New Year Advent

Today is Advent of New Year. We are saying goodbye to Old Year, and welcome to New! Recent events in Asia makes this goodbye and welcome very sad. But other events also has put dark spot on the last Year: if we remember various terrorists strikes(especially that one in Russia, where victims were completely innocent children’s), war in Iraq, ecological and economical problems, together other less or more “important” events, seams that last year is not something to be proud off for us, human beings. It looks more like something to be forgotten as soon as possible, as fear, tensions, violence social and other problems are increasing significantly. Will 2005 bring us something better? To answer this questions it is to be considered what is better.
Some people that believe in God consider that we are punished for our sins. In that concept, God may seam as evil Judge who is watching only for our failures to condemn us. With this concept in mind it is difficult to perceive God as loving and caring. Some people that don’t believe in God are feeling even worst about world around us. They perceive everything as potential danger and threat. With that concept life becomes fight for money, position and sensual pleasure: in such a case nothing can be holy. And in many cases such a life, regardless if bring success or failure, can become very miserable (consider for a while cases of very successfully people, which are in same time very unhappy).
But there is other concept of belief, that God is doing everything for mans sake. That everything in final, which is often hidden to us, will turn Good: In other words, that God has a good plan not matter how cruel it may seam to us. And it is not so crucial to believe in God to accept this point of view, it can be seen by naked eyes also. For example this recent cruel events has raised human consciousness about need for tolerance and mutual understanding, caring and sharing. Manny people now begin to perceive peace, love, family and tolerance, as more important than money, glamour and success. This year we have gifted our dearest with useful(often ecologically accepted) things that reflect our love and care for them, and we were not willing to gift something that would impress with price and exclusivity, like jewelry or perfumes. Love and care is of course most precious gift, that bring with it all wealth and happiness that we need. We have become aware of need to protect nature, also. More and more people everyday are joining to this wave of newly awaken human consciousness, and this people’s awakening I consider as more important positive thing in already passing year. Again, it is proving that in hard times people are joining together to overcome the problems, and in that process learn much about them self, tolerance, understanding and other crucial things in human life.
At the end, will 2005 be better? In my opinion, we are in process of strong polarization: human race has to pass on higher level of consciousness, and on number of people that understands this, depends if we will be spared of bad events next year. And this growth is for human sake.

New Year Advent In Istria

Maybe it is not important, but today are almost ideal weather conditions. It is warm, clean, sunny and without wind! Manny people will stay at home today, in the circle of friends and family,and many will go out also. City of pula is preparing good program this year, with participation of some of the most popular bands in Croatia, like Prljavo Kazališe. So there is plenty to choose from.

Presidential election in Croatia

Last days of 2004 in Croatia are characterized by race for president. We have 13 candidates among which favorites are actual president Stipe Mesic, and Candidate of Croatian Democratic Party (HDZ) Jadranka Kosor. Although their status of favorites, seams that Boris Miksic, who lived in US for Years, is progressing very fast in popularity, attacking second position of Jadranka Kosor.
But, about this we will talk later, now we have more important things, an I must hurry to take advantage of today’s beautiful, almost ideal weather and take a seaside walk.
All The best to everyone!

Traditional values

I’ve read an interesting article in Croatian newspaper “vecernji list” about US presidential elections. The pools taken on election places has shown surprising results: Bush hasn’t won the elections on questions of terrorism, Iraq or inner affairs. He won because voters felt Bush as man who will ensure revival of traditional moral qualities, lost during ages of flourishing liberalism.

Why traditional values?

So seams that people feels the necessity of restoring traditional qualities like family, human relations and so on. What is the cause of this? While flourishing liberalism has some advantage because enhances human freedom, many times this freedom proves it self as very dangerous. For example it may (as today is) bring to more criminality, family breaks and so on. Frankly speaking, the man is free only then when he gladly does what he has to do, and not what he wants to do. Often doing “what we want” could lead us and others to disastrous consequences. So, some limitations were traditionally set not to limit us, but to protect us, so I think that many people are in search for traditional values again, because they feel the need for more security and peace in their lives. They want protection that adhering to traditional values can bring. They are probably tired of terrorism, aids, threat from organized criminal that endangers them, their property, children’s.

Pope's speach

In this context is also an declaration from Pope John Paul II, in which he states against legalization of homosexual communities, and says that attacks on marriage and family, from ideological and law aspect, are every day stronger and more radical. He also added That the one who destroys subtle basics of society, creates deep wound to community, often causing irreparable damage.

Family

Family and marriage are very important, they should be guarded as something holy and precious, because in family the basics of healthy and happy society are laid down. We all know how many marriages break up’s has brought suffering to ex partners and especially to children’s. Children’s should be double guarded, because experiences in their early age will heavily impact their future life. This is also the cause for people’s need for more security, because many of today’s adult has experienced bitter flavor of their parents divorce or conflict. Traditionally home is place of peace, security and happiness, so restoring traditional values should restore this happy home atmosphere also. On the other hand unity of family should bring more benefits in sense of economic security. Family members could more easily support each other in some critical situations. From my experience, people with good family situation and communication are generally more successful, and with more balanced and happy life. So this is core of society, which should be well guarded.

Christmas

When I started this post I’ve not realized it’s connection with Christmas, which is coming very soon! But now I think this is perfect topic for it, because Christmas is time when love an peace in family are restored, when traditional values, security and warmth of home, becomes important once again: which should become a part of our everyday life also. In Istria and Croatia, there are many people that follows the tradition: In Istria on Christmas eve “Bakalar”(fish) with ”posutice”(pasta) is prepared, an on midnight, people goes to church to celebrate Jesus birth together, on midnight procession called “polnocka”. All is so festive, all town illuminated, almost every home with candle and Christmas tree.

In the faith that everyone will find happiness and harmony in family and life, that little misunderstandings among us will be forgotten and what is good will be put ahead, in the advent of this most holy day, I wish all a marry, marry Christmas…

Preparations

Well, we are somehow in the middle of the preparations for wedding, time is running pretty tight with all the work that has to be done. I haven’t finish neither thoughts from last week, but probably it’s enough at least for now. Thanks to all for congratulations, and I wish everyone happiness and joy in life also. “May all the being in all the worlds be happy”, say one of the most famous Vedic verses/mantras.
By the way, for those who understand Croatian, there is one rather new, independent Istrian news portal parentium.com. It looks very nice and professional, contains more articles about Istria than other Croatian news sites (like index.hr or iskon.hr), but also bring news about Croatia and world. Then, there are other common categories as lifestyle, fun, health, culture, links etc. Link is here: Independent portal for city of Porec.