A new beginning

So here I am, back the educational environment, a place I had only thought of returning to in a distant future. Anyhow I am back and my initial impressions and experiences are that this is the best I could do for my self at this time.

University is for me an avenue for me to put my thoughts into words. The clear frames which are set up for each of my subjects gives me a clear idea what I can and want to contribute with. This clarity also encourages me to be more ambitious. For the first time I can clearly see the path which is ahead of me, this stems from (a) I have given a lot of consideration to my choice of university, (b) I have additional perspectives from my work experience and (c) my priorities are very clear. This is a clear sign of increased maturity and hence focus which I have developed since I last attended university, and my hope is of course that this degree will give me additional possibilities for development as my bachelor did. 

I have tried to grow up fast, to achieve much in little time, and when I look back I feel I have seen and tried out what I could wish for in my first 25 years. Of course periods has been more hectic than others, but generally "carpe diem" expresses well how I have gone about living my life.

Now, I am again focusing on developing myself after a period of developing my surroundings. I still firmly believes that more success and life quality will come from developing and believing in that I can make the world around me a better place. And it starts with myself. To me that means I that what to be a role model to my self, I want to live in a way which is in compliance with my values and beliefs. I this pursuit I am grateful for the book my fantastic girl friend gave me for christmas "Ethics for Amador" which I finished just last week(I will come back to this book). Secondly, I concur with Mahatma Ghandi "Be the change you want to see in the world" thereby saying I am trying mine to change would I see needs change. I wish for my self to create a sphere around me which signals trust and ambition to change, this is a high ranking personal development project. More on this later.

;-)

Quiet before the storm

So, today is the last day of my unemployment period, tomorrow starts the experiences of the new path I have chosen.
I feel like I want to reflect upon the past 2 months, everything has been so turbulent, with the excessive amount of free time I found my self thinking a lot. At first it seemed very unproductive, then it became scary because there was many thoughts which I earlier had paid no attention to. But during this period I got to really go over all the issues in my mind and connect the dots.
The thoughts about who I am, what I want and my life achievements was especially hard to deal with, so first I pushed it away refusing to think about it. But such thoughts I had pushed in front of me for a long time while claiming me too busy because of work and other activities. But just a few days into November after having deliberated with the AIESEC rangers I started this thinking process. This proved to have a depth I did not see to start with (and actually with this reflection now I am reaching new depths), firstly I started sorting out the straight forward and rational questions, "What do I want to do?" "Where?". Then came the offspring from these questions "Why do want exactly this?" "What am choosing not to do?", "What has occupied me in the past preventing me from doing what I am thinking of?". When these thoughts first struck me I was paralyzed because it seemed so big to think about, it was scary being so conscious about what it means to be the the driver's seat of one's own life.
This experience I had not anticipated when I was made redundant, and I did not see the value in this experience until now, only now I recognize how powerful and valuable it has been to have this time.
The result which I see is that I am more clear about who I am, I am more determined and goal oriented and conscious about my choices, since in the light of the new knowledge I have about my self I have a much better idea about what works to my benefit and what does not.

The old figure of speech "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger" has yet again proven it self to be true :-)

Remarkable Reykjavik

So, I'm back in Reykjavik, living in the same part of town, going to the same university, having 2 of the same professors, the weather is the same, the school is arranging the same "study tours", and yet everything is very different.

The atmosphere has changed, the streets and bars are not as lively anymore, people don't have the same facial expression, eye contact is very rare. The crisis looks as to have hit the common man and woman hard. 

I believe as a foreigner here I can bring something positive to the Icelanders, not only foreign currency (and thats not a lot anyway, compared to what they need) but more importantly make them see how great a country they have and what great qualities the society here have.

I admire the icelanders "out goingness" which I see has faded a bit. It very connected to their creativity and inspiration, hence it may be challenging to work with icelanders on the upcoming university projects. I have just finished Ethics for Amador (Ética para Amador), and I think I can take a couple of learnings from the book to help the Icelanders realise their qualities and have their confidence and ethusiams blossom.

I will return next week on my progress on this and responses.

Stay close, and have a good weekend when that comes

first Doha experience

So now my forst full 24 hours in Doha has comes to an end, this has been a rollercoaster ride. Firstly nervous about the interview with Qatar Airways, secondly relieved about the outcome, then concerned and unhappy the possible choice of leaving all I have to come here. Thirdly, came the reassurance after having been out my department manager and a colleague and lastly came the relaxing and letting go by going out with a drink with Ricardo (I met Ricardo yesterday evening upon arrival, and we have speaking very well the entire time here. He will be coming here with his wife and his 18 month year old son)

So all-in-all I am filled with impressions and tomorrow I am going home with my mind full of thoughts. This will be a decision that will change my life, and that makes it just as appealling as it is frightning. I want to say yes because of all the options it opens up and to the adventure. But as of now I hesitate since I am afraid of opportunity cost, what else can I achieve, and do I sell out, can I make more in another place? these thoughts I will be getting straight over the next couple of days. 

Mostly I am just looking to get home to my Anne, kissing her and assuring that I love her.

hugs from Doha

Blog master

Hi there

Now I have become responsible for yet another blog

This time I have started a blog for the MC of Denmark

http://thedanishmc.blogspot.com/

I hope you will visit, comment, share, learn and spread
the word.

Sleep tight

Peter

Humans and anthropology

Wauw!
I am so excited how I keep discovering new aspects
of the human.
It is almost incomprehensible how the human works.
Yet anthropologists such as Donald E. Brown makes
his contribution.
On this page is the full list of human universals
http://condor.depaul.edu/~mfiddler/hyphen/humunivers.htm

I am amazed about how complex humans are, and yet we
share many traits.

Have a look at it, and you can always let me know what YOU
think of it.

I'll blog later

World leader blog

This is a request to all who come across my blog.
As I am elected president of AIESEC in Denmark for
term 07/08 I offer you all an insight to our common blog

http://globalleadersinaction0708.blogspot.com/


I hope you will enjoy the reading and participate.

Hugs

Peter