Senaste inläggen

n.a.s.a

Publicerat av

”Listen to the universe while it sings to you. Don’t wait until it screams, cause it will.”

 

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, summer still on my mind. While I’m reading you slowly I’ve become aware, 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, rise above limiting beliefs and self-destructive behavior. Awaken to a new confidence, forceful as the strongest brittlest wind. Found within. It takes courage to be who you are. Always found within.

 

… and then fear asked courage – please teach me.

Teach me everything you know,

like the way you always succeed making life strangely appealing.

 

 

Found in the details

The way the ray of sunlight touches your dark brown iris. The way your voice soothes my breath. The way your fingers entwine with mine. The way every time I hear you laugh, a blissful shiver down my spine. The way your presence lingers underneath my skin, long after you’re gone. The way your lips heal my scars. The way my touch opens your heart.

 

 

love me
in such a way
that makes me feel

free

 

 

… but if the universe cries
when she sees us apart,
then, my Love,
I will share with you
this heart.

 

 

Do not fear, Silly boy.
As long as you give her
space to breathe,
and an embrace from where to roam,
she will always return home.

– late night conversations with the Moon

 

 

If you seek love
breathe love.

Darling,
breathe me.

 

Mindfulness & Meditation

Publicerat av

”We do our best work when we care for each other, and are cared for.”

Ever since I tried meditation for the first time I was fascinated by the positive impact it had on me. Nonetheless, I’m far from a meditation guru, and I’ve only meditated regularly for approx. 3,5 years. Still and all, I believe it has helped me stress less, especially about things I can’t control. Moreover, I find it easier to stay focused, and to keep my mind more sharp and attentive when needed.

In addition to the things mentioned above I’ve also noticed a remarkable change when it comes to my creativity. Of course, there might be a lot of factors influencing these ”changes”. Nonetheless, one factor is for sure the meditation part. Meditation is scientifically proven to increase both Neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change itself) as well as Neurogenesis (the brain’s ability to generate new brain cells).

A couple of days ago I listened to a Mindvalley Speech online with Emily Fletcher; the founder of Ziva, and the creator of the Ziva Technique (a powerful trifecta of mindfulness, meditation and manifesting designed to unlock your full potential). I haven’t tried the Ziva Technique, therefore I can’t say anything about it, however, according to the website the proven benefits of the technique include decreased stress, less anxiety, deeper sleep, improved immune function, increased productivity and extraordinary performance.

During the Mindvalley Speech Emily Fletcher was talking about how while meditating both the left and the right hemisphere is active -> whilst communicating with each other, a strengthening and thickening of the corpus callosum occurs (corpus callosum: the white strip that connects the both hemispheres).

And why then, is having a thicker corpus callosum more beneficial?

For example, it allows you to come up with a more creative way to solve problems, even in the midst of a high demand situation.

Dopamin & serotonin = Bliss Chemicals

From a neuro chemical viewpoint meditation can be seen as something deeply favorable, considering that mediation de-exites the nervous system and the body – Already within 30-40 sec. from starting your brain and body flood with dopamine and serotonin. This in turn may help you decrease your overall stress-levels, helping you become more at peace with where you are, right now. Emily Fletcher also mentioned the more esoteric definition of meditation; that it allows you to access the fulfilment that resides inside of you. What does this imply? It suggests that mediation helps you operate from a state of fulfilment, instead of a state of need.

We may think we need certain things in life in order to become happy. But honestly, we don’t. You can choose to be happy now, without that partner, without that big house, without all the money on you account. You may want things, but these ”wants” are they actually something that you need, in order to be happy? Of course all these thing are wonderful to achieve and to have, and they will for sure make you happy and secure, for a while that is. However, they are not the root to our happiness.

If you act from a state of fulfilment, rather than from a state of lack, it’s more likely that you’ll achieve your goals in life. Acting from lack and fear only creates this desperate need within you, and that may in worst case scenario block you from achieving the greatness that you deserve. Therefore, choosing to be happy now, with what we have, is a remarkable way to accomplish more in life. In other words, an abundant mind is more open to the abundance floating around.

Mindfulness vs Meditation

I believe mindfulness is more about a way of living in the now, and meditation a tool on how to be better at life.

We can integrate mindfulness into everything we do; you can practise how to be more mindful while eating, taking a shower, being in nature, eating, having sex, giving a presentation etcetera. It can be used at anytime. And at the same time meditation can help you become more present in all these activities. More present in life. Meditation not only strenthens your ability to be here, but you’ll become a more compassionate human as well. I think this is strongly linked to the fact that while meditating you start to see the bigger picture, you start to see how everything is connected, how we all are connected. Moreover, you become more open-minded and less judgmental, towards yourself, others and the situation you’re in.

