This morning I woke up thinking about my last post. The sky was cloudy, it was going to be another cold, possibly rainy day. But somehow, I felt so happy inside, it almost scared me. And it got me thinking about the essence of this blog, about the real box of inspiration. There actually is a real box of inspiration, made of cardboard and covered in pictures and newspaper cuttings, filled with dreams, ideas. And brimming with my own happiness.
So I spent the morning finding more quotes to put on that box, filling it with more inspiration. And smiling the whole time. It's strange how a single day can sometimes change everything in the way you look at the world. It doesn't really matter what happens to you, it only matters how you look at what has happened. And even if everything goes wrong, if your heart gets broken, you open your own box of inspiration or just look into your happiest memories, and tears will spring to your eyes as you realise how truly lucky you are. There will always be people who love you and care about you.
No matter what happens, that box of inspiraion will stay untouched, because no one can take away the happiness that I once felt and the dreams that I have. And re-reading my last, rather gloomy post, I realised that the end of something is equally the beginning of something new. And whatever happens, good or bad, it makes me who I am. But it takes only a look inside my box of inspiration to see who I am again, and that I am made of more than just pain. Love. Friendship. And - despite all the tears - laughter.
Which brings me to my list of three great things about yesterday:
1. Laughing with complete strangers on the train.
2. Laughing and crying while watching New Year's Eve (very cute movie by the way!)
3. Weirdly enough, trying on jumpers at Tommy Hilfiger (which was so much fun, especially the way the shop assistants were very helpful AND cute)
Enjoy your day!
Love, x
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Monday, 26 December 2011
The last days of a year
For many people, the last days of a year are a time of reflection, resolution and absolution. It's one of those in-between times, long, cold nights spent pondering the very depths of your existence. To me, these last few days before New Year's Eve, after the buzz and excitement of Christmas is wearing off, seem like the last days of real relaxation to enjoy before a long stretch of hard work. With graduation approaching, a million future-related fears on my mind, it's difficult to enjoy the here and now. Somehow, by July next year, I will have reached the end. At least, that's what it feels like. Two years of hard work and a final grade in my hand and it's all over.
Then again, this looming black line on the horizon that feels like an expiration date is also the mark of freedom. Between July and October, there will be a space, a gap, a time of transition between my life now and the future. And then the next chapter, that common metaphor, will unfold before my eyes. And like my favourite authors, it will manage to scare me, exhaust me and yet always exhilarate me.
But the questions that sneaks up behind your back while you are working so hard on a goal is: What is the point? What is the greater purpose?
And each time it is shocking how answerless I feel. It seems as though, all our life, we are working hard to work even harder in the future. So that sneaky question really has a point, doesn't it?
I recently read an article about downshifting, slowing down your life and finding meaning in small things. It's a goal that seems to have taken a hold of many people in recent times. With the world shrinking and spinning faster and faster, we are slowly losing contol of it all. We are all losing the real meaning of why we are here, te meaning of our lives.
Some people seem to seek freedom and inspiration on travels, by delving into foreign cultures and communities. Others close their eyes and plod blindly on through their daily lives, trying hard not to hear the sneaky question that is always a few steps behind them.
A person very dear to me once said that one shouldn't ponder "deep, philosophical questions" when it's dark. So this is me stopping. Or at least finishing the deep, philosophical thought with a happy once.
Personally, I feel lucky to have this box of inspiration. It reminds me everyday of what I'm working for, of why I love my life and the people in it. Seeing and recording the beauties of your day to day life is a great reminder of the meaning of life. No need for journies abroad for the present. They can wait for that In-between time.
One way to remind yourself daily of the little beauties is writing down three of them. Here I go, off the top of my head:
1. Taking a brisk walk in stormy weather.
2. Making a ham-and-cheese-bake with my mum.
3. Having milk and warm bread for dinner.
(two of todays beauties are food-related! Proof of a what a food-addict and lover I am! ;) )
Enjoy post-Christmas laziness!
Love, x
Then again, this looming black line on the horizon that feels like an expiration date is also the mark of freedom. Between July and October, there will be a space, a gap, a time of transition between my life now and the future. And then the next chapter, that common metaphor, will unfold before my eyes. And like my favourite authors, it will manage to scare me, exhaust me and yet always exhilarate me.
But the questions that sneaks up behind your back while you are working so hard on a goal is: What is the point? What is the greater purpose?
