Saturday, October 30, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
4.30 am - India
as promised, here are some stories related to the fotos I am putting into paper albums.
Yesterday, it was India´s turn. Every foto going into that album is full of colour, life, poverty, contradictions and opposites, joy, sorrow, you name it.
My trip to India took place in 1994. I was prepared for everything:
-hunger
-illness
-beggars
-insane circumstances
-clashes of any kind from a religious, ethnics and political perspective.
my journey took me from New Delhi to Agra, Jaipur, Darjeeling (some hiking), Calcutta, Goa and Bombay.
I will never forget the moment of setting foot into India by arriving in Bombay I think, where we took a flight to our first destination Delhi. The humidity in the air, the heat. The first rupies in Delhi, the almost violent smell that overran my processing capabilities in conjunction with masses of people, colours, language.
It is hard to describe this. But what surprised me personally the most: It felt familiar even though I knew the enormous amount of experiences to be had until the brain can even start to follow that intuition. Let alone the political situation, religious war paths and the worries about personal health. Mosquitos to the day terrify me since then, for a second only, but still...
Somebody in the Himalayas put a bindi on my forehead whilst blessing me. Such a touching gesture, that red dot left me with the sensation of a cold coloured circle on my skin. I left it on out of respect for the blessing that came with it, but it felt strange to have it in the first place. Back in the day I did not sufficiently about hinduism and it made me focus too much on its pure significance instead of enjoying the blessing. cold mass on skin.
We saw so many temples, forts, modern architecture, british influences, the Taj Mahal and yet there are thousands of miles to walk on indian grounds.
I mostly felt safer than in some areas in my world. And even though the colours, smell and (I forgot to mention the ever present) music was there, it had something clarifying about it. I do remember looking in people´s eyes and sometimes seeing a depth that might have been the result of their darkness. But put in combination with some people´s composure, and the fact that a greater part of these people did not know if they would have something to eat on that specific day, it simply - and still - humbles me.
I am a child of materialism. I am used to having the basics of life, and so much more than that. I do like dressing up, looking nice, I have a nice life style. But I have to admit that less choice would make things easier.
If anybody ever saw "before sunset", you will hear Julie Delpy´s character say something like: "I went to a communistic country, and after a few days, I had the clarity I have been missing for such a long time. I realized that I felt so focussed i could write again. and all of this beecause there were simply no distractions. No advertising, no bombardement with information you don´t want in the first place."
That´s what I am talking about.
Bea might remember my reaction when I came back to Germany. I got the cultural shock here. People with everything seemed in part so joyless to me. Frankfurt airport with the shiny floors, almost sterile. And up to the current day I don´t like those shops with too much nic-nac and bling bling.
Don´t get me wrong, there ARE shops I like, and I do have a hand for quality. It might be about clarity, and something missing a greater appreciation for what I have. I think I am aware of it sometimes.
Going to India has been the most rewarding trip I ever went on. I am being told that it has been changing a lot and I hope to go back to see the change.
I am sure that today is a special day where I will dedicate the dreams I will fall into within the next 30 minutes to remember and relive what I remember and like about life. And some images from that specific trip: The Himalayas, Nepal, Monsoon time, people we encountered and talked to.
I feel blessed for have seen India.
And for having seen and talked to some of you yesterday. i do miss you guys so you are spread all over the place.
I feel blessed for knowing all of you and so many more adventures to come.
A big hug,
B
Yesterday, it was India´s turn. Every foto going into that album is full of colour, life, poverty, contradictions and opposites, joy, sorrow, you name it.
My trip to India took place in 1994. I was prepared for everything:
-hunger
-illness
-beggars
-insane circumstances
-clashes of any kind from a religious, ethnics and political perspective.
my journey took me from New Delhi to Agra, Jaipur, Darjeeling (some hiking), Calcutta, Goa and Bombay.
I will never forget the moment of setting foot into India by arriving in Bombay I think, where we took a flight to our first destination Delhi. The humidity in the air, the heat. The first rupies in Delhi, the almost violent smell that overran my processing capabilities in conjunction with masses of people, colours, language.
It is hard to describe this. But what surprised me personally the most: It felt familiar even though I knew the enormous amount of experiences to be had until the brain can even start to follow that intuition. Let alone the political situation, religious war paths and the worries about personal health. Mosquitos to the day terrify me since then, for a second only, but still...
