Good morning my friends.
Looks like a sunny day here in Penela. There are still clouds and a tiny bit of rain but the sun seems to be winning. I saw a graph about September and there we have over 25 throughout the month. The weather is behaving very strange this summer, and now I am seriously thinking about bringing the winter cloths boxes down to the garage, where they can wait at least one month, and perhaps longer.
Today is Monday, and the last day of August. Some months ago I sat down and had a serious talk with myself. I have been bored since I came to the country, more than 4 years ago. It was difficult to go back in time several decades. I liked the people, they were nice. I had friends, who were also nice. I loved my apartment, but not my neighbours. I have a wonderful view from my balcony, where the mountains smile at me every time I look, and the birds sing beautiful arias of the nature. The trees dance slow fox, and the breeze kisses my cheeks.
So, why am I (or was) bored?
I miss the art, the theatres, the concerts, and the symphony orchestra. There is of course art here, there is Fado, which I don´t like, and there are markets where people sell their homemade art. There are castles and ruins. It is all well, but this is something I grew up with and I seem to have mowed decades back in time.
Well, one day I decided, this couldn’t go on. You have to do something, I told myself. If you are going to live here you must do something.
But, I can’t do anything. I can’t sell my apartment. I am stuck, I replied and felt really sorry for poor me.
You have a choice, I said.
You can be unhappy, bored and miserable, or you can be grateful, happy and enjoy what you have. It is simply a choice only you can make.
Can you imagine, talking to someone, when you are complaining, and this is what you get? I don´t understand this woman, how can she not feel sorry for poor me? What does she know? I expected her to be sympathetic but she sounds like talking to a naughty child. I am not a child!
You are behaving like one, she said. Do you believe it? I was getting frustrated, but she did not stop.
Listen to me, she said. Make a choice, be miserable.
No, I don´t want to be miserable, I squeaked.
Then, stand up and be happy, she told me.
There was no escape for me. I had to make a decision, and I had to make it now!
This was several months ago. Nothing has changed in my environment. What has changed is my attitude, and during that my life is totally different. I am not bored anymore; I enjoy the stupid adventures that I stumble into all the time. I appreciate my friends more and their constant support.
I appreciate my life.
I hope your week will be good, every day full of surprises.
Thank you for your friendship and support, wherever you are.
Hulda Bjornsdottir
My thoughts shared with you 