CROSS THE RED for inner freedom

Either we stand united or we fall divided

2012-02-19T11:00:00.008+02:00

Yesterday my people in Latvia were forced to vote for or against one (Latvian) or two (Latvian and Russian) official languages. The result is ~24% for two and 76% for only Latvian language. This voting was initiated by some Russian prisoner (!) to start an ethnical conflict.

Why there is a need to make ethnical conflicts in the world? It is usually because of some evil / selfish benefits and manipulations which aim to grab and destroy somebody`s land, resources and values. As we can see in history, that is how regimes start - when false leaders are not willing to rule by serving but want to rule by destroying. Wherever you see regime, you must know that there is a lie in beneath. At least I see it this way and my proof is that people who happened to be born in regime places around the world are living in poverty because they have not much choice nor property. And because crowds are easy to trick, regimes do not die easy...

For those who havent lived in regime, like USSR was, you might not fully understand massive manipulations, lies and horror people experience when they have no private property, no free speach (although, I do not see it for 100% in none of world`s countries), no choice. Everything is or can be taken from you literally if you decide to think and talk freely. In this case they would officially announce you a "capitalist" or "terrorist" and send to Sibiria to "change your mind" if survived or just simply kill or put in jail. Intelligence meant glorifying communism. People were forced to learn to lie, to steal, to hide...and it was the only way how to survive...

After USSR regime crashed (everything was stolen and there was no way to keep it alive), Latvia as well as Estonia, Ukraine, Russia and other countries got their sovereignty back. Until this day there have been evil forces who continued to incite people in these countries, mostly about the fact of "discriminated nationality & language & rights". Despite smart people who clearly notice this manipulation, there are many who believe in these lies and manipulations.

Without going into details of how and why, I just do not see the real reason why one rich (resource-wise) and powerful country (Russia) needs to go into other poor lil country (Latvia) and demand special rights for its people. Poverty in Russia is super high and (it is common in country side to see cows living in one room with poor people and drunks everywhere) and mega disproportional to its few rich people. So Russia definitely has a homework to do before putting its nose in other yards. Isn`t that the best worldly model that there is a "warm place" for each nation and language to work upon? It is like having a private property to improve. We can travel, move, choose other places for living, live in other countries respectfully and there is no need for ethnical conflicts.

The truth is that regardless of poorly functioning whole system for development, all the residents in Latvia (Russians, Latvians and others) have equal rights for property, education, jobs etc. The culture is specific, government corrupt and malfunctioning. You can not do much here if you want to be honest or want to work hard because old soviet habits are embedded into most of people. It might take few generations to get rid of those habits. But I do see it possible.

After yesterdays voting our society is somewhat divided and unneeded hate was sown in some hearts. These things usually blind people. We all (Latvians, Russians and whoever lives here) have so much to live and work for in my country Latvia to change it for better and make it flourish. It can only be done together. Regardless of nationalities. Either we stand united or we fall divided.

Par mīlestību, drosmi, skropstām un Valentīndienu

2012-02-14T12:41:00.008+02:00

Kad es biju maziņa, es domāju, ka mīlestība ir pieaugušo padarīšana, jebšu, godīgi sakot - laikam nedomāju par to neko, pēc tam es domāju, ka tās ir tādas bučas un viss tas pārējais. Vēlāk, ka tie ir lieli taureņi vēderā, kas liek lēkāt no laimes, bet pēc tam, ka varbūt man tomēr labāk gribētos izvēlēties dārgu auto, smieklīgu villu un lustīgu žigalo...

Tad atnāca lielākas jūtas, kas radīja vislielāko pasaules brīnumu - cilvēku! Un tad es sapratu, ka mīlestība ir arī pienākums un vēlme ziedoties. Vēlāk man vajadzēja, lai mīlestība man notic tā, ka man "spārni švīkst" ...un tad es to visu nosaucu par Dievu, jo sajutu sevī radīšanas prieku un neizmērojamu drosmi būt pašai bez sirdsapziņas pārmetumiem, jo man "vienkārši tā gribās".

Tikai šodien sapratu, ka neko nesaprotu par Valentīnu. Ko tas grib? Vai aizvest mani uz striptīzu un prasto erota izstādi, likt novilkt man biksītes un pozēt "seksīgi" , lai atbilstu standartam par tēmu "iekārojama" vai tomēr tas ir mazs, naivs eņģelis, kas čukst man ausīs mūziku par mīlestību, putniem un visu to, ko es vēl nesaprotu.

...šīs dienas man vienmēr liek domāt, ka es nebaidos kļūt vecāka, jo mana pieredze rāda, ka dzīvot kļūst tikai labāk, bet varbūt rīt es jau domāšu citādi. Lai vai kā, kāds gejisks paziņa man reiz teica, ka vieglākais veids, kā atļauties un uzdrošināties būt laimīgai un patiesai ir drosme pateikt, ka "man tā vienkārši gribās" nu ko lai dara, man šodien vienkārši neko negribās, jo man "tā vienkārši gribās" neko daudz negribēt (nu varbūt vienīgi pārīti liekās skropstas....tās ir mana pēdējā laika vājība)

I`m falling in love...

2012-02-07T12:17:00.018+02:00

....with handwriting...

If I was IT guru, I could make an "Apple-2" - to generate the hand-writing tool that would replace or compliment the keyboard and inspire people to hand-write special texts.
It would be so much more personal to hand-write and receive handwritten letters, especially appreciated by romantic lovers, wouldn`t it? Can`t you smell a Valentine here? :)
Seriously, I think it would be great to hand-write directly, without printing, scanning etc.

I believe that the most meaningful in this world is unexplainable. Handwriting could be one of examples here. When we look at handwritten text, it is not even visual & cognitive perception of words we get - it is something more that we sense about it. It is more complex and inspirational. Healthy.

Another thing that made me think about the magic of handwriting is the time I spend with my daughter to teach her writing skills. It is a magical feeling of reality...When I hold the pen in my hand...it feels like transformation of my heart and mind into the textual message I create...

Recently, I have been reading about few romantic love stories in the history. One of them is somewhat legendary and widely known - about Napoleon Bonaparte and his Josephine. Their correspondence inspires to think about deep inner feelings people are capable for each other. As an example, below I have copied one of his letters to her:

Marmirolo, July 17, 1796

I have received your letter, my adorable friend. It has filled my heart with joy. I am grateful to you for the trouble you have taken to send me the news. I hope that you are better today. I am sure that you have recovered. I earnestly desire that you should ride on horseback: it cannot fail to benefit you.

Since I left you, I have been constantly depressed. My happiness is to be near you. Incessantly I live over in my memory your caresses, your tears, your affectionate solicitude. The charms of the incomparable Josephine kindle continually a burning and a glowing flame in my heart. When, free from all solicitude, all harassing care, shall I be able to pass all my time with you, having only to love you, and to think only of the happiness of so saying, and of proving it to you? I will send you your horse, but I hope you will soon join me. I thought that I loved you months ago, but since my separation from you I feel that I love you a thousand fold more. Each day since I knew you, have I adored you yet more and more. This proved the maxim of Bruyere, that "love comes all of a sudden," to be false. Everything in nature has its own course, and different degrees of growth.

Ah! I entreat you to permit me to see some of your faults. Be less beautiful, less gracious, less affectionate, less good, especially be not over-anxious, and never weep. Your tears rob me of reason, and inflame my blood. Believe me it is not in my power to have a single thought which is not of thee, or a wish I could not reveal to thee.

Seek repose. Quickly re-establish your health. Come and join me, that at least, before death, we may be able to say, "We were many days happy." A thousand kisses, and one even to Fortuna, notwithstanding his spitefulness.

