Go Hug Someone!

I just discovered that today is (US) National Hugging Day. Which is a great  idea!

But… shouldn’t it be International Hugging Day?!! What about the rest of us, is there any person on the planet that doesn’t need/want a hug? I think not.

If you have a minute or three, sit back and watch this video. It is guaranteed to make you feel good! Pay attention at 0:50, when the guy gets (and gives) his first hug. Now isn’t that beautiful? I also love the shift in colors at that very moment.

Hey, we should do this!

Warm hugs

Linda

December Thoughts

December already. How time flies! Sorry I haven’t been updating my blog for a while, there has been quite a few things needing my attention, and thus less time for blogging.

As we enter the last part of the year, I’m sitting here reflecting a bit on the months gone by. To me, it has been a time of many new thoughts and changes, and I realize this is much due to my decision to become part of the blogosphere. It’s fascinating how the mind can be broadened by reading the thoughts of others and sharing your own. How we can be inspired and come to understand ourselves more fully through the written word. When you think about it; what a wonderful invention the world wide web is!

Also, it has been a year of discovering the joy of photography, or rather; rediscovering it by taking it one step further. There is still a lot for me to learn though, which is good – as I love to learn, and I look forward to spending more time with my camera. Music wise.. I didn’t really get as far as I had planned for, mostly due to lack of time. I did get a few projects started though, and I trust 2009 will hold more opportunities for me.

Finally, and not to forget; I’d like to add a thought of gratitude. Sure, life has its ups and downs but.. isn’t it great to in fact be alive? Perhaps a simple thought, but still – I feel truly thankful for the life and the opportunities I have been given. Then, it is my challenge of course, to be able to seize the day and make the most of it.

Wishing you all a great weekend!

Linda

The Greatest Life

Run towards your fears. Embrace them. On the other side of your greatest fears lives your Greatest Life. ~ Robin Sharma

Beyond doubt; this is easier said than done. We all have our own fears, deep inside. Often, the only person knowing what those fears are, is the one having them. Still, I think the above quote is a real powerful one.

Do I possess the strength and power to actually run towards my fears and embrace them? I honestly don’t know. But I believe I owe it to myself to try, even though it – well… scares me. Because the latter part of this quote “your greatest life” – that sounds wonderful, don’t you think?

Isn’t that what it’s all about -  in every way making the most of the life God has given us. Becoming everything we can be.

Our Beautiful World

Some would say; there is no such thing as a beautiful world. There is too much evil, too much suffering, too much imperfection . And yes, there is. Sometimes it is really hard to see beyond everything that is so wrong about this planet we live on. Or rather; how we – mankind – choose to live our lives on it.

Even so; the beauty is out there. It surrounds us, each and every day, in many different forms. And what’s more: we are all given a unique chance to affect the world so that we can add to the good, add to the beauty, add to the sacredness of life. If we manage to keep our focus on that, perhaps taking responsibility for planet earth will be a little bit easier. After all; it isn’t just a planet. It’s home.

The Colors of Change

We know for a fact, change is an inevitable part of life. Still, our immediate response to change often seems to be resistance.

When we realize that something in our lives is about to change, it is often seen as a threat. We wish to stay with the routine and what’s familiar and safe. We wish for things to stay the way they always did. I suppose it’s only natural. After all, in order to move on we must leave our own comfort zone, and head off to what’s unknown and uncertain. Clearly it’s uncomfortable. It may be scary or even hurtful.

Even so, I believe we owe it to ourselves to ask this one question; Why do I wish to stick with what’s familiar and safe? Is it because it’s really something good, because this is everything I wanted my life to be like?

Or is it because I am afraid to embrace the unknown, because I am unwilling to admit to myself that there is something unsatisfactory or incomplete about the life I am currently living?

As we grow older, we watch and interact with the world around us; we learn, we explore, we realize things we previously would fail to understand. We reach the end of an era, and the beginning of something new.

Life itself is our teacher, continuously educating us as we keep walking its path. And change is necessary for us to reach our dreams and let us become who we need to be deep inside. And so it comes down to this:

Being willing to surrender what we are, in order to embrace what we may become.

