Morning motivation

I had an early walk this October morning. It was a foggy start for this week, just a perfect moment to enjoy the mystery of the season. People rushing with their bikes to work. It's autumn holiday for the school children, it was more peaceful than usually. We don't have very strong autumn colors yet. I wanted to find some energy giving, juicy, earthy tones of Nature. I have to wait for a few days and share some details later.

My daily cycling, jogging and walking routes are not so often captured in pictures. I'm often leaving in a last minute and have to hurry to my duties. If I'm jogging, I just want to move forward without stopping and enjoy my flow. I prefer walking alone when taking pictures, taking my time and not only watching, also listening the landscape and the environment.

 

Every single day I look at the sky first thing in the morning. 

No matter what the weather, there is always a reason to go out. It's not always great out there, but I can enjoy the rain and a little  storm every now and then. I know I can go inside afterwards, enjoy my hot tea, watch the sky again through my window and feel safe.

The life is not so balanced on this Planet at the moment. It's overwhelming to follow the news. Some powerful people and groups, carelessly pushing their narrow-minded agendas, deciding to follow the mission of destroyal. The balance will not be found with this Philosophy of negative force. The violence, egoism, neglect and numbness are limiting and killing every small chance to find new solutions and be open for a growth - personal, political, national and real emotional & ethical growth. I would like to believe it's possible to make everything better. I have lately started to feel I want to live so much more simple life. This madness is not challenging us in a right way, the direction is totally wrong. 

The life is full of limitations that we do not want to accept. "Everything is possible" "Only the sky is the limit" - Sounds too good to be true. We have to be realistic and focus on the life here right now instead of too much fantasy. Creativity and imagination are such positive forces to build a better world if the motivation behind our plans and actions is healthy. The fantasy and the vision are important, but taking focused, responsible steps is gradually leading us to more balanced and happy future.

Personal positive actions and changes can have such a big influence on our life. It is good to look behind and realize the development you made. We will always have something to improve and something to be proud of. It can be something very small and not visible to others,  but still remarkable detail on our personal journey.

During my long jog last sunday I was thinking how that activity had helped me in many ways during the last years. I had learned to fine tune my running by really listening every time how I felt physically and mentally that day. I was accepting my limitations on that given moment. This healthy hobby had influence on me in so many ways. I wrote a list to myself to remember and be even more aware. 

Self regulation...

focus...giving attention to signals...

finding your tempo, being able to adjust it...discipline...

taking a break...being aware of my motivation...

self care and love...better nutrition...

understanding the influence of different periods in life...

being an example to others and getting inspired by other people...

accepting my personal limitations...

letting go of judgmental and negative patterns or behaviors, being curious and open instead.

A long term practise in any hobby or activity can have a big influence to other dimensions and roles in our life as well. The key is the real connection to yourself and through this process a better understanding and empathy towards others as well. 

I'm proud that this middle aged woman can run 10 kilometers once a week. I was not able to do it 10 years ago. I've understood the importance of regular basic training to achieve the next level. Maybe half a marathon next :)!

Peace

The pulse of September

There are many reasons for me to feel good in this September. I finally have a peace of mind about many things. It's good to see how some pieces of a puzzle found their spots in the "year book of 2023" and now I eagerly wait to experience and enjoy the rest of the year. Still many months to rock n roll. I'm really happy getting back to yoga practice, I get so much better contact to my body, mind and breathing after every lesson. For me the best combination to stay fit is running, yoga and pilates. All of these actions & practices supporting each other perfectly.

It's important to see and experience something different regularly. Then it's easier to go on with the normal routines. I have still extremely much to see in the Netherlands. It's a never ending project. So small country, but so many interesting places! Luckily we did one "uitje"(a little day trip/visit)a couple of weeks ago.

Doesburg

Our long term plan is to visit all the 9 Hanseatic towns of the Netherlands - still five to go. Around the middle ages, when Amsterdam was still a small town, the Hansa towns were successful economical & transportation spots by the water. You can sense the history and the visible & cultural marks of the past times when visiting these towns (Deventer, Zwolle, Zutphen, Doesburg, Kampen, Elburg, Hattem, Hardewijk & Hasselt) along the rive Ijssel and near the national park Veluwe region. 

