Songs Teach Us About Life

How are you, my dears? Do you know that situation: You listen to a special song and, automatically, you begin to feel a certain way. Whether you feel happy, sad, angry, bored etc. music always brings you in a different or emphasizes your mood. Music is emotional, it transports feelings. However or especially because of that, we can learn a lot from the lyrics. Writing a song that inspirates or moves lots of people is an easy and also great way to spread a message. 

Michael Jackson's songs "Earth Song", "Man In The Mirror", "Heal The World", especially "We Are The World" are kind of songs making people care more about the others, help each other, make the world a better place. In general, all Michael Jackson songs have an important message. Therefore, and, of course, also because of his amazing talent he is one of my absoultely favorite singers. 

There's A Place In

Your Heart

And I Know That It Is Love

And This Place Could

Be Much

Brighter Than Tomorrow

And If You Really Try

You'll Find There's No Need

To Cry

In This Place You'll Feel

There's No Hurt Or Sorrow

There Are Ways

To Get There

If You Care Enough

For The Living

Make A Little Space

Make A Better Place...

Heal The World

Make It A Better Place

For You And For Me

And The Entire Human Race

-----------------------------------------

I'm Gonna Make A Change,

For Once In My Life

It's Gonna Feel Real Good,

Gonna Make A Difference

Gonna Make It Right

. . .

I'm Starting With The Man In

The Mirror

I'm Asking Him To Change

His Ways

And No Message Could Have

Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World

A Better Place

Take A Look At Yourself, And

Then Make A Change

. . .

I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish

Kind Of Love

It's Time That I Realize

That There Are Some With No

Home, Not A Nickel To Loan

Could It Be Really Me,

Pretending That They're Not

Alone?

-----------------------------------------

We are the world 

We are the children 

We are the ones to make a brighter day 

So let's start giving 

There's a choice we're making 

We're saving our own lives 

It's true we'll make a better day 

Just you and me

So, keep your eyes open for the people around you, for everyone. If we all help together, be there for each other, everyone can be able to have a great life. Focus on lyrics - they (can) have a deeper function than only entertaining.

Have a nice start into the new year!

♥ xoxo

Advent Calendar - December 4, 5 & 6

How are you my dears? Sorry for not posting the last few days, but I was very busy.

Something very upsetting happened last night: Nelson Mandela passed away. He did so many wonderful things for the world, for making it a better place and was a very important person in the Civil Rights Movement. Here are some of Mandela's great and inspiring words:

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

"It always seems impossible until it's done."

"We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right."

"Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all."

R.I.P. Nelson Mandela - you will never be forgotten

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Today is a special day in some countries: "St Nicholas' Day" if you translate it in English. The children get small presents. Usually, they clean their boots the night before, place them in front of the door and St Nicholas will gift them something, but only if they behaved well during the last year. 

For December 4, 5 and 6 I want to share some ideas for Christmas presents with you:

• Music: You could create a list of songs you and another person share with each other, songs which make you remember great moments.
  
• "You-Don't-Have-To"-Tokens: A great gift for your parents or other family members. You can write "You don't have to make the dishes" on one and then this person can give it to you and you will do the work.
  
• Personal letters: Sounds very simple, but it has a huge effect. Just write down what you love about the other one, what he/she did for you etc. It just has to be nice and personal. Much better than everything bought. And isn't Christmas the time you spend with the ones you love and to let them know how much they mean to you?

These are only a few ideas - there is a lot more you could do. 

What are your special tips for Christmas presents?

♥ xoxo

source for the quotes: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/n/nelson_mandela.html

Advent Calendar - December 3

How are you my dears?

Today, I want to share a wonderful poem with you. It creates a peaceful and enchanting atmosphere - just as during Christmas time -  and is one of the most beautiful ones I have ever read. It is a German poem and, therefore, I will post the German version. Nevertheless, an English translation will be below. ;)

"Mondnacht"

Joseph Eichendorff (1837) - Romantik

Es war, als hätt' der Himmel

Die Erde still geküsst,

Dass sie im Blütenschimmer

Von ihm nun träumen müsst'.

Die Luft ging durch die Felder,

Die Ähren wogten sacht,

Es rauschten leis die Wälder,

So sternklar war die Nacht.

