While waiting to be able to build Telluselle Living Center, here is a practice video for now, of me dancing a classic Hawaiian Hula Christmas song at home, until a real Kumu can join:

Merry Christmas!

We all want to feel connected and that we belong. Many search for a group and adopt to their culture, whether ways of talking or dressing, eating or listening to music, but it can soon become a role we play, an imposed persona with which we don’t operate from an authentic place. A pressure to conform from the outside. If we instead, meet where diversity is celebrated, and center around a cause or topic, creating goals together, we can build relationships that truly nourish and support us. All sought from inside, to match our own values.

Sometimes, it’s nice to put aside all our commitments to others, our own history and any current dramas at home, and simply focus on something else, without baring our souls. This too, can be done with authenticity, as long as we remain truthful and honest about our own values and experiences. We can for example discuss equality in the workplace, without disclosing any private information, if we don’t feel like it, but still share our own examples from work, besides our own opinions and ideas.

To really connect on a deeper level, however, we must dare to share our own struggles and how we overcame them, our own journey, our own questions and concerns, our own hopes and dreams, so that others may recognize themselves with similarity. When we found our conversations through real-life examples, it becomes increasingly more easy to find and express empathy, through which we can truly support each other, to heal and grow. Together, we can create progress and safety. And form a sense of unity based on diversity.

The sacred circles, support groups, and coaching groups, at Telluselle Living Center, is thus about storytelling with a purpose, passing a talking stick.

One of the perspectives you can use, when planning and improving your life, is the one of sustainability. The goal of living eco-friendly, is to create more sustainability. This means, that we want to design our life, in a way that can support future generations, as well as making our own last better.

Factors to consider can be:

Is my choice of profession sustainable? How is my job affecting the climate, others’, and my own health?

What is my wealth of knowledge? How can I transpire this to my own children, customers, co-workers or students?

Are my buys sustainable? My choice of power source for energy, choice of food, how I use water, fabric and style of clothes, care products, cleaning and detergents, and so forth.

What makes me feel joy? A happy person, has better health. What makes me happy?

Do I have sustainable relationships? Am I connecting from a place of authenticity? Do I care for my relationships to last?

Is my life-balance, and the use of my time and energy, sustainable? Am I pushing a lot into my schedule, or taking time to rest and reset in between?

Do I live with a purpose? What is a cause that I feel deeply for and like to support? How can what I do in life, contribute to a better society?

To talk these over, contact me for a series of life-coaching sessions. Each session lasts for an hour and costs 100 USD, either in person or through Zoom. You decide yourself for how long and how often (I recommend once every two weeks, for three months, to define and implement a change.) The first coaching session, is for free!

Part of living eco-friendly, is to develop your own relationship to the land. We do this, by connecting with nature, where we’re living. Hopefully, even if you live in a city, there is nature not too far away, like a park, a piece of forest, or a small beach by a lake. Make this into your own sanctuary, that you visit regularly. But, how do you then develop a sense of being one with nature?

Here are some tips:

• Be present (don’t distract yourself with music, or even conversations)
• Indulge in your senses (notice the scents, sounds and sights, touch the surface of a rock or tree)
• Assume a state of wonder (marvel at the height of trees, the delicate design of leaves, colorful flowers and the beauty of it all)
• Remember your place in the eco-system (which animals are below you and which are above you in the hierarchy of preys and predators)
• Notice the seasons (and eat accordingly when possible)
• Grow something in a garden, or a pot indoors, and tend to with care

Simply put, spend time outdoors and feel the aliveness, that you also are part of.

How many people do you know, who work in the same field of profession, as one of their parents? Back in the day, farmers often expected their sons to continue after their own passing, but nowadays, most of us don’t need to. Nonetheless, some do become what their parents also are. But, is it the right job for you?

I, myself, was expected to get an academic higher degree, since my father has a doctorate in Ethnography. I wasn’t thrilled about it and chose another path, a more creative one as a copywriter. When I turned 30 however, I realized I lacked knowledge and wanted to acquire that, and thus got a Master’s degree but in Workscience and Organizational Change.

