tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69288471671430001712024-02-19T07:17:30.028+01:00Light in My SmileTraces of light showing in my smile, or in yours.Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-33841237883047166822013-05-22T19:00:00.000+02:002013-05-22T19:00:08.555+02:00A PauseTo whoever checks in on this little blog: goodbye for now! Too much is changing, I have to make a pause and concentrate on the essential.<br />
It was a good challenge trying to find "food for thought" to post here, and I hope to come back in a couple of month's time...<br />
So long, dear friends, and hope to see you then!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcgCIyHAssg466dC8jMNyT2xM7xxpKnB-ja-Xe0ehSV4DUoA2vhTIL1HtJM8vOVoQTm-MTOouYhOCXVkWdkkI3LUz0OMvnm4Qa5pDWde7O3hK-AAaEILSqheGgHgST6jK3trIb0JgtXdU/s1600/IMG_7179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcgCIyHAssg466dC8jMNyT2xM7xxpKnB-ja-Xe0ehSV4DUoA2vhTIL1HtJM8vOVoQTm-MTOouYhOCXVkWdkkI3LUz0OMvnm4Qa5pDWde7O3hK-AAaEILSqheGgHgST6jK3trIb0JgtXdU/s320/IMG_7179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>No, I'm not going to sleep in the grass... Not yet!</i></td></tr>
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<br />Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-88793655289510975852013-05-16T21:13:00.000+02:002013-05-16T21:13:00.210+02:00Feed Your Joy DailyWhat you think and how you feel now determines what you will think and how you will feel tomorrow. Don't get all caught up in problems, worries and other negative thoughts. Concentrate on the joys in life, however small.<br />
The feeling of a fresh breeze on your skin while walking home from work, the kind words of a friend, a good meal shared with a nice person, the smell of a jasmine flower, smiling at a stranger in the bus - you can find a million things to bring you joy.<br />
Take good care of yourself in order to take good care of others. Think, feel and do more of what brings you happiness. Feed your joy daily.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEn5qJmhz0JO2VEa4yVPHaR-NSqO8k02DWk_ULAeCuQSfkL_ZyZRpJPKjRLTwmjdesI5Cp9K9EDQ7fTcJvMUNj4ApQox5LgI5cJpxOyh187DcZ477bNbJ3wV-av85cyO5HtH3JclpxbZF/s1600/IMG_7322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEn5qJmhz0JO2VEa4yVPHaR-NSqO8k02DWk_ULAeCuQSfkL_ZyZRpJPKjRLTwmjdesI5Cp9K9EDQ7fTcJvMUNj4ApQox5LgI5cJpxOyh187DcZ477bNbJ3wV-av85cyO5HtH3JclpxbZF/s320/IMG_7322.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A nice meal- even better in lovely company</i></td></tr>
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<br />Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-47091878683767657582013-05-09T18:11:00.001+02:002013-05-09T18:11:41.680+02:00Cung Cung PaahThis is a year of fulfilling dreams :-)<br />
One old dream is being able to dance to latin American music. I've wanted to learn that ever since hanging out with some Mexicans during my student years. Much later I tried out a salsa course, but I'm a slow learner and let's say that my feeling for rhythm isn't innate...<br />
But now I finally indulge myself in private lessons -who knows for how long I can still do that, so the time is NOW.<br />
Horacio is teaching me, slowly and patiently, and I don't feel like a hopeless case anymore. As a good pedagogue he started with "the feeling" of this kind of dance, not with the basic steps. His way of teaching the steps is with the mantra "cung cung paah" - and that really sticks!<br />
At home I take out my dancing shoes, put on some salsa music, feel the Cung Cung Paah and love it!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWC3QarWMXLyp2BWbZxjSNPh5E88ffR0fqMstuq8EzFdBCNLORfjhiO570DQxTjXo_cdvsVObTjrw5ax5-8QbxTe82iuGa8SbQ3Vzki4NLa6FUaOXqbAMHW-qbpyugc-4R6Gpc8gvqcsbe/s1600/IMG_1900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWC3QarWMXLyp2BWbZxjSNPh5E88ffR0fqMstuq8EzFdBCNLORfjhiO570DQxTjXo_cdvsVObTjrw5ax5-8QbxTe82iuGa8SbQ3Vzki4NLa6FUaOXqbAMHW-qbpyugc-4R6Gpc8gvqcsbe/s320/IMG_1900.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>My Dancing Shoes</i></td></tr>
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<br />Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-47460788279177751952013-05-03T13:46:00.003+02:002013-05-03T13:46:51.853+02:00More Happiness in the WorldIn connection with the upcoming changes I am reviewing my whole life. The Where?, the What?, the How?, and the Why? Why am I here, and What is my task? What effect do I want to have on the world and on people?<br />
