JORGE RODRIGUES SIMAO

"No one from the beginning of time has had security," proclaimed American diplomat and writer Eleanor Roosevelt. Her words are ones to ponder carefully. Security is one of those things most - if not all- people strive for all of their lives. The dark side of security, however, is that it is an illusion at best. Too much safety, in fact, is dangerous for your well-being. In more cases than you can ever imagine, the bigger risk is in not taking the risk.

Un pájaro herido no puede volar, pero un pájaro que se apega a una rama de árbol, tampoco. Dice el proverbio hindú: "El agua se purifica fluyendo; el hombre, avanzando". El mundo está lleno de sufrimiento; la raíz del sufrimiento es el apego; la supresión del sufrimiento significa la eliminación, el abandono de los apegos. Hay un deseo común, que es el cumplimiento de lo que se cree que va a dar felicidad al yo, al ego. Ese deseo es apego, porque ponemos en él la seguridad, la certeza de la felicidad.

It's somewhat of an understatement when I say that many people love to argue, that arguing is their favorite pastime. These neurotics are willing to partake in any dispute. By engaging you in a verbal battle, they get a chance to discredit your ideas and beliefs. Some desperate people will even argue about absolutely nothing just for the sake of arguing and trying to win a debate. At some point - likely much too late - you will realize how unreasonable these people are if you take their bait. Fact is, argumentative people will run you completely off your rails if you allow them.

As much as we can do to improve our lives, we do have to remember that there is no such thing as a sure thing. Rich or poor, every person's future is uncertain. Tomorrow will bring both pain and pleasure. You will have little or no control over many things that happen in the future. All told, the success of the important project is not guaranteed - regardless of how much talent you have and how much effort you put into it. One reason is that Murphy's Law has a habit of throwing a wrench into the best of plans.