"One of the greatest indicators of maturity is when a man keeps silent about his achievements, bears his burdens with dignity, and lets his posture speak for itself." 📆 Where I come from, age is just a number. It says nothing. When I was young, I was warned: avoid making deals with a boy pretending to be a man. Boys boast about their achievements; men remain silent about their sacrifices. Boasting signals immaturity. It’s your posture that honors your roots. Thank you for reading this far, dear friend! ⠀ If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your “🥃” as a token of gratitude. ⠀ A toast to our family!

"Envy is born from comparison." 👁️ "Why do the people closest to us feel bothered when we start to succeed?" Imagine the following example: two neighboring mothers who watched their children, the same age, grow up together. They went to the same school and faced similar challenges. At a certain point, one of the childhood friends begins to excel—finding a stable job, starting college, buying a car. From that moment, the neighboring mother starts to think her own child has failed. Then come the criticisms and belittling remarks. Envy often comes from above and trickles down as resentment, creating rivalry among those who fail to understand what's really happening. We all have that cousin who became more successful than us and, to some extent, is held up as an example by the family. But we don’t hate them. Because even though they grew up under the same fiery sky as us, we understand that, at some point, they made different decisions, dedicated themselves to another path, met new people, and found their own calling. You’re not late. Success has individual conditions that make its timing relative. That’s why every problem is born from comparison. Thank you for reading this far, dear friend! ⠀ If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your glass “🥃” as a token of gratitude. ⠀ A toast to our family!

"If you can't yet be an example of results, be an example of consistency." 🪓 “Why do some people, even when trying so hard, fail to achieve results?” Because effort alone is not enough. It doesn't matter how hard you strike a tree with an axe; if you only hit it once, it won't fall. People often approach change with too much eagerness. At 3 a.m., they suddenly decide to completely transform their lives or expect the “new me” to appear on January 1st. Motivated by emotional decisions, they take on so many plans that their physical and mental energy can't keep up. This leads to the lack of the most important ingredient in the formula: consistency. Everyone needs to learn to manage their strength, to work intelligently, so that striking the tree becomes a daily duty, not an unsustainable burst of five swings that exhaust your energy and keep you from ever returning to the task. Strike your goals. Every. Single. Day. Thank you for reading this far, my dear friend! ⠀ If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your glass “🥃” as a token of appreciation. ⠀ Here's to our family!

"Sometimes, having no support at all is all the motivation you need." 🔥 What is the worst thing you've ever heard in life? “You’ll never be anyone.” “I’m ashamed that you’re my child.” “You’ll die alone.” From a teacher. From a parent. From an ex-spouse. No other words sting as deeply as those we expected to be encouraging; and if we were already on the ground, how specific is that feeling of discovering there’s a level below the basement. But it’s indignation that fuels the dynamo of our fury. We rise, changed — and if there are thorns in our feet, we want to leap to the stars. In light of this, no other motivation has greater effectiveness in us than the memory of the wrongs we’ve suffered. And if for many years we got out of bed determined to prove them wrong, after contradicting all those curses, we rest in the joy of our ascension. Grateful, not for their contrary encouragements, but for never doubting ourselves. Thank you for reading this far, dear friend! If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your "🥃" as a token of thanks. A toast to our family! #MasculineFrame

"Rarely does anyone know the names of even a third of their eight paternal and maternal great-grandparents. In just a few generations, your name too will be forgotten, and your memory will turn to dust. So, do what must be done. Do not worry about the opinions of others. Soon, no one will remember." 🫂 Ascolta bene! In the ideological twilight of the ancient streets of Sicily, where a man's name is both his honor and his curse, the truth about the fleeting nature of human memory intertwines with the legacy of those who once founded a world apart. Those who achieved great deeds and those who accomplished nothing are equally forgotten by the new generation wandering through the Brancaccio district of Palermo. Likewise, in your ordinary life, few remember the names of their own great-grandparents, and the same will happen to you in the generations to come. A man’s memory can fade like smoke unless he leaves an indelible mark on his world. The ancient Sicilians understood that true power does not lie in the remembrance of names but in the influence we leave behind. In life, as in the stateless Sicilian societies, actions speak louder than words. History is written by those who act, not by those who merely talk. A man must do what needs to be done without fearing the validation of his ego or the opinions of others. Both good and evil are quickly forgotten by others. Those who leave a mark are the ones who act with courage and determination, regardless of what others might think or say. A man’s legacy is measured by his decisions and actions, not by his popularity or acceptance. Always remember that true greatness comes from the ability to act according to your own principles and values, even in the face of opposition and oblivion. Thank you for reading this far, dear friend! If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your glass “🥃” as a token of appreciation. Cheers to our family!

"Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst." 💀 General Philopoemen, even in times of peace, never stopped thinking about war strategies. It is said that, while walking through the countryside with friends, he would often stop and ask them: “If the enemies were on that hill and we were here with our armies, who would have the advantage? How could we engage them while maintaining our formation? If we wanted to retreat, how would we do it? If they were to retreat, how would we pursue them?” Thus, he would consider all possible scenarios of a battle in that situation. He listened carefully to the opinions of other commanders and shared his own, supporting them with reasoning and examples. When leading his armies, Philopoemen never encountered a challenge he hadn’t already anticipated or a problem for which he didn’t have a predetermined solution. According to Seneca: “What is quite unexpected is more crushing in its effect, and the unexpected magnifies the weight of a disaster.” This is why there’s a Stoic exercise called *Premeditatio Malorum*: “The premeditation of evils,” which involves reflecting on what might happen in the future, deciding what actions should be taken, and considering the worst possible outcomes. It’s about preparing for all of this, thereby reducing anxiety and avoiding being caught off guard by anything that might occur. “This is one reason to ensure nothing surprises us,” Seneca continued. “We should project our thoughts forward at every moment and consider all possible outcomes, rather than merely following the normal course of events. [...] Every aspect of human experience should be present in our minds.” The wise man does not view this act of negative visualization as pessimistic, but rather as a feature of his confident optimism: “I am ready to face whatever happens and to do the necessary work now to ensure it doesn’t happen.” This will make him a more decisive and less anxious person because, as the philosopher concluded: “If you don’t want a man to falter when a crisis arrives, train him before it does.” Thank you for reading this far, dear friend! If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your glass “🥃” as a token of appreciation. Cheers to our family!

#photostr #photography #olas365

"𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝘅, 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝘅. 𝗦𝗲𝘅 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿." — 𝗢𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲. I just came across a delightful painting from 1910. Titled "Bicycle Race", it was created by the French artist Albert Joseph Pénot. A voluptuous woman, scantily dressed, with a well-rounded, shapely backside, is being chased by a group of men… The same things that would motivate a man in 1910 still work to grab attention in 2024. We are still, as a species, mere dogs chasing a bone. The same deeply rooted biological impulses control us, guide our minds, our eyes, and direct our life choices. Some of us think we have "evolved," but how foolish and naïve is that? There’s even a term called “Rubenesque beauty” to describe the type of voluptuous women the Belgian painter Peter Paul Rubens used to depict. He was notoriously enamored with “big-bottomed girls,” and this man lived in the late 1500s to early 1600s… He would have died of a heart attack if he had lived in the current era and encountered the Panicats, Anitta, or one of the Kardashians. He likely owed his long life to the fact that the Brazilian butt lift hadn’t been invented yet… We think we’ve changed, we think we’re so advanced, so visionary as a species. And in some ways, perhaps we are. But we’re also the same old lustful creatures our ancestors were. We talk about the “wisdom of the ages” and the sages of yore… and they were just as "lustful" as we are. Today, with current studies, we know what drives us. And we can manage these impulses in a more balanced and rational way. Thank you for reading until the end, dear friend! If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your “🥃” cup as a token of gratitude. A toast to our family! #MasculineFrame