Find your why 

Don’t use meditation as a form of escapism.

Instead of dealing with our problems and issues it can be very normal for us humans to want to escape, as a form of defence mechanism. Humans use everything from sex, drugs, alcohol, TV, food, self-help books to violence as a form of escapism. In fact you can use whatever activity you like as a form of escapism. It all comes down to your why. And in order to find your why you need to start being honest with yourself. If you use something in order to escape, try to understand why you need to escape. You’ll need to find the root cause in order to properly heal. In certain cases you may have to ask for professional help, since some things we can’t fight on our own. And the best part; we don’t have to fight alone – we can always ask for help.

I think I may have used meditation as a form of escapism when I first started almost four years ago. I knew it fascinated me, and therefore I wanted to try it out. However, at first I truly believe I just wanted to ”turn off”, since I was just so fed up at the moment. After time went by I noticed that something happened within me, something I can’t put into words, but this something made me feel more at peace, and not only while meditating, but during the day as well. You see, the point with meditation is not to clear the mind of thoughts (there will always be thoughts in your head, it’s impossible to turn the mind off), instead try to find out how meditation can have a positive effect on your life.

And while we can’t turn off these myriad of thoughts, we can always look at them as merely thoughts. They are thoughts – created in our minds – not facts. Rather, try to become the observer of the thought, or the awareness behind the thought, as Eckhart Tolle so neatly puts it.

With this being said, I strongly believe that meditation, and living more mindfully, can be used as a great support at becoming better at life. After all it’s something that easily can be integrated in everyone’s life – It’s free, and all you need is yourself, and your breathing.

 

Be safe, and count your breaths (and blessings).

❤

Linda

Dear April…

Publicerat av

… take my hand, inhale my breath. We won’t die, as long as we don’t fall in love.

”April dear, I breathe you in like air.”

 

Time standing still. The warm, golden light, burning through our windows, caressing our cheeks, awakening our hearts. Dreaming of doing everything in life, and nothing on rainy Sundays. Watching captivating sunsets, and counting countless numbers of stars. Happily having you, blooming in my arms. Speak with no words, undress me with your eyes.

Whatever you do, I swear, you got my feelings playing butterflies. 

April is for getting lost in translation. Being curious and bold. Breathing in lust, breathing out fear. Breathe me in like air. It’s about a new earth, hope, and letting go. Soft raindrops against the window, purifying dark winter souls. Touch me with your words, with your eyes. As long as you touch me, I know we’ll be just fine.

April is for being affectionate, playful and passionate. Confident, happy and alive. Stop looking for it on the outside, when it’s already resting within, patiently awaiting for you to come out of your coma. It’s about letting go of the idea that you always have to be the one you have been. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself, it’s never too late to flourish like an early spring day. Whatever flower you wish to be. Just bloom, darling, bloom. 

Grow, expand your horizons, like the birth of this new season.

Haven’t you noticed?

The voice within, screaming for attention, so eager to come out and play. Wishing for you to speak your truth, dive into creativity, and to blissfully watch life through the eyes of your inner child. Playful, excited and filled with compassion.

Compassion for everything life has to offer.

Now is the time to take a glimpse at nature, a glimpse at the stars, and believe, there’s no limit to what you can achieve, who can you be?

Staying curious while cultivating self-awareness. Be still, yet alert. It’s time to give birth.

Dare to show your true colors. Dare to be the person you are. Let wisdom and experiences fill your day, let it guide you on your way. Open your heart and mind to all possibilities floating around. It’s within pain we find strength. The strength to be who we are.

Humans smiling the brightest are usually the ones crying the loudest.

Let. It. Out.

April darling, I welcome you. You move me with your blooming nature, cloudless sky. Your enchanting soul makes my entire being come alive. You bring me peace, you bring me hope. Nature dear, one look at you, and everything, comes through.

❤

Linda

Spring clean your thoughts

Publicerat av

”… and gradually they all returned to being,
human again.”

First day of spring finally arrived here in the Northern Hemisphere, as we celebrated the Spring Equinox yesterday. With lighter days, comes a lighter mind. As we’re faced with challenging times we need to remind ourselves that it’s always darkest before the dawn. Use this early spring month to not only clean up your surroundings, but your thoughts as well. Lovingly let yourself be guided by your inner voice, let it steer you home.

