Weekly Updates for Volker’s Tweets: 2012-05-18

Posted by Volker in personal on May 18, 2012

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Wee man in Milano again

Posted by Volker in family on May 16, 2012

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Buddhist Thoughts: Falling on the Ground

Posted by Volker in Buddhism on May 16, 2012

When we fall on the ground it hurts us, but we also need to rely on the ground to get back up.

- Kathleen McDonald, “How to Meditate”

I love this quote: simple and easy to understand. Or is it?

You need the ground for 2 reasons:

1. to fall on it, to get hurt, to realise it is there
2. to get up from it, to get help to learn from it

Isn’t that wonderful, sweet and simple.

Enjoy ;-)

Volker

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Sunday Column (167)

Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on May 13, 2012

This week started with a bank holiday. I really could get used to 3 days weekends. Also, I finally bought what I was going on for for the last few months: an iPad. Yes, after converting to an iPhone, reading Steve Jobs’ Biography, then “Inside Apple” and now the biography of Joan Baez, I am so taken with Apple (and subsequently with the 60ies/Hippie attitude) that the next purchase will be an iMac. That has to wait until we have moved though.

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The iPad is aiming to replace my netbook which my MIL (mother in law) will appreciate. Also when I start commuting longer from the new place there will be plenty of use for an iPad from reading the paper to writing this blog.

By the way the new place. We really annoy our solicitors and mortgage advisor. After some mistakes on their end, it has now all been verbally sorted. Once things are confirmed in writing we are going to exchange contracts (hopefully next week) and then move early June. Fingers, toes and legs crossed. We cannot wait. Life is on hold until we can settle. No new purchases, no BBQs, no new paint on the wall. We are just waiting.

This week I also got a new CD. Yes, those round little music holders that are getting replaced by digital music. I feel so retro knowing I love my vinyls and also got my record player here (despite that I haven’t used it for a while). Anyway, I got the CD from the Reinhard Mey concert I was visiting with my mum last year. It is great to have this memory on CD. Not only the songs but it also brings back the memory of this experience. Music can be so thought provoking and sentimental.

There has not been much else happening. Or it might have been, but nothing I can speak about freely. No, nothing to worry about. But there are a few things going on of which I am quite thoughtful about. However, things will happen as they meant to be. Being a Buddhist helps you coping with a lot of stuff you need to put up with. Politics, opinions, change of life, sudden changes and love.

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Yes, love is the one I need to deal with too. Not a big burden of course. I love love – I mean who doesn’t. But hearing that the kids love you and that they miss you, I find it difficult to not think about it all the time whilst being away, at work or travelling.

This ties in with the most important event that happened this week: Rohan took his first few steps! It is fantastic to see him doing it. He seems to have so much fun and joy doing it but only does it when in the bedroom “having a race”, not when he is in the garden, park or elsewhere. I guess this is only the beginning.

I guess life is the challenge of being able to balance the “need for money”, the “aspiration for a career”, and the “love for the family”. This might sound sentimental but I am pleased with my life at the moment. Seeing so much love from my 3 year old (and the younger one too but different), and having a great job that allows for flexible working is fantastic. I couldn’t wish for anything else at the moment.

Now, before I start rattling on, I better stop.

Have a fantastic week. A normal weekend, a normal week ahead.

Buddha bless,
Volker

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Weekly Updates for Volker’s Tweets: 2012-05-11

Posted by Volker in personal on May 11, 2012

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Battle of explaining what I actually do….

Posted by Volker in cb consulting on May 10, 2012

Thanks to a partner and competitor, there is now a 10 minute video explaining what our industry is actually about.

This is dedicated to my mum ;-)

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Inspirational Thought: Present Moment

Posted by Volker in Buddhism on May 9, 2012

Don’t let a mad world tell you that success is anything other than a successful present moment. ~ Eckhart Tolle

Living in the moment is not a new concept.
Wanting success is not a new concept. Most people are “trained” by their parents and by society to be “high achievers”. I was.

However, the true success of man is to cherish this very moment. It is not about the past or the future but the here and now whether you are successful or not. If you make this moment successful, and the next, and the next…..you are on your way.

Have a great day,
Volker

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Obsession

Posted by Volker in personal on May 8, 2012

You all know I have an obsession with work, productivity and motivation. And since last year I sold my soul to Apple.

Mixing all that results in a little motivational poster/frame on my desk.

One of many, maybe from others, to come. I think I start creating my own homemade collection now.

And certainly a new obsession.

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Bank holiday thoughts

Posted by Volker in family on May 7, 2012

Unbelievable how much joy my two boys bring to me.

Rohan who only sleeps at night if he is next to you.

Colin for whom you get up early to play trains and “party”.

Never had I imagined this to happen. Have you ever considered how lucky you are?

Just some thoughts watching kids TV whilst watching the little one to take the living room apart.

Have a great family day!
Love and Happiness from my little corner of the world.
Volker

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Sunday Column (166)

Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on May 6, 2012

I couldn’t have asked for a nicer start to the week. It was a special day, I had the day off, and for the first time in weeks it was sunny. So the family took off to an animal farm in order to look at goats, sheep, lamas, cows etc. However, the turkeys were evil and really scared Colin. Bless. We did a nice lunch in a country pub and finished the day with playing train tracks at home. Fantastic.

I agree that these birds are ugly and can be quite scary if you are a lot smaller than myself ;-)

Obviously reality caught up with me this week at work. I have been busier than normal and lots of things seem to happen. I also did a lot of networking, ending up drinking too much, every night of the week. Having said that, I kept up my running routine and managed my first 30 minute non-stop run on Friday. So I am very chuffed with myself.

This week I had a lot of thoughts. Not only about age but also about where the journey is going. The life journey. It might sound sentimental but when you stop life for a split second, sit down and look at what you like to achieve, then kids spring to mind first. At least with me.

I wanted to watch a movie on Saturday when my wife went out with some friends. But Colin woke up and hence I ended up not watching any. Here is one of my favourite movie speeches though:

A leader, military type, telling his troops that not faith nor race nor anything matters but that for their common goal they need to stick together no matter what. And, that he will be the first to enter the battle, and the last to leave. Heroic yet fantastic.

I never thought that kids became so important. They admittedly did my head in this weekend though. I dropped off Colin at school on Thursday and he was very huggy. When my wife picked him up and he asked whether “daddy was home” and she explained that I was at work, he said “I want my daddy back”. Only 3 year olds can come up with those questions and wouldn’t understand what is going on. On Saturday he wouldn’t settle asking for mum. You can’t win I guess. Hence when working from home, Colin is very much focused on what I am doing. We got some great shots of him and me in front of the laptop, or him using my headset pretending to speak to people. Only 3 year olds…..

On that note we still waiting to hear re our exchange date for the house. Our solicitor seemed to have screwed up a bit and we are very unhappy. Again, things are delayed. Unbelievable. And it is totally out of our hands which is the most annoying bit. I just hope everything is going well and we can move the beginning of June. Fingers and toes crossed.

Let’s see. What meant to be meant to be they say.

Have a great Bank Holiday Monday!

Best
Volker

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