Written by: Ilaria Storch, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Do you remember some typical, or funny sayings from your childhood, or from where you grew up?
Today I want to invite you on a fun trip through some interesting Italian quotes and expressions, some of them I remember from my grandmothers and others I hear my mom mention them to this day! Every country and people have their own personal and cultural expressions – some of them resist the test of time and still look useful and very helpful when used today. Others remain part of other times and habits.
Either way, the idea is for you to enjoy this ride and remember some expressions from your family, country, school, group of friends. I suggest you write them down and maybe spend a playful weekend afternoon reading them to your kids and then chat about what they like, what makes sense or not to them and add a few updated ones to your quote journal.
You will find this feels like a classic family recipe, where you suddenly remember about and yearn for it, and want to try and cook it, starting a journey down former emotions, tastes, the you before now – quite an experience, because even if we know that there are so many new places, books, and amazing recipes to read and visit, many of them may have been created by drinking into specific sources before them. Mix and mingle, see what happens.
Let’s start?
I will write them in Italian so that you can feel the sonority when you read them aloud – usually, I find the sound matches the saying´s personality and culture – and then I will translate them to English, for understanding and clarity.
1. On Health and Beauty:
“La pappa fa l’uccello ma la piuma lo rende bello.”
“The food nurtures the bird, yet the feathers render him beautiful.”
How UpToDate is this one right? We are all constantly talking about the different ways to blend a green juice, eat healthier, if we like, or not, bullet proof coffee, should we try intermittent fasting, where to buy our groceries, and so on. And really what this means is that our inner health will reflect on our disposition to feel better and to choose the outer clothes that makes us feel well and good looking – the feathers – and one can mostly look good when we take the effort inside and outside our bodies, mind, and soul.
2. About Time:
“Chi ha tempo non aspetti tempo.”
“The time is now.”
That sounds like it was born during the pandemic, and yet, how many times have you heard this one? There are many interpretations to this saying and the outcome is all the same: if you have time, do it now, time does not come back and will wait for no one. I find it specially inspiring for us to start our projects from a place of deep desire and bring those hidden ideas and plans to the surface – to the now. Time is very sensitive to gratitude and taking actions, so we must remember to practice gratitude for time and people in our lives, and time also expands when we are doing activities that fulfill us and brings us joy – it can bring financial results too - time and money are energy after all - that is just a great match for your talents.
Tip on Time: watch (or rewatch) the lovely movie “About Time” – Directed by Richard Curtis
3. On Feeling at Home Anywhere:
“Ogni luogo è pátria mia perchè da ogni luogo posso vedere il cielo.”
“Each place is my motherland because from each place I can see the sky.”
This one is a very well-known saying and it fits very well in our current, extremely dynamic world, where technology is changing almost daily, people are being able to choose to work from many places around the globe – even before the pandemic, which only accelerated what was already happening. My special interpretation on this one goes further to add that not only the skies keep our human dimension and hope when we sometimes take longer to keep up with changes. Our internal skies and background can also guide us forward and remind us of where we came from – both are important so that we can keep the connection to ourselves, grow and be more understanding with others.
Freebie Tip: this one is very Life Coach Nomads – I invite you here to visit the site and get my Free 07 Tips to Feel at Home Anywhere!
See you there!
4. On Boundaries:
“Chi troppo s’affida al dovere si accorge che è fatto per gli altri e a lui non avanzano che i resti.”
“One who is too much attached to duties realizes he does only for others and for himself there are only leftovers.”
How relevant and universal is this saying for us humans who are working each day more due to all the facilities and technologies, not to mention almost adult schedules for kids, teens, and pets. And how can you function properly if you are depleted and on automatic mode? You can´t unless you set aside some intentional time and space to unwind, rest, think and do some personal auditing on what you are doing and for whom you are doing things for? Who is in charge of your life, how are you connecting to what matters? You need and deserve for yourself even a few minutes a day, then increase, and not leftover hours and minutes.
Tip on Book: “The Boundary Boss” – by Terri Cole – amazing book with steps to action.
5. Overcoming Challenges:
“Se si vive in mezzo ai guai, sarà sempre un eterno mai.”
“If you live and dwell on problems it will always be a ‘never’.”
We all have our challenges, our bridges to cross on the way to our dreams and doing things better for ourselves, our loved ones, and for those who want to expand. This saying is so wise because it deals with mindset and places that are not helping you grow and solve your issues. It invites you to get away, move, find a way out of the place you are at, where you live, or work, and also train your mindset to start thinking in a way that finds solutions and not dwells on them – start saying words that sound more positive, talk to different people who can help you out, learn new skills and substitute the word “never” for “I am working on my dreams and projects now, going places that nurture me and seeing people that inspire me.” You got this!
(Note: These sayings were heard in the family, some are popular, some anonymous, some from ancient philosophers, and are here for you to enjoy and think about them.)
Do you want to share with me your sayings? I will be delighted to hear them!
ILA at Life Coach Nomads
Your Connection Coach
Ilaria Storch, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Ilaria Storch, a Life Coach Nomad, is the creator of Life Coach Nomads, where she shares her passion for travel and for inspiring people everywhere to access their true center and find more connection and energy on the way to more joy, fun, and fulfillment. She practices that following your emotions, wrapped up in a personal structure that can connect your goals, desires, and love, is the path to all real and true growth. Wherever you are, change is nomadic by essence, and it takes time, support and starts inside you when you absolutely desire to develop yourself and move on. She has a Bachelor´s Degree in Advertising, speaks many languages, won a Fashion Illustration Award during College, and loves coaching her clients towards their expressive life journey.
