- that different sorts of wood burn differently long and intense, with different smoke and different heat production. I really prefer juniper, which is available around here; I love it for its lovely smell and the long and rich warmth it provides.
- taking better care of my own needs (body and soul), treating myself kindly, asking for help and not always putting myself last.
- how to set and keep boundaries in general, concerning rules, but also concerning my own and other’s needs.
I’ve especially learnt it with the children, at home and in school, where it is essential to find a balance between freedom and limits, with love and respect. (and I am still learning on this as it is a life-long process, I guess).
- being patient and letting things go and flow; knowing that Allah is the best planner.
Everything comes differently than expected, but never worse than we can bear and often with much more blessings in it than we could have imagined. Alhamdulillah.
- that compost toilets really are better in our location, when water freezes for days and ordinary water loos just awfully begin to stink, urgh.
- that the consciousness and inner attitude and expectations we have towards something can really dramatically change a situation. It really helps and opens gates if we are expecting good things to flow naturally into our lives, knowing that Allah holds enough available for everyone.
If we open ourselves to the bounties of Allah, feeling worth earning enough of everything we need and if we can accept the good without shame – might it be love, health, money or every other thing – it will come and be given to us, inchallah. Subhanallah!
(some books and affirmations of Louise L.Hay might be helpful to learn more about this).
- many new words and modes of expression in Tamazight (the Berber language), which is one of the most difficult languages to learn, mashaallah. I am realizing that I still need to learn a lot more in order to really being able to discuss profound topics and feelings, inchaallah.
- that the work with the inner child and with one’s own past is worth it, if some shadows of childhood still touch the present. As much as it hurts and as hard work as it takes to go through it, as healing it is in the end to discover hidden things, to face the truth, to speak honestly about it and to finally make peace with it, alhamdulillah.
- to count on quality, to buy less but really good things instead of lot and cheap.
Because over time it pays off spending some more money on something really good which stays well and beautiful for a long time, which nurtures body and soul and which provides or supports health (for example organic and natural clothes, food, utilities,…see also my new link category “conscious shopping”)
- that I learned a lot more than that, every day, subhanallah; and that fully living means constantly learning, and that I still have so much to learn, Alhamdulillah!
What about you? What did you learn and what are your goals for 2013?
