OK Pal

OK Pal by M83

 We're walking in the streets, or what's left of them
I take your hand, and the city is slowly vanishing
There's no crowd anymore, no cars, no signals
But in the middle of the road, a purple and mellow shape is floating
The shape of our mutual dream
Stay calm, hold me tight, give it a chance to take us away.

Wandering Always

Pararom by Pavlos Pavlides & B-Movies

'She always had that about her, that look of otherness, of eyes that see things much too far, and of thoughts that wander off the edge of the world.'

Hello April

Photo by Alice Karayiannis

'Την Άνοιξη αν δεν την βρεις, τη φτιάχνεις...'

It's Okay

 

Photo by Alice Karayiannis

It’s easy to feel uncared for when people aren’t able to communicate and connect with you in the way you need. And it’s so hard not to internalize that silence as a reflection on your worth. But the truth is that the way other people operate is not about you. Most people are so caught up in their own responsibilities, struggles, and anxiety that the thought of asking someone else how they’re doing doesn’t even cross their mind. They aren’t inherently bad or uncaring — they’re just busy and self-focused. And that’s okay. It’s not evidence of some fundamental failing on your part. It doesn’t make you unlovable or invisible. It just means that those people aren’t very good at looking beyond their own world. But the fact that you are — that despite the darkness you feel, you have the ability to share your love and light with others — is a strength. Your work isn’t to change who you are; it’s to find people who are able to give you the connection you need. Because despite what you feel, you are not too much. You are not too sensitive or too needy. You are thoughtful and empathetic. You are compassionate and kind. And with or without anyone’s acknowledgment or affection, you are enough.

~ Daniell Koepke

Just Nature

 Photo by Alice Karayiannis

If you ever find yourself empty from something you cannot know or name, find a stretch of ocean, a field or a mountainside, or even clouds or trees. Because there are 1,000 simple ways to fill your tired soul so you can remember how to be, how to see, and most importantly, how to breathe.

~ Victoria Erickson

The Moment

Sometimes it's not all about seizing the moment, in life, but allowing the moment to seize us.

Everyone tells us to seize the day, make the best out of every moment; not to let life pass us by. This doesn't actually imply not caring about the future and doing whatever pleases us in the current moment, as some people take it to mean. It means not to leave our future to chance, by making the best out of every opportunity given to us in the present moment, taking action, in order to perhaps ensure a better future. Of course we're all supposed to grow and learn, to have ambitions, to constantly seek, but we shouldn't let this constant need to always strive for the best, drain us out. We rush into action, most of the time in doubt, because we're afraid that opportunities will not arise again. We have this feeling that we need to constantly do more and be more in order to feel satisfied with ourselves and we start developing feelings of guilt or regret when we decide to just do nothing for a day or two (or rather when we decide to do something which pleases us but may not be productive in the way we want it to be, or the way it 'should' be). We have this need to constantly be in control of our current situation because we're in fear that we'll lose it all if we let go. Doesn't this make life a bit of a struggle for all of us? How can we relax and feel good about ourselves if our motto is to constantly have to seize the moment? 

Sometimes we just need to let the moment seize us, isn't that our inner purpose in life after all? To just be, without effort, to simply live in the present moment and to enjoy all that IS? Planning for the future is undoubtedly also important, but that comes second, after we learn to fully be conscious in the present moment because that is how we'll be able to make the best decisions, when we're at peace within. Allowing the moment to seize us means finding wonder in seemingly ordinary things, being pleasantly overwhelmed by the little things in life, allowing ourselves to experience all kinds of emotions, to be inspired. It means surrendering to life and all it has to offer instead of being in constant battle against it; the Universe does know better most of the time. It is during these moments that we feel infinite, connected with everything, at peace with ourselves, genuinely happy. Sometimes all we can do is to be patient, to wait; it's okay not to be in control for once, to feel a bit lost, that's also part of life and we should learn to accept it. Sometimes it's only when we lose ourselves that we eventually find ourselves. We need to be open to what life has in store for us and to learn to give time to ourselves to act upon what feels right in our heart.