BONAPARTE

I think this letter would tell us more, if handwritten. Don`t you think?
Can you sense somewhat more of Napoleon in his handwritten letter to Josephine, copied below:

The story of Pierre Abelard and Heloise is another one of the templates of this narrative.
Less known, therefore I placed the short story of theirs here:

Both Abelard and Heloise were prominent intellectuals of twelfth century France. Abelard, of noble birth and eighteen years the senior of Heloise, was a prominent lecturer in philosophy. Abelard was an adventurous thinker, and was constantly at odds with the Church. On several occasions he was forced to recant and burn his writings.

Heloise was a strong-willed and gifted woman who was fluent in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, and came from a lower social standing than Abelard. At age 19, and living under her uncle Fulbert's roof, Heloise fell in love with Abelard, who she was studying under. Not only did they have a clandestine affair of a sexual nature, they had a child, Astrolabe, out of wedlock. Discovered by the Fulbert (who was a Church official), Abelard was assaulted by a hired thug and castrated, and Heloise entered a convent. Abelard was exiled to Brittany, where he lived as monk. Eventually Heloise became abbess of the Oratory of the Paraclete, an abbey which Abelard had founded.

It was at this time that they exchanged their famous letters. The letters, originally written in Latin, were passionate both in the remembrance of lost love, and the attempt to reconcile that love with their respective monastic duty to remain chaste. The tension between these two poles generates a huge amount of emotional electricity.

And again, if we read the photocopies of their handwriting - we sense their story so much closer.

I highly appreciate Internet and all the opportunities it has to offer. In Internet we can find a lot about so many things, people, stories, illusions etc. There is almost no security and anonymity, but do we really need one?

I call Internet the tool of expression, but not perception. It can help you to tell & communicate, but it can not help you to create based on online information. Even, though, it touches our visual, cognitive and audio senses and provides with lots of information - it remains superficial and can not touch our deepest senses, the unexplainable ones - like love and personality touch. I can tell you about my thoughts and facts online, however, without meeting me in person, you won`t have a true idea what kind of art am I in reality. We cant even hug, nor shake hands virtually.

So what about Apple-2 for direct handwriting?
This could be a progressive step towards the reinvention of historical values + surely sellable, especially before Valentines (wink, wink) (!)

I got inspired by American Football and arctic cold

2012-02-06T16:43:00.006+02:00

and now you can kiss the frog to turn it into princess! Hope it helps :)

Who could do it better?

2012-02-06T10:56:00.005+02:00

You can die of boredom if decided to watch football for ~4 !!!! hours!!! ...unless there is a promise to see MADONNAs show.

Good thing there is youtube. No need to waste your time, just click on their video, copied below. She was doing it the best.

Today`s note of wisdom

2012-02-03T12:57:00.001+02:00

"It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are VERY easy to get".
Confucius

My dedication to my home town - Friedrichstadt (today known as Jaunjelgava)

2012-01-26T13:09:00.014+02:00

Not sure how much impact we get from the history, however, it is always fascinating to learn small lil details about familiar things and places.

Like my small home town Jaunjelgava (www.jaunjelgava.lv).
Today it is a God`s forgotten place economically so to say.
Still, to me it is a very special place I call "the place of my origin", which has a twin sister (by name) in Germany http://www.friedrichstadt.de that I found accidentally during my trip to the Baden lake years ago.
Historically, it has also been a significant center of the Jewish community http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6392-friedrichstadt .

Without going much into details about the history, I want to express my admiration for it.
As I do to many of my dreams - I turn them into "material" products to be able to share my love with other people.

I know that people can not fall in love with a poor town like that in the middle of nowhere, therefore - I will put its name on my new chocolate product. It is going to be my dedication to Jaunjelgava, the place that unites 4 churches- Lutheran, Catholic, Russian orthodox, Baptists in its micro territory of 11 square kilometers and total population of only 2476 people.

I am starting a new era for this place. The era of appreciation and glorification!
Coming soon: "Friedrichstadt-Reinvention-Jaunjelgava".
Check my website (chocolate part) in March!
It is going to be sooooo cute!
An angel is whispering in my ear that this is only the beginning .... :) Get ready for flourishing Jaunjelgava in future!

Why do I think Angelina Jolie and similar are boring?

2012-01-12T13:07:00.011+02:00

I use yahoo.com e-mail. Every morning before I log into my mailbox I notice few headlines of "hottest" news. It makes me wonder why some names / celebrities make me click on the link and read further and why some create a boredom.

People whos name make me click on news about them: Madonna, Colin Firth, Kate Middleton and her prince, Hugh Grant, Matt Damon, Salma Hayek, Sarah Jessica Parker, somewhat Penelope Cruz and Marion Cottillard, Halle Berry, Tyra Banks - they seem to have their OWN opinion, personality or / and interesting looks (memorable).

People / celebrities that give me a boredom goosebumps: George Clooney, Pippa Middleton, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise and his family, Britney Spears and all weight gaining or loosing celebs, all models and wannabees, Olsens, Hiltons, Kardashians, Sheens, Woods and other sportspeople - maybe because they are SOOOOO PREDICATBLE & regular, even the way they pose to photographers....~ synthetic....

And then there is that f* Mel Gibson, who punches women....cant imagine myself watching his movies, real blood sucker sh**, no wonder he named his "movie" in a bloody way!

At the end & regardless of previously mentioned, the most boring is to be a one day star - and that goes to all Miss, Missis, Misters and similar titles....at the end of the day who can remember at least one face of theirs + they all talk about the same message - some abstract charities... sorry, but sooooo......not even predictable, just no charisma. Even Lady Gaga seems more interesting in her meat dress (maybe it/she did represent the meat/body missing the soul....).

Sorry, if it makes somebody cry :) its just my list :) - enjoy!

Madonna is a self-made MASTERPIECE, love her talent...

2011-12-22T11:33:00.005+02:00

She is like a wine - the older, the better. Cant stop listening her new song MASTERPIECE:

I got to think about (this might piss some people off, good, I hope it does)

2011-12-21T11:08:00.009+02:00

Everybody MUST read what I have copied below:

Never Violence
By Astrid Lindgren
Reprinted from Father Times, Spring 1995, Volume 3, Issue 4. Astrid Lindgren is author of Pippi Longstocking.

Above all, I believe that there should never be any violence. In 1978 I received a peace prize in West Germany for my books, and I gave an accepting speech that I called just that: "Never Violence." And in that speech I told a story from my own experience.

When I was about 20 years old, I met an old pastor's wife who told me that when she was young and had her first child, she didn't believe in striking children, although spanking kids with a switch pulled from a tree was standard punishment at the time. But one day when her son was four or five, he did something that she felt warranted a spanking - the first of his life. And she told him that he would have to go outside and find a switch for her to hit him with. The boy was gone a long time. And when he came back in, he was crying. He said to her, "Mama, I couldn't find a switch, but here's a rock that you can throw at me."

All of a sudden the mother understood how the situation felt from the child's point of view: that if my mother wants to hurt me, then it makes no difference what she does it with; she might as well do it with a stone. And the mother took the boy onto her lap and they both cried. Then she laid the rock on a shelf in the kitchen to remind herself forever: never violence. And that is something I think everyone should keep in mind. Because violence begins in the nursery— one can raise children into violence.

In a Nutshell:

- Spanking teaches children that it is okay to hit others.
- Spanking teaches children to use force against those smaller than them.
- Spanking teaches children that it is appropriate to use violence to get your own way.
- Teaching a child to hit does not teach them the resources to solve problems in a non-violent way.
- Spanking, like all abuse, is cyclical. If you teach it to your children, they will teach it to theirs.
- Girls who are spanked are more likely to choose abusive relationships as an adult.
- Spanking your child makes them more likely to severely abuse their own children
- Teaches children that what they want, what they think, and how they feel is worthless and does not matter.
- Spanking and hitting is humiliating to a child.
- Spanking sets you up for disaster in the future. You will have no way to control your children when they are too old to be spanked and years of being hit will make them have no respect for you. Parents who hit their children cannot find ways to control older children and teenagers who have always been hit rather than being taught morals.
- Spanking breaks down all trust in the parent-child relationship so that the child will distance him/herself from the parents when they are older. It is almost impossible to effectively communicate with an older child who has pushed a parent out. A child who has not been hit does not fear the parent and so feels comfortable sharing how they feel and will listen better to the advice of the adult. They do not keep things secret for fear of being punished.
-Physical punishment creates violent tendencies in children and sometimes the psychological damage is irreversible.

