what's your theme song?

October. Already. Where did September go? My birthday month is here. Which this year holds a birthday I'm far from comfortable with. But age is just a number, I know. And the older, and wiser, I get the more comfortable I am with myself, my quirks and fabulastic features. 

And if astrology is anything to go by the next +1 year will be a wild, fun and amazing ride for us Scorpios - and whether you believe in that or not I'm most certainly in a place in my life, after all the sorrow, hard work, introspection and growth I've been through this last 1,5 years, where I'm more open and receptive for amazing things to happen than ever. Bring it on, Universe!

I've never been interested in fitting in - to be honest, aren't we all born to stand out in some way or the other? - and even less so with age. Right now I'm only interested in the finding (keeping) my kind of people mission and making a positive difference for the planet. Which is more important than ever, for us all. And with that does come a very firm statement of who cares about fitting in, it's so much more important to be the best You you can be, find meaning and a purpose, to leave the planet a better place than it was when you entered it. Simple, and difficult sometimes, as that.

Which brings me to the next part of this post, the sentiment I touched on in the last you are unlimited post - "Take responsability for the energy you put out in the world".

I stumbled over this conversation between Marie Forleo and the fantastic Brené Brown - whose TED talk/s I'm sure you've already listened to - and was blown away. 

Because despite being a word-person to the bone even I sometimes have trouble putting my feelings into words. This talk however puts a lot of the way I think, feel, live into beautiful, inspiring words. It made me laugh and cry. A friend said she felt a strong affirmation of herself and her life from listening to it. And yes, I agree wholeheartedly.

It's a 36 minutes video you really should listen to, you will be a better human being for it. And then start having those meaningful conversations!

I've just ordered the book "Braving the Wilderness" too, really looking forward to delve into it and explore new dimensions.

Which brings me to the last part of this post, the theme song. You who, like me, watched and loved Ally McBeal know what I'm talking about. That special tune that lifts you, make you feel strong, capable, brave, confident and irresistable. What's your theme song that lift and urge you on?

Mine has been Proud for some years now, it just encapsulate so much of what I want to be and do. It fills me with a strong sense of all the above feelings, every time. (Also the Cape Town video is lovely.)

I dance to it a lot - albeit the dancing under the stars days are most likely over for this year alas - but my absolute favourite dance tune right now is without a doubt Can't stop this feeling (similar to Happy some years ago). It just makes it impossible to sit still, I dance until I'm breathless and like nobody's watching. But for, as always, bewildered cats.

And that sums things up for me and my life right now, things and actions to be proud of is a work in progress but I can't stop this feeling of wonder, gratitude and happiness in general. It's such a lovely lovely lovely feeling to be in.

I keep trusting the process.

PS October 1st is also World Vegetarian Day and the start of World Vegetarian Month, that's most certainly something I'm proud of having been for over 30 years. Even more proud of being 99% vegan for these last couple of years of course. Naturally aiming for 100%. DS

looking for my kind of people

Dear Blog, it has been exactly one month since I last blogged. Which is the longest (voluntary) blog hiatus I've had. Not for the lack of thoughts and things to write about, but it is after all better to live and experience those thoughts and things than writing about them.

I can't even begin writing about everything that has happened during this past month, so much meetings, seminars, inspiration and people - but at the same time, here and now despite all this nothing has drastically changed for me personally, as far as I know. And when all the activity slowed down last week and I welcomed a breather I was struck by a horrible cold, that has been a most unwelcome companion for over a week now. I haven't had this nasty kind of cold for years so I suppose it was the body's way to say slow down. And hopefully I've now boosted the immune system for years.

The climate change has certainly been very obvious this year, the last (?) snow we had on May 9. Craziness. And then a few days later early summer arrived. We've had some lovely summer days with temperatures around 20+C and over, but the evenings are still unseasonably chilly. Summer colds are definitely worse than winter ones and even if I'm not allergic to anything the pollen season has been adding to the nastiness of it. Ah well, I'm feeling better now, if not all well.

Talking about climate change, I attended the Climate March in April. I do not do marches or group things, but still I did this one, because just as the sign I made says "you know it's serious when even the introverts turn up". Had a nice march with friends but it was really dispiriting to see how poorly organized it was plus how appallingly few people that turned up for the march. Was I the only introvert in Stockholm who realised how serious our situation is?

I'm still no closer, as far as I know, to that part-time job goal of 2017.

