Cristina Istrati's Blog, page 9

Celebrate the woman-hood within you!

Being a woman is a blessing. You don’t need fancy words to dress it in, because its perfection lies in its simplicity. Being a woman is the best thing that can happen to you. I don’t know how men feel about themselves, but I can surely say that there is not a single man in the world that I would like to change places with.

There are so many things in being a woman that I am grateful for, that I don’t even know what to begin with…:D

Seriously now…

We are blessed with the greatest gift of all – having children. Giving birth to a new person to this world – I cannot think of a greater act. And I feel deeply grateful (on behalf of all women) that this particular miracle had been given to us. It gives me strength and pride that it is women who are chosen – for it means that we are worthy of such a significant responsibility.

God gave us intuition and femininity. We can intuitively know if someone feels happy, sad, angry, or troubled. We don’t need the person to express their inner state – we just feel it.

We are compassionate and always ready to help a person in need. We can feel other people’s pain and really sympathize with them. Men, on the contrary, sometimes don’t even notice if a woman had been crying before talking to them…

We are allowed to express our feelings more freely. We can laugh when we feel like it (regardless of the place or time), because we are charming when we laugh. We can cry without being judged – well, sometimes we may be called the “weaker sex” for that, but we don’t mind it.

We know we are the stronger sex but the enemy doesn’t have to be aware of that, right?

We are way more positive than men – that’s because we value the important things in life: family and friends. We know just how important it is for our beloved ones to build the charming memories of a Christmas filled with sweet smells coming from the kitchen …

If a friend comes to a woman asking for support, she will give it, ignoring selflessly her own needs or troubles.

When a woman is a working mother, she always worries about how to combine her family responsibilities with her office responsibilities. I’ve never heard a man worrying about that…

Women are the ones who make a home out of some bricks and tiles. They bring in the warmth the house needs in order to be called a home. They are the link that keeps the family together. I cannot think of a more noble responsibility.

You see – we are really blessed. And we should celebrate our womanhood and our femininity! We should be grateful that we were born women!

What makes you proud to be a woman?

Who are the women that inspire you the most?

What are the best qualities you learnt from your mother?

I would love to hear your thoughts! Please let me know your ideas in the comments below…:)))

Sending you much love:)) and remember: You Are Unique!!!

Cristina

It`s time for you to be… who you really are!

 “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Theodor Seuss Geisel.

 

Being who you really are may sound quite simple at first glance, but when you delve into the depth of this notion, things get complicated.

 

Think about it – how many of us don’t really care about other people’s opinion?

 

Most of us see ourselves only in the mirror of the people surrounding us. I am not saying you don’t have to take a quick glance at this mirror on your way out, but you surely must not concentrate only on this reflected image. Because the truth is that it is just a reflected image, it’s not your real image.

 

You have to express yourself every day – it may be through your clothing or through your opinion on an arguable topic.

 

You are unique and people must know that! Never be afraid to express yourself! 

 

Sometimes we run through life and thus we cannot fully enjoy it. Slow down the pace and spend some time dedicated to yourself – take a long walk, read a nice book, or stay alone with your thoughts for a while.

 

This will help you when you are trying to make an important decision or if you need your intimate self to feel at ease with your public self. Remember that if you don’t learn to value yourself, other people won’t value you either.

 

You know that God created us all equal and we are all perfect the way we are. Don’t ever feel inferior to others – everyone is different. Learn to love yourself and don’t be harsh on yourself – learn to forgive yourself and learn from your mistakes.

But never forget that you are you main defender – don’t ever betray yourself by not believing you can do anything. Don’t ever give up. Anything is possible if you believe it is possible.

 

Remember that you are you when you are at your best – so smile and be happy. Be grateful for what you have (for there are a lot of people who don’t have it). Remember the times when you were happiest (you can even make a list) – I bet these times include the people you love.

 

Make sure you spend enough quality time with your family and your friends. They have the great power of charging you with positive energy that will keep you warm every time you think about the nice moments spent with them.

 

Follow your heart – it will never let you down. Give your heart the pleasure of enjoying the little things in life.

Smile at the sun in the morning and enjoy a beautiful sunset in the evening. Reward your beloved ones with your best you – because it is the real you.

 

Do you follow your heart when you make important decisions?

 

What is the greatest memory you have from a family meeting?

 

What was the last thing that made you smile?

 

Would really love to find out the answer to these questions:) so I`ll be waiting for your comments..:)) Thank you:))

 

I`ll talk to you next time!:) Be happy & keep smiling:)) and…Be Who You Are!!!