"But my parents spanked me and I'm fine."

No, you are not fine. Your parents hit you when you were little and they taught you that it's okay to hit little children, too.

"But it works. Look, I hit him/her and she/he stops and does what I say."

Spanking does not work. Using fear and pain to control a child works in the short-term, but not in the long term. It does not teach a child how to behave based on morals or empathy. It teaches them to avoid a behavior only at times when they are most likely to get caught and receive physical punishment from the parent.

"Spanking makes a child think about what they did."

No. Spanking NEVER makes a child think about what they did. If you think that, you obviously don't remember being a child. Punishment in general does not make a child sorry for what they did. It makes them sorry they got caught. After punishment, a child NEVER sits and thinks "wow, what I did was really wrong. I love my mommy and next time I'll do the right thing because I want to make her happy." No. A child who has been hit or punished feels resentment toward the parent: "I HATE MOMMY! I hate you! I hate you!" They feel anger and they feel violent because violence has been used against them. Children who are hit fear their parents and feel anger toward them and seek out retribution. They do not feel respect.

"But some children NEED to be hit."

Seriously. Get help.

"I'm the parent. My child needs to do what I say and when I say it."

Teaching your child that they have no rights will, like with ANY human being, even an adult, cause them to push back. Children have the same feelings, desires, and emotions as an adult. Really, the only difference is that they are smaller and easy to push around. But think about it; do you have to be hit in order to do what you are supposed to do? Why do you do the right thing? In your family, do you always do what your husband tells you to? Your wife? Relationships are a two-way street. You give some, you take some. Would it be okay if your husband smacked you around? Should it be okay for a husband to hit his wife if she doesn't do what he wants her to do immediately? Why is it okay for an adult to hit a child, but not okay for an adult to hit another adult?

"How do I discipline my child without hitting him/her?"

Gentle discipline works and it works in both the short-term and the long-term. Just the same way that you make decisions for yourself because you are inherently good, guiding a child helps teach them to also make good decisions for themselves because they are also inherently good. No child is born "bad." They are made that way by those who care for them. It should not take an entire lifetime for a child to learn to behave. It is something that can be instilled in them from their earliest days.

I got to push you even harder, watch this...:

It is the time to wrap it all together. The Reinvention Museum is coming soon.

2011-12-11T13:08:00.011+02:00

I will open the Reinvention Museum in our White House in Latvia (www.baltaisnams.com).
Reinvention came to me "unconsciously".
The beginning of materialized CROSS THE RED ideas was the same time when our family, as many others, got affected by the economic crisis + Latvian legislation (lobbies bankers & pushes economically active people out of country).

Anyway, all our difficulties opened my personal creativity with the purpose to make commercial products.
For some reason it has become clear that all the products I have authored and put in the market, have a common feature - they are representing the re-invention.

Ancient yoga & fitness program for healthy body (without selling false spiritual believes), shabby chic french style sleepwear for today`s woman (as a dedication to Empress Josephine that helped Napoleon to succeed), juniper incense sticks for comfortable way to purify your house (old tradition), cafe of modern day snacks (named after legendary Latvian story about the old cat winning the cruelty), exclusively simple & hand made chocolate candies filled with the best rye bread in the world (to promote the strength and excellence of the rye bread made in Latvia), the apprentice school (coming up) to teach professional knowledge that replaces 1000 words of theory.

All of that physically is based in our family White House in Ogre. The place where CROSS THE RED material products are born to celebrate the re-invention / transformation of the old.

So, the next materialized "project" will be the Reinvention Museum in the White House yard.
Practically, it will be the outdoor exhibition field of visual arts. Filled with the objects of transformed functionality, value and looks.
I welcome authors of such objects to join my idea of reinvention. Reinvention Museum will represent the ability to change for better. It will represent the progress and creativity. Some type of never ending evolution.

p.s. I start questioning the existence of devil ...does it exist at all? The reason I ask this question is that I see how bad things can be the reason to make us change for better. One is for sure - good always wins. Because God is good. And I definitely believe in God. But what about that devil? If there was no negative force called "devil", would we be able to grow, to overcame, to succeed, to excel? Maybe that stimulus part of God we just mistakenly call "devil"?
These people also have something to say about the reinvention:

Why isn`t nakedness sexy?

2011-12-08T11:19:00.011+02:00

I wonder about the snow. Where is that lovely creation hiding this year? To me Christmas shall come together with the snow, otherwise I feel there is something missing on the Earth...too much nakedness / mud....

The same I feel about the performance & communication. The way we express ourselves. There are million ways we can "pack" our messages, personality and things we want others to perceive. The story we are telling will never be perceived in only one way. It is the perception that is a multifaceted as well as the teller. And this is the magic that makes the world so sensual and based on the level of feelings & emotions. The biggest things are not explainable rationally. At the moment when the rationality comes into the picture, its the same moment when magic turns into regular in our perception world.

Good example here is that we do not really know why that naked body exhibited does not seem sexy in nova days as it did in the past, when it was rare to see it exposed so massively. Today we do not even distinguish who is who, because what is the big difference between bodies anyway. Maybe this is the reason why they make celebrities undress because then that naked body has some story to represent. If not personality then at least some fame or fortune is represented by the nakedness. And maybe there is a wisdom behind Muslim people being tightly dressed and yet producing so many kids that proves no correlation between nakedness and sexual desire. I guess human desires have made some evolution towards the added value.

The same way I feel about my chocolate.
I put the most basic, ordinary dark rye bread into the chocolate candy. Then I wrap it in nice plastic and put it in cute vintage style plain wooden box with the label: EXCLUSIVELY SIMPLE CHOCOLATE CANDIES FILLED WITH THE RYE BREAD AND PLUMS. Then I kiss each box to wish it well.
All the sudden the ordinary rye bread turns into the luxury. It has more personality, story and charm added. People are willing to pay much more for it. People even prefer my candies to have that hand-made simple look with irregular shape, so we do not put them into molds anymore.

People desire something special. And I would not call it a marketing that meets this need. It is the value that the world is starving for. The quality that only comes from love and pride. The world is full of cheap illusions and want something worthy. It is like the bride being so very beautiful in that chic dress! She would have been only a Cindarella if undressed.....anyway...
Im waiting for the snow to come, so Christmas time would become more beautiful and turn the mud into an extra-ordinary white cover that makes the land in the North one lucky place on the Earth that can have the beauty of the bride!

The margin for error is soooooooo small. Either we heal as the team (the whole world) or we will die as individuals (countries)

2011-11-25T18:08:00.000+02:00

Another inspirational speech. Applicable to the current world situation.

How to get back into the light and out of hell?

Economics, politics, everything...in any fight it is the guy who is willing to fight - is the one who wins.

Lets heal to survive. Together

How to unlearn "MBA knowledge" to make pride>greed

2011-11-20T12:56:00.009+02:00

After spending more than 15 years working for various businesses/companies, I have come to the conclusion that so called "MBA knowledge" actually doesn`t work for a long term.

What drives people is not the command or rules. What drives people is THE IDEA and PASSION. How to make people WANT to do things? That is the real challenge and skill. True leadership.

