Sometimes it's the way they make their mark among the others.

Sometimes it's the way they move.

They might dare to do something you're afraid to do.

Or they know how to control themselves, their body.

Sometimes they look at you with that deep, wise look.

Or you feel in tune when hanging around them.

Sometimes you're fascinated by their 'happy-to-be-here' look.

And sometimes the whole personality pops-out like a shining star.

Some characters are so strong that you notice them right away, but I believe, when you stay long enough among the people, you can find something that fascinates you in every person you see.

The traditional garment. It looks like this tradition, this style is immortal. It seems it was, it is and it will be here forever.

In a way it is captured in time. It fits into any year, to any age and gender.

Little details make the folk costume unique, personal and creative.

But I believe it's not only the dress that makes you 'beautiful and interesting', but also how you wear it.

When you feel comfortable and relaxed wearing it, you become a whole person - a person that attracts attention and admiration from other people.

You glow!

You shine!

Traditional garment has no age limit.

It fits to young and old, big and small,...

... and from the top of the head to the toes.

Try it one day - maybe it bewitches you too!

celebrations (with a style)...

focusing on important things...

tender thoughtfulness...

smiles...

and smiles and smiles and smiles...

greatness...

humbleness...

glowing personality...

a little connection with roots...

great company...

and walking home with a fulfilled heart...

No matter the year, the season, the age... - some things are meant to last for-ever.

Is going to school nowadays a privilege or burden? Is it a joy or a modern torture?

Do we cherish the gift of learning or not?

School is so much more than just a school. It is a box of knowledge, mystery, excitement, interesting stories that can help us grow, full of teachers as role models, school-friends as social network to challenge our emotions and believes, pleasant or unpleasant environment, noisy and calming moments, freedom and limitations. 

School is so much more than it was years ago, but we get stuck focusing on little things and get lost before noticing how many oportunities we can find in school for learning and experiencing great lessons for life.

How about if we start this school-year differently? Let's step back, learn from the past and look at the school from a distance to see the whole picture, to see the greater meaning of school - all of us: the kids, the teachers and the parents.

Enjoy the journey and keep calm!

So today, I'd like to take you on a special journey - to the place where the past meets the future...

It is colorful.

It is melodical.

It is happy, although in pain.

It is mysterious...

...and serious.

It is brave...

...and it is strong.

It is modest...

...and proud.

And now imagine 'you' - how would you look like when transformed by the past?? Summer is almost over and it's time to put ourselves together again. What will you choose?

Imagine that that kind of door is the door to your heart... Transparent, clear, 'open'. What a brave heart you have to have to show it to the whole world! Not many people can do that.

I think there's still a way to be brave when we are not brave enough to choose a transparent door. We can decide to have an inviting door and when people knock on our door, we can let them in or not.
Choose the door that represents you - big, small, wide, decorated, painted, vintage... The door will invite people who have the same feelings, the same expectations, the same values. It will be easier to decide to let them in or not when they knock on your door. (Of course, practicing to let everyone in would be the best thing to do, but for a start, this is one way to practice bravery).
Free yourself from fear!  And be creative on a search for the door that fit you the most.

The June's theme for photo-project 'Beauty is where you find it' was: 'Doors'. Let yourself get inspired by other bloggers and their marvelous images by clicking the links on the Luzia Pimpinella's blog. Enjoy and be brave! 

There's something about wood that makes you feel 'at home', warm and comfortable. Like you are held in the arms of Mother Nature. 

But here, people went further with it. Full of imagination and love for Nature, they started to play with the wood, carve in it, paint it, build with it... You will find it everywhere in their lives.

Houses, fences, playgrounds, furniture, bikes, shoes, bowls, pots... Things are not just made from wood - they are carved in, decorated little pieces of art. With a personal touch, every piece of wood becomes more than just a wood. It becomes a story-teller, an expression of feelings and a dance of natural forces.

