. . . aLMa WaNDeRS . . .

2010-06-08T06:47:00.000-07:00

yes, my blog has moved!

if you're still receiving a notification about this post, then you should go check out my new blog and sign up there! :)

to give you a little help, here's the direct link to my latest blog entry:
http://almagedon.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/time-to-travel/

it's a short movie about itchy feet and wanderlust...

so spread your wings - and see you on my new blog site!

TiMe FoR (yet another) CHaNGe!

2010-04-05T13:21:00.000-07:00

my dear readers...

the time has come: i am moving my blog to a site that supports my likes & needs more effectively than blogspot...
i've had trouble with my email registration, lacked the creative design aspect and was not entirely satisfied with user friendliness on my blog here. after trying various other sites, i have now installed everything at wordpress.

come see me at http://almagedon.wordpress.com where you will find a blog site full of benefits for the reader: i've arranged categories, so that selective readers can now choose blog entries according to their preferences. the drop down archive menu is comfortable and the entire layout simply sleeker & nicer to look at (at least in my opinion).

i really hope you will continue to follow my posts on the new site - simply sign up for the email subscription!
i promise you interesting, inspiring, informational words paired with beautiful pictures... enhanced with new technologies such as video and music... all regarding various aspects within my life of WANDERING, WONDERING, CREATING & MOVING...

feel free to comment and provide feedback, so that i can improve the site!

thank you for your support here on blogspot - i hope to see you soon at wordpress!

- your writer, traveler, yogi, runner, kiter, dreamer, thinker, philosopher, liver, talker (etc.).

WoNDeR. MoVe... BaLaNCe letting go & holding on

2010-02-19T05:10:00.000-08:00

2010 has just started, yet already proven to be a year of change for many of us... quite a few people (including me) are facing unforseen challenges and changes.

life doesn’t stand still. within the everlasting movement of life, we realize there is barely anything we can truly hold on to. sometimes you think you’re holding on to a rock, just to realize you're clinging to driftwood...

so many things we cherish can be taken away in a second, leaving us with yet another loss to cope with. and every time we hold on to something – even it makes us feel strong – at the same time it strengthens our vulnerability.

but it is our human nature, it is part of who we are: we hold on to things. regardless of the pain it might cause when we loose it, we still clutch to so many things every day... we hold on to houses, material possessions, human beings, feelings, plans and „to do“ lists.

from this aspect, life seems to be a huge roller coaster, an endless up and down ride of gaining and loosing. the key is to find a balance, to even out some bumps - without loosing the intesity life offers... the key is to learn how to let go while not forgetting how to gain at the same time...

some people think holding on tightly is going to make things even. they don’t move out of their comfort zone. but for people who want to evolve, learn and grow, this is not an option...

other people think letting go is the ultimate key. burning down the ships on a regular basis, not letting anything become static or stable - it’s a kick to live this way, but there is no balance in this option either...

balance is the essence in this story...

i thought about this the other day: there are quite a few simple things that proove that balance is the way to go.

kitesurfing is one great example: you get out on the water and focus on this one thing only. you’re in control, concentrating and making it work – it’s a feeling of power. yet exactly this power enables you to let go, you feel free – and in this moment you experience true balance...

yoga is another great example: only when you let go of your expectations can you truly find the shape and go deeper... you experience holding on to a pose by letting go, first...

kitesurfing being a sport where you experience freedom through holding on to your focus, and yoga being a philosophy of letting go in order to gain – makes these two things a great combination! both strive for balance, yet from another angle...

with all the challenges, choices and changes this year (this life!) will offer, all i can do is strive to learn from this balance, learn to take it off the water, off the mat – into the world!

"The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter."

WaNDeR. WoNDeR... let go

2010-01-30T04:32:00.000-08:00

"hay golpes en la vida tan fuertes... yo no sé..."

we always try to choose the right path, do what's right and follow that direction. we don't really know what goal to strive for, all we can do is take in what we meet along the road, decide wether it's part of the right path or only a temporary distraction. this implies an uncertainty in every decision we meet... some things don't reveal their purpose easily, and carelessness might make precious moments slip away...

some moments in life feel safe, the road ahead is chosen and joyfully stepped upon - the view is clear. but other times we are surrounded by a thick layer of fog, clouding the view and enhancing uncertainty within...
and then, even though we know where the path could lead, we stop. we listen. and out of nowhere, we are tempted to choose a different way, walk away from the fog in search of clearer skies.

i've fallen in love with the track i am standing on right now. i have formed an attachment to this one path, decided it's a necessary component to my desired life... but i have been standing still for to long, trying to get my orientation back. and since i can't see the ground anymore, i have to leave this path...
and so i take a step in the opposite direction of where i originally wanted to go, releasing a bond that has filled my life with precious memories...

some think holding on makes you strong - but it's letting go

...because certainty is actually just an illusion

WaNDeR. WoNDeR. CReaTe. MoVe... all of it.