Even if it sounds presumptuous, I want to spread Happiness.<br />
But it does not feel enough to spread out <i>my </i>happiness, even if that already has an effect on others.<br />
I would love to be able to inspire others to find access to their own inner happiness. To discover the core within themselves that is - happiness. The centre to which you can always connect and feel warmth, care and love; first for yourself, and then for others.<br />
Finding ways to inspire others to access their inner Happiness feels like a major task. I am really looking forward to soon be working on it with a lot more energy and time :-)Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-1714223931539568692013-04-26T19:42:00.001+02:002013-04-26T19:42:29.773+02:00Take a Leap"It's not what you do in your life that matters, it's how you do it". That has been my adage for several years, and a way to cope with unfulfilling tasks: I've put my pride in doing them as efficiently as possible, with high quality and with a smile.<br />
But in the end that just isn't enough. At a certain point life almost got a stale taste and it became clear that I had to make a choice. Either I stay in the comfort zone, not asking too much neither from myself nor from life... Or I take a leap, and with that leap I don't just risk cold feet, but I also prove that I believe in in the possibility to discover and explore new treasures. Outside and inside. Reinventing my life, in a certain way.<br />
Time has come to leap. The adventure can start.Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-82859349353824399562013-04-12T19:22:00.001+02:002013-04-12T19:22:53.453+02:00Planting SeedsThe growth force of nature is just amazing. Put a small seed into some soil, water it now and then and just leave it for a while. Suddenly something starts to sprout, something very small and green pokes its head out. It strikes me with awe every time!<br />
Despite the long and cold winter on my kitchen table there are already 20 quite big (it's all relative!) tomato seedlings, a handful of tiny pea plants and I'm sure coriander, runner beans and poppies will soon peep out too.<br />
Of course I have setbacks, many seeds just don't germinate, but that's quickly forgotten when the little tomato plants start spreading their unmistakeable scent.<br />
Few other things fill me with such deep pleasure. I just love "gardening" (even without having a garden)! It makes me feel so much part of Mother Nature - of life itself.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAByyseJxZ_n5g56VnqLtxtolx3TQnPo0WX-n4lSo5HusVGCjvbHSiZEd02dvZfKGm1Ze395KZ1w84lFDGLXifmzl1FeX5v-icUskGy6PF3FralEkC5LWpIsXSvXc2sF_tRuF9YIXN_oZ/s1600/IMG_1754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAByyseJxZ_n5g56VnqLtxtolx3TQnPo0WX-n4lSo5HusVGCjvbHSiZEd02dvZfKGm1Ze395KZ1w84lFDGLXifmzl1FeX5v-icUskGy6PF3FralEkC5LWpIsXSvXc2sF_tRuF9YIXN_oZ/s320/IMG_1754.JPG" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I love you, little baby tomato plants!</i></td></tr>
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<br />Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-1526061189267530852013-04-04T19:37:00.000+02:002013-04-04T19:37:02.296+02:00FaithBravery never was one of my main characteristics. I'm an overall cautious person, like when it comes to spending money or practicing sports. Downhill skiing? I don't want to kill myself!<br />
Unfortunately this also goes for challenging my habits or taking decisions about minor as well as about major changes in life. "You know what you have, but never what you get"..<br />
Well, I've come to understand that this is basically a lack of faith. Things will be fine! I won't break my neck in the ski slope or ruin myself by investing in long yearned for pearl earrings. As for life changes I just have to show trust. The outcome may be completely unknown, but eventually things will turn out all right. I will survive. Not only that: needed changes will turn things for the better. I just have to show some Faith. Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-76612291168955720242013-03-22T16:53:00.003+01:002013-03-22T16:53:52.128+01:00Spring Clean OutSpring is here, I have cleaned my windows :-)<br />