When I grew up, I decided early that I didn’t want to become like neither my mother, nor my father, but that had of course more to do with their behaviors and modes of communication. How they were as people. Now, that I feel more comfortable in my own skin, and have my own faith, it also becomes increasingly easier to honor both my parents through their knowledge, that they’ve shared freely. This, we can further and apply, to be put to good use and even developed. My mother was a language teacher and my father an author and a journalist. So, I use my talent in languages, when I travel and live abroad, as well as now, writing in English. And the writing of course, is something that has followed me since I was little, but I write about other things and in other ways than my father does.

Whether inherited genes or a developed talent, what your parents did for a living can be a clue to choose your own profession. To understand what you already have in your own backpack in terms of skills and tools, and accumulated knowledge, through their sharing of experiences. Or even to know, what you absolutely don’t want to do. Sometimes, being sure of what we don’t want, makes it easier to find out what we do. And, you can always change.

If you’d like to explore more about pursuing a profession, don’t hesitate to contact me for a series of coaching sessions by Zoom or in person. The first one is for free without any obligations!

So… my chosen theme for 2025 to focus on for my personal development and healing, is… Articulation. My mother taught me the importance of this, when I was in my teens and started singing in choirs, as well as for pronunciation when I talk. But, since I had braces for many years growing up, I wanted to hide my mouth and never really did articulate well. Similarly, during 2008-10, 2013-15 and 2020-2024, I haven’t been able to speak properly, besides eating, because of my teeth. Now, finally, and thanks to a grant, I have received dental implants both for my upper jar and my lower jar, and what better then, to focus on articulating better?!

Articulate, is to use our mouth deliberately and more consciously, to become better understood, and for songs to become better heard, as well as when giving talks of course. I love doing that, and held a couple really good ones 2002-04, but haven’t been able to since. So, this is something I look forward to taking up again!

And, I started practicing a little, on my Threads, that you can listen to here.

As this year is drawing near to a close, this is a good time to do a recap. Simply write down a sentence or two, for each month that has passed, and what entailed during the month. Did you learn something specific? Did you end anything? Began anything? What improved? This enables you to keep track of your progress and feel proud of your accomplishments. Check in with your goals too, and see whether or not you are closer to fulfilling them, or what more you need to do. Are they even still valid and wanted?

Next, comes defining a theme, a word to focus on, for next year, that you can let guide you in all your interactions, regardless where and what life takes you through. It can be something interpersonal that enables you to improve your ways of relating. Or it can be something completely based on your own needs of self, that you like to develop or heal. Two examples, I’ve used recent years, have been Posture and Enthusiasm: How am I standing in line? Walking? Carrying myself? How do I feel about a certain job or place to live? About a certain person that wants to meet?

Making a theme, a specific word to focus on, into your New Years Resolution, makes it a whole lot easier to keep and carry out. (This is something I’ve come up with and practiced myself for more than 20 years as a Lifecoach, which is how I know it works. I will share mine for 2025 soon!) A specific theme to focus on, also help you to stay motivated and centred, letting it be your inspiration.

Then, celebrate the holidays, and get some needed rest, to start off next year on a high note.

What are you going to focus on?

About 15 years ago, I started pondering about how much natural disasters can be an effect by us humans. It started with delving into Hawaiian mythology about Volcanic Goddess Pele and suddenly experiencing an earthquake in the south of Sweden, which is very rare. It came shortly after a deep drilling had been done to make a tunnel underneath a mountain. Was the earthquake because of that? Is there an actual cause and effect, or simply accumulated due to pollution and such?

In Hawaii, there is a belief that a group of Kahunas (priests and experts) gathered and together performed a focused prayer meditation with a visualisation of a wall, to stop or halter a tsunami, which then worked. The power of the mind! I also often got headaches, when an earthquake were about to happen, besides a bit of faul smell of vog. In Portugal, I soon started feeling whenever the tide was shifting in my body, so that we become affected by these planetary changes is evident. But, can we change the tide?

