Chances are that you are one of the 20.829.525 (and counting) people that saw this video. It’s about a girl singing an acoustic version of Adele’s song ‘Rolling in the Deep’. I saw it some time ago and immediately loved it. I then showed it to my kids. They loved it even more. And my wife almost had to cry, she too was swept off her feet. And so our family is responsible for at least 15 of that astonishing total of 20.829.525 views. Why did we love it so much? Because here’s a girl that obviously is aware of the camera, but she is also just herself. Overly excited to do it right. Not flawless in her singing, but so enthusiastic she just makes your heart melt. Now, I come from the world of television format development and I’ve witnessed the worldwide uprise of the talent show formula at very close range. In fact, I’ve been a part of the creation process of many. Many spin offs that is. Because once an idea proves to be a commercial success, it’s creative potential is quickly drained by television makers all over the world. And so audiences worldwide see one talent show after another. And although I’m amazed by all the talent out there, many talent shows are more about show than about talent. Immense studio’s, crowds that go wild, visual effects, fancy camera movements, fast editing, clever storytelling – sure – a show it is. And that’s all fine with me. I post this film to show that the simple setup of a guy with a guitar and a young girl on a couch, can be more than enough to entertain you, move you and make you feel good. Or how a small show can have a huge effect.
Russian novelist and poet Vladimir Nabokov once said: “Life is a great sunrise. I do not see why death should not be an even greater one”. Now to me, that is one hell of a mind shifting way to look at life and death. To see life and all it’s hassles in between as a great sunrise and to perceive death -the ultimate ending- as a potentially even greater sunrise, makes me fall in love with concept of sunrise. Now at this point you should know that I call myself a ‘night person’. So obviously, having this feeling made me think. And ultimately I came to the conclusion that calling myself a ‘night person’ is just my excuse for not having to like every morning. Because every morning brings a day with opportunities, but also hassle. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. But the thing Nabokov made me see in such poetic splendor, is the continuum in which our lives evolve. Opportunity leads to hassle and hassle creates opportunity. Just as life leads to death and death creates life. Nothing ends, everything begins. It’s all one big sunrise. And with sunrise, you rise. So nice. So nice.
“If life is a journey, then philosophy is like a compass. It helps us to find our way through the jungle of possibilities that life presents”. This is the first sentence you’ll read in the ‘about’ section of a website I found, called: The Big View. Editor/webmaster Thomas Knierim writes: “This website is about philosophy in the widest sense. It includes science, religion, mythology and other fields of thought that are not within the traditional scope of philosophy. However, it makes not much sense to treat these fields separately. Everything is connected. If one views anything from any possible angle, it can only increase understanding. (…) Most people are familiar with the problem of information overload. thebigview.com (…) is intended for the reader who wants to get an overview of a philosophical topic in a minimum amount of time”. Well, I’m not saying you should spend your entire weekend reading all the content, but it sure is interesting. And if we want to broaden our horizon and increase our (self)knowledge, then obviously a little time investment must be made. So take a look, pick a topic that speaks to you and see what it brings you. I’m sure that, like me, you will gain some new insights.
NEWS! For those living in The Netherlands, I’m happy and proud to announce that as of now focusNjoy will provide personal coaching for the clients of Doctors Inc. Cosmetic Clinic. The reason for our collaboration is simple: apart from the best possible care for their appearance, we want to offer clients quality attention for their inner wellbeing. It is this combination, an outer and inner approach of beauty, that will give the positive result of a treatment an extra boost: clients will not only look good, they will feel good too! For my Dutch readers, you can find more information here. For more information about Doctors Inc. click here to visit the website (currently only available in Dutch).
French novelist Honoré de Balzac once said: “Society bristles with enigmas which look hard to solve. It is a perfect maze of intrigue”. And I guess he’s right because at some point in our lifes, we all find ourselves in a complex situation that leaves us no way out. At least so it appears. But everything changes. And so, whether it happens through smart thinking, clear intuition, by coincidence or simply by the passing of time, sooner or later we free ourselves from the maze we’re in. We either find an escape or the maze itself just disappears. About this, Buddha said: “Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue”. In the end, no matter what maze you’re in, rest assured: every maze has an exit.
This is the first of a weekly poll in which I will ask a question that will make you reflect on life as you know it and focus on life how you wish it to be. This week, the question is about what you find really important in life and if you succeed in giving that enough attention. Because often we get caught up in things that in fact are not all that important. So, knowing what is important and prioritizing, form a crucial element in creating a fulfilling life. Thank you for participating! [polldaddy poll=6105744]
This post was first published as a column on the website of the Dutch Magazine for Coaching. For Dutch readers, you can find it here. I was asked to write a 100-word piece about boundaries. And the second I heard the word boundaries, my thoughts moved towards space. Because to me boundaries are not limitations, but the contours of the playground called life. Every boundary is an outline of space. Like the horizon on an endless sea or a star in the universe. Boundaries show us where we are and where we can go. Within ourselves and beyond. And while change itself has no boundaries, it is only noticeable due to the existence of boundaries. Boundaries come in all kinds of shapes and forms. The steps of a staircase, the keys of a piano and every second that goes by: these are all boundaries. They are not the end of things, only stepping stones from one to another. Boundaries create space. Like the walls of your house accentuate the space you call home. This nice film shows you an impression of boundless nature, which becomes visible, bounded by its own rhythms.
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