Somebody in the Himalayas put a bindi on my forehead whilst blessing me. Such a touching gesture, that red dot left me with the sensation of a cold coloured circle on my skin. I left it on out of respect for the blessing that came with it, but it felt strange to have it in the first place. Back in the day I did not sufficiently about hinduism and it made me focus too much on its pure significance instead of enjoying the blessing. cold mass on skin.
We saw so many temples, forts, modern architecture, british influences, the Taj Mahal and yet there are thousands of miles to walk on indian grounds.
I mostly felt safer than in some areas in my world. And even though the colours, smell and (I forgot to mention the ever present) music was there, it had something clarifying about it. I do remember looking in people´s eyes and sometimes seeing a depth that might have been the result of their darkness. But put in combination with some people´s composure, and the fact that a greater part of these people did not know if they would have something to eat on that specific day, it simply - and still - humbles me.
I am a child of materialism. I am used to having the basics of life, and so much more than that. I do like dressing up, looking nice, I have a nice life style. But I have to admit that less choice would make things easier.
If anybody ever saw "before sunset", you will hear Julie Delpy´s character say something like: "I went to a communistic country, and after a few days, I had the clarity I have been missing for such a long time. I realized that I felt so focussed i could write again. and all of this beecause there were simply no distractions. No advertising, no bombardement with information you don´t want in the first place."
That´s what I am talking about.
Bea might remember my reaction when I came back to Germany. I got the cultural shock here. People with everything seemed in part so joyless to me. Frankfurt airport with the shiny floors, almost sterile. And up to the current day I don´t like those shops with too much nic-nac and bling bling.
Don´t get me wrong, there ARE shops I like, and I do have a hand for quality. It might be about clarity, and something missing a greater appreciation for what I have. I think I am aware of it sometimes.
Going to India has been the most rewarding trip I ever went on. I am being told that it has been changing a lot and I hope to go back to see the change.
I am sure that today is a special day where I will dedicate the dreams I will fall into within the next 30 minutes to remember and relive what I remember and like about life. And some images from that specific trip: The Himalayas, Nepal, Monsoon time, people we encountered and talked to.
I feel blessed for have seen India.
And for having seen and talked to some of you yesterday. i do miss you guys so you are spread all over the place.
I feel blessed for knowing all of you and so many more adventures to come.
A big hug,
B
Friday, October 15, 2010
David Sedaris
I like his way of writing.
somewhere this week, his writing triggered my head with:
"what was Jesus like in puberty"
here´s what this triggers in the good old soonissimo tradition
-why do some people don´t like to have too much space in a plane
-what must it be like to be Sam
-does a tree make a noise when it falls even though nobody is around to hear it
-why do the most mundane things like saucisson en brochette au feu sound so nice in french
-why do many habitants of nations have the same tick like italian people adding an "e" to every consonante ine the ende ofe a worde.
Good Lord, I think I need help :D
somewhere this week, his writing triggered my head with:
"what was Jesus like in puberty"
here´s what this triggers in the good old soonissimo tradition
-why do some people don´t like to have too much space in a plane
-what must it be like to be Sam
-does a tree make a noise when it falls even though nobody is around to hear it
-why do the most mundane things like saucisson en brochette au feu sound so nice in french
-why do many habitants of nations have the same tick like italian people adding an "e" to every consonante ine the ende ofe a worde.
Good Lord, I think I need help :D
impressions
business travelling is weird. overrated at some point. impressive in the sense of the word. it can make you smile from the inside of a taxi in Milano. I like buying stuff like tooth paste or make-up remover from wherever I am. Whenever I come back home, those things make me wonder, that some women in Paris might have bought this special thing. Her bathroom smelling of lavender and perfume. or the hand-sanitizer for a family. Or the toothbrush that might have landed in a yuppie´s household.
It is so random whom buys what and carries it with them.
One of the worst things are hotels. One can have really bad luck with them. Fortunately, for myself best western upwards already shields me from this. Or the moment you realize you have to stay sometimes which wasn´t planned, like yesterday evening somewhere in Europe. And hours after that realization, I was starving, needed a simple t-shirt and a few other items and the guy in the shop wouldn´t let me in, even though I was begging him to allow me two minutes only (it was 21:55 and they would close at 22:00). I should not be talking to people when I am hungry, seriously.