I was just checking the lifetime data of the largest businesses, which tends to get shorter due to focusing on sales/maximization the profit rather than quality and pride:

The funny thing is that companies that put the quality first (apple, amazon, salesforce) tend to excel more than those who focus on maximization profits only (walmart, cisco etc.). I recall Steve Jobs principle of doing business. His mission was plain: "to build an enduring company where people were motivated to make great products". Its like those small French bakeries with the taste and quality of centuries old family business. The pride to make it great!

Yesterday I accidentally found out about Steve Denning`s theory of "Radical Management". It might be essential for learning how to survive. The world must go back to the traditional way of doing business not for the profit but for the pride, longevity and quality. People have to be driven by ideas, which would add the profit at the end anyway. Even higher profit than if you do things for $ only.

I personally want to learn from this and feel lucky than I have jumped into my lil business, which was made based on passion and idea to generate products that I am proud of.

So, what shall MBAs do now? Cry for wasted money? I guess people shall open their hearts for love. Find out what other people want. And you will rule by serving. Amen

To my country - I really love you, my Latvia!

2011-11-11T21:30:00.006+02:00

My country Latvia is celebrating "Lacplesa diena" today and will celebrate its proclamation anniversary in November 18. Latvia is and always will be MY country despite of the awkward politics, legislation, corruption, poverty, suicide rates, low value system, humanity, sex prices and salaries. It is the country where I was born. My family, childhood, people, places and memories. You must be either very open minded or highly intellectual to see the beauty of this place. For me - I will always care for Latvia and its people, regardless of where I actually live, work and succeed.

Country = it`s people(my formula).

I am not very patriotic in terms of ethnicity only. My heart is lil bigger that that. However, I do care a lot to make Latvia more competitive, wealthy and flourishing place on the Earth, where I can speak my Latvian language, be respected and respecting, be protected, give jobs to people, pay taxes and enjoy retirement time. This is my understanding of patriotism - what can I do to make my country a better place to live.
I am a big believer and lover of commerce. I think, it is the highest art in the universe and gives so much pleasure, satisfaction and goodness to the world, IF used for a "win-win" benefits. I would even say that there is something sexual, intense and sensual in the process of doing business. This is the source that I believe will develop Latvia - people who enjoy doing business on win-win basis. This type of people shall work for Latvia`s future (even if they are outside of Latvia). All others who JUST SPEAK of patriotism, nationalism etc. but can not do a real thing to help at least one person or benefit economy in other ways - wake up, Latvia needs more than words!

After all - bankers will get fed, world and governments will change and so will Latvia. Many people will return back and many will keep their distanced love for Latvia. Then slowly and together we will build something that is more durable. We will have learned from mistakes in the past. I am not sure will I personally want and be in Latvia then, but one thing I know for sure - this country will always have that special place in my heart and I will always use my talents to support its people regardless of my own presence.

Šonedēļ, kad svinējām Lāčplēša dienu un nākošnedēļ, kad svinēsim Latvijas proklamēšanas gadadienu, es aizdomājos par mūsu Latviju. Par spīti nebeidzamajai korupcijai, nabadzībai, atpalicībai, zemajām algām un seksa cenām, apšaubāmu vērtību slavināšanai un citām nebūšanām, Latvija ir un vienmēr būs MANA valsts, kurai vienmēr MANĀ sirdī būs kāda vieta. Šī ir valsts, kur esmu dzimusi, kur dzīvo man tuvi cilvēki, kur ir vietas un atmiņas, kam citu acīs varbūt nav īpašas vērtības, jo tās ir MANAS. Objektīvi, jebšu varbūt - globāli skatoties, cilvēkam jābūt ļoti atvērtam vai dziļi intelektuālam, lai saskatītu skaistumu Latvijā. Taču man personīgi un neatkarīgi no tā, kur es atrodos, Latvija ir un būs īpaša. Tādēļ aizdomājos par to, kā es redzu Latvijas nākotni. Vai varbūt gribu redzēt. Jebšu, kam vajadzētu notikt Latvijā manā skatījumā.

Es neesmu īpaši "patriotiska", ja ar šo vārdu saprotam vien etnisko izcelsmi. Mana sirds ir mazliet lielāka, jo gribu, lai Latvija kļūst konkurētspējīga pasaulē, lai šī ir plaukstoša un bagāta vieta, kur es varu runāt savā dzimtajā valodā, cienīt citus un būt cienīta, kur cilvēki justos droši un aizsargāti, kur spētu audzināt bērnus, vērtēt ģimeni(mīlestību) un privātīpašumu augstāk par kolektīvu seksu un komunalku, dot cilvēkiem darbu, maksāt nodokļus un kādreiz patiesi baudīt vecumdienas.

Šāda ir mana patriotisma formula: KO ES un MĒS VARAM DARĪT LATVIJAS LABĀ, lai tā beidzot attīstītos un kļūtu vieglāk mīlama un baudāma.

Personīgi es esmu visīstākā komercijas un biznesa mīļotāja. Uzskatu, ka komercija ir viena no lielākajām mākslām, kas pasaulei dod tik daudz labuma, dzīvesprieka un enerģijas - pie nosacījuma, ja lietas tiek organizētas abpusēji izdevīgi (win-win). Ja nebūtu komercijas, kā gan mēs katrs varētu uzzināt par līdzcilvēku darbošanos, talantiem, spējām, radītajām lietām, domām vai pakalpojumiem? Es pat teiktu, ka biznesā ir kaut kas ļoti intensīvs, seksuāls un juteklisks. Tas ir kā maģsks rituāls, kur došana mijas ar ņemšanu. Process, kam īsti nav ne sākuma, ne arī beigu. Nav jau brīnums, ka pasaules bagātākie cilvēki atzīst naudas pelnīšanas prieku par augstāku labumu nekā pašu nopelnīto naudu.

Lai arī tie aktīvākie visticamāk jau tālēs zilajās, tomēr tieši šī tipa cilvēkus es redzu kā Latvijas glābiņu un izaugsmes potenciālu, jo viņi spēj, grib un var nopelnīt tā, lai iegūst ne tikai viņi, bet ikviens, kas saistīts darījumos ar viņiem. Arī, ja izbraukuši ārpus Latvijas, viņi ir un būs Latvijai vienmēr noderīgi, jo viņu talanti un panākumi vienmēr runās arī par Latviju. Jo viņi ir lepni par savu darbu rezultātu. Viņi riskē, rada un pārdod. Sevi, savus talantus, preces utt.

Savukārt tiem, kas domā, ka pietiek iekāpt linu biksēs un slavinoši runāt par nacionālām un patriotiskām tēmām, nespējot dot savu artavu līdzcilvēku un pakārtoti arī valsts labā, būtu jāpamostas, jo senie latvju vergu laiki ir beigušies, kad pietika uztrallināt SAVA prieka pēc un gaidīt, ko nu kungi teiks. Tas lai paliek pagātnē. Nākotnei mums vajadzīgi cilvēki, kas spēj paši pieņemt lēmumus, riskēt un darīt tā, lai pasaulei vai vismaz Latvijai elpa aizraujas.

Jo grūtie laiki paies, mega baņķieri pierīsies un izčākstēs, pasaule un valdības mainīsies, un mainīsies arī Latvija. Daudzi cilvēki atgriezīsies mājās, taču droši vien daudzi mūsējie tā arī paliks tālumā. Taču es tomēr ticu, ka pavisam lēnām un kopīgi, mācoties no savām un citu kļūdām, mēs spēsim uzbūvēt ilgspējīgu Latviju, kur cilvēki jūtas labi un LEPNI PAR SAVU VALSTI. Tā būs vieta, kur viss darbosies pēc pašfunkcionējošas sistēmas: jo vairāk strādā, mācies, attīsties jo vairāk arī nopelni, no tā labumu dodot arī apkārtējiem. Savukārt šodienas Latvijas princips "dari, cik labi vēlies, tāpat valsts uzņēmumu pārvaldēs jebšu ar labiem paziņām & politiku var sasniegt vairāk" - lai paliek pagātnei, tajā pašā sērijā, kur "strādā cik gribi, anyway puķu audzēšana ir izdevīgāka". Mums vairs neder nekas, kas nemotivē un regresē. Mēs gribam attīstību un sasniegumus, citādi man kauns saukties par latvieti. Āmen.

