by Gundula Welti
06 Apr 2020
During a trip to India, we had long discussions about Buddhist teachings, especially gratitude.
I have long been a fan of gratitude exercises to celebrate small (and big) daily joys, and have now reached the next level for novices of Buddhism:
Instead of keeping my gratitude – and the satisfaction that goes along with it – to myself, I offer it to someone else.
Obviously, this is something I do in my head and heart rather than with a gift-wrapped parcel. At first, I was dubious, and struggled to assimilate this silent gift. But with a bit of training, I’ve understood the additional benefit that it brings: I’m delighted about something and I pass this feeling of delight on to someone else, which of course makes me feel good.
What about you? Who would you like to silently pass your delight on to?
by Gundula Welti
06 Apr 2020
A recent hike gave me the opportunity – and the time – to realise that giving up is not an option for me.
Had enough after 20 km on a 42 km marathon? Uh-uh! Abandoning a 1,000-km hike because of tendinitis? Don’t even think about it!
I may not be a top athlete, but I’ve discovered that I have a particular talent: the gift of perseverance.
An undecided client? I chase them up, make a counter offer and send him or her my best regards until we can do business together.
In short, this gift enables me to see the most ambitious projects through to the end.
A gift isn’t always obvious at first glance. What is it that enables you to fulfil your potential?
by Gundula Welti
05 Apr 2020
I gaze in greedy wonder at the window of a famous chocolate shop.
I weigh up the pros and cons, the pleasure
and the expense and decide that being left at home by myself for ten days means
I really deserve some consolation in the form of chocolate.
Back home, I get ready to go and spend the
weekend with some friends. What should I take them? A bottle of wine … or maybe
my chocolates?
Feeling something akin to sorrow, I decide
that the chocolates are more likely to go down well with everyone.
As indeed they did. After every meal, the
box was passed from one person to the next, everybody indulging in the pleasure
and saying how good they were.
I was delighted and not a little ashamed of
ever having thought of keeping the box all to myself.
My friends’ enjoyment greatly added to my
own pleasure at tasting those chocolates.
What about you? What could you share to
multiply the pleasure it gives?