One of the things I like most is taxi driving. And getting to meet customers living in a different town, a different country. Their language, their approach on business that can be so challengingly different from mine.
The languages. An overseas colleague whose joke reminds me of a joke a friend told me on this side of the pond. Sharing the power supply in the train. Realizing that the train from time to time does not supply electricity.
the moment I come home and it feels I have been away for ages. but by the order of things I remember what I thought when I put them where they are. Sam, elephant-the-gift and candystick sitting on the floor.
It is so random whom buys what and carries it with them.
One of the worst things are hotels. One can have really bad luck with them. Fortunately, for myself best western upwards already shields me from this. Or the moment you realize you have to stay sometimes which wasn´t planned, like yesterday evening somewhere in Europe. And hours after that realization, I was starving, needed a simple t-shirt and a few other items and the guy in the shop wouldn´t let me in, even though I was begging him to allow me two minutes only (it was 21:55 and they would close at 22:00). I should not be talking to people when I am hungry, seriously.
One of the things I like most is taxi driving. And getting to meet customers living in a different town, a different country. Their language, their approach on business that can be so challengingly different from mine.
The languages. An overseas colleague whose joke reminds me of a joke a friend told me on this side of the pond. Sharing the power supply in the train. Realizing that the train from time to time does not supply electricity.
the moment I come home and it feels I have been away for ages. but by the order of things I remember what I thought when I put them where they are. Sam, elephant-the-gift and candystick sitting on the floor.
Friday, October 8, 2010
both sides of the medal
*
I have been told that putting a grin on and sticking to it is a good thing to do. And no matter what mood you are in, it is impossible to be annoyed whilst grinning.
This is quite known. We are all rockstars. And if we stick to that we will be treated as such, now won´t we.
Here´s what not only bugs me, it makes me positively mad:
- having to take care of a complete household and all logistics related to it considering a lot of travelling (especially mobbing the floor, using the broom - no problem, almost every day, but the mobbing part creeps me out).
- routine work and boring stuff like T&L, comparing lists
- planning the logistics for a complex trip (x factor of colleagues, destinations, hotels, whatever). The funny thing is: make me prepare an IT certification and I will be there in no time. It´s weird
- people talking non-stop for more then 20 minutes when there is no end in sight and a lot of repetition. especially when they think they can walk on water
- a spice called Kümmel in german, yikes
- a confcall at home, a cell phone ringing while in that exact same moment my
landlord knocks himself out on my door (pun unintended)
- choleric behaviour
I am sure the list is much longer than this.
So, all that helps is the rock star attitude and that anything happening is fine. It takes me some disclipine but it´s much easier to live with a grin once it is back.
Which begs the question:
How do you deal with stuff and what is it that makes you mad?
*
I have been told that putting a grin on and sticking to it is a good thing to do. And no matter what mood you are in, it is impossible to be annoyed whilst grinning.
This is quite known. We are all rockstars. And if we stick to that we will be treated as such, now won´t we.
Here´s what not only bugs me, it makes me positively mad:
- having to take care of a complete household and all logistics related to it considering a lot of travelling (especially mobbing the floor, using the broom - no problem, almost every day, but the mobbing part creeps me out).
- routine work and boring stuff like T&L, comparing lists
- planning the logistics for a complex trip (x factor of colleagues, destinations, hotels, whatever). The funny thing is: make me prepare an IT certification and I will be there in no time. It´s weird
- people talking non-stop for more then 20 minutes when there is no end in sight and a lot of repetition. especially when they think they can walk on water
- a spice called Kümmel in german, yikes
- a confcall at home, a cell phone ringing while in that exact same moment my
landlord knocks himself out on my door (pun unintended)
- choleric behaviour
I am sure the list is much longer than this.
So, all that helps is the rock star attitude and that anything happening is fine. It takes me some disclipine but it´s much easier to live with a grin once it is back.
Which begs the question:
How do you deal with stuff and what is it that makes you mad?
*
Sunday, October 3, 2010
how good will you allow your life to be or....
here you go with something from MarieForleo.com
have a great one, B
have a great one, B
Do You Have An “Upper Limit” Problem?