Of course I'm not saying we should never try to make the most out of our current situations, but we should just learn that sometimes it is alright to let go of what may only hold us back, there is no need to constantly fight. Surrender and let life consume you for a while. Be still and listen to the world around you. Take time to notice your surroundings, to appreciate the people who mean most to you, to love and be loved, to be kind, to make the right decisions for the future, to do things that please you and simultaneously stimulate your growth. It's not always about seeking; life needs a bit of both in order to be balanced (and bearable), we should learn to slow down and enjoy it, we should learn to recharge. After all, sometimes it's the events that we can't control that shape us into who we are right now (those unexpected ones, the ones we hadn't planned), sometimes it's just those moments that matter most.

Real Love

Photo by Alice Karayiannis

There's something wrong with our hearts | When they beat pure they stand apart
In the black room, the light, watch the seabird fall
 

Real love, it finds you somewhere with your back to it

Heart of Chambers

Heart of Chambers by Beach House

I'd like to be someone you could finally learn to
Breathe

Put our words down by our sides
Let's take the time to mend these smiles
Together we could make it home
Love is a prize
Live our own lives

In our beds we're the lucky ones
Fill us with the sun

Myth

Myth by Beach House

  

Beach House are my addiction these days. So so good.

I'm Here

 Photo by Alice Karayiannis

 (full blog post here) 

...

For the painful todays and the hopeful tomorrows,

or is it the other way around?

For the words and the whispers,

the waiting and the wishing,

For all of the questions

I’m unsure how to answer,

I’ll say the words I can promise forever:

I am here.

 ~ Macaile Hutt

Almost Blue

Almost Blue by Chet Baker

Almost blue
It's almost touching it will almost do
There's a part of me that's always true...always
Not all good things come to an end now it is only a chosen few
I've seen such an unhappy couple

Almost me
Almost you
Almost blue

My Wish

 Photo by Alice Karayiannis

I came across this beautiful blog post earlier on today and it was just what I needed. We all go through our ups and downs, some of us perhaps more than others, but in the end all that matters is that we stand on our feet again and keep walking.

New Year

Happy New Year 2015 :)

Be Authentic

 Photo by Alice Karayianni

'I think I fall in love a little bit with anyone who shows me their soul. This world is so guarded and fearful. I appreciate rawness so much.'

Emotion

Raw

Sincere

Authentic

Emotional nakedness is the sexiest state of all

If only we had the courage to always be real with each other, genuine; how much deeper our relationships with others would be. Food for thought :)

Cold Front

Cold Front by Hammock

Now you're so gone
And it's so wrong...
Did I know you?
I get lost without you.
Where did you belong?
Now you're all gone...

Eternal Sunshine

Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometimes by Beck

Happy Thanksgiving

I'll be cheating a bit today by giving you this link which is basically a blog post I'd written last year. BUT, it wasn't for Thanksgiving, so I wouldn't be cheating in that sense! I'd written it on a day I felt particularly thankful about the people in my life and if I were to type something up today, given the occasion, I'd probably type up the same thing with a bit of rephrasing here and there...

Thank you, and, I love you :)

Just Moping

 Morning Breaks by Craig Armstrong

This time of year always brings me back to you,  

But of course, so does the summer.

It hurts, being in the dark.

Not knowing how you are,

Not knowing where you're at.

I wish you'd given me a clue, some sign,

Sometimes I try to read within the lines.

How did we come to drift away,

Talking less, breathing stress.

We've changed and it just seems...

I've lost you on the way.

When will I learn?

By Alice Karayiannis

The Forest

Photo by Alice Karayianni

I am there now, lost in the forest, dwarfed by the giant trees. Find me.

High Hopes

High Hopes by Kodaline

Seems to me like I'm just scared of never feeling it again

 I know it's crazy to believe in silly things
But it's not that easy

But I've got high hopes, it takes me back to when we started
High hopes, when you let it go, go out and start again
High hopes, when it all comes to an end
But the world keeps spinning around

How this world keeps spinning around 

Just Sometimes

Just one of those days

Hiding in my headphones
Drowning myself in music.

From time to time
I've got the need
To relive (relieve)
Certain emotions.