Cristina

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life is a roller-coaster. And this is the good part!:))

Everybody loves theme parks! They are a great way to spend the day in another world – a world full of colors, smiles, fun, and ice cream. They are also a great way to have some quality time with your family. And, of course, the best part of a day spent in a theme park is the roller-coaster. It is an experience you`ll never forget.

Come to think of it, a roller-coaster ride pretty much resembles life itself. Some people are afraid to get the best out of it; others can’t wait to experience it. And some people simply love it!

Have you ever thought that the greatest part of riding a roller-coaster is the emotions that it brings out from you?  

Just as in real life – its best part is the emotions that fill your heart and stay in your mind long after the situation that brought them up is over.

And it is amazing how you can bring back the memories of an endearing moment even years after it’s over and you can still get the same feelings that overwhelmed you back then.

It’s like a little present you keep and you can open it and bring back the memory every time you want.

Let’s go back to the roller-coaster ride. Before the ride starts there’s anticipation, anxiety, excitement, and sometimes even a touch of dizziness.

At first you are always a bit scared to get on. But, when you overcome that fear… 

Oh, what a great ride it is!!!:)))

First, you feel  panicky, for you are expecting it to start and you know there is no turning back now.

When you go up to the very top, your  heart beats  so loud you can hear it in your ears…:D

I know, I know….:))

And then… The drop comes! You feel butterflies in your stomach and you feel as if you are from another world – and then suddenly it’s like you are flying without wings.

It’s such a unique feeling, and it’s different for everyone….:))

Now think of life – when life starts there`s always a bit of anxiety, but there is also a magic that keeps you going. Some call that magic faith, others – hope.

No matter what the magic is for you – don’t ever let it go! Let it guide you through the good times and the bad times.

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, champagne in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming….. WOO HOO…. What a RIDE! Let me have that one more time!!:))

It is up to you to live the life that you want – all you have to do is open your senses to the beauty of life and… Enjoy the ride, my friend….!:))

What was the last time you felt butterflies in your stomach? What was the last time when you shouted from the top of your lungs:” Ahhhh!!! This is sooo great !!!!!”:))

Who (what) made you feel that way?:))))

Would really love to find out….:)))

I`ll talk to you next time and don`t forget: Life is meant to be fun!:))

Much love,

Cristina

All-time favorite affirmation: All is well!

Remember the last time your life was a mess and someone who loves you told you that all is going to be well? You probably didn’t believe it back then, but, as time went by, it turned out to be true.

It is a powerful phrase, for when you hear it, it always sounds shallow – that is because its wisdom reveals with time. At some point you think you have no way out – you run out of life inspiration, your heart is broken, or, even worse, you experience a beloved person’s loss.

You cannot find peace and life becomes a restless journey through realities you don’t want to be a part of. What amazes me and what gives me strength to fight in such moments is this truth – eventually all is well.

When all is well, we feel lighter – the grass is greener, the sky is bluer; the first thing you do in the morning is smile. When all is well, the world has a meaning. Inner peace is something we`re born with but we need to quiet our minds in order to feel this fountain of peace.

It is not something you will learn in school. It is not even something your parents will teach you. Inner peace is inside all of us and everybody has their own way of finding it.

No matter what shape it is in, we all need it in order to be happy and feel complete.

Some people run. When you run, you can feel your physical relation to this world. You feel the wind; your feet can feel each cobble. When you run, you have time to think – you think of the situation that put you out of your peace and you replay it in your head.

But this time you replay it without the emotions originally attached to it.

Then, after a mile (or many more miles), your mind becomes clear and your heart opens and you accept each truth for what it is – a truth.

You don’t have the power to change it. But you have the power to learn from it and live with it.

Other people meditate. They shut the doors to the outer world and close their mind. I think it is then when they  see the situation clearly.

I think it is then when they realize what a tiny part of the Universe we are and yet what an important one we are.

I believe it is there that they learn to be patient. And I am sure it is there that they embrace reality and choose to be happy. For happiness is a choice.

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, says:

The question of real, lasting world peace concerns human beings, so basic human feelings are also at its roots. Through inner peace, genuine world peace can be achieved. In this the importance of individual responsibility is quite clear; an atmosphere of peace must first be created within ourselves, then gradually expanded to include our families, our communities, and ultimately the whole planet.

When was the last time you were told “All is going to be well”? How do you find the peace in your heart? What do you feel when your outer world shows you that all is well…?

