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Cherry Festival
26 June 2023

Cherry Festival

I’m not a regular festival goer anymore. In the USA I loved going to music festivals with friends. All summer long we had so many wonderful artists playing in the Rockies. We spent many hours dancing, singing along, camping out, wonderful memories. But now it’s been a long time since I went, so when my sister told me there was a cherry festival planned last weekend I wanted to go.

Favorite fruit

See, cherries are my favorite fruit. I can eat them every day. Once I got so sick because I ate way too many. And the only negative side to a cherry is that it’s a natural laxative. Tip: Never eat too many cherries. Really. A handful is plenty. Anyway, yesterday I took a bike ride up to the orchard. It was 90 degrees out and the road was long. The trip was so beautiful though. Loads of wildflowers along the canals, little ducklings and young birds sang to me. It took me about an hour.

Cherries, cherries, more cherries

When I got to the orchard there was plenty of opportunity to rest. We sat underneath the cherry trees, had a cherry ice-cream and a cherry soda. Literally everything you can think of making with cherries was available. Baked goods, savory pies, drinks with and without alcohol. Hidden in between the trees there was a ‘landstore’, were you can buy organic products, like veggies and fruits and lots of gifts.

Gifts

Of course I couldn’t help but buy some gifts as well. Cute, pretty, country gifts. I’m happy I found that store, ’cause I will be a frequent visitor. I remember being in Paonia last September visiting my friend. She took me to an orchard that had a store like this one. I could easily spend hours there. I absolutely love it that I found something similar here close by. OK, it’s an hour bike ride but hey, what a nice trip on a sunny afternoon.

Chance

Now on the off-chance you get to visit the Netherlands one day and you want to know where to go, it’s in the little town of Cothen. In the province of Utrecht. You can ride your bike anywhere from and to Cothen. It’s orchard country and along the way you’ll see a few windmills as well. Wijk bij Duurstede, a very old city, is about 5 miles from there. And talking about windmills, this town has an old one that you can visit. Plus it has a nice patio and restaurant underneath the mill, right on the water.

 

 

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Food

Sweet sixteen
20 June 2023

Sweet sixteen

I’m in my kitchen and your laugh drifts through the door. I’m washing dishes and look out. There you are, beautiful, lovely sweet sixteen year old girl. The boy next to you is not much older. He has an arm around your waist. Then you turn around and I see your face. You hold his hand in both your hands and tilt your head just a little.

Beautiful

You have no idea how beautiful you are right this minute. Your cheeks are pink, you laugh at everything he says. You are so obviously in love. He tries his utmost best to make you smile more. And he succeeds. He is your first love. The girlfriend you brought along looks at her phone and smiles. She knows she’s here as a decoy. But she won’t mind. She knows. Mom and dad think you’re doing homework at your friend’s place. For now this is your secret.

Tender

I forget all about my dishes. Shamelessly I look and fall in love. I don’t know this 16 year old girl but she is me, some 45 years ago. Whatever happened? The emotions, excitement, just wash over me. How I remember! That first clumsy touch, the first kiss. I know she will confide in her diary later tonight that this was the very best night of her life. We’ve all been there, still this is so very special and so very tender. As if it happens for the very first time in history.

Woman walking a dog

A lady, my age, is walking her dog. She passes you by. Her gaze reflects mine… Yes, madam, I know. As do you. Why does it feel like it was only yesterday and at the same time a lifetime ago? In her look I see her life passing by. She, too, remembers. The wonder and the spark of that very first time.

New

Everything feels new. The world is new and you can only think about HIM. ‘Cause he makes you feel this way. Oh darling, sweet sixteen girl, don’t ever forget this moment. I wish you many, many more exciting moments. More boyfriends, lots and lots of love. But most of all I wish for you to always remember the way you feel tonight.

 

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Liefde

Meeeooooowww
6 June 2023

Meeeooooowww

Riding my bike on a sunny morning I see three boys coming towards me. Friends, in the age of 15 or 16 years old. As you know, especially being a woman, you can sense they will comment. Right in the middle of puberty they cannot help themselves. And sure enough, as soon as they pass me, one of them shouts a long ‘Meeeooooowww’ right in my face.

