As most of you know, I grew up speaking German and even though I learned snippets of English in Junior Highschool, they were only simple words combined with a little bit of grammar. The question is, how much attention does a 10- to 14-year-old pay to a foreign language when it isn’t practiced at home?
It wasn’t until a few years later, when my curiosity transported me to London on an extended vacation, that my love for the English language awoke.
When I arrived in California in 1981, I still spoke broken English and my vocabulary was limited, but my desire to learn was immense. I watched simple TV shows like the “Love boat” and other uncomplicated sitcoms where the pictures told the story and I read book after book. I looked up words in the dictionary and stopped speaking German all together. The more I learned about English and the wonderful, diverse use of words, the less I liked the harsh and limited German language. I learned that words are important. Yes, words are so very important.
Once I started to dream in English, I knew I had succeeded. I began writing articles for magazines and inspirational books and loved every minute of it. I learned that words can heal, empower, and spread happiness, but they can also sting, hurt, and injure the soul. I realized that words mean different things to different people and that they have an effect not only on others but certainly also on ourselves.
So, I started to observe and watch myself during the day and listened to my inner dialogue. What was my habitual demeanor? Did I wake up smiling, ready to enjoy a day? Was I prepared to love and act kindly? What triggered my mood to change? Did I allow someone close to my heart inflict hurt onto me and make me feel less than? Was I ready to learn from my daily experiences and end the day with a ‘grateful heart’ no matter what?
I know that even while sleeping, my subconscious is working, digesting and systematizing my day’s experiences and impressions. To minimize my stressed, anxious mind before I doze off, I’m in the habit of reading positive prayers and meditations. Going to sleep with a grateful and loving heart lets me rest a lot easier than with a worried and disturbed mind. Saying “thank you” to the Universe or Source of all being before I drift away will ensure that tomorrow will be again blessed and I will be another step closer to my goal of happiness.
With Love, ULRIKE
It wasn’t until a few years later, when my curiosity transported me to London on an extended vacation, that my love for the English language awoke.
When I arrived in California in 1981, I still spoke broken English and my vocabulary was limited, but my desire to learn was immense. I watched simple TV shows like the “Love boat” and other uncomplicated sitcoms where the pictures told the story and I read book after book. I looked up words in the dictionary and stopped speaking German all together. The more I learned about English and the wonderful, diverse use of words, the less I liked the harsh and limited German language. I learned that words are important. Yes, words are so very important.
Once I started to dream in English, I knew I had succeeded. I began writing articles for magazines and inspirational books and loved every minute of it. I learned that words can heal, empower, and spread happiness, but they can also sting, hurt, and injure the soul. I realized that words mean different things to different people and that they have an effect not only on others but certainly also on ourselves.
So, I started to observe and watch myself during the day and listened to my inner dialogue. What was my habitual demeanor? Did I wake up smiling, ready to enjoy a day? Was I prepared to love and act kindly? What triggered my mood to change? Did I allow someone close to my heart inflict hurt onto me and make me feel less than? Was I ready to learn from my daily experiences and end the day with a ‘grateful heart’ no matter what?
I know that even while sleeping, my subconscious is working, digesting and systematizing my day’s experiences and impressions. To minimize my stressed, anxious mind before I doze off, I’m in the habit of reading positive prayers and meditations. Going to sleep with a grateful and loving heart lets me rest a lot easier than with a worried and disturbed mind. Saying “thank you” to the Universe or Source of all being before I drift away will ensure that tomorrow will be again blessed and I will be another step closer to my goal of happiness.
With Love, ULRIKE
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