Category Archives: Personal Growth

Kyrgyzstan — Where Reigns a Policy of Intoxicating Delight

July 28, 2019 Olya Aman 30 Comments

No worries destination

Conquest of the country

I credit myself with the conquest of this land. It is almost impossible to bring me to forsake this welcoming place for any other destination. Kyrgyzstan greeted me warmly and secured my affectionate love forever. And when you devote your heart to some place, you obtain a fortune of a vast land because now that place belongs to you.

The most fastidious and picky of our tribe will get their satisfaction here. Kyrgyzstan knows how to grasp your imagination with a pleasurable tight grip. Dwell with me for a little sweet moment and I will tell you the story of my victory.

Secured love

When you take a course of a sincere interest in people, you bring their affection to yourself. Kyrgyz heart is capacious, it holds an abundance of generosity and love. Coming here with a free mind and an open heart, you become a recipient of those grand feelings.

Unblinded eyes will see the beauty of simple life. Rural areas of Kyrgyzstan are charming, full of daring and chivalrous people, who have much to say and plenty to give.

Golden chains of hospitality

The most modest household will take every pain to make you feel like a monarch of a friendly nation. They may run into debt but will throw a feast in your honor. You will never have even a slight hunch about those troubles because these people take it as their high privilege to serve you and make you as contented as possible.

Kyrgyz people are known to be kind and honest. You will feel genuine care and friendliness that no money can buy. They will gift you to the ears and won’t take a refusal for an answer. You will go when you please (even if you came for an hour, agreed to stay for a day, and left in a week) with your hands full and your heart happy.

Gastronomic luxury

A sense of culinary exhilaration will be your daily companion. Any place you visit in Kyrgyzstan, be it a café, a restaurant, or a friend’s dining room, it will enchant you with its delicious food. Every meal here is a trip to a loving home: you sense the flavor of thoughtful attention in every dish.

Manty and oromo, plov and dymdama, samsy and lagman, shashlyk and beshbarmak; kumis, kompot, black tea with milk and honey, etc. — the list is long and will take a book to cover — but the essence is simple: they are all cooked with love as the key ingredient.

Thrilling glance at the past

The history of this land is fascinating. It can be traced back to the ancient times (1st century BCE) and relates about rather proud but good-natured and just people. The wisdom of the past experiences is impossible to ignore. All sorts of information can be found but do not be lost in a multitude of old manuscripts. There is a solution in verse.

When you read Kyrgyz’s traditional epic poem Manas a strange spell as if exerted over you. What a magical and often sad work it is the reading about old times… The feelings seem so strong as if people who expressed themselves so could never pass away. You feel a vivid and intense sense of present time in every person depicted and every event described. And you wish those warm and loving hearts could never die.

The empire of symbolic and significant

I was in a fit of passion when I saw the ornamented jewelry, rugs (or shyrdaks), embroidered handmade clothes, and all kinds of felt little articles to beautify your home. You will come to my way of thinking after seeing my purchases. There was no way to not yield to the cunning temptation.

Kyrgyz art is irresistible. Every symbol is culturally important. You can tell stories from the history of this wonderful place by simply looking at a little imitation of a boz-ui or a drawing of a Kyrgyz brave man on a horse with a sword in his hand. Kyrgyz patterns remind me of beautiful music, a succession of shapes creates a magic rhythm on every item. The motif is soothing and melodious.

The glimmer of the language

I take it as a habit to learn basic language expressions whenever I travel to a faraway foreign destination. Believe me, neither mountains no rivers would be able to resist your allure. It is so sweet to see the faces with their smiles stretched from ear to ear at a simple earshot of a greeting on their beloved language.

I could go on and on with those few words I knew, gesticulating furiously and creating an unforgettable first impression. Love was secured, they adored me because I tasted every word with the true eagerness of a gourmand. The Kyrgyz language is the one you cannot have enough of and want to take it ‘to go’.

Splendor of nature

The whole mystery of this place is rushing through my mind when I recollect the splendor of its landscapes. I know the reason why the blood is tingling through my veins from adoration. These mountains now have my heart in their sole possession and the sound of rushing river re-echoes in my soul.

The nature of this country serves as a passport, introduction to a newcomer. It is the main reason foreigners want to visit this place and enjoy its breathtaking gorgeousness.