Und meine Seele spannte

Weit ihre Flügel aus,

Flog durch die stillen Lande,

Als flöge sie nach Haus.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Moonlit Night

It was like Heaven's glimmer 

caressing Terra's skin, 

that in Her blossoms' shimmer 

She had to dream of Him.

The breeze was gently walking 

through wheatfields near and far; 

the woods were softly talking 

so bright shone ev'ry star.

And, oh, my soul extended 

its wings through skies to roam: 

O'er quiet lands suspended, 

my soul was flying home.

Such a wonderful poem - I absolutely love it.

What do you think about it? Do you like poems? If so, what are your favorite ones?

♥ xoxo

sources for English translation: http://myweb.dal.ca/waue/Trans/Eichendorff-Mondnacht.html

Advent Calendar - December 2

Today I want to share a wonderful inspirational video with you

Two young men decided to make a difference. They bought food and gave it to homeless people. See their reactions in this video:

"Make The Homeless Smile"

source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoGtaXt5f1w

Seing how happy and thankful the people are for being noticed and how they react - it is very moving and emotional! It clearly shows that everyone is able to change the world, make it better, just by doing little things. Take a look at yourself: What about being nicer to your siblings? Helping others? Giving people walking by a smile? You can do it; everyone does. But we have to make our minds and hearts open to the world's problems in order to solve them.

"Give someone one of your smiles, it might be the only sunshine they see all day. It can change the world, maybe not the whole world, but their world."

What do you think about this video? 

♥ xoxo

Advent Calendar - December 1

How are you my dears?

It's December 1st - only 23 days left until Christmas. Do you already know what your wishes are? 

I have decided to make kind of an Advent Calendar here on my blog. Everday there is going to be a Christmas-themed post. Some shorter, some longer, quotes or pictures - be surprised! ;)

Christmas Time

♥ Cuddling
♥ Snow
♥ Lights
♥ People get nicer
♥ Nature looks enchanted
♥ Food 
♥ Spending time with family and friends
♥ Thinking about presents for each other

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.  ~Norman Vincent Peale

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If you have not noticed it yet: My blog has a new name and therefore also a new address:

makeyour-change.blogspot.com. Personally, one of my goals is to inspire people, make them happy, give them hope. Also, a lot of my posts are about life and its ways of being. The new name just fits much better to my contents ;) 

I wish you all a wonderful day, week, month, year, life. Enjoy every moment, because that is the way life is!

♥ xoxo

quote found at: http://www.quotegarden.com/christmas.html

Cute Sunday Things #1

Today, I want to share cute and adorable, but also motivating stuff with you. Let me know, what you think about it, so maybe this will be the first of more weekly posts.

♥

Believe in yourself, belive in better times coming and just move on. Everything happens for a reason, so let life go its way!

Who does not want to receive such a cute message?


Hey. Ever heard of 
princesses?

Um yeah... What about them?

You have my number, let 
me know if you ever wanna 
be treated like one.

Have a nice Sunday and a wonderful week! 

♥ xoxo

Christmas Time - Sharing Time

How are you, my dears? 

In only 5 weeks there will be Christmas. Just a bit more than a month... Very soon. In the shops there are already Advent calendars, chocolate santas, Christmas decoration such as Christmas trees, stars etc. Soon, these special songs will be played everywhere and there are also markets. - Christmas is near!

Do you (already) have presents for the people you love? Or, do you know what you want for Christmas? 

Christmas time also means caring for each other; everyone is nicer during that time - just a small thing a day can turn a normal day into a great one. And everyone is able to make a difference! You can be nicer to the people you love, support them, do things for them. You can also help people in need, for example by donating. Not everyone has a life as great as yours - keep that in mind. 

However, remember: It does not need Christmas time to be a great and caring person - be that way everyday of the year! 

Be the best version of yourself and make the world a better place. ♥

So, what are your wishes for Christmas? Do you behave special during this time of the year? 

♥ xoxo

Quote of the Day (Life)

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."

 - Robert Frost

So, no matter what is happening in your life right now, what you are going through - life will go on. Making it through rough times will only make you stronger. Keep focusing on the wonderful and great parts of life; believe in yourself. Better times will come. ♥

♥ xoxo

Never a failure, always a lesson

This quote is absolutely wonderful and I think that everyone should keep that in mind. We all make mistakes, regret chances we did not take, want to turn back time etc. But it is okay! We are human and humanity consits of not being perfect. If you take every failure as a lesson, you will be much happier, because you do not want to make the same mistake twice. We all remember giving a wrong answer in school. And when we were told the right one, we never forgot it. 

