Welcome (back) to the next Journal edition. The days are getting colder, with cooler temperatures, more fog, rain and wind, and I have to admit, I’m already missing summer a little. Nevertheless, I am choosing to look forward, and there is also a lot we can learn from the change of the seasons and the magic each one brings. With this edition, I hope to share some of these powerful lessons and magical moments with you. I hope you are warm and cozy, and enjoy November.
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Perfection is overrated. It is an unattainable ideal that does not exist and holds us from seeing the beauty in imperfection. Life is inherently messy, full of mistakes, and unpredictable moments that shape who we are and teach us. By letting go of the need for perfection, we free ourselves to live more fully. We can begin to embrace the natural unfolding and flow of life. Releasing perfection allows us to live a much lighter life beyond the need for control. Perfection is stagnation, and the moment we no longer seek it, we free ourselves to learn, develop, heal and grow.
2
Success does not make us happy. Moments, experiences, time with loved ones and love do. The rest is all an extra. While achievements and milestones can bring a sense of accomplishment and temporary satisfaction, the true source of joy lies in the way we treat others and ourselves. When we chase success as an ultimate destination, we find ourselves constantly striving for the next milestone, never fully satisfied with how far we have come and what we have achieved. This can lead to a cycle of stress, burnout, and emptiness, as the pursuit of success becomes a never-ending quest for validation or recognition. In contrast, happiness is rooted in our ability to appreciate the present moment, to cultivate gratitude, to be and to love. Success without happiness is worthless.
3
There is no loss involved in kindness. Being kind is an act of giving and receiving. When we choose to be kind, we create a positive exchange that uplifts not only the recipient but also ourselves. It doesn’t have to be big or grande. Often it’s just offering a smile, a kind word, or a helping hand, but these small acts can transform someone’s day or even change their outlook on life as a whole. Kindness is so valuable. It empowers, encourages and builds. When someone experiences an act of kindness, they feel valued, appreciated, and supported. And often kindness even comes back to us, reinforcing the cycle in the most unexpected and beautiful ways.
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seek the good in everything. Be positive. Focus on gratitude. Worry and compare less, and acknowledge all that I have. I will lean into abundance, be thankful and be more mindful of the beauty and good around as well as within me.
2
embrace myself. I will be who I am and show up fully, developing the courage to be vulnerable. I will think less and feel more. I will choose softness over being hard, and I will fall more in love with myself day by day.
1
October has been a really busy month with the beginning of the next semester at university, work, lots of writing and work on projects that just fill my heart with so much love. Although I didn’t have one highlight, I loved the warm, golden autumn days and especially the walks in nature with the rustling, colorful leaves floating to the ground. Furthermore, all the moments I shared with people I love during this month were a highlight for me, and reminded me that love is my purpose.