It is already 9:20 PM and tomorrow I have to get up at 4 am. I should go to bed. But we are still up and running. Andrew just made banana milkshakes for us all. Christopher just did the dishes, we had a late dinner. I was planning to do haircuts tonight, Paul and Andrew need a haircut. But I think it will be for another time.
Tomorrow I work till noon and then Paul and I are going to Portland.
We will stay at Bob White's house. Our shaman friend. We are doing a shaman circle Saturday night. Marie Gabrielle, a friend from Belgium is visiting Portland and I really want to spent some time with her and her new "husband", I have never met him.
I am also checking out some Whole Foods stores. I haven't seen one since the merge and I need to get some ideas for merchandising. SO it will be a business and pleasure trip. I am really looking forward to this time off and spending time with friends.
The kids will stay home with the dog.
So I better pack a little and then go to bed. We will be back on Sunday. But I will take my laptop with me and maybe share my trip on this blog as I go.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
February 25th, 2008
Great day today. Play with my husband, work, good conversations with my teenage kids. Over all a positive day. I am paying more and more attention to what I am thinking and what I am feeling. And today was really well done!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Inspired Guidance (Frank Coppieters)
Inspired Guidance
© Living Light Center (Frank Coppieters)
February 22, 2008
After many lifetimes you have come to this realization
which deepens itself during meditation:
there is nothing outside your real Self.
This insight puts you in direct contact with Source
which has endowed you with pure love
as the essence of your being.
There is no goal in meditation.
It is an invitation to remind you that the heart
and only the heart is your permanent home.
Sometimes like the snail
you are looking everywhere for love
following a silvery trail.
You will not fail if you go inside
and find what is so near and so dear.
There are those who cannot perceive you as love.
They have not found themselves yet
but they will, as you share your love light
without any expectations.
All beings have the right to be loved.
Withholding love causes pain
and separates you from Source.
Sharing love is abiding in Source.
Divine Mother and Divine Father
are bestowing you with blessings
for your willingness to be a servant of love.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
There is still space in the Reiki 1 class Frank is teaching next weekend in Living Light (Feb 29-March2). Price: $250.
-- www.livinglightcenter.com
© Living Light Center (Frank Coppieters)
February 22, 2008
After many lifetimes you have come to this realization
which deepens itself during meditation:
there is nothing outside your real Self.
This insight puts you in direct contact with Source
which has endowed you with pure love
as the essence of your being.
There is no goal in meditation.
It is an invitation to remind you that the heart
and only the heart is your permanent home.
Sometimes like the snail
you are looking everywhere for love
following a silvery trail.
You will not fail if you go inside
and find what is so near and so dear.
There are those who cannot perceive you as love.
They have not found themselves yet
but they will, as you share your love light
without any expectations.
All beings have the right to be loved.
Withholding love causes pain
and separates you from Source.
Sharing love is abiding in Source.
Divine Mother and Divine Father
are bestowing you with blessings
for your willingness to be a servant of love.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
There is still space in the Reiki 1 class Frank is teaching next weekend in Living Light (Feb 29-March2). Price: $250.
-- www.livinglightcenter.com
February 23th, 2008
Reevaluating myself in my work environment.
I started working in Wild Oats, the Natural Food store in 2001 when we moved from Hawaii to Bend. I will be working there 7 years this year! Amazing how fast time flies.
Recently Wild Oats has been bought by Whole Foods another Natural Food company.
Whole Foods is a great company with lots of great support. Since the merge, I have been feeling and observing what the new company is about. And I have to say only great things I see happening. I also have been paying very close attention to how I feel and how I can merge inside myself those new ways of approaching a new company. In a way it is strange because they are both Natural Food Companies with lots of the same products and ways of doing things, but actually the more I go with the flow of this merge, the more I see and feel how different they are. Whole Foods is in my experience a much stronger company who is much better managed and has a stronger business drive and focus. They are also supporting their teams better and are providing lots of training.
So where am I in all of this? I have been managing the bakery for more then 6 years and I have to say I did a great job and learned a lot. Moving into Whole Foods I start seeing that managing a department is a total different ball game.
And one day, about 2 weeks ago, I was driving home and I started myself asking some evaluation questions. Where am I in this merge as bakery manager, what are the expectations from the new company with where the bakery is going, what is my truth in all of this, what do I really want, what makes me feel good, what is important to me, how do I feel……
And I came to the realization that I am just new to this company and do not know much about it yet. That as a manager, you have to really go for it with your whole focus and knowledge and make something excited and great from your department. They treat you as you are running your own business and also are supporting you for this in a great way. But you have to do it and go for it 100%. And at this point I feel I do not know enough from the company to really feel good about where I am going and what I am doing and also the financial part and expertise is not where my real passion is.
What I like to do the most is being with the people, supporting others, helping out. Being myself and being at peace and happy. The most important thing is that I feel good and when you feel good and you can do your job with a smile and a great attitude, you can be of great support to the company and to others.
So I realized that I do not want to try to manage a department at this time and feel stressed because I am trying to fulfill expectations I am not clear of at this time. I do want to stay balanced and do the best I can and be of great value to others.
So when I put all those pieces together I decided to make a change and remove myself from the leadership position and let someone else who really want to go for this position step into it. I will be supporting that person more then 100% because I know what needs to be done and I can help where needed.
I will work as a team member and in the meanwhile learn more about the company and the expectations and later on I can again reevaluate myself and do that what feels the best then.