Mother Nature said enough, time to rest. Time to return to being. Listen to the lyrics, the tone, the message. Dear human, quiet down the mental chatter, create space and learn how to effortlessly move, and surrender, to the beat.

Spring is a beautiful time to rearrange and revamp yourself. After a long, and more peaceful winter it’s time to take action. Many of us may find ourselves in situations which makes it a little more demanding to get things done; we may not have the possibilities, as many of us are locked inside. Still, every step forward counts, however small it may seem. By cleaning up not only our minds, but our bodies and souls, we will slowly but surely clean up our outside as well. So within, so without.

Personally, when I look at my own situation I believe that there’s no holding back anymore. The safety around us may have been taken away from us, however, isn’t it then when we should rely on the safety within us… Now is not the time to give up, rather, now is the time to show what we’re made of. I have this feeling, that we will all get through this, in a beautiful, unexpected way.

”Listen to the universe while it sings to you, don’t wait until it screams, cause it will.” 

As I strongly believe in logic, and thinking rationally, I also put faith in something that is far bigger than we can comprehend. Something that can’t be explained in words. This something (whatever you wish to call it – God, Allah, Buddha, the Universe, Source, Intuition, Higher Self) is watching over us, wanting what’s best for us. With a universe this vast, how can we say that magic doesn’t exist?

The universe is talking to us every hour during the day, we just have to open up all our senses in order to receive. The past week I’ve been getting more signs than ever – I see heart shaped signs several times a day, number sequences that have a personal meaning to me, dreams being more vivid, song lyrics… And most importantly, I embrace them, as they help to create a bouquet of safety and hope during uncertainty.

We are limitless beings, and there’s so much we can do and create. While nothing is certain in life but change, why don’t we release the pressure we’ve been carrying on our shoulders, and instead put trust in ourselves, and humanity. It’s always our responsibility to continue learning, whether or not things go our way.

Start by asking yourself questions, in order to get to know yourself again. We have all the time in the world to turn inwards, and explore the depths of our beings. Why don’t we use this time to our advantage; for the betterment of humanity, and our planet. It’s never too late to change, to evolve and to transform into a better human – into the humans we are all meant to become. I believe Mother Nature is asking us to go within, to explore, and to go beyond what we thought was possible.

You can ask yourself whatever questions you like. Below you’ll find a few examples;

  • How do you wish to live your days?
  • When are you at your happiest? (what are you doing when you’re are at your happiest?)
  • What kind of thoughts do you wish to carry?
  • Who would you be without the limiting beliefs, negative thoughts?
  • Who are you, when you’re at your best?
  • What (who) inspires you?
  • What does the best version of yourself look like? 
  • What would you like to give to the world?
  • What are your most positive traits?
  • What areas of yourself, and your life, are in need of improvements?
  • Do you love yourself?
  • If you would know that you would die tomorrow, what would you regret not doing? 

I think it’s of utmost importance how we choose to use this time, this present moment. How we choose to react to everything happening for us. We may become sick, people we love may become sick, we may be far away from our people, we may lose our jobs. However, we’ll never be deprived of love, faith, happiness, compassion, kindness, hope, joy and laughter; as these are things that can’t be lost. We may struggle to find them at times, but they are never lost – they are always here, within, patiently waiting for us, to rise beyond our wildest dreams.

With this being said, while it’s good to cherish the moment, it’s also good to have something to look forward to. At least I know I’m looking forward to the day when I can hug all the people I love again. You may be far apart from the people you hold dear to your heart, but know, you’re carrying them within, wherever you are, wherever you go.

… And that I believe is the most beautiful thing about our hearts; that there’s enough space for everyone.

With ❤

Linda

How to cope during times of self-isolation

Publicerat av

”You are never alone;we have each other.”

During tough times it’s more important than ever that we spend time doing things that make us feel a little more peaceful. Whether it’s breathing a little deeper, spending extra time with loved ones, cooking healthy meals, reading books or having long conversations over the phone. It’s okay to be afraid, but fear or panic is never the answer. It will never be the answer. Now is not the time to be selfish; you may be strong, but the man you meet on the street may not. Be compassionate.

It’s when the safety around us has been taken away from us, that it’s time for us to rely on the safety within us. 

Below you’ll find three ways/mindsets to embrace during these difficult times affecting all of us.

