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Art in focus

There is a thought, a vision, behind everything you do. Let’s make it a good one.”

I was talking to a very good friend of mine the other day about how I can’t seem to re-create any of my paintings. They always come alive in those moments when I’m the most still, and alert. Listening and open to receiving. It’s like I’m just a tool, holding the brush, doing what I’m supposed to do.

When do you feel most alive?

Art in focus

mornings in june

[ mornings in june ]

– the most tranquil hours, when the world is still a sleep, and yet all dreams are possible.

… and my heart melted

[ … and my heart melted ]

– those precious moments in between.

i never promised you my rose garden

[ i never promised you my rose garden ]

– you are yours, before you are anyone elses.

I wish you all a beautiful weekend.

5 mindsets to be the best version of yourself

”Be the sort of person you would admire.”

You are a different person to different people. Annoying to some. Kind to another. Talented to a few. Unknown to a lot. But who are you, to you? What does the best version of yourself look like? Being the best version of yourself needs to start with you, it needs to start from within. Other people will always have expectations from you, however, you know who you are, and what’s capable for you.

When striving to be the best version of yourself, remember, that version will vary from day to day. Always ask yourself how do I feel today? What would I like to accomplish? What is my intention?

Below you’ll find five mindsets on how to be the best version of yourself.

1. Take your power back

To change your life, you have to change yourself. To change yourself, you have to change your mindset. It all begins, and ends in your mind. What you give power to, has power over you – if you allow it. Trust that you have what it takes. You won’t become powerful through another person, getting a promotion or having excess money in your account. These things might make you feel powerful. But they won’t make you powerful. Having a confidence that stems from within, a deep trust in yourself and a positive mindset, that my dear, will make you powerful.

2. Strive for progression

Get comfortable with feeling challenged, it simply means you’re growing. Humans need to be challenged in order to not become stagnant. We’ve all been beginners, but if you choose to constantly advance, and move forward you’ll after some time notice remarkable improvements. It won’t happen over night, but giving up is not an option. When I decided to start writing my blog in english, it made me a bit hesitant at first. However, after several months of writing I’ve noticed big improvements in my writing skills. Of course there’re still advancements to be made, but I’m making progress each and every day.

Is there an area where you would like to expand your knowledge and expertise? Start with the smallest of steps, and notice how, little by little, a development occurs.

3. Spread kindness

As humans we can choose to be a lot of different things. Nonetheless, the more I think about it I feel that one of the traits I consider as one of the most valuable is being kind. Other people will unquestionably remember if you’ve treated them well or not. How we choose to treat others says a lot about ourselves. Be someone people look up to. Give to others, and provide space for them to be the best version of themselves too. At times it might be clever to be a bit selfish, and to set clear boundaries (don’t let yourself be manipulated by fools), however, you don’t have to be obnoxious to be successful. Be kind, always.

4. Let your intuition guide you

Listen to your inner voice. What does it tell you? Quiet down the mental chatter, and start to observe. Your life needs to be your vision and no one else’s. It’s easy to get caught up in other people’s lives, comparing oneself to other people’s success. You might listen too much to what your parents, friends and loved ones think you should do, or can do. This is usually detrimental to your own progression. Start focusing on what you have to offer to the world; what are your unique talents? How do you wish to live your life? With this being said, it’s nothing wrong in seeking advice or inspiration from others that has already succeeded within your field of interest. Nevertheless, the main focus should be on yourself, and what you can do.

5. Learn from your mistakes

Mistakes shouldn’t be regarded as merely mistakes. Instead they should be considered as obstacles making us become better, enhancing as human beings. They’re barriers, helping us grow and improve ourselves. Without mistakes you wouldn’t grow. Nevertheless, this means you need to become self-aware. You need to be self-consious, and realise when you’ve made a mistake; otherwise you’ll never grow. Instead, you’ll keep on making the same mistake, over and over again, until you grasp the meaning behind it.

All things considered, when it comes to choosing the best mindsets for growth, you need to adapt those most suitable to you. Get to know yourself, and be honest where improvements need to be made. In what areas are you struggling? And where are you flourishing? Self-awareness = power.