2010-01-10T14:24:00.000-08:00

life and its many roads... made of so many different aspects, each of which can be viewed from an infinite number of angles... this abundance is a pool of adventures providing individual experiences to each and every one of us. as individuals, we seek for our own truth, ask our own personal questions to receive answers guiding us towards our uniquely own goals in life.

there are phases in life when one ponders about possibilities, choices and decisions more often. one questions fate, faith and future a bit more intensely than usual... i personally have been in this phase for a while now, and am eagerly striving for positivity, strength and simplicity within. on this quest, i have come across a book that holds many guiding thoughts i found quite inspiring.

i have assembled some most catchy or most interesting yet obvious sentences and would like to share them with you. i'm sure you can recognize yourselves in some of them, while others might just inspire to spend a moment on the thought provided.

none of the following sentences derive from my own pen, they are all originally from deepak chopra and david simon, copied from their book "the seven spiritual laws of yoga" - which in turn is based on the famous seven laws of success. enjoy!

THe PaTH:

whenever we are solely identified with our ego, we bind ourselves to things that do not have permanent reality.

distinguish your observations from your interpretations. accept the world as it is, recognizing that reality is a selective act of attention and interpretation.

when inner fullness predominates, you loose the need to manipulate, obscure or deceive.

your attachment to the accumulation of material possessions looses its hold on you. it doesn't mean you don't enjoy the world; you are simply not imprisoned by it.

contentement implies acceptance without resignation. it emerges when you relinquish your attachment to the need for control, power and approval.

surrender to the wisdom of uncertainty. relinquish your attachment to the past and embrace uncertainty.

infinite flexibility is the secret to immortality. like a palm tree that adapts to rather than resists gale force of winds, a flexible body and mind enable you to adapt to the inevitable changes that life offers.

although you can imagine that you are seeing an object outside of you, you are actually experiencing it within you on the screen of your awareness.

you learn to stay centered and awake to all possibilities whenever a challenge arises, so that you are able to choose the best course of action that will maximize the chances that your intentions and desires will be fulfilled.

1. THe LaW oF PuRe PoTeNTiaLiTY:

self-referral means that your internal reference point is your soul rather than the objects of your experience. because in object-referral your thoughts and behavior are always an anticipation of a response, it is a fear-based state of being.

every moment is a vibration, a wave on the ocean of life. the deeper the connection to the depths of the ocean, the more powerful is the wave that arises.

2. THe LaW oF GiViNG aND ReCeiViNG:

whenever you resist the law of giving and receiving, your mind becomes anxious and your body becomes uncomfortable.

take a deep breath and hold it as long as you can. notice how uncomfortable you begin to feel when you are holding on to something that is meant to be released. now, exhale as fully as you can and hold your breath with your lungs fully emptied. again, feel the discomfort that arises when you are resisting taking in something that you need.

3. THe LaW oF CauSe aND eFFeCT (KaRMa):

every action we take generates a force of energy that returns to us in kind - as we sow, we reap.

everything that is happening at this moment is a result of the choices you've made in the past.

be fully present in this moment and your next moment will not carry the consequences of the prior one. the best way to prepare for any moment in the future is to be fully conscious in the present.

your heart is the junction point between your mind and your body.

4. THe LaW oF LeaST eFFoRT:

the more you are able to embrace rather than fight your limitations and vulnerabilities, the less limits they hold and the more balance and energy you experience.

accept that how it is now is exactly as it should be. give up your need to struggle against the whole universe by struggling against this moment.

practice accepting people as they are and circumstances as they occur, understanding that every moment in your life is the consequence of every prior choice you've made. rather than resisting who or what is currently in your life, practice acceptance of what is present and reinforce your commitment to make more conscious choices from this moment on.

every challenge is an opportunity in disguise, and this alertness to opportunity allows you to take this moment and transform it for greater benefit.

do not waste your life energy defending your point of view or attempting to convince others. remain open to all points of view without rigidly attaching yourself to any one of them.