A few times I've thought I've been but they've turned out to be far from the great opportunities they looked to be - two misleading ads, one job was a case of "wanting someone passionate about working in an office with no need of flexibility" and the other interview was a case of blatant mansplaining. Sigh. I thought we had come so much further in 2017.

But I'm working on it! And of course continuing to run my own Prosit business. Which I hope to do for oh so many years still.

A few highlights of these past few weeks have been -

:: A lovely breakfast seminar about diversity at Junibacken experience centre/museum of Astrid Lindgren's magical storybook world. It was before the museum opened - no visitors, only the utter delight of experience the quirky building, the stories, the ambiance and not least the Storybook Train (which made me tear up). The museum is also a conference centre and open for private functions. I didn't know and I think that is such an awesome place for it!

:: A great TED Talk with global speaker and writer Navi Radjou about Frugal Innovation, which was pretty mindblowing, to say the least. You can listen to his talks here. And you really really should, you will become a better human being for it or at least strive to be.

:: Another lovely breakfast seminar at sustainability agency Futerra where co-founder Solitaire Townsend talked about how they work with Theory of Change. Brilliant. (Incidently it seems like a pretty perfect place to work at...)

:: Geek Girl Meetup 2017 - Geek Evolution. A day of geeky unconference talks by inspiring women only. In a mad world there are so many great projects out there!

Since it has been another busy month I haven't had time to really think a lot about my need for grief counselling. But I have got some nice tips of people I'm going to look up. When you're busy with practical things, with inspiring stuff, there's no time for those difficult thoughts. It's when you have to reflect they come. So yes, when the time is right I will do something about it.

This past month I've also thought a lot about how difficult it seems to be to find my kind of people work-wise. I may be a bit of an oddball, but I never thought my reasonable needs for regular solitude, flexibility and general decent behaviour could be so at odds with many workplaces still. It may be naïve but I really thought a lot had happened since I was employed years ago. Seems alas it hasn't.

Or perhaps it's just the usual case of there's a time and place for everything and when we find eachother, that illusive workplace with my kind of people and I, everything will finally feel awesome, right and we'll create magic together.

My quest continues.

the power of body language

I stumbled over this TED talk a while back and while there are a a lot of great talks out there I just don't have the time to listen to many of them. But once in a while I click on the play-button and sometimes it's a really worth while-listen. For felines and humans alike.

This one is with social psychologist Amy Cuddy and how we can 'fake it 'til we become it' by using the right body language. And it's not faking your knowledge or skills but about how you can boost your confidence and even success rate by power posing. Which can apparently affect the testosterone and cortisol levels in your brain.

It's an interesting and multi-layered talk that makes you think. And learn.

Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are

we should all be feminists

This is one of the best books (novella) I've read recently. In fact ever, since it's such an important read. For everyone, women and men alike.

'We should all be feminists' is an adaption of Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche's TED talk. An it's brilliant.

The novella has been given to every second year high-school student in Sweden. A fantastic initiative I hope will follow suit in schools and workplaces all  over the world. Because to be enlightened and a feminist is to be a part of the worldwide kindness revolution this world of ours is so in desperate need of.

And because we should all be interested in and work for a better, fairer world. I could quote many oneliners from the book but I'll settle for this, what we all want - 'A world of happier men and happier women who are truer to themselves.'

tedx stockholm differentia 2015, part I

On a glorious but horribly freezing cold day I spent close to six hours indoors alongside +400 attendees listening to TEDxStockholm talks with the topic being Differentia2015.

Out of the 10 speakers I enjoyed six and four not so much. There was also a very entertaining part where the International Improvisation Theatre Stockholm did an impro.



But seriously, close to six hours and 10 speakers, that was far too long and far too many at one session. When my mind has had time to think things through I'll make a short recap of the talks.



The grand building to the left, Södra teatern (The South Theatre) was the venue.

Now I'm going to take my very full and tired brain to bed and sleep for about 10 hours. tT least.

tedx stockholm - what's cooking?

Mikael Kristiansen, contemporary circus artist

Yesterday's TEDx Stockholm salon had the title "What's cooking?" with talks about food as a source for filling physical, emotional and social needs.



My favourite talk one was by Ebba Åkerman who has created the "Invitationsdepartementet" (The Departement of Invitations) in order to further integration by encouraging people to invite people from other cultures to dinners in their homes. That cultural clashes can be enriching, educational, creating understanding and new ideas. Perhaps even give you new friends? And eating good food and have fun is never a bad idea. Sharing a meal is food culture at its finest.

