Category: Uncategorized

Reflecting on life has become something of a necessity when working out where we go wrong or indeed completely right. From infancy, we learn to eat, drink and eventually ask why, questioning all the things we are yet to understand and are inquisitive about. This is the norm for anyone developing from a child to teenager and finally, adulthood. These are sustainable human requirements which are repeated day in and day out without hesitation or the risk of hurting yourself and others; more commonly known as survival.

So, what about the lessons learned that need never be repeated? The term valuable life lesson, to me, suggests that our lives would be richer in content if we have the mind to recognize and acknowledge something which has affected us both in a positive and negative way. The only way to truly understand what valuable lessons mean to people is to ask them. One of the lessons I have learned is to know who my true friends and loyal family are, and I do so I asked them.

Knowing how important it is for me to express my thoughts through the written word, they were more than willing to offer me their interpretations of what is valuable to them. They all have their reasons but somehow, the message is clear and united even though some have never met in person. Never take anything or anyone for granted, you don’t know what’s around the corner, love and cherish those who are worthy of your time and accept, without bitterness, that there will be those who are not.

You might say that these are all obvious points but sadly not everyone shares these altruistic views and have fallen foul to bad education, closed minds and fear of anything that might actually release them from familiar tendencies. The most poignant lesson, as expressed by a creative soul, is to appreciate your personal uniqueness; to celebrate it without shame or fear of doing so. Each of us has a talent or gift which can be suppressed due to unforeseen circumstances and even sabotage steering you off course and in no mans land.

There is no magic compass to direct you back and map reading isn’t everyone’s strong point; but why go back? Celebrate that you are able to move forward, the only mistake would be to stay where you are, blame the world and the people in it and persecute yourself for ignoring the only guide that is worth following; your instinct.

© Michelle Sotiriou 2014

“You can never make the same mistake twice because the second time you make it, it’s not a mistake, it’s a choice”.

Steven Denn

More than a billion Catholics and people from other Christian faiths such as my own Greek Orthodox will be observing Lent. 40 days of fasting, giving up a luxury or vice as Jesus did in the 40 days and nights spent in a desert, fighting temptation as the devil tries his evil best to force feed him culinary treats.

This is just one theory depending on your religion another is repentance for those who have sinned, breaking at least one of the 10 commandments perhaps. Some though, will have an overwhelming need to say thank you for all the blessings in their life and sacrifice is the only way to express their gratitude.

As a girl, I had no choice but to go to church, and if I am honest I hated it. Well I’m all grown up now and I have come to realize that it wasn’t church I had a problem with, it was the church parishioners; not all of them just the hypocrites who really had no clue about faith, love, reflection, repentance and had never read a page of the bible never mind a psalm.

Fear was the only reason they would go and drag their kids along giving them a completely inaccurate account of God, Jesus and the Saints. I have now discovered what religion means to me and what role God plays within my life through educating myself and soul searching which is what Jesus was likely to have done in the barren desert.

A few years ago, I decided to follow the Greek Orthodox tradition and fast. There are days where you can eat certain things and days when you can’t so for 40 days and under the guidance of my aunt I did it. I sacrificed all the things I like including meat! Not having a steak for 40 days was tough but I observed the tradition and felt at the time that I had never really sacrificed anything before so why not.

This year, I considered observing Lent but then I started thinking about what the word sacrifice means to me. In the last 3 years in particular, I have given up many things admittedly through my own mistakes and some unfortunate circumstances which I uncharacteristically found myself in. All this just so my friends call me boring because I don’t go out raving as much as before and my family complaining because they don’t see me as much as they used to.

I really can’t give anything else up and this sacrificial lamb won’t be going to the slaughter because its been there and has no plans on returning. I’m sure the God who I talk to daily knows just how much I have given up already and he knows why; I’ve bent his ear on numerous occasions. There has been much sacrifice for so many reasons on a global scale in recent years, perhaps, this year, Lent should be about spending time with the people who didn’t turn their back on you as they secretly travelled the hellish road by your side.

© Michelle Sotiriou 2014

I think it was Mark Twain who once said ‘Clothes make the man’? He had a point and we all love a sharp dressed man don’t we? It’s something of a turn on when a fella can wear threads with confidence and represent himself through colour and the cut of his cloth. Am I being fickle and blind to the fact that he might have a personality? Tell that to Tom Ford who knows exactly what a woman wants and a man needs.

If he gets it right, that says more about his personality and the man he knows he is. Fashion is frowned upon by so many  but this inspired art form led by so many iconic material men and women, shouldn’t be undervalued or misunderstood. Of course it’s all a matter of personal taste but a man who chooses to take care of himself suggests that he is capable of looking after you…it’s not all about vanity.

When I watch movies such as Sex and The City, I always think wow, these women know who they are and the beautifully crafted clothes they wear really are an extension of them. Manolo Blahnik might be out of your price range but if you look hard enough there are some worthy alternatives.

Sadly, clothes are also used as a cover up, hiding a multitude of emotions and situations giving way to the real fashion victim. Your own personal identity can be hard to define at the best of times, finding it in your worst is like hitting the sales too late only to find that they have run out of the size that fits.

We all have very different tastes and perhaps base our fashion ideas on our youth and memories of how our parents would dress to go to a family wedding or works party. My dad was always well dressed, according to him he dressed like James Dean in his teens (I only had his word for that) very rebel without a cause, just like my dad. Later, I would see him in Pierre Balmain suits and I’m sure that’s where I get my views on how men should present themselves.

Men have so many more choices now and how they style themselves can be an impressive reflection of who they are. A suit isn’t a necessary every day requirement but having at least one in your wardrobe is. Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake and Tinie Tempah are in my opinion the ones who get it right both casually and formally. There is of course one more piece that I need to mention, denim! Blue, grey, black and dirty…I would be at a complete loss without it.

© Michelle Sotiriou 2014

“I have often said that I wish I had invented the blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and nonchalant. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity – all I hope for in my clothes”

Yves Saint Laurent

I can’t count the times I have watched the epic Cleopatra starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The Egyptian queen and Roman warrior fall deeply and madly in love, intense stuff from the real life lovers. Made in 1963, this 4 ½ hour historical drama had its fair share of drama before even being made but thankfully they pulled it off and is recognised for being the film that changed Hollywood.

I tell you, man can’t go into battle or think straight when a woman is on his mind more than the enemy at the gate. Marc Anthony lost the plot a soldier who could go into cold-blooded battle but when faced with love adopts tactics which are unrecognisable to his legions. He found what could’ve been peace of his own, fortunately for him it was the right woman but tragically, the wrong time.

Timing is everything and yet there are those who wonder why they met that certain someone when they did, why they didn’t get the job they have dreamed of and why nothing ever works out the way they want it to. Now scared of those crushing feelings, the imaginary wall you have built around your mind to block a soldier or queen entering your world gets higher and higher obstructing any rays the warming sun is trying desperately to shine on you.

Self-protection means that you value your life, feelings and the future you see for yourself but it can also have an adverse effect. Fearful of losing the balance you have now found, you risk letting go of the one thing that will support, understand, listen and be there when your balance tips to one side. This doesn’t mean that you expect everything to be done for you; a meaningful and long-lasting friendship or relationship should be about encouraging each other…nothing less.

Recognise those who add stress, pressure and confusion, finding reasons for these negatives will only distract you from what your mind and soul desire.

Know who are the curious, inspiring, energetic, inviting and selfless. Time is precious to them, they will add value and enhance the hours in your day, not waste them.

© Michelle Sotiriou 2014

‘Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be’

Abraham Lincoln