According to a post on X by Elon Musk, there is something referred to as the Kardashev scale, where the first type A, is a civilization being able to store and use the entire energy of the planet, including controlling natural events. The mentioned researcher is a Russian from 1964. Are there experiments?

We can pray of course. And see how the rain stops within 15 minutes when we step out the door. At least, it usually does when I’m without an umbrella, in Sweden, but not elsewhere. A shamanic thing based on love and reverence. I don’t think, anyone should have power over nature, or try to dabble with natural forces, unless it’s simply to harness for actual use, such as to create energy. We’re part of. And what we do to nature, we do to ourselves.

We all want to have a good health. Often, we strive for something that feels unattainable or focus on what we lack, which just makes it worse. What we can do instead, is to focus on getting our needs met and do a weekly check-in with ourselves:

Have my physical needs been met? Sleep, rest, food, water, fresh air, exercise, and daylight.

Have my emotional needs been met? Care, support, feeling seen and heard, as well as been loving.

Have my mental needs been met? Thinking positive thoughts, focusing on solving problems, processing information and feedback.

Have my spiritual needs been met? Attending church, praying, reading spiritual texts, chanting, journaling or meditating.

Another tip, is to write down afterwards what you’ve practiced and when, instead of planning beforehand, in case you feel stressed out and don’t know if you can keep your plans. Then, rather do what you can and when, instead of at a pre-determined time. Through this, you can find out when it’s easier for you to commit to a regular practice, rather than trying to fit it into your schedule. And, most importantly, don’t beat yourself up for not having it all together. Nobody has. Just do what you can, regularly. It’s better to do yoga once a week on different days, than none.

Tending to your needs, is a gift to yourself. The gift of self-care.

Here is a short video, presenting the plan to build Telluselle Living Center, where classes will be offered in dance, qigong, yoga and meditation, where sacred circles and group coaching will be hosted, and workshops and seminars.

Enjoy!

In our support groups, conversation circles and sacred circles, we will have different themes and topics that we delve into. As with all coaching, they are built on the members answers and own development, rather than any teachings. Through my lead and questions, this can occur naturally, once we’ve established good rapport, and set the rules (such as vowing to show each other respect, confidentiality and openness).

Questions for a support group can sound like:

What did you lack growing up from your parents?

What are you lacking now?

How can you ensure that you now will receive and meet these needs?

Questions for a conversation circle or think-tank, can be to discuss:

How can we ensure a better food quality?

Which sustainable energy source can be used inside a city for apartments?

What are the ideals that we see in social media and how can we respond to this?

Questions for a sacred circle can be:

What is your innermost wish come true?

Which real-life examples have you experienced with a sense of Divine timing or presence?

What is stopping you from living your own best life?

Altogether, the main question to answer together is:

How can we solve the problems we see in society, in our own communities, and in our own family? At home, in school or on the job?

If you have any thoughts and suggestions, feel free to comment, or bring to our group sessions!

Photos show trunks of a pine tree, a birch tree and an oak tree.

My interest and dedication to preserve nature, started with engaging myself in WWF in the 90’s, followed by becoming a member of the Green Environmental party in Sweden in 2008 for a couple of years. And in Hawaii 2010, I was a member of, and blogged for, the local organization Kanu Hawaii for a while.

Non-profits. seem more engaged in non-violent action, such as writing petitions, while politics often seem to become self-serving and very much about taking side, just as activism and demonstrations can escalate into mobs, rather than exercising true passion for a cause. I don’t like that. What does wanting to keep nature pristine and clean, have to do with revenge attacks and terrorism? While that too includes pollution and destruction on the environment, it seldom seems advocated in these conflicts, less included in environmental discussions. Why not? Is it naive to think of bombs as means to destroy nature, when in fact stopping them, could be THE way to create peace?