5. THe LaW oF iNTeNTioN aND DeSiRe:

be clear about your intentions and desires. take time to list those things you would like to see manifest in your life. when you take the time to document what you desire in your heart and mind, you accelerate the process of manifesting your desires in the world.

cultivate an attitude of trusting that when things are not going exactly the way you intend them to, there is a grander design at work. you can probably identify times in your life when things were not going according to your plan, only to realize later that something better was waiting for you around the corner.

6. THe LaW oF DeTaCHMeNT:

in order to acquire something in this life, you have to relinquish your attachment to it. this doesn't mean you give up the intention to fulfill your desire - you simply give up your attachment to the outcome.

attachment is based on fear and insecurity. when you forget that the only genuine source of security is your true self, you begin believing that you need something outside yourself in order to be happy.

the only true security comes from your willingness to embrace the unknown, the realm of uncertainty.

practicing detachment and embracing uncertainty, you relinquish your need to hold on to the past, which is the only thing that is known. being open to what is happening rather than trying to control how things unfold, you experience the excitement, adventure, exhilaration and mystery of life.

embrace uncertainty as an essential ingredient of your experience and watch how creative solutions to problems spontaneously emerge out of chaos.

notice how deep inner security develops within you, independent of things around you. combine your focused intention with detachment from the outcome and observer how easily you are able to fulfill your desires while maintaining your center, even in the midst of confusion and turbulence.

7. THe LaW oF PuRPoSe iN LiFe:

you have unique abilities and your own way of expressing them. there are needs in this world for which your specific talents are ideally suited.

when obstacles to the flow of your vital energy are removed, you become capable of expressing more expanded aspects of your self.

WoNDeR. CReaTe... changes.

2009-11-30T06:43:00.000-08:00

i think change is a good thing. i like it in so many different ways and strive for change rather than security. constantly evolving, i try not to ever feel static or stiff in all regards of life. this results in a constant flow of things, challenges and ventures.

right now, many personal changes are taking place: from minor things such as change of music on the ipod to the big achievement of moving into a new apartment.

constant change can be very rewarding and fulfilling, yet it comes with some prices to pay. not everything moves with you when you move. not every bond can hold through times of change. not every distance is easy to deal with...

someone who likes change should always look within first. you are the only one who will always, without a doubt, go through all the changes you want.

this knowledge can sometimes result in phases of less social interaction, relying only on yourself and focusing on the truth within. you let go of so many things, in order to gain so much more...

some people might think this is egoistic, or even wrong. but look outside, look around you: change is the only constant thing in life.

an example: outside my window, the long awaited winter has finally shown. the gently falling snowflakes are the proof of constant change. and i like this change of seasons outside just as much as i cherish my own personal developments within.

december starts tomorrow: a stressful month of buying "great" last-minute presents for some, a time to enjoy the snow swallowing noises for others - a month full of new changes for me.

i received this cute gift today: a very smart(ies) advent calendar. it's a small reminder of how days pass and bring new colors with them, a reminder of how simple things can be so cute, and a reminder of how precious friendship is. especially the kind of friendship that lasts through the changes...

MoVe... conquer the hill

2009-10-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

so many times one stands in front of a hill, be it virtually or literally...

seeing the large amount of work ahead can be discouraging and suddenly one feels tiny, unable to move properly and unknowing of where to begin the challenge...

it's important to let go of the big picture and take it step by step, bit by bit. then, the path seems less steep and your endurance will grow...

sports is all about challenging yourselves, without overdoing your possibilities. setting goals that are above your regular average yet reaching them step by step...

standing at the bottom of that hill, you focus and let go of the goal's big picture. mind focused on breathing and moving, your feet begin to move and carry you up, bit by bit.

the higher my challenges become, the more i treasure confidence given by simple things such as motivational words or... the right shoe on my feet. even if they won't make me run faster or longer, i appreciate the comfort and stability of a good running shoe.

that's why i changed from "soft-not-so-much-a-running-shoe" adidas bounce to "high-stability-running-shoe" asics kayano 15...

now i stand at the bottom of that hill, and it's still steep and long - but the stability of my feet enable my muscles to relax and my mind to focus a bit more on the small goals along the way...

