Happy New Year 2024

A Happy New Year 2024 to all of you out there!

May you succeed in keeping things simple and joyful !

Sometimes, something still beautiful becomes a curse. Like diving into a pet project and then overdoing it, so that it turns into a monstrous task drained of all the initial joy. Actually, I’m pretty good at that. My annual New Year’s cards are a living proof. But this one is meant to prove something else: if I can break it, I can fix it, too! So here’s a “back to the roots” version of the traditional card: simple and joyful.

Sometimes, something still beautiful is a curse

~ Chris Robinson

Drop me a line!

While you’re here, I’d greatly appreciate a comment of you below. Feel free to write me a hint on how you manage to keep things simple or simply say a “hello”. Both will make me happy! 😃

Happy New Year 2023

A Happy New Year 2023 to all of you out there!

May you enjoy moments of blissful immersion!

We’re living an busy world, constantly tempted (or feeling forced) to dip into the stream of information and events that rush by all the time. There’s nothing wrong with that, I hasten to add. As long as we feel we’re surfing this wave instead of getting overwhelmed by it.

Take a step back every now and then

Hence, I suggest you take a step back every now and then and ask yourself: When was the last time you’ve lost yourself in a good book, forgot everything while playing (no matter whether it was an actual game or something “serious” that felt like one) or felt completely filled by a piece of music (be it a tiny melody or a symphonic opus)? In other words: Do you get that feeling of being fully immersed into what you’re currently doing about as often as you wish for?

When was the last time you’ve lost yourself in a good book?

Congratulations if the answer is a wholehearted “Yes!” – and don’t worry if it isn’t: Few people ever get there. But reflecting on such questions every once in a while and taking a small step based on your musings will get you somewhere (maybe even closer to your initial goal)!

Drop me a line!

While you’re here, I’d greatly appreciate a comment of you below. Feel free to write me where you hope to find that flow feeling in 2023 or simply say a “hello”. Both will make me happy!

Happy New Year 2022

A Happy New Year 2022 to all of you out there!

May you find Treasure, where you least expect it!

Expect the worst – hope for the best. This is a seemingly simple recipe for happiness (not to say “cheesy” but it’s not only an internet meme but apparently also widely approved from Buddhism to neuroscience). In practice it often is a bit trickier, though, to apply this.

Expect the worst – hope for the best

Still I wish you that you see the good in a not-so-good situation when it presents itself. Be it, that dreary ordeal that turns out to be an adventure, that apparent enemy, who actually turns out to be a friend or that missed bus that turns out to be the break it took to inspire you to an idea long searched for.

Your message is my treasure – Drop me a line!

While you’re here, I’d greatly appreciate a comment of you below. Feel free to write me what everyday-treasure you hope to find in 2022 or simply a “hello” after a while. Both would make me happy!

Happy New Year 2021

A Happy New Year 2021 to all of you out there!

May your year resonate inspiringly!

“Music Makes the World go round!” many sing (some funkily and soulfully, some rapping symphonically, well even Disney knows it!) – and this surely goes for me, too! Even during the densest days of the past year, I made it a point to take some time to make a few sounds – be it just 10 minutes, banging on something that could do as a make-shift drum (cos there’s no limits to creativity, right?). Even better of course, if I could sneak in a longer session with my beloved six string! And guess what? This gave me happiness and new strength for way more than just 10 minutes!

Hence, my wish for you for the upcoming year is that you find those little moments of joy every single day, too. May you get energy and inspiration for all your other doings from them!

Drop me a line!

Now, tell me: What makes your world go round? Leave me a comment, below and promise yourself to take your time for it regularly in 2021!

Happy New Year 2020

A Happy New Year 2020 to all of you out there!

May your year be full of marvelous questions!

One of my favourite definitions of philosophy is simply “moving by asking” (another one, I heard from an – almost – stranger during a train ride in autumn). If we don’t take everything for granted and try to catch a glimpse behind the scenes sometimes our lives will become fuller and richer – and the world becomes a better place, too, I’m sure.

Drop me a line!

You needn’t change the world in one big leap, though. Just take one small step and then the next one, and then the next and then… How about starting by leaving me a thought in the comments below?

 

Happy New Year 2019

A Happy New Year 2019 to all of you out there!

May your courage be rewarded in 2019!

Only when a couple of people told me that they would not have dared to do as I did (like improvising songs in French in the streets of the Languedoc and the Provence), I realised that there was some bravery involved quite a few times in my 2018. I do not consider myself particulary courageous. Hence I’m glad I did all those things without being fully aware of the potentially bad consequences – and lucky enough that things turned out so well in hindsight. Nevertheless, I learned a lesson from that:

Growing your courage is like exercising your muscles: The more you do it, the stronger they get and you can achieve bigger goals step by step.

This is not really rocket science, I know. But given plenty of people resolve to go to the gym regularly these days and then give up on their resolution sometime during the second week of January, I might as well print that as quote on a t-shirt and sell it, anyway! 😉

Have a brave and cheerful 2019!

Drop me a line!

Any brave or unconventional acts you plan for the upcoming year? Let me know in a comment (just the odd “Hello, I’m still alive!” will do, too, of course). I really appreciate reading from you!

Happy New Year 2018

A Happy New Year 2018 to all of you out there!

May your toppings be tasty in 2018!

It’s the time of year again for deep philosophical insights and today, I’ve got an even more cheesy metaphor than usual for you to keep in mind during the next 365 days:

Life is like ordering a Pizza:
You may not be able to change the crust,
but you can always choose your toppings!

Have a delicious 2018!

Drop me a line!

Before getting lost again in the infinite menu, which we call the internet, feel free to leave me your recipe for a delightful year (just the odd “Hello, I’m still alive!”, will do as well, of course) in a comment. I really appreciate reading from you!

Happy New Year 2017

A Happy New Year 2017 to all of you out there!

May you meet your challenges bravely!

Sometimes live looks like an arena. Indeed you have to fight sometimes to achieve your goals. But do remember: This is also a playground! A smile often goes a longer way than brute force (and a cheesy line ist often stickier than some sophisticated adivce. Need proof? Here we go: “Ridentem dicere verum quid vetat?” – You’re welcome!:-D)

Drop me a line!

So what’s one thing you want to achieve in the upcoming year? Let me know in the comments below! (BTW: Science says that a shared resultion is way more likely to be fulfilled. ;-))

Of course, you can just leave me a simple “hello” without a fancy resolution. That makes me happy, too!

Happy New Year 2016

A Happy New Year 2016 to all of you out there!

May there be light!

„Let your partner shine!“ is one of my favourite principles of improvised theatre (and I think I lived up to that one quite literally in 2015 ;-)). Hence, dare to let the people around you shine in 2016 – and surely, it will reflect back on you!

Drop me a line!

Start now, shine a light on some great artist that touched you in the last year and may inspire me – and others – in the upcoming one (youtube links are appreciated).

Of course, you can just leave me a simple comment. That makes me happy, too!

Happy New Year 2015

A Happy New Year 2015 to all of you out there!

May you find favourable winds!

I’d love to share some philosophical insights based on a highly sophisticated surf metaphor about how you should navigate happily through 2015, catching good waves rather than trying to find the perfect one etc etc.

But hey, there’s a party out there waiting for me to join in – so hang loose guys and let’s share some moments of happiness next year, too!

Drop me a line!

Of course, your comments below make me even happier! 🙂