Would really love to hear your thoughts on this topic..:)))

I`ll talk to you next time…:))

Much love,

Cristina

Listen with your heart.

Most of us were born and raised in cultures that value the head over the heart and, as a result, we place our own hearts below our heads in a sort of inner hierarchy of which we may not be conscious. 

When you listen with your heart, the logical grid of the brain tends to soften and melt, which enables you to perceive the interconnectedness beneath the divisions and categories you use to organize the world. You begin to understand that just as the heart underlies the brain, this interconnectedness underlies everything.

When we begin to listen with our hearts rather than our heads, our whole world changes and becomes softer.

Listening with your heart it is always a good way to understand beyond the words. Listening with you heart makes you feel free and build self-esteem in others. Listening with your heart makes you to benefit not only in relationships with others, but will learn new ideas and have an opportunity to share in the thoughts of others.

Listen with your heart and you will get the base of a happy relationship. When the speaker feels completely heard and understood, you will realize that even you got happy feels, because you will feel that you were in the right place, at the right time and the right person.

This is not always easy, but when a person really wants to talk, they may need your full concentration. Listening with your heart makes you not to miss the best moments of your life.

To that point, maybe you do not realize that you are in one of the most important moments of your life, but in time you will feel that you really live.

The art of listening with your heart amazes to discover that many of your situations melt like snow cones in summer. When situations are on the back burner, your love can finally assume its proper front and center position.If you want magic, just be it by yourself.

Try to listen with your heart and watch the magic that happens. Pocahontas (played by Irene Bedard)the daughter of a Native American tribe chief and an English soldier whom she shared a romance with when English colonists invaded 17th century Virginia, said that listening with your heart is what allows you to feel what the minds fails to notice.

All life forms respond to LOVE. That’s the way it is.

I try to believe like I believed when I was 5… when your heart tells you everything you need to know. ~ Lucy Liu

Do you like the idea of letting the heart taking over?:)

How do you like to listen whenever somebody is talking? Do you do that with your heart or your mind?:)

Looking forward to hearing the answer to these questions:)))

Much love,

Cristina

There is only one You. Treasure that!

One of the funniest movies of the modern era is the movie Multiplicity. This 1996 movie starred Michael Keaton as Doug Kinney, a construction worker, whose job constantly interferes with time and with his wife, Laura (played by Andie MacDowell). Doug meets a scientist that eventually helps him clone himself several times, thinking this would solve all his problems.

As the movie progresses, we see that having a group of clones becomes its own set of problems, with each version of Doug taking on his own unique personality. Not realizing that Doug is cloned, Laura begins to feel that she is unwanted and ignored, and eventually leaves to go stay with family. Doug is forced to find a way to remove the produced doubles from his life so that things can be normal with him and his wife again.

In the same year, 1996, another classically funny movie burst on to the scene: the remake of The Nutty Professor. Comedian Eddie Murphy played the lead role as Professor Sherman Klump, a brilliant but obese genetic scientist and college instructor.

The university welcomes a beautiful new staff member – Carla Purty (played by “Set It Off” star Jada Pinkett-Smith), and Professor Klump is determined to win her heart.

Thinking that she would not accept him because of his size, Klump develops a genetic mutation formula that turns him into a thinner, more handsome man named “Buddy Love.”

As it turned out, the Buddy Love character was offensive to Ms. Purty. She preferred the sweeter, kinder, more intelligent, original version, Sherman Klump.

Both movies are funny, but unfortunately many aspects of these stories appear all too often in real life. Many teens and adults find themselves in situations where they feel it is necessary to conform to an image they feel the pressure to live up to, simply for acceptance.

We often want to blend in with the surroundings. As a friend of mine once said to me, “get lost in the crowd.”

Why does this happen? Why do we sometimes feel the need to hide within the group or the atmosphere? Much of it has to do with our own inadequacies and/or insecurities.

Have you ever found yourself in a position where you felt like there needed to be more versions of you? Or perhaps are you someone who feels as though you are not acceptable to others because maybe you are not acceptable to yourself?

The truth is, you are uniquely fashioned. There is only one YOU, and that is plenty enough for the world. Men and women who have impacted societies did so with the understanding that they were singularly and uniquely special enough to do it.

Look at those such as Milton Hersey, Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, Socrates, Wilbur and Orville Wright, Benjamin Elijah Mays, and George Washington Carver.

How different would our lives be today had these men and women allowed themselves to be like everyone else?

