Dreaming of a White Christmas.

Living in the South Western parts of Norway it might be decades between each time we get a White Christmas. Being a family of five we decided many years ago that it's easier for us to spend the holidays at home instead of traveling to family in other parts of the country.
Having family in parts of the country where a White Christmas is more common traveling would enhance the possibility of experiencing snow at the holidays.
This year we have discussed the possibility to visit the family in the North Western parts of the country. At Sunnmøre we will at least have snowy mountains surrounding our celebration, if we are really happy the landscape will be like we experienced it last time we decided to celebrate the holidays there.

It's probably no surprise that we have made our plans to celebrate our holidays at this part of our beautiful country. The plans include lots of traditional Christmas food combined with skiing and relaxing with a good book in front of the fireplace.

A new design.

One of our Christmas traditions is to make and decorate a Christmas house. This year we found some pictures on the net and decided to try to make something similar.

We have spent a few afternoons making the house through trying different solutions.

We are really satisfied with the result and will do some small changes to make it even better next year. These changes includes one extra floor. Time will tell if we will succeed next year.

Cutting for Stone.

One of my passions in life is reading. I also love to visit a bookstore and it is always one of the first things I am looking for when I visit a new city. I also love to hunt for books at bookstores online.

Tonight I finished reading the book Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. The story is a saga about the twin brothers, Marion and Shiva Stone. The boys where orphaned by their mothers death and their fathers disappearance at their birth. They come at age at the mission hospital in Addis Ababa where their parents were living and working, their mother a nun and their father a surgeon.

I will not tell you more about the book. I recommend you reading it instead. It left me with the strange feeling of loss I sometimes get after reading a great book. The knowledge that I've read it and this exact experience is lost for ever. But the knowledge that this Wonderful World is full of great books keeps me visiting bookshops and surfing the internet searching for the next great adventure of reading.

A pleasant surprise.

Yesterday evening I was relaxing at home reading the newspaper when the doorbell was ringing. It was a nice surprise when I realized it was flowers for me. There is no occasion for it so I was really wondering who'd sent them.
When I opened the card and saw the text and the names written on it my eyes where filled with tears. People who I want to keep in my life, people who, amongst many more, bring out the best in me where thinking about me and told me that they care about me.
I'm lucky to have these people around me in this Wonderful World.

A thriller in New York.

What an exciting night watching Carlsen versus Karjakin in the FIDE World Chess Championship. Even the fourth game during the night became a drama. There was no easy match during the Championship. But at his 26'th birthday Carlsen managed to defend his title.
 
Karjakin has made himself a great reputation in Norway as a gentleman of chess. It also seems like Karjakin and Carlsen respect one another.

I also have to mention Sergej Karjakins manager Kyrillos, a man who has become very popular in Norway. He has even promised he will spend his summer vacation in Norway.

Russia can be proud of Karjakin and Kyrillos.

Due to the time difference Norwegians has spent a great deal of the night watching chess. It's safe to say that Norwegian productivity will be lower than usual tomorrow. Partly due to tired workforce, but I also predict that there will be lots of chess discussions next to the coffee machines.

Congratulations to Magnus Carlsen, a great ambassador of chess.

FIDE World Chess Championship

As I have been talking about before, chess is a fantastic TV sport. I can't wait for the games starting tonight. I've got everything lined up so I can spend most of the evening, and a great deal of the night in front of the TV watching Carlsen and Karjakin playing.
May the best (Norwegian) win.

Me time.

I'm a social guy who likes to be with and around people, but still I have a need for "me time." A part of a day, a whole day, even a week end where it's just me, a book and hiking, diving, fishing and stuff like that.
It's probably been years since I had a whole day or more, it has mostly been an hour or two. Today I've made some priorities that give med almost five hours or "me time." I've been off line for two and a half hours, no phone, no iPad and no computer. And I'll be offline for the next two and a half hours after I've posted this on my blog.
The house is empty and quiet, and I'm sitting by the window reading and every once in a while I pause and look at the life outside. It's raining but it's not windy and the ducks at the small lake close to our house are swimming quietly back and forth looking for food.
This day will bring me new energy for the days to come. Starting with a day with more people and plans tomorrow. A highlight will be a cup of coffee and a chat with my wonderful friend Roger at lunchtime tomorrow.