Nature welcomes the Colors of Change. Do you and I have the courage to do the same?

Aaaaaahhhh!

Isn’t it amazing how time flies! In this picture, Mr C is only a few days old, peacefully sleeping through the whole photo session, while his two proud big brothers vow to take good care of him in the years to come.

Today, as I watch their fights from time to time, trying my best to help solve various disasters along the way – I sometimes wonder what happened to this peaceful scene.. They may look the same on the outside but their personalities are indeed very different!

But then, as soon as some external threath occurs and it really comes down to it, all of a sudden they are masters in the art of brotherhood. The brotherly love and support shine through. They know they belong together. And that warms a mothers heart.

Spiritually Miraculous

“The scientifically impossible I do right away

The spiritually miraculous takes a bit longer..”

Being confident is good. Seeing life through the colors of optimism also. However, I think we can all agree that the above quote may be just a little too optimistic..!!!

Although it is obviously meant to be taken humorously; I still think it’s a great quote. Because it says something about the importance of believing in yourself. We may not be able to accomplish anything we set out to do in life, at least not by our own force alone. But what is undoubtedly true is this; if we don’t believe we can make a difference, we probably never will.

When I was younger I used to have a somewhat similar (though not quite as bold) approach to life. I remember saying to my friends

There’s no such thing as “impossible” – what appears to be impossible only takes a little patience

Now being a bit older and (hopefully) wiser, I am tempted to add; sometimes a lot of patience. Even so, with a few exceptions; I still believe it. Very few things in life are actually impossible. And if we truly believe we can make a difference, and we are willing to put some effort into it, most things can be done.

However, if what we aim to accomplish is the spiritually miraculous, it’s probably a good idea to realize that we may need a little help along the way )

For the Journey of Life

Heavenly Father

Please be with me on my journey

Remind me that I am not alone

I will put my faith and trust in You

Please guide me

As I wish to walk with love

Remind me that what is hidden from me

May still be there, and still be true

Fill my heart with your light

Keep my eyes focused

And my mind persistent

On this journey of life

First Day of School

Of course there had to be sunshine on a day like this. After waiting for weeks, months and even years, watching his older brother doing his homework and running off to school in the morning, he was more than ready for this day. Finally it was his turn to become a real school boy! The proud smile stuck to his face the whole day through.

Congratulations on your first day of school mr S! Knowing your fascination and positive outlook to life, I am sure you will learn lots of exciting things, make many new friends and have a great time!

Definition of Success

It is said that in order to achieve success you must first define what success means.

Considering the fact that we are all individuals with our own unique thoughts, emotions and talents, I think we have to do more than that. We must define what success means to each one of us, what it means to you as an individual. Otherwise you are simply succeeding by someone else’s standards.

Living by someone else’s definition of success in life can be destructive. Because how can we possibly live up to our full potential as long as we keep adjusting our lives to the standards of others?

It may seem obvious and I am sure you agree with me. But just stop for a second and think about it – I mean; really think about it: Are you defining success in your life or are you allowing someone else to define it for you?

Don’t get me wrong, It’s not about being all self-centered. Of course we need to interact with other people, listen to their opinions and sometimes adjust our own. That is a strength. But in the end, you are the only person who can take responsibility for your own life. And you will be at your best when you are being true to yourself, also when it comes to making a difference in the lives of others.

In my life I am not successful if I am not achieving my own definition of success, no matter how impressed “the world” may be about what I do. If it’s not what I need to do, if it’s not what’s right for me, then I am living by someone else’s definition, and not being true to myself. And if so, have I really succeeded? The answer is a definite no, I haven’t.

I have this image in my mind; many years from now, when (hopefully) I celebrate my 90th birthday, I will have a collection of photos in my room. Photos from the life I have been living. And those photos should not be showing what others wanted me to be, they should be reflecting the kind of life, the choices that were the right ones for me.

Success is living the life that is right for you, being true to yourself as an individual. Only then can you become that special person you were meant to be.

Ask not what the world needs. Ask what make you come alive… then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

Howard Thurman