So far 42 dinners have been eaten via the Department of Invitations - her aim is to have 10000 eaten before the Swedish election in September.



Favourite talk two was by best-selling investigative reporter and author Mats-Eric Nilsson, whose books sparked a profound debate in Scandinavia about food additives and adulterated food. His work has influenced both consumers and food producers to change habits. He's currently editor-in-chief of Swedish food magazine Hunger.

Personally it was a long time since I bought the kind of food products he talked/write about. Since a basic rule is fewer, fresh, natural, organic ingredients are always better. But I'm still horrified about the dirty business the food industry in many ways is. And still so many people are hungry on this planet of ours...

Here are 3 simple advices that you as a consumer can do to change your life and the world;

1. Read the label on the food package. If you can't pronounce or understand the ingredients list, don't buy the food product!
2. Turn off the auto-pilot when you go to the grocery store. Instead buy food in season.
3. Cook from scratch. Use fresh ingredients you understand.




Dorotea Malmegård, former chef at fancy restaurants all over the world, now running a home restaurant and catering business


Niklas Ekstedt, TV-chef, restaurateur in Stockholm, one being a Michelin star-restaurant, and cook-book author

It was a fine evening spent, but it would have been great with at least one talk that made more of the connection food - health - sustainability - compassion. By someone passionate who has ideas and goals of creating a better society.

By now we're used to the quality of the speakers being very varied at these events (which are still overall very enjoyable of course). Just because someone is a celebrity doesn't mean the someone has something interesting to say, ideas worth spreading.

The truly inspirational oomph we got fed by this awesome guy, Ron Finley, guerilla gardener in Los Angeles. Do listen to the talk! As usual inspirational life stories and passionate, creative ideas for creating a better world always trumps a celebrity status as such.

happiness does work

One of the reasons we started the collaboration of Two Happy Muses was that we felt that too many people are either just putting in time going to work day in day out, week after week, month after month, year after year or are completely unhappy at their place of work. Which is simply awful, this is not how life should be. For anyone.

With the right attitude from the employer, the company, shareholders and employees, not to mention the society as a whole (inequality and gaps between rich and poor being two major factors for unhappiness), we should all be able to create a workplace we love to spend time at (and a planet to spend time on).

And seriously, what is the purpose of economic growth at every cost if people and the planet aren't happy? It's about high time we start seeing work and how work works in quite a new light.

We are all responsible for how we act and react to actions and interactions, whether it be in life as a whole or in a workplace. We're in it together and happiness is so much nicer, on so many levels, than unhappiness.

I think the Action for Happiness movement is one example of a step in the right direction, just the realisation that with small deeds most of us can do so much more to change our own lifes to the better not to mention other people's is a pretty major step actually.

That said, back to the workplace. I listened to a TEDx talk today about how happiness works - listen to it here and it brought up the idea (or why not the truth) that happiness is something universal, it is functional and it makes us thrive. It is important business.

According to recent Gallup polls only 13% of all people are passionate and happy about their work. People happy at work are less likely to get sick, they are less likely to leave the company, they are more productive and companies with happier employers have fewer workplace accidents. The cost of ignoring unhappiness is immense and yet happiness as a motivator and increased revenues factor is not being taken seriously in general.

I don't believe that an unreasonably high salary will make you happier, nor will status symbols or shopping in general. Consumerism is neither good for the soul nor the planet. I do believe however that a sense of purpose and meaningfulness will make you happier. And of course a stable financial situation based on a reasonable salary for a job well done at a workplace you enjoy going to with tasks you feel passionate about.

How such workplaces and worktasks should be shaped to create sustainable wellbeing and happiness for both individuals and the planet, that is something we should all take a serious think about. What do you think?

More about how I found my happy place you can read here

Currently dancing a lot to Happy makes me happy.

And watching singing kitty and dancing pony always push my happiness button.

10 inspiring things to read, see and listen to

Kicking off the month of may with a list of articles, photos and talks well worth reading, seeing and listening to. Some are absolutely aweinspiring, thoughtprovoking, tear-inducing and brilliant. Some are simply good tips or full of awwness.

And yes today was the day I spotted the 2014 king's meadow lilies (fritillaria) in the garden - I think the magic field is some weeks behind in bloom yet.

:: Sun kissed cat photos - because there can never be too many cat photos, right? Right.


:: This is a great TED-talk about how to create a more compassionate, humane, responsible and environmentally sustainable world, about leather and meat without causing pain to sentient beings. Clearly one doesn't need to eat meat nor using leather at all, though that is a discussion on its own.