A happy moment.

As I was walking from the bus a few hundred meters to my house I suddenly saw a small guy sitting next to the road in the frozen grass.

I imagine someone was out late last night or maybe early this morning putting him there in an attempt to put a smile on somebody's face.  And they succeeded.

I had to stop, look at this guy and take a picture. As I was walking home I realized I was smiling to myself, dreaming about the Christmas season and thinking to myself:

"This is a Wonderful World and I am happy to have fantastic people around me. Some of them unknown to me but still they provide me small surprises that put a smile on my face and makes this a wonderful day."

I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling like this after seeing that guy in the grass.

Back at work.

After spending almost 36 hours with my family I'm back at work realizing that I have to go through with the changes in my (professional) life.

There are still people (and situations) that bring out the worst in me and steal energy from me. It's even clearer for me now when I have been working a bit at one of the places I hope will be a part of my new life. A place where I can feel safe and my colleagues are people who bring out the best in me.

I do, still, believe in this Wonderful World, but I have to concentrate on making the changes I've already planned.
2017 will be a Wonderful Year in this Wonderful World.

Weekend

This morning I was home at 10 o'clock, ending a busy week at work. Now I'm staying home until around 6 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. I am planning a relaxing time with my family.
In a few hours I'll be ready for a new game of chess at TV. As I've mentioned before the Norwegian Broadcasting make excellent coverage of the games between Karjakin and Carlsen in New York.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend with the people you love.

Chess and cumulative knowledge.

The game of chess is developing through cumulative knowledge. Just like science is a collective is a collective enterprise. Its models are cumulative, interconnected and coherent.

The discussion about this topic at the program covering the chess game brings my thoughts to one of my favorite books by Edward O. Wilson. The book is called Consillience. I will pick that book out of my bookshelf and write about it in my blog in a short while.

I almost forgot.

I really don't know how it's possible but I almost forgot the chess game between Carlsen and Karjakin. But luckily I didn't. My book is resting at my nightstand while I prioritize the chess game.

I would prefer Carlsen's game was looking better but still hoping that he will win and continue being the World Champion. Karjakin is looking strong. He might be to strong.

Relaxing.

I have had a busy week. This weekend is also looking busy. Therefore it's important to find the opportunities to relax and get ready for the week to come. Fortunately next week is looking more quiet, at least from Wednesday.
My plans for the weekend is to get time to finish the book I'm reading, getting ready for a new book the weeks befor Christmas which is a great holiday for reading.
To get some quality time with my book all I need to do is to post this on the blog and get the youngest one in bed. I'll start with posting the blogpost and you all know what will be next. Good night and happy reading.

FIDE World Chess Championship Match.

When the match ends it's interesting to see the players discuss and have a brainstorm together. It looks like Karjakin and Carlsen respect one another.
Anastasia Karlovich, the FIDE press officer is struggling to get the players to discuss the game. They still have a few ideas they want to discuss.
Carlsen is not interested to discuss or comment his behavior after last match, which he lost and didn't join the press conference.
Anyway it's good to see the players enjoying the press conference today.
As a Norwegian I still hope Carlsen will be the winner at the end, but I have to say my respect for Karjakin has grown during these mathces.

Chess.

I'm no chess player but I love watching the best players of the world Sergey Karjakin and Magnus Carlsen playing in New York.
The Norwegian broadcasting have wonderful people in their studio. Most often two or three chess players and one or two novices. As Norwegian broadcasting is famous for their slow tv this is a wonderful example of slow tv.
I must admit I'm a bit embarrassed thinking about the amount of time I have spent watching chess. But I can guarantee you it's fantastic entertainment. It's great, slow TV.

Making plans.

The last few weeks I've been too busy to do som of the things I've told myself to do. Make plans for the future which is giving me the things I've been surching for. Time to spend with my family, positive people who bring out the best in me and work that gives me the latter.
Even though a opportunity is ahead of me it's to wage to be putting all the eggs in that basket. I need to make some additional plans.

