41st Birthday - Thoughts of an alte Schachtel!

Alte Schachtel! translates into 'old box', German for 'old maid'.

This year was very long and entertaining in many ways, not always easy. I think I grew personally and know much more about myself than ever before. I know lots of things I don't like - about me and others. I learnt a lot of things I do like a lot - about me and others.
Besides making friends and community even more a focus over the last months, we really discovered new grounds as a family. Both kids are old enough to really grasp our values and think and question why we do the things we do. It's really fun and rewarding seeing them grow up and forming more and more into their own creations.
We really became 'DoGooders' the last couple of months. ;-) Between Marco's Food Bank volunteering, Plant for the Planet, helping with the Unitarians, Marching for Women, Climate, Science, standing up for social justice and equality. I'm really proud of my family.
I question the way we live in 2017. So many things feel so wrong. Social isolation. Displaced elders. Greed. Power of corporations. Food chain. Life balance. My Hippie heart wants to stop all this madness and nonsense and become Captain Fantastic. The last 2.5 years we tried to live more up to our values. I won't work for any organization or corporation if I don't believe in it's mission. I want to make the world a better place, not worse. 
I want to eat less meat (maybe even no), spent more time outside, enjoy nature more intensely, learn more about plants and birds, I want to stand up for myself and my beliefs. I want to help the underdogs and fight for what feels right.
I want to be more patient, kind and giving. I want to enjoy, listen and learn. I want to be less judgmental and more open. I want to be thankful for all the great adventures, experiences and memories I got to enjoy in my lifetime.