On the other side, we should not judge others for their mistakes and not give them a second chance, because everyone deserves that, If they do not take it, it is fine. Then you will know how they really are and you can overthink your relationship. Or if they do not want to see their mistakes, it is the same here. 

You do not need to be perfect - no one is. Do you know the Hannah Montana song "Nobody's perfect"? - It truly describes the whole thought:

"Everybody makes mistakes 

Everybody has those days

[...]

Nobody's perfect 

You live and you learn it 

And if I mess it up sometimes 

Nobody's perfect 

[...]

Sometimes I fix things up 

And they fall apart again 

Nobody's perfect 

I know I mix things up 

But I always get it right in the end "

So, get up, keep that in mind, and life will get easier. Enjoy your life, be happy - and remember: Never a failure, always a lesson!

What do you think? What are your motivations?

♥ xoxo

5 Fall Favorites

We ♥ Fall    

♥ Tea
nothing is better than cuddling up with a cup of delicious tea when it is cold and rainy outside

♥ Boots 

Finally, finally, finally, we can wear boots again - and all the other  fall and winter clothes

♥ Leaves

Isn't it great to see how trees become red, orange and yellow? 

♥ Books 

Now, when it is getting cold and dark early, just relaxing on the sofa, with a cozy blanket and a good book is one of the best things to do

♥ Movies

Like above, enjoying a good movie together with family and friends is such a lot of fun

These are just a few of my favorite things about fall. What about you? Do you recommend any good books or movies? And what do you like to do in this season? 

♥ xoxo

Quotes about Life

How are you?

Today, I want to share some great and inspiring quotes about life with you, because I always enjoy reading quotations and I love the message and motivation of them. If you have some favorite quotes, please let me know, I am always interested in reading more.

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” 

-  Mae West

♥

“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.” 

- Robert Frost

♥

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” 

- Dr. Seuss, Happy Birthday to You!

♥

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” 

- Albert Einstein

♥

“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” 

 - George Bernard Shaw

♥

"Life is like a camera...
Focus on what's important,
Capture the good times,
Develop from the negatives,
And if things don't work out,
Take another shot."

♥

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated."

- Confucius 

Hope, you enjoyed these quotes - what are your favorite ones?

♥ xoxo

The Vampire Diaries

"The Vampire Diaries"

Recently, I became totally obsessed with "The Vampire Diaries"; although I think most of you already know it or, at least, have read about it, I wanted to give some short information about it.

Country of Origin: USA

Channel (original): The CW

Seasons: 5

Episodes: 22 each season

Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Romance

Based on: "The Vampire Diaries" by L.J. Smith

Starring: 

Nina Dobrev (Elena Gilbert), Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore), Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore), Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert), Candice Accola (Caroline Forbes), Kat Graham (Bonnie Bennett), Zach Roerig (Matt Donovan), Sara Canning (Jenna Sommers) and much more

Storyline:

After her parents died in a car accident, Elena and Jeremy Gilbert live with their aunt Jenna in Mystic Falls, a small town. Elena meets Stefan Salvatore and they fall in love deeply. But he has a secret: He and his brother Damon are vampires and not the only ones... Damon also has feelings towards Elena, mainly because she and the two brothers' love Katherine look alike. Bonnie, Elena's best friend, discovers her magical powers and, as a witch, plays an important role in the whole plot. A dangerous, mystical and deep love story begins...

Damon, Elena and Stefan

Personally, I like this tv serie a lot. The plot is catching and the actors are great, which makes you identify a lot with their feelings. The relationship between the characters is intensive and very emotional. However, when you watch it, you always want to continue and find out what happens next and considering that there are 5 seasons now, you are not the only one feeling that way. ;) The Salvatore brothers seem to be very different at first sight: Stefan is nice, sweet and protective and always wants the best for everyone and thinks about people's feelings. Damon, however, is impulsive, also protective, kind of a bad boy, but inside, he and Stefan are very emotional and caring for the people they love. (and both are very handsome ;))

A great show, wonderful, emotional with great actors and an interesting and catching storyline.

"You can't sit and wait for life to come. You have to go get it." - Damon Salvatore

So, what do you think about it? What other series do you like? 

