Walk Your Way

Even an Adventurer Needs Some Stability

2011-01-14T05:55:00.003+08:00

Stability. I've had 1000 reasons to avoid this for years and there clearly hasn't been much in my life. My word is and has been "adventure" -- and I've had no interest, no time, not even a slightest intention in something as boring, fixed and solid as "stability". It's the first time in my life when I actually welcome stability and have 1000 reasons to think it's a great idea to do that -

My Unusual Request + Help with Writing a Book

2010-08-05T18:46:00.005+08:00

I have a lil weird request for you all my funky blog readers. Feel free to take an approach that feels most comfortable for you:) I’m not a religious person, but I’m pretty spiritual and I believe that positive thoughts work as blessings – they can actually influence people no matter where they are physically and the positive energy boost can be felt even though you don’t know what’s the source

Top 7 unique gifts for your modern friends

2010-06-13T03:43:00.005+08:00

I was recently invited to a wedding. And though the couple said they only want us, guests as presents, it still raised a question - what could be a unique present for someone who has it all already? I know that when I was growing up a good present was wrapped into a nice box and contained SOME STUFF. And usually everyone was happy, because STUFF used to be The Thing that made people happy. Not

6 Reasons To Love A Little More Each Day

2010-05-26T22:39:00.015+08:00

This posting is for all the dedicated lovers of life and for all the enjoyers of everyday casual happiness (and for everyone who lose track every now and then, as the majority of us, the life-lovers-clan:). I'm writing in hope that this tribe keeps growing, especially here, in the dark North, where we desperately need more inner light to compensate the discrimination from the Sun. Here's some

How to overcome low self esteem?

2010-04-19T04:12:00.007+08:00

I know a girl. She's one of these stunners that make the other girls jealous - glowing white skin, sparks in her eyes and dimples in both corners of her beautiful smile. In addition of being blessed with great looks she's also extraordinary smart, an A-student, holding gold awards from several national science competitions. She has all to be successful - have an outstanding career, great

Reviewing Your Values: Have You Unknowingly Destroyed Your Family?

2010-02-19T20:41:00.015+08:00

In the world of opportunities, careers, friends, celebrities, parties, money, sex, internet, traveling and personal growth -- where does the family fit in? Well, the truth is that in most of the Western countries, including my own -- it really doesn't. For many people and even for most of my friends -- family comes as one of the last. OK, a girlfriend or a boyfriend might take the first

How Are You Feeling Today? No, I Mean -- HOW Are You Feeling Today? Seriously...

2010-02-09T06:26:00.011+08:00

"How do you feel?" "I don't know. I feel good." Ah, I hear it much too often. Till recently I was saying this much too often. When it comes to feelings most of us Northern people use a rather simplistic approach. We tend to have two categories: GOOD and BAD. The more advanced ones of us add perhaps ANGER, FRUSTRATION and BOREDOM, the ones in love add LOVE, which becomes GOOD a few years down

Getting Naked: Would You Become Less to Become More?

2010-01-10T01:03:00.010+08:00

You know the saying "Being a big fish in a small pond"? I do hope you are feeling like a big fish in your life, because we all are meant to be big fishes. I'm a HUGE WHALE for my son and hopefully a big fish for my family. I do enjoy a big fish syndrome in some other areas of my life as well. But here's the thing -- you shouldn't feel like a big fish in all the areas of your life. That just

Happiness Guide for 2010

2010-01-06T07:20:00.036+08:00

I want to start by thanking everyone I have connected through this blog! Thanks for showing up in my life and adding your unique part in the story, your positive energy and feedback have been a blessing. A famous psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, the author of the bestseller "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience" (a great book, definitely recommend to read) says that the quality of your

What's Your Most Burning Question as a Leader?

2009-12-30T22:27:00.014+08:00

Hi guys, I'm designing a leadership conference for Estonian leaders and surprise -- I want to experiment with some innovative learning techniques and create a one-of-a-kind-experience for everyone. I also want to learn further about learning design and invite you to join me. I already have insights from some of the innovative minds that I will share with you later, but for now I'd invite you to

I have too much stuff -- want some?

