16Aug 2023 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

Finding Your Wild Self & Living A Full Life

Mental Fitness, Mindfulness, Personal Development
Manuela & Anya, 2022 The doors to the world of the wild Self are few but precious. If you have a deep scar, that is a door, if you have an old, old story, that is a door. If you love the sky and the water so much you almost cannot bear it, that is a door. If you yearn for a deeper life, a full life, a sane life, that is a door. ― Clarissa Pinkola Estés (Photo by Sandra Grünewald, Unsplash, 2023) One of my doors is behind the pain and loneliness I experienced when I was a toddler, in a hospital, for several months, tied down so I would not fidget with my leg (it was in a cast), or stand up (which might have jeopardized the…
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24Nov 2021 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

Everything Has Two Sides

Mindfulness, Personal Development, Philosophy
I repainted my mailbox. It looks like new, but the flag is not installed properly yet (long story). When I inspected it today, contemplating how to solve the issue, I noticed beautiful ice crystals on the north-facing side of the mailbox. The south-facing side was steaming in the sunlight. I was thinking how everything has two sides: literally and metaphorically speaking. If we accept that our perspective can only be subjective, and that every situation has different aspects to it, then we have to accept that we might not always sit on the sunny side of a reality. And if that is the case, we could infer that there IS indeed a sunn(ier) side to things. How does that strike you? By the way, as a life coach I can…
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16Nov 2021 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

Freedom Choices

Cultural Awareness, Mindfulness, Personal Development
I keep thinking about my fellow Austrians. My country of birth seems divided and propaganda is driving the wedge even deeper. Thinking about our collective history, I am concerned where this might lead (again). What comes after the division? Segregation? Finding a scapegoat? Then what? I keep thinking about this dilemma. And I want to understand. So please come along and let’s ask some questions. The situation as it presents itself to me in the stories I hear and read from people I know: The government is taking away some of our freedoms, and we feel restricted. Some of us fight by being obstinate or by complaining. Others, in a more inward-directed way, are being unhappy. A few might be involved in constructive political activism; others trust that our countries’…
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08Nov 2021 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

Happiness is Here, Now

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"Happiness is a Value, not a Goal!" That means, happiness is not something to look for, to try to reach, a goal, but a value, something to believe in, a moment-to-moment way of being! Does this sound familiar? - “I will be happy when _______” (fill the blank). What did you wish for as a child? – Your next birthday gift? As a teenager? – Your driver’s licence? As a young adult? – A good job? / A wonderful partner? – And once you got what you were wishing for, how long did your happiness last before you filled in the blank with something new, a new condition for your happiness? What are you longing for or chasing today? – Do you think this ____ (fill the blank) will make…
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05Nov 2021 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

The World of Little Things: Ice Crystals

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We had a few frosty nights. In the mornings, on the way to the school bus, I keep finding the most beautiful ice crystals. I keep thinking how intricate they are. I realize that the world does not end where my attention ends. And I am in awe. What do you think? What’s a seemingly little thing that you were in awe of? Please share a comment or a photo!
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16Oct 2021 by Manuela Zeitlhofer

Mindfulness in Motion

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Mindfulness is commonly understood as paying attention to what is happening in one’s mind, body and surroundings, with a focus on the present moment, and in a curious, compassionate and non-judgmental state. What does mindfulness do to us? Mindfulness improves our well-being. Focusing on the here and now makes it less likely to get caught up in worries about the future or nostalgia over the past. It also improves our mental and our physical health. One technique is Mindful Walking: The ability to walk sets us apart from most animals on earth. It is a defining factor of being human. Most of the time, we might fail to see walking as something special. When you walk mindfully, pay attention to the sensations of your body: How do your feet feel,…
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