(Source: photojojo)

“All the books we own, both read and unread, are the fullest expression of self we have at our disposal. But with each passing year, and with each whimsical purchase, our libraries become more and more able to articulate who we are, whether we read the books or not.”

— Nick Hornby, The Polysyllabic Spree

(via musingsofalibertine)

“The pressure of adversity does not affect the mind of the brave man … It is more powerful than external circumstances.”

Seneca (via thelittlephilosopher)

(via musingsofalibertine)

Decay (by rachelliquindoli)

“No truth can cure the sorrow we feel from losing a loved one. No truth, no sincerity, no strength, no kindness can cure that sorrow. All we can do is see it through the end and learn something from it, but what we learn will be no help in facing the next sorrow that comes to us without warning.”

Norwegian Wood, Haruki Murakami (via helplesslyamazed)

(Source: courcel)

Rosa d’Inverno (by sabrimaggiolina)

Letters to Lil Joj: Lesson #1

Dearest Lil Joj,

The first thing I will tell you, and I believe it’s the first thing I should tell you, is that the circumstances in which you came to be were astounding. Against all expected outcomes.

But take note, Lil Joj. That’s not a bad thing. Not one bit. That’s your Lesson #1: Do not limit your scope through blinding expectations. We tend to hold a skewed outlook of our destinies -confining our world to a single, narrow alley- when in truth, there’s a galaxy of dreams all within our grasp. Keep those eyes wide open, Lil Joj. There’s too much beauty to be absorbed; a self-inflicted blind eye does nobody any favors.

They will tell you ignorance is bliss, little one. Smile at them. They will dictate what’s right and what’s wrong. Smile at them. They will dictate what you deserve. Smile at them.

Smile and listen, though. Take in everything around you. Learn from their viewpoints, even if you disagree. Especially if you disagree. And don’t ever be rude. Don’t ever assume you know better. Everyone around you can and will teach you something, but only if you let them. Make no mistake: Any lesson failed to be learnt is a fault of your own, not theirs.

Be true to yourself, and you will never have to role-play in your life. Masks may seem fun at first, but once you wear them for too long, you realize they’re exhausting. It’s like when you get groomed and dressed up for some fancy event. The peak of excitement is at the very start, but as the hours drag, you start counting down the seconds where you can strip everything off and just be with the bare minimum requirements of clothing. Simply your pure, physical self; no garments, no accessories, no “enhancements.”

The longer you roam this world, mask-less, the more you will cross paths with those who equally refuse to wear those masks. And trust me, Lil Joj, those are the people you want to meet.

You will eventually come to appreciate the beauty of all things in their purest, simplest forms. When you do, I’ll see it in your eyes. And I’ll smile. And you’ll know.

You will know, Lil Joj.

With love,

Joj.

This one’s for her, my one, for being the stronger half.

(Source: 7ooree.wordpress.com)

From Rising Sun (by nene-ane（BUSY))

Freshness (by Chot Touch)

Untitled by Dmitry Savin

(Source: blogut)