2009-12-29T23:31:00.006+08:00

Christmas is great, I just spent one of the most wonderful week of the year with my family. Conversations, table games, great food and...stuff. I mean, literally -- stuff. New things, gifts, presents, too much food. I think we have too much already. I used to live in a very minimalist apartment in Kuala Lumpur - a coach and a table in the living room, a bed, a cupboard and a chest of drawers in

Does This Path Have A Heart

2009-11-09T01:35:00.004+08:00

"Anything is one of a million paths. Therefore you must always keep in mind that a path is only a path; if you fell you should not follow it, you must not stay with it under any conditions. To have such clarity you must lead a disciplined life. Only then will you know that any path is only a path, and there is no affront, to oneself or to others, in dropping it if that is what your heart tells

Ode to the Independent, Gorgeous, Amazing, Beautiful SINGLE People

2009-10-30T16:53:00.008+08:00

Young, successful, single people, constantly searching for love. From one short or long term relationship to the other, nightclubs, casual flirting in the office, late-night Skype calls and poking, tagging and scrapping in Facebook. Maybe this game is all they want and there's no search behind it. Only the acceptance that love is spread in the crowd and you need to go from one person to the

So this is how we make ourselves miserable...

2009-10-22T09:52:00.002+08:00

I really love listening to Toni Robbins in the mornings. It's like spending your time with people who inspire you and raise your standards by their example -- while doing your make up in your pajamas in the early morning in your bedroom. Pretty cool:)This morning "we were talking" about emotions (I have to admit -- it was actually more him, I was just exclaiming "YEAH!" every now and then) -- why

I Always Pay Myself First

2009-09-14T15:33:00.007+08:00

There's nothing beyond loving yourself. I mean -- raving about yourself, feeling that your body, mind and spirit is the greatest gift you could ever have. Nobody can give you anything better than you already have, everything else -- no matter how amazing -- is just an additional value. No critics can ever make you doubt about your own value. No feedback can ever make you feel bad, because it

Guide for Change-the-World-People: Beware, Your Help Might Hurt

2009-08-03T01:26:00.020+08:00

I love helping people. It's great -- especially if your help is needed. But more importantly -- especially if the end result was sincerely helpful for someone else. Because there's also a widespread and dangerously popular way of helping other people and the "world" (whatever that means then), which I call helping-myself-to-feel-a-good-person type of help. Let me explain (and if that offends

My Most Important Lesson So Far

2009-08-01T01:33:00.007+08:00

I used to think that filling our purpose in life is about pursuing a certain purpose -- going after something, finding out something, moving towards something. Now -- perhaps being under the spell of Tolle -- I realize more and more that all I need is already here. All I have is this moment. No past, no future. There's nothing outside of this moment. Nothing to pursue. Nothing to be afraid of

I Love Women

2009-07-25T01:50:00.012+08:00

There's something magical about strong women that makes me deeply admire them. I feel inspired every time I come across of a story of a woman who has lived a remarkable life, made career, raised children and most importantly -- speaks words of wisdom. While I was making research about the best education innovators in the world I came across a lady named Nel Noddings. Chances are you've never

Hey, Superhero, Do Your Magic! (Yes, YOU!)

2009-07-15T14:31:00.010+08:00

My self worth is directly connected with my contribution. The less I contribute the less worthy I feel -- and the opposite: the more I'm doing what I can and should do, the more confident and fulfilled I feel. You're born with a unique set of natural talents -- and you just gotta use it. If at certain point of your life you started to believe that you're actually not good enough to do this or

I'm Here and I'm Becoming

2009-07-14T19:11:00.007+08:00

Me and Maru have been living in Malaysia for 7 months now. I've never been that far away from my home and I've never been that long time away from home.Yet, in many ways, the longer I stay away the closer I get -- to myself, my freedom, my dreams and strength, my fears and weaknesses. Also my country.I'm more independent than ever, I have more clarity and inner strength than ever -- and I'm

R.I.P MJ

2009-07-07T23:40:00.006+08:00

I'm watching Michael Jackson funeral right now over the CNN live.What's amazing about this event is the interactivity with the audience. Everyone who's watching it over the internet can see the stream of Facebook status updates of other viewers. The result is a live conversation between the readers.Instead of listening to the journalists giving their non-stop perspective of what's going on you

What were the 5 successes of your day?

2009-06-29T20:51:00.005+08:00

Celebrating...What the heck is it with people that they can't properly celebrate? Don't find enough reason to. Well, ok -- I'm not really talking about people in general, I'm talking about a recent version of myself.And I wouldn't be surprised if you as well. Or at least many, many people who are not really finding enough reasons to celebrate every day.I used to be one -- hard work, high goals,

How to become financially free

2009-06-13T01:59:00.001+08:00

I made a special video for my videoblog from T Harv Eker Millionaire Mind seminar. If you're interested in building a lifestyle of your dreams you might want to check it out.

How about living your dream life?