Laugh

I laugh and before I can think about a reply a harsh ‘Wrafff, wrafff’, comes out of my mouth. The guys jump and almost fall from their bikes. This is something they had not expected, at all. I look behind me for a second and see them hanging over their handlebars. Laughing as hard as they can. And 16 year olds laugh hard and loud!

Centering moment

Much later I realized this was a perfect example of a centering moment. When you don’t think and act from joy within. I remember a story my good friend Tommy once shared: His school teacher friend told him that one morning her class had planned to drop their books simultaneously at one point during the lesson. Sure enough, at exactly 10 past 10 all students dropped their books on the floor. There was a loud BANG.

Angry

Instead of getting angry, or getting a heart attack, the teacher turned away from the blackboard, walked to her desk, calmly picked up her books and threw them on the floor. “Sorry, I’m late,’ she says and continues her teaching. I don’t know what subject she taught, but the best lesson was the one she had just shared. Don’t get angry, get even. But always with respect and from a place of center.

Confused

Yesterday I had a chat with friends about the confusion men feel nowadays about what is correct behavior and what is frowned upon as sexist. Of course there are examples that need no explanation. But it seems like we are overdoing it, as we tend to in the Netherlands anyway. I’m all for the ‘me too’ advocates. But as my male friends commented yesterday they feel like they have to ask everything before they can say something. It kind of takes away the spontaneity. ‘Is it OK if I tell you that you look nice?’ Or: ‘Ma’am, may we tell you: Meeeooooowww….’

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leven

Aging
30 May 2023

Aging

Whenever I tell someone I really don’t mind getting older, they look at me as if I must be lying. But I swear to you aging doesn’t mean a thing to me, other than that I enjoy who and where I am now. Being 62 years old I can honestly tell you I much prefer this age as being 32 years old. Not many people know, or believe me, that aging is’t as scary as the media wants you to believe.

Cosmetics

For one, the cosmetics industry would take a huge dive when we (especially women) aren’t afraid of aging, anymore. As long as we spend millions (if not billions) of dollars on cosmetics and cosmetic surgeries, all is well with the world. I recently saw a woman, my age, who’d had plastic surgery often, her face looked frozen. Did she look any younger? Heck no, she hardly looked human. Give me a book of photographs showing me portraits of older women anytime. Each and everyone of them looks absolutely beautiful.

Men

I don’t want to forget men, who usually age ‘better’. I mean they look more handsome when they are 50 than when they are still in their 30s. Men are as vain as women, and going with the times, have discovered cosmetics and plastic surgery as well. Such a shame, in my opinion. Give me sagging skin and wrinkles any time over faces that can’t feel any muscles anymore and look like masks.

Anger

Now I don’t get upset easily, but one thing I hate is the way we (society) treats the ‘elderly’. Do you remember the ’60s? The music, hippies, changing of the old establishments, new ideas. What a creative bunch of people, that are all now in their ’80s. Do you honestly want to treat those people like they are children again? That they cannot think for themselves and need to be entertained with stupid, silly games to keep them in shape? Shame!

Older

As I grow older, I realize I can’t do 5 things at the same time, like I used to. Never giving it any thought before, I was always rushing to do as many things at once, never knowing why. Except maybe that I felt chaotic and wanted to cram as many experiences in a short amount of time. There were too many choices, too much to do. I felt restless and was never satisfied with life. A good friend (in his late ’70s) once answered my question if he would want to be 20 again with: ‘No way, I hate to even think of having to do it all over again.’ I laughed and I agreed.

Regrets

Living your life to the fullest, you don’t need to do any part of it all over again. I’m very happy to live my life day by day. Choosing and concentrating on one thing at a time. Knowing I don’t care about any of the  meaningless ‘stuff’ I worried about when I was young. Relaxed and confident I can plan the near future and enjoy every second of each and every day, my way.

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leven

Review The Journey – James Norbury
23 April 2023

Review The Journey – James Norbury

What a cute little story, based on Buddhism and the truth that change is inevitable. In ‘The journey’ James Norbury describes two friends, Big Panda and Little Dragon, who live together in perfect harmony in a small temple high up in the mountains. They have been living there for quite some time and made numerous friends in the forest nearby.

Restless

But Little Dragon feels a bit restless, lately. He doesn’t know why and what causes these feelings. All he knows he’s not as happy as he was before. He asks his best friend Big Panda for advice. Big Panda acknowledges his problem. Yes, this is something big and he needs to take his time to think of an answer. A few days later he offers that it’s time for a journey. It will  be a change for both of them. Reluctantly Little Dragon agrees. He can either accept his restlessness or he can try to do something about it.

