A little something about happiness...

After I published the post H.A.P.P.Y the other day, someone asked me "What's the secret?". This got me thinking......and well, here's the thing, I don't believe there are any secrets on how to be happy! No magic revelations or rocket science will come out of this post nor will my way of thinking make everyone else happy..... Am I always feeling happy? Noooooo! Am I always in a sunshiny-mood? For sure not!! Happy is hard work and the common misconception is that people seem to believe that being happy, means that everything is perfect.....well it's not, it just means that you have chosen to simply accept the flaws in yourself as well as the flaws in what and who surrounds you. This is not so easy, which is why I am saying, for me, being happy is not just me being lucky or living the perfect life....being happy is hard work and nobody else can do the work for you.

If you are not already happy, here are some things that might help:

• Focus your energy on what you have, not what you don't have!
• Look around you! There is beauty everywhere!!! ...if you are open to it....
• Forget the past rejections or failures! Look forward.....where you still can make a difference!
• Accept yourself and for G's sake, stop comparing yourself to others!!
• Realize that no one else but YOU can make YOU happy!
• Realize that the important and the longest lasting beauty is the one you have within and spend most of your time, energy and money on this instead of spending it all on what is purely superficial.
• Try new things, foods, hobbies, people!
• Be indifferent to other peoples negative opinions and stand up for what you believe is right.
• Stop obsessing over things/people/situations that are not as you wish....if you tried and it didn't work, move on!
• Know that you don't have to prove yourself to anyone but yourself. If you feel good about what you do, it shouldn't matter so much what other people think. If you don't feel good about what you do, change.
• Get yourself out of situations or away from people that weigh you down....
• Keep in mind that doing what you've always done, will give you what you always got....
• Think POSITIVELY and OPTIMISTCALLY about the future! I really believe it does help....
• Smile a lot!
• The rain will come, but it's your choice to see the rain as wet and cold or as refreshing!

Last but not least, make no mistake: Happiness is a mindset.

Everybody measures success, perfection and happiness differently.......the trick is to turn the prisma to put yourself and your life in a better light. Try a different lens....

xox

My awesome brother

Just dropping by to share a clip of my VERY talented brother, Tony!! He writes the music on his own, plays all the instruments himself (well I think the drums are computerized....but for sure, I could never do that!!) and records it in his home-built studio!! I love this music and can't wait to once hear it with some singing to it!! My favorite part comes around 2 min's..... Enjoy =))

xox

1st of Advent

It's amazing how fast time flies.... I really have the feeling it was only a few weeks ago when we were still able to swim in the lake and now it's the first of Advent. I do not have any Christmas feelings yet.... Probably because there is no snow and I haven't spent any time at home this weekend, like I normally would, trying to "Christmasify" our home while listening to Christmas songs. Well....having a slight hang-over today isn't exactly helping either.....for sure this has removed all my usual first of advent cravings for mulled wine ;))


Now we are on the train back to Lausanne after having spent a great weekend in Schaffhausen and Zurich, meeting family and friends! We are tired, but hopefully I can find the energy to at least locate the box with Christmas stuff when we come home.


Today was the first time I at least had a realization of the fact that Christmas is just around the corner. It came from passing by the Swarowski tree at Zurich train station! Quite a nice one I must say!


I hope you are all managing better than me with getting into the Christmas mood! At least it sounds like, reading all the Tweets and Facebook updates of today. Anyway, I'm not really worried....I'm a born Christmas junkie so I know it's just a matter of time before I get all excited about it ;)
Happy first of Advent everyone!


xox

H.A.P.P.Y

If I were to label my life right now, I'd label it "HAPPY". Not just feeling good or being relaxed....but really really happy, in that sparkling-can-not-stop-smiling-kind-of-way. I can not remember the last time I felt so at peace. Probably before my teenage years.....before hormones invaded my body I guess ;)) 


It's been a while since my last "update", so here goes.....

Currently, I'm:

Happy about: Oh wow.....this will be a list in itself ;))

- that Chris has finally moved in!!!!!!

- that everyone in my family now has Skype so we can actually see each other when talking! Today I saw my niece "live" for the first time in ages and it was amazing! She even blew me a kiss =)))

- my new running shoes that I bought yesterday! I tried them today and they are great!

- the apartment!! My gosh.... We LOVE it here!!! ...and the neighbors are fantastic!

- the fact that it is FONDUE season!!! We had an amazing, locally made, cheese fondue last eve
- a phone conversation yesterday with a former colleague who told me such amazing news!!! ...that I unfortunately can not share yet ;)
- having time to do a home facial after the run this afternoon! Had a nice bath with one of my favorite bath salts and then an acid peel followed by a multi vitamin mask, both from the amazing Dermalogica....fabulous and soooooo relaxing.

Marshmallow topped hot chocolate....yummy!!!

Enjoying: A cup of hot chocolate with Marshmallows! Love this time of year!!

Disappointed about: I have been running 5k, two days in a row and both times, I felt horribly out of shape. Almost every step was hard. I'm disappointed how quickly you can turn from feeling in great shape into THAT....sigh! It's only for the past three weeks that I haven't been able to do sports more than maybe 2 times per week...which still isn't bad, right? Normally, I do sports maybe 3-4 times per week....anyway, I'm sure it will come back soon ;) 

Looking forward to: Christmas in our new home=p I am such a christmas junkie, so naturally, having a new place to decorate for Christmas is GREAT!! Am also starting to ponder upon what Christmas gifts to buy..... 