2009-06-11T23:52:00.007+08:00

Some articles get me so excited. They just HIT ME -- BOOM! Right between the eyes.Because when I go out in the net with a clear question in my mind -- and I find an exactly right article with the right answer in it -- then I don't just feel interested. No, I feel absolutely thrilled and so excited that I'm jumping on my chair (boy, I should show more of my excitement in the office -- gotta look

What to do with your Sundays

2009-06-07T16:19:00.001+08:00

One thing that's crystal clear for me is this -- in order to stay competitive you have to learn new stuff all the time. Though I'm still far from perfect in using my time, I have some nerdish habits that help me to move ahead.Here's an honest pick of them:reading a book when I go to the toiletcarrying a pocket-format book with me in my bag -- you never know when you have 5 spare minuteslistening

Make up your mind, baby!

2009-06-07T03:39:00.015+08:00

It's always good to get clear on things -- any decision is better than no decision at all. Indecisiveness is like an ultimate pain formula -- it freezes you in a state where you don't really want to be until you start believing there's no other way.That's one of the biggest b....t-stories people tell themselves, the story of having only one option. There are always more, reality is just our

I Want to Read a Book About You

2009-06-01T23:46:00.006+08:00

Your life is an amazing story. If you would write a book about your TODAY it would be an amazing reading. It would take my breath away, guaranteed. Yes, I mean your real day -- so real that at first you don't even notice it happened. Your true desires, the very real questions, the simple human expressions -- everything visible, hidden and buried that makes you the miraculous being that you

Why it's so important to choose the right crowd

2009-05-06T18:12:00.007+08:00

Have you been in a situation where you feel you just don't fit in the group? The jokes they make, stories they tell -- you just don't "click", have nothing to add?Sucks, right?Unless it was that you were sick or tired, you probably experienced some kind of a conflict between your values and the values of the group. The thing is that every group is sharing certain values, this is what keeps it

Another wonderful social experiment

2009-05-06T15:19:00.002+08:00

Internet is amazing. I found this video where musicians from all around the world are playing the same song that comes together as one music video.It's great, I love the idea. It's simple, innovative, meaningful and fun -- that's how executing powerful ideas should be. Not hard work, but a fun journey.This video is actually part of an award-winning documentary "Playing For Change: Peace Through

What I dislike about church

2009-05-04T23:13:00.011+08:00

Christian girl is back in church.On our trip to Penang island I visited Malaysian biggest temple. Beautiful place, I love the atmosphere in churches and other religious places. They've gathered lot of good energy and hope, you can just feel it.Though enjoying the vibe and the special connection with myself I did realize that institutionalized religion has left some unwanted influences in my brain

This posting is not about longing, but about appreciating

2009-04-20T18:09:00.005+08:00

This is a random thought, but I really want to share this.I think you are so lucky that you can be with the people who are around you today.You are.So whoever is around you give appreciation to them they truly deserve, just because they are there right now.I do the same here, so that I don't have second thoughts once I change the space.

First find your question

2009-04-20T17:31:00.007+08:00

Maru asked me in the morning if BWM-Ferrari is the fastest car in the world. Well, when it comes to cars I hold the record in knowing the least, but I do know that BMW and Ferrari are not the same brand. This said I didn't have much more to add -- except that it's certainly a GREAT QUESTION.I'm honest with my kid -- if I don't know the answer, I tell him: "Google knows." And I save the day -

If You Don't Know What You Want, You're Doing Something Wrong

2009-04-15T01:55:00.004+08:00

"I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. The problem is that I can't find anybody who can tell me what they want."Mark Twain Do you remember the ease of dreaming?Have you ever felt it's hard to tell what you really want? You've ever wondered why is that?Time to stop finding excuses for not knowing what you want and find it out. And a good place to start is to unlearn some crap

Why I Can Never Have a 9-to-5 Job

2009-04-13T17:35:00.009+08:00

PS: Yes, awesome is a clearly underused word -- that's the ONLY REASON why I'm overusing it in this video...

How To Accept Yourself and Find Opportunities Everywhere

2009-04-01T00:51:00.013+08:00

There's no such thing as a normal world, normal family, normal career, normal relationship. Whatever your friends, parents, role models taught or showed you is most probably going to be different for you. So you might as well let go of all the definitions you have in your head and let your own reality open up in full beauty.Yeah, seems that too many people are resisting their reality that wants

Beware: This Music Makes You High

2009-03-30T13:49:00.012+08:00

Can you get high on music and avoid all the bad side effects from coffee? Can music alert your brain waves so that you literally can focus better and get things done in half of the time? I took a journey down the rabbit hole just a few days ago and the results have been so stunning that I decided to write a blog post about it. It all started with a lunch with my colleague Hani who said she has