A bird’s eye view

”The eyes are useless when the mind is blind.”

How to master the art of observing life with an open mind? Where others see either black or white, to learn to see the rainbow? Life is a spectrum of moments, occurring one after the other. Anything can happen. And it’s impossible for us to know what might be hiding behind the corner. We’re allowed to change – in fact we should, change, and grow. In line with each and everyone of your breaths you are allowed to be. Exactly the one you were meant to be.

For the most part of my life I’ve tried to live with an open-mind. I’m very curious, and I’ve always thought that there can’t be one answer to all of this. Of course not. My opinions do not have to align with yours. However, I will always respect you, for being you. For your actions, and thoughts, even those I don’t agree with. ”Oh, you think like that, interesting.” I think if we humans would strive to become better at letting people live their own lives, without judging those who are different from ourselves, I truly believe this world would become a more peaceful place. Who am I to tell anyone how to live their life? Instead, we should focus on living the life we want, without being afraid to be judged.

Open your mind.

Open-minded people don’t care to be right, they care to understand. There’s never a right or wrong answer. Everything is about understanding. They don’t expect people to agree with everything they say, however, they expect them to know that they have their own view on things. What is more, open-minded people don’t impose their beliefs on others. They just accept all of life’s perspectives and realities, doing their own thing in peace without judgment.

”It’s the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”

– Aristotle

The true mark of maturity is when somebody hurts you, and you try to understand their situation instead of trying to hurt them back. And this of course doesn’t mean that you should just accept when someone is hurting you – not at all. What it means is, you should learn to look at life with a bird’s eye view – there are more to this life than the thoughts in your mind. There are more to this life than your way of seeing things. There is something to be learned from everyone. Even from the fools.

I do think it’s important that we learn how to be open-minded to peoples’ opinions, even when we don’t agree. As long as we don’t harm anyone with our actions or words we are fully authorized to live our life on our own terms. I truly believe one of the most sincere forms of respect is to actually listen to what another person has to say. And if you don’t understand – don’t be afraid to ask questions. The worst distance between two human beings is misunderstanding.

When two people stop communicating with each other, or worse, when they stop listening to each other, that is when the problems start arising. We start to assume things, or we believe we think we know what the other person is trying to say. Instead of asking we assume. We humans are very good at putting our own expectations on people. Why? Maybe we’re afraid of the answer. Maybe we’re just trying to create a false sense of control. Maybe we’re afraid that we thought we knew someone when we actually have no idea. But remember this, if you do not ask, and try to understand, you will never fully get to know life. And you will never fully get to know yourself.

Open your eyes, darling. Open your mind. There’s magic, everywhere.

All is well

”Give yourself space to be.”

At times the most heartfelt and firm self-help tip you can give yourself is to allow yourself to simply do nothing. There is nothing to achieve, nothing to become, nothing to chase or create – merely the notion that everything is exactly the way it is.

This constant need to be the best version of oneself; to aim for higher, better, more accomplished, the best, and to never take the time out of ones hectic day to acknowledge where one is, what one has. What one already is.

To be at peace with not having it all, no doing it all – in a world that tells us to – Work harder, achieve more. You are not enough. You will never be enough.

And of course, it’s good, and even necessary, to grow and evolve, and to want to become better. But there needs to be a healthy balance. Yin and yang. Being and doing. Moon and sun. Silence and discipline. Listening and speaking. Feeling and thinking. Slow and fast. Internal and external. Night and day. Earth and sky. Spirituality and science. Calm and expressive. Feminine and masculine. Heart and mind.

Being one with life.

You don’t have to do or be anything else than what you are, right now. You are exactly, exactly, who and where, you need to be right now.

All is well.

Discomfort is an opportunity to grow

”You’re being presented with two choices; evolve or repeat.”

In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety. Each time we’re faced with a challenge it’s very easy to become caught up in thoughts about everything that could go wrong, instead of being excited about everything that could go right. This mindset is to a certain extent completely natural, and our bodies and minds way of keeping us from danger, hence keeping us from stepping into the unknown.

