Saturday morning, May 19th, 2012.  I put on my sport outfit and my Nike shoes and left home around 8.30. Spending two hours at the cycling marathon was on top of my list and the rain was not a barrier. In fact, when the intentionality is high, the entusiasm and actions come naturally.

The moment I arrived there, I realized it’s that kind of morning I can’t miss it, for nothing in the world. The music, the energy, the participation of each and every muscle, the Japanese tourists taking photos. In a nutshell, it’s the spirit of freedom.

Freedom is one of my strongest values, expressed in every area of life. It’s the value that made me change my life 180 degrees and start a new professional path, in accordance with my transformed personal identity.

Exactly a year ago, on May 18th, I became a freelancer with “official documents” and took a fresh start. Day after day, with the beginner’s mind, I looked for new options and ways to move on.

The taste of freedom is sweet if you choose the right moment and are well prepared, accept things as they are and act massively. There are no guidelines and instructions about the path, the people, the sunny and the rainy days.

In fact, the whole story is about how much do you enjoy the journey, irrespective of time, wheather, barriers. Once we learn to feel the great in the rain, life is a joyful dance !

More than 700 days ago I started to feel the influence of a prophetic character, poet, philosopher and visionary. We ‘ve met online. Sounds natural nowadays to meet somebody online. Then we became friends on Facebook. Again, quite natural you might say.

Rumi has more than 300.000 friends in this very moment. It seems that many people started to understand how important is the heart energy, how great is to love, be passionate about what you do and share with others.

I was borned in December, in Sagittarius astrological sign. It is well known that we, the Sagittarius people have at least one common passion: travels. In my particular case, travels mean discovery, knowledge, adventure, history, people, art, time to reflect, and the most natural way to live the power of now.

In 2011, I decided to follow my path, with a well defined scope. The place where I planned to travel at the beginning of May was Turkey, this amazing land with history, architecture or natural beauty. The itinerary of this great journey selected by me months in advance included wonderful places such as: Capadochia, Efes, Pamukale, Hierapolis, Asclepios, Konya.

The main reason of this journey could be summarized in a 4-letter word: Rumi. His full name: Jalal-ud-Din Rumi, sufi poet, philosopher and visionary from 13^th century, who spent his last years of life in Konya, in the south of Turkey.

Among my personal development projects undertaken in the last year, the online course called “A year with Rumi” was certainly one of a kind.

In fact, my journey in Rumi’s world started on May 3^rd, 2010 and lasts for more than 700 days. From the very first day, I received poems, adapted in English by Andrew Harvey, that are real personal development lessons. Rumi’s poems reinforce the fact that many concepts and theories promoted by books launched in the last decades are based on old sources dating back hundreds of years.

 I remember how thrilled I felt in the 1^st day when Rumi, through his poem called “The kingdom of joy”, sent me a simple and clear message “Whatever you seek, seek with joy and spend time with people like you”.

Surprisingly, exactly one year later, on May 3^rd 2011 we arrived at Rumi’s house in Konya, an impressing place by simplicity and energy. The same passion for Rumi made Kathleen from Singapore change her husband holiday plans, as he initially proposed to his family a trip to Paris.

I travelled 10 days with special persons, with whom I shared some common passions, activities and traits. Let me briefly introduce them :

Bruce and Tara, engineers from San Francisco – pragmatics, positives, with the typically American attitude that I personally admire “ I am, so I can”. Pragmatism is our shared value.

Elize, Luise and Marius, the three professors from South Africa came to a literature conference in Istanbul and then join this group. They mirrored my passion for literature and my recent attraction for one of Orhan Pamuk’s books named “The museum of innocence”.

Thong, the law professor from China demonstrated us that the luggage for a week in Turkey could be squeezed in a plastic bag. He seems to make us aware how important is to travel light during our lifetime.

Kathleen, Chris and Shaun – the zen family from Singapore reflected my desire for balance and serenity.

Luiza and Ferrucio from Rome remembered my attraction for history of art and civilization.

By reading these lines about the group description you might imagine that a story a la Agatha Christie is about to follow. The authenticity and diversity of the group are the only elements that might make me think about the famous writer.

Apart from that, it worth mentioning the impeccable communication with an extremely diverse group, from education, nationalities, professions, age standpoints. Back home I tried to explain myself how I managed to resonate in such a perfect way with people whom I met for the first time in my life.

The relationship with each and every of them was strongly related to those shared passions and activities that each of them mirrored. They reflected parts of the brand new me: pragmatic, passionate about art and literature, dominated by inner balance and positive emotions.

I left home with the clear intention to live a unique experience and enjoy each and every moment. I was joyfully seeking a place that strongly attracted me. My intentions were fully rewarded by meeting these authentic, genuine and open minded people. Like me, they were searching for beauty of this world.

Whenever you go in a journey, it’s important to know that travelling means living and feeling ourselves every time and everywhere on this planet.

I wish you special journeys and great life experiences!