History is full of names of those who have affected our society in positive ways. They not only accepted the fact that they were different, they celebrated it. They embraced it. And they treasured it. Your DNA allows you to bring something to the world that only YOU can bring. Do not let anyone discount you because of any disability, or perceived lack of knowledge/skill, or because you may not come from the most affluent family.

Even in what is commonly called “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” Jesus was born as a Nazarite – the lowest of the Jewish social order. Yet the accomplishments are of legend.

You, too, can change the course of history, simply with your existence. Determine within yourself today to step into the fullness of who you are.

The world does not need you to be like someone else. We do not need another Martin Luther King, Jr. We do not need another John F. Kennedy. What the worlds needs is the original YOU. There is only one You…treasure that!

What are the features that makes You unique? Maybe you can play the violin like nobody else, or maybe you can give inspirational speeches in front of a huge crowd? I would love to hear your reply to this….:)))

I`ll talk to you this next time:)))

Much love,

Cristina

 

Set yourself free! Face your fears!

Hello, everyone!!!

How was your weekend?

I hope you had a great one.

As for me, I had a very fruitful weekend. Did the laundry, went to the supermarket and cleaned the house. While I was cleaning, I chanced upon an old movie which I bought a while back, the title is Coach Carter; this is one of my favorite movies of all time.

Aside from the fact that Samuel L. Jackson starred in it, which is, by the way, a very good actor, the movie has a lot of lessons one can learn from.

The part I like most on the movie is when this one student recited a poem to honor his basketball coach who has been an inspiration not just to him but to the whole team and has helped him get his act together. It goes something like this:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking

so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine as children do.

It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone.

And as we let our own lights shine,

we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,

our presence automatically liberates others.

If you have time I would suggest that you watch this movie as well. It is a constant reminder for me that we have a purpose in this world and it’s not just living for ourselves and for our family but also helping others.

Just by being there and lending an ear to a friend or a neighbor is already a great help to the person who just needs someone to talk to. Sometimes listening is the most effective way of communication.

The little things we do can change a person’s life. The effect could be good or bad depending on what it is you did. But wouldn’t it be nice to know that what you did changed someone else’s life for good?

It is, isn`t it?

Before I was too much occupied with my life, my career, my needs and wants, it was always about me and seldom about others.

But then I realized that although it is not bad to think of myself it is also not bad to think of others from time to time as well.

I think there needs to be a balance of everything because too much thinking for ourselves will make us a selfish person and the opposite a very selfless person both of which is not a good thing.

So, sometimes we need to be conscious of our surroundings no matter how busy we are because we might not know that there is someone out there who needs our help and that act of goodness could lead to saving a person’s life.

This is it for now, may you be someone’s savior today..:)))Inspire always…:))

Sending you much love,

Cristina

 

We need directions in our lives.

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”

“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”

“I don’t much care where –”

“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.” 

― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Where you are doesn’t matter at all if you don’t know where you want to go.

It’s a lot like life, isn`t?

In life we need a purpose, we need directions on how to get there and we need help to do that, too. We can’t possibly do it alone. When we are young our parents are there to help us, when in school our teachers are there to guide us and at work we have our colleagues and mentors to oversee us. 

It’s also the same when we travel. Without planning ahead it`s kind of hard to go around places especially if you are not familiar with it. You can easily get lost if you don’t have a map with you or if you don’t have a friend who knows the place better than you do. When I travel I always do some pre-departure stuff.    

First I need to make sure that I booked a plane ticket and booked a hotel, prepare the things I need to take with me and make a list of what I want to do when I arrive there, the places I want to go to and the people I want to visit & meet.

I will want to search the web to check the map and the landmarks; that way I won’t get lost when I get there. But of course some would want to do things spontaneously without planning. This might be an idea too, especially for those who love living life at its extreme.

Still, some planning and organizing doesn`t hurt, right?:)      

I think that having directions is helpful in romantic relationships, also. If you ask me, I really don`t see the reason why a person would engage in a relationship for the sake of just being into one.

Why investing too much time and emotions on someone you can’t see yourself spending the rest of life with?

The relationship might not work in the long run but at least you won’t regret anything because what is important is that you did all that you could, right? 

In our careers, it’s always up to us if we want to go up the corporate ladder or not. Oftentimes, I hear people ask why they don’t get promoted or why for the past years they are still on the same position they had when they started.

But I’ll ask this instead; did you draw up a career path for yourself? Did you have a plan on how to get there? Is the plan you made feasible and is it enough to get you where you want to be?