With the re-birth of Nature comes the urge for a "re-birth" at home: the big Spring Clean Out. I have too much stuff, while others have too little, and I lose overview. So what has not been used for a year (and that goes for EVERYthing) goes to charity. And it will definitely not be replaced.<br />
To speak with Thich Nhat Hanh:<br />
"Live simply and share time, energy and material resources with those who are in need."<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MkwBZg5uLxrg5OeJd6uzJv8yd1NRKjuONT2tieZctoK116_zPVbQvfZXqxMLl8UfceNIgIDLJZ8OC1u_85Q3vFji44g6vp1P2MyngPVJmt0wQ4utKZLyyTIp_n19Zn7Mcar6DUnqpK9I/s1600/IMG_6337_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MkwBZg5uLxrg5OeJd6uzJv8yd1NRKjuONT2tieZctoK116_zPVbQvfZXqxMLl8UfceNIgIDLJZ8OC1u_85Q3vFji44g6vp1P2MyngPVJmt0wQ4utKZLyyTIp_n19Zn7Mcar6DUnqpK9I/s320/IMG_6337_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Spring Symbols</i></td></tr>
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<br />Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-63700976428159145082013-03-14T19:59:00.001+01:002013-03-14T19:59:21.973+01:00On the VergeThis not yet out<br />
That not yet in<br />
A pause <br />
<br />
My mind goes blank<br />
<br />
The gap needed<br />
to make space<br />
for the new<br />
<br />
I smile into the emptiness<br />
<br />
Enjoying<br />
nothingSabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-34685361061085382552013-03-08T17:06:00.000+01:002013-03-08T17:06:55.265+01:00I am a Sun<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On fuzzy days like these</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wrapped in greyness</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Energy too low:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't despair</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't sink into lethargy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Never give up</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Be a Sun yourself!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shine within</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Radiate out</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Light through your eyes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love from your heart</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shine!</div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQ3gjkDSdwAyK8Mi402oMUWPxungafOMklBgfYfP0o2MSSgNESG3G1kwW1hzg8BGYPfekyGw8bxVByuflWZiY9haEKlk7fXzmiy0CBvClHljHLBf-OZFgcWQNHkdi0knWw15slcrZXji2/s1600/IMG_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQ3gjkDSdwAyK8Mi402oMUWPxungafOMklBgfYfP0o2MSSgNESG3G1kwW1hzg8BGYPfekyGw8bxVByuflWZiY9haEKlk7fXzmiy0CBvClHljHLBf-OZFgcWQNHkdi0knWw15slcrZXji2/s320/IMG_0413.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Another little sun </i></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-3481747075624092292013-03-02T16:30:00.000+01:002013-03-02T16:30:16.702+01:00Dream ScenesYou know how often negative or stressful thoughts come up in a day... Someone says something "wrong", you suddenly get an extra task to do, you're kept waiting at the doctor's or your child comes home with bad grades. Anything and everything can trigger your tensing up, feeling negative.<br />
Going back to your breath is one way out, but my dear sister C taught me another very efficient one: go back to the feeling of your Dream Scene. I have several favorite dream scenes, the latest one when C and I shared a wonderful dinner on the terrace of a lovely Italian restaurant on a mild summer evening in Santiago - and the warmth, closeness and love of that moment.<br />
So after a long and tiresome flight back home, during which a hyper active child prevented me from sleeping, I just dropped that irritation and went back to the sweet feeling at that wooden dinner table...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTPEDxJqFdZfnx7Ebsw7HGVm9TYeVRGX6Tfys_CXqZtA8FqJ3f_zAXcqSFdDZns-9eo-GCuu-CjzT3RE-bG_oM17tMR3A49kZ1bJF3AW8pJmZHmjLRg1bhm1kbjKtcssxLXOUtBMyxC7x/s1600/IMG_1546_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTPEDxJqFdZfnx7Ebsw7HGVm9TYeVRGX6Tfys_CXqZtA8FqJ3f_zAXcqSFdDZns-9eo-GCuu-CjzT3RE-bG_oM17tMR3A49kZ1bJF3AW8pJmZHmjLRg1bhm1kbjKtcssxLXOUtBMyxC7x/s320/IMG_1546_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Little sister's fragrant giant pizza</i></td></tr>