I am really happy with how I feel now after this evaluation and truthfully see for myself what I want and how I can get there.
My position will be posted and open for others to apply. In the meanwhile of course will I be managing the bakery 100% as I have always done. I do not feel that I am running away from this. I know that when the right person is ready they will show up and then all pieces will perfectly fall into place. I am not rushed for the change, it will all happen when it will and it will be perfect. I like that feeling of trust and contentment with what is and what is to come. It is a knowing that all is well and that it only will get better.
Mieke
I started working in Wild Oats, the Natural Food store in 2001 when we moved from Hawaii to Bend. I will be working there 7 years this year! Amazing how fast time flies.
Recently Wild Oats has been bought by Whole Foods another Natural Food company.
Whole Foods is a great company with lots of great support. Since the merge, I have been feeling and observing what the new company is about. And I have to say only great things I see happening. I also have been paying very close attention to how I feel and how I can merge inside myself those new ways of approaching a new company. In a way it is strange because they are both Natural Food Companies with lots of the same products and ways of doing things, but actually the more I go with the flow of this merge, the more I see and feel how different they are. Whole Foods is in my experience a much stronger company who is much better managed and has a stronger business drive and focus. They are also supporting their teams better and are providing lots of training.
So where am I in all of this? I have been managing the bakery for more then 6 years and I have to say I did a great job and learned a lot. Moving into Whole Foods I start seeing that managing a department is a total different ball game.
And one day, about 2 weeks ago, I was driving home and I started myself asking some evaluation questions. Where am I in this merge as bakery manager, what are the expectations from the new company with where the bakery is going, what is my truth in all of this, what do I really want, what makes me feel good, what is important to me, how do I feel……
And I came to the realization that I am just new to this company and do not know much about it yet. That as a manager, you have to really go for it with your whole focus and knowledge and make something excited and great from your department. They treat you as you are running your own business and also are supporting you for this in a great way. But you have to do it and go for it 100%. And at this point I feel I do not know enough from the company to really feel good about where I am going and what I am doing and also the financial part and expertise is not where my real passion is.
What I like to do the most is being with the people, supporting others, helping out. Being myself and being at peace and happy. The most important thing is that I feel good and when you feel good and you can do your job with a smile and a great attitude, you can be of great support to the company and to others.
So I realized that I do not want to try to manage a department at this time and feel stressed because I am trying to fulfill expectations I am not clear of at this time. I do want to stay balanced and do the best I can and be of great value to others.
So when I put all those pieces together I decided to make a change and remove myself from the leadership position and let someone else who really want to go for this position step into it. I will be supporting that person more then 100% because I know what needs to be done and I can help where needed.
I will work as a team member and in the meanwhile learn more about the company and the expectations and later on I can again reevaluate myself and do that what feels the best then.
I am really happy with how I feel now after this evaluation and truthfully see for myself what I want and how I can get there.
My position will be posted and open for others to apply. In the meanwhile of course will I be managing the bakery 100% as I have always done. I do not feel that I am running away from this. I know that when the right person is ready they will show up and then all pieces will perfectly fall into place. I am not rushed for the change, it will all happen when it will and it will be perfect. I like that feeling of trust and contentment with what is and what is to come. It is a knowing that all is well and that it only will get better.
Mieke
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
February 20th, 2008
Good evening,
Two very busy days at work with lots of hours and lots of things to do. Paul is in Hood River for a few days to help out his mom. Only the kids and me at home, Paul also took the dog with him. I left work at 7 PM exact moment of the lunar eclips. Wonderful to see. I took a moment outside with a few other people to watch it happen. Also the children called me to tell me about it.
I do have lots to share, but I will do that the next few days in my weekend. I am tiered now and have to get up again at 4:45 to go early to work. I will go to bed now and read my DAG ALLEMAAL. A Belgian magazine that my mom sends me. Always fun to read some Dutch and keep up a little with the Belgian media and gossip.
Good NIght!
Friday, February 15, 2008
February 15th, 2008
Happy Birthday to Gauthier, my sister her 7 year old son!
Here is the latest movie of him made in my parents house in Belgium.
I send out the little movie about the cake and the different colors. A friend of mine responded and share with me another little movie that her daughter made in school. The teacher thought them the process of making an animated movie. Amazing what they did. Here is their movie:
Here is the latest movie of him made in my parents house in Belgium.
I send out the little movie about the cake and the different colors. A friend of mine responded and share with me another little movie that her daughter made in school. The teacher thought them the process of making an animated movie. Amazing what they did. Here is their movie:
Valentines Day.
I had no idea my day would be that busy. I was at work from 5:30 AM and left at 6:30 PM. I did not expect the Bakery to be that busy. I see that more and more people do want to celebrate LOVE in their live and that is wonderful. I had some great connections with customers from all ages. I had a customer today that was probably in his 80's. Looking in the bakery case for something for his wife, he wanted to surprise her and bought a lemon tart, because she was used to make lots and lots of lemon tarts herself. He was talking so lovingly about her and shared his intentions with me, it was so wonderful to be part of that.
I was expecting the long stem strawberries I ordered a few day ago, so I could prepp them in advance and start selling them.
They came the morning of Valentines Day. We dipped them in chocolate, Callebaut, the wonderful Belgian chocolate. And decorated them with little swirls of white chocolate. They were very big and looked delicious.
