Written inspiration for life

Just finished reading a book that I'd really like to share something about. It is the true story of Canadian Kyle MacDonald who made a dream that started out tiny turn into something huge. He traded a paperclip for a house through 'trading up' in only a few steps. Of course, turning the paperclip into a fish pen into a door knob didn't seem to get him on his way at the speed of light, but from there the story evolves and takes on huge proportions that neither Kyle himself nor anyone else could have imagined. Local and regional press pick up on his idea and the project website starts to bloom. Exactly one year after starting out with one red paperclip, Kyle and his partner Dominique are proudly living in their traded home in Saskatchewan.

And it's not only this amazing outcome that's inspiring. The journey itself has possibly even been more interesting. The down-to-earth Canadian has managed to touch many people's lives and create opportunities for them, while not investing more than his time, guts and energy. It's very refreshing to read a story like this in times like ours, where there's so much negativity around. It gave me lots of hope that big things are possible even when you start out small and that positive energy and quick wit are really contagious. What else can I say? Try the book or visit http://www.oneredpaperclip.com/.

79. Read a book a month

Well... I've lost count as to whether I'm actually reading a book a month. The important thing is that I have found the joy of reading again. In high school and university, I had to read ever so much. I was so glad when that was over that I only went with magazines and other short bits and pieces, but never sat down to read a whole book again. The obligation of doing something just totally takes away the fun of it.

But moving to a new home about 50 meters away from the library has changed that around. I became a member and now truly enjoy walking between rows and rows of colorful and potentially interesting stories. I've actually taken home a pile of books to sit/lay down on the couch and read with a pot of tea on the side, something I'd never done before in my life. And I find it strangely relaxing.

101. Buy a nice lapis lazuli cross and wear it on a necklace

On one of my last days in Chile, I went after the lapis lazuli cross that I was looking for. I ended up buying another one than I had in mind, because of the ridiculous price of the one I had seen some time before on the airport. I mean, nobody pays 400 euros for a tiny silver item - much less in Chile. So I settled for this one. In the end, it's all about symbolism. Lapis lazuli is a typically Chilean blue stone. And I wanted the cross as a symbol for my coming to faith during that period. The necklace is actually my mother's. I've been wearing it every day for the last few months.