KETCHUP II

Hello! Long time no writing! Sorry…

First of all: HAPPY NEW YEAR! May this year be a year full of HOPE!! 
 
Let’s see, where have I been?
What have I been learning?
Hot topics of the last 30 days or so?
 
(please disregard the importance of the order of topics…)

• FRIENDS >> We spent the last days of 2016 with a group of friends! We hadn’t done this for a while… at least including spending some days out of our routine and choosing to go out, countryside, friends & family, relax & fun for children and adults. It felt great and we always end up asking why don’t we do this more often. Great way to close 2016 and to keep in mind that we should save a place, space (sometimes we are with our friends but we don't know a thing of how they are feeling and how their life is going... let's avoid that!) and time for friends in 2017.
  
• FAMILY >> Influential days here… very strong actually. My uncle passed away… we we’re expecting it, he was very ill. It is sad but I’m very happy about the message that he planted in our hearts: family is the best friends we can have. We’re such a big family that, in fact, I have a few cousins that are pretty much the same age as I am. We’re now doing our best to get together more often. I always try to turn a sad goodbye into a good thing for the future! I find my faith to help me keep focused on what remains forever and let go of all other things.
  
• WORK… I’m having trouble to keep my motivation up in this area… I feel that I can put in 1000% but I may end up getting no results… well, the struggle continues and my obligation is to keep doing a good job, the best I can do, every day. I’m focusing on this, for now.
  
• SPIRITUALITY>> We have just arrived from Schoenstatt  in Germany. We are very grateful to belong of this apostolic movement and working hard to find our way and to be faithful to our covenant. Every step to become more committed brings us more joy that we want and urge to share.
  

• READING>> I’ve just finished ‘The life changing magic of tyding’ by Marie Kondo. I’ll try this method this year because I always feel that we have too much stuff at home. The one big lesson (big lessons always have an obvious sound that makes us not want to hear ;) ) : DETERMINE WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY – AND WHAT DOESN’T. Let go of things that don’t spark joy!
  
• SPORTS>> I will leave my Pilates sessions behind and I will try Ashtanga Yoga. Meanwhile I started to run and want to do it at least once a week. The last time I went running I felt like running faster and I strangely found it to be more fun! 
  

LESSONS LEARNED/ TO KEEP WORKING ON:

1. Find a way to spend time with your friends! It’s precious!
   
2. Family is the best friends we can have. Try to get along! Life is short! If you discover that your family is in fact your group of friends you’re a very lucky person! Be grateful and devote some time to strengthen the ties.
3. Try to turn sad goodbyes into a good thing for the future. Every life will have a good lesson for you to learn and good things to keep in mind while living your own life. This way you’ll find a way to carry your loved ones in your heart constantly and they will continue to live because of the lessons you have taken from their lives. It’s a way to pay tribute that enriches your life!
4. Your obligation is to keep doing a good job, the best you can do, every day. Simple.
   
5. Every step to become more committed brings us more joy. Don’t be afraid of commitment.
   
6. Let go of things that don’t spark joy. They’re just that: THINGS.