Tag: happiness

The memory tree

My Christmas tree is actually my memory tree. 

Every year again I decorate it with mainly the same pieces of Christmas decoration that I collected over many years, from different countries. Some I bought, some I received as gifts from friends or family or people I have been working with, and some I made myself. 

All these pieces carry memories with them which I treasure, reminding me of past times and people. Souvenirs. Each year I thoroughly enjoy decorating my tree, and in the weeks approaching Christmas and beyond, I often look at my tree, evoking the happy memories connected to these items. 

It makes me feel at home, grateful for the friendship I received, those enjoyable moments with others, the time I got to spent in different countries. It’s the feelings connected to these objects that come up every time I look at them. 

With time, I have some stories to tell which are connected to this small collection – which consists of so much more than just beautiful objects. They represent different times and stages of my life’s journey.

There is the Romanian ornament egg I received as a gift from my colleagues when I visited them in Bucharest some years ago (not long before covid made travel impossible). That’s how I learnt that these eggs are also used as Christmas decoration in Romania.

The beautiful felted heart and the Newbridge Christmas tree hanger which my Irish friend Naomi gave to me.

The colourful hangers I bought in one of the pound shops I frequented in Dublin so many years ago, which still have not lost their colours.

The nice and practical Dutch paper ball ornaments I got in the first year after I moved to Utrecht.

Quite a few handcrafted delicate wooden Christmas tree ornaments I found at German and Dutch Christmas markets.

And of course, my own creations like the crocheted snowflakes and felted stars.

The tree itself is also part of the collection. I bought it while living in Dublin for 12,99 Irish pounds at Penney’s, and it is now some 25 years old (and still looking good). It has moved with me from Dublin to Germany and then to the Netherlands. Meanwhile its losing some of its fake pine needles each time I take it out of the box or store it away again – which I did today.

All these memories are my very own, they live and will die with me,  like a lot of things existing only in someone’s heart. Sometimes we might tell a story or two to a friend about what a specific object means to us. Otherwise, this fabric of life remains largely hidden. I love to share some of these stories with my friends. It’s like giving them a present, sharing a piece of my life with them.

A friend of mine used a lovely expression when sending me her wishes for this New Year: We have an empty year in front of us waiting to be filled with good and heartfelt friendship. 

That’s a fitting description of what I am planning to do, continuing to create many more moments of joy and happiness with the people I love and cherish. Creating memories we will hold on to.


Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us. 

Oscar Wilde

What does your memory tree of look like, and what do you connect with it? 

Which of your memories do you share with your loved ones?


For more inspiration have a look at my resources section.

How to create happiness

We are wired to notice what is wrong. Every deviation from a happy, balanced state is quickly noted in our brain, causing our focus to move quickly to the “disturbance” and to find a way to get us back into balance.

It could easily lead to becoming one-dimensional though: if we spend all our thoughts on what’s wrong, and less on enjoying what is actually good in daily life. For example, imagine being sick and walking outside, the focus would rather be on the pain or discomfort felt, but probably not so much on the wonderful sunshine or the first buds of spring. 

But exactly in such situation: wouldn’t it be better to actively notice the good things in life and to enjoy them? They might be small, they are no magic wand, they don’t solve the problem at hand, but they could soothe and support. 

Making it a habit to notice the things that bring me joy and then hanging on to them often helped me to re-focus my thoughts, simply because it widens my perspective. Nothing is only black or white, and why should a day be “a bad one” just because of momentary discomfort?

I had the chance to practise it again a few weeks ago. On my way to the neighbourhood pharmacy I always pass a rectangular stretch of nature situated between two rows of houses. The many trees on it were in early bloom at that time. Each year, it’s a spectacular view: an abundance of delicate white blossoms covering the branches – as if each twig were tucked into a fluffy sleeve. Of course it put a smile on my face. 

On my way back, I stopped there again, relishing the moment. And I am never the only person pausing, gazing up to that fragile beauty and taking pictures of it – every year again. Turning around, I saw another woman looking in awe at this wondrous sight, and we smiled at each other, sharing our enjoyment.

Finding bliss in the small things is so important. It makes sure our current focus on a specific topic does not turn into a tunnel vision. Life is made up of so much more. 

It’s also a very practical approach to creating our own happiness. 

Happiness is not as elusive as one might think. Especially once we understand that it does not come from outside, but that it’s our responsibility to create it within us.

Yes, we are responsible for our own happiness, and taking that responsibility is essential. 


To expect another to resolve all of our issues and give us the happiness we desire is to expect to see the sunrise without opening our own eyes. it is to ask a river to give us nourishment without dipping our own hands into the water. another cannot answer a riddle that was only ever meant for our own minds to solve. the universe seeks to enlighten and empower us, thus it is only rational that we are our own greatest healers.

Yung Pueblo

As long as we project our expectations onto someone or something else “to make us happy”, we are like a leaf in the wind. But we actually have agency here and should use it.

It starts with the thoughts in our head.

Being the creator of my own thoughts, I have a choice which thoughts I create or dwell on. Our minds are very busy with thinking the entire day, we could never stop even if we wanted to. But which thoughts are helpful and good for us?

How are we looking at life and at ourselves?

How do we treat ourselves, talk to ourselves?

What do we do to make ourselves feel better when we are in the dumps?

It is wonderful having friends who could cheer us up. Especially when feeling down, having a conversation with a friend has uplifting, even healing qualities. It can feel like different colours appearing on the horizon once the rain-front has passed.

And on the flip-side, isn’t that exactly how we would want to support a friend in need?

So, what about being our own best friend in tough times? 

Which means: finding out what helps and then doing it. What has the best chance to get me through a hard situation? What could I do for myself?