Take care, and know that you can always reach out via an email or a comment. I’m happy to connect ❤

How to cope during times of self-isolation

 

1. The importance of routine

During trauma or uncertainty it’s highly important that we keep up with our daily routines. If you’re forced to work from home, and it’s something that you’re not used to, it can be very difficult to establish good and healthy routines. Therefore, before you start your day it’s good to plan out small things you will do every day. For example wake up at the same time every morning, do some light stretching/yoga/home workout, eat a nourishing breakfast and communicate with your family members, and really hear each other out.

And don’t forget the kids; it’s of utmost importance that we have an honest and open communication with our children about what’s going on in the world. However, keep it simple and straightforward, children use another vocabulary than we, nevertheless, that doesn’t mean they should be neglected in the conversation. Let them speak, and then listen, really listen to what they have to say. And if you’re home alone -> pick up the phone, don’t sit alone with your thoughts; it’s extremely vital for your mental wellbeing that you can talk to someone about how you’re feeling. Moreover, if you’re allowed to go out then use that time to soak up the fresh air, take a walk and be grateful that you’re breathing.

2. The importance of mindfulness

Now is the time to go within, and to practice slow living. It’s the perfect time to truly exercise acceptance of what is. How we choose to react to the outer circumstances is up to us. It’s completely normal to worry about the health of our family and friends, our financial situation, and everything else that comes with it. However, as soon as we start dwelling within the anxiety and helplessness it will become toxic. We have to focus on the solutions, rather than the problems. If we let the mental chatter and negative feelings dictate our day-to-day living we will of course suffer tremendously. It’s not about neglecting our feelings, it’s about not letting the feelings grab hold of us and completely tear us down.

Make it simple. Start the day in silence. To let the mind relax, and to just sit with yourself, will benefit you in so many ways. By being still your mind has the opportunity to create space for new thoughts to enter, and while doing so it becomes more alert and aware. And while sitting in stillness you open yourself up to new solutions –  solutions you may not had thought of if you would have been busy feeding the mind with consuming too much news, worrying about the future or being completely lost in negative self-talk.

Take ten minutes. Ten minutes. Turn off all your distractions, take a comfy seat and start following your breath. As soon as you notice you’ve drifted away, gently return back to your breathing. And yes you will drift away, many many times during ten minutes, but every time you become aware of doing so – gently return back to the breathing, feeling your in-breath, as well as your out-breath. No pressure, it’s only you, and your breathing, connecting to your body.  Ten minutes when you’re fully dedicated to one of the most beautiful things of all – your breathing.

3. The importance of doing things that make you happy

Whether it’s reading all the books you haven’t had the time to read, painting, writing, cooking healthy meals, dancing, listening to music, talking with your friends via Skype, or learning a new language – do it, simply cause it makes you more connected to yourself. Personally I’m very happy that I have an online course in Clinical Psychology starting next week, since I will have all the time in the world to focus on feeding my brain with new knowledge.

With this said, now it’s extra important that we embrace all these small stuff that make us extra happy. That we take the time to show appreciation to the things around us, however modest they may seem. We have to hold on to the hope that something good will come out of this. Now we have the power to change the way we are living, the way we have been thinking, detoxing ourselves from judgment, negative self-talk, and toxic behaviour. We have all the time in the world to go within, and to embrace all that we are. There lies an enormous strength within you; now you have a golden opportunity to release it, cling to it, and to never loose sight of it.

With ❤

Linda

How to find peace amidst of it all

Publicerat av

”Everything will be okay in the end, and if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”

To embrace peace in moments of distress and chaos may not be the easiest thing to do. However, in times like these it’s more important than ever that we take that deep breath, and let go of feelings such as anxiety and fear. When our bodies are stressed they are more receptive to diseases. Therefore, it’s of utmost importance that we act from wisdom and rationality, rather than from fear and panic. 

With that being said, what can we do right now, in order to diminish distress and worry? I’ve listed significant steps and habits to adopt that can be helpful in reducing stress in our lives. To find balance between being aware of what’s going on, but at the same time – don’t let it consume our inner state of being in a way that may become fatal. It’s a difficult time for all of us, as a great amount of people will suffer not only physically and mentally, but financially. Now it’s more obvious than ever how fragile our systems and societies actually are. There’s no question about that this pandemic will have deep effects on all of us. Still, fear is not the answer. It will never be the answer.

Stay grounded.

There are a lot of things in life we humans have no control over, such as certain viruses, diseases and natural disasters. Nevertheless, what we do have control over is our inner state of being, and how we choose to react to these events. Nothing good comes out of panicking and letting fear drive our actions. Instead, it only makes things worse.