In the end it’s about what you did or did not do. Don’t you agree? I’d like to hear your thoughts about this.

If we get confused in life, if we get lost and we don’t know where we are, we only have to stop and focus on where we want to go. We might need to face some obstacles along the way (which is a good thing:)) and we may get there a little late but what is important is that we know that we will get there somehow with perseverance and guidance from others. The main thing is to stay focus; stay determined, positive and take lots of action!

So, tell me, what do you do when you lack directions? How do you overcome that moment of clutter and confusion? What do you do to set yourself back on track?

I would really love to hear these answers from you:)) and I`m much looking forward to that!:)) Don`t keep me waiting, ok?:D

Hope you enjoyed reading this article and I want to thank you for taking the time to reading my blog. I am really happy about it and your presence here makes me glad:) I want you to know this…:)))

Sending you lots of best wishes, my friend:))

Take care,

Cristina

 

 

 

Don`t you ever give up on yourself!

When I encounter challenges in life I always have this poem that would help me cope with everything I’ve been going through. I’m not really sure where and when I read this poem first but it kind of stuck to me. So, I am sharing this to you as this may also help you in times of hardships, just like how it has helped me.

Don’t Quit…

When things go wrong as they sometimes will 

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill

When the funds are low and the debts are high

And you want to smile but you have to sigh

When care is pressing you down a bit

Rest if you must but don’t you quit

Success is failure turned inside out

The silver line of the clouds of doubt

And now you never can tell how close you are

You may be near when it seems afar

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit

It’s when things go wrong that you mustn’t quit

I have no idea who wrote this but if he is standing in front of me right now I want to give him a big big hug and I’d like to thank him for writing this poem and thank him for giving me the privilege to read it. And of course I’d like him to know that I will be forever grateful for this gift. Yes, a GIFT; to me it is a GIFT and I too would like to share this with YOU.

This poem has really been example on how I should view the experiences I have in my life, and it also helped me see that no matter the challenges in life there is always a solution to it; no matter how dark the path you are walking on, there is always light towards the end of it and no matter how heavy the burden you are carrying there is always someone who helps you carry it.

It feels good knowing that, doesn’t it?

But we should also know that just knowing it is not enough we need to make it work, it’s like knowing a recipe on how to bake a cake and actually baking it yourself, and just how you ask? The answer my friend is all up to you. As the saying goes life is what we make it.

We are who we are right now is the result of the choices we made. Our choices may not always be right and we may never get to change it but we know that there is always a way just as long as we never QUIT.

We can rest from time to time but we should not include quitting as an option in our lives, don’t you agree?

I hope that this poem will stick to you and will inspire you as well. Or if you have other inspiring quotes you live by as well, I’d also like to know and learn about it.

I’ll bid you adieu for now, ‘til next time, but before I go I’d like to say Thank you for reading my Blog and Enjoy Life as we only live once ^_^

Much love, my friend..:)))

Cristina

 

The flute…

 One day, two best friends were walking in the park. One of them was Flaubert and he was a very talented flutist. He would participate to all the local contests and would also perform in the school where he was learning. The other one was Tom and he was just an ordinary boy but very fascinated about math. This was his favorite object.

“Isn`t this wonderful, Tom? Everything is so beautiful! I just love it!”

“Yes, you are right Flaubert. Indeed we`re living in a spectacular place and are blessed because of that”

“I agree with you, buddy”

“So today is Roselyn’s birthday, will you go?”

“Yes, she invited me”

“Me too. I am looking forward for tonight`s reunion” said Tom smiling. “All of our colleagues will be there so I think it will be fun!”

“I think so too, Tom” replied Flaubert. “It`s not every day Roselyn`s birthday, so we better enjoy the moment”

“Yes, you are right. I think this is what she wants, too” added Tom.    

Some steps further, they were greeted by Josh. They were all school colleagues but everybody would avoid Josh because of his bad reputation. He was often referred to as “The thief”

“Hello guys, what are you up to today?” asked the boy with a wicked smile.

“Hello Josh, nothing much; just enjoying ourselves of a nice walk” replied Flaubert smiling. “What about you?” 

“Me too, just hanging around in here, with my friends and trying to have some fun, that`s all” said Josh with a funny tone.” Flaubert, I am a in a need right now so is it possible for me to ask you something?”

Flaubert and Tom looked at each other.

“Yes, Josh, do tell me. What is it that you need?”

“Would you borrow me your flute till tomorrow afternoon? I would need it.

Tom looked again at Flaubert.

“My flute?”

