I'm back from a three-city European tour which culminated in magical Amsterdam. The trip delivered all that I asked for and more. Paris was grandiose and majestic. Nice was warm, sunny and inviting. But Amsterdam was surreal. It is "in your face" astonishing and, hence, I think many people go there just to be shocked and startled. But if you are open to it, I think the city delivers a powerful message. At least, I got a message.
Picture this: In the midst of this beautiful city of glimmering canals, graceful bridges, and fanciful architecture is open prostitution and marijuana consumption and all the paraphernalia associated with these practices. You really can't avoid it. Amsterdam will grab your attention and challenge you to think about these issues. With the sweet smell of marijuana assailing our nostrils, our eyes were drawn to shop windows displaying a mind boggling assortment of sex toys, S&M gear, and drug related equipment. Down by the canal, the girls were shrouded in a pink glow as they pranced around behind the window that they rented by the night. They drew in a few customers for consultation on price, no doubt, but throughout it all, the crowds of people pressed by in an endless river, mothers holding tightly onto the hands of their little ones, couples arm in arm, and boisterous young men in clusters.
Over the next few days I was part of that seething organism that is Amsterdam - one with that highly charged environment with explicit images everywhere. I felt that the city was challenging me to accept it or change it and I realized that I could accept it. In fact, by accepting what was, I accepted myself. And then I knew that all my striving had brought me to this moment and this place and that I was exactly where I was meant to be. I was OK. I was in it but somehow apart from it. I had to stop and savor this awareness for a moment.
Then the magic happened. Just as I was having these thoughts the church bells started ringing, as they do on the hour. Amsterdam church towers are no ordinary towers - they are adorned with gold balls and turrets and are usually crowned with incredible looking weather vanes. This one had a arrow and a rooster that sparkled with gold. Nor do they just clang out a simple tune. This one played a beautiful melody. The tune was almost recognizable and I strove to retrieve its name but it was too subtle. The tune stopped and the bells chimed out the hour. One, two, three, four. I knew that I had received a message. We all had, only some may not have been paying attention. The tune stirred something deep within me and spoke of that life force in us all - and that life is right now! The time to live your life is right now! Accept what is and then let it go because we can only live one moment at a time.
And,so I returned with fresh resolve to live fully and well and speak with a more authentic voice. No more hiding behind facts and figures; I will endeavor to share more of my personal experiences on these pages and I hope you will follow along!
Picture this: In the midst of this beautiful city of glimmering canals, graceful bridges, and fanciful architecture is open prostitution and marijuana consumption and all the paraphernalia associated with these practices. You really can't avoid it. Amsterdam will grab your attention and challenge you to think about these issues. With the sweet smell of marijuana assailing our nostrils, our eyes were drawn to shop windows displaying a mind boggling assortment of sex toys, S&M gear, and drug related equipment. Down by the canal, the girls were shrouded in a pink glow as they pranced around behind the window that they rented by the night. They drew in a few customers for consultation on price, no doubt, but throughout it all, the crowds of people pressed by in an endless river, mothers holding tightly onto the hands of their little ones, couples arm in arm, and boisterous young men in clusters.
Over the next few days I was part of that seething organism that is Amsterdam - one with that highly charged environment with explicit images everywhere. I felt that the city was challenging me to accept it or change it and I realized that I could accept it. In fact, by accepting what was, I accepted myself. And then I knew that all my striving had brought me to this moment and this place and that I was exactly where I was meant to be. I was OK. I was in it but somehow apart from it. I had to stop and savor this awareness for a moment.
Then the magic happened. Just as I was having these thoughts the church bells started ringing, as they do on the hour. Amsterdam church towers are no ordinary towers - they are adorned with gold balls and turrets and are usually crowned with incredible looking weather vanes. This one had a arrow and a rooster that sparkled with gold. Nor do they just clang out a simple tune. This one played a beautiful melody. The tune was almost recognizable and I strove to retrieve its name but it was too subtle. The tune stopped and the bells chimed out the hour. One, two, three, four. I knew that I had received a message. We all had, only some may not have been paying attention. The tune stirred something deep within me and spoke of that life force in us all - and that life is right now! The time to live your life is right now! Accept what is and then let it go because we can only live one moment at a time.
And,so I returned with fresh resolve to live fully and well and speak with a more authentic voice. No more hiding behind facts and figures; I will endeavor to share more of my personal experiences on these pages and I hope you will follow along!