The Hyggelig Journey

We live in an age captivated by spectacle — by the towering achievement, the public triumph, the grand legacy. Yet there is a quiet and enduring wisdom in Mother Teresa’s words: “We cannot all do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Not all of us are called to reshape the world in sweeping strokes, and perhaps that is precisely the point. For life, in its truest form, unfolds not in declarations but in gestures — the cup of tea brought without being asked, the phone call made simply to listen, the quiet presence kept beside someone in pain. These small acts, infused with genuine love, carry a weight far greater than their size suggests. They are not dramatic, and they rarely attract applause, yet they hold the fabric of our common life together. There is a kind of sacredness in doing the unremarkable with care — an elegance, even, that resists the noise of modern ambition. To love well in the small things is to dwell in the present with intention. It i...

It was an ordinary morning, one of those where the light slants through the window, turning the air into a suspended promise. What moves me today? What moved me yesterday? These questions swirl around me like restless phantoms, whispering answers only to vanish into the ether, resisting answers altogether. Yet, something lingers — an invisible thread, a latent desire to cling to a motive. Because without motive, who are we? Perhaps it is hunger. That primal, essential hunger gnawing at the body, bending the world before a hot plate of food. An instinct that drives us before thought even takes shape. Hunger is not just for sustenance; it is for life itself, for survival, for the next breath, the next step forward. Or perhaps it is fear. Fear of what? Of not being seen, of being seen too much, of existing without leaving a mark. Fear shrinks us yet protects us. Hunger and fear — so primal, so alive, as old as time itself. They guide us in the shadows, shaping our choices before we even...

Life is not just an equation to be solved. In fact, life is no equation at all. Because living escapes any exact calculation, it slips through the fingers, vanishes into corners. What remains? What disappears? I don’t know. But there is a point where everything converges: what we love, what we know, what the world needs, and what keeps us standing. The Japanese call it ikigai – a beautiful name for something that often has no name. And where do we find this point? Is it in a sudden flash of enlightenment, a spark in the middle of the day? Or is it built slowly, like someone stitching their own skin without realising it? I know that some spend their whole lives searching and never find it – perhaps because they expect a bright light, a visible sign, a message written in the sky. But purpose does not shout. It whispers. And one must be silent to hear it. Childhood tells us we can be anything. But time, oh, time... it narrows us, prunes our excesses, fits us into moulds. Work...

When we stop to think about the direction our lives take, the first thought that often comes to mind is that many things could have been different. This is natural and an important reflection to have. It is entirely understandable to want to leave behind a meaningful legacy that represents who we are. Many people express this desire through the legitimate pursuit of a good home, a loving family, a car in the driveway, and so on. This is all perfectly normal. However, none of these things necessarily guarantee happiness or self-fulfilment. Ambition can be a useful emotion, of course, particularly when it concerns survival or comfort. The problem arises when a person becomes an insatiable hunter — forgetting to truly share life with others. It is striking how often those who have so much end up feeling as if they have nothing — despite a successful career, a brand-new car, and an esteemed academic background. On the other hand, some people find abundance in having little — pe...

Throughout this month, I have seen many patients struggling with deep emotional instability. Given the circumstances, this is more than expected. However, I find this an opportune moment to reintroduce a model of emotional sustainability that can serve as a guide in times of adversity while you work towards a more pleasant, fulfilling, and meaningful life.   You are already familiar with the foundations of this guide, as I have outlined its core concepts in my last five articles. They are:   C  –  Connection : Building and maintaining supportive relationships with family, friends, and the community. H – Hope and Optimism about the Future : Believing in the possibility of a better future and working towards positive change. I – Identity : Developing or rediscovering a sense of self that is positive and resilient. M – Meaning in Life : Finding purpose through personal values, spirituality, work, or community engagement. E – Empowerment : Gaining confidenc...

The meaning of life is deeply personal, and may be rooted in a range of sources — spirituality, family values, social roles, a bond with nature or animals, meaningful work, or cherished hobbies. Discovering what holds meaning for you — and weaving it into the fabric of daily life — can greatly strengthen resilience and nourish well-being. For instance, if your sense of meaning arises from a connection with the natural world, you might express it by spending time outdoors, tending to green spaces, or volunteering in efforts to preserve rivers and parks. At its heart, it’s about feeling drawn — even called — to a task that resonates with who you are.