August 26, 2010
Last week was the first time I’ve ever left a yoga workshop, in my life.
Let’s be clear – the teachers were fantastic.
But after my fourth downward dog, I started breaking into a cold sweat, got nauseous and my head felt like it was about to explode.
“Oh great,” I thought.
“Not only do I have to walk out of this yoga workshop, but we’re right at the end of my b-school launch and about to open RHH Live! I can’t get a 24 hour stomach bug now! There’s too much good stuff going on!”
Well, that 24-hour stomach bug turned into a week of being completely out of commission.
And I do I mean completely. For the past six days, I’ve been a hot, sick mess.
Skull crushing headaches. Stomach pain so severe it had me doubled over for 70% of the day. And whatever tiny amounts of food I managed to get down came out faster than a rocket ship.
Not cute.
After the first 3 days with no signs of improvement, I started to get concerned.
I’m “strong like bull” and rarely, if ever, get sick. When I do, it’s pretty minor stuff and I’m back in action within a day or so.
In the moments between bathroom runs, I scoured the web looking for what could possibly be wrong with me.
“Is it salmonella? Hmmm…there was just that big egg recall. Some kind of nastyass 10 foot long parasite or tapeworm? Maybe, but highly unlikely. A life-threatening stomach disease? Boy, would that suck.”
It’s important to note that during the first half of my sick week, Josh was in LA shooting an NBC show so I was flying solo in the Hamptons.
Thank God, I had a crew of awesome girlfriends staying in a house not far down the road to help keep an eye on me.
“You’re pregnant!” was the first thought they all had.
No shot it hell. I didn’t need to pee on a stick to know that wasn’t it.
Then my friend Kate, who knows me well, made a very astute observation. “I think you’re having an upper limit problem Marie.”
Interesting . . .
Cut to day four. I’m pale and emaciated.
Josh is back from LA and it’s clear whatever I had was not going away on it’s own. We headed straight to the doctor so he could run tests.
Later that same evening, I wanted to get out of the house so we stopped by the girls’ house for tea. One by one, everyone took bets on what was causing my mystery illness.
Then Rachel, Kate’s uber intuitive cousin said,
“Marie, I really think those test results will come back negative. It’s definitely an upper limit problem. You’re going through some major growth right now and I’ll bet this is just part of you busting through your upper limits and increasing your capacity for success.”
Kate giggled and nodded in agreement.
Josh smiled, gently squeezed my hand and said “Yeah, that and you really need a break. You’ve been going non-stop. Since you weren’t about to take one willingly, your body decided for you.”
(Damn him for always being right )
So in case you’ve never heard of an “upper limit problem”, what Kate and Rachel are referring to comes from Gay Hendrick’s incredible book called The Big Leap.
Here’s the basic idea.
Each of has an internal thermometer for how much success, wealth, happiness, love, and intimacy we’ll let ourselves experience. That’s our upper limit setting. Kind of like our success comfort zone.
When we exceed our internal thermostat setting and life gets super duper OMG good (we have an influx of money, get healthy and thin, find a great relationship) – we unconsciously do things to sabotage ourselves, so we can drop back to the old, familiar place where we feel in control.
Upper limit problems can manifest like this.
You’ve just had a huge win and then you… get in an accident, break a limb, fry your computer, over-drink, over-eat, over-spend, start a fight with your significant other, get really sick, etc.
You know, fun self-sabotaging stuff like that.
The truth is I was so ridonkulously excited about the success of b-school AND the miracles aligning for my RHH Live event this fall (partnering with Donna Karan’s Urban Zen; securing all of my dream speakers…more on that soon )
That I didn’t just bump into my upper limit…I demolished that sucker with a sledge hammer.
So, yeah. I guess I was bound to have a little re-adjustment time.
Cut to Sunday morning. I’m reading Breaking Dawn in bed when the phone rings.
Test results time.
“Hi Marie. It’s Dr. Mott. We got the results back from the lab – really good news. There’s nothing wrong with you. No bacteria, no parasites or anything we need to worry about. You got a regular old stomach virus. Keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll be just fine.”
SUU-WEET!