To fully embrace oneself, and to accept oneself exactly as one is, is a lifelong journey in and of itself. To some of us it might come naturally, without us even thinking about it. However, to others it takes a deeper kind of practice – something that needs to be nurtured daily.

It’s difficult to not become caught up in the demands of the outside world; constantly comparing ourselves to others, or simply never being satisfied with who we are.

As a highly sensitive empath I fell into the people pleasing mentality rather early in life. I always wanted others to like me, and usually I was afraid to speak up because I never wanted to upset anyone, or then I thought – ”Who am I to even speak up?” Whenever I found myself in a relationship I always put the other person’s needs above my own, completely forgetting about what I really wanted out of the relationship. I seriously thought that it made me into a kinder, more compassionate human. And while it’s necessery to care for others and their needs, it never calls for us to forget about our own needs.

In a way this people pleasing mentality can be seen as something rather natural, since at the end of the day we humans want to feel connected to one another. However, personally I needed to learn that I can still connect with another human being without me having to lose myself in the process. It’s when I’m deeply connected with myself that I connect with the people I’m meant to connect with.

”I know what I bring to the table. So trust me when I say I am not afraid to eat alone.”

– Unknown

Learning how to set healthy boundaries was very discomforting to me. In the beginning I felt completely lost, since it didn’t come naturally to me. I really needed to learn how to incorporate new, healthy habits into my life. The habit of speaking up for myself, and for seeing my own worth.

And we all know that creating and forming new habits do not usually happen over night. It requires attention and dedication, each and every day.

This is an ongoing journey that needs my fullest attentiveness, however, I’ve already come so far. Now I know that I don’t have to please anyone, but myself. I’m allowed to be exactly who I am, as long as I don’t harm myself or any other sentient being. I’m allowed to speak up about things important to me. I’m allowed to say no. I’m allowed to just be. And you are too. You’re allowed to be your most authentic self. You’re not obligated to explain yourself to anyone, you’re allowed to just be.

It’s when you fully embrace all of you that the people who are meant to be in your life will come to you. You don’t need to force a connection, it just flows, cause you’re vibrating at the same frequency.

What does leveling up mean to you? How does it make you feel? And who does it make you wanna be?

10 habits to improve your life

”Consistency is more important than perfection.”

Below you’ll find a list of small habits that will make your days more enjoyable, productive and mindful. Keep in mind that it takes approximately 21 days to form a new habit, therefore be consistent. Performing habits like these might not seem like a big deal, but it’s usually the smallest of habits and routines that, at the end of the day, will have an huge impact on our everyday life.

”The future is created in the present moment. Don’t resist the seasons changing, instead, learn to flow with the breath of life.”