During the whole day, we dipped them and the customers bought them almost as fast as we could make them. I was a little worried that we would not be able to sell them all because of the short time frame, but they went! A big success. Also all other Valentine Items I ordered went the door out. I could have not ordered better then I did. Incredible!
We are also selling flowers in the store, and I always tell the produce employees that they can sell their flowers in the bakery departement, because I love flowers and they make the bakery look good and it helps them sell the flowers.
I worked, worked worked, together with my amazing bakery employee Nichole. I was normaly scheduled till 1:45 pm and she till 5 pm and we both worked the whole day long as fast as we could till 6:30 pm. I know that was not the plan, but I did not expect the day to be that crazy. I am sure we made a lot of money.
I bought 5 of the dipped strawberries as a Valentines dessert for dinner in our family. They were delicious!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
February 13th, 2008
We are just recovered from the holidays and here we are into the next one.
In our Western societies it feels like holidays are a way to make lots of money and sometimes we get a little overwhelmed by it all.
But I use the holidays as a moment to connect with people. Money can but does not have to be involved. A phone call, an email or letter, a smile. Things we can easily do to connect with others.
Valentines Day,...a day of the heart. A day to remind myself that it is important to love and appreciate myself for who I am, a unique person that deserves to live a life of love. The more I love myself, the more love I feel to give to others.
Sometimes we turn that around and think that we have to love others to be able to be loved back, and if the love does not come back the way we expected it to.........we might not be that happy. I am learning that I first have to love myself, BE that love inside myself, and then just by being myself, that love, I connect in a very loving way with others.
As I learn to love myself and my uniqueness, I learn to respect the uniqueness of others. That means that I learn to let them be who they are in their own way, with their own opinions and ways of being. Even if that means the opposite of what I would do or think. We are all unique and different. If we can let others be different and love them for who they are, we can experience more and more inner peace. And that is what I am going for!
The next step is learning to work together with all our differences and see that if we allow our gifts to connect, we can create even bigger things then we can by ourselves.
This little movie is a demonstration of what I am pointing out here....
I wish you a great Valentines day, where you feel the connection with yourself and others.
Mieke
As I learn to love myself and my uniqueness, I learn to respect the uniqueness of others. That means that I learn to let them be who they are in their own way, with their own opinions and ways of being. Even if that means the opposite of what I would do or think. We are all unique and different. If we can let others be different and love them for who they are, we can experience more and more inner peace. And that is what I am going for!
The next step is learning to work together with all our differences and see that if we allow our gifts to connect, we can create even bigger things then we can by ourselves.
This little movie is a demonstration of what I am pointing out here....
I wish you a great Valentines day, where you feel the connection with yourself and others.
Mieke
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
February 12th 2008
Appreciation and self-love are the most important tools that you could ever nurture. Appreciation of others, and the appreciation of yourself is the closest vibrational match to your Source Energy of anything that we've ever witnessed anywhere in the Universe.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Guidance from Saint Germain
Take time each day, indeed several times if possible to find an opportunity to allow yourselves to slip into the quietness of an untroubled mind. All around you is a cacophony of sound that assaults your senses and you need to withdraw from it. Shut out the outer distractions and noise and connect with your Higher Self. Find that peace and draw the energies to you, and know that you will throw off stress and become calm and rejuvenated. Just for a moment or so, try to experience the peace and calmness of the Higher Realms.
February 10th, 2008
Abraham Quote of the day....
So many people need you to behave in a certain way for them to feel good. They condemn you for your selfishness. "How dare you be so selfish as to follow what makes you feel good? You should follow what makes us feel good." At an early age, you were convinced that you weren't smart enough to know, and that somebody else should make the decisions... You could not live in this culture during the times of your life without getting a huge amount of information relative to that, just in the way people respond to the things you do and say.
Excerpted from a workshop in San Rafael, CA on Saturday, February 21st, 2004
All Is Well
So many people need you to behave in a certain way for them to feel good. They condemn you for your selfishness. "How dare you be so selfish as to follow what makes you feel good? You should follow what makes us feel good." At an early age, you were convinced that you weren't smart enough to know, and that somebody else should make the decisions... You could not live in this culture during the times of your life without getting a huge amount of information relative to that, just in the way people respond to the things you do and say.
Excerpted from a workshop in San Rafael, CA on Saturday, February 21st, 2004
All Is Well
Saturday, February 9, 2008
My brother Jeroen in Belgium responds to my American-Belgium list, read his comments here
Jeroen, my brother who lives in Belgium has spent lost of time with us here in the US. He came to us on Maui when we were living there in 2000 and also came here to Oregon several times.
Belgium
*People are getting together more, sharing time and food with no other agenda then spending quality time together and enjoying each others company and the food.
*Schools have more quality standards and are higher rated but are also more serious and demanding
* Food is more enjoyed and appreciated for it's quality and flavor and the way it is presented. Jeroen: Very much true : Belgium is a small country and food is a big thing in belgium (its the only thing we truly are proud of , so we put a lot of soul, love and effort in it. We still believe in putting personal energy, love and soul into food ( "you are what you eat") . I noticed Costco in the US, and there I truly felt how food is processed in factories, or made by factory production standards. Belgium still believes in small, self employed food makers, like bakeries, butchers, or even small farmers, selling their foods with personal pride.( a personal touch) Bigger companies make big efforts to sell their products with the same energy. In usa you buy a lot more, in so called value packs, in other words you pay a little less, but buy a lot more at once. We buy fresh bread in a real bakery for a days supply. Food is considered here, way more as fresh vegetables are considered, buy em when they are fresh, consume em when they are fresh. for ex. look at the expiration date of Belgian chocolate wrapping, or box.