Being lazy is not a bad thing. NO, not at all

2009-03-20T23:57:00.005+08:00

It's freaking hot in my room. There seem to be something wrong with my air conditioner, just turned it to 14 degrees -- but nothing, I'm melting together with the mint chocolate I'm eating.It's Friday evening and I'm at home with not a slightest desire to go out. I'm sorry for this random intro, btw, what do you expect -- I'm hot, sleepy and inspired at the same time.Anyway I'm inspired by the

How to lose your personal power

2009-03-18T02:59:00.002+08:00

Yeah, chose this time a negative headline - and for purpose. I really think it's so common to ignore and so easy to overlook that easy truth what I want to share, though it's making so many of us less as individuals -- and could be turned into a benefit so easily.So here it is, one of the most powerful ideas I've recently picked up, this time from one of the great trainings from Mike, one of the

It' really not an accident that Maru saw a sting ray....

2009-03-09T22:23:00.004+08:00

After a small break I'm full of irresistible need to express myself (is it the coffee or the great Skype conversation I just had with Siim? Probably both...)It's a quick story I want to share about creating your reality. Well - I'm a believer. I think we get everything we want. So there's nothing else more powerful than a thought -- it creates your moment.And how often do we really recognise -

Why walking the extra mile makes extra much sense

2009-02-12T19:15:00.005+08:00

There’s no better inspiration for me than getting things done. And I mean - things done. Getting things done is not being busy, no, no. It means that you have a result in the end.Result for me is an additional value to the world. In order to get something done you need to create something.Some days are just busy. There’s a lot what needs to be done and so you do it. In my specific case - costumer

Live In the Now

2009-02-06T00:35:00.004+08:00

This is such a beautiful thought that I have to share it with you. Found it from my late time favorite daily inspirations in my mailbox - http://www.tut.com/notes/ - they have a pretty alternative approach on personal development, but the messages really work for me.So here's the thought:Worry and time have an inverse relationship. The more you have of one, the less you have of the other. Yet

Wanna know why I'm shooting one video every day?

2009-02-02T01:37:00.011+08:00

Yes, I've been recently making one video every day, from local gyms sauna, standing in the heavy rainfall to eating with my fingers. Why? Well, it all comes down to a 30-day challenge I gave myself (you can skip the rest and just check out the projects web page here my30daytrial.blogspot.com).My quest this year is to increase my Productivity. Many times I'm not happy with how much time I'm

We need more action!

2009-01-30T01:10:00.006+08:00

If there's one thing I really dislike then it's not walking your talk. I feel down when I'm not meeting my own words and I lose interest when other people don't reflect their words with their actions.How often have you had a conversation where all sides know exactly what's the RIGHT way to do things, so the whole onversation becomes quickly just repeating: "Yeah, I know that." "Yes, exactly."

I Want You To Want Me

2009-01-29T00:10:00.002+08:00

I want you to want me -- is an absolutely beautiful video about what people are looking for in online dating databases, presented in a most fascinating way.What are the most important things that people want to say about them in their dating profiles? What do they want? Who they are?This art project presents some of the common traits of all humans in an almost touching way -- while also

Everyone is creating their own reality

2009-01-20T19:48:00.004+08:00

I don't like wasting time. In fact -- most of the meetings make me impatient. Most of the small talk makes me bored. I love working and getting things done. I feel I'm failing when I don't know how to do something and it slows me down -- so I get even more determined to get it done. I don't like tasks that don't have a point -- or at least I don't know what it is. And to be successful I need to

Why you are the best coach for yourself

2009-01-20T00:24:00.009+08:00

Why is it so freaking important to know who you are?Well, quite simply put -- because others know even less about you. So there's no way they are going to be better than YOU in guiding you in your way.You can learn tons from other people, you can be mentored, coached, consulted and educated, but nobody knows better what you really need and want.So don't rely on other people, take full

Life takes you to places you want to go

2009-01-15T18:46:00.009+08:00

It's 5 PM in Malaysia today, I'm walking down the street to pick up my kid from the kindergarten. Normal day - passing the shops, ignoring the whistling of local workers, enjoy the sunshine and feel with every cell: "Today is my lucky day (if I was a horse even my hooves would be smiling - W-I-D-E)!"Life is such an adventure that you don't even need Malaysia to make your head spin (though I admit

Why It Was a Lucky Day Today for My Future Boyfriend

2009-01-15T01:15:00.011+08:00

I got tricked today into giving out 400 ringgit (around 85 EURO) from my pocket -- which was terribly empty already before this act beyond all explanations.Before you pity me or lose your faith in my ability to manage my finances take a few minutes to read what happened -- and you'll most probably learn a good deal about closing your sales on a rather marketing-resistant well-educated crowd like

