Hard work pays off...

Today my kid, a 3d grade student, called me and proudly announced that he was first in the math competition in his school among 3d and 4th graders. He was very proud of himself! I used the opportunity to immediately remind him of all the hard work he put into studying and solving complicated math puzzles and not giving up. I tied together the work and the feeling of accomplishment he had today. I hope he remembered the message.

It was not only hard work that paid off. He can study hard in other subjects as well, but he doesn't usually get such results in them. Math is one of his favourites, so hard work done in math pays better off than the same hard work done, say, in music. The second key to success is to like what you do.

His voice on the phone inspired me today to observe myself - do I love what I do?

Hard work multiplied by love to what you do pays off exponentially. 

Passing moments

Live in a moment... Enjoy the present... There's no past and future... Many philosophies and psychologists tell us these mottoes every day.

I understood the value of a passing moment when I finally realized that the things we are given are not to be taken for granted. They might not stay around forever and we might not have another chance to enjoy them.
Once I went on a trip in Europe. I didn't cherish the moments back then. Found lots of things that went wrong and didn't pay much attention to the pleasures of the journey. Later, for several years I didn't have much opportunity to travel, and when I finally got it and went traveling the next time, I enjoyed every moment of it, knowing very well, that I actually do not know when will be my next time to board a plane and take a vacation like this. This constant realization helped a lot to enjoy the vacation. I do not remember any negative moments about it (and I am sure they were there), only positive memories left.

The moments we have in our life are unique. An evening movie with a kid, a tender kiss of a lover, a morning sun, warming your forehead and waking you up, a blossoming flower - tomorrow a kid might suddenly switch to books, the moment of tenderness will pass and sun will get up from slightly another angle, - and you will never experience the same moment again.

Enjoy it while you can. :)