Goals in the end and the journey towards it

Past few years people sometimes asked these questions or gave this advice: What are your goals in the end? What is the sense in doing this or that? What is the purpose of life? You should enjoy life, not work this hard. Aren't you being too hard on yourself? And the best ;): Go, have fun! You are too young to be busy with all this .

I listen to it and think, does it matter if I don't have a clear answer to what the end goal is in my life or why I keep myself busy with so many things? All projects I do have a purpose somewhere, but most of all I enjoy doing them. I enjoy the journey and just see what comes and try to grab every opportunity. How necessary is long term thinking? When I enjoy this work, do I also enjoy life? Am I having fun? And when I take too much tasks upon me that I enjoy, am I being to hard for myself to say yes to most of them? I always have a lot of questions, but these ones are hard to answer. Because when one does so many things, yes, then it becomes tough to know what to focus on.

And I am not the only one who is facing these questions . Perhaps I do not enjoy always in the same way every youngster does, but I do know it when I want to do certain things in my life and I just go out there, looking for opportunities, still trying to lead the simple life and figure out what is best. I believe a life long learning.

A big bruise on my arm - the young learning medical student

I understand medical students need to learn to take blood. It once was my own first time to take blood and was also bit nervous. I was send to this young medical student, who had her practice phase of taking blood.

This very very nervous, sweet, very young medical student this morning was a bit too enthusiastic ( I hope I don't confuse that with frightened, especially when she heard I am a medic too) and left me with a blue elbow cavity. Also after me exactly showing her which vein in my arm to inject, when she had trouble finding it, and in what position she should hold the needle . And there she went with the needle, all shaking... through my vein. So I have staring eyes on the street, people wondering who left me with that big bruise . And I smile and think of this young nervous student and my own first time taking blood.

I am sure she will become a very good doctor some day! And not joking, she will and she will become better in taking blood hahaha. It will be very easy one day!

My love for writing speeches

I so much enjoy writing a speech, rehearsing it, playing with words and the whole creative process. Unbelievable. A new speech every time makes me so excited! I feel like a child in the playground, that cannot wait to share all the excitement with everyone. And the feeling after a speech, no matter how it went, is always rewarding. As naturally being a bit shy person, every podium I have spoken on, every time, is a new milestone for me. And to make it all look very easy, that is the trick.

Tubs with Mud

To handle criticism is an art? A skill? An understanding?

Every time I think "I am good in handling criticism", there comes another person / group of people who, sometimes in the most detailed way, throw you back in that tub of mud again. And in an (at least I think ;)) elegant way I get out of that tub of mud, to show I handled that dip well. But it will stay a life long learning hahaha ! To handle and accept it with peace. Because I know there are still lot of tubs with mud waiting for me . Who knows, I might start enjoying the mud one day !

When asking for help - a reflection

I am a busy person and so are my friends and I completely understand. When I ask for help, 75% of people don't answer or answer they are too busy and have no time. About 10 % answers they can't help me or don't have the resources. And luckily there is always that one person or few people who can help me out.

And until today I will never forget those few people who did help, because it has made a big impact.

What has this learnt me:

First of all, don't get angry when people can't help you, I know most of them don't do it on purpose :).

2. Keep searching and looking until you find those people who can help you, don't give up.

3. And absolutely do not be afraid to ask for help, it will be the best decision you will ever have taken.

4. It has learnt me to actively try to help other people out, I know I forget because I run busy schedules, but taking time to help someone gives a lot of satisfaction.

5. When asking for help, it makes your relationship with that person even stronger. Because you show trust in that person's abilities.

The world is upside down

This world is upside down. And one never gets what he/she wants. And when you think you have it, it can be over in a day. Illusions everywhere. Who wears a mask and who doesn't? That's why you must become your own best friend, know yourself like nobody else can, all your ins and outs and be determined. And KISS - Keep It Stupid Simple.

Who knows, the answer might be around the corner?

My speeches

Hope you all will enjoy what I have to say.

www.youtube.com/nupurkohlispeeches

www.nupur.nl

3 things that made me happy as a child

3 things that made me happy as a child:

- Going on surprise trips with my mom, dad and sisters, like the zoo :)

- When I got an ice-cream on those trips :)

- A new book, it started as a child and am still a great book lover :)

Actually, even now I get very happy with these three things hahaha. It makes me also very happy that as a child you can be happy with not much and I hope to keep that spirit.

Thank You Note (9)

And as I walk through life, there is more to be grateful for.

Thank you for:

- some people I meet in my life and give me great advice and show me how important a friendship can be.

- for great articles I find on the web and read, that give me so much knowledge and to learn from.

- for distractions, in that way I can learn myself how to focus and I realize how important it is to focus.

- for my voice, with my voice I can reach people, shake people, make them think and hopefully set them to action. Wherever I will go, I will use my voice. I will use my voice when I think it is needed and it will always be there.

Gratitude is a great good. I don't want to lose that.

Thank You Note (8)

It makes me realize how lucky I am and that there is beauty in the smallest things!

Thank you for:

- The Birthday Cake - it is a wonderful and sweet way to celebrate life :)

- The radio. Although we have YouTube now and lot of other ways we can listen to music. Radio for me will never lose its power to reach people and update them with the latest popular songs or bring new unknown songs to the audience.

