Øyvind Henriksen

Øyvind Henriksen

I am not a blogger! I just put my thoughts into writing some times...

2015, December, 16 Øyvind Henriksen

What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger!

That quote is attributed to the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche.Actually, he said it much more eloquently: “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.”  While some pain and suffering in life are unavoidable and part of the human experience, much is self-induced by our thoughts and can be radically reduced by mindfulness practices and mental health tools.

2015, November, 18 Øyvind Henriksen

The Black Belt Myth

I have a little confession to make, as a Teakwon-Do instructor, about a belt – so black, it defies both time and space. The image of that dark, mysterious and exotic belt – flawlessly tied around the six-pack abs of a fearless fighter – was projected at you day and night, by everyone around you. That fighter? – It could be YOU.That fearlessness? – It could be YOURS.Those abs too... Just get the black belt, and everything would be perfect. Well… At least that’s what they wanted

2015, November, 3 Øyvind Henriksen

The Goal is Consistency

“Set your goals high, and don't stop till you get there.”-Bo Jackson Everyone has a goal. It’s a Universal fact. Whether you call your goal, an ambition, a target or a milestone. It all means the same. You have an intention to make something happen.  But do we all achieve our goals? If you are one of those few who do, then kudos to you. But for the remaining lot, let’s empathize. Let’s backtrack from that feeling of remorse and sadness of not having achieved our goal yet. And dig

2015, October, 19 Øyvind Henriksen

The importance of intercultural skills in the workplace

As the modern workplace becomes more global, companies are putting a bigger emphasis on an employee’s intercultural skills in the office. Now more than ever, companies are no longer just looking for technical skills, they are also putting a greater focus on an employee’s ability to speak another language, demonstrate respect for others, and cope with cultural differences.

2015, October, 6 Øyvind Henriksen

On the Importance of Fairy Tales

“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”-G.K. Chesterton Should we continue to read these often frightening stories to our children, and for ourselves for that matter?

2015, September, 28 Øyvind Henriksen

There’s only one right order to read the ‘Narnia’ books!

It doesn't solve world problems, but I like my strong opinions about small things that matter for me. As why I think the chronological numbering used by the Chronicles’ publishers today is a travesty. Whatever the deficiencies of the Narnia movies to date, at least the filmmakers did one thing right: They followed the original publication order, which is how many or most editions numbered them until about 20 years ago.

2015, September, 25 Øyvind Henriksen

The Importance of Imagination

"I shut my eyes in order to see."-Paul Gauguin I have always had what people call a "vivid imagination". I see figures in the sky and faces in the shadows of dark laundry hampers, and every noise in my house is caused – I’m convinced – by a beast or critter just waiting to pop out from the wall. I’m not really superstitious, or believe in ghosts, but I like to imagine.

2015, September, 14 Øyvind Henriksen

Wisdom for boys

“I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.”-Umberto Ec Your father probably told you a few things, but just in case he wasn’t around enough, here are some words of wisdom you might have missed out on:

2011, May, 14 Øyvind Henriksen

To Mend a Broken Heart

“Changing the destructive things you say to yourself when you experience the setbacks that life deals all of us is the central skill of optimism.”-Dr. Martin Seligman I have experienced my heart being ripped out of my chest and my world turned upside down. At the time, a close friend advised, “Positive thinking, Øyvind – it’s what will get you through this.” I nodded. While I loved her care and best intentions, I wanted to SCREAM, “Are you kidding me?! Haven’t you ever lost lo

2011, April, 14 Øyvind Henriksen

Lover's Handicap

Affairs, Relationships, Courtships, call them whatever you want, sooner or later we all experience the varied trysts of LOVE. Rarely does it happen that our first lover stays our last lover. Love is an Event and Loving the Journey. As Oxford calls it, “a strong feeling of affection", Love, hits everyone.  Boy meets Girl, Attraction, Phone Numbers, Dates, Relationship, Kiss, Anniversary, Arguments, Break up, Patch up, Break up, Depression… Next; (Sequence of events not defined) Or somethin

2011, March, 12 Øyvind Henriksen

Friendship Private Limited

“Things are never quite as scary when you've got a best friend.” - Calvin & Hobbes Can you imagine a Life with no Social Being? It’s almost impossible. You are practically socializing since the day you were born when your parents did the whole baby talk with you. From that day onwards we come across PEOPLE like ourselves, yet different. I believe everyone you meet leaves some kind of impression on you and vice-versa. And the summary of these impressions forms an Experience with which

2011, February, 12 Øyvind Henriksen

Family- Your Root to Unconditional Love & More

What comes to your mind, when I say the word "Family"? Love? Upbringing? Life? Or it could unfortunately be the opposite for some as well, but I will relate this article on my experience and how I hope most of you have it... Well whatever it is, it’s really important to acknowledge what lies behind this one magnificent word. Family - Your reason to exist. Agree? No options there. Well I've realized over a period of time the importance of mine. Whether you’re the only child, or whether you h

2011, January, 12 Øyvind Henriksen

Definition Love

"Nothing has Meaning, except for the Meaning you give it".-T. Harv Eker Love is a word difficult to define. Then Again, each to their own. For me when I go into flashback, I remember that tingling feeling within me when I would meet that someone special. And the Young immature Romeo that I was, only blinded me further to believe that it was Love.

2010, December, 12 Øyvind Henriksen

Dreamer Personified

“Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.”-Leon Joseph Cardinal Suenens Hundreds of People from all across America gathered in front of Dr. Martin Luther King to hear his speech. The speech that began with," I Have a Dream.... When was the last time you believed in your created dream? When was the last time you decided to close your eyes and dream? Or are the only dreams we see, the ones we experience when we sleep?

2010, November, 11 Øyvind Henriksen

Choices

"When life throws lemons, make lemonade or just bring out the Tequila" In other words, we face situations and incidents as a part of our everyday Life. But more important or rather crucial than the situation, is our response or reaction to it. There is not much difference in spelling between the two words response and reaction, but there is a world of difference that it makes to one’s life. Reaction is being in alignment with the event that you just experienced. If someone shouts at you, you

2010, October, 12 Øyvind Henriksen

Complain-o-Meter

How much do we complain in a day? From the time we wake up. Supposedly, if we are late for work or a commitment, what is our first reaction? Let guess, “Oh Damn!", "Oh God!", or the all-timer “Oh Shit!". Now let me ask you another Question. Immediately after you react, what feelings do you feel? I doubt "Happy" is one of them. It is usually, Anger, Frustration or just plainly being Upset. Whatever it is, it’s not Positive. Now I'll tell you something I heard, "What you Focus on EXPANDS"

2010, October, 12 Øyvind Henriksen

One Life, Live it Large!

"It is often said that before you die your life passes before your eyes. It is in fact true. It's called living."-Terry Pratchett Have you ever tried looking at your Life from a third person's perspective? Or let me rephrase...: Have you looked at your Life like you are watching a Movie? Take a moment to first grasp the idea of watching YOUR Movie. Newly suggested thoughts take a while to digest... Now that your visualise your life as a Movie, the million dollar question is, Who are YOU in th

Øyvind Henriksen