My kid beats me in learning -- big time

2009-01-10T01:11:00.005+08:00

I think that most people how no clue how to learn. Honestly - when it comes to mastering new techniques and adapting changes, they -- well, suck. So they come up with lot of nice excuses to make their incompetence socially acceptable."I know that already." (in many cases - yeah, right...)"I don't know how to do that." (and so...?)"I've never been good at this." (time for a change, maybe?)"I don't

I'm Reading Your Mind

2009-01-09T13:22:00.006+08:00

You know when you sometimes say something else what you really meant to say? Example call your friend with someone else name or just drop a out-of-the-context word in the middle of the sentence.Then of course you quickly correct yourself and seemingly it was just a slip of your tongue, a stupid mistake, nothing more.Well, a friend of mine introduced me to an interesting concept of a Freudian slip

Tons of Things to Be Grateful For

2008-12-29T14:27:00.006+08:00

I'm working from Starbucks today, internet here is far faster than at home. Today it's a national holiday here in Malaysia and nobody is in the office. I had my holidays during Christmas when large part of malais was working - 60% of the population is Muslim and only 10% Christian, so Christmas here is visible mainly in shopping malls.Starbucks has somehow a special atmosphere which makes it

Several Good Reasons to Be Grateful for Being Attacked on the Street

2008-12-22T00:38:00.011+08:00

Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness.-- James ThurberMy life in slow motion, let's wind it back.It's 1 AM in the night of Kuala Lumpur. A girl and a guy are walking on the street, absorbed in a conversation to catch a taxi to a birthday party. Yes, it's me and Andries, a wonderful person who has become a good friend of mine, visiting me in KL. We're walking

11 Songs You Want to Listen

2008-12-18T18:20:00.018+08:00

You probably already know how important it is to surround yourself with positive people. "Show me your friends and I'll tell you who you are."So true. Going even further - show me what you're surrounding yourself with and it becomes quite obvious what you're becoming.2 years ago I spent 10 days in a meditation camp in Germany, spiraling into my inner world, cut off from all communication with the

Are We Running Out Of Time With Education Reforms?

2008-12-18T01:27:00.004+08:00

E-D-U-C-A-T-I-O-N.Sometimes I hate that word. I want to skip it, erase it, make it disappear.What I actually want to do is to replace the content of that word, to bring back it's real meaning, which would beL-E-A-R-N-I-N-G.It's not that I don't like education, but it's that I don't like the system. The School House - as it is today - almost makes me want to do something physical, squeeze a lemon

Bravery - Screw It, Let's Do It!*

2008-12-14T15:49:00.013+08:00

* added later: which is also the name of Richard Branson's new book. Yep, that's how my subconscious mind reminds me about my reading list:)Where to get the courage to do things you've never done before, but truly desire to? How to know that you're ready?This is something that I'M NOT asking myself before starting with new things.Here's why - asking yourself wrong questions can actually drain you

OMG - I'm Living With A Chauvinist!!

2008-12-12T02:53:00.004+08:00

Recently I've been just blown away by some of the statements from my 5-year-old companion. I've always been conscious about the values that children pick up from their parents while they grow up together, but what if he comes out with things you never thought you taught him?In the end of the day children are separate individuals with their own world and belief system - and sometimes all we can do

Getting Back Probably the Most Vital Skill of All

2008-12-10T20:25:00.012+08:00

"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young."-- Henry Ford, IndustrialistDo you ever think how you learn?So - how do you learn? What's your answer?Wonder what would it be.That was one of the questions I was asked in my interview to Mindvalley.Got me thinking, because the question was

Negative thought? Get rid of it, quickly!!

2008-12-08T15:15:00.013+08:00

After my divorce a few years ago I stayed living in the same apartment where we'd been living for the last years. Unconsciously I felt that these walls had gathered some negative energy - a couple of bitter thoughts, low energy moments and everything else that comes along when people drift apart.Additionally I had an old drunk living downstairs, who was regularly causing some problems by turning

I became a number!

2008-11-25T23:06:00.002+08:00

This is a very random posting, but all who are aware what AIESEC is, understand the meaning of this note that came to my mailbox a few days ago:Dear User, The Status of the EP CODE : EP-In-EE-MC-2008-1218 has been changed to Realized. Thanks, AIESEC InternationalAmazing feeling, really! After educating all the members about the importance of exchange and how we need to live the full AIESEC

Adventures continue in Malaysia

2008-11-24T01:11:00.007+08:00

Woke up this morning and what do I see - a new room! With a few pieces of furniture, blank white wall, air conditioner above my head, blue carpet and bags on the floor and Maru sleeping next to me. Yeah, baby, that's how the new adventure looks like in the morning! New adventure for the super-communicative kid Maru and her determined-to-live-an-interesting-life Marjam means changing continents,

Child knows

2008-10-30T18:31:00.006+08:00

It's Marus 5th birthday today.We woke up this morning and I asked him: "So what have you learned in these 5 years that you would teach to a person who asks you: how to be happy?""You have to love others, then you get happy," he said.Beautiful, loved it! Glad to have smart people around from whom I can learn!