Wood lets you play with it, but it doesn't allow you to do everything with it. It gives you freedom and boundaries. It gives you a lot, but not everything. You still need to listen to it, love it and care for it. You still have to respect it and use it the proper way.

Wood is like a living being. It can make your heart sing when you treat it with love and care. Or it can burn out in a few minutes when you treat it bad.

We always have a choice how we treat others, how we treat everything in our world. In our Lab, we are choosing harmony, beauty and respect. How about you? Has art of wood taught you anything for life, too?

The 'Beauty is where you find it' photo project theme of month May was: 'On the move'. An easy one, as I always feel 'on the move' when I'm on the way to unknown or known places with my camera. My camera makes me move!

And it always feels like I'm on a treasure hunt - not really sure what will I find, but it's always something precious, something to fill my heart with.

The colors of newly discovered jewel made me go click-click-click. So pure, so calm, so special! Walking around the lake was like a meditation, observing the colors was like watching the best movie ever, listening to the songs of various birds was like listening to the best concert in my entire life! Only Nature can be such a brilliant creator! Only Nature is full of surprises!

So, go, move, hunt for your big or small treasures! Focus on what makes you happy, inspired, eager to learn more. There's a treasure for everyone out there!

PS: Need more inspiration to make you 'move'? Check out what makes other people move here.  

So, let's take a road map in our hands, sit in the car and explore.
There are hidden treasures of your land everywhere. You just need to open your eyes, be open for new perspectives and make some space for new impressions. 

Your land is your land (literally) or your body... Allow yourself to start a new journey into unknown; it can be just for a day or two. It's worth it!

I was lucky this year - I could spend some free days there at the end of April. Just the right time to find the nature in all its green glory. Bright greens, dark greens, sap greens, emerald greens, yellow-greens, olive greens, 'you-name-it' greens... The Earth is Art indeed!

It was impossible to take only one picture of this Paradise. You know me... - there's so much to see, so much to explore.

Playing with blurry backgrounds and blooming trees...

...and lying down on the grass.

'Beauty is where you find it' - and I like to find it in the ordinary, everyday things. They calm me down, give me energy and inspire me. They are a big part of my life...

What's your favourite green-land?

PS: Catch some more 'Green living' photo-inspiration from other bloggers on the link here:  April BIWYFI. Enjoy!

Climbing the mountains is one way of doing it. But it depends how we do it or why. Some do it to be on the top and enjoy the wonderful views. Some want to feel every muscle of their body and sweat all the poison out. Some want to be higher than everyone else. Some people want to escape from everyday life for a few hours. The others want to be closer to heaven.

But at the end we are who we are. On the mountain, under the sea, in our bedroom, at work, on vacation... - the luggage we carry with us all the time is 'us'. The bags can be heavy or light - whatever we choose to take on our journey.

This winter I learned to simplify my life and leave most of my bags at home. It was not easy as I like a comfortable life, but some wise words from the people I admire helped. Today I'm sharing one of them - my favourite, inspiring and beautiful talks that might help you change the way you see yourself and the others.

And now ask yourself who you are, what are you thinking about - about you, the others, the world. What kind of 'bags' do you carry with you and do you really need them?

It's spring. Nature is waking up, everything is alive and fresh and ready to grow. I think it's time we grow, too.

I'm looking forward to see you bloom!

I should first admit that my biggest escape happened on that day, when I packed my bags and escaped to Austria. Many holidays that I’ve spent over the years in Austria leaded me to the place, where I said: I want to live here. And here I am.

When you find your place under the Sun, which means everything to you, it is not hard to find also the ‘thing’ that pulls you away from the daily routine.

My (great) escapes out of daily routine, away from loud kids, away from action, alarming state…, are to be found in nature. Between the mountains and the lake. Here I feel safe, here I feel wonderful. 