It’s absolutely normal to feel fear and anxiety when we find ourselves in an uncertain situation; it’s biological, and our bodies natural way of noticing and staying away from threat. However, instead of letting fear take over we need to remember that we’re the ones in control of our feelings. We can’t let the feelings control us. Hoarding and buying food and supplies for years to come is not necessary – in fact it’s stupid and selfish. This so called retail therapy – where we buy to manage our emotional state  –  is just about taking back control in a world where we feel out of control.

Moreover, when we’re stressed we usually look at what other people are doing. If others are stockpiling it leads you to engage in the same kind of behaviour. We’re social creatures, meaning we do what others do, especially when we’re under stress. (Sander van der Linden, assistant professor of social psychology at Cambridge University)

But not all humans have the possibility, or even the financial means, to stock up with foods for months to come. Focus your attention on helping others, instead of panicking about a future non of us can predict. Are there older people in your apartment building that need help with groceries? People in quarantine that you can help? By redirecting your focus, and by helping others your body may release some of the inner stress.

Time to go within.

As we are recommended to stay at home as much as possible we now have more time than ever to our disposal for things we may have neglected before. Or maybe you unwillingly have to stay at home, due to quarantine. Whatever the circumstance may be, now we truly have the time to take a step back, and breathe. We’re literally forced to. What you choose to do with these extra hours, and days, even weeks, are up to you. It’s good to follow the media in order to know how the situation is progressing, however, to completely get soaked up by the news won’t benefit neither your physical or mental wellbeing. Yes, this virus is contagious, but so is panic, fear, hatred, love, compassion, laughter and joy. Therefore, choose your thoughts wisely.

And keep in mind that just because you choose to focus on being positive, doesn’t mean you’re not taking things seriously. How could we even survive without optimism in this world?! The importance of always choosing joy and hope, rather than fear and doubt.

If you’re lucky to be under the same roof as your loved ones, then take this time to really take care of each other; cook healthy meals, and simply enjoy being together. Maybe you have been so busy lately, with different obligations, that you haven’t had time to catch up? Oh well, now there’s time. And if you’re lonely, know that you’re not alone. Thank god for Internet and mobile phones in times like these… And if you feel alone, don’t hesitate calling a friend or a family member – it’s necessary for us humans to feel connected.

Remain calm & you’re not alone

During stressful and traumatic events it’s vital to bare in mind that the thoughts you create have a great impact not only on your wellbeing, but the wellbeing of the people around you. Thoughts are energy, and energy creates. Therefore use positive thoughts, it has impact. This doesn’t mean that you ignore what’s going on in the world. Rather, it has everything to do with where you direct your focus. Focus on what you can do in order to improve the situation. Focus on recovery, compassion, faith, oneness and strength – words and actions that involve optimism and trust.

We need to act with wisdom, not from fear and panic. We need to show compassion towards ourselves, and others. We need to be safe. It’s during times like these that we need to understand that we are not alone. We are all in this together, now is not the time to blame one another – we need to work together. Personally, I feel that the world has become much smaller during the past week. More and more I realise how connected we all are. Countries may choose to close boarders, still, I sense that this will only make us realise how united we actually are. However, for this to happen we have to work together.

”maybe now
we recognise what’s truly
important in life
you may be strong
but the man you meet on the street
may not
act with wisdom
show compassion
be safe
maybe now
you realise you’re not alone”

With ❤

Linda

How to judge yourself less

Publicerat av

”What is love? Love is the absence of judgment.”

No one in this world is pure and perfect, not even mother nature. If you constantly judge yourself for your wrong-doings, past mistakes and things not working out the way you hoped for you’ve misinterpreted what life’s all about. Life is about evolving, and learning. It’s about challenging oneself, and staying true to the things closest to our hearts. It’s about not giving up, although the road is foggy and you can’t see clearly. One step at a time. One breath at a time. Don’t judge yourself for not knowing what your future will bring. Instead, promise yourself this moment. One sunrise at a time.

I’ve been writing about being less judgmental in a former blog post – click the link to read it; Be less judgmental. However, in this post I want to put focus on being less judgmental towards ourselves.

”Darling, it’s your life; choose to focus on how you want to live your life.”

I believe a lot of the judgment we have towards ourselves stems from the fact that we constantly compare ourselves to others. When we compare ourselves to others (and usually to people we don’t even know) we generally use social media as a frame of reference. Following someone’s Insta-perfect life won’t make us feel any better about ourselves.