( Par sevi gan nezinu, vai gribēšu un varēšu tad būt Latvijā, taču vienu zinu pavisam skaidri - Latvijai ir un būs īpaša vieta manā sirdī vienmēr.)

The Horse Whisperer - scenes to remember, one of my most favorite movies

2011-10-19T11:49:00.001+03:00

He followed his own passions & love ... today his story is a history worth learning from - stay hungry, stay foolish

2011-10-11T11:40:00.002+03:00

It could be a joke up until you see the statistics

2011-09-18T15:06:00.007+03:00

After firing previous government in June, my Latvia had an election day yesterday. I couldnt believe the results - the same people of previous parliament (call themselves "Vienotiba") got elected!!! plus + few new faces and minus- few very talented ones! It is very hard to believe! Especially after you see Latvian male suicide rate (picture below) ranking #3 in the world and I am not even touching the subject of huge emigration level.

People have to survive. Most of them have those mortgage loans that have to be paid back to banks. In the case if you can not continue paying your debts (Latvia was hit the hardest in Europe by the crisis starting in 2008) - according to Latvian legislation you can not just return the keys to banker (like in America and I suppose any other developed country). The bankers are generally backed up by corrupt government who says - lets put the 100% of the burden of financial crisis on the backs of people. Maybe they will survive. If not - we will get other ones (the world is over populated anyway). That`s how Latvian government thinks / acts.

I will give you an example to illustrate the situation - if you have a house with 100 000 Euros mortgage, which you can not continue paying - bankers will take the house, sell it to friends for lets say ~20 000 Euros AND will make YOU a slave for the rest of your life to pay the difference (~80 000 Euros) back to the bank .

This corrupt government (Vienotiba) I`m talking about has made also the "Bankruptcy Law" for those who can afford becoming bankrupt. In order for you to "qualify for bankrupt", you have to pay ~350Euros / month for 3 years + lawyers fees and then after those 3 years MAYBE the court will announce you as unable to cover the debt differences...An average Latvian makes net 380 Euros salary / month. That`s if you can get a job at all. There are smarter ways how you can make money in Latvia, which I`m not going to describe here, however, it is clear to me that neither the old nor new Latvia`s government will support our people. Government is supporting the bank business over people`s lives. In fact - nothing bad about it until the moment you read the statistics or make your own business for local market...then you find out that there is not enough people left in my dear Latvia and not enough LEGAL purchase power as well.

So what can you do if you are stuck in Latvia with almost no income and debt? I hate to see statistics above to understand what has been the decision of so many men... and I believe that one day these numbers will be a long time bad history that people will be ashamed for. Until then, lets keep leaving the country to be able to support our families and old people (average monthly net retirement money of my Grandmother in Latvia is 355 Euros)...Got shocked? If not - I don`t care about you and your opinion.

His talent and story moved me so very much...

2011-09-06T11:51:00.004+03:00

I think we dont need words here

Air Baltic nedrīkst kļūt par Airofloti!!!

2011-08-25T12:06:00.002+03:00

Jau kādu laiku sekoju līdzi jaunumiem & notikumiem ap mūsu Latvijas lepnumu, aviokompānju "Air Baltic". Tā kā šajā uzņēmumā esmu kādu laiku strādājusi un iepazinusi arī pašreizējo kompānijas prezidentu Bertoldu Fliku, esmu pārliecināta, ka iemesls, kādēļ "Air Baltic" ir sekmīgs un spēj piedāvāt drošu servisu, ir viņa un zinošu profesionāļu nopelns.
Tas, ka uzņēmumam krīzes laikā ir radušies zaudējumi taču nenozīmē, ka tā ir ārkārtēja situācija. Faktu, ka šis uzņēmums arī ar zaudējumiem ir vērtīgs, apliecina daudzo Eiropas lielo aviokompāniju izteiktā vēlme iegādāties "Air Baltic". Ir skaidrs, ka pašreizējā 52% valsts daļa uzņēmuma pamatkapitālā apgrūtina tā darbību, jo varu iedomāties, cik "zinoši", tomēr naudas kāri ir šīs valsts daļas "pārvaldītāji", t.i.partiju ielikteņi uzņēmuma valdē. Nelietīgā & aprobežotā šaurpieraino vienotības politikāņu vēlme ieguldīt uzņēmumā nabadzīgās Latvijas valsts naudu, ar mērķi "saglabāt valstij šo dārgumu" norāda uz kārtējo idiotismu, jo varu tikai iedomāties, kurš varētu būt nākošais "Air Baltic" vadītājs....kārtējais nejēga, kas lietas kārtotu mums jau zināmu "veiksmes" piemēru: "Rīgas Satiksme", "Latvijas Dzelzceļš", "Latvenergo", "Rīgas Siltums" utt. valsts uzņēmumu stilā, kur visa nevajadzīgo darbinieku brandža tiek uzturēta ar nesamērīgām cenām, jo kādam taču jāsamaksā par valsts uzņēmuma nesaimnieciskumu. Atšķirība tikai tā, ka "Air Baltic" biznesam ir jākonkurē ar citiem aviouzņēmumiem, bet iepriekšminētie ir monopoli, kur visas iedomātās izmaksas taču vienmēr tiks nosegtas ar nabadzīgās tautas sviedrainajiem latiem. Turklāt, vai kāds, kam dārga sava dzīvība vairs gribēs lidot ar valsts "Air Baltic" Airoflotes stilā?
Manuprāt vienīgā pareizā rīcība, kuras rezultātā arī Latvija būtu tikai ieguvēja, ir pārdot "Air Baltic" solīdai RIETUMU kompānijai, kas tad šo uzņēmumu turpinātu veiksmīgi attīstīt, dot Latvijas cilvēkiem darbu, maksāt nodokļus un valdē iztikt bez "valsts daļas uzraudzītājiem". Nu nevajag mums kārtējo malfunctioning valsts uzņēmumu, par ko visiem kauns, bet dārgi jāmaksā vēl piecās paaudzēs, jo šobrīd izdevīgi pārdot tautai ideju par "valsts uzņēmumu". Attopieties un neticiet, ja kāds Jums cenšas iestāstīt, ka valstī, kur dzīvas vēl padomju tradīcijas un tikumi, būtu iespējams sekmīgs valsts uzņēmums. Nu kaut vai nesenais PAREX/Citadele piemērs taču vēl jo labāk to apliecina - korupcija nebeidz zelt, bet Kargins brokasto smieklīgajā "Baltic Beach Hotel" restorānā. Luksus iekš nabadzības.

You pay the price for the life you choose (Godfather)

2011-07-09T17:02:00.006+03:00

Yesterday`s story re. Texas Rangers/Josh Hamilton/Shannon Stone is something to think about not only for those, who are loving sports and baseball. Its the story of living somebody`s else life and trying to catch that poor lil ball thrown by "the star"...

Why in the world people care for "stars" and all those BS made up things around them? What makes us follow insignificant news about few famous people / celebrities? And what makes us to ignore them?

Its the lack of own life. And its the lack of inspiration.

We all starve for love, success, beauty and happiness. Its just that those things can not be found in horizontal search among people. They can not make you happy and there is no real success formula fitting everybody`s life. You got to look upon (vertically) and deeply inside yourself to find your own path and be your own star.

Shake me if you can!