Andras Forgacs - Leather and meat without killing animals


:: Meet the hidden players, the international facilitators, the banking system, shell companies and our politicians behind global corruption in one of anti-corruption activist Charmaine Gooch great TED-talks - here

:: A cat's guide to loving a human - us cat-owners can really relate to this...


:: A fine and thoughtprovoking review of the movie Specieism. In which the quote from Jewish writer Isaac Bashevis Singer's book The Letter Writer sadly rings truer than ever "In relation to [animals], all people are Nazis; for the animals, it is an eternal Treblinka."

And just like for him I have to say that vegetarianism is my religion. If I was ever to say I had any.


:: First sunshine for 752 rescued battery hens - all hens and chicken deserve this. "To be loved for who you are, not for what you can produce."


:: You're not an environmentalist if you eat meat. Simple as that.

I'm an ethical vegetarian, I chose compassion and kindness, but I know the dairy industry is a big part of abusing, misusing and in the end slaughtering animals and also having a devastating impact on our environment, thus I keep my dairy intake to very small amounts. And only when there's no better option (not containing palm oil).


:: Absolutely fascinating movie clip about the lion whisperer Kevin Richardson and his interactions with wild lions and hyenas. Inspiring, heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once. 


:: If you, like me, somewhere along the way have lost your reading mojo, perhaps some of these 55 great books under 200 pages can get you back on track with literature? What's your favourite short read?


:: Stop being busy - change your life to the better in two steps. It could be that simple. If we just let it be.

how creative people behave, part II

I blogged How creative people behave, part I two weeks ago, it's about time I wrote part II. Based on the second great article on the subject - 10 creative rituals you should steal. This post is about my personal views on the 10 things mentioned.

1. Take quarterly vacations - would love to, if it was financially possible. I don't think it is for very many of us. But I think the "get off the grid" and relax always is a good thing to do regularly. Staycations with that aim are the not so rich people's version.

2. Regularly hold retrospectives - super important I think. Not only if you work in a group or on projects. As a small business owner you need to do it with yourself regularly, what went well, what went less well, why and how can I improve things for next time. And remember to treat yourself to something special when you've done something really good.

3. Write every day - duh. Absolutely essential for your creativity and well-being! You work so much things, issues, problems through that way. Everything, really, becomes clear with putting the pen to the paper or, as most of us do, tapping the keyboard. You'll find your clarity. And the best thing is that the more you write the more you want to write and the more ideas you get. Heart.

4. Meet interesting people-fund - I can only concur. Going to events where interesting people talk (like TEDx and such) and be inspired. Do lunch with interesting people regularly. Twitter is actually a great source for that. Suggest lunch or coffee and find that most people are delighted to meet up and they're often just as great in irl as online. If you find mindless and forced mingling awkward and unappealing, find a business speeddating event in your area. You never ever know what great things those meetups might lead to... Things rarely happen overnight, but keep you eyes and mind open for people and opportunities and they WILL appear, I'm sure.

5. Surround yourself with inspiring things - well of course! The importance of beauty and inspiration. Creating mood boards is a simple way to do it.

6. Take a nap every day - I never do. Because I know I will not be able to sleep at night that way. And I never really feel like a nap, I'm either wide awake or ready to sleep for many hours, there's no in between for me. To be honest I did take naps daily when I worked at really horrible workplaces, because I was so tired to the bone. It never did any good for me, my creativity, productivity or well-being and I will forever associate the need for daily naps with bad work environment.

7. Envision what you will be remembered for - I find this to be a really good advice! It's another way to set goals, visualize and put your dreams into words. I find that I talk a lot about my dreams and goals these days (have far from always been very clear with that), but I'm not as good on writing them down. Will do that now.

8. Brainstorm in the cafe - spot on! The article mention "bar" and not cafe, but I totally believe in the inspirational and creative buzz you get in a good cafe. I don't do bars. But cafes are some of my happy places.

9. Get out and about - to clear your mind and be inspired when the ideas run dry, take a walk, change the scenery, do people watching, try something new, it's energizing and good for both mind and body.

10. "Morphological synthetis" - hadn't heard about the concept before, but reading about it it makes good sense. Good advice on a creative mindtool.


What did you think about the article?
Are there things there you already practice?
Did you get some good advice to
boost your creativity?

are you a closet extrovert?