Just trying to feel the beat

By Alice Karayiannis

Lost Memories

Eet by Regina Spektor

Feeling disconnected today...

Happy Halloween

Photo by Alice Karayiannis

So this year we carved a pumpkin... I'd forgotten how much fun it is :)

Happy Halloween!

Evensong

Evensong by The Innocence Mission

Oh, the lives that brush against us, pass us by and by,
The friends who may or may not come if we would first invite
Oh, to open doors
To always gladly fly and fly
Into the sting of the cold
And prick of the barbed wire

Just This

All I Want by Kodaline

So you brought out the best of me
A part of me I've never seen
You took my soul and wiped it clean
Our love was made for movie screens

Autumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves by Eva Cassidy

Mood today.

The Mist

Photo by Alice Karayiannis

(Listen to this while reading)

There is an eternal mist

So dense

It covers most of this town.

Part of it (One with it)

I'm hiding in it

Losing myself (Finding myself).

Wet and dark

In this quiet stillness

I find peace.

Strange how even in the mist

The beauty of Nature

Overwhelms.

Fadeaway

By Alice Karayiannis

Just Nature

Timekeeper by Michael Brooks

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal. 

 ~ George Gordon Byron, 

There is a Pleasure in the Pathless Woods

Together Invincible

In My Own Words by Craig Armstrong

We sprang ourselves into fields of gold,
Above us the eternal blue with an occasional puff.
Wide awake and carefree,
Ready to conquer the world.
Together we were invincible!

For hours on end we talked, we laughed;
We re-discovered eachother.
Our thoughts and passions trailing away,
Disappearing into a silence of deep understanding between us;
Finally, we were known; we were loved.

And nothing could mar the perfection of it.

By Alice Karayiannis

Iron Sky

Iron Sky by Paolo Nutini

You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful,
to make this life a wonderful adventure

You just got to hold on

Footfalls Echo

Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future
And time future contained in time past.
If all time is eternally present
All time is unredeemable.
What might have been is an abstraction
Remaining a perpetual possibility
Only in a world of speculation.
What might have been and what has been
Point to one end, which is always present.
Footfalls echo in the memory
Down the passage which we did not take
Towards the door we never opened
Into the rose-garden. My words echo
Thus, in your mind.

~ T. S. Eliot, The Four Quartets

We have this stubborn habit of continuously attempting to grasp what is not here, be it in the past or future. The truth is there is only the present. What has happened, whether we regret it or not, will always remain in the past and is not redeemable. So why do we allow ourselves to suffer? I think regrets play quite a decent role in keeping us from letting go. We ceaselessly reflect back to what could have been had we chosen another path, over and over, as if this endless contemplation might miraculously change what has already happened. It is inevitable that we will sometimes wish that we could go back and relive certain moments, perhaps in order to act differently or to take action even for an inaction we regret. We keep replaying events in our minds, pondering on all different possibilities, as if we can actually change something now. Regrets are a part of life; the best we can do is learn from them. Whatever is done is done and shall remain in the past; I always say that it is for the best, no regrets. We might not be able to see how just yet, but everything happens for a reason, or so I believe. All that we have is the present; the future is not ours to see either. So let go of the past, make the most of the present and que sera sera :) 

Photo by Alice Karayiannis

On Kindness

Kindness.

A little kindness can go a long way, isn't that what they say? A simple smile; smiling to strangers is what I like doing best, and it feels so good when they smile back. Encouraging others; it is so rewarding to see that we have managed to boost someone's self-esteem.

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

 ~ Plato

Little acts of kindness to help someone in need, a form of connection with the people we encounter in our daily life. I'm mainly talking about the ones we do on the spur of the moment; it is so fulfilling to feel that we have gone a little out of our way in order to help someone, made their day a little better, and opportunities lie everywhere. What is best is that every act of kindness seems to have a ripple effect on the universe; observing kindness in others helps us tune into our own feelings of compassion.