A little snapshot from our fondue yesterday =)

Listening to: Many great songs in the background on one of our Spotify playlists. Current favorites are: Crash by the Primitives (an oldie, but a goldie ;)), Desolate by Full of Keys, Paperdoll by Rosie Thomas and I also can't stop listening to the Weepies...in general....but if I were to choose a song right now, it's be "Be my thrill"!
Thinking about: The amazingly yummy cheese fondue we had yesterday eve! OMG. Divine..... We had cheese for 3 ppl and we ate it all....without any issues ;) 

Hoping: I'm traveling to Italy tomorrow and I'm hoping that the meeting we have planned this week goes well and that I will also find time in the evenings to go to the gym as I'm staying there until Wednesday.

Wondering: What I should get for my niece for Christmas.....she is 1.5 yrs old and has almost everything. Suggestions? Anyone? 

Planning: The details of next weekend as we will be going back to Schaffhausen.

Smiling about: The amazing Miyazaki movie I saw this morning! If you have a chance, watch "Arrietty the borrower" AKA "The secret world of Arrietty"!! I loved every second....

Sad about:  Some of my friends who are really suffering from a situation at work that is so unfair that I can not even mention it without becoming ragingly angry =(((

Wanting: Desperately wanting a pair of True religion Tara's in black.... Santa Clause, if you're listening, a soft package of this kind would make me a very happy camper this year =))

Feeling: That life is amazing.....


Wishing you all an amazing finish of the weekend and a great start of the new week!!
xox

Things I love right now.....

Right now.... by anderssonlinda

xox

By request - Photos of the new coat

 

What you see in the photos:
Black duffel coat from Burberry Brit (bought at Boutique Annabelle on Rue de Bourg in Lausanne.... I don't think it's available online.)
"Original tall Navy" Wellingtons from Hunter
"Stella" Jeans from True Religion


Oh and if anyone else has any requests related to blog topics, general feedbacks or questions - send them to me here: http://www.formspring.me/anderssonlinda
I"m normally quite fast in replying ;))


xox

Welcome to Essertines....

xox

Hush!!

Nothing frustrates me more than when someone says things like "You shouldn't say that!". Who says?! 


I understand that it's not appropriate to say absolutely everything that crosses your mind in every situation....or to everyone...of course....but what really makes me angry is more when people say "That's not politically correct"! Now, hang on.....if everyone always says what others like to hear, how will things ever change? No, you know what? That's called inefficiency! Freedom of speech and opinion is everyones birth right. The one who sits quietly, will have a hard time actively contributing to changing the world (or smaller places) into a better place nor will he or she ever experience the immense pleasure and joy of having changed something....for the better....because they dared to speak up. Not taking a stand or always saying "the appropriate thing" is also a right, but if that's your choice then at least, don't "Hush!" others who can not stand seeing wrong being called right.


xox

Lovely, soft, fall evening sounds.....

Lucy Rose - First

"You've got that way of making me feel, Oh so scared and safe at once, I didn't know that this was real..."

Quicksand - Sleeping at last

"In between every promise and lie there is a kiss..."

Lisa Miskovsky - Still alive

"No shadows, just red lights.....now I'm here to rescue you..."

Rosie Thomas - October

"Make her a flower in late December, When the sun is not shining on her, Write her a love song and play it all day long, To remind her of all that she is worth...."

xox

.....there are moments

....when we are reminded of how truly precious life is
....when we wish our best friend was as close to us physically as she/he is to our hearts
....when we wish we could share our happiness with the whole world that surrounds us
....when we are so filled with sadness that the saltwater in our eyes can no longer fit in its hollow
....when our hearts feel as light as an animal shaped helium ballon at a birthday party
....when we feel so inspired that we simply can not stop creating
....when our hearts ache so much it is as if they were set on fire
....when the voice of our loved ones sound as sweet as the frosting on our favorite cupcakes
....when our heart almost stops while we are waiting to hear the outcome of potentially life-changing news
....when we know we are doing something we probably shouldn't be doing
....when we can barely breathe from the suspense
....when it feels as if caterpillars turn to butterflies in the cocoons that are our bellies
....when we have the feeling that the sun is shining just for us
....when we feel that we are small, insignificant and replaceable
....when we realize that the one we love, sincerely loves us back
....when we feel like we could conquer the world
....when we are so afraid
....when we just can't stop laughing


Savor these moments......they are what makes us human. They are what we call life.
xox

The run and the power of music

Last Sunday, we took a"break" from all of the moving and went running during the Lausanne Marathon. Well, we didn't run the marathon, but I did the 10km race and Chris and his sister did the 21km race. A couple of months ago, I would have never even imagined running 10km's. I know for some of you, 10km's is a piece of cake, but I was never ever a long distance runner.......I prefer instant results or team sports. Anyway, last Sunday was the first time that I have ever been running longer than 7km's.....and those 7km's, btw, only happened once ;)) I was soooooooo nervous!! In the end, I managed and it was such an amazing feeling crossing that finishing line, knowing I had reached my goal and on top of that, I managed in 58 min's and 33 seconds vs my target to finish under 1 hour and 15 min's. 
Here's the video of me crossing the finishing line.....can you spot me? I'm a few seconds into the clip on the right side of the screen, in a ponytail, wearing a red running shirt: http://www.migros-finisherclip.ch/de/previews/index/1010/13081

So how did I manage to run 10km's without being trained for it? Well......I'm pretty stubborn, that's for sure, so that was surely helping me to finish, but it was also all the people around, cheering and applauding, contributing to a fantastic atmosphere and the amazing power music in my ears. Really good music gives me the feeling that I can move mountains!! Do you get the same energy from music?  Here some examples of my favorite power songs....songs that could make me run for hours =)))

Which are your power songs??
xox