A star shaped form of old Doesburg

A typical roof silhouette of Hansa in Doesburg 

        

A historical and tasty short weekend with great walks around the town, admiring the architecture and the surrounding Nature. You can easily take the train from Amsterdam to Arnhem (East of Holland) and travel from there to Doesburg by a bus. By the way Doesburg is very well known for the mustard and there is a great museum for that as well. Every first Sunday of the month you can visit a big market in the centre, where the local creative people are selling their products.  

I think the Holland travels should not only focus on Amsterdam or other big cities. If you have an opportunity, pick one of the Hanseatic towns as well and get to know the history a bit more. 

Lalique Gallery

We visited one museum in Doesburg and what a great surprise it was. The museum in named after René Lalique (1860-1945), a very productive french glass and jewellery designer from the art deco & art nouveau period. The museum is located in two old national monument houses, a very beautiful experience. Flora, fauna and feminine forms were the inspiration for art nouveau. The designs have beautiful lightness and flow and phenomenal sense of using the materials. The jewels had such detailed balance and I found his perfume bottles such art also. At the museum shop were a collection of perfumes for sale - of course I had to buy one for later inspiration. 

The museum has regularly different exhibitions beside the basic collection. During our visit there was a great show about graphic design from around 1900 - "Mucha & Tijdgenoten". During that time the color photography was not yet developed and taken over the market. That's why many artists had a lot of work: posters, pictures for the magazines, fashion illustrations. Back then these marvelous works were not seen as art. Looking from our perspective it really was a very beautiful period of time when a lot of work was made on paper and a lot of patience was needed to create these unique hand made art works. One of the most famous poster artist was the french Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec from Paris. The museum about his work and life story is located near Montmartre in Paris - another great museum to visit.

The life energy, the inspiration is so important part of staying motivated, curious and open. I get the biggest "kick" when seeing something like this. It gives always hope, to see the humanity and expression of feelings and thoughts trough any interesting art.

 

That's the reason, thinking of the long, soon arriving winter time, I bought a museum year card. You can visit as much you like a long list of Museums in the Netherlands with this card during one year. This personalized card is only sold for the people living in the Netherlands.

Via the following link you can compare the prices of different sorts of discount cards for tourists. You can choose the best option for your purposes:

Amsterdam City Cards comparison & review

Bloemendaal aan Zee

I had not been at the beach in Holland for a while. Since we sold our car, it was not so spontaneous to make a short visit there. Actually you can take a train to the beach, but we never did it. I was so happy to see the see and feeling the Atlantic breeze. I love big, open views and the far away horizons. The water was still warm and we had a long walk at the sandy beach. 

 

The Autumn sun was giving such a reflective shine on the surface of the sea. I loved the sharpness of some waves, the speed they confronted the sand with a dominance. I always had a big interest about the adventurous sailors who go to chase their dreams over the restless seas. I read so many books about their trips and hard experiences. I am afraid of the dark side of this massive forse of Nature, but I love to watch the Sea and I feel alive when I hear the waves. It's really like hearing the earth breathing, how it's alive and wants us to be alive. That's why I often seek the water, walk along the water. It makes me  calm in any restless moment of my life.

autumn sunsets are the best

Evening salad with pink mood with a glass  of Rose

I think my September has been balanced so far and I feel it was a good recipe of different things that made me extra happy. It is  also the contrast between the more challenging summer period and finally things getting easier & clearer that made me space to take a better care of myself. 

The pulse of September is getting calmer and stronger. Lucky to be old enough to know the importance of taking your time (and us time) when the opportunity comes.

 Creating opportunities by making choices!

Less overthinking and trusting the feeling!

Base of mind - blue Helsinki days

Walking to a rocky beach at Suomenlinna Island

This summer has been very different than normally. That's the reason I had even bigger need to visit Finland. First I went alone in June and now we were admiring the stunning beauty of August with my daughter. This was a great opportunity for us to visit the familiar spots and find some new Helsinki treasures. We walked so much and the vibe at the seafront gave a feeling of freedom. It always is like going home, the balancing base for some extra energy.

