Recharging Outside

I recommend having a daily walk alone or with someone. This helps a lot against the stress, keeps up the condition and improves the communication if you have a partner. Otherwise it is important to connect with yourself as well.

I know it is not possible to have big walks outdoors in every place yet. Some countries are heavier hit with the corona-virus and more or less locked down. We are still keeping our distance outside, but free to have a walk as a couple, as a family or with a friend. We try to find the routes and times when it is less busy and easier to avoid other people. 

Kids are having some sport training again, but keeping their distance to the trainer. Contact sport will be more focused on building up the condition and practicing individual skills. Children over 12 years have to keep the distance to each other. The elementary school will also open the doors after the spring holiday. Only for two days a week for half a class and the other half going to school in different two days, otherwise homeschooling. This is an improvement...I hope it is a good decision. Our older child will be continuing the online lessons and some other tasks from home. 

Lately we took more time to ourselves as a couple. 

With you
Without a direction, getting rid of some thoughts and getting space for the connection and for new perspectives.  

 Finding peace, we are going to be fine.

Focusing on details and having the courage to say meaningful words, exposing the scars for the growth and healing.

A new habit has born in this corona time. We are having long walks together at the park, in the woods, at the beach and we are talking more than ever. Keeping our distance to other people, but getting closer to each other again. It is possible to get over from the old phase and get to the next level. When the times are different and harder, finding back the humor in our relationship and not taking ourselves too seriously is helping to get rid of the extra stress and pressure. 

Recharged :))

A day before the new decade - Family time in Volendam

It was such a beautiful clear day yesterday and the misty next morning felt too grey after that. The first day of the year was a bit emotional. After a great last day of the previous year and a lot of family time during the christmas holiday, stepping to the new starting point felt like starting the same circle again. It made us think: did we learn from the experiences last year, did we grow as human beings and partners and did we enjoy enough our precious time together? My answer is yes and no. 

How to make the most of it and how to learn to give the good support and energy - how to let in the love there is - how to see the good intentions and efforts more clearly? Breaking the wrong circles and creating some new paths. It is so challenging to try to understand what is happening in my own mind and inside the minds of the other important persons in your life. I want to appreciate every day from now on and be kind in my thoughts and actions when the hard day hits every now and then.

I often search for the harmony and beauty to calm my mind and reload my batteries. The habits and routines of everyday life are our guiding lines, but stepping over one line can open the horizons and make us proud of having the courage and the curiosity to learn something new. There has to be time for the balance and for the side steps.

 After a grumpy first day with one of those habitual misunderstandings, this first evening of the year is showing compassion, understanding and flexibility. Communication is the key for connecting and learning from each other. Watching all these pictures from a sunny walk in Volendam is pointing out how important it is to have time for each other and be outside. I am thankful of these moments!

It was wonderful to see the water views in Volendam and admire the old architecture near the harbor. This small town about 20 kilometers north from Amsterdam is the best well known fishing town in the Netherlands. It is also a touristic place, but we chose a perfect day for our visit. Often people have other plans in the last day of the year than looking for sights and eating fish n waffles!

Too much choice!!

Delicious waffles near the harbor. 

The New Years Eve was a marathon of Monopoly. Four hours we were competing agains each other and in the end there was no official winner. The midnight and the fireworks were mixing our concentration and we left the game on the table. Next morning no one didn't want to finish the battle. The material was packed in and stored in a closet. 

I guess we do the same now with the memories from the last year. We have the experiences packed in our mind and with some suitable new keys we can always find them and use them for learning, reflecting, comforting and bringing us joy.

I am positive, so much potential we all have. I want to think out of the box and have a good year. Wishing you the same! 

...Let your light shine!

Panton story part II: My twins are upstairs, facing each other. Two chairs instead of one. They look exactly the same, but have already a different history in my house. One had to wait longer to get cleaned, alone on the balcony for a night while the other chair was already inside in a warm room and looking good. Two chairs that I found from the street and wrote about on monday. 

Seeing these two empty chairs made me think again of communication. I have just started to write this blog and by doing that I have found a new way to communicate with my thoughts...expressing who I am in a different way. I also want to share my ideas and thoughts with other people. I read other blogs regularly, get inspiration and a little bit a feeling of meeting a friend when looking at the pictures and reading the stories. It is nice to notice that so many people have the same  sort of interests or values, but everybody have their own way to express their story.

With all new technology it is easy to react fast and just write what you think at that moment, also stay anonymous. At the same time it is sometimes also a relief, just follow things and what other people are doing...not to talk, not to listen. 

But in the end the real situation and facing the other person or people at that shared exact moment is so important. By this I mean that there are many things that are better to be said face to face than written between people. In a case of a conflict or experiencing negative feelings, even more important. Facing others and giving them chance to talk with you, giving the empathy a chance. 

But writing a blog is one way to share your voice, staying curious and open to life. Everyone has their own motivation to write and share, but every voice is valuable and unique. Let your light shine!

Tomorrow I will have a long walk outdoors to clear my head and get a new perspective on things! Something obviously is bothering me, but that is life sometimes.

Back home

First time burning some candles this autumn and trying to find my woollen socks. The temperature outside is not really cold, but the moist weather type makes me feel chilly all the time. More hot drinks, more warm lights, more blankets, more books to read and more indoors. Still, the contrast of hot and cold makes the wintertime so inviting. After a walk outside, fighting against the wind and then arriving home! 

Silent (sometimes noisy) and safe spot...own space to live, love and think freely. Place where I'm welcome and where I want/can stay. We were visiting friends this evening and it was possible to stay over a night there. I was surprised that my son wanted to go home to sleep, but also happy that he is a HOME BOY. We are curious and also part of the life around us, but home is the base. I wish everybody had a home, but that is unfortunately not the case. Many reasons and many tragedies, many people without a safe home. Cycling in the darkness and arriving to our street...I felt lucky! Keys in my pocket, opening the door and turning on the lights.

I draw this picture above almost 20 years ago. I found it last summer from a cartoon box and hang it on the wall. I don't know what was the thought behind this drawing, but it reminds me in a way that it is important to not only stay still and just be a mask. The person needs to be seen and learn to communicate with others. Life has to be lived....in your own honest way.

Good night! Let's see what tomorrow brings. Something green in the end. I'm waiting for my magnolia to blossom, but I think it takes a little bit time. Has to be patient. I think magnolia suites better for the spring time, but I'm sure these flowers will look very elegant.