The beach I went to this morning, at Latchi (Paphos), had a special facility for people with mobility problems: a seat that enables these people to enter the sea by slowing moving them across a wooden ramp and into the sea where they can then be lifted off it. A woman was trying to get her husband into the sea via this device. However, it would get stuck once it reached a certain point down the ramp and this was caused by pebbles and sand trapped within the gaps on which the seat moved. The woman realised this, stopped the device, and began removing pebbles and sand from the gaps. She tried the device again but to no avail. To my surprise, the person on guard today did nothing. Slowly, however, people began to notice. A man went to give her a hand, followed by a woman, followed by her husband and eventually a couple of others. They all started removing pebbles and sand, more pebbles and sand. They kept trying the device, it wouldn't work. Two more women went to see if they could help with their own ideas. This was clearly a ripple effect! Amazing. Positive vibes all around, I could feel it. And it worked, it finally worked! They all let out a relieved cheer as they watched the device move past the point where it would get stuck, eventually transferring the man into the sea. It must have felt so good for all of those who had helped in the process. 

No act of kindness ever goes wasted, however small. But it's not only about doing a good deed and getting it over with; it's about doing it genuinely, developing kindness and compassion within us.

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible"

~ Dalai Lama

 Photo by Alice Karayiannis

My Selves

This is All: The Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn by Aidan Chambers

I came across this in the book I'm currently reading and it is spot on so I had to share. 

Now you know a little more about me, although I'm sure we all share these different selves from time to time :) Goodnight!

Summer Finally

Le temps de l'amour by Françoise Hardy

C'est le temps de l'amour,

Les temps des copains et de l'aventure...

Crane Dance

The Crane Dance by Ludovico Einaudi

Been listening to this on repeat all day. Its melody is so soft and soothing, it kind of brings you down to earth. Helps me focus on revision. Weird mood today; worried about exams yet too tired to actually feel anything. Meh... 12 days to go.

Have I ever mentioned that I love observing birds?

Blue Space

 Photo by Alice Karayiannis

Maybe they'll talk
Soul to soul head to head heart to heart eye to eye
Rise up to that blue space above the clouds
Where troubles die
And tears dry

Separate Realities

 

Photo by Alice Karayiannis

 We each live in different realities.

No matter how much we've been around certain people, observed their reactions and approaches to different situations and watched them grow, we'll never be able to understand them as fully as we think. No matter how close we are with certain people, to the extent that one would believe that our realities may be interlocking, our realities are, indeed, different.

Our experiences are never the same; each of us sees things differently. So much effort is wasted in trying to make others see things the way we see them. We argue with them, trying to prove our point, and become disappointed when they don't seem to understand something that is so obvious to us. 

That is why we must realise that every pair of eyes is different; each of us interprets the world the way we want to, the way we've learned to as we were growing up. There is no one, single reality which is consistent to all of us and we must respect this in order to understand other people and situations better.

***

"It is neurologically obvious that no two brains have the same genetically-programmed hard wiring, the same imprints, the same conditioning, the same learning experiences. We are all living in separate realities. That is why communication fails so often, and misunderstandings and resentments are so common. I say "meow" and you say "Bow-wow," and each of us is convinced the other is a bit dumb."

~ Robert Anton Wilson

A Postcard

Postcards From Far Away by Coldplay

 I could feel it go down 

Bittersweet, I could taste in my mouth

 Silver lining the clouds

Oh and I

I wish that I could work it out 

...

Oh and I

I wonder what it's all about

Happy April

Photo by Alice Karayiannis

Drifting Apart

Sometimes we drift apart from people whom we thought would be with us for quite some time, for years to come even. I'm not saying forever because nothing lasts forever, after all. Life's all about learning how to let go; it's the only way to find peace and balance in the present moment since we can't always control what is happening. 

So why do we drift apart? 

People change as they go through different phases of their life, feelings change, things that were once common bonds, common ground, cease to be. Distance separates people (although I tend to disagree with this one because where there is a will there is a way). Sometimes friendships come to an end because one end realises that the only reason they were holding on for so long was because they were hoping for something stronger, love maybe. There's a fine line between friendship and love.

It's sad when long friendships fade out. The people who knew us best, with whom we'd talk every single day, no longer occupy the same space in our life. Strangely enough, though, most of the time these are the people who'll make us feel that not one day has passed since the last time we saw them; they'll always be a part of us no matter what.