- Jeans. Jeans are comfortable, fashionable, in all sizes and go with almost every other clothing. I can wear them all day and almost every activity is possible with them. What should we do without the invention of jeans! :)

I didn't post about Queen's day, but it was sure one of the best days ever. I loved it and I am sure the Royal Family as well, on to King's day next year. I will miss Queen Beatrix, what a wonderful woman! I will keep her as a rolemodel too.

Thank You note (7)

It really cheers up to write Thank You notes and they are fun to write!

Thank you for:

- My laptop, it enables me to make my life lots and lots easier, what should I do without you :)

- Chocolate, the sweet taste and the melting on your tongue is an unforgetable experience. Whether it is dark or milk, chocolate is one of the best inventions ever.

- Queensday. A whole country in Orange and partying and everyone can become a trader on Queensday. In this time of crisis this is a very good opportunity for people to make a little extra money! And lot of people enjoy this :)

I will try to post an extra blog post on Queensday, as it is a unique day, especially this year with a new King, I think I should write about it!

Thank you note (6)

Thank you for earphones! They make that other people in the bus won't be bothered by my great music ;)

Thank you for pancakes! I can decorate them, make them with cheese, chocolate, chocolate and banana and they are just plain awesome ;)

Thank you for my singing teacher! Singing makes my heart fly, it's one of my very favourite pursuits in the world.

Thank you for postcards :)! And for people who send them! In our digital age it is still very heartwarming to see a beautiful postcard with a nice message and foreign poststamp on it falling on my doormat.

And for today I like to thank You for a sunny Sunday, I will catch up on some vitamin D and will put a smile on my face. Thank You!

Thank you note (5)

Thank you for:

- My diary, it helps me in my time management

- My umbrella, it saves me from the rain

- people at parties I don't know, this forces me to introduce myself to them and usually ending up with some good contacts or other useful experience (good or bad ;))

- the invention of the shredder, all not needed confidential info and not meant for other eyes is cut into bits in a second

My Speech in London at University College London - March 2013

Click on the title and watch on Social media and Networking! My Speech in London at University College London in March! On a short notice I got this opportunity to share my views and I had great and inspiring days in London

Thank You note (4)

Thank you for:

Meditation, it clears my mind and brings it more peace

My alarm clock, it prevents me from being lazy and sleep for hours

A hot shower in the morning, it gives me energy

Thank you note (3)

Thank you for:

Tennis, it keeps me fit

Snow, it sparkles in the sky

My dad, crazy and funny

My yoga mat, it makes my yoga in the morning comfortable

Thank you note (2)

My Thank you notes for today:

Thank you:
for my sisters who cook for me without asking me, because they know I had a tough day

for becoming a doctor, because that teaches me about all aspects of life

the sun that makes my day bright

for the existence of dresses, they make me feel feminine

for amazing stories that show me how many good hearted people exist on this planet

for people who hurt me, because from them I will learn how to prevent hurting other people

A striking question

Someone asked me: you’re so young, being a doctor and giving all these speeches and all other things you do. Don’t you miss partying and having fun? Do you have time for all this?

My answer: It is a choice I make and I make time for this. It’s hard to know where to draw the line, but I draw the line. And who says I am not having fun? I meet wonderful new people; I get joy out of public speaking. And all other times I want to have fun, I make time for it :). Well sometimes it is tough to balance it all ;-).

Running after people :D

Some people keep running after famous or popular people or far-away people ;), for answers, attention etc, while the answer or what you're looking for might be just around the corner... Perhaps he/she/(it) will be sitting right next to you! And you will not even notice? Don't be too busy running after other things/people to notice it :). This isn’t necessarily about love. We just sometimes forget solutions can be very close to us.

The question would be then: “Why don’t we notice it?” Perhaps we are not open for it. Or we are too busy in our minds trying so badly to get what we want, that we block everything else. When we relax and let things go that don’t improve are situations in the first place, you will have more peace to look around. To observe what is possible.

This is a challenge. And the only thing we can do is keep practising. Most of all finding out what exactly it is what we want. Because if we don’t exactly know what we want, then we might be looking in the wrong direction in the first place :)!

Empowerment Speech - FICCI Auditorium New Delhi

Short note on Bullying

Bullying is not funny! Even when it starts with a joke, don't let the joke become bigger and hurt someone. I know people who have been bullied, and there were short periods I have been bullied myself and also I feel very sorry I had no guts to stop bullying the moments I saw it happening...

I can imagine people who have been bullied and are famous or have achieved things in life now think: "Look where I am now! And where you (the ones who bullied) are."

Like a TV personality said: "people who bully feel you have something special and because of their own insecurity they act like cowards and bully." (Freely translated)

Bullying is not only a kids thing, adults bully too. Be aware of what you say to people and do...

On love - not cheesy - realistic :)

I believe this is worth sharing. Every time I read this, I think: yes, this is how I think love should be. In any form of relationship or form of love, this piece of text says it so beautiful. It doesn't mean when people love eachother they shouldn't be one, in some way whe should be one, but still be having that space. Space that is important in every phase of our life. Enjoy :)

“Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.”

― Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

Celebrities

It always seems that celebrities divorce or break up, why? Perpaps not only celebrities. Succesful, busy, (business) people also. Or is it media focusing too much on them? Do busy and succesful people expect something else from their relationships than the "common people"? And if they are not breaking up then they make the news with "cheating" on their spouse/partner...

And the whole world enjoys - yuck!