Through the open door to the balcony I hear the ocean. The endless rhythm of the waves has been impacting my nervous system all day long, getting me out of my mental busy-ness into a deep relaxation.

Five of my closest friends had invited me to Manhattan Beach to play Canasta and have fun together. I feel sooooo thankful that I interrupted my successful daily routine for no obvious reason, but with a clear gut feeling: I need to relax deeper to get even more in touch with simplicity.

Over the past week I had experienced a slight fever and sniffles, not enough to feel sick but a clear warning signal “Take a break before you get sick”. I most definitely prefer vacation over sickness. Simple enough?

The simplicity of laughing with my friends during card games or food shopping trips, of feeling the sand between my toes or running along the waterline touched me today: What if this deep relaxation is a foundation for effectiveness, creativity and joy?

After all, my favorite definition of ‘genius’ is ‘simplicity beyond complexity’: The iPod is simple to use, the technology behind it immensely complex. our own bodies need simple food to maintain a highly complex cellular life.

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