After today’s post it will be one full month of posting every day. The idea to commit to this exercise came very naturally and I was super enthusiastic with the concept of spontaneity which I wanted and still want to stick to no matter what.

Of course, the implementation wasn’t so smooth as the conception of the idea behind it. Sometimes I was very inspired and ideas were flowing. But some other times it simply wasn`’t my day, or I was just tired or had little energy and inspiration. That’s where discipline kicked in.. And it worked. Gradually I started noticing more things that inspired me every day.

I am usually not taking compliments very gracefully. I would normally reply with “oh, really” or “yeah, right”, or return the compliment to the person who gave it. But today my inspiration is myself.  I feel proud for following my passion and putting the energy to do what I feel I should be doing- staying true and inspired and inspiring others to do the same. And I am super happy I can share this journey with you 🙂 So let’s keep on rolling!

Let’s start our journey this week with a quote by Jonatan Haidt, the author of  “The Happiness Hypothesis”.

On the picture-  the clouds surrounding the setting sun meet the waters of the Peryar river in Kerala, India.

I had a very interesting and inspirational chat with my teacher from Brahma Kumaris. She was talking about good qualities to develop in ourselves. One of these qualities is the ability make a change without judging or criticizing, but by giving a good example and acting as a role model. I found that to be very insightful and also powerful from two perspectives.

• First of all, it is very unlikely that you`ll make somebody change by criticizing them. In such situations the recipient of the criticism will naturally get defensive which is likely to cause them to close towards you rather than make the change that you were aiming for in the first place.
• And second- I really believe that if we want to make any positive change in our environment the first place to start implementing is in ourselves. Inspiring others by “walking the talk” is always stronger that simply preaching. It`s like a dance school- the best way to learn how to dance is not to read a book about dancing, but to observe the others and then dance yourself.

Soon after this discussion I attended a gathering with a group of charismatic ladies. The idea behind it was to have an assembly of like-minded ladies who can learn from each other, but also inspire and empower each other and create a nurturing environment, a “sisterhood” that would promote personal growth and also overall positive change which in my view we so badly need nowadays.

This meeting made a big impression on me in many ways. What was truly inspiring was to be in a female group with people whom you`ve never met before and to experience kindness, support and openness. A group of strong and well-established women that gathered to support each other and to nurture feminine qualities. There were some of them who travelled from different cities for this gathering and basically invested half of their Saturday to do this. For me this was truly incredible.

Some of the ladies performed a dance that they prepared especially for us and another one told us a story from her childhood. A powerful story, showing that when you are mistreated by your family a good way to improve the relationship is to think about all the positive things that you learned/got from the person and to thank them about it rather than criticize all the time.

That was so impactful for me! It made me think about the importance of developing good qualities. And realizing that criticizing is not a solution. The real solution lies in focusing on the positive aspects of people who criticize you and being the change you want to see in others.

It was also through personal example that the lady storyteller conveyed this important lesson to all of us.

Being a role model is not about showing the world how much we`ve accomplished and how perfect we are. It is about opening our hearts and sharing our own learnings in our own authentic way with a good will. This is one of the most powerful tools that we actually have and which we should use as often as possible!

Today I bought something on the extravagantly expensive side after a long hiatus – and it felt amazing! I am usually staying away from overspending/overconsuming and having a tendency to save for doomsday but after today`s experience I think that indulging myself was super beneficial for three reasons:

• It felt like a little Christmas, where I was both on the giving and the receiving side .
• It reminded me that I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself and even spoiling myself and boosted my confidence.
• It was a manifestation of abundance, which according to the law of attraction can attract more even abundance

And most importantly – today was an important reminder that I am super lucky to have been born in an environment where I could grow up in a safe a way, have a great education and earn enough to even indulge myself every now and then.

On this note – I think it is also important to help the ones that haven`t been lucky to have access to education and the opportunities to live the life that they want. My personal resolution will be to start looking for a good cause to support. All recommendations would be most welcome!

I was reading my post from yesterday on my meeting with Amma and reflecting on the peculiar chain of events that unfolded on that day:

When I decided to attend her event, I knew that it was extremely difficult and very unlikely to actually reach her as there were more than a thousand people waiting to meet her. It was also a working day and I couldn`t go there earlier than late afternoon; furthermore, the venue was at a remote location, so I couldn`t stay until too late. To top it up- It was also not easily accessible by public transport. Overall- a sort of a no-go situation.

There was no indication whatsoever that I would make it, but just knew I have to give it a try. So I travelled to the venue in the late afternoon, entered and took my place at the end of the endless queue. Soon afterwards I started talking to a lady who told me that there is a special queue for first timers. With some disbelief I approached one of the organizers to find out that this queue really exists and what is more- it goes with a priority over the other queue! How unbelievable is that!

I took my place at the second queue, waited for a few hours and made it for the hug (and also got a special personal mantra from Amma, just how lucky was I?). It was time to go and I started looking up alternatives  to make it to the nearest city. It was quite late and taxi seemed to be the only option.

On my way out I met some people at the front who in the spirit of the event were offering free rides to people to the nearest city. The warmth and affection that Amma had given to all of us, spread and gave us a feeling of oneness and desire to help, but also trust to accept the offered help without any doubts or fears.

The whole day just felt right- from beginning to end. Against all odds. 

Sometimes things don`t seem promising in the beginning but in the process it works out beautifully. And you would have never figured it out unless you have listened to your gut.  It doesn`t work all the time. But when it does, it is pure magic. It is therefore absolutely worth it to just follow your instincts every time when there is an opportunity.

