation of social justice. And the presence of the radiant Sun enlightens the entire alignment.

Mercury also in the twelfth house but just beyond the cusp in Capricorn, allies with transformational Pluto to communicate and anchor the shift throughout our global structures and institutions.

The Moon in Libra in the seventh house emphasizes harmonious relationships. Venus in Aries in the first house energizes and empowers dynamic co-creativity.

And whilst Saturn the great task master in opposition to Uranus the unexpected awakener is suggesting an ongoing confrontation as the dregs of the unsustainable old paradigm reluctantly give way to the untested hope of the new, their placements in Virgo and Pisces brings practical altruism and visionary inspiration to the transition."


I don't mind if it's because of astrology, decentralised human consciousness or lack of environmental alternatives. All I know is I want to join the dynamic co-creativity movement now!

Welcome era of peace, undestanding and diversity
Welcome times of harmony and mind's liberation
Welcome age of Aquarius!

In Plain English

Today I had the opportunity to listen to Lee Lefever through wikiducacao.

Lee and his wife are the authors of the "In Plain English" videos, which explain complex subjects like money investments and wikis through short simple videos.

Check the video about social media, for example.




Where does all that creativity come from? Well, Lee works from home, chooses his projects and makes sure his company remain small, i.e., he and his wife.

Green Grannies

Grannies are globally known for being kind, generous, patient, wise... and for making the most out of resources.

Acknowledging all those characteristics are more than necessary these days, Oxfam launched the Green Grannies initiative as part of the Good Ideas Unltd campaign.

Through their website, we can learn how to cook a delicious meal out of leftovers, how to repair our favourite pair of socks and how not to waste energy. Meanwhile, we can remember our precious moments with our Grannies and perhaps save some money for kindly surprising somebody.

US$ 500,000 pay limit for top executives

The Obama administration is expected to impose a cap of $500,000 for top executives at companies that receive large amounts of money from the Treasury Department.

"That is pretty draconian — $500,000 is not a lot of money, particularly if there is no bonus," said James F. Reda, founder and managing director of James F. Reda & Associates, a compensation consulting firm. He said such limits will make it hard for the companies to recruit and keep executives, most of whom could earn more money at other firms.

Mr. Obama said Tuesday "if the taxpayers are helping you, then you have certain responsibilities to not be living high on the hog."

In 2007, Vikram Pandit of Citigroup made $3.1 million; Kenneth D. Lewis of Bank of America received over $20 million; and Rick Wagoner of General Motors made $14.4 million.

Hopefully, we may start discussing some ethical aspects around abusive salaries:
- short term shareholder pressure
- concept of success
- motivation for working
- social (in)equality
- gap between rich and poor
- environmental impacts of unnecessary buying
- etc

What do you think?

Maybe wanna sponsor an executive?

New Your Times' article here.

Hands-on art

I recently received these pieces of art in my email and found myself so impressed I decided to share.

Does anybody know more about the author?