Diversity, Mr Cultural Shock and the Hangover...

Diversity and Cultural Shock…these 2 words can go together or separately…but both are related to a common experience:”open yourself to something different from the origin”.

Since I was child I always had the curiosity to discover “the new”. During the past years, this attitude remained the same…places and locations instead are constantly changing. It’s there where I met for the first time Mr “Cultural Shock”.

But, let’s go step by step

Diversity. Having to choose a definition I would describe diversity as “all the qualities or feelings that distinguish 2 different things, people or cultures”. Some people are scared about diversity, some people love it, some people live for it. For sure, being in a Century in which low cost flights, high speed connection, social networking, multinational business, worldwide interests... represent our “daily bread”, nobody can avoid getting in touch with diversity. The reason is simple: even if you decide to remain in your local environment, at certain point somebody will knock at your door…. and it’s not the “old tomato of your backyard’ but the “well travelled mango from South America”…

Depending on its entity and level, diversity can chose Mr. Cultural Shock as travel-mate. You can find several books and theories on this topic but I prefer to simplify this concept in 3 main moments:

1. Getting in contact with “the new”. Usually this is a “discovering” moment, exciting and funny for the most. Depending where you are, and if change has been promoted by you or by others, it can last from few minutes until several months.

2. After what I call “hangover”, people start to see and feel things for what they truly are: DIFFERENT. This is probably the most difficult part. Time to regret your origins and complaint about the habits and events happening in the new environment.

3. Regardless if you are now back to the starting point or you are still part of that “melting pot”, the last part is the one in which things are appreciated again. They have “their own logic”. Some of them will become part of your routine, some others will position themselves as “nostalgic” knowledge that you will always carry-on with you. The reality is that you just expanded your horizons and your views with few additional miles….

The beauty of this process is that more things you discover, far you need to go to meet a new “Mr Cultural Shock”. Not bad and surely inviting for a person who like traveling but also for whoever is a lover of local traditions….be ready to open your door…somebody is knocking again at the door….at this time is not your old tomato, neither the south American Mango….but a new friend from Sri-Lanka called Rambutan…

Enjoy diversity; Love it… live for it

Happy 150th Birthday....Italia

Language, Culture, History, Food, Sports, Wine, Arts, Beauty, Creativity, Nature, Passion and...a big Colorful Heart. This is what Italy is all about.

In reality, I currently see around two categories of thoughts. The first one that like to see the differences within our Regions as an obstacle to grow together...

The second one that see diversity as added value for our Country, where differences from North to South, from East to West makes Italy one of the most beautiful place to discover and enjoy...

Well, living abroad I can only say that I'm proud of my origin and I hope that what Garibaldi unified 150 years ago, will remain untouched for the years to come.

Wish you Happy 150th Birthday Italy, at least abroad, you have 100% of the people on your side....

A call to men...A man box

"I remember to speak to a 12years boy football player and I asked him: I would you feel if in front of all players, your Coach told you: You played like a girl?... Now..I expected hime to say something like "I'll be mad, I'll be sad..I'll be angry"...something like that.... No! The boy said to me:..... "It would destroy me!"...

Simply inspiring.. to watch

http://www.ted.com/talks/tony_porter_a_call_to_men.html

Tony Porter makes a call to men everywhere: Don't "act like a man." Telling powerful stories from his own life, he shows how this mentality, drummed into so many men and boys, can lead men to disrespect, mistreat and abuse women and each other. His solution: Break free of the "man box."

Mediterranean diet is now cultural heritage of humanity

I already knew that our Cuisine was special. Aknowledging that this has been recognized worldwide, add the final cherry on the cake :-)

Yep, I'm talking about the Mediterranean Diet that has recently been nominated as cultural heritage of humanity. Simple, colorful, nutrient.

I can only feel lucky to be born in a Country where products, traditions, language and history have thousands of stories to tell. Living abroad, make me even more proud.

Let's use what we really are to promote Italy.

Salute!

Mediterranean Sounds...tasteful!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfcI9kDQyF0

The magic power of music...

Let's do like this....click on the following link and once the music starts, simply enjoy the video and the magic sensation given by this energetic song ..

Whatever is your mood right now...it will be different at the end...

A thanks to Shakira...as always unique in Waka-Waka-Waking up the ribellious child within us..:)

Music...the secret to positively change your mood :-)

As she says in her latest song..."And I'm crazy but you like it"...Outch :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsg3xCtAsYQ&ob=av3n

Wei-ji: "danger" + "opportunity"...

Here we go...during one of the World Business Forum Session held in NYC this year, one of the speaker introduced the concept of the word "crisis". In all worldwide languages, crisis is expressed with a unique word, except for the Chinese and Japanese language.