Christmas market

The girls (my wife and daughter and their friends) did a great job at the Christmas market. They have almost earned the money they need for their trip to Croatia for handball girls training camp in June.
No wonder they sold lots of things, just have a look at the pictures.

Family

I've had a great Sunday. Visiting my parents and having dinner with my sister and her husband at my parents house. My two sons and wife also joined me. My daughter was busy playing an away match with her handball team.
At dinner we had a great time talking about important and less important things. I'm grateful for my wonderful family. A good ending of this week making me ready for the week ahead.

Reading.

It has been a hectic week where I have been running from one thing to another. When the whole family has lots of appointments and obligations weeks like this is unnavigable. Even though the plans about changes is my life includes getting rid of unnecessary stress I doubt it will totally disappear.

But now I've got a kind of reward. The house is empty and I've got almost two hours without any plans or obligations. This calls for a good book and a cup of coffee. See you later, it's time for reading.

The production of this weekend.

As I've mentioned earlier in this blog my wife, daughter and two of their friends has been working all weekend producing things they will sell on a Christmas market next weekend.

They have just finished their photo session and made posters for their marketing.

Getting ready.

My wife, daughter and friends has been working with the production of the things they are going to sell at the Christmas market next weekend.
They let me taking two pictures of some of the things that they have made.

There are lots of things and hopefully they will let me take, and post more pictures next weekend,

Back to normal.

Today is a normal autumn day in our part of the world. It's windy and it's raining and the weather forecast is telling us it will continue for at least one week.

Still I had to go outside and spend three hours in this weather. My wife and daughter are making Christmas decorations which they will sell on the local Christmas market starting next weekend. For their production they need different materials and it's my job collecting them.

During the work I made some new friends:

Getting better.

The last two weeks I've been trying to fight a cold. My joints has been hurting, my nose has been running and it's been difficult to sleep.
Yesterday I put on warm clothes and had my morning coffee at the terrace watching the sunrise telling myself it's time to get better. At least I felt better watching a beautiful sunrise and the beginning of yet another beautiful autumn day being born.

This autumn has been exceptional with mostly sunny days and almost no wind. It's not what we are used to at the western parts of Norway but I will not mind it becoming the new normal.
I'm still fighting the cold but today I'm telling myself it's the first day of getting better. Posting on my blog might be a sign of that.

Winter is coming.

Getting into the car this morning gave me proof that the winter is on its way. After a quite cold night the windows was decorated with beautiful ice roses.

I spend a few minutes enjoying the sight as the car was warming up and the roses started melting.

Cycling.

I just came back from a short trip on my bicycle. Half way I stopped to take a few pictures to show you some of the landscape I rode through.

Living in the area called the Homeland of the Viking Kings it wasn't a surprise meeting this guy.  

Mental illness, professional and private.

During my professional life I've been working at different kinds of psychiatric units and community based halfway houses. I've also experienced mental illness in my family through my life.
Still I can't stop wondering how different the experiences are between the two (professional and private life).
As years go by I experience that more and more people with mental disorders are reporting to have a good quality of life. Still I get concerned and worried when members of my family are struggling with mental illness. I even try to convince them what they are going through are normal struggles in life and not psychiatry when I should know better.
One of the important factors to experience a good life, in general, but especially for people experiencing mental illness is the feeling of being in control. When a member of my family is telling me about his or hers mental illness and I tell them it's something else I deprive them from being in control.
I should have known better and will try to change starting today. I will make an effort being more supportive to the members of my family struggling with mental illness.

Yesterdays morning walk.

When I have the opportunity I will go for a morning walk.  The walk gives me the opportunity to clear my head before starting the day at work. Some mornings the walk is short others I do have time for a longer walk. Out walking I let the world around me inspire and give me new energy.

Walking in a scenery like this gives me inspiration and energy.

I'm lucky living in  a area with beautiful and dramatic nature. We have mountains, forests and the sea close to us. I'm happy to live in this Wonderful World.

Sunset.

Friday, when I was driving home, I saw this beautiful sunset.

