The other day we had to buy a new washing machine. We took our bikes to get to the store and when we finally made it to the cashier she told us, at the moment would be no deliveries, there is a shortage of personal. We could book a delivery in 6-8 weeks.
Since we don’t have a car this created a problem.

There we stood with our brand new washing machine and no means to move the damn thing home.
We were puzzled and thought about trying to find a taxi. The interesting thing about living on the countryside in the beautiful middle of nowhere is: There is no taxi.

 

 

Still standing at the cashier clueless how to move the metallic cube people got angry that we would still block the line – unsure if we should even buy this thing when the fricking shop is not delivering it.

I felt all the impatient eyes on my back, it seemed like 10 hungry sharks were waiting behind me. Suddenly a man came towards us and said:
“I have my truck here, I can deliver your washing machine for you. Do you live far away?”

The man had a friendly face and 3 minutes later the washing machine was secured on his truck. He did not know the road where we live so we agreed we would drive to a certain crossroads, he taking the car, us taking the bike. We would show him the road and drive the last meters together.

And off he went.

 

My heart jumped. Did we really buy a brand new washing machine and gave it in the hands of a total stranger who is now off and gone? We didn’t have his name or cell phone number or even the one on his licence plate…

I turned to my husband and said: “In reality land we did not just buy this guy a brand new washing machine, did we?” I kind of felt shocked about our decision.
We got on the bikes and went as fast as we could to the crossroads. His truck was blinking in the sun when we arrived. A few minutes later we unloaded the washing machine and he even helped carrying this little monster.

Immediately I put out my purse and asked what I am allowed to pay him. He smiled and said: “Give this money to people who are in need. Please do that. I do have enough. And when you come to my village, look for the little shop that sells christmas lights, that is mine. You are always more than welcome there.”

 

I was really touched.
There are good people everywhere. Sometimes we forget that.
When we try to be these good people the world gets a hell of a lot better.
Imagine YOU are the one who reaches out to help. How does that feel?

 

So much love to you,
Anselma

 

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If only the weather was better, I’d feel better.
If only my dog would behave, I’d be a happy person.
If only my neighbour was quieter and did not play loud music in the middle of the night, my life would be ok.

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An interesting facet of the human condition is that so much of our life quality depends not so much on facts measured by objectivity but rather on feelings measured by subjectivity.

For instance there is a difference between being rich and feeling rich.

The label rich depends on the reference group we are using.
Compared to a Third World Township inhabitant, every bummer in a country like Austria is rich.

Everyone with pennies in their pocket is rich – compared to a penniesless person.

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Here is what we’ve got for you:
The 1st Tango Bassoon Competition is still open until November 20th 2021, upcoming Saturday. Come and join us!

This is meant to be a fun and creative experience where you can show your personality.
We would love to have you here!

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The 1st Tango Bassoon Competition is coming! Are YOU coming?
We would love to have you here! We are not sure if we will ever repeat this adventure. So take advantage of this unique offer – until it’s too late and we close doors.

Recently I was pondering on the importance of caring for the young in our society. The future depends on how we as adults teach them to conduct themselves and treat others.

 

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First things first:
The 1st Tango Bassoon Competition is coming up! No grey November ahead, but lots of soulful music making instead. Are YOU in?
We’d love to hear YOU. Come and participate! The jury and I are cheering you on :o)

There is nothing to lose, but so much to win! Prizes – of course, but also a precious experience that money can not buy. You will be proud all your life.
Send us your Tango video, we’d love to have you here!!

 

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Minding your Ps and Qs is an oldfashioned way to say, try to be your best self. It matters! It matters that we are truly human, that means warm hearted people who care about the consequences of what we are doing.

My grandmother was a lady who used to wear white lace hand gloves – even at home. And every day she painted beautiful eyebrows on her face, even if she would be alone all day. She showed me how much grace a life full of good manners has.

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Warren Buffet, one oft the richest men, still lives in a small house together with his wife. He sais: “You only have to do a few things right in your life so long as you don’t do too many things wrong.”

I like this idea. Many of us torture ourselves, because we have the mistaken idea being perfect in everything and all the time would be the goal. This concept causes us to harm ourselves and puts pressure on our loved ones. Which makes things complicate.

Life is about contrast. We learn through the experience of doing stuff wrong to find out how it is done correctly.
Sounds very straightforward, without mystery or complexity.
And still, we put so much stress on our shoulders to be the super hero with no mistakes. The – illusionary – perfect human without flaws.

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Music and Sports have many things in common. I have always been fascinated by that. They both are about forging the will power, executing a plan no matter what, endurance, breaking through personal barriers, strength, experiencing severe disappointments, failure and little – or not so little – emotional catastrophes.

Boxing legend Muhammed Ali said: “Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”

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When I was a kid, I often spent time with my grandmother. She excessivly taught me to say please and thank you and did even go so far that she would throw things on the floor to see how long it took until I would rush to pick it up. She wanted me to be well mannered and prepared to be a good human.

Even though she was a well educated lady the thing she valued the most was creativity. Here is what she said over and over: “You are smart and can create something out of nothing. Just do it! In wartimes we baked cake out of nothing but flour and water. But we did it. You can do the same!”

Today I suspect, she actually did not see that much creativity in me, but she wanted to see it. When we form a sense of self that demands certain values from us, we tend to rise up to the occasion.
I guess she hoped that some day I probably eventually would get creative. And her little trick on me did it’s thing.

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