Life, Spoiler Alert!
In defence of melancholy (when consumed with caution) Life is more enjoyable when taken seriously.-Christian de Nogales, Psychiatrist We had agreed to meet for lunch at the Bains des Pâquis, Geneva’s city beach, a perfect destination on a sunny day. “It’s raining; where shall we go?” Helena texts me. “Let’s go there in spite of the…
By the river I met my future self
No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man. — Heraclitus (6th Century B.C.) Walking along the Aare river I stop to see the water flow And think of Heraclitus’ dictum Ahead of me I spot a woman Wait, is that me? Same…
7 Steps to Declutter Your Wordrobe
To Marie Kondo, a woman of few words This exercise will help you let go of words that no longer serve you, create space for new ones, and offer you a new wordrobe that best reflects your current self. A word of advice: the exercise is planned for three days, yet depending on the size of your wordrobe,…
What our children ask about (this) war, what we respond
Thanks to all the children and adults who shared their thoughts with me. Although children in Switzerland are far removed from the combat zone, many know a war is raging in Europe. What are they asking? What are we, adults, answering? What can we do to help them? Seven-year-old Victoria raises her hand at the…
Before the bullied boy becomes a killer
A megalomaniac with a nuclear arsenal holds Europe in his hand. How and when did this bullied boy become the global threat he is? Despite some progress, emotional education is still not given the importance it deserves. It is rarely considered a teachable subject in schools. And at the workplace, people seldom address emotions. Even…
Let it not end here
As I bike to work a thought overtakes me We could all die now On this gorgeous winter day Before the wheel completes one more turn Crushed by his angry, mighty blow Like eggshell Our lives in his hands His head full of demons Like then, only worse At the red light a child in…
A Child vs Switzerland
In September 2021, the Committee on the Rights of the Child found Switzerland’s decision to expel a Syrian mother and her stateless child in violation of ten articles of the convention. “… the strength of a people is measured by the well-being of its weakest members” -Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation, Preamble[1] “I recently won…
The Motherhood Decision
Abstract: An unexpected encounter between two dogs resulted in four gorgeous puppies and plunged me, owner of the bitch, into a deep reflection about the decision to become a mother. This text aims to be funny yet deep, honest and thought-provoking. It moves from the dog to the dog owner, questioning whether the act of…
Away from the shopping frenzy
I couldn’t go to the mall The crowded shops terrorise me Instead, I walk into the solace of nature And in the roar of silent snow, Surrounded by total whiteness I catch my breath and calm my mind And I know that I love you I will wrap this certitude in Christmas paper
You’re not in prison when you’re on stage
“The mission of the theatre, after all, is to change, to raise the consciousness of people to their human possibilities.” Arthur Miller Last Saturday, I had the rare privilege of watching a theatre play inside a prison, Hindelbank, close to Bern. During an hour, a packed audience saw seven incarcerated women on stage offer fireworks…
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Using words to make sense of experiences 