Driven to come back

I often find myself with a bunch of pictures in my hand, and a bunch of happy memories in my head. The freedom you feel in this country, the love you give, and receive leave an unforgettable impression and your whole essence strives to come back and see beautiful Kyrgyzstan again. True friendship excels in its meaning when you recollect hospitality of Kyrgyz people. Your friends will wait for you whenever you decide to come back.

Stay tuned…

Personal Growth

How to Find a Good Book to Read

July 7, 2019 Olya Aman 59 Comments

An advice from a genius writer whose masterpieces the world missed to see

May I Present

my friend A. He is at his late 60s and, my word, in his youth he must have been irresistible. His face is mapped with roads and rivers that only time and extreme life challenges can create. Each line presents a reasonable attempt at exquisiteness.

A.’s speech has a gentlemanly flavor about it – makes you think of frockcoat, stick, and bowler. His sixty and some years had not impaired his intelligent vivacity. Indeed, his conversation could not be otherwise than profitable to me, for he is thoroughly acquainted with the art of coming out winning over the difficulty of getting a volume of value.

You cannot find more devoted to the crafty pen person. A.’s inward exultation at seeing his works read is heartwarming. Although, you must be in a circle of chosen few close and trusted friends to be able to have a glance at his poems. Humble and dubious, he never made his words public. I want to gratify his work by just saying that reading those words aloud would have made my lips bleed in painful admiration.

The luxury of this conversation is sublime. So, let us have a real, rattling good time with A. and fix up the book business.

1) Worldwide Known Classics

“There is almost as much charm in a quality literary work as there is in first love. The certainty of success the world-renowned masterpiece achieved diminished all likelihoods to make the wrong choice. When you are sitting down to a book of Leo Tolstoy or Charles Dickens you always have your own say in an artistic conversation. The most superb taste will be satisfied with memoirs of a genius, or the fiction that is written so skillfully that can be taken for a sober fact.”

No need to throw your thoughts in confusion on seeing the vast shelves full of unknown volumes. The classic works are soothing to the mind and consoling to the soul. Their depth and complexity train your perception to see the splendor of the characters that flourish in our society. By reading world respected books you cultivate your mind and develop your intellect

2) A Darn Good Person

“I need a personal connection with a writer. That is why I employ myself in finding the ones I can respect. If a particular author manages to secure my favor, I will read those books with no delay. The great art of authorship should be accompanied by the true virtues of a person’s heart and soul.”

Research the facts from a novelist’s life to make sure that you can relate to his/her values. Let the life of your favorite writer provoke the best feelings in you. This way you can add to your strong passions a solid appetite for a meaningful life.

3) A Protagonist’s Recommendation

“A book that strengthens my heart and an author that seals my best affections have the right to divert my attention toward some other literary work. This kind of a qualified approval is tended by me with admiration.”

You can bury yourself in the pages of a book suggested by your favorite author. If the person whose opinion you respect offered you some interesting read, go ahead and dive into it. That author lived by his wits and he had proved long ago that he had some wits to live by, so his opinion matters.

Conclusion

The whole mystery of the bookish life is re-shelved by a simple principle of cultivating your reading taste with the help of world known classic books. The best and most talented brothermen share with us their view of life, and you can trace that time didn’t change the values that stabilize the world.

Be picky when it comes to the choice of your circle of favorite authors. Make sure you like them personally and, when you’ve done so, you can trust their judgment and get a book they consider worth reading.

Stay tuned…

Personal Growth

Enrich Your Sense of Beauty. Triumph Over Any Fashion

July 3, 2019 Olya Aman 60 Comments

How to be a WOMAN in the most beautiful sense of this word

A woman dressed in confidence and love is always elegant. – Olya Aman

I was in my fifth edition, and that outfit looked just as good as four others I’d tried. I and my girlfriend have been going through my wardrobe for a good half hour now, and each succeeding combination was even braver than the previous one.

“It will be rather a lark if you wear this one to work,” she said succinctly. “I’m just in my yarn when I put things like that on,” said I, covering my bare shoulders with a gorgeous handmade shawl in pastel purple, beige, and blue flowers.

Natasha is my closest friend. The one I see only once in a few years, do not talk for months, and always feel closely attached to. She knows I follow no trends in style and look stunning in my very few outfits, bought years ago or presented by dear people. I am a minimalist when it comes to wardrobe computation. But each article of clothing is most adored and cherished by me.