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<br />Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-14512162233306980672013-02-14T19:52:00.000+01:002013-02-14T19:52:29.335+01:00Inviting the Worries for TeaI have been worrying a lot lately. Knowing it doesn't help didn't stop these obsessive thoughts from filling my tired mind. They just made things worse, draining me completely of energy. At this point, once again, the practice of stopping helped.<br />
So I try to remember to STOP when the worries come creeping up, and instead of getting all caught up, I invite them in for tea :-) "Dear worries, my old friends, there you are again! Welcome!" I examine them, see them for what they are, and let them go. The worries are just little fears; they should be calmed down, and dropped.<br />
After letting them loose I return to real life. As always, the more often I catch myself, the more I strengthen that habit and the less I get caught up in worries.<br />
And then I smile again, accepting the flow of life, and relaxing into what happens right here, right now.Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-68716512276531029682013-02-10T20:10:00.001+01:002013-02-10T20:10:27.977+01:00Refilling My CupMy cup was completely empty and my energy level close to minus. Not really surprising deep in winter time with a flu in my neck and family worries in front of me.<br />
Luckily there are ways to refill the cup. Care from family and friends is the most important one. Slowing down and opening the eyes to the miracles of life is another one. Like the he miracle of spring following after winter every year. Yes, there are already signs.... :-)<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLN0eXK4CEsrgAZ7z_DX1qLc6Li_PY9mOfaEA3KTTdlx50IyvTf9wIb9TZwyjxGxMbkbG59Uu6tR-Y915xODyZoRzfjK4Zc-DtUcnz4Z_Q2FfkbmOBPdfp7ooXnJSReaZRyrl2DID7dd7o/s1600/Almod+blossoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLN0eXK4CEsrgAZ7z_DX1qLc6Li_PY9mOfaEA3KTTdlx50IyvTf9wIb9TZwyjxGxMbkbG59Uu6tR-Y915xODyZoRzfjK4Zc-DtUcnz4Z_Q2FfkbmOBPdfp7ooXnJSReaZRyrl2DID7dd7o/s320/Almod+blossoms.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>H&H greeted spring in Portugal</i></td></tr>
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<br />Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-66088240939420095142013-02-02T09:52:00.000+01:002013-02-02T09:52:10.599+01:00Touch PointsA very helpful practice to stay present in my life is establishing Touch Points in the body.<br />
I have chosen three places in my body where I can strongly focus my attention: my neck & shoulders, my heart, and my lower abdomen. Several times during the day I stop and gently breathe into these Touch Points, relaxing them and feeling them fully. It has become a nice habit to pause and connect with my body in this way.<br />
The good thing about establishing Touch Points when life flows on normally, is that when I find myself in stressful situations I (hopefully!) remember them. Then I connect with my body, calm down and come a little bit closer to being in peace again...<br />
<br />
PS: The source of this practice is the inspiring "Radical Acceptance" by Tara Brach<br />
<br />Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-50383641469433682112013-01-27T18:12:00.000+01:002013-01-27T18:12:56.946+01:00Sensory Pleasures in WinterThe caresses of 32°C water, when swimming in the hot spring's pool<br />
<br />
The smell of a huge bunch of large white lilies<br />
<br />
The sound of show crunching under my hiking boots<br />
<br />
The taste of ruby red Port wine, slowly enjoyed before dinner<br />
<br />
The quiet elegance of a young deer, watching us from a safe distance<br />
<br />
... and the warm feeling of gratitude that I can enjoy all these miracles - and share them with you<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh898YQnkDI7cY5q8kPAIQYYOpu8XZFDbTeqL8pvPw85_W7C0Vdaq7ALp_biFQSm3zOpTBuCQkfDCkUKLIjwlLFGfCBgdQ1asZItPaVkDise6dXhu-Yjdl8lt4NuuP0ykk-OKcRaLibh6t1/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh898YQnkDI7cY5q8kPAIQYYOpu8XZFDbTeqL8pvPw85_W7C0Vdaq7ALp_biFQSm3zOpTBuCQkfDCkUKLIjwlLFGfCBgdQ1asZItPaVkDise6dXhu-Yjdl8lt4NuuP0ykk-OKcRaLibh6t1/s320/IMG_1153.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yes, I see you too</i></td></tr>
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<br />Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-65550204763717857642013-01-18T17:31:00.001+01:002013-01-18T17:31:05.217+01:00Opening my Eyes,Opening my MindFinally winter has taken over the city. Roofs and gardens are covered with snow, and at least in the park I pass in the morning the whole ground is white.<br />
