Who?
Esther
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"That poem you recited brought me to tears. Thank you. You did an outstanding job reading it!"
How did she react?
She nodded, "Yeah, I am good at reading."
How did I feel?
People who know they shine rock. Esther's reaction might read arrogant but in reality it was nowhere near. Her words were open and honest, as was she. I dug that.
She taught tonight's yoga class. I had not met her before. At prime time I lay down on my mat and closed my eyes. Opening the session with a poem Esther told us, "My theme today is time. The poem's title is I Wish You Time." Then she started. Her voice was soft and calm, yet steady and clear. Speaking those words she meant every single one. Nothing she said was kitsch, it was all real. Here is a translation*:
I don't wish you all sorts of gifts.
I just wish you what most people don't have:
I wish you time to be happy and to laugh
and if you use it you can make something of it.
I wish you time for your doings and thinking,
not only for yourself, but also to give away.
I wish you time - not to hastle and run,
but time to know how to be content.
I wish you time - not to pass just like that.
I wish that some of it may be left for you
as a time to marvel and (as a time) to trust,
instead of just looking at the time on your watch.
I wish you time to reach for the stars,
and time to grow, that means to mature.
I wish you time to hope anew and to love.
There is no sense in putting this time off.
I wish you time to find yourself,
to see the happiness in each day and each hour.
I wish you time also to forgive.
I wish you time to live.
--Elli Michler
The last three lines shook me. My eyes still closed, my body still heavy on the floor, I now felt a sense of relief and a frog in my throat, then one tear rolling down my right cheek. I don't think the poem would have moved me as deeply without Esther's voice. In fact me crying over a poem during yoga has only happened once before. That tear in class was a bigger compliment than my words.
But honestly- today was the cry day. I had already wept an hour before yoga. Because of this project: Yesterday's candidate Federico had sent me the sweetest email I have ever received. Reading it left me- speechless, sobbing, laughing, overwhelmed.. I still lack words for that feeling. I don't think I have experienced it before. The best part: The happiness this caused is still around, 7 hours after reading his words for the first time! Man, now I know for sure: Compliments are awesome!
...And then Esther came with her poem. And her angelic hair, her neck massage skills and her great taste in music (she played the best yoga playlist I have heard in a while). After yoga I was a new born.
What a day. Rarely have I felt and known as clearly: I am one lucky girl. Thank you, Esther. Thank you, Federico. Thank you, world!
Anything else?
I tried to take a picture of Esther, it did not work. She sent me a wonderful one of hers- thanks! And: Nice glasses!
*the original one is in German. Find it here.
Esther
Where?
Berlin, Germany
What?
"That poem you recited brought me to tears. Thank you. You did an outstanding job reading it!"
How did she react?
She nodded, "Yeah, I am good at reading."
How did I feel?
People who know they shine rock. Esther's reaction might read arrogant but in reality it was nowhere near. Her words were open and honest, as was she. I dug that.
She taught tonight's yoga class. I had not met her before. At prime time I lay down on my mat and closed my eyes. Opening the session with a poem Esther told us, "My theme today is time. The poem's title is I Wish You Time." Then she started. Her voice was soft and calm, yet steady and clear. Speaking those words she meant every single one. Nothing she said was kitsch, it was all real. Here is a translation*:
I don't wish you all sorts of gifts.
I just wish you what most people don't have:
I wish you time to be happy and to laugh
and if you use it you can make something of it.
I wish you time for your doings and thinking,
not only for yourself, but also to give away.
I wish you time - not to hastle and run,
but time to know how to be content.
I wish you time - not to pass just like that.
I wish that some of it may be left for you
as a time to marvel and (as a time) to trust,
instead of just looking at the time on your watch.
I wish you time to reach for the stars,
and time to grow, that means to mature.
I wish you time to hope anew and to love.
There is no sense in putting this time off.
I wish you time to find yourself,
to see the happiness in each day and each hour.
I wish you time also to forgive.
I wish you time to live.
--Elli Michler
The last three lines shook me. My eyes still closed, my body still heavy on the floor, I now felt a sense of relief and a frog in my throat, then one tear rolling down my right cheek. I don't think the poem would have moved me as deeply without Esther's voice. In fact me crying over a poem during yoga has only happened once before. That tear in class was a bigger compliment than my words.
But honestly- today was the cry day. I had already wept an hour before yoga. Because of this project: Yesterday's candidate Federico had sent me the sweetest email I have ever received. Reading it left me- speechless, sobbing, laughing, overwhelmed.. I still lack words for that feeling. I don't think I have experienced it before. The best part: The happiness this caused is still around, 7 hours after reading his words for the first time! Man, now I know for sure: Compliments are awesome!
...And then Esther came with her poem. And her angelic hair, her neck massage skills and her great taste in music (she played the best yoga playlist I have heard in a while). After yoga I was a new born.
What a day. Rarely have I felt and known as clearly: I am one lucky girl. Thank you, Esther. Thank you, Federico. Thank you, world!
Anything else?
I tried to take a picture of Esther, it did not work. She sent me a wonderful one of hers- thanks! And: Nice glasses!
*the original one is in German. Find it here.