La obstinación, un requerimiento de Valentía

“Los valientes siempre son obstinados.” Paulo Coelho La quinta Montaña

Al leer esta frase en mi multifacética agenda de este mismo autor me pare a pensar. La palabra obstinada es usada muchas veces con intención de insulto muchas veces en una discusión, queriendo decir: terco, roquiquierda, testarudo, cabezón. Aunque, ser obstinado relacionado con la valentía es más bien un requerimiento.

Por estas simples razones:

Porque tienen que luchar contra cobardes y pesimistas.Porque es necesario para romper las barreras que se interpongan en el camino. Porque se encontrará a aquellos que lo quieran derrotar. Porque nadie va a luchar por sus ideales más que él mismo. Porque los cobardes son débiles de espíritu y no terminan lo que empiezan. Porque se necesita para poder cambiar el NO en un SI. Porque que no se dejan abatir por está razón estoy de acuerdo con la frase que “los valientes siempre son obstinados.”

7 rules I learned from Audrey Hepburn

There is something undoubting magic about old movies. Something considered even pure, truly original movies. The inspiration arrives after a little marathon of Audrey Hepburn movies. The more I see, the more I am convinced of the style and charm of the most elegant actress, in my opinion, of all times.

These movies, a legacy of culture more than 50 years in the past, make you think of life before and how it was perceived. But, between all the subjects I could comment on, I want to enter a little further in what I have learned from this actress whose style I wish I could someday posses.

The 7 rules:

1. Style and elegance is never lost. Even in the times that would appear most embarrassing, those are the ones that reveal what you truly are inside. Do not loose composure, keep calm and keep on.

2. You can tell a lot about a person from the jewelry they possess. The details, elements that may pass unnoticed, but are part of an each person and collectively create and individual.

3. A touch of French is required in life. One of the most romantic languages around, that small, but undoubtedly presence of something exotic and even charming.

4. Change happens, its inevitable, but essence prevails. It is childish to believe that life can be walked without no changes in it and that people, like rocks, don’t budge. Everything changes, transforms. What you can do is give it a welcome, and accept it.

5. You have to reach for the unreachable. Search for that you adore, no matter how impossible it may seem. If you try, you can.

6. Just like change, always wait for the switch on the switch of the switch. Life is full of surprises. It’s what makes it interesting.

7. That smile, look, laugh, that unusual way we all have inside, is what connects us and makes each person special. It’s vital not to loose it.

Ps. Extra Rule

8. Now, I don’t think I’m an expert in all things Audrey or life. But through out her movies I saw real elegance as a way of life, and that life itself has to be lived as it deserves.

A side note…

I have been letting down and not posting as often on the blog. I find it sometimes that I don’t have enough time. So what I decided is to have a separate blog en-thoughts.tumblr.com where I will post simple things like video, or pictures and leave this blog for more elaborated stuff like the Audrey Hepburn post. So check it out.

A french bedtime story

This summer I have taking french classes, and with it I been trying to inmerse myself in everything french. I found this story told by a little french girl that it’s just too cute to resist. Don’t worry it has subtitles. What I hear is huge creativity that kids always have and as we grow up a lot of people start loosing because they close their minds to reality. So open your mind and don’t be afraid to be silly.

Las 7 reglas que aprendí de Audrey Hepburn

Existe algo indudablemente mágico de las películas clásicas del ayer. Algo hasta considerado puro, el cine original y puro. Explico, que mi reciente inspiración llega al acabar de hacer un pequeño maratón de películas de Audrey Hepburn. Mientras más veo, más caigo en cuenta del estilo y la elegancia de no solo la actriz más elegante de toda la historia sino también de las películas en sí.

Estas películas, un recuerdo de lo que era la cultura hace ya más de 50 años, hacen pensar en lo que antes era la vida y como se percibía. Pero, entre todos los temas de los cuales pudiera comentar, quisiera entrar un poco más en lo que he aprendido de esta actriz cuyo estilo quisiera alguna vez poseer:

1. El estilo nunca se pierde. Ni siquiera en los momentos que pudieran parecer más embarazosos. Es no perder la compostura, mantener la calma y seguir adelante.

2. Se puede conocer mucho sobre una persona por lo aretes que regala/posee. En esto me refiero a los detalles. A aquellas pequeños elementos que pudieran pasar por desapercibidos, pero forman el ser de una persona.

3. Que nunca debería de faltar un poco de francés en la vida. Una de las lenguas románticas, aquella pequeña, pero indudable presencia de algo distinto y hasta un poco mágico.

4. Que el cambio sucede, es inevitable, pero la esencia se mantiene. Es infantil creer que la vida se puede cruzar sin cambios en ella y que las personas, como rocas, no ceden. Todo cambia, se transforma, lo mejor es más que aceptarlo, acogerlo y darle la bienvenida.