“Yes. Please don`t ask, because I cannot tell you. It`s kind of a family matter” said the boy while gazing at him.  

Flaubert said nothing for a couple of seconds, but would only think about it. Eventually, he pulled out the flute from his bag and handed it to Josh. Seeing that, the boy put a large smile on his face.

“Here you have it Josh. Used it as you wish”

“Oh thank you Flaubert, thank you so much! I really need it, thank you! I shall meet you tomorrow afternoon here, to give it back to you”

“All right Josh, let`s meet tomorrow then” replied Flaubert kindly.

“Wonderful! I have to go now, but I`ll see you soon! Good bye!” said the boy and left.

“Flaubert, do you really expect yourself to see that flute back from Josh? Have you lost your mind?” said Tom, being still surprised by his friend`s gesture. He will never bring it back.

“He will return me the flute, Tom. I trust him”

“But he is The Thief, Flaubert! Why would you trust him? Why would you even try since everybody knows his bad fame?”

“Because everybody deserves a chance, Tom. Everybody” replied Flaubert as he looked as his friend.”

“I can`t understand you, I am serious” replied Tom.

“Sometimes, it`s not about understanding, Tom; sometimes it is about feeling” said Flaubert while looking at his friend.

In the following day, both Flaubert and Tom were in the same place, waiting for Josh.

“I`m telling you, he is not coming”

“Be patient, Tom. He will come, I have faith in this” Replied Flaubert.

“All right, whatever you say Flaubert. But I`ll keep my doubts anyway” said Tom.

Another half an hour passed; then another half.

Now, Flaubert was really starting to get worried. Will it turn out that Tom was right, after all?

He waited for another 10 minutes, looking around for Josh, but no sign of him. This made Flaubert very sad. It was difficult for him to see that he was wrong about Josh.

“Come Tom, let`s go. Josh will not come”

“Well, this is what I`ve been trying to tell you. I`m glad to see you`ve finally come to your senses. Josh is a thief, Flaubert. He always was and will always be. It`s just who he is and no one will change that” said Tom while looking at his friend.

Flaubert let his gaze down. He was having a bitter taste in his soul.

“Yes, I guess you are right and you have been all along. I`m sorry Tom, I should have listened to you. It seems that after all, Josh is really what his bad fame says he is, just a thief”

“That is correct, Flaubert. Come, let`s go home now. We`ve waited enough for Josh” added Tom and put his arm around his friend`s shoulder. Slowly, they started walking toward home.

Flaubert never heard from Josh since that day. He would think about Josh for often times but there was nothing that he could do. Josh had disappeared with his flute and even worse, he had proven his real self. Thus, days had passed and Flaubert moved on with this life.

One day, after about two months, while returning from school Flaubert was in the same park. He was waiting for Tom.

“Hello Flaubert” he heard a voice.

When turning his gaze, Flaubert was surprised to see there…Josh. It was really him but only different. Josh was in crunches. Flaubert felt sorry when he saw him this way.

“Hello…Josh. How are you? Haven`t seen you for a very long time”

“I know, Flaubert; from the day I was supposed to return you the flute, isn`t it?” said Josh with a sad smile.

Flaubert didn`t say nothing for a moment.

“I did want to come to our meeting, Flaubert. I had all the intention in the world to give you your flute back; not even for a second have I thought in keeping it for myself”

“Then, what happened Josh? Why didn`t you come? I have waited for you”

“I know, Flaubert; I knew you must be doing that. I had a terrible accident while I was on my way to come and meet you. A car hit me and it broke my leg. I wanted to…”

“Your leg was broken because of me?” asked Flaubert turning all of a sudden his look toward Josh.

“No, no, please don`t take it like that, Flaubert. It just happened… nobody is to be blamed because of that” replied Josh with a kind smile on his face.

Flaubert had tears in his eyes. When remembering how badly he had thought about Josh and all this time he was in pain, because of the accident…

“Flaubert, what is wrong? Why are you crying?”

“I am sorry, Josh…I am so sorry…! Can you please forgive me?” said the boy with his eyes filled with tears.

“Forgive you? For what?” said Josh being somewhat confused.

“All this time you were in pain, and I was thinking about you in a terrible way; that you are a thief and that you`ve stolen my flute and that I`ll never see it again from you…Forgive me Josh, please forgive me. I didn`t know…forgive me”  Flaubert cried.

The boy kindly smiled and took Flaubert in his arms, hugging him warmly. Then, he pulled out the flute from his school bag and gave it to Flaubert.