WOW!
These photos surely were taken at a moment that were gone fragments of time after.
For the full list: Visit Twisted Sifter
Category: Inspirational
Try
Next time you think that something is impossible, watch this
This is inspiration and motivation at its purest form. What an amazing story!
Playing For Change – Stand By Me
I’ve totally missed this project before. One song, musicians and singers from all over the world. Great project!
http://playingforchange.com – From the award-winning documentary, “Playing For Change: Peace Through Music”, comes the first of many “songs around the world” being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it travelled the globe.
Reward yourself often
A little thought: don’t complicate things unnecessary. Don’t make it extraordinary. Be sure to add in small and completely uncomplicated rewards in everyday life.
Reward yourself often.
Reward your surroundings, often.
Make sure to find reasons to celebrate.
For it is much easier than you think to find a reason to celebrate. And it would be a pity to miss it?
Oscar Wilde said very wisely
“Life is not complex. We are complex. Life is simple, and the simple thing is the right thing.”
So keep it simple and find a reason to celebrate! Start today!
Freely translated from a post by Göran Adlén
Photo by Pedro Hansson. Image taken with iPhone and Olloclip Macro – no editing
Life’s Change Agent, by Steve Jobs
Truly inspiring
The speech that they are referring to at the end is this:
All for one, one for all
This may be one of the most touching videos I’ve seen. The story behind it, is that Rooie Mark, 54 years old has a deadly disease and only have a short time left. One of his last wishes is to watch Feyenoord one more time. However, the season hasn’t started yet so his friends arrange the possibility for him to watch the first training of the season. What Rooie didn’t know was that the fans and players had prepared something really special for him.
Soccer isn’t all about people fighting in the stands.
Rooie passed, sadly, away just three days later.
P.S If you don’t have time to watch the full video (even though I think you should), click on this link for a short photo version D.S
My source for this is feber.se
42 rules of life
Every now and the most of us receives, and shares quotes. What’s really hard to find is quotes that aren’t to corny or sentimental, and just get’s to the core. These 42 points is all about that. I hope you’ll find them as thoughtful as I did.
Best wishes
Best Album of all times – Number 20
Number 20 –
Rage Against The Machine – Rage Against The Machine
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I will never forget the first time I heard this album. It was, at the time, my svärbror (brother-in-law) who have spotted it and played it loud. For quite a long time I thought he was kidding. NO ONE can like this. So rough, a wicked singer who rap-singed, and a guitar player that made the most strange noises ever.
Then it started to grow…
What an amazing album this is. Full of energy. An awesome guitar player, and a sound that (together with Clawfinger) created a new musical era.
What I didn’t knew at first was that most parts of the music brought political stories. Since I’ve always been a friend of that the human life is sacred, and no other man shall have the right to take another persons life, Killing in the name certainly stroke a chord.
The sound on this album was also at the time unique. It’s almost as RATM is a modern studio version of number 21, Dire Straits. Crisp clear guitars, a bass that sounds like a bass. Dry drums, and as I’ve mentioned a guitar that’s (still) like nothing else recorded before.
Even though I’m not a fanatic political wise I
If I could change history Bulls on parade from the album “Evil empire” also would’ve been included. Otherwise, a great album!
Music – Best albums of all times – First up, those that didn’t make it to top 20
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Today I started wondering about which albums, no matter the category, that are the best of all times in my opinion. With “best” I don’t necessarily mean the most historic or changing. I just mean, the best albums for me. The albums that I come back to time after time, some of them just for the memories connected to them, and others simply for the amazing music.
It might be good to know that my musical background has its roots in west coast/AOR, old school heavy metal and more instrumental genres, even though I listen to almost everything nowadays. In my music tab you can find my current favorites.
So instead of just posting them all in one post I figured that I’ll split them up in 11 separate posts, and today I begin with those that didn’t make it to the top-20 list and a special around the runner-up for top-20.
Some of my favorite artist would have more than one album on this list, but I’ve chosen to keep just one album from every artist, and mention others worth noticing.
And remember, best album doesn’t mean best two or three songs that are good or maybe even awesome. Best album is “Best album all together”.