The traffic in front of me stood still and I was able to take this picture. When I kept on driving I realized that a car had hit a wall next to the road was causing the stop in the traffic. I found out later that the driver of the car wasn't injured but I can't stop wondering if the beautiful sunset distracted him. But these days it's probably a more plausible explanation that he was distracted by his phone.

A quiet morning.

I'm still in the process of quitting my old job. There are some people I will miss when I've finished as well as the landscape I drive through every morning.

During the day at work I've realized I will bring some of these people into my new chapters in my life.

Time will tell if we will be colleagues, coworkers or the relationships will continue as friendships. 

I wish you all a fantastic weekend, where ever you are and what ever your plans for the weekend are.

Young explorer.

One of my favorite activities on a Sunday is to go on an expedition with my 7 year old son. Trying to see this wonderful world through his eyes. In our neighborhood there are lots of beautiful and mysterious places which I would never see or experience without his help.

Yesterday our expedition brought us to this new destination, unknown to me, just a few hundred meters from our house.

Two days of fun.

Thursday and Friday we spent the day in Kongeparken just outside our old hometown Sandnes.

The two oldest kids stayed home while the youngest enjoyed have his parents on his own.

High fives to Brumle, one of the mascots in the park.

Driving gocart is great fun.

Kongeparken is getting ready for Halloween 

Day two and Frede is getting tougher.

After a week of vacation from school and work we are ready for the life of everyday waiting for Christmas vacation in snowy Ørsta in Sunnmøre.

It's been more than 20 years.

A week ago I experienced that one of my new colleagues was an old friend and former colleague who I've met only once, very briefly, the last 20 years. Our first meeting last week was also very short. Yesterday that changed. We where working together for almost eight hours.
It was interesting, but not surprising, realizing I was not aware it had been more than 20 years ago the last time we spent time together. It felt like we had been apart barely a day or so. It makes me happy realizing that my wonderful world and life is blessed with new and old people who bring out the best in me and make the good feelings grow. It is easy making changes when I get rewards like this.

Nobel peace prize.

Today the Norwegian Nobel committee made their announcement. This years winner of the Nobel peace prize is the president of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos. But the prize is also a salute to the people of Colombia and all those who has been killed in the conflict who has been tormenting the country for more than 50 years.
The fact that the people votet no for the peace agreement tells us this is not the end of the conflict but hopefully the beginning of the end. Let's hope the Nobel peace prize will help the people of Colombia in their quest for peace as soon as possible.

It's been hard.

I still haven't left behind some of the things I've planned to leave behind. Parts of my family are skeptical about some of my changes. My decisions will affect my wife and children, not only me. One positive thing will be a more happy me. One of the negative is probably less money. 

For me personally it's easy. My wellbeing is way more important than money.

Being happy, will probably give me extra energy. Extra energy will enable me to do what's needed to get back to the level of previous pay checks. All I need to do is to stick to the plan and convince my closest family that I've made the right choices.

Making me proud.

I just came home after watching my 16 years old daughter playing a handball match. It was a senior match, meaning that some of her opponents where 10 years older than her.
That didn't stop her. Her team lost 16 - 30 to a better team. But my daughter played a very good match scoring 6 goals and got to penalties for her team from her position as a winger. As always she was also defending very well. She might have received a broken nose without complaining.
She's probably the toughest girl I know. Physically and mentally strong. No wonder I'm proud of my girl.

So far so good.

I've had a good week giving me confirmations that I've made the right choices. I've been shown several times the fact that the people I'm getting rid of in my life are the people that bring out the worst in me. At the same time I've seen lots of proof of good people starting to enter my life. Some of them are actually people who once was a part of my life but somehow they slipped away. I won't let that happen again.

Yesterday I met one person who I had not seen in almost 20 years. Although it was a brief meeting, just a few words and lots of non verbal communication was telling me this will be a great reunion. I know we will have lots of good talks in the weeks to come.

Now I will spend the weekend looking forward to the week ahead of me. It's been a long time since I did that. It's great living in this wonderful world full of wonderful people who bring out the best of me.

Interesting people unknown to me.