  1. Wake up one hour earlier. If you’re not already waking up super early try to set your alarm one hour earlier than usual. Dedicate this extra time to yourself; really take the time to enjoy your coffee, read a chapter in your favorite book, practice yoga, or go outside for a morning walk. Getting ready for the day ahead in a calm and relaxed manner is a crucial step towards a more productive day. At least it will help you feel more in control, since having more time will make your morning less stressful, which in turn, will make your day less stressful. A study conducted by Dr. Joerg Huber of Roehampton University in London found that ”Morning people tend to be healthier and happier as well as having lower body mass indexes.” And remember, try to stay away from your mobile phone during these early morning moments.
  2. Do everything with great passion. Whether it’s brushing your teeth, cooking, taking a shower, driving to work, having sex with your partner. Whatever it is – do it with passion. Let yourself be totally immersed in the practice – it will immediately take you into a more present kind of experience. It’s about not forgetting the importance of the mundane things, and making them more enjoyable. Life is not about waiting for the big things to occur, it’s about appreciating the everyday activities as well.
  3. Choose positive thoughts. Become mindful of your thoughts and how they actually affect you. ”Rather than being your thoughts and emotions, be the awareness behind them.” – Eckhart Tolle. Do not judge yourself for having negative thoughts – simply notice them, and then, watch them peacefully pass through you. Understand that they are only thoughts, and that you hold the power to change them. Why even engage in negativity when you can choose to be positive? The decision is all yours. And this, however, doesn’t mean that you should ignore the bad stuff. Of course not, since bad stuff happen all the time. Nevertheless, it’s how you choose to look at the things happening in your life that will determine your overall wellbeing.
  4. Practice gratitude. Focus on all things wonderful you have in your life, rather than focusing on the bad, or the things you don’t yet have. If you start to focus on all the love and support around you, you’ll attract more love and support. A grateful heart is a magnet for more ❤ Every day before going to bed write down 10 things that you’re genuinely grateful for; it can be anything from clean water, a comfortable bed, a kind heart, to a healthy, strong body. And while you’re at it, spend some time reflecting on things you could have done differently – did your words match your actions? Did you show compassion towards yourself and others? Did you have a good day? And if not – what can you do tomorrow that might change things around for the better.
  5. Spend time in nature. Sunlight, fresh air, adventure, calmness – Mother Nature has a lot to offer. There are high mountains to climb, oceans to get lost in, sandy beaches to marry, forests to make us breathe more deeply, soft snowflakes caressing our cheeks; Nature is limitless, and full of surprises. Let yourself become lost in her creativity.
  6. Perform an act of kindness. Do something nice for someone else, every day. A random act of kindness can totally turn a person’s day around. And while you’re at it – be kind to yourself. Always be kind to yourself. Choose healthy, nutritious foods – your body, mind and soul are worthy of only the best. Give yourself time to exercise – your body will thank you, and you will have more energy for all the things you wish to do.
  7. Make time for the things you love. Even if it means that you have to get up one hour earlier… Dedicating time for the things you love is crucial for your well-being. The days may be hectic, and life is passing by in high-speed, however, there is always time for the things you love – it’s called prioritizing.
  8. Always carry a water bottle with you. Dehydration is not fun; it makes you feel tired, sluggish and unfocused. Always make sure you bring your water bottle with you. Thirsty? Put down the soda and grab water. Your body is made up of 50-75 % water. You need to keep that water intake going for your body’s production. ”85 percent of your brain tissue is comprised of water, so if you’re dehydrated, your body and mind will both be stressed.”
  9. Learn to just be. Let yourself become one with the present moment. Usually this happens when you do the things you love, hours passing by without you even noticing. I’ve become more aware of my surroundings when I go for a walk without my head phones on – it helps my mind to calm down, and thereby makes room for new, creative thoughts to enter.
  10. Be active in your everyday life. While it’s important that you workout regularly, it’s even more crucial that you’re active in your everyday life. Take a short walk during lunch-break, skip the elevator, or why don’t you buy yourself a bicycle… If you have two legs make sure that you’re using them. Be grateful for having two legs.

All things self-worth

”Know your worth. Don’t ask for it – state it.”

In the end, it all comes down to self-worth. If you don’t believe that you’re worthy of neither success, love, abundance, compassion nor enjoying beautiful experiences it will be very difficult for you to attract any of these things into your life.

”Because of the continuous negative programing that we face in society, we focus on the bad and unpleasant things and project this negativity onto ourselves so often without even realizing it……… There is never a day that you are not worthy. Self-worth is not determined by anything; you don’t have to do anything to be worth it. You just are. (Mutiwasekwa, 2019)

To start with – Never, ever apologise for being your most authentic self.

When I was younger (and sometimes even today) certain kind of people often describe me as being sensitive. Like being sensitive would be something bad. Now I usually laugh if I get a comment like that. ”Yes, I’m a sensitive human being. And I embrace it, I embrace my vulnerability. And by the way you should try it; it might benefit you, helping you being more attuned with your feelings and emotions.” This is not meant to be a post about sensitivity and vulnerability, I just want to use it as an example as to demonstrate the importance of staying true to yourself – cause you’re worth it.

