What a year!

My birthday is a good opportunity to look back on the past year of my life. What a year - perhaps the most dramatic of my life so far.

Shipyard drama: In the end, the shipyard's bill was three times higher than the original offer. That really knocked my socks off. With the help of over 200 friends, acquaintances and strangers, the huge challenge was successfully overcome.

Bureaucratic drama: Because a stamp was missing on the correct document from the correct authority with the correct fax number when the ship crossed, we were detained for 16 hours by a water police officer in Brandenburg. There were also problems in Berlin. When we told a water police officer who was checking us that we had spoken to his top boss and that everything was fine, he replied: "This is my waterway!" I can laugh about it now - the delays weren't exactly funny back then. On the other hand, the idea of having a friend who lived nearby bring us groceries to the shore and getting them onto the boat by raft because we were stuck in a place without a jetty was exciting even back then.

Power struggle - dramas: At some points my wife had to stand and defend me against people who wanted to dominate and belittle me, not exactly my favourite activity - but probably the biggest growth step in the last year. A seminar at Christoph Schalk on the theme of the quattro of the same name Achieve goals really strengthened me in the process and helped me to actually realise my goal of "I make clear announcements!" into reality.

Health drama: 40 kilos of books in a suitcase, 80 flights of stairs, 1 solid lumbago - for 8 weeks. The smaller drama. The bigger one: my father's life-threatening drop in blood pressure. He jumped off the brink of death at the last minute. Receiving the news that his blood pressure was only 28 and that he had been admitted to hospital was probably the scariest moment of the last year (at the same time!!! as the bureaucratic drama on the crossing). The shock wouldn't leave my bones for weeks.

Colour drama: Painting 18 square metres of ship and then discovering that the hardener was missing from the paint - that was just one of the many small and large dramas that occurred during the renovation. Others: 5 tonnes of wrong, too large, ballast stones on board.

Dramatic learning: The two major training courses this year - one on a strategy for actually achieving goals and the second on a strategy for actually achieving goals, WingwaveThe training sessions on an efficient approach to resolving traumas, blockages and fears as well as addictive patterns were extremely intensive, enriching, moving and sometimes dramatic - when approaches are practised on one's own life, it is sometimes not without tears or laughter. It is always liberating and I am extremely grateful that I was able to gain further professional qualifications. I enjoy breaking new ground in coaching: On the one hand, to have longer and more intensive assignments in business coaching, and on the other, to accompany people who want to reduce their weight sustainably and learn to live healthier lives. I'm also learning a lot about rust removal, insulation, marine electrics and many other things that a shipbuilder needs to know.

Litigation drama:  A photographer didn't take a close look to see if we had added a photo credit to one of her pictures (yes, we had labelled it correctly) and immediately sent us a 900 euro warning letter + 900 euro lawyer's fees. I'm still in the middle of this drama. And hope that it will soon be over.

Dramatic highlights: The crossing from Hamburg to Berlin was the highlight of the year for me. Wonderful weather, exciting stretches, e.g. "taking the lift" with the whole ship in a 28 metre high hoist - a dream. Topped off by the fact that a man who accompanied us decided to put his life in God's hands during the crossing. "It feels like my innermost being is waking up again after a long sleep!"

Dramatic writing marathon: Due to various circumstances, I had to write more titles than usual at the publishing house. Five new titles in five months was - despite all my practice and experience - quite a challenge for me. But I am proud of Non-violent communication, Coco Chanel, Friendship, Grieving, Slim and fit - and also to the titles which are already vbefore the marathon months: Reflection questions, reducing stress and the event planner. 

Dramatic answers to prayer: The greatest miracle was probably the "accidental" discovery of a company that was able to replace our old single-glazed windows with double-glazed windows - at a very fair price. The good berth in Berlin at Bootsmanufaktur. And the constant stream of helpers who lend a hand almost every day - and bring the boat closer to completion, step by step. I've lost track, but there were probably a few dozen people who helped for hours, days or even weeks to make the dream come true. And great professionals who were on hand to carry out the specialised work.

And now? 

I wish for a little less drama in my new year! My wishes

Get rid of ballast: That's my first and most urgent wish at the moment. I still have a lot of books and other things that I would like to sell on Amazon, eBay and at the boat flea market - to get rid of ballast and raise the much-needed money for the final renovation phase. One request: If you want to make me happy for my birthday, why don't you have a look at the books I've written? used at Amazon or fresh as a daisy in our Publisher check if there is something for you. Of course I am also happy to receive gifts via Pay Pal (info äääät down-to-earth.de) or Betterplace - just like that. But I also think it's totally fine if you get an exchange gift for your money. It would be a small help to me if you took part. And if lots of people do it, a big one!

Conclusion: Of course I hope that the renovation work will be completed and the ship will be ready for occupancy - even if you're never really finished with a project like this. As soon as you've finished one corner, you start rust removal on the next. But being ready to move in - and finding a place where I can stay for the next few months and years and build something new - that's what I really want.

Be breastfed: Despite the desire to be finished, which is in my nature, I want to enjoy every moment, not just focus on being finished. Time with people, time with myself, time with God, time to work, to meet.... make decisions about how I can organise my time. It's not always easy for me. One request: If you would, please give me a few moments or minutes of your time and ask God to bless me in the areas where I particularly need it: health, finances, helpers, getting rid of ballast, closure, being breastfed. Because I want this year to be a blessed year - very much!