Fool by choice

2008-10-30T07:55:00.009+08:00

We are so over flooded with information that nothing out of it seems to have any importance. We are too knowledgeable that we miss out our own ignorance. We become so fragmented between options that there’s no difference between black and white, right and wrong – everything is gray and lukewarm. The abundance of information seems to make us ignorants – knowledge literally makes fools out of us.

Potentially perfect

2008-10-22T20:31:00.011+08:00

Photo by Monika PulleritsWho is the person I meet?Is it what he IS at this moment (or rather seems to be) or what he COULD BE? Which one do I focus on?Knowing that I've come a long way, knowing that I'm not the same I was yesterday, that I learn all the time and that if I want I am getting better and better every day - yet never becoming quite perfect - I choose to focus on the COULD BE in other

Another reason to become self employed

2008-10-16T15:39:00.007+08:00

Traditional way of thinking tells me to be at work by 8 or 9 o’clock in the morning. The meeting should end on time. The agenda should be followed through exactly as it was sent out. But what if my creativity sparks 10 min before I leave the house? Should I not let the rush of ideas to

It’s not that big deal…

2008-10-14T17:02:00.006+08:00

I mean – don’t think so much. Do it. It’s not that big deal when you think it is. Planning is great, you need to know what you want – but I have a feeling we know much more when we actually follow through. We already know – and yet we don’t do it. So that the next time we are planning - we write down almost exactly the same things as in previous list... What if this week we follow the list

If you don’t like it – change it!

2008-10-10T23:09:00.010+08:00

I love people who don’t complain. Imagine you have accepted a new job in the company you’ve been working for years. It’s promotion for a management position, but mainly because there’s no-one else in the company who’d be able to do the job. However because of bad top management and lack of co-workers the job that starts stressing you out. You keep going for a few months – and ensure excellent

Part of it

2008-10-09T14:16:00.006+08:00

Moods from writing my thesis about HIV-AIDS in Estonian mediaSociety is one system – if some parts of it are not functioning, then also the others are influenced. That’s the system thinking vs seeying society as a machine where every part is individually functioning and also individually fixed (Senge).Reading the newspapers about how HIV-AIDS was perceived in Estonia in 2001 I get a picture of a

"Love is a doing word"

2008-10-06T21:56:00.002+08:00

Don’t expect anything.Just live. Love. Do what feels right for you. Never mind the critics, don’t be bended and confused about your path. Just keep doing the right thing. With integrity and strive to grow every day.Keep going, keep going.Love. Give. Be grateful. Accept.Eyes wide open, knowing it all comes back double and more.So give what you gotta give – and trust the rest.----Perfect love casts

What do you like about Estonia?

2008-10-03T03:13:00.031+08:00

Photo from Tiina Seppel With the moonlight to guide youFeel the joy of being aliveThe day that you stop runningIs the day that you arriveElu. Kurjam, murjam, lurjam, vahel on tunne, et sellest rääkimine on üks tühipaljas ajaraisk või hoopis suurustamine. Elu on elamiseks, mitte arutamiseks. Kirjutamine tähendab arvuti taga oldud aega

Work spiced with passion

2008-09-19T01:54:00.015+08:00

Carmen Mikiver and Indrek Taalmaa in "Tunnete tektoonika" I'm working as a journalist before going away from Estonia, now between news department and culture pages. I love the job!The most exciting thing about being a journalist is meeting new people and learning their stories.Actors. Artists. Entrepreneurs. Whoever the story brings.Also officials, but as they usually tell you what they have to

Chapter 67: AIESEC

2008-09-16T04:50:00.026+08:00

Yesterday I finished the last part of my 1-year MCP program in AIESEC Estonia.* So what was the program about? It was a one year full leadership development training program, where a young, motivated, over enthusiastic maniac like me was given a great organization of 150 young people to lead and manage it.

