Current Favorites (Fall 2016)

Hello my dears, how are you?

Fall is just around the corner. Therefore, I have decided to show you some of my favorites regarding this season. The season of coziness. Speding a whole day cuddled up, reading books or watching series or a movie.

#1 Favorite Tea

The season of fall = the season of tea. My favorite is roiboos, especially with vanilla. In addition, I also enjoy a cup of apple tea (recommendations are Turkish apple, it contains fig, as well as apple tea with a hint of vanilla). Some companies also sell specials regarding winter, some of those flavors are cinnamon, marzipan, orange or almond biscuit (Spekulatius in German). Do not be afraid to try something new, go for whatever suits you best!

#2 Series
One of my absolute all time favorites is "The Vampire Diaries". It is not only a great one, no, it also fits perfectly to the darker side of fall, the mystic side as it is in Halloween. Another one I stumbled across recently is "Desperate Housewives" -  such a great mixture of drama and comedy. It is very catching and interesting and, just as TVD, a continuing series, so all the episodes create one whole story.

#3 Calendar
As one year is coming to an end. another one is just about to begin. I do not know what about you, but, personally, I like to write down all of my dates on paper. Some are saved electronically as well on my tablet or cellphone, but I am a huge fan of writing it down and having it in a real book. Later, when you take an old calendar in your hands and get through it, all the memories come back; and it is way more personal than only some text passages on your electronic device.
Until this time, I always had a calendar in which every day has its own page. It is very useful if you have lots of things to do or if you like to write down quotes or other inspiring quotes. However, on the other hand, these ones are actually very heavy. Therefore, I have decided to try something new: After thinking about it for a while and having a look at several options, I chose a Moleskine in the "Weekly Notebook Diary" edition. If you take a look inside, you will see this structure: On the left side, there are all the days of the week listed below each other; whereas on the right side there is space for all of your notes or to do lists or whatever you like to keep there. As far as I am already using it, I am very content. Whenever I want to write something down that I need more space for, for example quotes or inspiring texts, I use a separate notebook and this works very well for me.

#4 Books
I have always loved literature and reading. From my point of view, there is nothing better than cuddling up reading your favorite novel when it is cold and grey outside. Here are some recommendations: For entertainment, I enjoy reading Jojo Moyes' novels. Some I like a lot are "The Girl You Left Behind", "The Ship of Brides" as well as "Me Before You". (Recensions on two of them can be found here and here ).
What I also enjoy is reading books about philosophy. It is such an interesting and inspiring topic! Besides, I also like Shakespeare. The language is absolutely beautiful. In some app stores, you can download some of his play for free (e.g. "Romeo and Juliet", "Hamlet" or "Othello"). So just give it a try, it will be worth it!

What are your current favorites? 

The Only People You Need in Life are the Ones that Need You in Theirs

Sometimes, you have to realize that not everyone loves the same way you do. Not everyone shares the same values nor has the same standards on how a relationship should work. Of course it hurts when you find out that you do not mean as much to someone as you thought you did. It is totally fine to cry, to spend afternoons lying in bed listening to sad music and eating ice cream; everyone gets to a point where they cannot do it anymore. However, after a certain amount of time, you have to get up and live again. It might be hard, because all you want to do is to be alone and not see anyone. Fight against the urge to go back home. Go outside, spend time with good friends who encourage you, believe in you, make you happy. You deserve to live your life the way you want it to be. Therefore, focus on the people who contribute to your happiness, moments that make you smile, hobbies that relax you etc. There is so much more outside our cages; the world is such a huge place - you will find the right one when the time has come!

Meanwhile, live your life, smile, give each day the chance to be the best one you have ever experienced. Be grateful for the lessons - you were hurt due to realizing that some people do not care as much as you do. However, it is much better to see it now than living a scheme. You were given the chance to find someone better, someone who values you, supports you, sees you as the wonderful person you are. Say "thanks life for showing me what I do not want" and move on. It is hard, it is a long process and there will be moments of doubt. Never give up, do not look back - only to see how far you have come and be proud of yourself.

Have a great week! 

♥ xoxo

Everyone Deserves to Love Who He Wants

Hello my dears!

Recently, the topic homosexuality is in the media's focus, because a former German football player has come out. This was very brave and he earned lots of positive feedback for what he did. 

However, in our society there is still a problem with homosexuality. But why? Everyone deserves to love who he or she wants. Whether this is a woman or a man - never mind! Why insulting people only because they have a different sexual orientation than you? This attitude, in the worst case homophobia, is absoultely bad and should be changed. We all can make a difference! Accepting others the way they are. Everything is normal. Support this topic, make people open their eyes, make them be more openminded. Everyone has the right to live his/her life - no matter what others think.

People who discriminate others make me angry and sad. In our time, the 21st century, where we all are enlightened, something like that simply should not happen. So, for making a change, support the ones who are excluded. We are all equal. It is so sad that football players, for example, cannot come out, because they fear the reactions of the people. 

Make a change. Create a society full of tolerance. Everyone can love who he/she wants. There is nothing wrong with being homosexual.

=  Everyone deserves to love who he wants!  =

©

Let us spread this message. Thank you.

♥ xoxo

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 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

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

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

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.