2011-06-20T14:49:00.007+03:00

Nezinu tieši kādēļ, taču vakardien aizdomājos par to, kas mani iedvesmo un kādēļ vispār ir svarīgi iedvesmoties un iedvesmot citus. Kad ieklausos sevī, saprotu, ka patiesībā mani personīgi iedvesmo ļoti, ļoti maz lietu, notikumu un cilvēku. Tie parasti ir cilvēki, kam ir ko teikt, kam rūp citu cilvēku dzīve un savu ideju realizēšana. Tādi dedzīgie. Angliski tos varētu saukt par "messengers". Ziņneši. Faktiski iedvesmo jau tikai tas, kas nācis no sirds dziļumiem. Patiesība. Tāda kā māksla. Droši vien tādēļ ir arī taisnība, ka tikai tie, kas daudz cietuši, spēj radīt to lielomākslu (par mākslu es saucu tikai to, kas spēj aizķert kāda sirdi, vēlams daudzu sirdis).

Mani konstanti iedvesmo drosmīgi un traki cilvēki, kas nebaidās paust savu patieso viedokli, kurš parasti atšķirās no vispārpieņemtiem uzskatiem. Madonna, S.Dalī, Latvijā mācītājs J.Cālītis. Tā ir māksla, māksla būt pašam. Izdari vai pasaki kaut ko, kas mani sapurinātu = iedvesmo mani, liec man par kaut ko aizdomāties, reaģēt! Shake me! Ja nē, netērē manu laiku, nerādies un nerunā publikai. Paklusē, līdz kamēr jūti, ka tev patiešām ir ko teikt / darīt. Ka nevari neteikt / nedarīt.

Šī ir slidena lieta, jo jābūt patiešām patiesam, pretējā gadījumā nostrādā darvas efekts medus podā. Piemēram, plaši rīkotā akcija "izvadi savu oligarhu" vai kā nu tur bija. Tik truli, lēti un proletāristiski, ka man šķita esam atgriezušies 1905. un 1949.gados....nost ar "budžiem" un buržuāziju ir visdebilākais sauklis, ko parasti ķer tie, kas paši neko dzīvē negrib sasniegt. Ja "oligarhs" pieķerts krāpšanā un valsts naudas zagšanā, tad atvainojiet, bet parasti tos melnos darbus izdarījuši mazi melni darbonīši, kas visticamāk nesen krastmalā dedzināja sevī oligarhu . Nez kur šodien būtu Amerika, ja katrs negribētu kļūt par oligarhu vai prezidentu. IR TIKAI NORMĀLI TIEKTIES PĒC SAVU SAPŅU PIEPILDĪŠANAS. Būt oligarham ir lielisks sapnis un iespēja.

Piekrītu, ka Latvija ir absolūti izzagta, taču tie jau nav tikai oligarhi. Pēc savas pieredzes LV radio un tv padomē, atceros, ka lielākie valsts naudas zadzēji un visu lietu "muhļītāji"bija tieši viduslīmeņa vadītāji, kas parasti šeftējas pa valsts uzņēmumiem & iestādēm, kur tad arī notiek tā reālā izzagšana. Bet katra sirdsapziņu jau nevar atmazgāt no ārpuses. Trauku mazgā no iekšpuses. Lai cilvēkam sagribētos mazgāt savu trauku, viņu vajag uz to iedvesmot. Mums katram ir dažādi individuālās motivācijas avoti, taču kopīgām lietām vajadzīgi labi līderi, kas tad arī ņem un saviļņo, sapurina, pastumj, liek gribēt ko darīt lietas labā.

TĀDĒĻ arī Latvijai vajadzīgi cilvēki, kas iedvesmo. Taču, piemēram, mani personīgi neiedvesmo neviens no šobrīd ievēlētiem vai kur citur vietējos mēdijos redzamiem cilvēciņiem. Tādi tekstu runātāji, kas neaizķer sirdi, jo šķiet ir garā vāji...vai nepatiesi.

V.V.Freiberga dažreiz iedvesmoja, V.Zatlers iedvesmoja 28.05.2011., taču pēc tam visu pats sačakarēja, idejiski apvienojoties ar proletāriešu-nespējnieku "Vienotības" rindām. 29.05.2011.LNT un Ziedot.lv rīkotā labestības diena un cilvēku atsaucība mani ļoti saviļņoja un iedvesmoja. Nav vairs laika turpināt rakstīt, atā

about that runaway bride :) in playboy

2011-06-17T11:52:00.009+03:00

Usually I love reading about interesting and exciting marketing activities, but today I was really laughing when news posted that playboy promotional story about the old man (owner) and his to be wife, who so to say "run away" right before the wedding. Must be that people aren`t buying playboy products enough and they have to make funny ad campaigns to attract people`s interest to these heroes? Or maybe that man and girl wanted to get in news (many people love it).
Anyway, after reading another story of how people creatively reduce the unemployment in America, where many of them massively make own online porno sites or pose for already existing ones (become "actors" so to say) - it becomes clear that viewer`s traffic is shifting to another "sexy / beauty" source. By doing that you not only get an income, you automatically become beautiful and sexy! What a magic! LOL Maybe that was the main reason why former intern of Mrs.Clinton decided to become a porn "star" rather than to continue lawyer`s career LOL. read more on this choice here
Now, there is a serious competition in the industry.
I think that poor countries have to start learning from more experienced markets. If you think rationally, you have to work only once to make that film, which you can sell many times and, who knows, maybe even get "popular" like some Paris Hilton LOL.
Think about it. It really is much more work to pose to each customer on webcam or even worse - work on him in reality. There are not many customers like Arnold, who can afford paying for consequences....:) The only problem might be that if US dollar keeps loosing its value, it might become harder for others to compete with the price (US is the biggest porn user market). Don`t laugh, this is scientifically proved by numbers etc. :)
In that case - what do you do if you can`t compete with the price? That`s right - you work on product!
This over exploited industry might demand another "sexy standard" in the market to stop the boredom and compete with the regular. This might be hard and expensive to figure out how to trick that crowd again, however, good news is that Sir R.Branson is actively working on flying people to cosmos. I guess mating with aliens could become a great sexual experience for those bored by playboy &porn and similar naive stimulants on the Earth. Or maybe we shall stop the evolution?

Its harder to be kind than clever. Choices, gifts...character.

2011-06-13T10:37:00.001+03:00

Jeff Bezos: What matters more than your talents | Video on TED.com

Debt Crisis

2011-06-03T10:57:00.019+03:00

I was lil surprised when Moody`s warned to rise the risk on USA credit rating if their debt limit is not increased in coming weeks. In Europe, where Germans keep that high Euro, its even worse - not only Greece is going down again, its all around - Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Latvia etc.- all are falling to nowhere even, though, some of them show numbers improving. The only real numbers improving are crime, illegal deals, grey economy and suicide rate.
Speaking of Greece - technically today it is better off than USA was in 1945, thats if you calculate GDP % / DEBT. I guess now the only question is about the time. When and where we all will land. I was listening Henry Kissinger earlier today. He talked about US facing hell consequences if they don`t cut the debt ASAP. Not sure is this the solution.
But not everything is that bad. There are few in this situation who can benefit from poor countries going down. They are big bankers & insurance companies. Bad Moody`s rate will jump up the guaranteed insurance payments that countries pay for the cheap money they have borrowed.
Is the borrowing a good idea at all? I think to the some extent - yes. In the microworld we all know that borrowing is great if you can make payments. Because money today is always worthier than money tomorrow, however, it depends on price one pays for it. Cutting debt is OK if you have a reserve. But what can you do if you don`t have a reserve and cant borrow? You WORK or sell your assets. You SELL, SELL, SELL....if there are any buyers of course. In the marcoworld country can stimulate hiring and investing. One can also rise taxes, which is a bad idea during recession times (for example, Latvia was super "smart" to do it). But what if you cant work or don`t have assets? You ask Moody`s or Donald Trump! LOL

p.s....what could you tell HER about the world`s problems ...?

If you`ve never failed, you`ve never lived...

2011-06-02T11:27:00.006+03:00

YOU THINK YOURS FAILING HURTS??? THINK AGAIN....