I’m not beautiful in a way people used to consider facial attractiveness. Just a shade below average height, I nevertheless convey myself with an expression of assurance far beyond the ordinary. The faintest curve of humor never deserts my lips, making my face — sweet in expression, but somewhat irregular in features — charming.

Conversation

Natasha pulled out a leather pocket-book: which, like herself, was very petite, and got ready to listen. She thinks every idea I share with her can be compiled to a separate book.

Let’s see…

“A WOMAN that is in love with herself makes everything that she does beautiful. Every move she makes, every, even the most trifling thing, becomes enveloped in meaning. Her life: family, kids, career — for sure is interesting, every aspect of it. Why?”

Pay attention to yourself first.

“Because she cares about her feelings — that attention towards herself in her ‘to do’ list is primary. She gifts herself first and then she has more to share.”

“I love my kids and I want them to have a healthy, energetic, beautiful mother. That is the reason I go to my yoga class, meet my girlfriends at least twice a week, and do my exercises once a day.”

“I often need that time with just me for a company. So, I take a short, usually one-week trip every winter to whatever destination I chose.”

Work on your inner and outer self.

“I want to be interesting, that is why I am interested in many things. I read on various topics. Fashion is just one of the many. I know my colors and how to play with them. It is easy when you give yourself time to research and experiment.”

“I meet new people constantly and find new activities. I used to go to a drawing class, enjoyed it for a while, got acquainted with a couple of great people, and then transferred my attention to private music lessons. Now I can play the guitar, not very well (I need to practice more) but I consider it my personal achievement.”

Find your own style.

“I do not like shopping. But I am attentive to what is pleasing to the eye. I try my outfits, various combinations at my leisure time to get to know them better. I consider my shawls, skirts, and jackets — my friends, that is why I have only a few and love them dearly.”

“At any rate, things change so much. I don’t want to always rush to be in time, in style, in anything. I take my moment as I feel it. I collected a few good quality articles and a couple imposing accessories — and a great variety of charming smiles to my closet.”

Listen to your beautiful self.

“Everyone’s got intuition. The inner voice that never deceives. Some just forgot how to distinguish it in the multitude of whirling thoughts. Women are more sensitive. That time I spend alone helps me to find good grounds with that precious girl in me. She knows what is better for me. I do not want to be one of the crowd, I am to all appearances different, unique — and I love it.”

“I keep a close watch on how I feel in my clothes, bearing philosophically the judgment of others. When freed from the demands and expectations, you live in harmony with yourself. We, by no means, need not lose ourselves in chasing trends.”

My advice to beautiful ladies

A woman dressed in confidence and love is always elegant. You triumph over any fashion when enough time is given to renew your inner tranquility. Labor tenderly in enriching your sense of beauty. Meet with intelligent people, go to interesting gatherings, fascinate your mind with thought-provoking books… and feel good in the garments you wear. Let your inner organization be your guide in choosing a dress as a friend that will be fond of your body and a companion to your soul.

Stay tuned…

Personal Growth

Never Guessed This Easy Self-Love Formula Could Change My Friend’s Life

July 3, 2019 Olya Aman 37 Comments

“Unlike her mother, she loved herself just the way she was”

I met Natasha when I was in hospital as a child, on some trifling issue with my collarbone. We got together somehow. The simplicity and cheerfulness of her nature was the best recommendation for me. Natasha was always disposed to chatter, and I loved to listen to her stories. So, when she invited me to snatch a meal at her parents’ house on one of the weekends, I agreed with delight.

A Mother’s heart

I was aware that Natasha felt somewhat uneasy to introduce me to her mom. But Natasha sensed a kind and open heart in me and wanted my smiling face to cheer her family.

I did my best to not show my astonishment at seeing her mother. But I bet it was all written on my over expressive face. I never before or since saw a woman so big. I was just a shy child and on my asking if there was anything I could do to help her with setting up the table or getting the tea ready, she became suddenly annoyed and left the room without saying a word.

I felt her unease and pain as my own. It often goes to my heart to see people unhappy in their bodies. I didn’t think a moment but acted on impulse. Rushing right after her, I hugged her and cried bitterly in her soft bosom. Often I think I am made practically from one heart and it governs my actions, leading me through the jungle of human emotions.