So, here we go…
Which albums didn’t make it to the top-20 list? (Spotify linked)
21 Dire Straits – On every street (Special mention Brothers in arms)
22 The Fray – The Fray
23 Metallica – Metallica
24 Adele – 21
25 Top Gun – Motion Picture Soundtrack
26 David Foster
27 Nirvana – Nevermind
28 Peter Gabriel – So
29 Abba – The Album
30 Robert Plant / Alison Krauss – Raising Sand
31 Johnny Hates Jazz – Turn Back The Clock
32 Bruce Hornsby – The Way It is
33 Level 42 – Running in the family
34 Chicago – Chicago 17
35 Marc Cohn – Marc Cohn
36 Richard Marx – Richard Marx
37 Gun’s n Roses – Apetite for Destruction
38 Europe – Wings of Tomorrow
39 Saga – Wildest Dreams
40 Elvis Presley – G.I Blues
P.S I also try to post a photo of my own that I think is connected to each album in some kind of way. D.S
Runner up, Nr 21: Dire Straits – On every street
This album is, as Brothers in Arms one of the albums that are heavily used as a reference album when it comes to demonstrating sound in HiFi-shops. The sound is really clear, and you can separate all the instruments really well, and I guess the subtle music also makes some sense in a public place.
I guess many listeners would’ve voted Brothers in arms as the better album of the two, but I favor this album since I think the feeling / atmosphere as a complete album is more tight. Brothers in arms holds many of Dire Straits top selling hits but the album feels straggly compared to the more collected On every street.
This is maybe not one of the albums that I’ve listened to the most, but it’s an album that I come back to every now and then and the title song, On Every Street is one of my long time favorites.
The high points, except the already mentioned title song, is Iron Hand, Calling Elvis, fade to black and the country inspired The Bug.
Dire Straits in short, from Wikipedia:
Dire Straits were a British rock band, formed in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), his younger brother David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums and percussion). Dire Straits’ sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, blues, and came closest to beat music within the context of rock and roll. Despite the prominence of punk rock during the band’s early years, the band’s stripped-down sound contrasted with punk, demonstrating a more “rootsy” influence that emerged out of pub rock. Many of Dire Straits’ compositions were melancholic.[3] Dire Straits’ biggest selling album, Brothers in Arms, has sold over 30 million copies.[4]
They also became one of the world’s most commercially successful bands, with worldwide album sales of over 120 million.[5] Dire Straits won numerous music awards during their career, including four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards—winning Best British Group twice, and two MTV Video Music Awards.[5] The band’s most popular songs include “Sultans of Swing”, “Lady Writer”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Tunnel of Love”, “Telegraph Road”, “Private Investigations”, “Money for Nothing”, “Walk of Life”, “So Far Away”, “Your Latest Trick” and “Brothers in Arms”.
Dire Straits’ career spanned a combined total of 15 years. The band originally split up in 1988, but reformed in 1991. Dire Straits disbanded for good in 1995 when Mark Knopfler launched his career full time as a solo artist. There were several changes in personnel over both periods, leaving Mark Knopfler and John Illsley as the only two original bandmates who had remained throughout the band’s career.
A truly inspiring story – Zach Sobiech
This is one of the most touching and inspiring stories I’ve heard. One of those videos that we all should watch, once and then.
Two comments from this clip:
“I want everyone to know that you don’t need to have to die, to start living”
“Many people live in the middle between their dreams and dying”
Zach’s Music video – Clouds
Perspective
Believe – from “Tuesdays with Morrie”
This post is dedicated to one of my true mentors. A former boss of mine between 2000-2003, that taught me so much, business and personal wise. Often when I’m hesitating in my work I try to think what he would’ve done. Not only did he create a warm and fun atmosphere around him, he made us deliver results in an empathic environment, or maybe it would be spelled empatric (?), those that worked in the same team as me in those days understand that word…
In my opinion his main belief was that business, heart and trust goes hand in hand which meant that he gave the people around him trust to deliver without hesitating at every moment, and space to fail, but at all times you felt that you had his support. In short, supercharge what you are there to do, with full support and a lot of heart.
This may sound easy, but I think that many people in leading positions have issues with this (I guess all have from time to time), which will make the people around them hesitating, instead of enjoying their full potential.
I’m really thankful for my time, working with him, and my thoughts passes those years every now and then. A truly great and inspiring leader.
From “Tuesdays With Morrie” by Mitch Albom:
On this day, Morrie says that he has an exercise for us to try. We are to stand, facing away from our classmates, and fall backward, relying on another student to catch us. Most of us are uncomfortable with this, and we cannot let go for more than a few inches before stopping ourselves. We laugh in embarrassment.