Every day nature shows a new face, that inspires me. Every day I’m looking forward to my little great escapes. Every day I’m thankful for every moment I spent here, where my heart sings. And this year, February was unbelievably giving, unforgettable!

I really hope that your escapes from daily routine are inspiring, refreshing and unforgettable too. And if not (yet), listen to the whispers inside you, pack your ‘bags’ and take the time off. You won’t regret it!

(Or check the link above and get inspired by different kinds of escapes that all the photoproject’s participants shared on that blog).

It is interesting to observe how with putting on a costume and mask something new wakes up inside of the kids. Even the most calm and dreamy kids become wild and can't control themselves anymore.

At drama therapy they 'play' with different personalities most of the time, but at art therapy we try to collect information at the events like this one. Everything develops in a great speed, so it is a hard work as we need to be careful to stay focused and not to get soaked into the tornado too.

If you have problems with your kids, it's a good day today to observe them from a different perspective and see what else is hiding inside them. But you have to be careful to not be fooled by the mask's surface. Don't focus on its surface, instead observe, what the mask brings out of your child's personality.

It is a difficult task, I know, but it's worth it. However, don't forget to have fun today as well, laugh a lot and be creative. Let it be a day of new realizations. Enjoy!

I wish we would more often open our hearts truly. Not because of the Valentine's Day, but maybe because of this: 'To the world you are one person, but to one person you could be the world.' (- Albert Einstein)

That kind of a bookmark you can create for everyone whom do you hear saying: 'I love books. I love to read.'

It is a practical gift and a little, beautiful surprise. Everyone will love it!

And for the less pessionate book lovers... you can create the bookmarks from our yesterday's post :). The important thing is that you take some time for creating and to share your created works with people, dear to you, don't you think?

Have a lovely, creative day!

So, why not creating something in an hour? How about creating some simple and unique bookmarks?

You can write an initial letter of the owner of a bookmark on the top and decorate it. And on the rest of the bookmark, you can write (your) thought, quote, poem, part of the book that you like the most and you want to have it always near you.

That's how our experiments turned out in red ink (for Irene, Zara and Nicolas)...
How about yours?

The word 'cocooning' has a special meaning in the world where I live. Working with kids I'm daily faced with all kinds of forms of cocoons. Little tents in the corners, secret spaces under the blankets, everywhere-you-go soft toys snuggles... I love how creative the kids are in 'nesting', be it a tree or in a tiniest room in the house. And have you noticed how transformed the kids are after coming back from their sacred space?!
Winter is a perfect time for practicing cocooning. Making yourself warm in a cozy place (no matter how old you are) is a precious gift to yourself. So, although not soft and snuggly, I find even the firewood in front of the house a great reminder and a symbol of taking the time for myself. What I'm trying to say - no matter what's your way of cocooning, take your time for it and give it a try! Enjoy!

*

PS: find all the #BIWYFI2015 photo/word inspirations for the January word: 'Cocooning' here.    

That's a whisper I hear from Nature when I try maneuvering through our chaotic life. I think, the more you learn and the more you know, the more you come to the situation when you have to choose. Choose how you want to live, what to say, what to do and how you want to do it.

It is absurd how many things we have to choose from, but it is so hard to find 'the right one' for us. It is absurd, how many theories and news we hear daily, but there's hardly one to believe or trust. It's hard to tell what illusion is and what not. 

So, it is time to simplify. And, yes, it is that simple!

In the movie 'Power of One' it was said: 'You'll find all the answers in nature'. So, go away from daily dramas served by the media, and seek the answers to your questions in the nature. Her answers are short, clear and simple. Yes, it is that simple!

Wishing you simplified days!

And I begin this year with a thought to which I will dedicate more time this year (but more about that some other time):

'Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.' (- Albert Einstein)

The last thought of the Giving thanks, giving gifts: changes.

Let yourself live the way you want and let the things that burden you, stay behind, in the 'last' year. It is time for changes!

Wishing you all the best!