It's like all the WHITE opens my eyes wide up and lightens up my whole being - in both senses.<br />
The glittering snow fills my mind and my mind just relaxes and naturally drops all thoughts. Pure brightness, pure space.<br />
I'm all white and glittering within.<br />
I open up, and I shine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vl4VwKXdndzYHcqBKuTfpLNKs-yzDgodxgK_Q_BO_zR48rqKE1fwhnMhnAxG9SRucyk7nxnQJkwSAFznUQldDhC2FWXFNoXC7F-cipMqWhWcMuBAwcQAlY2cOBEeSV8RmEeQnMK8pKsx/s1600/IMG_2501_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vl4VwKXdndzYHcqBKuTfpLNKs-yzDgodxgK_Q_BO_zR48rqKE1fwhnMhnAxG9SRucyk7nxnQJkwSAFznUQldDhC2FWXFNoXC7F-cipMqWhWcMuBAwcQAlY2cOBEeSV8RmEeQnMK8pKsx/s320/IMG_2501_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The White</i></td></tr>
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<br />Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-12688398632576077112013-01-12T19:33:00.000+01:002013-01-12T19:34:23.992+01:00Slowing DownFor as long as I remember, I've held a quick pace. Since a couple of years I realize that instead of making me "efficient" it prevents me from really living.<br />
So I'm working on slowing down. The best way to do that is to stop focusing on my mind, and turn my full attention to the body. When I sense the aliveness of my feet and legs, my torso and arms, my head and face just by itself a little smile appears... :-)<br />
Then I'm fully present. And then I've slowed down enough to be here for what I am doing in this specific moment and who I am with right now.<br />
When I slow down I live more fully, and I am there for all the little miracles of my world.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26qwXuAHh3BOmwVEcxcC8v40QpqwJspEhyjRZDRaRrtKLutWERkHsgbo1s5PjMFNgmZXyBd1nml_YRv4zFm0a0g82rNi7BEANLKJo0pbqYBAGMBBUfpEB29mCb00idLI4JORjySdTsAlU/s1600/IMG_1042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26qwXuAHh3BOmwVEcxcC8v40QpqwJspEhyjRZDRaRrtKLutWERkHsgbo1s5PjMFNgmZXyBd1nml_YRv4zFm0a0g82rNi7BEANLKJo0pbqYBAGMBBUfpEB29mCb00idLI4JORjySdTsAlU/s320/IMG_1042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the miracles - a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day</i></td></tr>
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<br />Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-3010316666038807452013-01-06T19:07:00.000+01:002013-01-06T19:07:09.819+01:00The Key to HappinessA Zen master was asked "What is the key to happiness?" His answer was one single word: attention. I have found out that he was right.<br />
When I pay attention to all the little details of my life, I see how I'm surrounded by miracles all the time. It makes me deeply happy to enjoy the smiling face of a baby on the tram, the moonlight through bare branches, the soft purring of a cat. I just have to pay attention.<br />
And when I pay full attention to other beings, there is love. Because attention is not only the key to happiness, it is also the key to love.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Paying attention to the glittering snow</i></td></tr>
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<br />Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-30402300514102978682012-12-28T08:05:00.000+01:002012-12-28T08:05:06.289+01:00New BeginningsOn New Year's Eve we get this solemn feeling of approaching a new beginning. We think of New Year's resolutions and we really believe we'll keep them. I like that solemn feeling. There's something about putting your efforts into a Resolution with complete determination... like "tomorrow I will be a new and better person".<br />
Unfortunately, some days or weeks into the new year we often find ourselves living on exactly like we did in the old year, having forgotten everything about the resolution, our determination and the New Beginning. That's so sad. We might even loose faith in the possibility of ever changing ourselves or our lives.<br />
The good news is: we can change! At any given day, like 17 March, I can decide to leave what happened yesterday behind, draw the lessons from what went wrong and make a leap not only into a new day but also into a New Life. I can decide to leave one of my bad habits behind, like making "witty" comments to everything people say.<br />