"Nothing makes a man more bitter than realizing he is growing old without any progress in life." ⏳ All those who fall into the fallacy that youth is the best time to have fun later find themselves without options and are forced by necessity to build. The problem is that, in maturity, they no longer have the same energy and vigor of youth. Now, while most enjoy a quiet life, they are condemned to pay the price, literally dragging themselves into an unhappy job with a weakened body, paying the debt of a life of excess. Young people, listen: use the 18-29 years phase to build. Take advantage of your energy, testosterone, and ambition to study and work on a side project alongside your full-time job. Go against the tide. You will sacrifice nights, weekends, and some friendships, but in the end, it will all be worth it. The lonely path will later be populated with all kinds of company; then it will be up to you to decide who stays or who leaves. Remember who was with you at the beginning. If you want to have something in life, you will have to work for it. Relentlessly, in the right direction. Don’t feel sorry for yourself — the world won’t. "But what about my health, my mental well-being?" You didn’t seem worried when you were up all night burning brain cells and wasting vitality on alcohol and other damned substances! Know your limits. There are plenty of idle men who suffer from all kinds of illnesses; the difference is that they can’t pay for a comfortable bed and effective treatment. The 30-45 years phase is the best time to manage — you have experience, wisdom — use it wisely. This also means that if you’ve reached this age, your life is not lost. You will have to pay the price with the burdens of time on your shoulders. It will be painful, but glory will come and it will have a sweet taste. Don’t waste any more time complaining. Today, you are younger than you will be tomorrow. Make your life worth something. Stay healthy, strive for success. I wish to see you all well. May God be with you. Thank you for reading until the end, dear friend! ⠀ If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your “🥃” cup as a token of gratitude. ⠀ A toast to our family!

"The weak see solitude as a punishment, while the strong, as a toast for reflection." 🥃 At some point in your life, someone tried to control you by using solitude as punishment. You were probably excluded from a group of friends for not bending to their whims, or you were met with cold treatment followed by temporary withdrawal, for not yielding to the tantrum of an upset spouse. To my son, I would give this precious advice: before getting involved with anyone, learn first to be alone. But he would only understand the harshness of these words after returning battered for committing himself to someone. Or rather: for committing to the expectation of what that someone would be. Then, he would never again be tortured by ideas. Blackmail would have no effect. Threats would wither away in poison. And if anyone tried to rein his mind, saying, “The day I decide to leave, you’ll be alone forever,” his knees would no longer bend, but his smile would grow, in an internal response: “What was once fear is now the solution. Solitude is the womb from which I came and the mansion where I return. It’s where I rest and rebirth. Ministry of my strength. Nursery of my reflections. If I’m wrong, I remake myself there. But if what’s done to me is unjust, I find my balm in this time alone! Thus, one learns that anyone who possesses an unrestricted portion of themselves, and is the master of their own freedom, will not fear exile or desert, for they will never be alone and no one can dictate their worth. Thank you for reading until the end, dear friend! If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your “🥃” cup as a token of gratitude. ⠀ A toast to our family!

"My father didn't tell me how to live. He survived, and left me watching him do so." 🪙 My father used to say he wouldn't leave a single penny to his children when he passed. “Half will go to your mother, and the other half to charity.” That was fine with us. The estate, though not large, was enough to stir discord if surrounded by people raised differently — I’ve seen families fight and break apart over much less. But for my sister and me, it didn’t matter. We understood what our patriarch wanted us to do, and just like him, we started from scratch, fighting without objections. I can say it wasn’t easy. We started early and worked as if we had nothing to eat and nowhere to live, even though there was always a full table and a soft bed waiting for us every night. The value of hard work was the best inheritance my father left. We learned never to depend on anything and always to go after what we needed. When this admirable man rested, he surprised everyone by doing the opposite of what he had said, dividing the assets between the three of us. Certainly, he trusted the children he had raised. That estate never belonged to us, and without delay, we donated it to various hospitals and institutions. In doing so, we discovered that character also came as part of the fortune. Thank you for reading until the end, dear friend! ⠀ If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your “🥃” cup as a token of gratitude. ⠀ A toast to our family!