Journey

As with every journey, whether it is physical or emotional, there will be obstacles on the way. The two friends encounter lots of them as they travel along the river. Up to a point when Little Dragon has had enough. He wants to return to where he came from. Now comes the biggest challenge of all. Nobody can return to the past. We can never go back in time, neither can Little Dragon. He gets depressed when he thinks of his old life and his old friends.

Acceptance

Until one day he remembers that he can make this new life miserable by living in his past, or he can make changes for the future, or he can make the best of today. He looks around him. All of a sudden the sun starts shining. He finds himself surrounded by new friends and beautiful mountains. And what do you know, there is even a bigger, nicer, abandoned temple up ahead.

James Norbury

James Norbury has written and drawn pictures since he was a small child. But it wasn’t until he was looking for spirituality when he discovered the teachings of Buddhism. He wanted to share its wisdom and Zen stories with the rest of the world. His books about the Big Panda and the Little Dragon were born. Beautifully illustrated it’s a joy to pick them up again and again.

 

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Boeken

Valentine’s Day
14 February 2023

Valentine’s Day

First of all, I wish everyone a very special and loving Valentine’s Day! Honestly, I had hardly ever heard of Valentine, until I moved to the US. In the Netherlands we didn’t ‘do’ Valentine’s Day. Things have changed, however, shop owners see euro signs and gladly jump in.

Love

Personally I think it’s a great thing. Any celebration of love is cherished. Now, there are different ways of showing your love, of course. This day shouldn’t be about buying each other expensive gifts or, even worse, let somebody else buy a gift for your special love. Just because you can’t (or won’t) spend any time to look for the perfect card.

Relationship

Also I like the idea of spreading love. Valentine’s Day is a day for all lovers, whether you are in a relationship or not. How nice to find a special little note or little gift for a neighbor, a friend or a family member. Any time of the year. Not just on February 14th, mind you. It’s even more special to surprise someone on any given day.

Disappointment

Because with traditions like these, I am sorry for all the people who will be disappointed. Who won’t receive any special mail today. Don’t let it get to you. You are loved! I love you. Sincerely. Even if we’ve never met, I know you are special. And you deserve every treat this day has to offer. And any other day as well. Enjoy your life, you are so much worth it.

Note

And on that note: If you don’t want to go out by yourself on this day, just dine in. Make it special. This is your Valentine’s Day. So buy yourself a rose, or some nice flowers. Don’t forget to buy yourself something sweet as well. And make your dinner a little extra special today. You are worth pampering. Don’t wait for this other person to spoil you.

Card

And last but definitely not least, buy yourself a card. A card that says something true and special about you. Even better, make one yourself. Find your favorite quote or affirmation and tell yourself to celebrate every day! Make it as pretty as you can, for its receiver is a very special person. Put it in a frame and look at it often. Just so you’ll remember there is nobody exactly like you. And just because of that the whole world loves you.

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Liefde

Love is letting go of fear
7 February 2023

Love is letting go of fear

The quote: ‘Love is letting go of fear’ has been my mantra for years. I’ve heard, said, thought these words so many, many times that they kind of lost their meaning. It became such a part of me, but what does it actually mean, this letting go of fear?

Party

I was reminded of its meaning again when I was at my little nephews birthday party. Ehm, excuse me, my BIG nephew, ’cause he turned 11. We were talking (like old folks do) about how fast time goes and how very cute they were when they were babies, and how precious they are growing up. I remembered his younger brother, now 9 years old, screamed whenever he saw anybody other than his parents or brothers. He didn’t want to know anybody else until he was about 2 years old.

Sensitive

He’s also a very sensitive boy. So when he overheard me saying this he sat next to me, curled up against me, and asked: ‘Why was I screaming at you when I was little?’ I told him that he probably was a little scared. He thinks about that for a bit. ‘That is because I didn’t know you then. But now I know you very well.’ I agreed, pulled him a little closer, and said that now all he does is laugh at me, because we got to know each other so well and love each other so very much. He giggles and confirms this by kissing me. I tickle him, he laughs and jumps up to go play with his friends.