* Everything is close by and in easy reach, lots of places you can live without a car, you can also easily travel all over the place
Jeroen: True, space is prescious here, so we HAVE to build closer together, true, free, big spaces of wild nature simply doesn't exist here, or you have to drive to the nearby country to get some. That's why environmental or pollution changes, are closely guarded and monitored. It's like one big suburb. B elgium is over 10 million people on the surface of 1/5th of Oregon. ànd a crossroad of highways for 4 european countries...
To cross the border of Holland I drive 40 minutes. To go to France I drive about the same, and to go to Germany I drive 3 hours. To go to England I take a high speed train and arrive in London 3 hrs later. But we are kinda spoiled, because 1 hr drive for us is like a bit of a travel. Imagine a Belgian coming to Oregon/ PLENTY of wild beautiful nature, and to buy food, oh well , its only a half hour. When I need fresh bread, I can go by foot half a mile.( and still take the car)
* Life is more practicle organized
Jeroen: Is it?
* Technological advancement is higher and more used
Jeroen: I heard that, and it's hard to believe. I thought Americans loved gadgets and toys.
I have a cell phone that has a 3Mpeg autofocus camera, makes movies too, gps software in it and etc. VERY handy
* Lots of culture and dept in art and expression
Jeroen: In USA it depends on your educational background, if you are stimulated or not. In Belgium you are growing up in a true 3D realtime decorum , every time you go outside. As a kid it's hard to deny your curiousity and ask questions " dad how old is this church or castle ? - oh , well, about a thousand years " We are just grown up into it, and don't even concider it much anymore. But in a way we still love it.
I really laughed my ass off when I saw an " antiques shop" in downtown Bend: stuff from the 60ties-70 ( which we concider as household junk thrown away or given to the "second hand shop" ) was concidered ànd prized as true and expensive antiques.
* Lots of choices to choose from, lots of variety in things
Jeroen: My sister still thinks a lot in food terms LOL, must be her job.
* Less focus on quantity but more on quality
Jeroen: You see? LOL.
* More eye for detail
Jeroen: Belgium is astrologically Virgo, go figure.
* Different languages are part of the culture, what gives lots of debt and freedom.
Jeroen: Doesn't give more freedom, but we are grown up with at least 3 languages, so we switch over easily. Belgium is created as a doormat, stepping stone for four European countries. So we're kinda used to being runned over( in wars), and have to adept to other cultures and languages. So we adept quickly and that is still in our genes. In a way it's more freedom yes, because you understand, connect and express way more easily than, the humans that only speak, and think in one language, and or culture.
* Because of Wars in the past, the people carry more fear and seriousness in their mentality. We are raised and brought up with the message, be happy with what you have, do not complain or ask for to much good. Children are in general more criticized in their upbringing.
Jeroen: May be true. America might be the best country in the world, if you don't confuse size with quality :D
America
* people are greeting each other more in their daily interactions, even when they do not know each other, an opener mentality and friendlier approach
Jeroen: Yup in Belgium we are living litteraly so much more and closer under each others skin, we get used to it, but close up to eachother more too ( hide in our shells) US people don't have that problem, so they are more open, but only just the surface.
* schools are more social and people are more recognised as persons, less pressure and more personal input, children do not have to go to school at such an early age, they do have to go when they are 6 or 7 (most go earlier to a pre school because they want to and it is fun to play) Also home schooling is happening here very often in an open way.
Jeroen: We don't know: realise your best , true potential. Our motto is: fit in into the system, and don't try to stand out, unless you have to, which is REALLY hard when you are a true dreamer, trust me ...
* Lots of nature and open spaces, breath taking landscapes and mountains, but also long travel distances
Jeroen: YES
* Lots more personal space to live
Jeroen: YESSSSSSSSSSSSS, I really envy this
* Lots of freedom to create something new
Jeroen: Sis, I have more time off than you
* More relaxed driving, the rules in traffic are more social oriented and there is much more space
Jeroen: YES, my brother in law (Paul) doesn't even TRY to drive a car in Europe.
Example: drivers liscence is HARD to get here, and from age 18, drivers insurance below 26y of age is WAY up, and for boys also higher (insurance statistics).
* More focus on service
Jeroen: yes
* Easy to get jobs and move yourself up without any degree, but payed less
Jeroen: Very much true, + employers pay here 150% in social tributes, in usa 25% ?
* People do NOT have that fear ingrained in their belief system and people are more raised with a mentality of "you can do whatever you want to and everything is possible. What gives a more open space for people to reach for what they want.
Jeroen: yup this really amazed me. On the other hand it mostly only applies on the surface and in jobs and money.
* Out of the sentence before People are less critical of themselves and have in general a better self esteem. Children are more praised in there upbringing.
Jeroen: ok, true
* Less pressure in wanting the newest and latest inventions and fashion styles, less important then in Europe
Jeroen: depends where you are living I guess, Americans are more concervative on that matter. I knew a young guy with blue hair in a small town in Oregon, and he was not accepted at all.
He gave his own feedback to the list I made earlier today and this is what he said.....
