Moment of Surrender

I am getting too “new-agey” these days. Maybe spring is getting to me. No sure what’s going on but I like it. Anyway, I have been listening to U2’s melodies and I discovered an underling theme in their songs that reminded me of Buddhist teachings of union with the world and surrendering to the “whole”.
U2 with the help of master musician Brian Eno composed a song that blows my socks off every time I listen to it: “Moment of Surrender” from their latest album “No Line on the Horizon”. “I was speeding on the subway through the stations of the cross… At the moment of surrender a vision of visibility…”

U2’s producers said that this is one of their most intense songs.
American scientist and business author Pete Senge’s interpretations of Jesus analogy: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” is that the only way to feel connected is by empting our mental load from worries and our attachment to material stuff, so that we can pass through the needle and feel the whole. It may be too hard to do for a bunch of neurotics beeping on minivan horns, rushing for a metro, fighting with teenage kids and losing sleep over a Powerpoint presentation.
The only way to “feel” the One, God, Manitou, or something as simple as love for the world (or whatever that good feeling that has gotten over me is) is by empting ourselves. Put everything behind and just surrender to the best part of you.
Give it a try and let yourself go.

Inspirers

In one of my previous blogs I discussed about the power of those who fight day-in and day-out tough and cruel diseases like cancer - http://stefano-vincere1.blogspot.com/2009/01/beating-beasts.html
We can have nothing but admiration for people such as Patrick Swayze who still works and performs at his best despite painful treatments and Lance Armstrong who after beating testicular cancer that spread to his brain went on to win 7 Tour de France races.
My sister Barbara has been fighting cancer for almost 3 years now. During this time she had the strenght and motivation to help many people understand how it feels to live with cancer. She wrote a beautiful book currently used by medical schools in Italy to sensitize aspiring doctors. She has also composed a beautiful song available at emusic (soon on iTunes) in MP3 format: http://www.emusic.com/album/Barbara-Paolinelli-Chi-Vincer%C3%A0-MP3-Download/11411413.html
All I need to express is that Barbara has been a true inspiration to me. I feel lucky to be his brother.

Raising Funds for a Good Cause

Friends,
I am coordinating a fundraiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Funds will help me run a half-marathon in September for the Livestrong Team. The money raised by the team will go toward cancer research and other initiatives supported by the foundation. Please kindly donate by accessing the following site: http://www.livestrong.org/grassroots2009/stefanovabeach09 .
Thank you!

The Power of Visualization - Focus on what you want

Improving your attitude, according to Keith Harrell will help you achieve your greatest potential. Focus on what you want and you'll get it. The first time I heard about the Laws of Attraction I thought of one person: Nelson Mandela. 20 years ago South Africa was a hopeless nation in the hands of a ruthless and inhuman dictatorship. I wrote an article on Nelson Mandela back then, when I was in my beautiful 17, for a local newspaper in Italy. I wondered how a man could live for over 20 years in a narrow prison cell without hope of ever getting out. I finally got the answer from Keith Harrell. Nelson Mandela has written that visualization helped him keep his sanity and health in place while being imprisoned for over 27 years. Every day spent in prison, Nelson Mandela kept thinking about walking out of that cell and what he would do once free. That thought kept him alive and at some point became reality. Power of visualization is one of Keith Harrell 10 attitude strategies and I highly recommend reading his writings - http://www.mei-inter.com/2009/03/10-strategies-to-improve-your-attitude.html