Living moment

2008-09-13T04:36:00.001+08:00

Sunset in Arizona, Sept '08Photo by James Williams Who would understand what a heart feels? Who would see besides you? Who would care?Everyone would just say: “Oh, it's as it has always been!”And they are million times right and

Today - yesterdays echoes and visions of tomorrow

2008-08-28T07:23:00.001+08:00

Most of the relationships tell me about who I used to be. If I listen too long I forget who I am and who I could become.I'd love to stay around to reassure you about myself, but I wouldn't have time then to move on. I wouldn't know where to go.And I think you like me better when I do change for better, bit by bit.So forgive my impatience sometimes and my seeming ignorance about my own mistakes,

Seeing each other

2008-08-18T05:54:00.004+08:00

It used to be hard for me to tell my story, because it seemed to be too special. Didn't fit in the social context I was in – a young mother in a large student organization, surrounded by single, successful and ambitious young people. Now I've realized – I'm not special at all. Everyone has an amazing story to tell. About growing up, learning your lessons, becoming a real human being, failing and

Ask and you'll find the answer

2008-07-22T02:05:00.008+08:00

Last week I got back from a summer camp in Switzerland, which was about change management and decision making. Amazed, once again! Simply said - I'm in love with learning and awed by the people who open windows and doors for me. Need to move on, constantly, and I know no better way to do it than through books and people (followed by some practice:)Every step out of my usual path expands what I

Stop thinking. Let it go to let it come.

2008-07-17T03:39:00.007+08:00

Turns out I have two sides of brain and moreover – they don’t necessarily get along too well. From time to time they keep contradicting with each other and guess what – the result can be indecisiveness, hesitation and even unhappiness. This is a story of a right-brainer who has been trained to become a left-brainer and is now relearning to get connected with her intuition again.The left side

Disguised truth

2008-06-20T21:42:00.003+08:00

Today I heard a child screaming in the dormitory's corridor: „I don’t want, mommy, I don’t want!“ It continued for a few minutes, then faded away, I guess in the end the parent got her way. For me it was heartbreaking. I’m just writing an article about relations between parents and teenagers and the most important thing I’ve picked up is simple – listen to each other. Why is it so hard to hear

I must create some chaos

2008-06-20T00:38:00.003+08:00

I’m afraid of the unknown. I have no guarantees, only dreams and aspirations. I have my broken self image, that gets fixed during the journey, but who knows which parts I haven’t noticed? And sometimes even when I try, I’m unable to find my cure. Yet the unknown is here every day. No one has walked this path. Or maybe has, but I don’t know this person. And I’m not sure if this person could help,

Hold on to your illusions

2008-06-19T18:10:00.008+08:00

I'm reading currently an amazing book from Robert Cialdini called "Influence". It reveals simple and yet effective techniques how most of the people are influenced every day. One experiment that showed how our self image is influencing our actions (and how it can be used to get your way) made me rethink the importance of the mental pictures we have about ourselves and others.The experiment was

Too young to think with your own head?

2008-04-21T18:53:00.004+08:00

When is it too late to start practicing?Just came from the kindergarten from a development talks. Parents are asked to come to the kindergarten once a year to talk about their children development.So what would you expect this interview to focus on? The uniqueness of your child, how to help this unique creature in co-operation with kindergarten and parent to become a healthier and stronger person

What are you doing this summer?

2008-04-10T15:58:00.009+08:00

Thought I post today something practical - why talk about philosophical things only, when the main joy in life comes through practice (and through practice comes philosophy:).So here's a chance - making an adventure this summer, going away from Estonia for 2-3 months to work in a new country.The program is easy - you apply, get selected and get a chance to choose an internship from different

Busy in being not busy

2008-04-09T04:57:00.006+08:00

I’m busy. In pasts months I’ve been travelling a lot, planning, thinking about my future, meeting people, designing processes, conferences, seminars, reading new books, visiting Local Committees, conversations, strategic meetings, taking time for Maru, catching up with my university, spending time with my team, hosting guests. It has been quite a journey.I love it. Why? Because it makes sense. I’

Celebrating

2008-02-05T09:36:00.001+08:00

Today take a moment to celebrate. I'm sure you have something. Don't worry if it's not perfect and could be improved. If you put it in your life context you realize quite quickly that nothing could be perfect or could - but would come with a cost of other vital areas and would anyway end up in total imperfectness in big picture.So celebrate the things you have worked for with your heart or the

Destination happiness

2007-12-14T04:26:00.000+08:00

I have recently discovered that I’m a very happy person. Most of the time I feel good or at least know what should I do to get out of my misery. Here I have listed some of the lessons I have learned and continue learning every day. Take responsibility over your life. No one else can make you happy. If you don’t like something, change your attitude. Or change something in your life. Never

Hidden deep message

2007-11-22T04:04:00.000+08:00

So - what is the deep message of the following video? There definitely is...I'm sure...when we were making it it seemed that it's there:)'PS: LC Tartu, you made magic this year with the Pancake party! Thank you!

