Hi, and welcome. As we gracefully move into a new season, I look forward to sharing some of my most important learnings. Reflecting on the last month, it has been one of many happy moments, with café visits, a lot of summer walks in nature, and quality time with family and friends. I hope June has been good to you too and would like you to know that if it has been hard, the coming month will be better. May this edition of The Journal bring you hope, wisdom and love.
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Have deep and hard conversations. Gain perspective, ask questions and let tensions arise. Sometimes conflict is necessary. Tough conversations communicate value. And so, explore the complexities and dynamics. Let discomfort become your catalyst for growth. Uncover what has been hidden, speak about the things that remain unspoken and do what you have been pushing ahead of you. When you embrace vulnerability, you build a path for deeper connections, more understanding and new discoveries. For often we are not as alone as we think, things are not as hard as they appear and there are more solutions than there seem to be. Let us face the avoided and have those difficult conversations. The hardest conversations are frequently the most important ones.
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Acceptance takes awareness and open-mindedness. Growth takes time and patience. Love takes connection and commitment. Everything is a process. Most things are harder and require more resources and effort than we desire. And although it may take a little bit longer, it will also take you just a touch further. Step by step and day for day. When we give ourselves time to do the work, to build on a strong foundation, we create the potential for greatness. Everything unfolds in its own time and pace, and change shall not be rushed. As you lay the groundwork for a life of purpose, passion and possibility, remember to honor the process in itself.
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Listening is an art. For listening is not about responding. Listening is not about making every conversation about yourself. It is not about formulating the perfect answer or giving the best advice. So, perhaps we just need to listen. Listen to comprehend. Engagement, attention and active listening. Consciously listening and concentrating to fully understand. To make others feel seen, heard and understood. Not because we are supposed to care, but because we really genuinely do. Let us demonstrate respect and show our love to each other simply by listening to what another human being has to say. It matters.
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invite softness. Embrace my vulnerability and sensitivity. Allow myself to be in the moment and feel all there is to feel. I will open my heart to feeling and living. I will be fully present and alive.
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set distinct boundaries and communicate them clearly. I will protect my space and feel safe, speaking my truth as I live in alignment with my needs, values and dreams. And so I will focus on doing what feels right for me, whilst equally respecting the needs and boundaries of those around me.
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When I reflect on the month of June, I feel so much gratitude for all of the magic moments I was allowed to experience, a few of which I would like to share here. A memory that I hold particularly close to my heart is my sister’s graduation ceremony, where we celebrated together as a family and ended the day with a wonderful gala dinner in the evening (Feli, if you are reading this, I hope you know how proud I am of you and how thankful I am to have you in my life). Another special day to me was my birthday this year, which was filled with lots of sunshine, many smiles, and most of all, love. On the other hand, I also loved the Alexander Stewart concert—a night with so many emotions and good music—that I went to with a friend towards the end of the month. And lastly, I received a phone call that was very important to me this month (I can’t believe it and my heart is just so grateful!), and although I do not want to share too much yet, I can hopefully tell you more soon. Thank you, June, for everything.