My kind of thinking.

Sometimes, people tend to forget the most basic things. So dear reader of this blog, let me remind you of something I believe we should all keep in mind – to treat everybody with respect and always be kind.

The spontaneous kindness of the average American is something I really miss over here. Nobody offers me a seat on the bus. Nobody lets me step forward in the line to the cashier. Nobody randomly compliments my poncho. Nobody offers to help me with my bags on the plane. Nobody holds the door for me. Nobody is spontaneously kind.

Well, of course, that's pushing it a bit, but you get the picture. Gothenburg is colder than DC – not only Fahrenheit wise.

Source: docs.google.com via Katie on Pinterest

Protect The Environment.

Reminder: Life and Art.

You know Oscar Wilde said that "Life imitates art far more than art imitates life."

Was he right? Well, who am I to tell. I would only like to remind you all that sometimes, art is right in front of you. Right there. In your life.

Stop. Take a minute and look at the beautiful piece of art that is your life. Or however it is.

My America Bag of Memories.

"Collect moments, not things" – a poster I noticed on Pinterest the other day.

And I agree. My take on that brilliant piece of advice is that it's about remembering in your heart and knowing with your soul. Pack your bags full of memories, but travel light when you go out and get them.

America and I now have a relationship I never had imagined we would develop. Not that I came here with nothing, I came with lots, but I will be leaving with even more. My bag is so full of those special moments, I don't know how I will be able to take it all with me back to Sweden.

It is the beauty of Life. Somehow.

It's up to you to do it.

When the world seems to be upside down, you might just have to change perspective in order to set it straight. And remember, it's only you, yourself who can do that so don't go around and wait for it to just happen. Just do it!

The least you can do is try.

Do what you can with what you have.

"If a guy hands you lemons – make lemonade!"

Because think about it, what else can you do? We all have dreams. We all have hopes. We all wish and we all want. And then, sometimes, life happens and cannot and will not give you exactly what you think you deserve.

But just because you were given lemonades, doesn't mean you have to sit and taste the bitterness. The choice will always remain yours. If you want to make it sweet, you can. So try. Because you are worth it. Every single second of happiness.

Happy Friday Everyone.

But. What do you want?

"Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get."

So. STOP. Close your eyes for a second. What is it that you are looking for. What do you want? Do you want what you want?

Today's horoscope told me that I am finally figuring out what it is that I really want and that I will start believing that I can actually get it too. Some days I think I know. Others, I want the opposite. But when I turn to my heart, I mean really to my heart, I know. I always know. Do you know?

Give a little. Get a lot.

There are certain words I have always and will always live by. For instance, I believe that if you see a person without a smile, you should give them one of yours. I try to, as often as I can. Because let me tell you, sharing is also how we are winning.

Never be afraid of running out of smiles, because if you have been giving them out when you have had lots, you will be getting them back when you find yourself in need of them. This is not merely a strong conviction. This is proven facts.

What goes around comes around. I like being greeted with a smile so I do my best to give them out when I have plenty in stock. And for those days when there is not a smile in sight in my own world, receiving one from a stranger gives me hope.

Please, find the important message.

What have you been doing today?

I have been filing papers. I have been reading previously bookmarked articles. I have been Pinning. I have been throwing away things I don't need. I have been cleaning up where cleaning needed to be done. I have been drinking coffee and eating chocolate. I have been writing down ideas. I have been going through my calendar.

And now, I am going to the gym. Later on? Don't know exactly, but it will absolutely be something that matters. That's what it's all about. Making your days good for you and hopefully also those around you.

Happy Friday, people. Make it a good one. Make it count.

Remember, today is a gift, that's why they call it present.

My little iPod friend played me this song and I figured I wanted to share the message with you all. Because think about it, what do you know about here and now? Can you see what you have in front of you right now? Yes. Do you know what the picture will look like tomorrow? No. Can you connect to that feeling in your chest at this very moment? Yes. Can you predict how your heart will play tomorrow? No. So...


The heart may freeze or it can burn. The pain will ease if I can learn. There is no future. There is no past. Thank God this moment's not the last. There's only us. There's only this. Forget regret – or life is yours to miss. No other road. No other way. No day but today. There's only yes. Only tonight. We must let go. To know what is right. No other course. No other way. No day but today. I can't control my destiny. I trust my soul. My only hope is just to be. There's only now. There's only here. Give in to love. Or live in fear. No other path. No other way. No day but today.

We all have it, a habit.

"A large part of virtue consists in good habits."

- William Paley

I read the above "quote of the day" on Forbes.com sometime last week. I wrote it down, since I thought it made sense. And today, after reading an article in the NY Times it started to make even more sense to me. The article, at least according to the headline, was about how Target targets your shopping habits in order to send you the right coupons at the right time.

However, the story could also simply be a great read about habits and how they control your life. According to the writer, also author of the book The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life and Business, 45% of the choices we make are due to habits, rather than conscious decision-making.

Think about that for a while. It seems accurate, doesn't it? Why do you do what you do? Because you always consciously decide to do it or because you usually do it and know what the outcome of your actions will be? Do you often end up regretting your actions? Then it might be time for you to take control over your habits. It can be done, you just need to learn the three different stages of cues, routines and rewards.

A great read that made me think several things over. If I want change, I have to recognize the routine. If I want to break a routine, I have to replace it with a new one. The tricks are many. If you have a few minutes to spare, I highly encourage you to learn more. Here you go.

The Iron Lady said, be careful what you think.

Ended up at the movies last night and sure picked the right film to watch – Iron Lady. Even though I was far from intrigued during the first ten minutes, the plot quickly picked itself up and the screen, with Meryl Streep as a crucial factor, delivered a piece pleasing for both eyes and heart, I would say.

I thought about life. I thought about society. I thought about myself. I thought about my Grandmother. I was moved by how the challenge of relationships to others as well as to oneself was depicted and I did shed a tear or two.

Also, I left with these words imprinted in my mind:

"Be careful what you think.

Because your thoughts become words.

Your words become actions.

Your actions become your character.

And your character becomes your destiny."

Be prepared, unlock and look up.

Love must not always be only on Valentine's Day.
Gratefulness must not always be only on Thanksgiving.
Joy must not always be only on Christmas Day.
And the sun must not always shine only in summer.

Sometimes, it all just happen in one, simple and ordinary day.
Sometimes it all just happen in one, sweet, perfect moment.

You never really know when that moment might be.
So keep your eyes open, and most important of all, your heart unlocked.

What do you see?

"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.

The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

– Winston Churchill

Say no more. Just grab another cup of that black gold.

Monday message: think and do.

Source: anamublog.wordpress.com via Marc on Pinterest

Care.

Source: pinterest.com via Kelley on Pinterest

How to do it. #Life.

"Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain, cherish the moment.

Live, laugh, love, forgive and forget. 

Life's too short to be, living with regrets."

- Unknown Genius

Enjoy life, my Lovely Ladies. This spring has so much fun to offer us!

Don't look, don't touch – feel.

"The best and most beautiful things in life cannot be seen, not touched, but are felt in the heart."

- Helen Keller.