Barren. Gloomy. Brown. Almost dead. That’s how the trees in the winter look, don’t they? I don’t know about you, but 8 years ago, I saw them for the first time, and frankly, just wanted to run from them like hell! I missed my tropical green…:( I first arrived in Europe in the fall. And in …
When Pain Knocked Me Out, and I Woke Up to Some Harsh Truths
Ever been in gut-wrenching pain, that made your face all crinkly? Ever tried to move your body parts, and have it refuse to listen, like a broken toy? Ever gave your full energy to conduct a simple everyday habit, and failed miserably? No? Lucky, lucky, you! And pray till kingdom comes, that you never know …
Have You Noticed the 2-Minute Relationships in Your Life?
A few days ago, I had this tune in my head. I just couldn’t remember the song though. You know that feeling when you know that you know the lyrics of a song, but all that comes to your head is the tune? So annoying! Anyway, so I was constantly humming this tune, hoping that …
I Am Enough
I know that I am not perfect, but yet I am. In my own way. There is just one me. And thus only one perfect. Who am I? That changes each moment. I am not who I was this morning, because I have grown, physically and mentally and spiritually, since then. And what I am …
Cluttered Bookcase, or More? Look a Little Deeper.
As Alex and I were doing up our new apartment, we put up all the books in our existing bookcase. And because we didn’t want to get another display shelf to put our little knickknacks and collectibles, we just put them all in the bookcase together. After it was all done, I stood back and …
Enough With the Fear. Time to Show All Your Colors :)
Life is a roller coaster. Sometimes things are at a high, sometimes they come crashing down. Sometimes there is joy, exuberance, joy, laughter. Sometimes there is despair, tears, and things fall apart. As the French sigh and say reflectively, c’est la vie. Why then, are you so open and proud of all the good things …
The Moments That Make the Effort Totally Worth It!
If you have lived with someone in a close relationship (not like a roommate, but someone whom you love deeply), chances are that like me, you’ve been so annoyed and frustrated by some small and big things that they do, that you’ve wanted to bang your head on the wall in frustration. It doesn’t matter …
Little Blessings From Big Hearts!
Isn’t it just wonderful when you are faced with a potential difficulty, and not just the solution comes to you easily, but something even better? I was at this company Rockwool recently for a meeting, in Roermond, Netherlands, and had gone by bus. The office was in a bit of a secluded place, in an …
Kindness, Even From Strangers, Can Make Everything Bright :)
In a consumer world, we encounter many different kinds of salepersons in stores. A few days ago, I met 2 extreme kinds. I had to get some printing and binding done in Aachen, so I went to a shop called Face, known for special printing. They said they couldn’t deliver exactly what I wanted, just …
Why and How, Even Being a Perfectionist, I Gave Up on Perfection
They say Virgos are perfectionists. As someone of that sun sign, I had no trouble believing that about myself from an early age! I tried to maintain very high standards of both quality and quantity of work, pushed myself constantly to achieve those standards, and I was actually very proud about that! In interviews, when …
It is Just an Ordinary Day…Or Is it?
It’s just a regular day. No public holiday, no special celebrations, and no, it’s not even the weekend, Yet as I sipped my tea looking out from my balcony, I thought, this is another remarkable day! The sun is shining, there’s a gentle breeze on my balcony, things are in order on this day Another …