♥ xoxo

sources: first pic: http://cdn.cardboardstandups.com/images/logos/vampirediaries.jpg;

second pic: http://www.bubblews.com/assets/images/news/1539180841_1370114370.jpg

information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire_Diaries; http://www.cwtv.com/shows/the-vampire-diaries/about

Nicholas Sparks: Dear John

Recension: "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks

Cover // sphere

Title: Dear John
Author: Sparks, Nicholas
Publication: 2006
Publisher: sphere; UK
Pages: 338

"When John meets Savannah, he realises he is ready to make some changes. Always the angry rebel at school, he has entlisted in the army, not knowing what else to do with his life. Now he's ready to turn over a new leaf for the woman who has captured his heart. What neither realises is that the events of 9/11 will change everything. John feels compelled to re-enlist and fulfil his duty to his country. But the lovers are young and the separation is long. Can they survive the distance?"

Abridgement: "What does it mean to truly love another? There was a time in my life when  I thought I knew the answer: It meant that I'd care for Savannah more deeply than I cared for myself and that we'd spend the rest of our lives together. It wouldn't have taken much. [...] I fell in love with her when we were together, then fell deeper in love with her in the years we were apart. Our story has three parts: A beginning, a middle, and an end And although this is the way all stories unfold, I still can't believe that ours didn't go on forever. I reflect on these things, and as always, our time together comes back to me. I find myself remembering how it began, for now these memories are all I have left." (p. 1; p.4-5)

"Achingly moving ... will have you weeping for the joy and tragedy of it all." Daily Mail

I really enjoyed reading this novel. It is told from John's perspective and you really feel with him. The relationship between him and Savannah is sweet and serious at the same time. It turns from a emotional summer romance to a steady relationship. However, John is in the army and that means separation. During his stay, the two lovers write letters to each other and make plans and hopes for a future together. The way Sparks has written his book makes it real and moving. It also shows how little moments or certain happenings can change everything and also influence a person.

A wonderful, romantic love story which animates you to think about life, trust and friendship and how everyone can make the world better, but also in the power of love and believes. 

♥ xoxo

sources: book cover: http://kuki.m2p.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/97807515392641.jpg

The Definition of Beauty

L i f e - beauty

One question concerning everybody is what beauty means. First of all, one needs to define between inner and outer beauty.

Outer beauty is way more easier to define than inner beauty, because it is not such a complex topic as inner beauty. You can work on it by working out, eating healthy, but also by enjoying your life and accepting yourself and your body the way it is. However, everyone has a different definition of a beauty ideal and what is beautiful to one and what not.

Inner beauty is everyoneself's achievement: You need to accept yourself the way you are and always keep in mind that - no matter what others say - everyone is great the way he or she is. If you have realized that, everone can be happy with themself and others see that as well.

However, the media shows a different picture of beauty ideals. Does every girl has to look like a model? Are just models beautiful? Or other celebrities who have personal trainers, make-up artists etc. and are always styled perfectly?

The answer is NO!

Everyone is beautiful, no matter how much you weight, which size you have or how well your make-up is. Believe in yourself, in your inner beauty, and if you are beautiful on the inside, it will also influence your outside. 

Say to yourself: I'm beautiful the way I am! My life is great! And everytime you look in the mirror - just focus on the parts you like best about yourself. 

Here are some motivational quotes:

"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it."

 - Confucius

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone...."   

- Sam Levenson

"I always find beauty in things that are odd and imperfect - they are much more interesting."

- Marc Jacobs

What do you think about the beauty ideal the media shows us?

♥ xoxo

Carpe diem ♥

You all now that saying. Carpe diem. Seize the day.

I personally think, one can see it as a motivation to enjoy everyday and be happy and thankful to wake up every morning, knowing that today consists of 24 hours full of possibilities, chances, emotions and feelings. Believe in your dreams and in yourself. 

We often worry about little things, but considering how great our lifes are, we do not really have the right to complain...

Keeping that in mind will help us all to make a difference. Make a change. Show the world how great you are and show yourself how great the world is. Open your eyes and I am sure you will see beauty in everything, especially in the little things.

xoxo

live the  l i f e  you  L O V E  the  l i f e  you live.

Hello!

A new blog

Hi world! After thinking about it for a very long time, I have decided to create my own blog. Well, actually it has happened quite spontaneously. However, here we go!

I do not know the topics I will write about yet, so... be surprised ;)

♥ xoxo