I must admit that that I love opening my emails in the morning and receiving feedback on this little tradition of ours (the first ‘Almost Christmas’ came out in 2001– at that time just a little story the day before Christmas about if at the Mattstedt Family on the day before Christmas, the first countdown started in 2009 when BEYONDHOSPITALITY came to life). It has not been that long ago that I yawned if anyone mentioned “Tradition” – clearly that was not very cool – but I must admit that with age (and boy are the years galloping rapidly) I am actually quite font of wonderful things repeating themselves and thinking back of the fun stuff in the past. No – let me take this back, this sounds awful, I am not about to pass away (hopefully), it is not about the fun stuff in the past, it is about enjoying life, about living life to the fullest, to avoid any kind of unhappiness and misery, about choices that might cost you money but enhance happiness. I was totally over the world of Corporate Hospitality back in 2008 when I started to think about doing something totally different and jumped into the cold water of leaving a very cushy fancy corporate job; we came very close to bankruptcy 18months later and somehow we made do. One becomes very humble when it comes to the bare necessities in life and I never forget the very first job we got for BEYONDHOSPITALITY, a $5,000 assignment from my dear friend Tony that lifted the spirit and helped us believe in the future and ourselves (and we eventually succeeded to get back on our feet). Today, I cannot imagine going back to the corporate world and the politics; I sincerely hope that this entrepreneurial spirit of creativity and always finding a solution will prevail over the next 20 years… This brings me back to tradition and the feedback I mentioned. I love it. love the witty comment, the abuse of ‘you had sent this video in 2011’, the ‘forget your day-job and start writing books (I must admit I thought about it (the writing part, not the quitting part). Britta asked me today where I got this talent from and the answer is clearly my Dad, who loved to write “pointy little letters with subtle suggestions of obvious improvements …”. And then I am humbled by my fabulous daughter Julia (she is 16) who sat down one afternoon to write poems, just because she just felt like it. Here are two of my favorites: Instant Life Lessons I am learning to live. And I’m learning to ride. And I’m learning to relax, Not get frustrated, when I lose. I’m learning not to be selfish. And I’m learning not to yell. And I’m learning (though it really hurts me) Not to be too mean. And Im learning to laugh When I am made fun of. And Im learning that it’s much easier To just be me. I Was Angry One Day I was angry one day. I felt my face heat up like a hot chili pepper. My lips were pressed together, As thin as a sheet of paper. I yelled enough to start an avalanche. I was mad as a bull Who was prodded and provoked By some dumb teenage boys. I stamped and I sneered. I yelled and I jeered. And my opponent broke down. And cried a river of tears. I turned in triumph, But immediately felt that red- hot pain of guilt Sear across my chest. I turned and I swam Through that river of tears. And said to my opponent “I’m sorry. Please have mercy on my ears.” You cannot imagine how pride these fabulous kids make me and how much it reminds me of stopping to enjoy life. Talking about life-lessons and the wonderful things one picks up along the way: Three of my favorite sayings of people much smarter than I am said: · Dont worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday. · Dont waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes youre ahead, sometimes youre behind. The race is long and, in the end, its only with yourself. · Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young. How incredibly true is this? And as this has gotten already much more serious and somber than I ever intended (I am really in a terrific, super positive mood tonight – this is not singing he blues, on the contrary), have a look at the following little video, rather brilliant: https://youtube/watch?v=OX0OARBqBp0 Promising you a cheerful, happy and funny 15 days to Christmas tomorrow, yours Tobias
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 04:15:33 +0000
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