Just an idea

Now this made me think. What if we put Putin and Zelensky together on an island. Nobody else around, no weapons or anything that may be used as such (I’m thinking no coconuts). They may probably use fists, feet and teeth, but hopefully will get tired pretty soon. Then all that’s left for them to do is sit down and get to know each other. Yes, they will be scared at first. But the more they get to know each other, the more they will learn to love each other. I know, it’s a bit naive but it really isn’t such a crazy idea when you think of the alternative.

Love is letting go of fear

I know a lady who fled from her country, Afghanistan. She tells me about the time she was a kid, playing with her friends in front of her house. A bomb went off near the end of her street. Her mom looked out the window, saw her daughter was still alive and told her to continue to have fun with her friends. Uncaring? No, absolutely not. You think this mom wasn’t shaking inside? Of course she was. But she wasn’t going to show any of her fear to her young daughter. She believed her daughter had the right to the most loving and ‘normal’ childhood possible in these scary circumstances.

Understanding

A young boy, 10 years old, shot an elderly lady on the street. The lady didn’t survive. Terrible and tragic. Looking from the perspective of the young boy, his mom worked all day long, his two year older brother had to take care of him. Gang members took care of the two boys instead. Violence was something they got to know too well. A longing for love made them do whatever the older boys wanted them to do. Even to kill. Did that mean they loved killing so much, they let their fear go? No, quite the opposite. Their actions were just and only out of fear. Fear for repercussions. Fear for being ‘outcasts’.

Threats

I once wrote an article for a newspaper about two young people I met on a train. They had just been released from prison. Already they were talking about their next jail visit. It was something they were familiar with. They mistook the care in prison for love. Craving for love, they talked excitingly about their next time, their hope for a specific facility up north, and what they had to do to get there asap. Everybody around them stared in horror. The culprits were teenagers. Insecure, bright, clear eyed they discussed their next adventure. I wrote my article about those young men and their potential. I got threats. How could I identify with such thugs. How dared I to even see them as humans? And how stupid was this newspaper to give me a platform.

Scared

Scared, they had given up on those young men before they got to know them. They didn’t see their brightness, their love of adventure, their courage to do anything to be someone, and to be loved. With the right kind of encouragement those guys will go far. As soon as society sees that love is letting go of fear these guys will have a bright future. I hope it’s not too late. That’s why I wrote this article. And if only one person believes this, too, it was worth all the hatemail. Though I chose not to let it scare me into silence.

Simple

I know I make it out to be simple. Still, I truly believe that fear always stands in the way of love. This does not mean to be reckless. But most times we rather scream and cry before we take the courage to get to know one another better. Still once we do, we so often are left smiling and happy. So, I’d say, give it a try sometime. When you feel afraid of new people, new cultures, something that is a little different than what we are used to, smile and say ‘Hi’.

 

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spiritualiteit

Review The Lake Shore limited – Sue Miller
22 January 2023

Review The Lakeshore limited – Sue Miller

The Lake Shore Limited is both the title of this book and the title of the play one of the characters in the book decides to write. The lives of the four main characters are all changed by the events from 9/11. Each in a different way but no one will ever forget what it meant for the rest of their lives on that black day in history.

Billy

Billy’s boyfriend, Gus, left the house early that morning. After kissing her goodbye he hopped on the fatal flight to go to a funeral, not knowing it would be his final trip. Billy is devastated by the loss, but maybe even more so by having to live the lie for the rest of her life. She meant to break up with Gus after he returned form his trip. Now she is the bereaved window and feeling like a fraud. She writes a play to divert her thoughts.

Leslie

Leslie was Gus’s sister. In the time Gus and Billy were lovers she and Billy became best friends. Now she grieves the loss of her brother. Who else to turn to, than her best friend Billy? After all, for al Leslie knows Billy is as sad as she is. Until she sees her play and understands.

Sam

Sam is Leslie’s new neighbor when he buys the house next to her for his wife. After he renovates the whole place his wife leaves him. Sam and Leslie become fast friends and maybe even a little more than just friends. Until Sam meets Billy and falls head over heels in love.

Rafe

Rafe is the main character in the play Billy wrote. But Rafe has his own marriage problems. He puts his heart and soul in his acting. With his exceptional talent he brings everybody together. The missing pieces of questions never before answered fall into place. So does this play have a happy end? And if so, does that mean that the book ends well too?