Marooned by Pink Floyd

 

Goodnight :)

The Swan

"For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it."

Photo by Alice Karayiannis

You flew gracefully towards me and past me and I gazed in awe;

Your elegant bearing confirming that you were not just any bird :)

~

Our encounter may have been brief, but my mission was accomplished!

By Alice Karayiannis

I'm Back

And I'm back; back in St Andrews but also back to blog-writing. It's been a while - 25 days to be precise - and oh so many things can happen in such little time! Doors close, new ones open; people walk in and out of your life; life happens. Everything happens for the best :)

Time flies when you're enjoying yourself! I was free and carefree...and FREE. I realised, yet again, that amazing things can happen once you get out of that comfort zone. Life is full of little miracles, you won't regret it; surprise yourself! The past weeks seem like a distant, blissful dream; like those dreams you never want to wake up from, the ones which suddenly end and plunge you back into reality. 

It was about time though, I guess; let's get this semester over with! I'm ready.
 

Photo by Alice Karayiannis

New Year

I came across this last night. I think it perfectly captures everything I would want to wish to anyone - and myself included - for this new year; I couldn't have rephrased it better. A new year always brings with it a chance to make a new start, a brand new beginning. It may not feel like it yet; after all, 2013 was only yesterday, but we could start by thinking about some new year's resolutions and making some effort to keep them this time.

'Today is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.'

Let go of everything and anyone that makes you unhappy, that doesn't serve you in any way. Try to forgive the ones who have done you wrong and move on, they don't deserve your time. Learn to accept what is; surrender to the moment, even if it's not a pleasant one. Acceptance is hard but it frees us of a huge burden. There is no reason for resistance, just let it be. Always remember that when one door closes, another one opens.

Let your soul shine!

Trust in your heart. 

Be brave. 

Have courage. 

Be fearless. 

Be true to yourself. 

Embrace simplicity.

Create a life you love.

Never stop dreaming and never let go of hope

Believe in miracles :)

* Happy New Year 2014 *

Holding On

This place has become awfully silent lately... Most of us have already left while the few of us who still remain are (idly) preparing for their last exams. Who are we kidding, after all...

The brisk sound of rolling suitcases on the path beneath my window late at night, early in the morning; people leaving. That will be me in three days, finally going home. 

Hold on, keep strong.

Special Date

And just a little something I forgot to mention in my earlier post.

I'm sure you've all noticed today's date! 

 

*~ 11/12/13 ~*

It's the 11th day of the 12th month of the 13th year of the millennium. 

And it's a once in a life-time date... 

Also, the sum of 11, 12, and 13 is 9. 

The number 9 is considered to be ‘lucky’ 

in the Chinese culture as it means 'long lasting'.

I hope that today brings good luck to all of you!

Keep positive, awesome things are always on their way :)

One Down

And yes! My first exam is over with; only one to go. The paper was decent. A lot better than I'd expected. Surprisingly enough, I hadn't even stressed over it. I was surprised at myself, that was pretty unlike me. Those who know me can definitely confirm that!!

I was scared a while back, yes; but then, nothing! Absolutely nothing. You know those times when you start getting worried just because you're not worried and you're wondering what's wrong with yourself? Well, not even that! I was completely chill. And I'm very proud of myself for that. No sleepless nights whatsoever this time round. 

I think that's what happens when you know you've done everything you could've done; you know that it's not up to you anymore because you've tried so hard. You know that if there's some form of justice then you're bound to get something out of it. Although I don't know if that's the only case because it's not as if I don't do this every time before an exam. I always try my best.

Maybe it's just the realisation that you never gain anything from stressing. It's just an exam; it's important but it's not a matter of life and death. You've tried and you'll definitely be trying your best. The day will come, you'll take the exam and yes, you'll have gained your freedom once again!

I don't know why we stress so much. I mean, it's not as if I'm completely over stressing, I was worried about how to fit things into my suitcase last night. Such an irony! But I really need to get this word out of my dictionary. Well, I definitely feel closer to doing that :)

Oh, and I woke up to this today:

Photo by Alice Karayiannis

Life is good!