Se spune ca venim pe Pamint cu un scop si viata ne ofera diverse situatii si incercari pentru a invata o lectie. In ultimii ani, fiind atit de dornica de a ma cunoaste cu adevarat m-am intrebat evident: care este lectia mea de viata, ce n-am invatat inca suficient de bine incit Universul imi pune la dispozitie cu generozitate aceleasi situatii in plan personal si profesional. Dupa ceva vreme am realizat ca lectia mea este lectii increderii, a stimei de sine, a iubirii de sine si de semeni. De indata ce am constientizat acest fapt, cu pasi mici si coerenti am lucrat asupra mea asemeni unui artist ce are in fata o panza alba, stie cum vrea sa arate rezultatul final si actioneaza zilnic.

In ultimul an am pornit de la un nivel de incredere in mine relativ ridicat si am constatat cu bucurie ca am putut sa sar ceva mai sus. Se spune ca lectiile pe care noi insine le invatam urmeaza sa le predam ulterior semenilor. O fac din toata inima prin dialog, proiecte speciale, povesti si speech-uri. Mi-as dori ca tot mai multi oameni din jurul meu sa invete rapid lectia incredere si iubirii de sine pentru a schimba ceva in viata si in societate. Vor avea alte vise, vor face alte planuri si vor fi mai fericiti.

Data viitoare va provoc la un exercitiu amuzant menit sa va creasca increderea.

Pe foarte curind !

As a child, I did not attend ballet classes. At her turn, my mom did not attend ballet classes either. Honestly, I don’t believe that the mankind lost something. And, anyway, it’s too late to change it. This is it!

Fortunately, at some point in time, I realized I enjoy sports and movement in different forms and formats.

Thus, in the last 20 years I passed through various classes – aerobic, cardio strengths, kick box, cycling, running, kickbox.  Like many women around the world, I have my own “fights with the kilos”, calories in and calories out.  One day, I decided to see things from a different perspective: “What if I relax a bit and try new things?” I started to practice pilates, yoga, port de bras, including 1-2 such classes in my weekly work-out.

In terms of lost calories and energy, things are different.  There are new and different benefits to consider: wellness, deep-breath, feminine energy, balance – things that I started to consider recently and make a difference in my life.

The way we move is strongly connected with our way of being. Through movement, I search relaxation, health and new ways to know myself even better. These days, the pilates and yoga classes teach me “the lesson of flexibility in all life aspects”. 3 times per week, I feel like a kind of little Murakami running on the treadmill or in the park, practicing visualization and streching the limits.

I left the comfort zone long time ago, I feel great each and every moment, as MOTION creates E-MOTION !

In prezent, sintagma “business as usual “nu mai e posibila. Ceea ce ma fascineaza de ceva vreme este creativitatea si tehnologia ce au schimbat fundamental lumea business-ului in lumea larga.

Business-urile care inteleg importanta reinventarii prin oameni si idei au sanse reale de a evolua. Cele ce nu inteleg transformarile din jur, vor disparea incet. Ideile inovatoare, oamenii autentici si indrazneti si tehnologia fac diferenta in zilele noastre.

In societatea in care traiesc vorbim adeseori de leadership, tema pe care multi semeni o abordeaza, considerindu-se adevarati cunoscatori in domeniu. Adeseori se pune semnul egal intre leadership si titlurile iluzorii pe cartile de vizita, fara a reflecta cu adevarat asupra temei cu pricina.

Leadership inseamna capacitatea de a influenta pozitiv si a a folosi fiecare prilej pentru a invata ceva nou. In ultimele luni am intilnit oameni diversi, “from all walks of life”, multi dintre ei neavind neaparat afilieri corporatiste. Va voi povesti in episoadele urmatoare ce am gandit si simtit in compania acestora. Prin ceea ce sunt, acesti oameni atrag oamenii din jurul lor doar prin simpla prezenta, genereaza business-uri de succes autentice si lasa ceva in urma. Cautati astfel de oameni si petreceti timp in compania lor. Veti simti o senzatie speciala, greu de exprimat in cuvinte.

Povestea continua!

Drumul vietii noastre poate lua o noua turnura atunci cind intrebarile pe care incepem sa ni le punem sunt diferite. Ani de zile traim viata pe fast forward, punind semnul egal intre viata si munca, confundind simple cunostiinte cu prieteni, fiind convinsi ca nu exista o alta cale. Ajungind intr-un moment critic am inceput evaluarea propriei vieti, 360 de grade, cautind raspunsul la intrebarile “sunt fericit/a?”, “cum as vrea sa fiu, ce as vrea sa fac?”. Din acel moment nimic n-a mai fost la fel. Dar cum?

In ultimii anii, mi-am pus aceste intrebari, mi-am redefinit propriile valori, scopuri, obiective. In acest moment, viata mea arata ca o schita in creion pe baza careia creez o pictura pe panza, cu cele mai bune pensule si acuarele. Fiecare celula a corpului meu stie cum vrea sa se simta, gandurile si caile neuronale simt si ele diferenta, iar corpul meu fizic este gata de actiune.

