Dec6

Amazing success stories. They exist.

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We’ve all been there. Repeating things in the hope that we’ll get better at them. That we SUCCEED.

Sometimes we do. Most of the times we don’t. Or at least not as quickly as we wish. 

Now let me introduce you to this guy: We can say he’s had some minor setbacks. Some major ones, too. In fact so many, put together they even make a nice list:

Nov8

Straight down the road, then turn right to disappointment!

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Do you want to know how to be unhappy? Well, I’m surprised you read on, because most of us perfectly know how to be miserable. But hey, in case you forgot (or you’re one of these annoying people radiating positive energy!), here’s a reminder:

  • Compare yourself to others (remember: you’re unique – just like everyone else)
  • Want the things you cannot possibly have (even though this longing seems to make at least the beauty industry happy…)
  • Focus on climbing the ladder, the goal –  not on the joyful things happening on the journey (just to realise that after all your ladder was leaning against the wrong wall, ahem)
  • Complain about your situation to everyone who cares to listen (which, eventually, will be fewer and fewer people, until you realise that you’re the only one who can change the things you complain about – even if it’s just changing your view on them)
  • Constantly think of the past and the things that happened, or rather: shouldn’t have happened (until time travel is invented, that’s a waste of the very precious present moment, leaves you unable to act in the NOW and consequently gives you more sad stuff to dwell on in the future, namely the things you should have done NOW – and haven’t…)
  • Have unreasonable expectations  Read the rest of this entry →
Sep7

Let’s take a FRESH look!

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Relocating is great. It means you’re discovering new things almost every day. Just walking in the city centre makes me go “oh” and “ah” at every corner. I’m observing nicely carved features on building facades. How the afternoon sun is reflected in the glass windows of the office tower across the road. How the cappuccino at the local eatery is prepared – with so much love! How people smile at strangers, for no reason at all except that they’re happy.

Of course we can take this to the yoga room. Read the rest of this entry →

Aug6

On the move? How to stay centred.

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There’s all this talk about the “global village” nowadays. Most of us have friends on several continents. We travel regularly for work, sometimes crossing different time zones. But while the space and time zones we’re moving in are continuously expanding, we somehow manage to be even more present than ever.

Time zone clocks, Lao Cai

Time and space – does it matter?

No, not physically. Online, that is. We are virtually present. Urgent emails get almost instant responses, no matter what’s the time of the day (or night). People see the need to set up out of office messages that say things like “I won’t have regular access to emails this afternoon between 2 and 4pm“. Sorry, what? Read the rest of this entry →

Jul18

Non-attachment. Or: Your life in two suitcases

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A while ago I wrote about non-attachment. In fact I got so excited about the topic that I added another post straight after. I guess we can say I got a little bit attached to the whole thing. How I regret that now.

Book store in Calcutta

I want to keep all of them!

You know, it’s really easy to write about things. To make it sound as if you knew what you’re talking about. Ha! Big words, small means. Had I known at the time what was in store for me, I guess I would have kept quiet.

So on Saturday, I’m moving to Australia. Do you remember this game we played when we were kids, trying to think of what we would take with us on a remote island? (Sorry, Aussies… of course remote depends on where you are, right?).

I wish I could see it with as much serenity and composure as my mum does: “Well, you’re just moving from a small island to a bigger one, no?” (Sorry, UK – of course you’re not that tiny…) Or at least with as much calmness as my fiancé does: “Darling, that’s all just stuff.” Read the rest of this entry →

Jul6

Don’t judge a book by…

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The great thing about Barbie is that she can be anything she wants to be. Yes, she’s that cool. Such a strong woman. Naturally, if Barbie decides she wants to be a yoga teacher, she can be just that. (In case you’ve missed this exciting piece of news, read on here).

So the question is: Do you think Barbie is a good yoga teacher? Okay, I know what you’re saying. She’s a doll. But let’s forget about that for a second, let’s just look at her. What do you see?

Or even better, let’s go to a book store (I know, bear with me, please). So we’re right in front of all these shelves, looking at book covers. Maybe some books are highlighted by the shop and put on a nice little extra shelf, so that we won’t miss them. There’s the sales person as well. “May I help?” – “Ahem, thanks, just browsing.” We look at the covers. Their colours. The type of font the publisher has used. The thickness of the book. We read the description on the back, have a quick flip through, decide to buy it. Or not. The decision is based on so many random things. Did we spot the book because it’s featured in a certain way? Did we buy it because we liked the way it feels when we hold it? Because we like the cover picture? Read the rest of this entry →