Belgium
*People are getting together more, sharing time and food with no other agenda then spending quality time together and enjoying each others company and the food.
Jeroen: Depends on the people themselves, mostly true I think , but in USA people have potlucks, in Belgium they don't, so that makes up for it.
*Schools have more quality standards and are higher rated but are also more serious and demanding
Jeroen: USA schools have more practical, " at hand" education. But true , Belgian schools demand more intellecualism, and all education is mostly state funded, and free ( also college).
* Food is more enjoyed and appreciated for it's quality and flavor and the way it is presented. Jeroen: Very much true : Belgium is a small country and food is a big thing in belgium (its the only thing we truly are proud of , so we put a lot of soul, love and effort in it. We still believe in putting personal energy, love and soul into food ( "you are what you eat") . I noticed Costco in the US, and there I truly felt how food is processed in factories, or made by factory production standards. Belgium still believes in small, self employed food makers, like bakeries, butchers, or even small farmers, selling their foods with personal pride.( a personal touch) Bigger companies make big efforts to sell their products with the same energy. In usa you buy a lot more, in so called value packs, in other words you pay a little less, but buy a lot more at once. We buy fresh bread in a real bakery for a days supply. Food is considered here, way more as fresh vegetables are considered, buy em when they are fresh, consume em when they are fresh. for ex. look at the expiration date of Belgian chocolate wrapping, or box.
* Everything is close by and in easy reach, lots of places you can live without a car, you can also easily travel all over the place
Jeroen: True, space is prescious here, so we HAVE to build closer together, true, free, big spaces of wild nature simply doesn't exist here, or you have to drive to the nearby country to get some. That's why environmental or pollution changes, are closely guarded and monitored. It's like one big suburb. B elgium is over 10 million people on the surface of 1/5th of Oregon. ànd a crossroad of highways for 4 european countries...
To cross the border of Holland I drive 40 minutes. To go to France I drive about the same, and to go to Germany I drive 3 hours. To go to England I take a high speed train and arrive in London 3 hrs later. But we are kinda spoiled, because 1 hr drive for us is like a bit of a travel. Imagine a Belgian coming to Oregon/ PLENTY of wild beautiful nature, and to buy food, oh well , its only a half hour. When I need fresh bread, I can go by foot half a mile.( and still take the car)
* Life is more practicle organized
Jeroen: Is it?
* Technological advancement is higher and more used
Jeroen: I heard that, and it's hard to believe. I thought Americans loved gadgets and toys.
I have a cell phone that has a 3Mpeg autofocus camera, makes movies too, gps software in it and etc. VERY handy
* Lots of culture and dept in art and expression
Jeroen: In USA it depends on your educational background, if you are stimulated or not. In Belgium you are growing up in a true 3D realtime decorum , every time you go outside. As a kid it's hard to deny your curiousity and ask questions " dad how old is this church or castle ? - oh , well, about a thousand years " We are just grown up into it, and don't even concider it much anymore. But in a way we still love it.
I really laughed my ass off when I saw an " antiques shop" in downtown Bend: stuff from the 60ties-70 ( which we concider as household junk thrown away or given to the "second hand shop" ) was concidered ànd prized as true and expensive antiques.
* Lots of choices to choose from, lots of variety in things
Jeroen: My sister still thinks a lot in food terms LOL, must be her job.
* Less focus on quantity but more on quality
Jeroen: You see? LOL.
* More eye for detail
Jeroen: Belgium is astrologically Virgo, go figure.
* Different languages are part of the culture, what gives lots of debt and freedom.
Jeroen: Doesn't give more freedom, but we are grown up with at least 3 languages, so we switch over easily. Belgium is created as a doormat, stepping stone for four European countries. So we're kinda used to being runned over( in wars), and have to adept to other cultures and languages. So we adept quickly and that is still in our genes. In a way it's more freedom yes, because you understand, connect and express way more easily than, the humans that only speak, and think in one language, and or culture.
* Because of Wars in the past, the people carry more fear and seriousness in their mentality. We are raised and brought up with the message, be happy with what you have, do not complain or ask for to much good. Children are in general more criticized in their upbringing.
Jeroen: May be true. America might be the best country in the world, if you don't confuse size with quality :D
America
* people are greeting each other more in their daily interactions, even when they do not know each other, an opener mentality and friendlier approach
Jeroen: Yup in Belgium we are living litteraly so much more and closer under each others skin, we get used to it, but close up to eachother more too ( hide in our shells) US people don't have that problem, so they are more open, but only just the surface.
* schools are more social and people are more recognised as persons, less pressure and more personal input, children do not have to go to school at such an early age, they do have to go when they are 6 or 7 (most go earlier to a pre school because they want to and it is fun to play) Also home schooling is happening here very often in an open way.
Jeroen: We don't know: realise your best , true potential. Our motto is: fit in into the system, and don't try to stand out, unless you have to, which is REALLY hard when you are a true dreamer, trust me ...
* The quality of meat feels to me better here.
Jeroen: Human ...?
Jeroen: Human ...?
* Lots of nature and open spaces, breath taking landscapes and mountains, but also long travel distances
Jeroen: YES
* Lots more personal space to live
Jeroen: YESSSSSSSSSSSSS, I really envy this
* Lots of freedom to create something new
Jeroen: Sis, I have more time off than you
* More relaxed driving, the rules in traffic are more social oriented and there is much more space
Jeroen: YES, my brother in law (Paul) doesn't even TRY to drive a car in Europe.
