Tales of life, from Amsterdam to Bali

Homeward bound to Amsterdam for the first time in 5 months, this seemed like the perfect time to reflect on our time so far in Bali. While I’m so excited to see dearly missed friends and family, I also realised that I was actually a little sad to leave Bali and the life we have built up over a short time.

I have met some amazing people, have been warmed by the kindness of the Balinese, and have become utterly used to dogs riding scooters as well as their human family of 4. Rubber time, the never ending flexibility in time, has become expected and even some of the ease and flow of Balinese life has seeped in. Temple ceremonies rule the lives of the Balinese, and even we have a small house temple that gets filled with offerings of all kinds by our trusted and loved housekeeper Made (and trust me when I say ALL kind, even raw eggs, a slight point of discussion…)

My ideas of normality have been challenged and stretched, the openness with which I look at life has increased, and I go through life with a sense of freedom that allows me to create a life that is out of the boundaries of “normal” life. To have this adventure, to glean another perspective and feel stretched in ways I never imagined is such a powerful experience.

So what have I learned so far?

• Homes (note the plural) really can be created wherever the heart is. While I love and miss my friends and family dearly, I know that our bonds can be stretched across the globe and new ties and connections can be created. Not only do we have a place called home in Amsterdam, we now have another home to welcome friends, old and new.

• Slowing down and simplifying is essential. Yes, it’s true, life in Bali has another pace and it’s a pace that suits me well. Priorities have changed, and life has slowed down – allowing a life that has become more intentional and deliberate, and yes, even more quiet and peaceful, and in line with my biggest priorities: building a heart-centred business, working on my own personal development and experiencing a whole new adventure with the best travel partner I can imagine.

• Live with ease, flow, and laughter. There are times when life in Bali can be frustrating as things just take more effort and time, and as a newbie I’m still figuring out how things work. The Balinese seem to have an uncanny ability to approach life with never-ending patience, smiles and a brilliant sense of humour. In short, relax: most things don’t warrant the levels of stress we throw at them and the ride is sure as hell going to be more fun when we change our mindset to approach life with a box of laughter and a measurement of ease and flow.

• Learn to trust and surrender. This is a big one, especially for those of us, present company included, who try to make our way through life controlling whatever we can (and expending a lot of energy trying to control what we can’t. Mission Impossible.) The reality is that we can’t control everything, and the question is, do we really want to? Control to many of us equals predictability and security. But when we try to control everything, we also rob ourselves of the opportunity of wonder and possibility. Anything is possible. Mindset is everything, and if we believe that we can, we will.

• Live with an open heart and mind. Living in Bali, meeting so many interesting people from all over the planet, and being invited into people’s inner worlds through coaching is a privilege and an honour. You really can’t judge a book by its cover, and you never know what stories you will find behind the doors of people’s personality. Expect the unexpected and let yourself be open to other people. Open your house, your table and your heart to others. Everyone has a story to tell. The question is are you willing and open to hearing it?

• Stepping out of your comfort zone is where learning and growth really happen. And personal growth and development, my friends, is essential to our sense of fulfillment. So go out there and step out into the unknown, whether it’s a new country, a new job, a new relationship or simply trying a new approach. If you always do what you’ve always done, you’re never going to get different results. Experiment, learn, fail and get back on the road again. See life as an adventure, a little scary from time to time, but with endless wonder, possibility, and freedom

What have you learned from stepping out of your comfort zone? Feel free to share your stories in the comments section below!

Any questions about moving to Bali? Want to know how you might apply some of these life lessons through coaching to your own life? Drop me a line at any time. I’d love to hear from you!