I am feeling very lycklig (grateful). I am currently in Stockholm visiting friends. Åsa graciously took me in and let me stay despite having a new roommate. Her roommate, Mia, is an amazing person and what good fortune to have met her. Both are fantastic people I enjoy spending time with and also allowing each other time to take time to be alone and be ourselves without censorship. I spent one day getting a massage, pedicure and getting my needs met at the Mall of Scandinavia.

During my visits here I have met others and building up a network of people I thoroughly enjoy. Their company is uplifting. We went to a blues jam session yesterday. It was so much fun and I felt so loved and loved them back. What a wonderful time we had. I was able to be myself without judgements, only love and fantastic energy.

Åsa and Anita I met when I asked if anyone wanted to meet up in December of last year. That was the first time I had visited Stockholm since my arrival to Sweden. It was my intention if to enjoy the festivities of the season, find the Christmas market, Lucia festival and eat at a julbord (Christmas buffet). They graciously accepted the invitation and we have seen each other and talked ever since. This was a much needed lift to my spirits at the time, and now because of them, I have found other friends. I feel my heart is lifted up and just how fortunate I am to be surrounded by such loving and amazing people. Thank you for that my dear friends.

All of these friends have amazing talents. Anita plays drums, paints, is very kind hearted and comes up with fun things to do, along with being in quite a few local commercials. Åsa has a kind, warm heart and so helpful, pleasant and her voice is so soothing, Elin is a painter, photographer and fun to be with. Mia has a warm personality with mad skills for baking and cooking and Inga is so open, fun and loving and I have so much more to learn about them all. All of them have lifted my spirits this week.

Friday I went by Elin’s art studio and purchased a couple of her paintings. Then Anita, Elin and me went to the festival to meet to meet the others. We ended up walking the long way around but eventually got where we needed to go. We had some fun moments along the way and saw things I wouldn’t have seen any other way. The beautiful lake, woods and the area Alfred Nobel had his factory and the tunnels leading to blasting zones. They have cleaned up the area and it is a beautiful park now.

When we finally arrived, we joined our two friends saving a table for us. We were hungry at this point so we ordered some amazing food, enjoyed the music and atmosphere of the evening. Live music is always best. My heart is full of nothing but love for them, myself and others.

I got to see Anita play drums!! It was so exciting, to see her play. We ate, danced, talked and enjoyed life together. My heart is full of love for them, myself and others.

I have also been fortunate to have found a new apartment in Malmö closer to the action of town, in-between two other invaluable friends who bring me tremendous joy. I move September 1st or hopefully August 31st. The contracts are already in the works.

I spoke aloud my desire for a certain kind of apartment and location and within a few days my friend Cecilia, who came to me through my friend Susanne, texted me about her daughter’s apartment being available. She picked me up, drove me over to show me and it is perfect! I handed in my notice to my landlord and all is coming into place. I will stay here until the end of the year which is what I had originally hoped for. Dan has agreed my belongings can stay where he moved them to and all is falling into place.

The new apartment is further from the gym I teach at but it will be nice to have my friends nearby. It is a quiet place, furnished, less rent, with a large central garden, up one set of stairs, cycle room, tvättstuga (central laundry) and 5 minute walk to the train to Hyllie where I currently live. I feel so fortunate.

There has been sadness too as a friend from 30 years ago has cancer amd fighting for his life, another friend has fallen which has severely impacted her life and another has lost her mother and there may be others I don’t know about. There are so many things going on and realizing you can have joy, love and kindness while in the midst of sadness and pain is amazing. How we communicate, love and help each other makes a difference to those around us.

I am living more in flow these days. That to me means not controlling everything. Letting things come up, recognizing my thoughts are not truth or even fact, expressing and asking for what I want and need more of. Am I perfect at it? Certainly not, but if this week iss been any indication, I want more! There will always be challenges but how we face them and who we have on our journey makes a difference. Those who uplift, support, love and teach me are who I want in my life.

The more I let go and enjoy life, the better it gets. I can live in regret but that does me no good. The gift of my divorce is the new places I have been, the people I have met, the lessons I am learning about myself and the growth which has come from all these experiences. Life is meant to be enjoyed. I am very lycklig. My love and gratitude pour out to you, my readers and friends. Life is meant to be enjoyed. I wish you all the joy and happiness which life can offer. Warmest hugs from me to you!