When we apply a green perspective on life, we simply have the environment at the forefront in all our decision making. Just ask: How will this (manufacturing, advertising, distribution, territories, agriculture, education, recreation, communication, living, travel etc) impact the environment? Since all humans are equal naturally, in front of nature’s great powers, such as the oncoming of a tsunami, a hurricane or an earthquake, why can’t we collectively unite, always with this in mind, and let our respect and reverence of nature steer us? To me, this is the epitome of Telluselle Living.

Whether you’re seeking more inspiration to create art or content, or want to solve a problem that even could become an invention, brainstorming can help you. You can either do it yourself, or together with others in a group.

Start by defining the problem or topic that you’d like to explore. Now, associate freely without judgment or putting value on what you come up with. Write down a list, or make a mind map, to get an overview of your associated words. Then, look at each word and see what could be made into a solution based on that. Finally, choose what to continue with, and make an action plan. Who are you going to call about what? When will you need to send in an application for funds or a permit? What do you need to learn, and who can you do it with? Here is a small example:

Let’s say you’re pondering about what to wear at a function. A brainstormed list could look like this:

• Vintage
• Tailored
• Self-made
• Altered
• Newly bought
• Cultural outfit
• Borrowed
• Rented

These then become options, that in turn holds an opportunity, that you can pursue. For example, if you opt to wear vintage, your mission now becomes to look in second hand stores, on E-bay, and ask around your friends, acquaintances and parents, to see if they have something you can wear.

The key to finding a solution, is to be practical and action-oriented.

Did you know that depression is one of the symptoms of gluten intolerance? When I learned that in 2008 and changed my diet, everything changed. I had never felt depressed, such as overwhelmingly sad, or lacking motivation, but simply tired and out of sorts, besides stomach symptoms. And now that I think back, as well as check in with myself regularly, it’s all been about one thing: Getting my needs met.

Nobody can be on top all the time, but we can find a pretty awesome middle ground that is rested and peaceful, from where it’s easy to elevate our mood, or to return to, after someone or something has made us upset.

Our body speaks louder than our mind. Everything can be related to how we feel in our body. Getting a headache, might make us feel irritable. Imagine how weird to seek psychiatric medicines for that, which might even produce more headache as a side-effect, instead of taking a glass water, a regular painkiller, and rest for a while. So, whenever you feel the need for a mental health day, use the Hierarchy of Needs by Maslow with scrutiny for yourself:

Are you eating, and drinking water, properly?

Are you sleeping enough in a safe place you can call home?

Do you feel supported and a sense of belonging to a group of people?

Are you able to work ( or study) to enrich yourself intellectually as well as make a living?

Can you express yourself freely and feel pulled towards being your best self?

Often, it seems like many in society use their energy to fight off “low” feelings, instead of seeking fulfilment. Don’t wallow in sadness, but seek gladness, after you have given yourself time to let the emotion roll through you, and showed yourself compassion. For us to have balance, it’s natural to have experienced both sides of the spectrum. In fact, it makes for a fuller life-experience. The deeper you’ve been, the longer the runway you have, to take off from. And the more pro-active you are, the more empowered and in control you’ll feel. Add thereto faith, and you have something to guide you.

According to Meyer-Briggs, the type of personality we have, affect how we interpret and interact in the world, and most of all can help us understand our needs, and our best way to handle stress. An introvert, receives energy and inspiration through alone time and introspection, while an extrovert prefers talking and being around others to process things and become more energized therethrough. There are 16 combinations of personality types according to their scale, that can create a foundation for self-improvement and more wellbeing both individually, at work and in teams. You can watch more here.

My ambition is, to get licensed to offer Meyer-Briggs personality tests, as part of my lifecoaching. Have you gotten one done through recruiting, or a human resource specialist, you’re welcome to bring these results too, as part of your discovery process and goal setting.

