Sweden Beauty

"Yoga says experience. Just like science says experiment, yoga says experience. Experiment and experience are both the same, their directions are different. Experiment means something you can do outside; experience means something you can do inside. Experience is an inside experiment."

(OSHO)

Took the above photo on my walk today. Whenever it's clear and sunny I take the opportunity to be outside for a good block of time. There's a freshness here that is unlike anything I've experienced. Truly enjoyable.

Horizon

“Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds”

(Albert Einstein)

The sun lays low on the horizon in the winter time. Something I'm not entirely used to, but it's cool. It's different. Gives off an unique vibe. Like I've said before, since being in Stockholm, the weather has been fairly mild. Damp. Cloudy. With peaks of sunshine here and there. There is something cozy about it. Instead of reacting to the changes, or the weather, I look to it with open awareness. Fascination. Curiosity.

With Christmas coming around the corner the decorations are coming out. It will be interesting to see how the city comes alive during the holidays. With the winters being dark. The sun setting at around 3 pm, Swedes like to light things up. Candles in the all the windows. Lights. This is the weekend to let it all out. I guess the tree comes later though. Still learning.

I've easily transitioned my practice. With change, as always, it's nice to have an anchor. A grounding force to put it all into proper perspective. It's a happy time. A time of open possibility. Never quite knowing what door will open, or where certain paths will lead.

The horizon is wide open, and I like the view.

Giving Thanks

“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

(Steve Jobs)

Swedes don't celebrate Thanksgiving. Obviously. So, it's any other day. However, it's still an excuse to celebrate!! A celebration in gratitude. Stepping into the energy of appreciation, and graciousness seems to be the ladder that lifts me out of negativity, and despair. There is always something to be grateful for no matter how bad things get. Taking a moment to consciously bring yourself into the alignment of gratitude puts everything into perspective and proper order. Graciousness brings more grace. Grace brings lightness into our souls as we trust that all we need is available to us.

On this day I'm reminded that the most important things in life are those of the immaterial. What carries on through eternity is the love, kindness, and compassion we've given, acquired and received in our lives. And how interesting is it that what causes the most conflict in our world are over the material that in no way sustain our spirits or are taken with us when we pass from this life. Talk about putting things into perspective.

So, even though there will be no grand Thanksgiving feast for me today to fill my belly, my heart is full, and I must say, there's no better feeling.

Blessings to you and yours!!!

Green Stockholm

Shortie

“No human relation gives one possession in another…every two souls are absolutely different. In friendship and in love, the two side by side raise hands together to find what one cannot reach alone.”

(Kahlil Gibran)

Towering a staggering 5 feet 2 inches (right, should have the metric thing down by now, sorry) I'm not necessarily what you call tall. Wonder what that's like? Hahaha. Anyway, I'm amazed how tall Swedes are. Even compared to Americans, they seem to be taller on average, especially the women. Wow. It's interesting, In Asia I felt normal, even big at times, but here, well, even the kids seems to look at me at eye level, lol.

Besides feeling short, living in Stockholm feels like the most natural thing in the world. Going in, I had a brace yourself mentality regarding the weather, but really, come on Mother Nature, bring it. It hasn't been that bad. A bit damp for my taste, but that's what November is like. No biggie. One thing I can say is, the holidays are gonna be beautiful in the city. Already, I've learned some of the Swedish holiday traditions, so it's kinda nice to get wrapped up in it. Enjoy. Learn and experience something new. Why not. This is home now.

Speaking of home, I've been doing quite a bit of cooking. Today, I made ghee for the first time. Yay! It went well. Extremely easy, so I'm happy. There's something empowering about taking charge and learning something new. Now I know how to make ghee! Yipee! I know I sound totally nerdy right now. Beyond that, I'm learning how to sprout too! Fun. Fun. I'm experimenting with mung beans first. The nutritious qualities of sprouts are unparalleled, and soooo easy.

"Ghee is sweet in taste and cooling in energy, rejuvenating, good for the eyes and vision, enkindles digestion, bestows lustre and beauty, enhances memory and stamina, increases the intellect, promotes longevity, is an aphrodisiac and protects the body from various diseases."

(Bhavaprakasha, 16th Century Ayurvedic text)

So many projects. This week David and I are doing the liver/gallbladder cleanse. His first. My second. It's recommended to repeat the cleanse until no more stones are past. I'm pretty committed to it, and since going through it my first time it's a fairly simple process to endure again. Basically, I'm following the protocol and recommendations in the book, The Liver and Gallbladder Miracle Cleanse, by Andreas Moritz.