And each time it is shocking how answerless I feel. It seems as though, all our life, we are working hard to work even harder in the future. So that sneaky question really has a point, doesn't it?
I recently read an article about downshifting, slowing down your life and finding meaning in small things. It's a goal that seems to have taken a hold of many people in recent times. With the world shrinking and spinning faster and faster, we are slowly losing contol of it all. We are all losing the real meaning of why we are here, te meaning of our lives.
Some people seem to seek freedom and inspiration on travels, by delving into foreign cultures and communities. Others close their eyes and plod blindly on through their daily lives, trying hard not to hear the sneaky question that is always a few steps behind them.
A person very dear to me once said that one shouldn't ponder "deep, philosophical questions" when it's dark. So this is me stopping. Or at least finishing the deep, philosophical thought with a happy once.
Personally, I feel lucky to have this box of inspiration. It reminds me everyday of what I'm working for, of why I love my life and the people in it. Seeing and recording the beauties of your day to day life is a great reminder of the meaning of life. No need for journies abroad for the present. They can wait for that In-between time.
One way to remind yourself daily of the little beauties is writing down three of them. Here I go, off the top of my head:
1. Taking a brisk walk in stormy weather.
2. Making a ham-and-cheese-bake with my mum.
3. Having milk and warm bread for dinner.
(two of todays beauties are food-related! Proof of a what a food-addict and lover I am! ;) )
Enjoy post-Christmas laziness!
Love, x
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
The most wonderful time of the year
One of my favourite Christmas songs starts out with the words "It's the most wonderful time of the year". Well, I couldn't agree more. To me, Christmas time is a time of family, friends, of giving gifts and enjoying the splendours of life. At the end of the year, everyone is a little and Christmas just perks everyone up in time for the New Year to start. Apart from being the most wonderful time of year, it is also my favourite time of year.
Christmas is a time of year that gives me the chance to give thanks for all the love and success I was given throughout the year. Weeks are spent baking, preparing Christmas presents and writing cards. Around Christmas, we get the chance to tell the people we love just how much we love them. This is the reason I will be walking through the crisp cold air tomorrow morning with two bags bursting with gifts swinging at my side. It is simply something I enjoy to do. Sitting at my desk, thinking of the millions of little ways I can surprise a person ... such as making Christmas cards myself!
It's only a few days to Christmas now, time to put up the Christmas tree and wrap the last presents. There will be Christmas music in the background and the smell of German "Honigkuchen", cinnamon stars and hot chocolate in the air. Christmas is one of those times of year that are really all about enjoyment. The only thing missing around here is snow. But I hope that part will come in eventually.
And then it's only another week to New Year's Eve ... I couldn't be more excited to take this blog into the new year. It has truly inspired me to write more and to be creative!
Finally, I want to share a "not so Christmassy" song with you. It's a medley of "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay and "Love Story" by Taylor Swift, by two amazing musicians. Check out their channels for more amazing classic-meets-pop videos! This medley truly brings a smile to my face and perfectly captures my mounting sense of excitement as Christmas approaches.
Back to wrapping gifts then,
Love x
Christmas is a time of year that gives me the chance to give thanks for all the love and success I was given throughout the year. Weeks are spent baking, preparing Christmas presents and writing cards. Around Christmas, we get the chance to tell the people we love just how much we love them. This is the reason I will be walking through the crisp cold air tomorrow morning with two bags bursting with gifts swinging at my side. It is simply something I enjoy to do. Sitting at my desk, thinking of the millions of little ways I can surprise a person ... such as making Christmas cards myself!
It's only a few days to Christmas now, time to put up the Christmas tree and wrap the last presents. There will be Christmas music in the background and the smell of German "Honigkuchen", cinnamon stars and hot chocolate in the air. Christmas is one of those times of year that are really all about enjoyment. The only thing missing around here is snow. But I hope that part will come in eventually.
And then it's only another week to New Year's Eve ... I couldn't be more excited to take this blog into the new year. It has truly inspired me to write more and to be creative!
Finally, I want to share a "not so Christmassy" song with you. It's a medley of "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay and "Love Story" by Taylor Swift, by two amazing musicians. Check out their channels for more amazing classic-meets-pop videos! This medley truly brings a smile to my face and perfectly captures my mounting sense of excitement as Christmas approaches.
Back to wrapping gifts then,
Love x
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