Finally, one student, a thin, quiet, dark-haired girl whom I notice almost always wears bulky, white fisherman sweaters, crosses her arms over her chest, closes her eyes, leans back, and does not flinch, like one of those Lipton tea commercials where the model splashes into the pool..
For a moment, I am sure she is going to thump on the floor. At the last instant, her assigned partner grabs her head and shoulders and yanks her up harshly.
Whoa! several students yell. Some clap. Morrie finally smiles. You see, he says to the girl, you closed your eyes, That was the difference. Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel. And if you are ever going to have other people trust you, you must feel that you can trust them too even when you’re in the dark. Even when you’re falling”.
Astronomers view of earth – the overview effect
What an amazing video this is! If you just have 90 seconds, you’ll get the big picture (literally), at the very start of the video. If you have more, you’ll in for some spectular views of earth, and some really interesting thoughts about us, we, the earth in space.
Actually, I think a video like this in some minor way can change our view of the world, our planet or “spaceship in space”.
15 ways to remain unhappy
15 ways to remain unhappy
1. Expect others to make you happy.
2. Blame your misfortune on others.
3. Using the “if only” as often as possible in terms of time, money and friends.
4. Compare what you have with others.
5. Always be serious.
6. Always try to please everyone.
7. Never say no.
8. Help others, but do not let anyone help you.
9. Consider your own needs as unimportant.
10. If someone gives you a compliment, dismiss immediately.
11. If someone criticizes you, enlarge it.
12. Keep all the emotions on the inside.
13. Never change.
14. Never be satisfied with anything other than absolute perfection.
15. Spend all your time in the past or in the future.
The text is from “It’s never over”, by Kristina Reftel
Here is today
This is a really cool web app that literally put today in perspective. One of those webpages that makes me realize that in a greater perspective, we’re all just a blink of an eye. So instead of worrying, having fears and so on, it’s better to enjoy the ride while we’re in the middle of it.
I hope you get a good start of the week.
(Click image to go to the webpage)
A matter of perspective
Maybe these words can mean even much on a Monday?
I hope you all have a great start of the week!
Be thankful!
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?Be thankful when you don’t know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.
– Author Unknown
Do not ask why
Yesterday I received a text, written by Olaf Röhlander. One of those texts that, when I read it, it felt almost like it was written directly to me. It felt rather liberating to read what another person – who’s in a similar situation – had written, and set so positive and inspiring words for that particular situation.
DO NOT ASK WHY
I attended a dinner which I call ‘The Good call’, where the goal for the evening is to leave that evening as a wiser man.
One of the guests were wondering why I do so much. It’s podcast, newsletter, lectures, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, apps and books and all that it is. She honestly was wondering what’s behind my momentum.
I replied that sometimes it’s not good to ask why. The question is only needed when you’ve lost something you want back. When you’re no longer whistling on your way to a meeting, when you don’t feel like anything is at stake anymore, when you don’t have something new to look forward to, then the question is relevant.
I do not know all the reasons why I do what I do. I just know that it’s fun and it feels right. That’s enough for me right now and I do not want to dig into it more than that. The question “why” can sometimes be overrated.
If you always seem to land on your back, if you ever seem to end up in the wrong place in the wrong context, if you do not have an internal compass, then the question of “why” will be relevant. Then, but not always.
If you have no glow left, if the morning coffee no longer tastes anything, if the sun rays of spring shines through the window and it won’t do do anything with you. Then, ask “why”, but not before.
Humans have a desire to know, we are curious. If you want to explain, understand or change anything, the question is good, but just because someone succeeds in formulate a question, it does not mean that it is automatically entitled an answer, as I see it.
The word “why” open for analysis and brooding. Sometimes the whole is more important than details. If you know that someone loves you, do not ask why the person’s doing it. If you do that, then there is also the risk that you will be as violinist who can not enjoy the concert anymore, because she just analyzing the strings.
Some things are enjoyable precisely because of the lack of analysis, and should also be that way. Do you feel ok, the you feel ok. Do you feel happy, you are happy, do you think you’re in love, then you are in love. If things are that way. Enjoy it more and think less.
The Seed
This is quite a long story, but I really think that it’s worth reading.
I hope you enjoy it.
The image is taken with an iPhone 4S with a Macro lens
In the Far East the emperor was growing old and knew it was time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or his children, he decided to do something different. He called young people in the kingdom togetherone day. He said, “”It is time for me to step down and choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you.” The children were shocked, but the emperor continued. “I am going to give each one of you a seed today–one very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor.”