I love the wonderful world of podcasts. I really enjoy treasure hunting the wide range of interesting podcasts. Every now and then (actually it's quite often) I happen to stumble over interviews or stories about interesting people unknown to me.

Yesterday driving to work I was listening to an interview with Tony Garnett on BBC World Service HARDtalk.

I recommend you to spend half an hour listening to the interview:

Tony Garnett - film and TV producer.

Critical thinking.

A wonderful world is inhabited by critical thinking people. A critical thinker is able to deduce consequences from what he or she knows, and knows how to make use of information to solve problems and to seek relevant sources of information.

My goal is to teach my children how critical thinking can help them acquire knowledge and strengthen their arguments. I want them to be able to harness the complexity of the wonderful world they inhabit through the tools of critical thinking. The ability to think well and solve problems systematically will hopefully be an asset to them. My dream is that the education they get, from school, from their home and family will be like Bill Beattie describes it:

The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think - rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves, than to load the memory with thoughts of  other men. 
Bill Beattie.

A fantastic Friday.

Yesterday I spent in my old life, thinking about old problems and the people that bring out the worst in me. Today my plan is to not focus on the past and turn my attention to the changes I've made, and enjoy them. My goal is having a fantastic Friday going on a wonderful weekend focusing on the changes I've made and the great people that bring out the best in me. I will enjoy what this wonderful world has to offer.
Then I'll be ready for next week and the journey will continue.

I am on the right track.

The last weeks I have started making some changes in my life. More than once I have been wondering if my actions are necessary. Today I got yet another confirmation.  I am on the right track.

I need to get rid of people who bring me misery and bring out the worst in me.
I will continue protecting my self respect and peace.

This week have given me some answers and the journey will continue. I will continue spending time with people who bring me happiness and bring out the best in me.

A beautiful day for football.

My youngest son was playing a football tournament yesterday. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm. 

We weren't winning, but we had a great time.

While we were occupied with the football games. My wife and daughter was at a handball tournament at Sola. A sporty week end for almost everybody in the family.

The boys where celebrating like champions.

Football matches.

The last few days we've had fantastic weather. These days it's extra fun watching the young boys in the neighborhood playing football. We all had great fun.

This afternoon we will meet for training.

Saturday we will be ready again playing three matches in a mini cup. Making a total of five games this week.

A good friend.

A week ago I wrote that the essence of the changes I am making in my life is:
Being around people who bring out the best in me, not the worst. People who bring me happiness, not misery. I will protect my self respect & peace.

Today my doorbell suddenly rang. It was one of my colleagues, one that brings out the best in me. He just wanted to tell me that he was thinking of me and give me a hug. We sat in the stairs talking and I realized that I'm lucky. I do have people in my life caring about me who brings out the best in me.

Kjell, I'm lucky to have you as my friend. Thank you for the talk, and the hug. You made me feel like I'm living in a Wonderful world. 

Soccer dad.

Struggling through this day I will get my reward in 2 hours. The youngest of my two sons is going to play a soccer match and the oldest one will take on the job as the referee. I will be the proud daddy watching and coaching.

This is one of the things making my wonderful world.

What happened to Ireland?

Looking at my last post most of you will realize that I'm procrastinating writing this post. And it's true, but I can't stop wondering what happened to Ireland.

During my first week of blogging most of my readers where located in Ireland. That suddenly changed and I don't know why.

But who am I to know?

This ends the procrastinating. It's time to get on with the goals of today. Taking small steps and making me proud of myself.

It's hard.

Some days it's hard getting started. Today it's one of those days. I got up three hours ago and expect bicycling with my youngest son to school, and back home, I've done nothing. As time goes by getting started is harder and harder. I need to put myself together and find the energy.

I haven't been at work for three weeks and still I have never felt this tired. But there is no room for quitters. Therefore I will make myself feel better and get started with the small projects of this day.

Wish me luck.

Making changes.

The last 8 months has been hard at work. I've tried to make changes but haven't been able to do the right things. I was probably not the right man for the job and as time went by I certainly was not.

