“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.”
Lin Yutan

I’ve been away for a few weeks, and although I miss my family, I’m happy to be back in my own bed, with my familiar pillow.

My pillow is filled with organic spelt husks.

What is spelt? It’s an ancient form of wheat that can be cultivated without chemical fertilisers because it has good immunity to fungus and pests.

Do you also miss your bed and your pillow when you’re out and about?

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pillow – Kopfkissen
cushion – Kissen
spelt husks – Dinkelspelz

I will never forget a discussion I had with a client of mine several years ago. I asked him how often he complimented his staff. He looked surprised and replied, “Never!”

Perhaps giving compliments made him feel anxious?

Compliments are an easy way to make other people—and ourselves—feel better. They create positive energy. We help others to feel appreciated and noticed, but we also feel happier ourselves.

So how can we pay a sincere and thoughtful compliment that will bring a smile to someone’s face?

We can compliment an achievement:
I read your report. It was well-written and remarkably thorough. Congratulations.

We can compliment someone’s appearance:
I love your scarf. Those colours look amazing together.

We can compliment someone’s personality:
Your smile and enthusiasm are contagious. 

Let’s go and give someone a compliment today—and make them smile. It doesn’t cost a thing!

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contagious = ansteckend

Is there a difference between a ‘rucksack’ and a ‘backpack’?

As far as I know, both words are often used interchangeably to describe a bag that can be carried on your back. I grew up using the word ‘rucksack’. The word ‘backpack’ originated in the US.

Rucksacks/Backpacks have two shoulder straps, large zipped openings, additional pockets and straps—and even other features.

Want to know how to pack your rucksack for going on a hiking or trekking tour (and to listen to how ‘rucksack’ is pronounced in British English)? Watch this YouTube video here.

The apostrophe (that’s this little sign here: ‘) is normally only used to show possession or omission.

Example sentences:
This is my colleague’s office. (possession)
We watched the boys’ football team. (possession)
There’s a lovely lamp on her desk. (omission)
They grew up in the ’90s. (omission)

We don’t normally use apostrophes to form plurals.

Example sentences:
We bought eggs, mushrooms and peas in the supermarket.
This book was written in the 1990s.

However, apostrophes can be used to avoid confusion or misreading:

She received two A’s, three B’s and two C’s.

I hope that helps!

You offer something to someone. They respond with a “thank you”. What do you say?

In German we would say “bitte”, “bitte sehr”, “keine Ursache”, “aber gerne” or “gern geschehen”. And in English?

You could say “No problem”, but it’s not a very positive message.

What about?:

You’re welcome.
You’re very welcome.
My pleasure.
I’m pleased you like it.
Always happy to help.
Thank you.

Do you have a favourite response?

“If you’re willing to be disturbed and confused, I recommend that you begin a conversation with someone who thinks differently than you do. Listen as best you can for what’s different, for what surprises you. Try and stop the voice of judgment or opinion. Just listen. At the end of this practice, notice whether you learned anything new. Notice whether you developed a better relationship with the person you talked with. If you try this with several people, you might find yourself laughing in delight as you realize how many unique ways there are to be human.“
Meg Wheatley

Isn’t this great food for thought?

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Food for thought = something worth thinking seriously about