From Start With Why, to It Didn't Start With You, to Thank You Amsterdam
I've been away, and now I'm back. I have much to say...
Thank you to the people who have newly followed me on this journey. I appreciate you. I hope my posts live up to your expectations from Self Love Bites.
I’ve had a busy summer and the one thing I realized was that the 5-days a week work week is not for me. Even if it’s for two hours, the commute to and from work adds up. It paid the bills and financed my first-ever trip to Europe. I finished reading Start With Why on my commutes to and from work during the summer. The book is great. However, there one advice that I wouldn’t take from Simon Sinek, who is single himself. Doing Business Is Like Dating — Why You Shouldn’t Apply Simon Sinek’s Business Advice To Dating
I took a long break from writing due to my busy work schedule during the summer. I did share about my intermittent fasting journey as well as what came out of that in 3 Mind-Blowing Benefits of Fasting Like A Girl For One Month.
I’ve longed to do speaking gigs. It’s part of the reason I identify with a ‘speaker’ more than an ‘author’ is because I want that to be the next thing to focus or refocus on.
My podcast finally made it to Apple podcasts. (Yay!) If you would love the honor of being the first one to rate my podcast, please go ahead. I will truly appreciate it.
I traveled to Amsterdam, and visited the nearby towns and cities. I must say Amsterdam is beautiful! I could totally do without the smell of weed at every corner, past every coffee shop. For some reason, my body would ache in the city, which slowed down my walking pace to levels I didn’t understand why.
Our AirBnB in Amsterdam was conveniently located in the heart of the city, and a few minutes from Amsterdam Centraal Station. Our apartment was cozy, with lots of natural sunlight and opportunities to people-watch from the comfort of our couch in the living room. People are philosophical intellectual. They love to read and definitely have a sense of humor. There was a great collection of books to retire to in our evenings. One book that struck me was It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wollyn. I picked it out and started reading it.
I was to fly back to Hong Kong on the 31st of August in the afternoon. I just came out of the shower when my husband said that our flight was cancelled due to the approaching typhoon. Which mean that we had to reschedule our departure on next available flight that was on the 2nd of September.
Which meant that we had two more days in this exciting place. To give you an better context for why Amsterdam was exciting, let me tell you a little bit about Hong Kong.
It’s a place where book shops have gone out of business. Primary and secondary schools are next. The city has no culture. Everything is build around consumption and superficial things. You can’t find a decent croissant at a regular bakery. People have eyes, but they don’t see. People have brains, but they don’t think. They’re big on eating out and the entire F&B industry has insane working hours. People walk with their phones glued to their noses. No one talks to anyone. Mental health cannot squeeze its way. You’d need to create space for it. Every single restaurant or shop you enter plays music at volumes that can drive sensitive people like myself crazy! I’d rather eat at home, thanks! The city has no balance.
I’m a reader. I’m an educator that encourages my students to think before they do anything else. I love a good croissant with tea! It’s the most relaxing and enjoyable thing to do when I’m taking a break from work! I love my quiet time and burying my nose in a book. I love cooking and eating at home. I love reading funny signs in the window display.
I found myself in the bread section at an Albert Heijn and their supermarket croissant was better than the one you would only find at a fancy-ass French bakery miles away from home. Instead of staring at their phones, people were sat facing out toward the streets and markets where everyone was people-watching and engaged in good food and great conversations. People dress up, acknowledge the presence of others by making eye-contact, greeting and smiling.
The entire Amsterdam-Netherlands experience was retreat - a treat for my tired soul that ached for simple things and human connection. And then came the best present from the universe - you know the kind that was meant to be? Yes. That’s exactly what happened.
So I liked this book so much, and since I hadn’t finished reading it, I decided to get myself a copy from the American Book Center on the 31st of August. After we got back home that evening, I was looking at the bookmark that the sales person at the cashier inserted into my book. There we links to their social media accounts, so I decided to look them up on Instagram. They regularly held events at the store.
And guess what? They hold open mic on the first Friday of every month. 1st of September being that Friday when the speaking heavens opened the doors to me - just like that.
Of course I went. Of course I shared a couple poems. I got the opportunity to share about my book. I had been wanting to do book talks for a while. Amsterdam provided the opportunity and I took it.
It’s the ease with which things happen when you’re open to them while simply enjoying life that I love and want more of.
Thank you, Amsterdam, for this opportunity. Here’s to more of them.
What do you really want to manifest more of in your life?
Much love,
Neha
I love helping people one-on-one diving deep into the things that keep them awake at night, tired of chasing the peace that keeps eluding them. You will be amazed with your personal transformation. Below is an example of one of the transformed lives. If you are struggling with self-acceptance and loving yourself, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email: Optimysticoachk@gmail.com. I can’t wait to hear from you!