A year ago I wrote about "the power of introverts" and how many cords the then recently read articles on the subject and Ted talk with Susan Cain stroke for me.

The most important thing everyone should learn about the introvert personality is that most of us aren't anti-social loners, quite the opposite in fact. BUT we don't do the group thing, we don't thrive on being the centre of attention in social gatherings, we have no need for constant public acknowledgement. We love the one on one interaction, we find that being in social situations with loads of people often drains energy rather than gives and a lot of alone time for reflection and recharging is absolutely essential.

When I say "we" I mean I, but also friends and acquaintances who are introverts say the same. So I think it's safe to say that it's a reasonable accurate generalisation. Even if there's of course a floating scale of introvertism.

And that's why I'm asking the question "are you a closet extrovert?". Because the other day I talked with a good friend (we are star sisters and so much alike in many ways, we often read eachothers' minds, but also, apparently very much unlike eachother in others) about how brilliant I think business speed dating (aka speed networking) is and what a great time I had doing it again the other day. Showed her some photos and she exclaimed "This would be like my worst nightmare!". Too many people, to much talking, too short a time, too superficial, too draining. "You are crazy, you are a closet extrovert!".

I tried to explain how much I love the speediness, efficiency, no mindless and awkward mingling with perfect strangers, you can sort your thoughts and business cards out at home and see who you'd like to have a lunch or coffee with - and that it's very much a one on one thing, but a speedy one. Even if the sound level and the speediness can be tiring, it's mostly a great buzz and very inspiring, because even if you will certainly not click with everyone you will meet some really great and interesting people to contact afterwards to meet under calmer circumstances.

She insisted on it being nightmare inducing. "All those faces would haunt me for nights to come...". We are simply same same but different.

Being an introvert (but social in doses I choose myself) is another reason running my own business suits me so well, I have lots of time to reflect and work on my own. I would go mad having to spend time with people in an office on a daily basis again. I need quiet. But I also need inspiration, good talks and good people. And getting a buzz from that. I am not a closet extrovert, I am a social on my own terms introvert.

How about you, where on the floating scale of introvertism are you?
Or are you perhaps a closet extrovert?

tedx stockholm - embracing failure

Went to my third TedX Stockholm event last week. This time it was called "Embracing failure" and while, as usual, the quality of the speakers is very mixed it was a, also as usual, very enjoyable evening spent. Ideas worth spreading tend to do that.





The charming presenter Gustaf who always manages to say thought provoking things.





My favourite talk was the one by Mona Sahlin, former party leader of the social democrats and almost became the first female prime minister of Sweden (I know it's a disgrace that Sweden of all countries still 2013 has not had a female prime minister!). She held a very touching talk about life, feminism, politics, Nelson Mandela (who was the one who made her get in to politics in the first place) wasn't bothered about her less than perfect English and came off as very human and caring.

"Why is it so important to ask 'Where are you from?' instead of 'Who are you?'" - Mona Sahlin

The conclusion of sorts of the evening is that if we're always afraid of failing (and what is failure?) we'll never cath our dreams and goals. And that by failing (whatever that means) we learn, grow and become more complete as human beings.

"Almost all truly great people have gone through some sort of suffering" - Desmond Tutu

words on creativity

One of my favourite talks from TEDxStockholm on Monday was that of Anna Linda Hultström who, after warming us all up with making us dance a bit and open up for flow, in an entertaining way talked about flow and creativity's important part in life.

Which of course I obviously totally get, but sadly still too many don't seem to.





I really enjoyed her slides. And who doesn't love a good and thoughtprovoking quote?

vegetarians are more intelligent

why am i not the least bit surprised about the conclusion of this study on intelligence and eating habits...

also kathy freston's tedx talk is a good thing to watch on this subject.
lean into it, stop being stupid and a hypocrite.

which in some ways brings me to spam, spam, spam. upon nice requests i changed the comments on blog to no word verification needed. i did so hesitantly since even with wv AND moderation there are issues with spam nastiness. but hey, who knows, maybe it'll be okey with just moderation?

over night i got +20 spam comments, and more coming in during the day. if it continues it's just not doable, neither energy- nor timewise to not have word verification, sorry about that. or well, we should totally blame the nasty spammers for wasting our time and energy.

i've set the comments to 'approve new commentators/sign in'-mode. perhaps that will work. fingers crossed. - edit a few days later; so far so good i think...

leaving comments should be easy for good people, such a pity that we have to abide to the nasty spam people's rules... i bet you they're not vegetarians!