One boy, named Ling, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his mother the story. She helped him get a pot and planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it, carefully. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Ling didn’t have a plant and he felt like a failure. Six months went by–still nothing in Ling’s pot.
He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Ling didn’t say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow. A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling told his mother that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But his mother asked him to be honest about what happened.
Ling felt sick at his stomach, but he knew his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace. When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other youths. They were beautiful–in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other children laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, “Hey, nice try.”
When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back. “My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,” said the emperor. “Today one of you will be appointed the next emperor!”
All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. He thought, “The emperor knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!”
When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. “My name is Ling,” he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, “Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!”
Ling couldn’t believe it. Ling couldn’t even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor?
Then the emperor said, “One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds that would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!”
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory
If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
If you plant faith, you will reap miracles.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap tomorrow.
Follow astronaut Chris Hadfield’s photos from space
If you like space, and pictures of earth from space you will love the images that Chris Hadfield is sharing. It truly gives new perspectives on our little planet.
Meaning of life, from a 9 year old’s perspective
Meaning of life, and thoughts about the universe from a 9 year old
Back to reality
Swedish version: http://tillflykten.com
Back to reality, after a weekend full of great people up in Swedish Vemdalen. One of those weekends where the life batteries are leveled up to max again. A weekend filled with 16 great people, all with a desire to create an amazing event together, where all aspects of life are handled. Great downhill races, several crazy antics, but also plenty of time to catch up with each other and talk about it things that there is no time to handle at other times.
I think that you can almost be anywhere on earth, and have a good time as long as you have people around you where everybody has an ambition to create a fun weekend.
The weekend ended with an acrobatic somersault in the sauna where I for one brief second thought I just got to meet my maker, and since then calls out less beautiful names as soon as I turn over in bed. But that’s just like a whisper compared to all the positive .
Hope you have a great start of the week.
Thanks to those who attended.
Some thoughts for (new) entrepreneurs / managers
This will be a personal post about a topic that might not be discussed often: being an entrepreneur/manager.
Many times, you find yourself alone with questions that you would most likely prefer to avoid. On the other hand, being a manager offers the opportunity to shape the way you want an organization to function and the values you stand for, which is a fantastic opportunity.
Please note that this is just my opinion, and far from being definitive answers or a guide to being a manager; it is simply my view of the job.
I hope that it can help someone out there.
To you, who might be an entrepreneur/manager for the first time
- You will never be able to please everyone. Those who are determined to like you will find arguments/reasons to support the decisions you make and see the merit in them. The opposite is also true, of course. In short, be yourself; nothing else works in the long term.
- Try to see the positive aspects and the potential/strengths in everyone. We are all different, so find what’s unique in each person and reinforce it.
- Praise in public, criticize in private (an old proverb).
- Be human. Being a manager is not primarily about having the power to make decisions. It means that you have the opportunity to lead the group on the same journey you are on by being yourself. Not everyone may appreciate this journey; accept it. There is nothing wrong with them, or with you; you are simply different.
- Whoever wants to be first must be last. My mother said this to me, and as a child, I did not understand what she meant. But as I grow older, my interpretation is that if you do not have the ability to serve others, you will have a hard time finding others who are willing to serve you.
- Lastly, remember that there was a reason they hired you (for managers), or chose to work with you. They took a chance on you because you are you. Keep that in mind during difficult times.
I suppose all the points above can be summarized with heart, humility, and passion. It would probably have been quicker to just write it like that.
Also, remember that you are only human. You will make mistakes, judge others too harshly, falter when faced with tough decisions, and sometimes feel like you are not good enough… In those moments, read this letter again.
A favorite
This photo is one of my recent favorites. The photo is taken by the Photographer Marcin Ryczek in Krakow. The composition between black and white are, in my opinion, almost perfect.
Desiderata
Earlier today I posted the following text on mine, and my two co-writers new Swedish Blog http://KKAAPP.wordpress.com. After I’ve posted it I started to read about the history behind the text a little bit more, and found this English version.
Great story to keep in mind for the weekend.
Happy weekend!
Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy
Piano stairs – The Fun Theory
This was a small project that some creative people made back in 2009. The project aimed at doing our every day a little more enjoyable and to change people’s behavior for the better. I think they by far succeeded. 🙂
I hope we’ll see this made again
Saarimner.com 