CReaTe... storm within

2009-08-08T01:46:00.000-07:00

dancing shades

reflect on the empty pages...

time runs in slow motion

as wind creeps through the cracks in the wall...

moments freeze in the heat of the sun,

movement banished from the surface

as the picture looses depth

and begins to fade

a storm arises

from within the quiet...

ripples turn into waves

crashing upon these static rocks

wrapping around your ankles

gripping on the thoughts

you try to let go...

the storm empties out

what lies beneath

deep layers of complexity

to reveal true simplicity

as waves pull back

and the sun lets go of its tight grip

you hollow out

and bow to another lesson learnt.

WaNDeR.. WoNDeR..

2009-07-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

old enough to know better, young enough not to care... happy birthday to me haha.

phases of transition are always interesting, challenging and sometimes even very demanding... moving back to switzerland after one year new york city turns out to be a little more draining than i first thought, or at least the challenges i am facing go a little deeper than expected...
it feels good to return, good to be back, but the feeling of settling back in has not yet kicked in, and i kinda doubt it will. why? things change, characters evolve and preferences shift...

in the end, i am moving back to a known place, yet there's many things i need to start from scratch. it's a weird mixture, feeling like a tourist with a massive deja-vu...

leaving the rushing new yorker lifestyle behind me, spending a couple of wobbly days in switzerland, i escaped the decision-making and settling in and traded swiss home with a tent on the island of paros on greece for 3 weeks... a complete different setting!

here i am, chilling and relaxing, feeling on hold - the quiet static heated air of after the new york storm and before the swiss storm...
impatient, but yet not ready to get started somehow, i enjoy this time being to concentrate on what i want and where i want things to go after this, carefully pondering about my steps and reconsidering certain habits...

in times like these, it is precious to find inner balance, to find distance and space to sort things out, before jumping into all the mix of old and new...
i am curious to get started, though, as new beginnings leave one more open-minded than ever when processed correctly...

no new beginning without an ending...

WaNDeR... goodbye US, hello CH!

2009-06-23T05:36:00.000-07:00

one year ago i moved to new york, with suitcases full of expectations and ready to explore the adventure. today, i return to switzerland, in search of new challenges and changes...

apart from to much material stuff in my luggage, i carry many valuable lessons learned, memories of moments shared and new perspectives.

It seems when we get to a place where no one knows us, we become most ourselves...

my bags are packed, my heart's inside, i'm ready for this ride... getting lost to find my way, i need to go today... (travel therapy)

"A ship in harbor is safe - but that is not what ships are for."

MoVe... choosing the right yoga mat

2009-06-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

there are about as many yoga mat reviews on the web as there are yogis in new york city...

last thursday, i received a nice compliment from my yoga teacher regarding my poses - what a great motivation considering i only started yoga this year! after this, i figured it was time for me to get rid of that uncomfortable piece of rubber at home to replace it with a yoga mat that matches my perferences:

- lightweight (i travel a lot)

- not too soft (less than 5mm)

- smooth material-like top surface, rather than the usual 3D-rubber pattern

- eco friendly material overall

i wanted to proceed by walking into stores and taking a closer look at what's available, but found it was hard to find "yoga-mat stores". weird... seems like most things are only available online...

so, i ventured the web in search of my dream mat. what i found was tons of descriptions, reviews, online ordering portals (yes, even amazon sells them) for various brands. but, since the constitution of the mat's surface was so important to me, most of the pictures did not offer enough base for decision-making...

in this jungle of hugger mugger, jade, barefoot yoga, manduka, prana and lulu lemon, i so far tend to get the Manduka eKO Lite, because i found a lot of great reviews (with bigger pictures of the mat's surface!) and it's available for less than 40$ (free shipping!).

let's hope i found my dream mat!

WaNDeR. WoNDeR... distance so near

2009-05-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

traveling is so amazing, one can barely put the experiences into words. nowadays, one can change place so fast as distances grow shorter. different cultures so far apart geographically as well as in their philosophy are suddenly close enough to touch - only a plane ride away.

if one has the needed means, one can choose from the views in the pictures above at any time. no more routine and boredom of daily grind, no more boundaries and no more stagnating status quo. distance looses its meaning, everything starts to melt together - yet choices remain endless. that is the essence of frequent globe trotting: while immense diversity remains the same, afar is not so far anymore...

with all the modern technology, more communication platforms than one can handle and a dense transportation net worldwide, no adventure seems to crazy, no island to lonely and no sea to wide. there's no excuse: anyone can go "there" now, unravel in an individual quest to find... or simply to search with no intention of finding...

i teach myself to let go in order to gain. i want this sentence to echo inside my soul forever...

so many times we want to hold on to what makes us feel safe, but the most precious things cannot be captured or trapped. and when you push on glass it's bound to break...

nothing is lost if we let go, but there is so much to gain instead. we all have a past, we all know where we're from. but if we always carry the whole load with us along the way, there is no space left in our backpack of life for new experiences, no energy left in our legs for new challenges and no love left in our hearts for new love...

let go. don't forget, don't throw away, don't ignore - but let go.

only then can you truly feel and cherish the beauty of sights as in the pictures above...