All you get are opportunities

2007-11-11T23:46:00.000+08:00

My neighbors have a baby. I have never seen him, but I hear him quite often. When I’m already in my bed, enjoying the last moments of the day, I can hear him crying. When I wake up in the morning and eat my porridge I hear him again. Sometimes I also catch the voices of the parents, the rulers – or prisoners - of the little kingdom. I can imagine the little room next door . It is filled with

Only stories

2007-10-15T07:21:00.002+08:00

A while now I haven’t directly written about AIESEC. I’m working as a president of this organization in Estonia, being involved full time and working daily with topics that I’m personally passionate about – individual development, discovering your strengths and finding your future career, problems in the society around us etc. Yet I’m discovering every day that I’m not working for AIESEC. There

Time for questions

2007-09-28T01:16:00.000+08:00

What is busy? Is busy a choice or an inevitability? What makes you feel good? Are you working to feel good or hoping to find the key to your happiness by filling your days with activities? Are we being perfectionists because we want to have a great result? When is great GREAT enough? Do people want to do great things because it makes them feel great or it makes others think they are great? Are

Inspired by failure

2007-09-20T07:30:00.000+08:00

Having an opinion is not easy, right? There are many opinions in the world, having yours means you disagree with some. So the easy way is a) not to share yours 2) change your with the direction of wind 3) speak in such mild words that no one understand what you mean 4) not to have yours and go with the flow etc We can and have to be able to change our opinions. We need to listen and we need

Why I love writing?

2007-09-20T07:16:00.000+08:00

Clean sheet.I can freely fill it with all kind of thoughts I have. With thoughts that have nothing to do with my work, my to-do list, my daily hurries. I’m free to think and create freedom around me. Out of routine, to a different world that maybe will exist some day because I’m thinking about it now, maybe just stays as an inner conversation, maybe influences someone else. But it creates freedom

Answer to my grandmother

2007-08-19T19:24:00.000+08:00

In past two years I've been traveling quite a lot, which has mainly been to different AIESEC conferences and international meetings. As I've also written before - going to an AIESEC conference is not the same as traveling to some specific country. Yes, the conference takes place in Egypt or Macedonia or Turkey as now, but during the conference you are dragged into a different world that is put

Where Marjam got the nice tan

2007-07-10T23:28:00.002+08:00

Here I am in Torino, relaxed, brown, energized, full of pizza and pear juice. It's the last stop of the 10-days trip we made from South-Croatia to Italy, probably the best vaccation-like vaccation I've had. Among other things I discovered during the past days that I really enjoy working and it's unusual for me to be too long departed from the work I love and care about. But it's another story and

Learning from people

2007-07-01T16:56:00.000+08:00

Couple of weeks ago we made an interview for AIESEC E-book project, where famous and successful Estonian entrepreneurs share their stories. It’s published and distributed in autumn as an CD to inspire and educate young people to become entrepreneurs or just to get new ideas for their own future. Our interviewee Andres Koger is the top executive of one of the biggest construction

Lost in translation

2007-05-14T22:50:00.000+08:00

This weekend I decided to cut my school to-do list short and finish some things I should have already some time ago. With enthusiasm I opened the file - and felt how my energy is absorbed by the first sentence (I wouldn't dare to translate it into English:):Oma paradigmaatilisel kujul on poliitiline kohustus igal legitiimsele poliitilisele autoriteedile legitiimselt alluval isikul või isikute

Memories take over

2007-05-12T21:48:00.000+08:00

I came yesterday to Saaremaa, the greatest place to be from (it's OK to say it also about Narva, Puka and Kõpu – but for me it's this special island). My parents are divorced, so only my dad, brother and cats Vasja and Valdo Kuubik are living in my childhood big house (Kuubik is the one, who would have died in Tartus winter unless brought here). Often when I'm here I get the chance to rest and

Games we play

2007-05-11T04:01:00.000+08:00

Today I happened to be at one meeting where I didn’t know anybody too well. There were around 15 people, a person responsible for the meeting and one man, who was making a presentation. The topic isn’t important, but the fact is that he was a lousy speaker. Lot of pauses, no structure, repeating obvious facts, insincere, thoughts jumping from one place to another, so you could go mad by just

See the beauty all around and in yourself

2007-05-04T07:24:00.000+08:00

Yesterday morning I woke up covered with cold sweat. I made a few steps and almost fainted on the floor. It was quite unexpected to lie on the floor at 7AM and think: “Something is wrong with me. I’m not quite sure what, but seems so that not some ordinary sore throat.” Later in the hospital it turned out I had a bad tonsil infection and I had to be operated the same day. It’s very easy to be