Example: drivers liscence is HARD to get here, and from age 18, drivers insurance below 26y of age is WAY up, and for boys also higher (insurance statistics).
* More focus on service
Jeroen: yes
* Easy to get jobs and move yourself up without any degree, but payed less
Jeroen: Very much true, + employers pay here 150% in social tributes, in usa 25% ?
* People do NOT have that fear ingrained in their belief system and people are more raised with a mentality of "you can do whatever you want to and everything is possible. What gives a more open space for people to reach for what they want.
Jeroen: yup this really amazed me. On the other hand it mostly only applies on the surface and in jobs and money.
* Out of the sentence before People are less critical of themselves and have in general a better self esteem. Children are more praised in there upbringing.
Jeroen: ok, true
* Less pressure in wanting the newest and latest inventions and fashion styles, less important then in Europe
Jeroen: depends where you are living I guess, Americans are more concervative on that matter. I knew a young guy with blue hair in a small town in Oregon, and he was not accepted at all.
February 9th, 2008
Picture take from the top of the Castle
Picture taken at same location but looking down more.
Lots of people where very excited to see Gent on the slide show. Someone else send me a second one from Gent.
Other people where amazed of how clean Gent looks. And I have to say that living here and in Belgium is different. I do find in both cultures lots of wonderful things and I do not believe one is better then the other. Each has their qualities and challenges. They each have their differences. I can share with you some of the things I like about the different cultures.
But first of all I have to mention that when I first moved here, I had lots of habits and beliefs from living in Belgium that were not easy to let go off. Beliefs that certain things are better. I could call it a cultural arrogance we all have in each culture, because we are thought things a certain way, things I was used to do or belief a certain way and that is not always easy to let go off. But when you live in an other culture, how strongly you might hang on to certain habits and beliefs, if no one around you do even know what you are talking about or the habit is not present here, you start to let go of a lot of things you thought were important, but you start to realize they were not really important at all. After living here for more then 8 years I let go of lots of habits and beliefs that I do not need at all. That gives a tremendous inner freedom and you start to see that things you thought were important before, are no limitations anymore.
The next list are just some qualities I appreciate from that culture. I do compare here certain things and it might feel like I am judging one thing is better, but I really want to bring over the things I do appreciate.
Belgium
*People are getting together more, sharing time and food with no other agenda then spending quality time together and enjoying each others company and the food.
*Schools have more quality standards and are higher rated but are also more serious and demanding
* Food is more enjoyed and appreciated for it's quality and flavor and the way it is presented.
* Everything is close by and in easy reach, lots of places you can live without a car, you can also easily travel all over the place
* Life is more practicle organized
* Technological advancement is higher and more used
* Lots of culture and dept in art and expression
* Lots of choices to choose from, lots of variety in things
* Less focus on quantity but more on quality
* More eye for detail
* Different languages are part of the culture, what gives lots of debt and freedom
* Because of Wars in the past, the people carry more fear and seriousness in their mentality. We are raised and brought up with the message, be happy with what you have, do not complain or ask for to much good. Children are in general more criticized in their upbringing.
America
* people are greeting each other more in their daily interactions, even when they do not know each other, an opener mentality and friendlier approach
* schools are more social and people are more recognised as persons, less pressure and more personal input, children do not have to go to school at such an early age, they do have to go when they are 6 or 7 (most go earlier to a pre school because they want to and it is fun to play) Also home schooling is happening here very often in an open way.
* The quality of meat feels to me better here.
* Lots of nature and open spaces, breath taking landscapes and mountains, but also long travel distances
* Lots more personal space to live
* Lots of freedom to create something new
* More relaxed driving, the rules in traffic are more social oriented and there is much more space
* More focus on service
* Easy to get jobs and move yourself up without any degree, but payed less
* People do NOT have that fear ingrained in their belief system and people are more raised with a mentality of "you can do whatever you want to and everything is possible. What gives a more open space for people to reach for what they want.
* Out of the sentence before People are less critical of themselves and have in general a better self esteem. Children are more praised in there upbringing.
* Less pressure in wanting the newest and latest inventions and fashion styles, less important then in Europe
And I can keep going...
These are my personal experiences with the different cultures and others might not see it that way. I also do not want to label the overall culture with this. These are just feelings I have and perceptions from my own experiences by living in these cultures.
For me the richness is the taste of it all. I feel what I like from both of them.
I really want to bring over the message to all of you, Belgians and Americans and others all over the World that learning to appreciate what you have and seeing the uniqueness in your own country, town, family and person is a very big gift to yourself. When you live day in and day out in something, like a Country you are born into, you start seeing everything as normal and usual. And only by being away from it you start to see what value those things have and that they are only available and present in your own unique situation.
I am paying attention to all those small little details of both cultures I live in and I am thankful for having them in my life. It can be a smell from a bakery you walk by daily and never really thought that this smell is part of your daily routine, but only a few in the world are able to experience this.
It could be a unique part of nature you see every day that feels very good to you. I have a special part of the mountains that I always cherish when I drive from Bend to Hood River where Paul his family lives. It is about a 3 hour drive through the mountains and forests. Very pretty drive. At a certain part somewhere at Warm Springs, the Indian reservation, there is a curve on a hill of the mountains that just takes my breath away,every time I drive there. Big piece of stone formation, with the different layers of colors in stone. Big hills, powerful feeling, the river streaming, coyotes or horses running wild. Amazing! I always think about all the people I know in the world and silently talk to all of you and say " Look through my eyes and feel through my feelings, this I would love to share with you in this moment". It always makes me feel so good.