It only needs three things: Determination, Concentration, and Stopping.<br />
If I have taught myself to stop and take three conscious breaths every now and then during my day, I can use that as a help to catch myself when I'm falling back into unwanted behavior. And the more often I catch myself in the act, the more often I will learn to stop <i>before</i> it has happened - and do nothing. I take a deep breath, instead of making that comment (for example). It makes me feel incredibly good about myself when I succeed, and I promise you: the more often it happens, the more often it will happen again. The famous snowball effect!<br />
So the 1 January feels like an extra serious New Beginning. I have decided on an somewhat more weighty improvement action - and when I wake up after the New Year's Eve party I will ... (The Resolution)... with Determination and Concentration, and with the help of Stopping.<br />
A New Beginning fit for a New Year :-)Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-7109246424602120052012-12-22T12:33:00.002+01:002012-12-22T12:33:49.174+01:00The Feast of LightSoon it's Christmas, and not only children are looking forward to the most important feast in this part of the world. We all have our reasons for loving it: for some it's the gifts and sweets, for many it's sharing time with your beloved ones, and for others it's just some days off from work to relax at home.<br />
In the secularized societies here in western Europe, few persons really celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, it's more a nice family tradition, but I want to think about <i>why </i>I'm celebrating<i>. </i>Why do I decorate my home, why do I prepare special food, why do I get extra nice chocolate and presents for my dear ones?<br />
Having turned my back to Christianity I celebrate Christmas as the Feast of Light and Generosity.<br />
We light lots of candles to symbolize the return of the light after this darkest month of the year. I do it with a strong reminder to shed light inside myself, on how I live and what I think, say and do. The important thing is to really live by my values.<br />
Generosity is symbolized by the gifts and the abundance of food. Luckily it's not only about little Me... We are many who feel an increased need to help others, be it by inviting a lonely neighbor for dinner or donating an extra amount of money to charity.<br />
For me real "Christmas Spirit" comes when I celebrate with less and enjoy it more, and when my heart is full of gratitude and completely open for others, without any exceptions. <br />
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<i>Merry Christmas to you, and enjoy the Feast of Light!</i></div>
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Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-32262070155857885752012-12-15T15:26:00.000+01:002012-12-19T14:47:36.481+01:00Magic DecemberKate Bush is so right: there's something magic about December...<br />
It's the snow, covering our dark and cold world up in white, making it shine again. It's all the candles, making any room feel warm and homey. It's the smells: of special Christmas cookies or mulled wine, of spices and incense. It's the sound of favorite Christmas songs or, if I'm very lucky, of crunching snow, and it's so much more in connection with the most important feast of the year in this part of the world.<br />
Having grown up with both German and Swedish Christmas traditions (both countries being almost Christmas-addicted) I am very much into decorating, preparing special foods, beverages and sweets, but most of all: I adore just cuddling up inside among candles, with something nice and warm to drink and a good book to read, while it's dark and cold outside.<br />
The magic of December is enchanting me every year, and I enjoy it all the way into January :-)<br />
And what about the reason for this feast, the birth of Jesus Christ? My reason might be a bit different, but the core is still the same...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Snow in a warm light</i></td></tr>
