"Think seriously and think honestly."

When did you lie down in a meadow last, looking up in the sky where the clouds softly passes by? Deep breathing and in completely relaxation. Or calmly walked by the shore, watching the view, stopped for a minute or two to look at a canoe silently passing by or a bird flying high in the sky. This is exactly what I've been doing in the mornings these last two days. Need I explain which difference this make in my life?

The walks take place very often, but laying flat in a meadow it's a thing I don't think I have done since I was a child. And why is that?! It's absolutely fantastic and for a moment I really thought "please, let me stay here all day long". Try it out! When on the beach or in your comfy chair outdoors back in your garden or balcony. It doesn't have to be in a meadow, but I sure found myself sort of connected to the Earth in a peculiar way.

And for the walking part, it doesn't matter that it's often the same path, the sea and the sky never looks the same, nor does the forest or the flowers. In the contrary, sometimes it's a very nice way of noticing the differences taking place in nature. Maybe even discover new things. If you're looking long and close enough. In a conscious way, aware of how it feels in your body and mind. Being totally present in the moment, here and now in a very mindful way. Isn't this just good enough? Look how beautiful!

Practice yoga and meditation has helped me in many ways. Being guided into this beautiful world of awareness has made me much calmer and safe in my own being. I'm just a beginner, new to these tools helping me get in contact with not only my mind, but also my body and soul. You may think it sounds crazy, but you should really try it out.

Another positive angle is how much easier it is for me to see all the things I'm grateful for having in my life. It's all too easy to take many things and people for granted or not even seeing. And it is really very important to notice all this in these days! Start using these possibilities daily, make them a healthy habit on your life path. I mean, what's wrong with us ... we already have a lot of different things and knowledge to do both big and small things and live happily in our daily life and yet, we only want more and more. Never satisfied, never good enough and very seldom happy with just being who we are, where we are.

Look at the flowers, they just stand there in their pride, no competing, no issues of being the most beautiful or skilled or rich and so on. Of course, I can't know for sure, what is going on in the world of flowers. But the intelligence of nature seems to be way ahead of us, don't you agree? However, the human population, there's a lot of issues going on! I have a very distinct feeling that a big problem among us humans are the endless competition in everything. Instead of being happy for one another, we're envious and driven by the thought of being the most confirmed and for that to happen we have to be on top of everyone else.

How did that happen and why? And why does it continue in spite of many of us talking about it. There's a very narrow gate to get through. Of course we have to start by doing and not only talking. Take action is always a good way to set an example. But do we really need to turn our lives upside down and move into the forests for example? Well, that would be a disaster ... people don't even know how to behave as a visitor (tourist) in nature. How the hell would it look like if we were supposed to go back living like our ancestors!! Most of us wouldn't last for long and along the way we would probably destroy the beautiful world we actually live in, even more than we've already have done.

This is a big question and we can no longer turn our heads in a different direction when it comes along. We have to take responsibility and try our best to save the world, our planet and ourselves ... from ourselves. If this pandemic we're in the middle of hasn't been a wake up call, what is? I know I maybe simplify things here, but I think it's important that we start making an effort everywhere and as much as we can.

In order to not throw the world economy overboard, we're still encouraged to support our businesses. But hey, somewhere we maybe really have to consider what and how we consume? Even if some companies will disappear on the way. Too bad, but a change in many situations will be needed and new ideas will be born. Hopefully without anymore pandemic crises.

Actually, our life path can and will have to continue anyway, even if we don't buy new stuff regularly or travel around the world ten times. Many of us have way too much stuff already, why don't make it a start by using what we already have in the first place. Fix them if needed, or trade with one another or using companies for that too. In this crises we've seen new ideas take place and people come together, working for different solutions. We can and we will, but we have to start respecting the Earth and each other a lot more. Don't you agree?

Think for a minute, what does it matter if you're not in total control of everything? In fact, the one and only moment you can control is right now. What happened in history has already happened, nothing we can do about that but learn and keep the wisdom. What lies ahead we do not know, no matter how much we plan or schedule or worry about it. Anything can obviously happen! Even things we could never have imagined, even in our wildest dreams.

I don't mean that we should be reckless and just live for the day, but I think most of us would benefit of doing some work on ourselves. Getting to know who we really are and try out how it feels when we stop hiding behind all the superficial stuff. Does it really matter that much to be the best of the best all the time? How about being as happy as you can, everyday. In who you are and what you do. Have you listened to the inner voice of yourself lately, if ever? And long enough to really get to know who you are? Or is it just the world around you that has spoken their beliefs and you payed all your intention there?

Well, I had to write my post from yesterday all over. It didn't turned out the way I wanted and I'm being so frustrated over tourists invading our Swedish mountains up north, not paying any respect to the reindeers with their newborn calves, that I had to bring these subjects up. Of course not every tourist, but too many with bad behaviors. And here, in the south of Sweden, we have a lot of local attractions of different kinds that also are invaded by both locals and tourists and many people not paying any attention to the recommendations in keeping distance and paying respect to one another. What is wrong with people?

How about staying home and read a book for instance, take a long and respectful walk in the nature you have close to you, maybe buy a meal in a local restaurant now and then, if you can afford it, or in other ways try to support local businesses in small ways. Spread the interests so to speak, look for and support small companies that you've not visited before if you want to do something else than staying home. Not everyone has to take part in the "invasion", even if it is well known companies we're talking about. With that much to do they will certainly be there even after the season, why don't wait for that and take a trip then? And even if on vacation, try and show some respect for heaven's sake! Isn't Australia a good enough example, do we want that? If we've managed to keep us away from total lockdown so far, what good will it do if we're suddenly there here as well? We are spoiled and do not appreciate our freedom and many of us most certainly don't give a damn ... as it seems!

But then again, I've always preferred low season, less crowded and with an atmosphere of stillness and calm. A peaceful rest in a nearly abandoned coffee shop, maybe even a small talk with the owner. But that's just me. For now, I do my writing, reading and photographing, some safe training and long walks at the beach and maybe, if the weather allow it a road trip or two. But I think I'll bring my own picnic for the rest of this summer.

Take care, stay safe and maybe get to know yourself<3

PS. Welcome to my Instagram for more photos.

Och till mina svenska vänner som önskar läsa på vårt språk, det här blev för långt att skriva tvåspråkigt känner jag. Högerklicka någonstans i texten och använd Google translate, ni har ju lätt för att förstå innebörden även med denna översättning. Tack på förhand!