Thank you all for sharing your responses about the slide show of Gent. I have a friend who left Belgium for lots of years to work in other countries. She experienced other countries and really started appreciating other cultures and their habits and unique qualities. Recently she move back to Belgium and thought she would never be able to feel at home in Belgium and at peace after traveling and living in other places. This is the reply she send me about Gent and her own unique recent discovery about herself and my favorite town in the world Gent. I thought I translate this for you because it really fits with all of this I am sharing with you. Here is the part of what she has to say...
Hi Mie! (short for Mieke and pronounced "Me" and that would be confusing used in the English language)
Enjoyed reading about your passion for Gent!!!!
When I made the decision to go back to Belgium for a while, I was doubting the idea to choose AGAIN Gent as the place to live. I was thinking (will it not be to limiting for me after living in all those other different places, repeating the past, etc.) BUT the longer I am back here, the more I am convinced that it is the right decision! Gent really lives, gives a fresh feeling, gives a feeling of rejuvenation, youth and folklore and is very livable..... I go everywhere by bike, tram or bus and feel very at peace and in my element among the students and young people... The city keeps it provincial feeling, but at the same time you can feel the aliveness. Yes, more and more Gent get the reputation of being a hip city and THE place to be....
Wonderful to hear her experience expressed in these words. Would be a great idea to organize a trip for people from here in Oregon to travel with us to Belgium. Maybe that would be something for Paul and I to look into. How to create a unique experience with Belgians and Americans, a little travel, sharing of cultures etc. Maybe we can create a two way experience. Belgians show the Americans their culture and Americans show the Belgians their culture. Something to think about.
My advice would be, enjoy the little things in your daily lives and realize that only you are able to enjoy the debts and uniqueness of these little creations in your own life. By doing this we can feel more and more that "life is good".
Mieke
Friday, February 8, 2008
February 8th, 2009
Inspired Guidance
© Living Light Center (Frank Coppieters)
February 6, 2008
You already are the love
that you want to feel.
Many teachings are available now
that will help you to connect knowing with feeling
or feeling with knowing.
The most direct of teachings invites you
to consider that right now
your real self abides in love,
in truth and in perfection.
Meditating is considering and reconsidering
this proposition of inherent perfection.
The effects on your life are remarkable...
There is an ease of being.
There is an undercurrent of silence
in which you can hear your own heartsong
and also the song of the earth.
Dolphin and whale are always responding
to your heartsong.
They are so happy to play along
and take you to a higher level of consciousness
where it is simply impossible to do something wrong.
-- www.livinglightcenter.com (click on title to go to Frank's Website)
Frank Coppieters is a dear friend of ours. Also a Belgian and lives in Portland, Oregon. In his meditations he receives these Inspired Guidances and sends them then out to those who like to receive them. They are very powerful and very supportive.
If you would like to receive them yourself by email, every time he does these meditations, send him an email and ask him to put you on the list. He also translates them in Dutch for the people in Belgium. Just let them know if you want to be on the Dutch or the English list.
© Living Light Center (Frank Coppieters)
February 6, 2008
You already are the love
that you want to feel.
Many teachings are available now
that will help you to connect knowing with feeling
or feeling with knowing.
The most direct of teachings invites you
to consider that right now
your real self abides in love,
in truth and in perfection.
Meditating is considering and reconsidering
this proposition of inherent perfection.
The effects on your life are remarkable...
There is an ease of being.
There is an undercurrent of silence
in which you can hear your own heartsong
and also the song of the earth.
Dolphin and whale are always responding
to your heartsong.
They are so happy to play along
and take you to a higher level of consciousness
where it is simply impossible to do something wrong.
-- www.livinglightcenter.com (click on title to go to Frank's Website)
Frank Coppieters is a dear friend of ours. Also a Belgian and lives in Portland, Oregon. In his meditations he receives these Inspired Guidances and sends them then out to those who like to receive them. They are very powerful and very supportive.
If you would like to receive them yourself by email, every time he does these meditations, send him an email and ask him to put you on the list. He also translates them in Dutch for the people in Belgium. Just let them know if you want to be on the Dutch or the English list.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
February 6th, 2008
Good evening,
Hope your day was great! I had a great day. It was a little rough in the night. I woke up at 2 am and immediately my mind was thinking about work. I told myself, NO WAY, you are in bed, it is in the middle of the night, bring yourself back in the moment and be present. In no time there I was again, thinking about work. I had to talk to myself as to a 2 year old and brought myself back to the moment over and over again.
Then in the morning, I made breakfast and we had breakfast at the table, enjoying orange juice, toast, an egg, coffee and each others compagny. I wanted to be in the moment and enjoy my morning. Then I called my sister and family while I was driving to work. It was great to hear them! It grounds me back into my Belgian energy when I talk to them and because it is a big piece of who I am it feels good to connect with that part of me.
I practiced today the I am presence by repeating to myself I AM THE PRESENCE OF BALANCE, PEACE, LOVE AND HARMONY IN MY THOUGTHS, FAMILY AND LIFESITUATION. I brought myself back into the present by thinking and feeling those words. By doing that I recognise that I AM the POWER of these qualities in my lifecreations.
