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Daily Coffee Talk~75/364

Liwa Desert~ UAE

There must have been a time when humans were born on this planet with a clarity of purpose and a constant awareness of purpose for this journey we find ourselves on.

It feels that something has occurred to cause a derailment of the human story, sometime, somehow, we took a wrong turn and we find ourselves lost to purpose, oblivious to the truth and determined to go on a path towards self destruction.

Were all the attempts at religion failed wakeup calls? What is next? Will we eventually wake up to the values this incredible and sustaining planet we live on? Or is abdication responsibility the way of tomorrow too?

From a pondering mind on a cold German evening…

Wishing you all well.

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Morning Coffee Talk~ 44/365

Taken near the empty quarter, Liwa, UAE

Good Morning,

Have you ever felt the need to back things off when so much tries to claim your time, attention and energy? That is the time to use the power of ‘NO’.

So many of us find it very difficult to say no, maybe in fear of upsetting someone, the worry of not being liked, not living up to someone’s expectations or thinking simply that being a good person dictates saying yes. It doesn’t.

At certain times in my life and when it is needed, I like to imagine a portcullis dropping in front of me to offer me a space to be, to think, to gain clarity and to feel a sense of containment.

Our first responsibility is to ourselves and our own wellbeing because if we are crowded and overwhelmed, we can only make clouded decision.

I wish you a clear day filled with inspiration and joy.

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Morning Coffee Talk~43/365

At the gate of Expo Dubai~

Good Morning,

Today my thoughts wander around the subject of intactness. What does it mean to be intact? How vulnerable do we allow ourselves to be with the onset of change? How does one become intact? Is it a permanent state or something we need to keep working towards in our personal development?

All these ponders take be back to the importance of reconnecting to the very basics, like the truth and meaning of life. Why are we here? What are we meant to be doing? What are we supposed to be collecting in our lives? And what do we leave behind as a legacy?

One thing is for sure: we are born alone and we die alone, so relationships matter and clean human interaction is vital during our short lives here on this unbelievably unbalanced planet.

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Morning Coffee Talk~ 41/365

Photographed: Brigitte at Etihad Museum in Dubai

Good Morning,

Today I am writing from a higher place, from above the clouds. I just had my morning coffee on the plane that is taking me back home.

The last 13 days have been like a magic carpet ride of new impressions, inspiration and learning. I have seen a glimpse of what the future might look like and how the past continues to have its grip on present day generations.

Returning home is a process that is not only physical but also mental, emotional and spiritual. Itโ€™s a coming back to a gold state of stability that one works on building all their life.

I journey now back to my internal state, to my containment, to the gold.

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Morning Coffee Talk~ 40/365

Good Morning,

We were treated yesterday to a beautiful tradition of Dukhoon where incense was burnt on our arrival and several times throughout the day during our visit and the midkhan or incense burner was passed around to allow us to incense our hair and clothing following the example of our hostess.

Dukhoon has a very long tradition in the Arabic culture of being used in religious ceremonies as well as social events and itโ€™s use is reputed to heal, repel bad spirits, enhance smells and increase creativity and motivation.

There is something quite haunting about witnessing and being part of this tradition and obviously I go back home tomorrow with a variety of oud and incense to burn in my home and keep this tradition alive.

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Morning Coffee Talk~ 39/365

Liwa Desert~

Good Morning,

We are in the desert today in Liwa, close to the border of the emirates and Saudi Arabia, the empty quarter (ุงู„ุฑุจุน ุงู„ุฎุงู„ูŠ) and very close to the Tropic of Cancer.

The sand get more and more red as you drive towards Liwa due to its concentration of copper and the world gets more and more quiet. All you see are sand dunes a blue sky and a bright yellow sun.

We had privilege of the hospitality of a local lady who is a force of nature with her incredibly powerful presence, her utter pride of her culture, history and tradition and her generous nature that she gifts in abundance.

We were shown around, offered food continuously since we arrived and were directed to have a rest before we continue our journey into the desert until itโ€™s time for dinner and a bonfire after sunset.

It is an amazingly beautiful experience to add into the archives of good memories and photography.

Photograph from earlier today of the beautiful granddaughter of the Lady.

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contemplations morning coffee talk Photography street photography UAE

Morning Coffee Talk~ 38/365

Hello yellow~ Russia Pavilion at Dubai Expo

Good Morning,

Letโ€™s talk about color. What is it really? Why do we need to see it? Why is our planet blue? Why is the sun yellow? Why do we see the rainbow? Why are we drawn to different colors? How do different color influence us?

Thatโ€™s an ongoing life long research but have you ever tried this simple experiment? Take a set of crayons and every day see which color is popping out or standing out more than the others? Try to tune to that color that day, wear it, draw with it, look for examples of it, and register the effects of that. I did that for years and I keep the colored pencils near my desk for that reason.

Maybe even consider that wearing the wrong color for you that day can have an influence on your whole dayโ€™s goings on.

And one more phrase to contemplate: โ€œcolor is a cloak of forceโ€.

Wishing you a colorful end of the week. Today we will drive to the yellow desert.

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Morning Coffee Talk~ 37/365

Dubai Mall~ reflective wall

Good Morning,

Who are you today?

Do you ever witness yourself changing each time you interact with someone new? The mannerism, the speeds, the outward presentation and even the accent with which you speak your language?

We are like chameleons constantly morphing to meet new situations and it is very peculiar to observe the subtle and sometimes quite glaring changes.

Even in the same role like being a parent, we morph continuously between care giver, protector, friend, disciplinarian and cheer leader.

It is amazing how much we donโ€™t know about ourselves and our human engineering. So much to discover.

Writing today at a cafe in the sun in the dubai expo space.

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Morning Coffee Talk~ 36/365

Good Morning,

One of the positive things about travel for me is the interruption of routines. One of the daily things I did every day when at home was watch the news. I have not done so in over 10 days now and I have noticed an interesting consequence: mental space.

There is more space in my mind to learn new things and take on new impressions. And strangely enough, the world still goes on whether I know about it or not.

So here is another resolution: less news and media and more books, museums and walks in the park.

Image taken at the giant animated globe simulation in the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at the Dubai Expo.

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Morning Coffee Talk~ 35/365

Good Morning,

Itโ€™s sunny and clear again here in Dubai after a few days of storms and dusty air. It actually rained sand here, something I witnessed for the very first time.

Today I am waking up with the contemplation of clarity. We seek it in all things, donโ€™t we? And these days can be very foggy with the constant onslaught of impressions from the media, screens, noise pollution and all that we have to deal with in our busy lives. Clarity becomes a rare luxury.

I chose these images that I took yesterday at the Swiss Pavilion at Dubai expo. They simulated fog that slowly grew lesser as you ascended the mountains to finally see clearly at the top. I loved the feeling and symbolism of that experience.

Wishing us all clarity of mind as we rush into this new year.