CReaTe... lowering wings to fading sun rays

2009-05-18T20:01:00.000-07:00

humble wisdom felt from today's learnt wonders, wander your feet through the earth in newly gained amazement.

failures of the day passed, drowned in the last sun rays - emptying the chest to give hope for new beginnings, new chances. feed off energy to recover from injuries, shake off the shade to stand up in awe.

distractions won't touch a soul that's filling up with the preciousness of last sun rays... waves won't burry feet that are hugging the ground they stand upon... storms won't break a heart that unfolds to fill with air...

day to night, precious moment of transition full of memories and hope, cherish the possibility to grow within...

staring at the same sky, here we gaze at what was made to be... and breathe free...

MoVe.WaNDeR.WoNDeR... travel therapy

2009-05-14T19:04:00.000-07:00

traveling is a great thing - i guess we can all agree on that. for me, it's not about packing my bags and taking a vacation, leaving "real life" behind for a while - it's a lifestyle, part of my true reality and a necessity.

there are infinite ways to travel, and an abundance of places to see. each journey, be it near or far, is worth so much more than the eventual amount of money spent on it - if you travel wisely. letting go in order to gain is the key phrase here: if you open your heart and soul to what's undiscovered and beyond your knowledge, the journey will be rewarding and everlasting.

as every person is different, so are the possible experiences on their various trips. how does one choose where to go - and what are the reasons? is there some way to turn this thought around, to find out where people should go, depending on their present state of mind, body and soul?

"getting lost to find your way... you need to go today" are karen schaler's words, writer of a book called "travel therapy". she combined the two interesting elements of destinations to choose and the therapeutic thought behind the journey.

i went to her book reading in new york city today, watched her enthusiastic character, listened to her emotionally personal travel stories and heard the world premiere of the book's accompanying song, sung by my friend and co-worker rob holub.

i think the book is a very creative approach to the "travel" subject, and karen's catchy lines give the whole business-like tourism industry a much-needed personal, emotional and even fun touch. happy reading! happy wandering! ;)

http://traveltherapytrips.com/book/

WoNDeR... good morning thoughts

2009-05-13T06:16:00.000-07:00

"throw a stone into a little pond it causes ripples:
it's not a concept,
it's not a theory -
it's life."
(david rastovich)

"the only consistent thing in life is change.
so many people try to hang on to everything rather than going with change... just gotta work out what's good for you & what makes you feel comfortable."
(dick van stralen)

let go to breathe free...
watch "rasta in short" here:

http://www.mesurf.com.au/EntertainmentDetail.aspx?id=431

iNSTRuCTioNS

2009-05-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

what do i want this blog to be about? is my life really interesting enough to show? which of my endless thoughts might be of interest for anyone out there?

this one is going to be about life - with all its activeness, awareness, memories, contradictions, chaos, depth and joy. there is a huge abundance of things to experience, and an even greater infinity of how to describe it in word and picture...

i am not wise: i see the world through my own eyes - if you disagree the way i see: let me know - or let me be...

the broader picture of my blog / instructions on how to read it:

WANDER. travel the world - experiences, plans, memories, places...
WONDER. think a lot - question, ponder, search, inform...
CREATE. live creatively - design, sketch, write, innovate...
MOVE. go with the flow - health, news, sport, go...
SOUND. music of the heart - melodies, lyrics, shows, listen...

categories might have to be adapted, things might not be broken down into these groups - falling out of any kind of scheme we try to apply... we will see...

CReaTe...first random approach to blogging

2009-05-11T19:20:00.000-07:00

at the shores of tidal changes
i stand staring
wondering
vast space standing
against my captured soul

i wear my garment so it shoes
no hiding of dirty toes
feathers used to cover my wounds

steadily i sit
shaking off the shade

sun rays
hug the strings
wrapping tightly around my soul
opening the bind
to make them lift me up high

as the rays sink into waves
crash around me
lift my heart
to breathe free

i turn inside out
light from within
to broaden the way
into a new day

burdens sit left and right
following my careful steps
through steepened depths
- of the soul.

el alma..