Now, after everything it's time to get back to my Swedish language studies. Hahahaha. I was going pretty hard at it until I found out my residency status went through. Totally backwards, I know. Yep, call me a slacker. So, it's time to amp into high gear again. As an observer, it such an interesting language. Intricate. Melodic. Not sure if this American girl can swing it, lol. But, like I said before, it's all about learning something new. Expanding. No fear. Whew!


Link here for more info on Sprouting!!

Here for ghee!

Stockholm: Things to Do and See

Simple Swedish Lesson

Landing

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to change you is the hardest thing of all.”

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Wow. So I've landed. I think. Hahaha. Well actually, I landed last Saturday. However, my travel experience didn't happen without a few bumps. With all the new baggage requirements we are inundated with as travelers these days makes for a perplexing experience. How wonderful that when moving to Sweden I was only allowed to check one bag for a transatlantic flight. Wonderful. Talk about downsizing. Talk about an excuse to simplify. I managed to check only one bag, and it was over weight. Once I was raped $50 USD I was on my way. So I thought.

Just remember, any travel that has to do with Chicago O'Hare International Airport means delay. Delay all the way. My scheduled flight from Columbus to Chicago was late because it was coming from Chicago. Chicago O'Hare that is. Let's get this straight, Chicago O'Hare = LATE. I've heard this from other travelers. So from the get go, I was delayed and missed every connection thereafter. Lovely.

Well, I won't go further into detail, but I made it. Obviously. The good thing is, I didn't have to sleep overnight in an airport terminal. With all the bumps I touched down in Stockholm 6 hours later than scheduled. Whew! With all that it felt good to be back.

I bundled myself up before leaving Arlanda International Airport thinking it would be freezing outside, and to my pleasant surprise it was nice. Not too cold. Not warm. Perfect. The perfect part being getting the warmest smile and hug from DF.

As I settle into the rhythm in Stockholm I feel a sense of calm. I feel a sense of goodness. This is nice. I've got lots to grow into. I've got a language to tackle. Change in climate. Culture.

Changes. This is a stretch. A new posture, and all I need to do is just breathe.

A Reflection

“Risk! Risk anything! Care no more for the opinions of others, or those voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth.”

(Katherine Mansfield)

Setting up to live in another country gives me pause in times of change and transition. I guess it's natural. Another phase. Another journey. Another adventure. It's a change I feel calm and certain about for some unknown reason. So, I roll with it. Moving forward with a confidence that I haven't had in a long time or may have never had. No. Not blind confidence. But, a confidence that feels natural, that feels good, because I'm stepping into the heart of life. The unknown.

No. It doesn't take traveling to distant lands to find one's heart's fulfillment, but it does take a certain amount of trust to step into the unknown. Somehow the unknown has become knowable. A knowing made manifest by surrendering complete control, and allowing my heart to take the lead.

Yes. There have been times I've taken those timid heart felt steps, to have begun to fly, to end up taking a complete nose dive. Hahaha. It's true. But, I survived. I lived. I became stronger. Those lessons were priceless, and somehow I'm not as fearful. When fears take hold they choke the life out of our essence. Our soul.

Yes. Fears are a natural part of life. However, shockingly, when scared, I continued, I stepped forward. Sometimes limping! And I learned every little step had meaning. Truly.

Yes. There is much ahead for me to behold. To learn. To grow into. And, I find. Wow. This is what it's all about. Loving and learning. Growing and trusting. Living and laughing. I mean, it's such a simple concept. When standing in the little 'i', the 'me', oh, how heavy life becomes. When truly embodying myself, my essence, I expand beyond the little stuff, and breathe in what really matters.

Freedom. Expansion. Love. Open, adventurous abandon. I like the sound of it. Give me all of it!

Sweden Bound

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”

(Dr. Suess)

Just recently made it back from Portland, Oregon to visit my sister, her husband, and my adorable, energetic, two-year-old niece. Had to make my rounds before my eventual move to Sweden.

Stockholm, Sweden that is. Yipee!

The trip to the Northwest was fab, and relaxing. Hanging out with my niece was a delight. I love the toddler age when the personality and soul start to bloom. It's fun. Nobody brings you into the present moment more than little ones, that's for sure.

Had the pleasure of practicing at one of Portland's Ashtanga yoga studios, Near East Yoga. Really liked the vibe, with it primarily focused on Mysore style. Which we all know is the way the method is best transmuted. If ever in the area, I highly recommend dropping in.

This has been a time to count every blessing. From the littlest to the most grand, so much has touched my heart, it renders me speechless ...