This sensitivity of mine enables me to tap into other peoples’ feelings, and makes it easier for me to put myself in another person’s shoes. It allows me to be more empathetic with others, as well as with myself. It allows me to be less judgmental towards others, as well as towards myself. In other words, this sensitivity of mine allows me to be more human. And I wouldn’t want to change it for the world.

Ok, with that being said, let’s go back to self-worth.

The day you decided that you’re not worthy was the day you chose to abandon yourself. You decided that your self-worth is something that is in the hands of other people – if someone rejected you, you thought that it has to do with you not being worthy, you not being good enough for that person. You chose to give your power to someone that is not meant to play with it – it’s an innate strength and force that no one else but you have power over. You possess that power, so don’t you ever give that away. Don’t you ever adandon yourself.

When you realise that you’re as worthy as anyone else on this planet, and that you too have the possibility to live life as you wish you start to grow better confidence – Suddenly you don’t feel the need to constantly compare yourself to others, and you don’t feel the urge to please others all the time.

How can you overcome feelings of low self-worth? And are there any particular habits to improve your self-worth?

Your biggest critic is usually yourself. Start noticing the way you talk to yourself on a daily basis. What kind of words are you using to describe yourself? Are they uplifting? Or do they make you feel even more miserable? Let the thoughts arise from your subconscious mind. Oftentimes we’re not even aware of how negatively we talk to and about ourselves. It’s like we’re operating on autopilot.

Keep a journal – write down all the negative thoughts you’re having at the moment, and start rewriting them. Transform the negatives into positives. For each negative thought you have about yourself come up with three positive ones. Write down what you’re thankful for, what you love about yourself and the things you’re good at. Accept the parts of you that you’re not proud of. Is there anything you can do to become better than the person you were yesterday? Focus on what you can do. Focus on what you already have, and how you can evolve and grow.

Keep on learning and dare to try new things. I’m a firm believer in learning something new on a daily basis. I genuinely have a love for learning, and I strongly believe it has assisted me towards becoming a more confident woman. Now don’t get me wrong. I don’t say that we have to learn in order to gain recognition or validation from others, but to learn simply beacuse we want to learn. If you’re interested in a certain topic – do your research and allow yourself to dive right in.

Learn to speak up for yourself. While it’s very easy to go with the flow and play cool in order to not upset anyone, it’s very important that you learn how to speak up for yourself. If you don’t believe that you’re worthy of having an opinion, or being treated nicely and with respect, then unfortunately there will be those who will take advantage of that. You have to learn how to take care of yourself. Just because you have a different opinion or a different outlook on something doesn’t mean that you’re being rude – It’s just you being you, and owning it.

Learn to think for yourself, believe in your own ideas and values, and you will expand as a person.

References:

Mutiwasekwa, S. (2019). Self-Love. You cannot love someone else until you learn to love yourself. Accessed from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-upside-things/201911/self-love

The Courage To Change

”She travels through phases to rise in full bloom.”

– and so does the Moon

As humans we often find ourselves struggling as soon as we encounter change of some sort. Nonetheless, change is inevitable for us to transform and evolve. It’s unavoidable, in order for us to become the humans we are meant to become. I’ve not always seen eye to eye with change. As a matter of fact I’ve always been afraid of change. Deeply afraid of change.

In the past change usually made me feel uncomfortable, like I had no control over my life. No control over my Self. However small or big, it always made me feel uneasy. I wanted to feel safe, and at ease, despite the fact that the situation I was finding myself in was nothing but detrimental for my evolution as a human being. Nevertheless, as time passes by I’ve become to appreciate the uncertainty of life, and I’ve become to appreciate change. There’s beauty in wanting to change, in wanting to transform. There’s beauty in uncertainty. Something that used to make me feel anxious and fearful, now makes me feel a little bit more excitedand alive.