Writing

Beautifully written, the author honestly describes the impact this awful day has on just four characters in the book. With respect and love she remembers hereby what it meant for the rest of the world. The day we all thought this was the end of life as we knew it. And it was. Without being sentimental she perfectly describes the lives after.

Sue Miller

Sue Miller grew up in Chicago. As a single parent she had to work hard and taught creative writing for years before she started writing her own books. Now she’s written more than 10 books, most of them bestsellers. The Senator’s wife is one of her most beloved books. But please don’t leave ‘The Lake Shore Limited‘ on the bookshelf. It’s well worth the read.

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Boeken

Christmas Holidays
27 December 2022

Christmas Holidays

Remember the Christmas Holidays when you were a child? We had two weeks off from school and it was the very best time of the year. Allright, every vacation was a great time, but especially the last days of the year were so much fun. There was lots of snow and all the rivers and lakes were frozen. So we spent all day outside, to come in when dark. This was around three pm, to find hot chocolate waiting and the Christmastree light on. The lights were still real candles at that time.

School

I hated school, so any excuse to not go was good enough for me. I attended the local village schools where teachers had taught for many years and they’d seen it all. There was no stimulation, no fun in learning and teaching. How times have changed. I couldn’t wait to leave school and find a job. Now later on, as an adult I finished college and university. But back then I wanted out.

Aspen, Colorado

When I lived in Aspen, Colorado, the wintervacations were so much fun. Busy, crowded, everybody came up to ski and celebrate winter. Well, maybe not everyone. It was mostly the rich and famous. Which meant that there was no vacation time for us workers. On the contrary, we worked hard and long hours, before, during and after Christmas.

Travelagent

After I moved back to the Netherlands I worked for many years as a travel agent. No free time around Christmas. It was the busiest time of the year at the agency. The new brochures for summer were out and people wanted to plan their summer vacations. Also they had to give notice when they would take time off before the new year started. Overtime, hard work, and no free time around Christmas for us.

Back in time

But this year I will go back in time. For the first time I can actually plan some time off. I will have my vacation the week before Christmas and the week before New Years’ eve. As this is published I will be well underway. And I will cherish every free moment. No matter how much I love my job, I will take some time off. I will bake cookies, I will decorate the house, I will spend lots of time with friends and family. Hopefully there will be some snow and/or ice. So I can play outside and make myself some hot cocoa when I come back home.

Child

I hope everybody will have some time to relive your Christmas childhood. To remember how much fun we had and how we sat by the fire at night all rosy and warm. And most of all how happy we were.

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leven

Change
8 November 2022

Change

After being gone for 12 years, I finally made it back to my ‘home town’ of Aspen, Colorado. The first thing I heard was: ‘Oh you will find so many things have changed!’ This was true. But isn’t it always when you haven’t been somewhere for a while? Change isn’t necessarily bad.

Old town

The old town was still visible, I only had to look for it. And yes, many things had changed. The bus system took some getting used to. But I remember when I first moved there there were no busses. We had to hitchhike. I think taking a bus is better. The parks, buildings, streets, they all got an upgrade. Beautiful flowers, pretty painted shops, nice wide street walks. And clean, everything was very clean.

Charm

Did the town lose some of its charm? Sure, it did. How much fun did we have at the old Shaft, a country and western place right downtown. Where you would find horses outside patiently waiting for their owners to stumble out of the pub, to take them home. Now there are designershops where a scarf cost a fortune. It’s another way of looking at charm.

Nostalgic

Change is nothing else but losing our perception of ‘the good old days’. ‘Cause were the ‘good old days’ always that good? Oh yes, I have very, very sweet memories of my home in the Rockies during the 80’s and ’90’s. But people living there before me tell me I never knew the ‘real’ Aspen. Which means I never knew the memories they have.

Memories

We go someplace, make our memories and leave. We can never go back to how it was. First, memories have the tendency to make things better than they were. And second, you cannot stop change. Everything is constantly changing. Thank Goodness it is. We can’t stop things from happening. No matter how much we try and want to.

Go with the flow

I was thinking about all this while I sat and looked at the river flowing by. River doesn’t fight change. It just flows. I look up at ‘my’ mountains, as people have gazed at the very same view for as long as people exist. Did those mountains change in the millions of years that sat there? Sure they did.