To My Husband

2011-05-30T12:46:00.004+03:00

Regardless of what`s happening now and what we all have been going through...I still love & believe in you and what you can and will do for this world! Go for it, because you really can and are a genius! Hope this gives an inspiration

Incredible Generosity of Latvian People!

2011-05-30T12:17:00.004+03:00

I am deeply touched by the generosity of poor Latvian people...yesterday we all collected 197 104 Lats (~ half a million USA dollars) for children with disabilities, including our child!!!! THESE KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS WILL NEVER FORGET IT! FROM NOW ON SHALL THERE BE ONLY ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE MY SMALL LATVIA - IT`S THE COUNTRY OF GENEROSITY!

In your way? Wasting a time? Everyone`s Got a Story...

2011-05-29T11:04:00.002+03:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LfeXxkbgCVE

My Latvia needs the Leader who cares for its people!

2011-05-28T22:07:00.002+03:00

strength is deeper than skin, love means more than money

2011-05-24T13:05:00.001+03:00

Sometimes we don`t need words, somebody else have done it for us to agree with. Love these pics!

Anti pedophiles and human trafficking

2011-05-11T12:01:00.001+03:00

Coming from poor country Latvia, I am used to the human traffic stories where naive girls & boys are offered to become "top-models, actresses, stars etc.BS" but usually end up in some trap of body sales business network. Nobody in the world can provide us with reliable statistics of how many people are working in this business against their will. Their bodies are used for somebody to have a luxury life. Starting from the playboy mansion (where hopefully these girls and boys are getting paid some) by so called "upper end clientelle", like S.Berlusconi or other sick oldies maybe:) until the girl standing on the highway and waiting for that dirty truck driver to serve his ... , or small school boy being raped on his way home (recently happened in my neighborhood).
Somebody can say that majority of them know what they are doing & selling. Somebody would say that its happening according to their will. And somebody would say that its the only way they can survive. I surely don`t know every case and reason but all I know is that I would hate to even think that one day my born and unborn yet kid(s) could get in this ridiculous and sick trap. Especially I am worried after seeing those online pornos where sickies are using small kids sexually. Is anybody else noticing that? Its even for free to see the pics of grandpa "working" on his grandchild or dog / cat / cow and already died wife. SICKENING!
If the world really wants to celebrate an international kids` day (June 1), we have to talk massively about the danger surrounding kids. Although, its admirable and looks good, it is not enough that some "stars" are adopting poor kids in hope that many more people will follow their actions - there is much more to do if we seriously want to protect children. I think that online pedophile porno business shall be investigated and people involved in that must be arrested.
I strongly believe that what happens to you, can happen to me. Hopefully at least on June 1, worlds major news would start with the message of how many pedophiles, human traffic networks and pedophily supporting & promoting businesses are neutralised.

Go green and do yoga (open air)

2011-05-10T16:42:00.000+03:00

Love the spring, especially in the North region, when it has that special smell of the fresh grass and re-start. Magic is in the air all around here.
In the last Saturday of May I will open cross-the-red power yoga season in the White House`s yard at 10.00 a.m.. Everybody is welcome to my magic body rejuvenation classes. I make my students sweat and re-connect with their bodies. Every session our bodies will somewhat die and then be re-born again into lil higher level of consciousness. That`s if you care.

This SOS letter of mine was sent to worldwide media

2011-04-20T13:09:00.002+03:00

Dear journalists around the world,

My family having CP diagnosed child is suffering from Unicredit Group bank`s pressure to take away our income property.
We have been begging this bank to give us the grace period until we get back on feet financially(letter posted in previous blog message). Unfortunately, this request was rudely ignored.

Please help to bring the world`s attention to what is happening in poor EU country Latvia. Due to corrupt legislation in Latvia, we have nobody local to ask for help.

Your support would be highly appreciated by our family.
Sincerely yours,

Everita Dave - Worley

This letter of mine was ignored by Unicredit Group board

2011-04-20T12:46:00.002+03:00

Dear Unicredit Group management team members,

I am writing you this letter because of shocking and unethical pressure from Unicredit bank local branch in Latvia to start the foreclosure of my commercial property in Riga (Latvia), which I consider inhumane as well as unwise business decision due to:

1. Currently very low real estate market prices which makes unreasonable to sell this property for much lower price than the mortgage loan is;

2. My financial ability and willingness to re-start monthly payments.

I had difficulties to pay monthly loan payments since May 31, 2010 because my daughter was diagnosed with CP (Cerebral Palsy), which requires an expensive rehabilitation, and because I did not have tenants in this property for a while.(due to malfunctioning and low-priced real estate rent prices).

I have communicated these issues to local Unicredit bank officers and thankfully was given 3 months of grace period from August till November 2010. In November I informed Unicredit bank specialists that, although, I can not instantly pay 2.5 months late payments and accumulated penalties for the time period from May till August, I would be able to re-start regular mortgage payments starting from the January, 2011. I also asked them to restructure my loan so that the monthly payment would be 700,00 USD, which is equal to monthly rent income I am receiving from this property.

Regardless of me being your customer for almost 10 years and my daughter`s sad medical diagnosis, my proposal was rejected.

As I am doing business with other banks as well, I can let you know that almost all of them have stepped forward to co-operate with me in this difficult situation for our family. Therefore, it seems so cruel and unreasonable (also business wise) that Unicredit bank denies my proposal to restructure the loan.

Because there have been few cases in Latvia that bank officers selfishly use their customers` financial difficulties in order to obtain properties for very low prices, it makes me question and maybe want to involve international media to investigate the real purposes behind the decision of local Unicredit bank.

Me and my family members would highly appreciate if you could review our case and let us save our property / restructure the loan.

Sincerely yours,

Everita Dave-Worley
In the Paragraph No.5 of United Nations “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” it is stated that: “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”

UN PRINTEMPS FRANCAIS, crossthered.com updates

2011-04-03T12:56:00.007+03:00

In respect of Christian fasting period, which in my opinion means the time to prepare for change (to change yourself is the hardest thing in the universe and the main message of Jesus Christ), I have updated few of crossthered products. Also, close person of mine asked me to do the favor, so I have made some changes in crossthered.com design as well. I hope its more enjoyable now.
Here is the latest product news.
1. In our white house`s cafeteria KAĶĪŠA DZIRNAVAS new hand made chocolate candies, filled with dark (rye) bread & dried plums & marzipan have been launched since March. Customers are truly excited! French baguette sandwiches will follow starting from the next week.
2. French Josephine inspired "Empress` Delight" silk pajamas will come with shabby chic perfumed lingerie hand made sachets with 3 aromas: sweet candy, lavender and rose. This product will be offered in crossthered online store starting from ~ June.
3. I will open outside summer yoga season starting from late April in white house yard. Part of my yoga class will be posted on youtube.com for new moms to regain the physical shape easy & for free. Complete power yoga session DVD will be available in crossthered online store.
I named this article "French spring" because I like how French people through the history have been able to create high quality, full of passion, simple & charming products to make them enjoyable for other cultures as well. These features inspire me, so I want to adopt and transform them into crossthered products for my customers to enjoy & fall in love with! P.S. "Aimer et être aimé sera la grande affaire de toute notre vie." ~ Rousseau. ("To love and be loved will be the greatest event in our lives!")

So sick of wars!!!

2011-03-22T11:39:00.002+02:00

Chernobyl. Fukushima. People. Future.