Without a bigger plan, opening the random doors and climbing to the 

highest rocks. Stretching our own borders and hoping to see further than our eyes can. All those small steps we took. Looking back, up and down. This spot, this moment and the situation of life. We will live it through. We will go forward like always. It is good to trust in movement. Everything is in constant movement and this process = transportation & exchange & communication of smallest things (visible and invisible) will have an effect that transforms us and the situation. The space and peace is needed for seeing things clearer again and for the mind to be free. 

We were seeking the blue sea and finding joy about smallest things. We were on a holiday and using our senses in a different way. The worries and the troubling thoughts escaped to a far horizon. I had such a nice time with my daughter. She wanted so much to visit Helsinki this summer. A big part of her/our identity is there and at her age you are more consciously starting to develop your personality. We went to take a picture of the house where she lived as a baby. The roots are big part of it, the base where we can collect some strength and inspiration. Our steps were light hearted and proud, making a nice jewel of memories together.  

Seafront at Kaivopuisto

Pikku-Finlandia at Töölönlahti

Töölönlahti

We saw so many things, we did so many things that it felt like a longer time in Finland. I will not go in to details or give any tips or make it sound like a travel story. We did all the nice things, ate some good food and felt relaxed. The most important aspect was spending some time together, bonding and finding balance. Helsinki was our canvas and we made some nice routes and curves by walking everywhere.

The National library

Senaatintori and people sitting on the church steps

Temppeliaukio church

Restaurant Birgitta in Eiranranta

Obviously we had some challenging times this year. First our son left to South Africa and it was not so easy to let go and later we were confronted with health problems and this summer just went by. Luckily things look better at the moment and it's easier to trust in the process.

We learned this year that many things are possible and you can reach a lot with a good attitude, focus and motivation. The most of all: taking care of the balance in every aspect of life and taking care of your health are very important. Every person will be confronted with some health challenges at some point of their life. Then a small movement back and taking time to recover, searching the right help and being able to believe in the good outcome are helping . And how to deal with unsure situations? We always hope to try to find the best possible balance in every situation and it can be challenging. It is sure easier if the foundation is strong: the family, friends, values, mindset and trust in life. 

It is funny how the familiar smells, sounds and other details, like flowers are having calming and healing effect. I was enjoying the late summer flowers in Finland. Yesterday on our daily walk in Amsterdam, we met an older lady on the street. You could see the life had not been very easy on her. She started to talk enthusiast about the beautiful red rose growing on the side step, how beautiful and unique it was. It is important to be able to see the beauty and the joy of life. It is giving so much joy to keep the eyes and mind open for little surprises that come along. 

 

Juhannusruusu (midsummer rose)

Miss you already South Africa

When something big and emotionally challenging is happening, it can be difficult to try to find the words or even find the motivation to explain what is happening to the outside world. The inside process is a bit chaotic and you need some patience. The emotional dimension and the reasonable thinking are like opposite poles. It is not really in my control and in my hands to know what I think now and what I think after a few minutes. But often there is a basic feeling that you can hold on. Does the change feel good in general or not? The change that we are going through feels good in general and I have all the trust and faith for the positive outcome. The change is challenging, but it's needed and it feels right.

I'm ready to let go and ready to follow what's happening and be a proud mother. The time has come that my oldest child moves on and is following his dreams in South Africa. It was an emotional and fun journey for us as a family to be there and be part of this new start. It makes it easier now to enjoy a new phase and let this step inspire us. 

One of the most inspirational days during our trip was the visit to Cape Town. Our plan was to take the cable cabin to the top of the Table mountain, but it was too windy and they had to cancel the connection on that day. Instead we walked a little bit higher and admired the open views towards the sea and the city centre. It takes about two hours to walk up on top of the flat figured mountain. We could have done it, but had too little time on that day. On our next visit we will walk there and maybe come down with the cable cabin.

 

A picture of the cable cabin (from internet)

The city sightseeing bus has 3 different routes and you can freely use your ticket the whole day stopping where ever you want and continue your trip later from the same point. Very easy way to get around in Cape town during your first visit. The loveliest spot to have a little walk and admire the ocean was for me the beach of Camps Bay. Big waves, white sand, beautiful rocks and houses along the coastline. You could easily spent a nice day just there. There are plenty of restaurants near the beach if you want to have a bite or a drink. It was peaceful on the day we were there (we were early), but I read this is the party beach of Cape town, so it can be also quite crowded. 