5.  Aunque solo sea un poco hay que tratar de llegar a lo inalcanzable. Buscar aquello que adoramos y sin importar que tan imposible parezca, puede lograrse mientras se intente.

6. Al igual que el cambio, siempre espera el switch del switch del switch. Es decir, la vida está llena de sorpresas. Es lo que la hace más entretenida.

7. La sonrisa, esa mirada, una carcajada, aquella manera poco usual que todos tenemos dentro, que irónicamente es la que nos conecta a otros y hace a cada persona especial. Es importante que nunca se pierda.

Ahora no ando proclamando que soy una experta en Audrey Hepburn o en la vida. Pero ella me comunicó en sus películas lo que la verdadera elegancia es una forma de vida y que la vida misma tiene que ser vivida como se merece.

World Cup 2010 Spots

It’s impossible not to get wrapped in The World Cup 2010 mania, and I as many others people have joined in with the obsession. It’s all about joy, union, skills, team, legends, heroes and fans. The whole world watching football. So in the name of the most beautiful sport and advertising here are a couple of ads for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Pepsi – Oh Africa

Nike – Write the Future

Adidas – The Quest

Coca-Cola – Roger Milla

Coca-Cola Lesotho

Part 1. Coca-Cola made several spots about making fans of several countries in Latin America of the people in Lesotho

Part 2.

Tyc – Argentina

Sol – Necesitamos Hablar

Via:  Circuz Publicidad Mundial and MarketingDirecto

Let the sun shine in Canada

Mornings are pretty routinely for everyone. In my case I’m half asleep, so everything I do is the same every day. But, even in my sleep state, a morning wouldn’t be the same without the sun shining from the window. Living in Boston, I used to January’s days being short; Sun is out at 4PM and it really kills any activity. So I can’t imagine living in a place where is completely dark for such a long time. It could turn really depressing if you’re not used to it. I’m not.

So, when I saw this ad by Tropicana where they literally light up Inuvik I was amazed. It’s really inspiring giving people what they truly wished for. Thumbs up for BBDO Toronto. This probably cost a lot of money, but Tropicana made its impact. The great thing about the ad is that is related to the whole theme of Tropicana, juice and morning. It isn’t just something big; it’s something big that makes sense. The music was right for the mood (BTW It’s “The Great Escape” by Patrick Watson). Above everything else, how cool it must have been for everyone to be waken-up by the Tropicana Sun.

Via Yonoveotele

If Google tells you to Buzz, you have to Buzz

I love Google, but this was just too funny to pass. This parody just lets people know that Google is taking over.  Go google (just making peace with The Man).

For my non-Lost friends

Do you watch Lost or are you preparing for the worst?  Today is a new episode of Lost so expect your friends (i.e. me) to go and annoy you. What do you think?

Dreams, Work and Moms in the Winter Olympics

The snow is all around, the cold gets into your bones and you just want to stay home the whole day with a cup of hot chocolate. It’s the perfect weather for the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.  I must admit I haven’t watched a lot of it, but I have it on right now. Olympics games are the few times when the whole world is put together and actually play games. Sports and community, how can you say no to that? Like it’s expected, I have noticed the ads of a few of the sponsors and really like what I’m seeing. Some of these commercials have a trend. These are kids, dreams, future, moms and people from around the world.

A side note, for those brands that didn’t take the opportunity: If your going to advertise in the Olympics make an effort and try to theme your ad in some kind of relation with the Winter Olympics themselves. Anything, not just what you are already airing in another channel or program.

Now, the ads; you will soon understand why I’m repeating moms so much. P&G are now calling themselves “Proud sponsors of Moms,” which I think is genius. With P&G, who else can you target better than moms. You can’t go wrong with the moms and with the sons and daughters either. They go with: “To their Moms, They’ll always be kids,” practically a known fact for any family. McDonald’s goes also with a kid and his dream, reflecting on the future. Chevy also does a good ad, with “We carry.”  Considering that they do carry the future Olympians to their practices, from and to home. Good strategy and good implementation.

Then there come all the ads about the world, the athletes, their dreams and never giving up. Starting with Visa and their Go World campaign. With Morgan Freeman in the voice over, they have me sold. After it GE, something that has been done, but I think is pretty good. Finally for Nike I’m not sure if these are the Winter Olympic ads, because I haven’t caught it on TV yet, but I really like them.  No one can tell you get up and work, better than Nike. It’s really inspiring, just do it. Don’t think, don’t make excuses, just do it. I should have the Nike ads as everyday inspiration.

P&G

McDonald’s

Chevy

GE

Can’t post video, the link is: http://www.youtube.com/user/GEreports#p/u/2/wiDPc-yMrYw

Nike

The posts are getting longer every time! But tell me yourself, are you following the Winter Olympics? Any sport in particular? Any ad you like, didn’t like? Some ads I haven’t seen? Or in Tim Gunn’s words: did they make it work?

Ps. Happy Valentines and Happy Chinese New Year!