You posses the power to change the way you look at things

By being more present in the moment, and by turning inwards, towards myself, I’ve realised the importance of allowing things to unfold effortlessly, without me trying to interfere. Life guides us every single day, if we let it. It’s up to us to decide how we react to the things happening for us. We can’t control life, however, it provides us with lessons, and opportunities for growth each and every day. Still, no one can take away our reactions to life, that’s one thing we’ll always have control over. We’ll always have control over our thoughts, decisions and responses. You posses the power to change the way you look at things. And when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

Don’t be afraid to change

What is more, you should never be afraid to change. If the person you are at the moment just doesn’t feel right, or you feel that you can be more, do more – then know that there is always the opportunity for you to change. The best thing about change is, that it’s never too late. You’re never too young, or too old. Now is always the perfect time. Just like the seasons, we change. You can change how many times you like, that’s no one’s business, but yours. You choose. You choose when it’s your season to change.

And remember, not everyone will understand you, and the path you’re walking. Don’t let that discourage you from moving forward, from changing. You can’t be everyone’s cup of tea. As long as you’re your own cup of tea, and as long as you don’t harm anyone, or yourself, it’s completely fine. As a matter of fact, it’s more than fine. It’s marvellous. Wonderful, and just as it’s supposed to be.

Rise in full bloom

Darling, I hope you have the courage to change, the day you feel it’s time. Cause, the day will come when the pain of staying stuck gets bigger than the pain of uncertainty. However, the more I think about change, the more I’ve become to realise that maybe it’s actually not so much about changing, but more so about becoming the person I’ve always been, deep within. Allowing myself to rise in full bloom.

Life is far from linear, rather, I believe life should be seen as a process. You might think that you have all of your life figured out by the age of 30. But, then life happens, and all of a sudden you might feel a tremendous need to speak up, to speak your truth. It’s like the calm, unnoticeable voice that has been deeply hidden inside of you suddenly wants to shout out loud. You see, all these years it has been trying to get your attention, yet you never really took the time to listen to what it had to say. That’s one reason why I treasure the stillness so much.

Compassion towards others begins with compassion towards ourselves

Within the tranquility lies the answer. The answer to your deepest desires. Why are we so afraid to follow that inner voice? Why are we so afraid to trust our inner knowing, our inner wisdom? Are we so concerned about what others might think of us, that we don’t even allow our own intuition to guide us? I truly believe that the more we go within, and reflect upon where we are in life, and where we want to be, the more we stop comparing ourselves to others. I also believe that the more we learn about ourselves, the more we begin to trust ourselves. And the more we learn to forgive ourselves for our past mistakes and not so wise decisions, the more we begin to forgive the people around us for their shortcomings. Compassion towards others begins with compassion towards ourselves. We shouldn’t be so hard on ourselves, and neither should we take this life too seriously. You’re allowed to change, as many times as you like. You’re allowed to be, exactly who you wish to be.

There’s this book ”The courage to be disliked” written by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. I knew it would become a favourite of mine just by reading the back part of the book. It’s a conversation between a philosopher and a young man, and their discussion reveals a profoundly liberating way of thinking: by developing the courage to change and to ignore the limitations so frequently imposed upon us, it’s possible to find happiness. The authors are using the theories of Alfred Adler, and is written in the classical ”dialogue format” method of Greek philosophy. I highly recommend the book; it’s simple, straightforward and eye-opening. A good read, indeed, especially for those longing for the courage to change.

Dear October…

… there’s no June without you. 

”The silent hour of night,
and my heart suddenly arise,
caressing my awaken sight,
while awaiting life, with blissful eyes.”

Your days short, nights endless. Swimming in your darkness, facing our deepest fears. There’s no way escaping the twilight, but to invite it to dance.

This October is all about harnessing the talents within. Cultivating curiosity, courage, confidence and creativity. Life is filled with opportunities. Trust. It’s about accepting and releasing emotions, negative thoughts. Reaching out to humans through loving kindness and warmhearted action. Striving for growth and progression. Connection and compassion. Speaking with integrity. Being impeccable with the words.

There’s always a reason to choose happy. Keep it fresh and wild, darling soul child.

In the beginning, even when your goals seem out of reach you’ll have to trust yourself. Trust that you have what it takes to get to where you want to be. In the end it’s only you who decide who you are, and what’s possible to achieve.