The only person you should compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday. Focus on your own improvements. Darling, it’s your life, choose to focus on how you want to live your life. You don’t belong on the passenger side; you’re the mother******* pilot. However, this doesn’t mean that other humans can’t be a great source of inspiration. Personally I’m very inspired by kind-hearted people with a great deal of humour, ambition and healthy confidence. Someone who’s not afraid to go against the crowd, and who expresses themselves in an authentic manner.

This being said, it all starts with you. Be free, make mistakes, and dare to try things. Mess up, have fun, and embrace both failure and success. Life is not about being perfect. Life is about giving ourselves the space to be weird, quirky, wise, funny, lazy, passionate, creative, scared, sexy, confident, lost and lovingly compassionate towards ourselves and all sentient beings.

Don’t ever stop being you, just because you don’t think you’re worthy or good enough. Newsflash – you are, more than enough.

”Be open to the guidance, to the quiet whispers from within.”

Don’t blame yourself for your shortcomings – we all have them. Don’t blame yourself for past mistakes – we all have made them. Don’t blame yourself for not being where you thought you would be by now – we’re exactly where we’re meant to be right now. Rather, give yourself the benefit of the doubt – try to judge less, and love more, and see where life might take you. Be open to the guidance, to the quiet whispers from within. When you start focusing on your own growth, instead of scrolling through your social media feeds, you’ll notice that the answers you’re seeking are right here. They’ve always been here, within.

No one is either more or less than you, and you’re not more or less than anyone else. And I believe that’s what makes this life so fascinating; that we’re a bunch of humans, although somehow so alike, we have our different traits, up-bringings and weird quirks. We have our different struggles, things to heal and to let go of. If we only knew how much there’s to learn from one another, so much wisdom and clarity to gain from each other. Every human you’ve met thus far know you’ve met them for a reason. Although you’ve let people hurt you in the past, know that it was something you had to go through, in order to find yourself, in order to find your inner strength.

”We chase this self-made ideal on how life’s supposed to be, and if we fail, and don’t live up to our expectations, we judge ourselves.” 

Not judging oneself is certainly easier said than done. As a matter of fact I think it’s deeply ingrained within us humans to judge and compare. We chase this self-made ideal on how life’s supposed to be, and if we fail and don’t live up to our expectations or other people’s expectations on us, we judge ourselves.

You most likely won’t stop judging yourself in a blink of an eye, especially if you’ve been judging yourself most of your adult years. Take it day by day, in your own good time. Start by noticing how you think and react in certain situations – become aware of how you’re judging other people, circumstances, as well as yourself. It all begins with self-awareness. Allow yourself to have feelings of judgment, in other words, don’t judge yourself for being judgmental. Accept and then consciously choose to let go. You don’t have to hold on to judgment – it’s a choice that only you can make.

The essence within not being judgmental towards Self, is acceptance of Self. Being able to forgive yourself for the choices you have made, choices that might not have been aligned with your core Self. Not accepting yourself for who you truly are is in fact one of the worst things you can do to yourself. Instead of moaning and talking down at yourself you should work on becoming better. If you notice something you don’t like about yourself, it’s your job to do something about it. Don’t be a victim of your circumstances, rather, embrace yourself, all of you –  tap yourself on the shoulder when you’ve done something you’re proud of – don’t expect others to praise you, you go on and compliment yourself in an honest and humble manner. And if you mess up, you pick yourself up. Without judgment.

❤

Linda

Find your happy

Publicerat av

”It’s on the other side of doubt that I wish to dance.”

Whatever you do, be sure it makes you happy. One simple yet profound rule of life.

In other words – do more of the things that set your soul on fire. Whether it’s painting, feeding the poor, singing, writing, teaching children, managing a multi-billion dollar business or practicing mindfulness. Maybe you haven’t figured out what makes your soul spark – that’s totally fine. Don’t overthink. Don’t force things to come to you. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow.

Below you’ll find some of the things I will do more of this spring, whether it’s writing, painting, travelling or just simply being in the moment. Nevertheless, these are the things that make my soul dance.

Learn – Study Psychology

I’m always eager to learn new things, and educate myself. I strongly believe that one can’t have too much knowledge wisdom. I guess it’s my curiosity that makes me want to continue studying. That deep longing for answers to questions I can’t yet respond to.