My inspiration for today came from Amma – the Indian lady that has been proclaimed as a “ Hugging Saint”. She was born in 1953 in the Indian stake Kerala and grew up in a poor fisherman’s family. When she was nine years old her mother developed an illness and she remained at home to take care of the household. Deeply touched by the poverty in her village she began to share her clothes and food with those in need. She also began to hug people as a way to comfort them and gradually became more and more recognized and appreciated. At one point she received the name  “Amma” and was recognized as a saint.

I remember my encounter with her about a year ago. She had her brightest smile and was sitting on a big chair surrounded by musicians singing mantras and performing  vibrant music.  In front of her was an endless queue waiting for her to give them their dashan (hug and blessing) which I was also a part of.  Amma is well known for embracing large amounts of people without taking any breaks. On the day that I met her there were more than a thousand visitors. Up to date she has hugged more than 30 mnl people.

As I came for the first time, I was placed in the beginning of the queue and luckily had to wait only a few hours. People behind me waited a lot more. She kept on hugging people overnight. Always smiling and full of energy. When she hugged me she looked me in my eyes and exclaimed “My daughter!” She radiated so much warmth and love and it felt like I had always known her. It was a truly unforgettable experience.

Amma is one of the happiest, and most positive and high-hearted being that I`ve ever seen . For her being joyful is a natural state and loving is a religion.

It is the bright, joyful and selfless individuals like Amma that ignite this world and make it a better place. It is the people who give and embrace without asking for anything in return that are our true role models and are capable of inspiring us to be like them and to make a change. Make a change by loving and being compassionate and never by threatening or forcing. Making a change by staying inspired and inspiring others.

I`ll end with one of Amma’s many beautiful quotes:

“Do you know that days go by regardless of you smiling or crying all day long

Therefore- smile!”

And my  yesterday`s post inspired by reading can be found here.

*On the picture- a beautiful smiling lady reading a book in front of her house in Kerala, India.

For me reading is one of the most enriching activities. It`s like opening a door to a different world, or having a peak in somebody`s mind. It`s like the book I`m reading is alive. And it is also different every time when I re-read it.

Sometimes the books that I`ve read and have made a big impact on me “pay me visit“ and inspire me to revisit their lessons in a different context. The last book with which I had that was “The forty rules of love”  written by the Turkish female author Elif Shafak.

In her book she describes the friendship between the mystic and poet Rumi and his biggest inspiration- his spiritual influencer and unforgettable companion the Shams of Tabriz. I am not going to tell you much about the plot of the book, as I really don`t want to spoil it for you. I will only say it gives an insightful glimpse into the live of one of the most beloved and inspiring poets that ever lived. And most importantly- is a beautiful read that inspires you to live and love.

As the story unfolds the Shams of Tabriz unveils his life’s work and wisdom- his forty rules of love. And here is one of  them that is my inspiration for today:

“Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation.

 If we are the same person before and after we loved, that means we haven’t loved enough.”

I really couldn’t agree more. And what about you?

Over the last few days I`ve been reflecting on friendship and what it means to me. For me the essence of friendship is in being there for each other. And this does not apply to good times only. It is in difficult situations that the true colors of friendship show.  And it is definitely about quality over quantity. And most importantly as the remarkable Kahlil Gibran says in his book “The Prophet”  (a wonderful book that presents timeless wisdom in a unique potic manner and is an absolute must read):

‘”For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.”

As time passes by we gradually realize that there are two types of people who enter our lives- the ones with whom we can kill time with and the others with whom we create time for each other. Sooner or later (and especially when we face challenges) we realize that the second type is the one that we can truly call our friends and we need to cherish the special connection with them.

And there is the most special type of all- the ones with whom your heart is truly opened and despite the distance every time you see each other it feels like it has only been yesterday since you last spoke to them. The ones that we can call at any time and share whatever we need to. The friends for life who deserve to be celebrated.

And here is the whole poem by Khalil Gibran:

On Friendship

Your friend is your needs answered.
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.

When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the “nay” in your own mind, nor do you withhold the “ay.”
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.

And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.

I`ve been hearing the same analogy over and over again for the last one week. If you are in the airplane and there is a problem, put your oxygen mask fist and then help the others around you. The first thing to do is to take care of yourself. Then you can think of anything else.

The same principle applies to our lives- we need to nourish ourselves and listen to ourselves in order to be in a good shape to properly connect to others and help them. And in order to do that we need to first be able to hear ourselves and sometimes even find ourselves. Which is getting more and more challenging with the increasing number of entertainment/ distractions around us and the overflow of information that most of us experience.

But it is up to us to make time and spend it with ourselves. It can be difficult, but it always pays off.

Some time ago I saw a beautiful documentary called “Down to Earth” that tells the story of a family embarking on a five year journey to find a new perspective of life and meaning.  They travel all around the world and live with tribal communities (they refer to them as the “Earth Keepers” )who share with them ancient wisdom of life.

Two underlying themes in the movie are seeing us and nature as an interconnected organism and keeping life simple. It is such a stark contrast with what`s actually happening in our modern society where connection with nature is very often put to a minimum and the strive for more experiences, accomplishments, possessions makes things everything else, but not simple!  At the same time this doesn`t seem to make us happy.. So where is the key?

I definitely don`t think the solution is that all of us to retreat to the mountains and become monks.  But there needs to be awareness. Awareness of different ways of living, cultures, values. Of the fact that there is no “right” lifestyle as long as we are in peace, feel meaningful and make a contribution. Because in the end we are all one, and are deeply interconnected by the fact that we are all humans who try to make the best of their lifes and face the same challenges along the way.

From that perspective expanding your knowledge and awareness as means to realize this oneness are absolutely invaluable.