The girls and Josh, were right on. Upper limit problems – I can handle that. Alien-like intestinal parasites eating their way through my stomach . . . not so much.
So here’s what I did:
I gave myself total permission to chillax. Zero computer time. I told everyone in my world not to expect anything work related from me for a few days.
I rescheduled appointments. Released myself from guilt and totally indulged in healing, coziness and every guilty pleasure I could think of.
I emotionally and energetically celebrated by giving myself permission to relish in a series of non-productive, silly and frivolous things.
(Translation: a whole bunch of Edward, Bella and Jacob plus back-to-back episodes of Mad Men.)
Funny enough, the moment I stopped beating myself up for being sick, my body kicked into speed recovery mode.
Wild how that happens, right?
How To Dismantle Your Upper Limit Problem
Unless you understand this whole upper limit thing, you may mistakenly believe that you’re flawed or simply not “good enough” to handle a big jump in your success or happiness.
It may feel like you’re always on the verge of a life altering breakthrough, but you either can’t seem to ever get there or maintain it.
I can tell you first hand that everyone on the planet has varying degrees of “upper limit problems.” Thankfully, they’re a snap to overcome if you’ve got the right tools and an open, willing heart.
Step 1. Get that dealing with “upper limit problems” are a necessary part of the journey.
Look. No one escapes this shit. So don’t feel weak, bad or alone if any of this sounds familiar.
Thankfully, upper limit problems can be super easy to dissolve when you bring compassion and self-awareness to the table.
Which of course means checking both your ego, and your victimy “Why does this always happen to me?” BS at the door.
Important note: Moving through upper limit problems is not a one time event. If you’re committed to continually expanding your levels of wealth, love and happiness, strap in for the ride, baby.
Step 2. Increase your tolerance for how good you’re wiling to have your life be, starting right now.
What’s does this mean? For starters, it means treating exactly where you are and what you have with all the love, honor and respect you can muster. And this isn’t just a mental exercise, you need to act on it.
Tell your your family that you love and appreciate them; be truly grateful for whatever money you have in your bank account; take care of your physical environment and the roof over your head; thank your clients for their business, and nourish your body and soul in every way you can possibly imagine.
Step 3. Go on high ULP (upper limit problem) alert when loads of good stuff starts to come your way.
Pay special attention to your thoughts, behaviors and actions when things in your business and life start getting OMG good. Here’s a question to regularly ask yourself, “How much wealth, love and happiness am I r-e-a-l-l-y willing to have?”
If “A shit bunch!” is close to your answer, then make sure your behaviors and words line up with that answer.
Then keep a watchful, observant eye and open heart.
If you catch yourself about to start an argument, go into some manufactured mental drama or make a royally stupid and rash business decision – stop. Take a few deep breaths. Call your most grounded friend and have a chat.
Remember, any time you’re in the midst of busting through your own upper limits, it’s bound to be a little scary and uncomfortable. You may want to pull back and contract.
Don’t. Hang with the discomfort. It’s a good sign.
It means you’ve just increased your capacity to experience wealth, happiness and love – both for yourself and for us all.
Go thoughts on this one? Ever have an upper limit problem yourself? A story about how you’ve overcome it?
I’d love to hear your thoughts so leave a comment below.
OH yeah . . . if you’re interested in coming to NYC for the November RHH Live event, click here. It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing!
Friday, October 1, 2010
my brain is driving itself crazy or maybe this IS normal
Apparently my brain is warming up.
I think in English with a french accent. Playing with emilia the piano is making sense again.
Other than that: a lot of travelling, people, work, impressions, I would not even know where to start.
Oh, and I already mentioned that I am creating albums with paper fotos in them? It´s so nice to see my own life in it?
if you feel that this post is fast-paced, a little bit strange and not really what you are used to from me, then I concur. Let the weekend start in all of its glory and quiet.
A big hug to all of you,
B
I think in English with a french accent. Playing with emilia the piano is making sense again.
Other than that: a lot of travelling, people, work, impressions, I would not even know where to start.
Oh, and I already mentioned that I am creating albums with paper fotos in them? It´s so nice to see my own life in it?
if you feel that this post is fast-paced, a little bit strange and not really what you are used to from me, then I concur. Let the weekend start in all of its glory and quiet.
A big hug to all of you,
B
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