Sunt experta in propria mea viata si (sper) un model inspirational pentru citiva oameni. Ca si coach, sunt asemeni unui ghid care va insoteste la drum punindu-va intrebari, la care singuri veti gasi raspunsul atunci cind va veti simti pregatiti. Este nevoie de curaj, motivatie interioara, onestitate si deschidere pentru a acepta ca poate exista o “varianta imbunatatita” a celui/celei care esti. Atunci cind te cunoasti cu adevarat traiesti uimirea si bucuria ca ai facut acest lucru posibil.

Universul ii rasplateste intotdeauna pe aceia care isi asuma riscuri!

Se spune ca spatiul in care locuim reflecta ceea ce noi suntem de fapt. Un spatiu aglomerat cu multe obiecte vechi, lucruri mostenite pe care eventualii noi proprietari le-au dorit cu lacomie predispune mult mai putin la inspiratie, creativitate si o stare de spirit pozitiva. La nivel subconstient traiesti un blocaj ce te impiedica sa te manifesti la parametrii tai optimi. Iata ca suntem nu doar ceea ce gandim, mancam si exprimam. Caminul in care traim spune cite ceva din povestea vietii noastre emotionale…

In proiectele de dezvoltare personala parcurse in ultimii ani am parcurs de citeva ori o etapa numita “clean the clutter”, adica a curata spatiul de acele lucrurile inutile ce par a ne tine in loc. Cu totii pastram prin sertare chitante si facturi, prin sifonier haine pe care nu le mai purtam de ceva vreme si teancuri de reviste intr-un colt al living-ului.  De indata ce eliberam spatiul renuntind la obiectele inutile, cream mai mult spatiu in caminul nostru, lasind loc unor lucruri noi pentru a ajunge la noi. Fluxul energetic intre a darui – a primi iti confirma inca o data ca energia din Univers este in continua miscare. In idea de a face posibile o gramada de lucruri, period eliberez spatiul de lucurile inutile.

In 2010 traiam o efervescenta in toate ariile vietii mele: profesie, creativitate, dezvoltare personala si spirituala, iubire. Starea de bine si prea plin m-au determinat sa-mi regandesc decorul existentei mele, creind un studio in care zen-ul si creativitatea sunt in tandem.  Fotoliul din zambila de apa, stampa brodata manual in Tibet si atmosfera serena a locuintei ma fac sa ma bucur de viata in fiecare zi. Mi-as dori sa iasa la iveala proiecte autentice si ceva mostre ale talentului de povestitor. In ceea ce priveste amenajarea spatiului, pot spune ca mi-am facut datoria J

Mai mult decit atit, cu timpul am ajuns sa simt energia locurilor spre care pasii ma indreapta si sa intuiesc energia oamenilor ce populeaza acele spatii. Prin urmare, stiu unde vreau sa ajung si din ce locuri as vrea sa fug imediat pentru a-mi pastra intacta energia pozitiva.

Atunci cind va decorati casa si cumparati diverse obiecte din calatorii ganditi-va la urmatorul aspect : obiectele au menirea sa ne bucure privirea si sa ne incinte in fiece moment. Dar vorba englezului “Less is more”, prin urmare nu exagerati.  Mai nou, apreciez tot mai mult stilul asiatic ce imi creaza o stare de armonie si echilibru.  Starea noastra interiora este in rezonanta cu spatiul in care traim. Cit de zen este caminul vostru, acum?

Mama nu m-a dat la balet in copilarie. La randul ei, nici bunica n-a avut astfel de ganduri cu mama. Sincer, sunt convinsa ca omenirea n-a pierdut mare lucru… In cazul in care ar fi vreo pierdere, e déjà tarziu in acest sens si asta e situatia.

Din fericire la un moment dat mi-a placut mult sa fac sport si in ultimii 20 de ani am ajuns la un nivel al conditiei fizice din ce in ce mai ridicat. Pina acum am experimentat miscarea in cele mai diverse forme: aerobic, tae bo, kickbox, cycling, cardio strength, alergare, fitness. Ca majoritatea femeilor de pe glob am si eu micile mele “meciuri cu kilogramele”, numarul de calorii pierdute pe ora de antrenament, ce mancam si cit consumam. Intr-o zi mi-am spus:”ce ar fi daca azi, m-as relaxa putin la sala si as incerca alte lucruri”. Am ajuns astfel sa practic pilates, yoga si port de bras incluzind 1-2 ore de acest tip in antrenamentele saptaminale.

La capitolul calorii pierdute si energie consumata lucrurile sunt complet diferite. Benefiicile sunt cu totul altele: starea de bine, respiratia profunda, energia feminina, echilibrul – elemente pe care inainte le-am desconsiderat si pe recent care am inceput sa le apreciez.

Formele de miscare pe care alegem sa le practicam spun ceva despre felul nostru de a fi. Prin miscare caut relaxare, sanatate si noi moduri de a-mi cunoaste limitele. Zilele acestea incerc sa aflu daca e loc si de mai multa flexibilitate la orele de pilates si yoga. De 3 ori pe saptamina sunt micuta Murakami care nu doar practica vizualizarea dar si pune in practica mini-mini maratoane, depasindu-si propriile limite.

Am iesit de mult din zona de confort si imi place, ma simt bine caci Motion creates E-motion !