Richard Benson came to the store and we decided to have lunch together. It was a fun and powerful lunch connection. We had a great time, exchanged ideas and shared our experiences.
After work Paul, Christopher and I went to school for conferences. We were called by the teachers for a special meeting because Christopher had lots of missing assignements and told us the opposite of what was really going on in school. I really wanted to create an energy field that would support all of us in this situation and where we could come up with a sollution without making anyone wrong. So I decided to focus my thoughts and feelings on the words I have been practicing all day....
"I AM THE PRESENCE OF BALANCE, PEACE, LOVE AND HARMONY IN MY THOUGTHS, FAMILY AND LIFE SITUATION", in stead of thinking on the negativity of the situation. Normaly my ego and personality would JUMP on the situation and judges and then I feel bad and also everyone around me feels bad and no real sollution for the good can come out of that.
I kept feeling the words and was able to keep myself in this powerful state. The conferences were positive, supportive for all and Christopher lined up with the idea of getting all missing assignments to the teachers. No drama was created but we all saw the possibility in this situation. We will support Christopher in this and the communication is open wit all people involved.
Then in the morning, I made breakfast and we had breakfast at the table, enjoying orange juice, toast, an egg, coffee and each others compagny. I wanted to be in the moment and enjoy my morning. Then I called my sister and family while I was driving to work. It was great to hear them! It grounds me back into my Belgian energy when I talk to them and because it is a big piece of who I am it feels good to connect with that part of me.
I practiced today the I am presence by repeating to myself I AM THE PRESENCE OF BALANCE, PEACE, LOVE AND HARMONY IN MY THOUGTHS, FAMILY AND LIFESITUATION. I brought myself back into the present by thinking and feeling those words. By doing that I recognise that I AM the POWER of these qualities in my lifecreations.
Richard Benson came to the store and we decided to have lunch together. It was a fun and powerful lunch connection. We had a great time, exchanged ideas and shared our experiences.
After work Paul, Christopher and I went to school for conferences. We were called by the teachers for a special meeting because Christopher had lots of missing assignements and told us the opposite of what was really going on in school. I really wanted to create an energy field that would support all of us in this situation and where we could come up with a sollution without making anyone wrong. So I decided to focus my thoughts and feelings on the words I have been practicing all day....
"I AM THE PRESENCE OF BALANCE, PEACE, LOVE AND HARMONY IN MY THOUGTHS, FAMILY AND LIFE SITUATION", in stead of thinking on the negativity of the situation. Normaly my ego and personality would JUMP on the situation and judges and then I feel bad and also everyone around me feels bad and no real sollution for the good can come out of that.
I kept feeling the words and was able to keep myself in this powerful state. The conferences were positive, supportive for all and Christopher lined up with the idea of getting all missing assignments to the teachers. No drama was created but we all saw the possibility in this situation. We will support Christopher in this and the communication is open wit all people involved.
I thank myself for using these powerful tools in a challenging situation like this and being able to apply them successfully.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
February 3th, 2008
I have been working with the I AM presence. It is a way to connect with your core and it works very powerfully to stenghten your energy field and your life. A way to get into your power and use your power.
I am saying I AM.... and then fill in what it is that I want to be, do or have.
This is the book I am working with. (Click on the title "February 3th, 2008) to go to the link on Amazon)
I am reading it in Dutch and the title is Redevoeringen over de "IK BEN TEGENWOORDIGHEID". It is in the first place a book to use as a practice. Very powerful.
I am suggesting it to all !
The picture is a painting that my brother Jeroen has made for me in 1999.
Friday, February 1, 2008
February 1st, 2008
Do you feel the energies all over the place? Do you notice that lots is going on inside yourself but also around you in the world and people around you? Do you feel like you do not know why everything seems so unusual, unpredictable and unexpected things are happening? I think that we all feel something is going on, at least those people who do pay attention to their feelings notice that somethings feels different and strange.
Anyway, I can only speak for myself, but I have a sense that this is going on for all of us. Things are happening in the world, and it gets more and more strange.
The question is What do we do? How do we live our life with these things happening all over the place.
The answer is simple, but not that easy to do sometimes. The answer is "Stay out of fearful thinking and be in the moment. Pay attention over and over again what are you thinking and how does it make you feel?!. Just notice, and bring yourself back into where you are, feel your body and breath. Do that as many times as you can in a day. Soon it will become easy and simple to do.
If the world and people around you go through their challenges, do your practice as mentioned above and bring yourself back into balance. Then you will be able to bring yourself back into balance anytime you feel you stepped back out of it.
Thanks Lindy for mentioning this movie. Great message!
Anyway, I can only speak for myself, but I have a sense that this is going on for all of us. Things are happening in the world, and it gets more and more strange.
The question is What do we do? How do we live our life with these things happening all over the place.
The answer is simple, but not that easy to do sometimes. The answer is "Stay out of fearful thinking and be in the moment. Pay attention over and over again what are you thinking and how does it make you feel?!. Just notice, and bring yourself back into where you are, feel your body and breath. Do that as many times as you can in a day. Soon it will become easy and simple to do.
If the world and people around you go through their challenges, do your practice as mentioned above and bring yourself back into balance. Then you will be able to bring yourself back into balance anytime you feel you stepped back out of it.
Thanks Lindy for mentioning this movie. Great message!
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