The situation took all my energy and the last month before I went for three weeks summer vacation (I didn't get more than 2 weeks) I hardly did anything at all. Most days I went to my office, closed the door and just sat there.

I will not blame anyone but myself. I should have left a long time ago. There is nobody else but me to blame. I choose my own actions. Therefore I will make changes and these words of advices will be the framework of these changes:

Be around people who bring out the best in you, not the worst. People who bring you happiness, not misery. Protect your self respect & peace.

Manchester derby.

I have always been interested in sports. Most of all football. I am a supporter of FK Haugesund which is my local team. Like most Norwegians I also support an English team. My team is Manchester United. I also am a supporter of Barrow AFC in the National league.
This weekend, Saturday, it's the first Manchester derby of this season. The thrill of the game will be one of the highlights of the weekend.

Knowledge or ignorance.

One of the first things one of my mentors (a psychologist) told me was: "Knowledge is power. Read and become wise."
The phrase "knowledge is power" is often attributed to Francis Bacon.

One definition of power is the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.

We live in a complex world and it feels even more complex when we realize: The more I know, the more I know I don't know. But maybe that is the first step in becoming wiser. Realizing that I don't know.

Not being aware the limits of ones knowledge is ignorance. And your ignorance is their power. Instead of letting your ignorance becoming their power, get empowered through knowledge. Be  curious and explore everything this wonderful world has to offer.

Travel and get to know new people and treat everyone you meet with respect. Read books and at least ones a year read a book on at topic you don't know much about; a religion, a country, a biography or maybe science or technology. Don't be limited by anything, just get a new experience. Some of my best reading experiences has been on these occasions.

But if I know what I don't  know I would already be wiser.
Knowing all would be boring.
If I am sure of something I don't need faith.
Not knowing doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Closing one door.

During the last few weeks I have realized that I need to make some changes in my life. But it's hard. It's hard for the people surrounding me. First off all my family, but also for some of my closest friends. I've spent too much time thinking, but also recharging my batteries. I've been much more tired than I was willing to accept, even to myself. I haven't yet closed the door, but I have been starting peeking into some new ones hoping they'll lead to a wonderful world.
That being said I will still need some time to get my energy back.

A rainy day.

It's a rainy day. Most days and most of the time I would not care. But going through a tough period in my life it's hard being an optimist during rainy days.

While the rest of the family are at work and at school I have decided that during the day I will do as follows:
* A bit of relaxing trying to look at the bright side of things.
* Answer a few emails and thereby get rid of one or two frustrations.
* Make a phone call to my parents to inform them about my situation. It might make things easier.
* One hour of training at the local gym.
* Buy groceries and prepare dinner for the rest of the family.

Reading this shortlist it feels overwhelming but I will give it my best shot making this rainy day a happy day in this wonderful world. 

Recommended Podcast.

The determination to maintain normality is an example of the wonderful world where such seems impossible.

BBC World Service has lots of interesting Podcasts. A few days ago I listened to one that really touched me. The Documentary dated the 28th of July 2016 is called Syria's Secret Library.
"Away from the sound of bombs and bullets, in the basement of a crumbling house in the besieged Syrian town of Darayya, is a secret library. It's home to thousands of books rescued from bombed out buildings by local volunteers, who daily brave snipers and shells to fill it's shelves. In a town gripped by hunger and death after three years without food aid, Mike Thomson reveales how this literary sanctuary is proving a lifeline to a community shattered by war."

It's s disturbing listening to, but still; I want to recommend it.

Syria's Secret Library

Can't help wondering.

I can't help wondering what happens when I mention this at Twitter, The only way knowing is trying, so here we go.

Summer vacation

This summer we went to Turkey for our summer vacation. We are lucky having family who own a apartment in Avsallaar. We spent sixteen days of sunbathing, swimming and relaxing there. When we came home it didn't take long time until the memories started fading. But then, yesterday, our youngest son came home from school with at drawing that made all the good memories clear again.