"Survive a day in the shoes of our grandparents? Few could." 🩸 Your ancestors worked seven days a week under the scorching sun and biting cold. Yet, you can't even work 40 hours a week in a climate-controlled room without complaining about how tired you are. I know this sermon is not for everyone. I know, in fact, that our minds cannot truly grasp the suffering that flowed from the wounds of the past. Did they complain? I know they did not give up. But it’s common to see young people now abandoning their first day of work halfway through, without even finishing their shift; an ungrateful act that only finds support in the stability built by the blood of others. We should not regress, without reason, to the past sufferings; but to not dedicate ourselves to anything? What kind of progress is that? We’ve been entrusted with a burden, lighter than before and heavier than what will be handed down; let us carry our part with dignity, perpetuating prosperity within our family. “Work ennobles man” — let your example of effort stand out in your time, educating those who will come tomorrow against slackness and ingratitude. However, being recognized as the one who ruined the progress of generations is the greatest dishonor and should be feared as much as death. Do not allow yourself to soften for anything. Always carry with respect the sacrifices your parents made for you, and do not dishonor their memories. When you think of surrendering, push forward against that treacherous will, saying “this is nothing!” And, with satisfaction, you will notice how laziness fades, but glory remains. However, surrender just once, just once, and you will see how endless this path of whining is; soon, you will also be complaining about your free time, and nothing will be useful or worth it — a reflection of yourself. Thank you for reading until the end, dear friend! If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your “🥃” cup as a token of gratitude. ⠀ A toast to our family!

#Introduction Hello #nostr

"If you don’t want a broke man, you’ll have to endure a busy man. " 🥃 I was in this before I was with you. You liked what you saw when you looked. My time hasn’t always been my own, but with it, I’ve been building good times for us. Have I failed as who? I’ve never tried to be anything less than what I said I’d be. Once again, I won’t sleep until this night becomes day, and it’s quite likely I won’t go to bed until this day turns to night. So try to entertain yourself with your new attempts; I left a bit of ambition for you in the fridge. I will obviously miss what was missing, but remember, I never failed to deliver what I promised. You liked what you saw when you looked to the future, but my present is to leave you with the remnants of what we could have shared. You liked what you saw in the beginning, and maybe you won’t see me anymore after finishing this letter. An open letter that should’ve been a note of vows or “be back soon,” but instead became this declaration of “farewell.” Of a time that could’ve been ours if you hadn’t wanted it all for yourself, for a success that was so near if you hadn’t wanted it so far from you. I did what I could until I couldn’t anymore. My time is up. This is the suicide letter of a love you helped kill. Thank you for reading this far, dear friend! ⠀ If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your glass “🥃” as a token of gratitude. ⠀ Here’s to our family!

How can I be of help to you, my friend?

Faça qualquer pergunta! consigliere - Ask.Arata.Se

Ascolta bene! When success knocks on your door, let it in and close the curtains. Do not share your triumphs, especially with old acquaintances. Most people cannot bear to see someone who started in the same trenches, on the same dusty streets, have the courage to fight and win, while they drowned in mediocrity and stagnation. Davvero, a man's success is an affront to those who chose inertia. Every achievement of yours is a bitter reminder of what they could have been but never will be. They will not see you as an inspiration but as a traitor, a deserter from the club of the defeated. To them, your victory is a personal insult because it exposes the lie they tell themselves every day: that life is unfair and failure is inevitable. So, amico mio, keep quiet. Work in the dark, celebrate silently. Do not give them the opportunity to turn your victory into envy or your rise into intrigue. Those who truly matter do not need convincing; those who genuinely root for you already know your worth without hearing a word. Do not try to show the world that you made it. And more importantly, remember that most people are not interested in your success but in finding a way to diminish it. For them, your achievements only serve one purpose — to justify their own failures or feed their insecurities. Do not give them that gift. Protect your peace, preserve your life, and let your actions speak for themselves. In the end, true respect does not need fanfare, and envy cannot withstand silence. Success is like gold; the more you display it, the more thieves you attract. Be discreet but firm. And above all, never forget: true allies will celebrate with you in silence; false ones will try to destroy you in the shadows. Thank you for reading this far, dear friend! ⠀ If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your glass “🥃” as a token of gratitude. ⠀ Here’s to our family!

