How much time do we spend thinking about how stupid, annoying, idiotic or whatnot the people around us are?
Pictures like this one surround us on Facebook:
My question is: why do we care so much? Sure, people who are seemingly stupid might make our life a bit more difficult, but why waste so much time on thinking about them?
Maybe someone else’s stupidity is just an assumption. Maybe it’s not their intention to be stupid; maybe they know something I/you/we don’t know; maybe, just maybe, we are the ones being stupid? And sure. Then there are idiots. Real ones. But – is it possible to change someone’s idiotic behaviour by complaining about it?
It is my own personal (and highly subjective) opinion that by letting people be the way they are and not stressing about it too much, we save a lot of energy that can be used on more positive thoughts and feelings.
Just saying.
Yesterday, as we crossing the street at Dunajska, before the bus station and with the cold air leaving our ears freezing, a little lady dressed in red poked me. Her hair was white, she was bent, she walked slowly. Yet she wore red, showed her existence in the most brilliant of manners.
She asked me about the way to a bus stop. I did not know where it was, so I took the easy way out. Nehovorím po slovensky.
The lady looked at me with kindness and started giggling as to show that everything was alright. It was light, youthful and joyful giggle. One that made everyone around her happy.
Poďme to urobiť po slovensky…
Dnes budem…
byt’ láskavá.
počúvať.
dýchať a byť v pokoji.
Slovak word of the day: múdrosť = wisdom
Which leads us to…
mudrc = wise man, sage
múdry = wise
Ever wondered about the declension of Slovak adjectives?
Here’s an example:
| singular | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| masculine animate | masculine inanimate | feminine | neuter |
| nominative | múdry | |||
| genitive | ||||
| dative | ||||
| accusative | múdry | |||
| locative | ||||
| instrumental | ||||
| plural | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| masculine animate | masculine inanimate | feminine | neuter |
| nominative | ||||
| genitive | ||||
| dative | ||||
| accusative | ||||
| locative | ||||
| instrumental | ||||
Yesterday I attended a training on Presentation Skills.
One of the other groups spoke about positive thinking, how a positive attitude might change your life. A couple of years back I was really into positive psychology; that has somehow been shifted aside now (as has my whole focus on psychology) due to the fact that the world is filled with tremendously interesting things and activities, but it is a fascinating field. However, maybe it is more important to engage in creative thinking than in positive thinking.
Now I am a believer in positive thinking; not so much because I think it will change my mind, but because life is easier and less stressful that way.
A little tip for when you are annoyed or experiencing negative feelings: take a step back, analyse the situation, look at your feelings and trace your steps of thinking back to the cause for your distress – does the actual feeling match the initial cause? Is it really worth it? Probably not.
Happy Thursday!
Phew. 8 days of work until the Christmas holidays. Crazy times I would call this, getting up at half past five to write on my assignments, working the whole day and trying to be social. Well, I’m not being that social 
[this is very you insert a funny pic]
[oh, wait. I have no funny pics]
[will this do?]
Summertime in Ljubljana.
Speaking of Ljubljana – I love their idea of taking the library outdoors:
Last Saturday we decided to take a trip to the 2nd city of the Czech Republic (size wise at least), Brno. After all that I have heard about the city, my expectations weren't too high. Well, needless to say, as often is the case with low expectations, the city turned out to be a real treat and a great surprise. Cosy Christmas markets had nothing to do with it 
The Finnish word for December, Joulukuu, is very suitable. Literally, it means the Christmas month. December has started with Christmas markets, the first snow, shopping for gifts and planning the trip home.
In December my mania to plan things is also getting started. Planning projects and new year’s resolutions, foods to try and places to go.
This is how I feel right now: elevated, excited but quite tired.
Nakladaný encián, nakladaný hermelin.
Czech and Slovak pub food. An excuse to go to the pub, and to do so often.
I think I have written about this cheese before, about my attempts to make it myself. Basically, it’s a local type of pickled Camembert which is often served with onion, garlic, herbs and something spicy.
I have a goal; to find the best nakladaný encián in Bratislava. The one in Brno was not so bad either.
So, what does this legendary cheese look like?
3 minutes until I have to get dressed and leave the house.
3 cups of coffee and I’m ready to go.
Brain is on fire. Reading quotes.
I was supposed to get up early to study today. Instead I started to look up on the possibility to go to Maribor for the weekend. We will see what happens. The topics for my final sociology assignment are ready though: Social Stratification in the Nordic Countries and The Role of European Citizenship at a Cultural and a Political Level. I have a good feeling about this, it will be fun to write those essays.
Something I have been thinking about a lot is our perception of reality and how it influences our decisions and behaviour. The general feeling I have is one of insecurity and hopelessness. People try to make it on a day-to-day basis. At the same time we are given information about what success looks like and how to attain it. Without success, you are nothing.
I will keep thinking about this and tell you if I find an answer. Until then: enjoy your Tuesday!