Good and bad

Some changes are good, some are bad. What is good for me, might not be for you. We make our own changes. Our memories and what we take with us form a place we visit forms us who we are and who we want to be. So who am I to say that changes are bad or good? For now, I was very happy to be back in my mountain town. With all its changes. Its spirit and its humor, its beauty and its heartbeat hasn’t changed for me. I was very happy and lucky to still feel at home.

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leven

The state of our planet
11 October 2022

The state of our planet

What is the state of our planet right now? I think we all know it’s not in the best of shape. According to scientists and journalists our home is dying, fast. So what do we do? We look for another planet, preferably close by, that will house us humans, until we screw that one up as well.

Negative

‘Now Ellen, this doesn’t sound like you at all!’ You’re right. I’m usually the most positive person I know. Let me introduce myself to the people who don’t know me. I’m Ellen, 61 years old. I live in the Netherlands but see myself as a world citizen. I’ve been a travel agent most of my life. This gave me the opportunity to travel, meet wonderful people and their cultures and made me realize that we’re all basically the same.

Survival

We all want to survive and hopefully in a happy and satisfactory way. I chose to write. I’ve found my passion. And I’m sure my grammar and spelling won’t always be perfect. I’ve worried about it, but decided to let it go. I’m sure many of you will overlook my mistakes.

Travel

During one of my travels I met an amazing American man, Tom Crum. He’s been my mentor, teacher and close friend for years. I’ve learned so much from him. One of the things he taught me and that I will never ever forget is ‘the state of our planet game’.

Resources

A bunch of volunteers wanted to play. A map of Earth was spread out on the floor and we were split into five groups, each group representing a continent. We were each given some money and tokens representing resources like oil and gas. Right away the unfair differences between us became painfully obvious. The Africa group stood kind of embarrassed with next to nothing in hand.

Rules

The rules were easy: Just like in real life, each group (continent)  had to gain as much money and as many resources in order to win the game. Now Tom had made up another rule: We only had ten minutes to work with. The earth is dying, remember? So time is of essence.

Volunteers

Now, we were all peaceful people. And I dare say we were not stupid. Though spectators might not have agreed by the way we handled things. Because, just as in real life, we started to shout and convince other continents to almost give their money and resources away. If not voluntarily, there would be sanctions or we would even go to war!

Civil war

To this day I still cannot believe there was even a continent where a civil war broke out. The ‘population’ disagreed with trading agreements and decided to go on in two groups. Tom put the pressure on by shouting that we had to hurry up, people!! He even seemed to get a bit angry. And NOBODY wants to make Tom angry:-)

Nervous

So, just like in real life, we got nervous. Everybody wanted to win. We wanted the power, the recognition, the love (yes, love) of all those around us. In the very last minute someone ‘got’ it. Every continent put its money and all its resources in the middle of the map. It was then equally divided into five continents.

Winner

Instead of one winner, there were five. We each had the same amount of money, the same amount of resources. And you know what? There was more than enough for everybody. It was so very simple. And yes, it is THAT simple. The power of this game was to realize we all still believe in the misconception of winning by force. More is better, no matter how we get more. And we all fell for it. Why? Because we get caught up in our routine.

Meeting

I met up with Tom a few weeks ago. We talked about the game. And how powerful it was to actually see where the problems are and how easily we could all solve them. Almost too easy. And that’s where we continue to make mistakes. We all rely way too much on what we know and what we always used to do. Although we know so well that it never worked and never will, if we don’t change this routine.

Change

But change is hard. Change is scary. It takes courage. And that’s why we need games like this. To show us how easy and painless it actually is. How it will never hurt anyone, nor embarrass anyone to let everybody (every country) win. The game was played in front and with, world leaders in the ’80s. They seemed to get it then. But they al too soon turned around and go on in the same ways they always have.

2022

We played the game then. Maybe it’s time to try again in 2022. Have we evolved enough to see that we’re now in the last minute of our game? Tom and I fantasized about trying to set it up again. ‘We will have to add climate change‘, Tom rightfully offers. Will it make a lasting impact this time around?

Imagine

I don’t know. For now all I know is that I want to share this story with as many people possible. Maybe you can already imagine the rules of the game. Maybe you, also, will feel the need to share. You see, it really works. Let’s all, each and everyone of us, be winners. Let’s play the game! Are you in?

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Thank you!

 

 

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