As humans we are never fully completed. I think if we come to terms with that statement life will become less intimidating. Less heavy, and more light-hearted. We don’t have to have all the answers, as long as we have that intense yearning to know more about ourselves, others and life. In plain English – a deep desire to experience life.

And while I will always have a great appreciation for knowledge, I understand that the wisdom I’m looking for might not come from the books I have read in school, but from life. However, I believe there should be a balance between them both – the more we gather from both parts, the better. We don’t learn about life by reading about life – we need to go out and explore.

Explore – Spring in Paris

One of the best ways to boost creativity is to explore new cities and to soak up a fresh, new atmosphere. I’ll be travelling to Paris in April, and I can’t wait to be walking the streets of one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There will be a lot of strolling around, writing, sightseeing, and simply being. Enjoying the moment, being still.

When in doubt – go to Paris. 

Be still – Meditate

One doesn’t have to meditate in order to find peace of mind, however, it might help. Needless to say, it’s not the minutes that count; it’s what you carry with you, after you’ve been sitting in silence – the patience, the alertness and a greater sense of awareness. Meditation is not sitting with no thought – it’s letting the thoughts pass by, no dwelling, but simply being aware. It’s a perfect way to practice slow breathing, going within, and trusting oneself.

When seeking stillness you allow your mind to go beyond thought. You might for example struggle with a challenging task, and seek more intelligent ideas on how to proceed – when you allow your brain to unwind, and ”turn off”, hence, getting rid of all the pressure, you allow your creativity to come alive, which in turn may lead to more creative solutions to your problem.

We can always choose to be a bit more here, and a little less somewhere else.

Create – Write Poetry

Embrace your passions, and inspire others to do the same.

At the moment I’m writing on a poetry collection. However, I don’t know if I’ll ever finish it, but I do know I enjoy the process of creating.

Creating out of curiosity, without the pressure of having to perform any masterpieces. Creating, simply cause it’s what humans are meant to do. We create every day, whether we think of it or not. We make ourselves breakfast in the morning. We choose what clothes to wear. We write messages. We communicate. We think. We act. We make love. We live. Life is creation.

Never stop creating the life of your dreams.

Feed my soul – Paint

I challenge you to do something this week you’ve never done before; whether it’s talking to a stranger, waking up one hour earlier, eating healthier, speaking kindness, or trying out a new hobby. Choose something you’ve thought about for a while, something that might even scare you.

Live a little.

Two years ago I suddenly had this epiphany that I’ve to start painting. And believe me when I say; I’ve never been good at painting, in fact I really sucked at it at school. Nevertheless, my gut feeling told me that ”Linda you need to start painting”, and as you might know I have a strong intuition, and I’ve learned to listen to it more and more the past years. I finally decided to give this painting-thing a try, and instantly my soul made a somersault.

Painting is better than anything I’ve done before. It’s meditative, relaxing, imaginative, fun and soul awakening – it’s absolutely mind blowing (and I don’t exaggerate, not even a little). It suits my soul perfectly. I’m still not particular good at it, but that’s not why I do it. I do it, cause I love doing it.

Whatever you choose to do this spring, ensure it makes you happy as a baby.

 

❤

Linda

The importance of trusting oneself

Publicerat av

”More faith than fear.”

A key ingredient in this beautiful, yet unpredictable life is trusting oneself.

As soon as you begin to trust yourself you’ll learn how to dance through life, while developing into a courageous and compassionate human being. Wherever you choose to go, begin to cultivate all these wonderful things that you are. When you start to put complete trust in yourself you’ll automatically become more confident in your own skin.

What determines your worth?

Think about it for a minute.

Is it your looks? The amount of friends you have? Your income? Your job title? Where you were born? Your skin color? Or do you depend on other people, to make you feel valuable?

Start by questioning your belief systems. Why do you have them, and where do they steam from? Be clear, and completely honest with yourself when answering these questions. Writing your thoughts down might make it easier to understand yourself as you read your words out loud. The goal is not to judge yourself, but to better yourself, and to become more self-aware.

Own who you are.

Self-worth isn’t something you obtain from someone else, since you are the one who decides your worth. No one can tell you if you’re worthy or not. Don’t ever give that power away – you hold that power. We put so much value in other people’s opinions that we forget about our own opinions. Darling, please stop putting value in other people assumptions about who they think you are, and who they think you should be. In the end, it’s nothing but their expectations and beliefs about you.

Trust yourself.