And that always starts with my thoughts. 

The hard part is – as always – actually doing it. But everything worthwhile is hard.

Happiness is events minus expectations. 

Mo Gawdat

And it is of course, not easy to always pick yourself up and keep going, whatever you are going through. Knowing that nothing lasts forever and everything passes eventually, is one thing. But while being in the middle of the storm, it is ok to have doubts. 

What I experienced during a recent infection that stopped me in my tracks for a few weeks: My lack of energy meant cutting back on my healthy routine – without getting a bad conscience about it, knowing and re-assuring myself that things would get better eventually. 

It also meant procrastination on and resistance to everything that took too much energy. A lot of stuff fell through the grid that way, not only my never-ending action list but all social activities.

I acknowledged my doubts and hesitation, feeling low, my impatience. I gave myself some leeway and lots of self-compassion, taking refuge in small things, reminding me of the ever present positive signs around me.

My friends were always there for me. And I made sure I was a good friend to myself as well. Daily practice.

Happiness comes from within and only from within, and that requires to change our expectations to life.

The moment you know how your suffering came to be, you are already on the path of release from it.

Buddha

The power of connection

This September, after a long time, I enjoyed my first short holiday in Spain. Lovely Sitges, situated at the rocky coast close to Barcelona, is a welcoming town with friendly people and a very relaxed atmosphere. Walking along the promenade was safe even at nighttime, and outside the main tourist season it turned out to be surprisingly quiet and restful. 

Reconnecting with a friend I had not seen in ages while staying at his local B&B in a room with a spectacular sea-view felt very special. Communication through phone or video calls provides a bridge I am thankful for, but meeting and talking with someone in real life is so much more enjoyable. And we had a lot to catch up on.

So I found myself waking up to the sound of the ocean, looking at pink coloured clouds in the morning sky while getting served a fantastic breakfast. Sitting on my balcony in the evening, it was amazing to watch the sun setting behind the famous landmark church of St. Bartomeu and Santa Tecla turning the sea into shimmering gold. Enjoying walks along the coast in the balmy air filled with the aromatic scent of pine trees and gazing at surfers riding the waves.

I cannot remember having ever been at a place where I felt compelled to take so many pictures of the same view at different times of the day. Again and again, trying to capture the beauty, the changing colours, these delightful moments full of relaxation, peace and joy. A wonderful place.

Time slowed down it appeared and so did I, living at a very different, intentional pace savouring every minute. It did me good and made me connect with myself again. It also tipped me off balance somehow. 

When time came to return home I wasn’t ready for it, instantly regretting not being able to stay longer. This longing for a change of scenery, the connection I had built already during these few days to this place, to my friend and people I met were stronger than I had expected.

Back home now, I am trying to maintain this somehow detached sensation, feeling happy and sad at the same time and dreaming of the ocean waves at night.

Life is a journey, not a destination. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

I had missed traveling a lot. During the past two years since covid turned our lives upside down and we all had to stay put, my mind had often traveled instead: to people and places I could not visit, wondering if and when I would find them again, changed somehow or maybe unchanged, connecting to them in my thoughts and wishing them well.

Telling myself not having the need for traveling and being ok with breaks at home certainly worked by pushing this thought to the furthest corner of my mind, but I hoped to return to it for sure one day.

Life goes on regardless. We are looking at the same sky, and all that was left for a long time was hoping we’d come out of this situation unharmed. 

Now it feels like emerging from a long tunnel, blinded at first by the light, incredulous to find the light is still there.

Carefully adjusting, still cautious while stepping back into life. Noticing changes, losses and new realities. Questioning old approaches and trying new ones.

We know more now. We are counting our blessings. We remain watchful, realistic though confident. We made it.

Looking at the Spanish people who survived covid and all the heartbreak coming along with it I felt deeply for them. People having lost loved ones, their business or livelihoods, the toll it took on them is enormous.

What struck me was their rigour and discipline complying with the rules still in place – far more strict than in my own country – and on the other hand how much they enjoyed life with family and friends making the most of every minute. Sensing resilience in these friendly faces of people sitting outdoors in cafes or walking on the promenade, I felt happy they had pushed through. The human spirit is not broken.

The pandemic has hit us hard and left its traces. Some decisions taken turned out to be too harsh, but nobody knew better when all of this started. Some decisions were not strict enough, too little too late or being enforced half-heartedly. Some wrong turns were taken and it became obvious that many governments simply chose the usual complacent, unimaginative modus operandi, opting for “the easy way” instead of making bold moves and focusing far more on people’s needs.

Imagine, what we could all do – together – if we really wanted to. (Greta Thunberg)

But then, as is so often the case, it is the ordinary citizens who do the right thing. So many people extending a hand, generous, committed, exploring solutions and offering help in a multitude of creative ways. Building new networks, taking care of, supporting, upholding and inspiring each other. Not giving up. Suddenly, things shifted fast. And that shows us where we should be heading.

I am really curious: what will change further, what will remain? Will we build on what we have learned and build back better? Will we fall back into old mistakes?

Will we finally pluck up the courage to set the course for a sustainable future and a people focused society?

The importance and power of human connection is not a dramatically new insight, but it has become clear once again: this is what matters most, above all else.

Regularly meeting my friends here in Utrecht – outside and at a distance –  got me through pandemic time. What a blessing. 

Being able to visit my family in Germany this year brought back a piece of normalcy into my life and calmed my worrying mind.

Welcoming the first visitors at my place and now finally, starting to travel again and reconnecting with friends further away and in other countries is just great. 

Did we need a reminder to make sure we re-focus our thoughts and actions on what really counts in life?

For sure, connection to others is the invisible fabric that carries us through. We can’t do without it.