We will also discuss an aspect that I’ve found important to also consider, which is how the environment and culture you live in, may enable or disable your best self. If you’ve moved, or undergone some kind of crisis, it might have rocked you out of kilter, or changed your ways. The question then arises, whether you can realign yourself back into how you used to be, or adapt to the group and environment. Perhaps that is what needs to change? It’s all about finding what motivates you, and enabling you to blossom.

Here is more about the MBTI-tests.

There is a lot of hype around the development of AI. Everybody wants to jump on the train, to not miss out. But what are we going to use it for, and what will be the result of that? Which needs does it satisfy? Or are they even unknown, until further development can emerge out of the current?’

I’ve encountered posts about replacing both copywriters and coaches with Chat GPT, which feels devastating, since the developers likely lack the expertise of, so the programming will be set to much lesser quality, which will trick users into believing that is how it’s supposed to be. When it isn’t. An example is asking a language model to create a slogan for a travel agency, and get something in response that is both cliché and too common, instead of getting something tailored to the specific travel agency, stating their specialty, which is what an actual copywriter would do.

Likewise, getting help to choose which degree to pursue, could become too narrow, if the person asking, isn’t receiving a coach’s keen understanding of underlying wishes from the parents, reading his/her bodylanguage, and discussing the emotions around choosing that specific degree. How much money could then become lost, if that person quits college and becomes totally miserable? Or, on the other side of the spectrum, what if it’s exactly what that person is looking for and wants, but lacks funds to. How would Chat GPT solve that? And who is going to pay unemployment, if AI makes more people unemployed?

Everything in a coaching session, is built on the client’s response, which we listen to with presence and compassion, while still challenging and providing additional perspectives to assist a sense of empowerment and clarity, to make better decisions. The whole world, seems to look for answers online, instead of meeting others and create them themselves.

However, AI to me, would be great as a tool for editing, for making creative techniques possible otherwise not, making it into its own genre. It could also become a database with a multitude of questions in various fields, to come in handy for professional coaches, rather than for clients. And perhaps, like calculators, solve complex equations of information, and summarizing that. As with everything, it becomes what we make it out to be. The important thing to consider, is to involve people from all walks of life, and countries, to ensure its quality, with a welcomed and respected feedback.

Everything a human can do, a human should.

What is your opinion?

When I hiked on lava, on Big Island of Hawai’i, 20 years ago, I witnessed both magma going into the ocean, creating enormous amounts of steam, as well as passed by holes in the ground, called steam vents, where their heat blew upwards. That made me wonder, whether this could be harnessed and used as an energy source, just like with solar, wind and water power. Can it?

To live more eco-friendly, I think the smartest way to enforce this more in society, is not by creating more fines and bans, but to simply offer better, cheaper, and more healthy alternatives. And, it’s up to us as a collective whole to create these alternatives.

Some great examples, I’ve seen online through the Instagram account @sambentley is making yarn out of agricultural waste, using algae to substitute plastic, and alternative ways of building small homes.

An other great source of innovative inspiration, is the Earthshot prize website, that you can find here. Or what do you say about live seawalls to help against rising water levels and ways to clean industrial waste water?

We shouldn’t forget the progress we’ve already made too, such as making plastic bags out of corn and using fabric ones instead, recycled paper, and biologically produced hair and skincare products. Little things, that still can have a great impact.

What could you dream up together with others?

Man has observed nature as long as we’ve existed on this planet. From the beginning, many of the weather phenomena, such as thunder and lighting, or even lava eruptions, have been attributed to gods, goddesses, and semi-gods, told about through myths and legends. Through generations, nature continue to inspire our practices, where we name many of the motions after animals, trees, ocean and wind, whether Qigong, Yoga or Dances like Hawaiian Hula and Isadora Duncan. Here is one motion that I see a resemblance between the two styles, called “Moving the clouds”.

While we all depict nature in art and metaphors, in awe of its powers, some religious practices aim to interact with them too. This is however, not the case for any of the dances.

You can watch the video snippets of the motion here.