Small steps, and every tiny victory, will take you further along the road. If you have a clear vision of where you see yourself in the future – keep that vision in your mind and never lose sight of it. You don’t have to know exactly how you’re going to get there, just believe that you will. Work hard, every day. Strive to always challenge yourself, and remember – enjoy the process as well.

I welcome you, dear October. I believe your cold breeze sings to me, as your gloomy night speaks to me. My quiet thoughts secretly in love with your dark, fierce character. However, be gentle, be kind, as summer, still on my mind. And while I’m reading you slowly, I’ve become aware, that beneath that brisk, unpredictable wind, lies a warm, delicate soul, teaching us all how to grow. Quiet the mind. Dance with every breath. Now is the time to set all worries aside, to rise above limiting beliefs and self-destructive behavior. Awaken to a new confidence, as forceful as the strongest, brittlest wind. Found within. Sometimes it takes courage to be who you are. Always found within. 

Three habits to embrace slow living

”Less mindless dwelling, more mindful attention.”

Slow living is about creating time, space and energy for the things that matter most to us in life. It’s about taking the time to do things properly, and thereby enjoy them more. Allowing ourselves to be fully present.

I think it was Socrates who said:

”The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”

There are of course many habits one can incorporate in order to embrace a slower kind of living. Here are just three of my favorites at the moment. I hope you’ll find enjoyment in them as well.

Stop chasing, start appreciating

Usually the more we want, or chase something, the more that thing keeps on moving further and further away from us. When we find ourselves being too attached to a certain outcome we’re blocking other things from flowing to us. If we operate from an ”I want” mindset it usually entails that we’re lacking something.

For example, instead of chasing love – start appreciating the love you already have in your life, whether it’s the love from a pet, from a friend or a parent. Start appreciating the beauty of a sunset, a leaf, a well written book or a calm, restful night in. Love is to be found everywhere, not only between two human beings.

The same goes with your job. Are you chasing a certain career? Start appreciating everything you’ve done thus far. Everything that has brought you to this particular moment. You might not know exactly where you are going and how you’ll get there, but the more you’re actually enjoying life, and not rushing through life, you’ll notice how much more life you have time for.

Where your attention goes, energy flows

In a way the mind believes it has to think all the time (or worry, dwell, reflect, analyse etcetera), otherwise it will collapse or cease to exist. As long as we think about things, we’re in control, or so we believe. There’s no way to control the future, or how other people behave and what kind of situations that are brought to us. The things we do have control over are the things happening within ourselves – How we choose to react to the people and circumstances in our lives, and where we choose to direct our focus and attention.

Of course we can contribute to society with our knowledge and expertise, we’re not powerless in that sense. However, we can’t control the actions of others, other people’s motives or predictions about the future.

You’re in control of your own attitude, your own actions, and in which mindset you wish to spend your day to day life. Where your attention goes, energy flows.

By being true to your innermost self, you slowly start to redirect the focus onto the things that matter most to you in life. All these desires you have, all these things you crave, whether it’s love, prosperity, connection, success, adventure, know that they all stem from within. Look at them as a seed, waiting to be nourished and watered daily, by you.

Listen to yourself

”I would like to spend the rest of my days in a place so silent – and working at a pace so slow – that I would be able to hear myself living.”

– Elizabeth Gilbert

The past few weeks I’ve allowed myself to meditate more, to just sit with myself, in silence. I’ve been having the urge to write down my thoughts on a day to day basis – making my headspace not only clearer, but creating space for anything new to enter.

In an old blog post I wrote about the courage to trust yourself, and how that can assist you in cultivating more courage, self-worth and compassion.

It’s very difficult to hear oneself when the mind is constantly caught up in the outside world. If we never take the time to just sit with ourselves, we won’t hear the silent, important whispers from the soul.

I encourage you to stop for a while. You see, the soul doesn’t usually scream out its desires; usually it’s a soft melody, unperceivable to the five senses, nevertheless, something never to be ignored. 

Linda