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<br />Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-27099460527854831122012-12-09T08:28:00.000+01:002012-12-09T08:28:15.270+01:00The Art of StoppingThis time of the year is often very hectic. Loads of things to arrange, Christmas preparations and events, and I'm not even talking about presents... At work meetings and deadlines are piling up - everybody wants to round of important tasks before the festive days start.<br />
It's easy to be dragged along in this speedy tempo, and start running around at an ever increasing speed with your shoulders under your ears.<br />
That's when it helps a lot to just STOP. Proper Stopping is an art, and it has to be practiced frequently in order to really enter your system.<br />
Whenever I feel I'm just racing and my mind starts to get blurry I force myself to STOP: I <i>stand still</i> and <i>breathe deeply</i> twice. I empty my mind and let go of the tensions in my body.<br />
When I pick up the tasks at hand afterwards I have slowed down enough to be able to - smile :-)Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-34248663866433021942012-12-02T17:34:00.002+01:002012-12-02T17:34:48.583+01:00Grandma's MessageEverybody that enters my life is here to teach me something.<br />
This became very evident at the funeral of grandmother Anna. I felt the need to say a few words, to express my gratitude for having been a small part of her life, and I wanted to thank her for her positive influence on me. What was essential in her life and has become essential in mine, too.<br />
It's the message of love and care: one of our most important missions here on earth is to take care of each other. We are not only here to live our own little lives - there is a much bigger picture and we can only manage the important tasks in life if we help and support each other.<br />
Thank you Anna for being such a good example. Thank you for leaving such a beautiful message.Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-77863914440980857692012-11-24T17:45:00.000+01:002012-11-24T17:45:40.410+01:00Take a LeapFor some time I have been wanting to change jobs, do something different, something more "meaningful". I had eagerly followed one trail, but finally it lead nowhere. That left me somewhat subdued... What now?<br />
Then I realized that there are some changes I can do in the very situation I'm in. It's not about getting another job. It's about how<i> </i>I do the job I have! It's about how I live my everyday life.<br />
I know in what direction I want to go. I have a very clear picture of that. It's just that some kind of ... laziness?... hinders me from really walking that path. Because walking that path requires discipline and full concentration.<br />
So standing at the end of that lost trail I understood the lesson: I don't need to change anything in my life situation, I need to change how I live. And I know what to do: take a leap!<br />
I will double my concentration, and double my efforts. With all my energy I will sort out unnecessary things and actions, actively diminish time wasted carelessly. I will concentrate on living each moment in full awareness.<br />
Thank you Life, for showing me. Now it's up to me to leap!Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928847167143000171.post-7874183807742052072012-11-18T20:33:00.002+01:002012-11-18T20:33:53.789+01:00Wake Up To GratitudeMy colleague S came to lend me a book. "Since you're so interested in Colombia, you might find it worthwhile to read. Once I started, I couldn't stop reading it", she said. It was "Même le silence a un fin", where Ingrid Betancourt tells the story about her being kidnapped and held as a hostage by the FARC guerilla in Colombia during 6 long years.<br />
My spontaneous reaction was "No, thank you" - I wasn't sure I was up to such a cruel story, to so much suffering. But I didn't want to be impolite, so I took the book and started reading. She was right: once you picked it up, you couldn't put it away, despite the horrifying story.<br />
I almost think I needed that book: every now and then I have to be shaken up a bit, forced out of my comfort zone. If not for any other reason, then at least to realize what a fantastic life I live, how extremely lucky I am to be safe, healthy - and free.<br />
I am so filled with gratitude. Thank you, Life, for letting me to exist under such good circumstances. I want to show my gratitude by living this life in a caring and generous way and by not holding anything back.Sabina http://www.blogger.com/profile/16658247259611484253noreply@blogger.com0