The contrasts are big. The dark nights and the sunny days, the rich and the poor, the bright colors and the black shadows. Trying to find protection from the burning sun. We came from the grey Dutch winter to this summer world and enjoyed it with enthusiasm. The local summer was making the whole situation lighter to handle. We saw how happy our son was in his new environment and how this chance was very unique for him, because he wants to reach his personal goals in sport.

We came to a new land, but it started to feel like a second home. Not just because it was a place where my son is going to live for the next two years, but also cos the people were so nice, helpful and warm. I feel more safe, because I know there are people who can help if needed.

The personal stories of some local people were interesting. The life in a poor township is totally different than the luxury lifestyle of the rich. You have to be more aware of the risks when you live in or visit South Africa. We come from a safe European country, but criminals and risks can be found everywhere in the world. I felt safe in general, but you have to know where you can go and avoid walking some parts when it's dark.

One day we had uber drive to Cape Town and back. Our driver was a young man from Zimbabwe. He told us the difficulties of his country and how challenging it is to plan your life and find a job. Last years in South Africa he had two jobs from early morning to late evening to be able to buy his own car and work more independent as a uber driver. He is now living in a township and he said he is afraid there every day. He was a very outspoken young man and his personal story was touching. It was not sure if his working visa was going to be extended next summer. If not, then he would have to go back to Zimbabwe where is almost impossible to find the work and the political situation is bad. Working in South Africa is his chance for a better life. I hope he can stay there.

"The meeting place" restaurant

"Fat Butcher"restaurant

Our Bed & Breakfast

At the school gate

Sunset and mountains

 I'm proud that my son saw his opportunity and with some good connections it was possible to get him a spot from a school that is very focused on sport. He is supposed to finish his high school also, so the academic part will be important as well. 

As I'm writing this I feel more emotions coming up. We have a little bit sunny week in Amsterdam. The first spring flowers are giving the color and I'm thinking the same sun is shining on the sky for him and for us. It will be over +30 degrees celcius in West Cape area, but I have fresh memories from our trip. I try to imagine the warmth like it was there. But some moments I have to cry a bit, even I'm so happy for my son. We miss him! It feels bit empty, we saw him last 17 years almost every day and now he is busy on the other side of the world. 

Dutch Colonial style houses: all white with nice details

 

A small visit to Hortus Botanicus Stellenbosch

Lunch at Delheim wine estate

Wine tasting and cycling 

I was taking part to wine cursus in Amsterdam for a while ago. It was more fun to taste the South African wines, cos I had some basic knowledge about grapes, areas and the whole production process of wines. I feel I can enjoy more and understand why I like some tastes and some not. We had one great day driving the mountain bikes to visit a couple of wine estates. It was a good way to admire the views. After the round we had to focus more to stay on the cycling paths. It was fun, but the whole wine business is quite touristic. I think you get more out of the tasting if you know already the basic facts. The wines are just shortly introduced by the sommelier and not so much further discussed. It is more just to enjoy the moment and that's important on a holiday for sure!

Wine tasting in Stark Conde wine farm

Wine cellar at Lanzerac estate

Another fun way to visit the wine estates is to step in "hop on hop off" minibus from Stellenbosch and choose where you want to visit and have some lunch and tastings. The bus will drive regularly to bring and pick up people in different locations. If you rent a car you will be more free to go where ever you want. 

wine fermentation process

Chocolade and wine tasting

TIPS:

Nice hotel, spa en restaurant at the wine estate Lanzerac : https://lanzerac.co.za/

This wine estate had very nice environment:  

Stark Conde wine farm.

Other nice spots with great views:

Delheim wine farm (lovely lunch spot)

Muratie wine estate (nice and historical setting)

Such a beautiful place: Stark Conde wine estate

It was super relaxing to have a holiday. There was also many practical things to organize for our son, but we will be back at one stage to visit him. I'm looking forward to it. We saw some nice spots, but next time I want to focus more on the nature and learn more about the history. Thanks my son for taking us with you on this journey, it is inspiring how much more we can learn from our own children and also from the strangers we meet on our way.