Curious to learn but the word crisis is composed by "Wei" that means danger and "Ji" that means opportunity.

This terminology is often used to explain business concept of crisis management but I prefer to see it applied to the day by day life experience.

There is no doubt that any crisis is always a "danger" situation...but I like to see as "ok, this is not working, it's time to change it!". I would call it as a "being in front of a positive force" that continuisly ask you to do something better.

Let's say...nobody likes to be in a crisis, whatever is its nature....but we like it or not...this is one of the most prductive way to go to the "next step"...so, never worry about it!

Yes, never worry about it...because the second word is "opportunity". After every storm there is a rainbow... let's get wet and face the new challenges in front of us.

Young Executive Committee...time to walk for a right cause..:-)

Sometimes

......

people ask for donations, sometimes people get annoyed by all the requests received...the truth is that is always the right time to give something back to the community.

Best way to do so is together with friends.

There is no better occasion than spending time

together, thinking about people who might need help, making better our society.

Up to October 21st, together we have raised $306,893.26. to help save lives.
http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=28006&pg=entry

There is still a lot to do... whatever you are up to, open your heart and let your eyes see what your local community needs. We are all part of the same world...
Enjoy

In the Heights...Your Dreams will come true

In the Heights...watching musical in Broadway is always a live feeling... but at this time it was even more.

The reason is the nature itself of this musical. Heigths is an uptown area of New York, close from the area where I live. A mix of latino cultures, some people who lives and share their stories at the corner of a Deli...some others that continously try to obtain a better life... others that will always remain part of this meling-pot.

If you add fantastic actors, music, and dance... you will easily understand that 2 and half hours will fly away, leaving nice feeling and another 'touch" of this incredible City.

Good "idea" to experience :-) Thanks

A short "appetizer" of this show from below link...enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PjplS0UwwA

Art inspires feelings...

How can pure art and creation can deeply inspire feelings and emotions...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGvA8UzSc5c

I tried and... I made it

Today while I was searching for something inspiring on the web, I ended up to watch this video...the quote "I tried...and I made it"... tells everything ... it's amazing how people that have no resources show no fear to fail. At the end, they have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.
I can't imagine how better would be the world if this approach is shared amongst all people...above all the ones that have better starting opportunities and resources.

Long life to William!!!

Watch the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crjU5hu2fag&feature=channel

Think when you were a kid...everything is possible

An inspirational video to watch... no need to add any comments, just watch and enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcIEcO_EmBI




[Miyagi karate-chops the tops off three beer bottles]
Daniel: How did you do that? How did you do that?
Miyagi: Don't know. First time.

On top of the sky...where Avatar feels the air

Crossing the Ocean on top of the sky. Leaving the Old Continent...touching the New One again.

From outside of the plane window flat clouds seem not moving at all...yep...this small flying box is part of the sky now.

It's incredible what humans were able to create over the years.... a simple concept that consider all the elements around us and... understand how they can work together...

I always believe that for anything there is a reason...I was watching Avatar... linking the "learning experience" showed in this movie came spontaneous. Understanding, knowing, listening to the Nature around us... yep... I can now look again outside the window...and I can say:

"Walking to the dream....I see you"

Stars and Stripes Compass touch the Old Continent...

Yep, after more than 1 year long, it's time to be back to the Old Continent. As always it feels weard to listen again your native language everywhere, smell "cappuccino and cornetto" at any bar, watch italian tv..:-) still few hours and another flight to take before to be "home" again...question of the day is: where is "home"?

For sure I'm going to enjoy the next 2 weeks off from work, spending my time with some of the most precious people of my life...no need to answer to that question for at least 2 weeks... looking forward to enjoy my "native home"..:-)

Glad to touch you again Italy...:-)

The "catch of the day"...Virginia Beach Sunrise

Traveling is always a good reason to see unique place, meet interesting people... and catch the "pearl of the day".

Yesterday wake up was one of those moment. This picture was taken at 6.45 am... no better way to start the day.

Here I am to share it with you. What will be the "catch of today"? :-) Stay tuned...

Sailing on the Harbour...

Well...nothing else to add. New York is always New York. Regardless the crazy rhytm and speed of this place, the soul of this City is always there, ready to surprise you. Every single corner, small place, tall building, cute park can be anytime, anywhere reason of inspiration. This picture was taken few days ago, on board of a sailing boat around NY Harbour.

In few words, I could define New York as an inspirational place where thoughts and feelings meet.. Everything is just there...but only if you decide to look at it...

Time to say "Dank" to the person who promoted this unique moment..:-)