Natasha’s mother was a beautiful woman, shy and gentle, kind and sincere in everything she did. I realized, many years after, that this moment of uneven and impulsive emotional connection we both felt resulted from our likeness. She, just like me, was oversensitive. Her emotions were like musical strains, too tightly rendered. She had a way of noticing even a slight change in people’s attitude towards herself, and she took it too close to her heart.

That was a magic night. I do not remember laughing so much ever since.

Second Encounter

I left the hospital in a week and we lost each other, being a few years apart and busy with our lives. At that age it was a huge obstacle: I was 11 and still played with dolls and Natasha, being about 21, started to go out with boys.

In my last year at university, just before moving overseas, I rented an apartment with my friend. The kids next door were noisy little devils. On one occasion they were fighting in the little corridor we shared and ruined our shoe shelf. Their mom came out of the door just at the time when I was vainly trying to rescue my boots out of the younger boy’s hands. He was trying to kick his brother with one boot and to pull the other on his own poor head as a helmet.

I was so much taken up by the drama in front of me that I didn’t right away realize that a lady next door was dragging me out of the fighting boys’ way and into her apartment. I found myself in the kitchen, sitting at the table with the lucky boot in one hand and a cup of fragrant tea in the other.

I was well rewarded for my pains with love and hospitality bestowed on me by my old friend Natasha.

“Forget about the little rascals, Oly,” Natasha was the only person calling me so. “They will get their share of motherly affection when I’m done with you.” We hugged and kissed, we laughed and chatted till midnight, Natasha’s husband dealing with the kids.

Loving Yourself Comes First

1) Love Yourself Today

We were throwing tea parties almost every night since then. I used to look at Natasha from time to time with an air of conscious admiration. Refreshed, delighted, invigorated, she carried the world before her by the force of love she felt towards herself, her children, and her husband. She rarely came out of the apartment, mostly busying herself in the kitchen making all kinds of delicacies for her boys. She had a big heart in her rather big body.

Her husband adored her, children obeyed her ALMOST every time, and unlike her mother, she loved herself just the way she was.

2) Let Your Family and Friends Help

Natasha needed to go out more often, though. I knew that, she knew that, and her husband secretly asked me to encourage her. He tried to convince her every possible way he could invent, but being a soft and loving person, he could not say ‘but’, or ‘no’ to his sweetheart. Good enough he said ‘yes’ and ‘sure’ to everything I suggested.

First, she could see neither rhyme nor reason in it, saying, “Why would I need to go out? I have everything I need here handy. And besides, my mom was pretty sound and jolly at home too.”

Her mother died at 43. Too many health complications caused by extra weight. So, Natasha needed to change her life to be there for her family.

3) Take Little Steps

I asked her a few times to run some errands for me, excusing myself by the business of my working and studying schedule. Then I offered evening walks instead of evening tea rounds. Half hour strolls gave way to an hour one, temp getting faster, music accompanying conversations.

4) Find a Thing You Like

Natasha loved music. Her tuneless yet sweet humming was pleasing to the ear. I found out there was a dancing studio nearby. The time worked for both of us and I urged her to try. She became friendly with the elderly woman instructor. Gradually that kind and sincere lady took the place of a coach in Natasha’s life. I felt good transferring my duties to her, knowing I was leaving my lovely friend in good hands.

5) Reward Yourself

I got into a habit of sending Natasha a motivational postcard each month with little writings coming from my heart. She sent me photos of her-improving-self in gorgeous dresses she crafted for her dance performances. It was quite an expense for her family, but surely the one they could proudly enjoy, watching that charming woman’s every graceful move.

Conclusion

Natasha turned 44 last year. I feel like it was a turning point in her life. She always had a fear in her kind heart to have a similar fate as her mom had. Natasha stopped thinking this way the day she felt a deserved pride from being herself. Although her health improved significantly with some weight loss, the bigger change was in her attitude toward herself.

To the outside observer, Natasha’s body didn’t change very much. Maybe some curves got more prominent and sensual, that was all.

She WAS and IS bathing in love coming from her husband and kids. But you see, she used to be affectionate toward herself in a kind and humorous way, with a slight touch of loving mockery. Now her attitude changed.

In her eyes, there is a real, rattling satisfaction. She goes about singing and dancing, knowing how to showcase her inner and outer beauty. A growing admiration from the men and women of her dancing studio and applause from the smiling audience proved to her the thing she always knew but seldom voiced proudly. Those magic words were: “I am beautiful!”

Stay tuned…