Be a man capable of facing a breakup, losing a job, dealing with debt, and still saying, "It doesn’t matter, I’ll find a solution." You can literally recover from anything. That’s what it means to be a man. 🩸 "Get up, and be a man!" This was probably the last word of encouragement you heard. From a mother who knew she wouldn’t be here forever, or from a father who couldn’t always be present because of his duties. That’s how we were taught from a young age. "Get up and be a man" meant standing up without a word, brushing the dirt off your clothes, and fixing the bike so you could keep moving forward. We learned early on that crying doesn’t move anyone; waiting for someone to help us doesn’t solve anything; and if we didn’t figure it out ourselves, we’d be stuck there—and the longer we took, the harsher the punishment when we got back. Life is tough and no different from a strict mother. It’s as if it’s preparing strong children, selecting the fittest, finding new ways to push us toward refinement with every fall—where the longer we take to fulfill what it expects from us, the harsher the consequences. So don’t be afraid of falling or ashamed if you’re still on the ground: you’ve always figured it out, and this time won’t be any different. Trust only in that, and let it be your balm. Find support in your own knees; we can’t rely on compassion’s embrace. Get up. Don’t complain. If anyone comes to you because of your complaints, it’ll be to kick you where it hurts the most. Don’t think about the finish line today. Make the necessary repair or stitch. Sometimes, the greatest victory is simply making it home. Lay your head on the pillow: you’ll find a way. Rest now, but tomorrow, get up and be a man! Do what needs to be done. Be honorable, my son. Thank you for reading this far, my great friend! ⠀ If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your glass "🥃" as a sign of gratitude. ⠀ Here’s to our family!

Be like a wolf: strong in solitude and supportive in company. 🐺 "A wolf, so hungry that he was nothing but skin and bones, encountered a robust and well-treated dog that had gotten lost. The hunger burned in his belly, and he would have attacked the dog without hesitation, but he realized that the battle would be difficult. The dog, strong and healthy, was a worthy opponent. With cunning, the wolf disguised his intentions and approached politely, complimenting the dog on his magnificent appearance. — You could be as admirable as I am, if you wanted to, — said the dog, with an air of superiority. — Leave the forest, abandon this miserable life. Follow me, and you’ll experience comfort. — And what would I have to do? — asked the wolf, intrigued. — Almost nothing — replied the dog, with disdain. — Chase away beggars, flatter the people in the house, and please the master. In exchange, you'll have plenty of food, leftovers from banquets, juicy bones, and even a few caresses. Upon hearing this, the wolf could hardly contain his happiness. He envisioned a life of abundance and comfort, so different from the hunger and cold of the forest. With eyes shining with hope, he followed the dog toward the master’s house. However, something caught his attention along the way: a chain marked the dog’s neck. — What’s that? — asked the wolf, suspicious. — Nothing — said the dog, trying to downplay it. — Nothing? That’s something. — Ah, it’s just the collar I’m chained to — replied the dog, indifferently. — Chained? — exclaimed the wolf, alarmed. — So you can’t come and go as you please? — Not always — admitted the dog. — But it’s a small price to pay, don’t you think? — A small price? — said the wolf, stepping back. — I’d rather starve than lose my freedom. With these words, the wolf turned around and ran off, never looking back, determined never to trade freedom for the comfort of servitude." To those who aspire to autonomy, the thin air at the summit is sweeter than the abundant oxygen in the plains of the domesticated. (Jean de La Fontaine, in Fables). Thank you for reading all the way through, my great friend! ⠀ If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your "🥃" as a token of appreciation. ⠀ Here’s to our family! Cheers!

"I am the sum of all the things that tried to take my life, but failed." 🩸 “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, or being lied about, don’t deal in lies, or being hated, don’t give way to hating, and yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise: If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, and stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, and lose, and start again at your beginnings and never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’ If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!” 📕 Translation of the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling, 1910. Thank you for reading all the way through, my great friend! ⠀ If this message helped you in any way, consider leaving your "🥃" as a token of appreciation. ⠀ Here’s to our family! Cheers!