Step outside your comfy shoes – the ones that taught you how to walk. It’s about time you go and buy yourself a new pair of shoes. And as we all know, sometimes it takes a while before it feels convenient to walk in new shoes. While you’re busy walking, or dancing, in your neat, and somewhat discomfy shoes, remember you won’t be everyone’s cup of tea; but as long as you stay true and authentic to yourself you’ll make the right decisions in life.

Go within & be introspective. 

Whenever you have a bad day, whether it’s you feeling anxious, unworthy, or out of alignment with yourself, trust the timing of your life. Nothing will ever be enough externally if you don’t feel complete within. It’s a vast world you got there, and it’s the biggest treasure you’ll ever have  – explore it, and dive right in.

Life is not all sunshine and stardust, but the minute you decide to face your shadows, and the not so good stuff, you will slowly but surely make progress. Evolving into the human you’re meant to become is not always an easy road, but to not even try, and to let fear come in the way should never be an option. Trust that you have the power to change.

Clear your mind & be there for yourself.

Embrace your flaws and harness your talents. Learn about yourself – when are you at your best? What comes naturally to you? What skills do you need to work on?

Never stop educating yourself; read books, listen to podcasts and fine-tune your competencies.

The moment you befriend your inner voice, and become conscious and alert to what’s happening on the inside you become present in the moment. As soon as you become aware of the distrusting voice in your head you’ve the power to let it go. Have you ever stopped to think about how powerful you actually are?

Be still and alert, the earth is dancing. 

Meditation has been a huge part in my life the past year. It has helped me tremendously when it comes to trusting myself, my intuition and my abilities. Furthermore, it has made me realize that we are so much more than our physical appearance. We are walking on this planet called earth, spinning around in the middle of an infinite universe, and just like the limitless night sky we’re far greater beings than our human mind can grasp.

 

With this being said; How do you wish to live your life? How do you like to show up in this world? What are important to you? What kind of people do you wish to surround yourself with? What would you like to create? How would you like to earn your living? What kind of relationship do you wish to have with your partner?

Be honest with yourself when answering questions like these. Take your time, and truly dig deep in order to find the answers closest to your heart. Whatever you wish to do, become and create, it starts with you believing and trusting yourself. You can’t control everything in life, but you can control how you wish to feel on the inside. And you can control if you wish to trust yourself or not.

When it comes to myself there are a few things I need to change, or get rid off. For example I need to learn to step out of my comfort zone, I need to stop controlling everything in my life so much, and instead learn to flow with life. I need to learn how to trust in my competencies, and not care too much about what other people think of me. And last, but not least, I need to trust the moment, and know that I create my future here and now.

However, the first, crucial step is to become self-aware enough to know which areas in life that need to change. In other words, areas where there are improvements to be made. Self-awareness is key in the process of becoming a confident and ever-evolving human being.

❤

Linda

Talk about what you love

Publicerat av

”Dear life, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

 

My darlings, let’s talk about the things we love, shall we?

I love soft hearts, the birth of a new season, watching the sky, at night, brimming with stars. I love a white canvas, painting my life, feeding my soul. I love talking to strangers, deep conversations, I smile, when you smile. I love waking up early dawn, life’s still asleep, my heart wide awake. I love writing, feeding you hope, feeding you joy and laughter. I love the moon, the sun, and the stars. I love summer. In fact, I love all seasons. Autumn, winter, spring. I love the serenity of nature, the richness and wisdom she provides. I love books. Oh, how I adore a great book. I love walking in an empty street, the stillness, the force of life running through my veins. I love a crowded market place, a foreign country, conversations I don’t understand, however, I read faces, I read eyes. I love lips on lips, skin on skin. I love the sunset, the sunrise, thunderstorms and heavy rain. I love gaining wisdom, interacting with people from all walks of life. I love humans. I love animals. I love the space, the air, the feeling of freedom and peace of mind. I love the sun caressing my cheeks, the light, late at night, shining through my window. I love deep connections, emotions wide awake, speaking feelings, speaking truth. I love being in the moment, cherishing every heartbeat. I love kissing in the rain, tears running down my cheeks, butterflies in my tummy. I love watching snow falling, flowers blooming, leaves turning red. I love written words, from deep within, poetry. I love red lips, the feeling of confidence, smiling at strangers. I love dancing, music, doing yoga, the human body. I love black coffee, brown eyes, adventurous souls. I love humor, falling asleep, with a smile on my face, waking up, with peace in my heart. I love being sensitive, a soul packed with emotions, filled with love, hope and passion. I love finding myself, everyday.

I love love.

Tell me what you love.

❤

Linda