2011-03-18T19:59:00.003+02:00

I was 12 when Chernobyl nuclear disaster "happened" in 1986. As a child, located about 2000km away and living inside of "soviet block" - I remember that we were not told of what is really going on. For days, weeks and months...Only years later the truth reveeled itself. Not only those people who were sent to work in the area of Chernobyl (some without having even protective uniforms...) but also their relatives and so many other people of Ukraine and close areas were dead or suffering the health consequences. Who knows how many lives would have been saved if more information and more human decisions were made? Nobody actually cared about people in that regime, no warnings about toxic stuff etc.. I just remember my family avoiding to buy fruits and vegetables from Ukraine. We had to take care of ourselves because nobody else did.
A week ago the world found out about Fukushima`s tragedy. No minds will ever comprehend why it had to happen and what is going to be the aftermath. One thing is for sure - Japanese government shall not withhold the truth from its people. It can save many lives by simply informing them of how to decrease the damage of radiation intake. Just because there is a future even after such a catastrophe.
God bless Japan and all of us.

Sensuality

2011-02-14T19:15:00.001+02:00

For some reason this Valentine`s day made me think about sensuality and how I practice and teach it to my yoga students. I think the same shall be done in other body involving aspects of life. Let me share some, in case it can be useful to others as well.
When it comes to yoga, I experience things for myself first and then teach it from my own experience. I try to bring students into a new situation rather than repeat a familiar one. The muscles respond a certain way when they do some thing for the first time. When the action is repeated over and over, it`s a different experience. In my own practice, I try to find my habitual response and try to undo that.
For students this freshness and openness invites self-inquiry and discovery during class. My goal is not so much to get them into a particular alignment, but to get them to feel. If they are not able to feel for themselves, they can not take responsibility: does this feel natural or forced and unnatural for their bodies? The practice challenges stundents` awareness as much as their physical capacities, challenging them to involve themselves mentally in the physical process.
Through yoga practice, we can involve the mind in physical activity and find some meeting ground between the mind and the body. We also can become aware of how the mind can affect the body.
Unlike yoga classes filled with direct instructions about physical movements (step the right foot back etc.) - I get my students into a position and then direct their attention to a particular area of the body or aspect of the alignment. The language aims more at your inner experience than your outer body experience. Many instructions can`t be done, at least not directly. It`s internal, allowing...the same as your sexual life should be.
It works the best if you don`t have your mind to try to figure it out.
I believe that when we experience our bodies, we should speak to our bodies, not to our brains.
And it all comes down to the practice. The practice is a progression, peeling away layer after layer... always finding new things. Its like a dialogue - having an intention, expressing that intention, and finding out what the response is...listening to the impulses that come and allowing the body to respond. You have to be alert and see what happens. The practice is about questioning rather than answering.

Following the Star of the Bethlehem

2011-01-05T19:13:00.002+02:00

I have been thinking about this story in the Bible (Matthew 2: 1-9) and what it could mean for each of us. My favorite explanation is that the star of the Bethlehem is the symbol of Jesus or in another words - son of the God in each of us.
Sometimes it takes a long time for "the wise men from the East" to find "His star". At first they went to worship the newly born King in the Herod`s palace. Where else would you go to worship a king? (widely spread rational stereotype of searching for happiness / life fulfilment in advertised goodies and places) ...
..."the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was - in Bethlehem of Judea (in the middle of nowhere). Once found Him, wise men didn`t return to Herod`s palace (would you return to the regular after finding the extraordinary)?
I think IT REALLY IS the story about our ego that makes majority of people starve for the fame and fortune (Herod`s palace). And only those who are strong enough to fight their ego (to leave the palace and follow the star) - they can get that inner peace and fulfillment, which is the highest gift what a human being can search for.
I have always wanted to challenge my ego, bad habits and stereotypes, however, it has never been easy...

Let it snow and leak(wiki)

2010-12-22T17:57:00.003+02:00

Snow is covering the dirt to make the world look white in the winter season. There is a reason for it - so we all can feel the darkest season isn`t that dark any more. There is also the reason for Obama (US president) to sign "don`t ask, don`t tell" repeal today - so people can keep their privacy in some way(s) while in military. And there is also the reason for wikileak to "leak" - and that is for the world to find that the dirt is hard to cover and/or at least to pretend to do so.
For a common good we should let it snow at least before the Christmas, so the God and Santa can find us white and waiting. Merry!

I guess I found that formula

2010-12-05T21:56:00.000+02:00

No wonder I was thinking about the happiness. It has been the subject of debates for centuries. This morning I found my formula: happiness is an opportunity to realise your dreams. That includes everything, at least it does to me.
Another thing that I was thinking about today was time. What is significant for this time while my generation lives. Its the time of "no time", virtual, small world, few languages, image making and overall control. I would want to say that this is less material time. World becomes "lighter", at least it does to me.
Its snowing here in December...very lightly.

My God is a secret that I know

2010-10-10T13:01:00.003+03:00

I woke up this morning and noticed that my lil daughter was smiling with her eyes still closed...She surely was dreaming. She was in that world that we can not touch or understand. The God`s world. I strongly believe that sleep is the time and space that proves the duality and uniqueness of a human being, its togetherness and separateness. It`s body and soul. These two can function separately and/or together! Isn`t that a miracle? To me it is. It gives me the faith and reason to believe in living forever. The reason to be and hope that the most important things remain the secret that we deeply know...

playing with my age

2010-08-29T11:51:00.005+03:00

I turned 36 in August 24, 2010. Don`t know why I want to talk about it, but sometimes I feel, its like a game-the fact that I am looking 10 years younger, makes me want to advertise that Im already 36! I also love showing my grey hair (Im having a lots of them actually)! And I love telling other girls that I DON`T use any expensive face creams and other chemicals. I can laugh about this silly ego of mine, but I kinda love it :) In times when the world is obsessed with the youth cult - I love to tell everybody that my real age is 36 like if somebody has crowned me their beauty queen. Thanks God for this gift!!! + Give it to all women/men of all ages!

Im called a speculant in Latvia!

2010-07-31T12:12:00.000+03:00

In Latvia, as in all poor countries - corruption florishes. People are dreaming of getting corrupt because that is considered the only way you can get rich. If you choose any other way (like doing business by using market opportunities) you are called SPECULANT. Im proud to be a speculant in Latvia!!! Who wants to join the crowd?

Volcano or discrimination

2010-04-24T20:22:00.005+03:00

I guess everybody have heard of the plane crash and death of Polish president Lech Kaczynski and 95 other people. Its a huge tragedy for those families and the whole polish nation. And who knows the reason behind this...In this blog, however, I wanted to talk about something else - the funeral and those who came. Many world leaders could not attend due to volcanic ash grounding flights. Among those unable to attend the funeral were US President Barack Obama, the UK's Prince of Wales, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. I would understand Obama and maybe prince Charles not being able to come, but what happened to German madam Merkel and French Sarkozy who are located SO CLOSE in the Poland`s neighbourhood?
P.S. This Polish president was fighting the agricultural policies of European Union, the union which in my opinion strongly protects mainly / only the the rich countries of this union, like: UK, France, Germany.
So, was it vulcano, showing attitude (disrespect) or the sign of discrimination?

The world without harassment and bias intimidation

2010-03-21T16:52:00.005+02:00

Did you hear what happened yesterday at Wallmart store where 16 years old boy announced "all black people to leave the store"? Would you like to live in the society of harassment and bias intimidation?
In this blog I want to start discussion about how to kill the roots of hate towards those who are different by skin color, income level, language, nationality, religion etc.
Nothing is harder than changing own habits, routines and thinking (stereotypes & values as well). However, its essential to do it if you are not happy with something going on in your life. Don`t blame others for own hateful feelings!
I have learned from my yoga teaching classes that people tend to blame external causes for their problems but almost never take responsibility of own actions and/or thoughts.
My theory is simple - good life starts with closing doors to yesterday and opening them for tomorrow with fresh look. In Latvia we have a saying that the next morning will be smarter than this evening is.
To live a better life where everybody is respected and respecting, I want to unite people with CROSS THE RED, which manifests the open-mindedness and willingness to accept each others differences and kill existing bias for a better future. Let it be the symbol of freedom and inspiration!