During yesterday's dinner we where listening to him showing and telling us about how he remembered the stay in Turkey. His mother sitting at the restaurant at the beach talking to the locals. His older brother taking him for walk at the beach while his sister was bathing in the big waves. And of course daddy who is relaxing under a parasol "doing nothing." The Turkish boys working at the restaurant was having fun, kidding around at the beach. All of us unaware that the cat living at the restaurant had made an escape to explore the wonderful  world at the beach.

This drawing, made by the youngest member of the family, brought back the memories from our summer vacation and gave us at wonderful time during our dinner after a hectic day.

Tomorrows lunch.

Tomorrow I am planning to eat my lunch at this spot. Sometimes I love my job giving me the opportunity to experience places like this.

It is a wonderful world. Half an hour relaxing in the sun with this view will make me ready for the rest of the day.

Flow.

Have you ever been occupied with something feeling that time and the world around you seems to stop existing?
It typically happens when the task isn't to easy and not to difficult. You have "a kind of perfect challenge."
The psycholog Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is known for describing this fenomen calling it flow. He even states flow might be the secret to happiness. I do not entirely agree with him because happiness in my opinion can be achieved outside the state of flow. But a high degree of flow in your life does probably make you more likely to be happy and state: It's a wonderful world!

This is a short lecture where Mihaly Csikszentmihaly is talking about flow:

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on flow.

Blogging. I'm still learning.

I am a novise in this world og blogging. I am sure there are thousands of things that I need to learn. Now, in this early stage I can't help wondering. What is the most important feature of a blog? Is it the lay out and desing or is it the contents.

Today I have done some changes in the lay out and design, and I am sure it will be more changes as time goes by and I learn more. But my main goal will be to work on the contents mainly praising this wonderful world helping myself open my eyes to it.

Please give me hints and tips. I will appreciate them all as I keep on learning.

Happy place

Around my family's summerhouse I have several places which I consider as my happy places. This is one of them.

A place were I can sit back, relax and enjoy the silence. A proof that we live in a wonderful world.

If - by Rudyard Kipling

Literature is among the things making a wonderful world. The poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling is a perfect example.
The poem is written in the form of paternal advice. Three years ago I recited the poem to one of my sons in a speech to him. I can only hope he will follow the advice.

If -
by Rudyard Kipling.

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Make Good Feelings Grow

A few years ago. Actually it is almost 8 years ago. I read this article:

Abigail B. Calkin. A Minute a Day Makes Good Feelings Grow.

Now, going through changes in my life I suddenly started thinking about it again. After reading it I suddenly realized that the way I look at myself will reflect the way I look at everything and everybody surrounding me.

I might spend a minute a day making good feelings grow. That said, blogging about a wonderful world is already making good feelings grow.

Happy moment.

Fantastic moment with one of my heroes. I'm so happy to have had this moment and being able to enjoy it. Makes me happy looking back at it and being present in the moment.

Presence in my own life.

A week ago i decided that I needed some changes in my life. I found myself rushing through the present not enjoying my daily life. It was my youngest son who made me see what was going on. He's 7 years old and therefore much wiser than his father. He is present in the moment and has presence in his own life. He is the child that I have forgotten to be. 

For me to be able to see this wonderful world, and to appreciate it, I need to learn from him. Like him I can feel blissfully alive in the now.

I will be focusing on the present when I keep on exploring this wonderful world. Telling you about my descoveries in my blog. And with help from my loved ones I will find the very best, most present me.

Later I will tell you about my resent descoveries, this week end. I've had some fantastic moments with my youngest son and my beautiful wife.

It is a wonderful world.

It is a wonderful world.

Reading newspapers and watching the news on TV might lead us to beliving that the World is a horrible place full of terrorism, wars and crime. The fact is that the human race is full of love and the earth is a wonderful place. My intention is to make this blog a proof of that. Like Louis Armstrong is singing in one of his songs (which was the soundtrack of my 18'th birthday): What a wonderful world.

By collecting examples of those numerous big and small things and incidents prooving the wonderfulness of the world I will convince myself and you (my reader) that we inhibit a wonderful world. We just have to open our eyes, and minds, to become aware of it.

This is the beginning of my journey exploring the beautiful lifes and the beautiful moments of this wonderful world. Please join me.

Louis Armstrong - What a wonderful world