Audiostretto 59/4/24 English Hans-Jörg Stark

As a child, yoghurt was something extraordinary for us. We were given it on rare occasions, for example when we were ill, to cheer us up. I still like to eat yoghurt today, but preferably without sugar, because I think most of them contain too much unnecessary sugar. But what all yoghurts have in common is that they usually have very attractive packaging: a buttery pot with an equally colourful lid. So you can't see the yoghurt at all. You're buying a pig in a poke, so to speak, or simply trusting that what you're getting is okay and meets your expectations. Trust without seeing. Experience certainly helps with this step. But it's amazing how carefree we are about things like yoghurt, trusting that our decision is good and right, and how difficult we find it with other things. Perhaps also in the spiritual, in our life of faith. How do you cope with that?

I wish you an extraordinary day!

On the occasion of birthdays and parties, children have the opportunity to have their faces painted. Many have their faces painted as animals and then wear a corresponding costume at carnival, for example, so that it is clear to everyone around them what kind of animal they are. Depending on the child's personality, they then behave in the same way: they hiss or move in the same way as they have seen this animal do. And of course they want to be treated accordingly by their environment - just as you would speak to or meet such an animal. Well, with the exception of food, presumably. Whatever. The fact is: even if the children feel like these animals in such situations and however well they interpret them - they are not. And so it is important and good for all of us to remember who we are from time to time. Interpreting someone else, however genuinely, is not our identity.

I wish you an extraordinary day!

Nets in sport can be found on the goals in football or in handball. They help to recognise whether the ball is actually in the goal or not. A wall as a solid surface would quickly throw the ball back again and it would remain unclear whether the ball was really in the goal or just outside or on the post. The net catches the ball within the defined area - for example the goal. If necessary, the net slows down the fast movement of the ball and keeps it in place so that there is no uncertainty as to whether the ball is in the goal. The net also shows that if the ball is played from the side, the ball is just outside the goal. Just as nets create clarity with their flexibility, leniency, giving in and not wanting to be right can de-escalate tense situations and ensure reconciliation and peace. Giving in is therefore not always a sign of weakness. Perhaps this is the case for you in a situation right now.

I wish you an extraordinary day!

Surely you have also felt the need for a familiar conversation. You wanted to discuss something, ask a question or simply share something personal. For this to work well, at least one thing is important: no time pressure. And ideally undivided attention from the other person. While you can pass on instructions or information spontaneously and in passing, this is not ideal for personal matters and can leave an impression of a lack of appreciation. What applies to you naturally also applies to others: if they have something personal to share, they want time, attention and presence - from you. You may find yourself in such a situation today, be it just once or occasionally with family, friends or at work. Then prioritise it. It will be appreciated, just as you would appreciate it. And it will come back to you. For sure.

I wish you an extraordinary day!

Switzerland has THE spice: Aromat! As children, we were allowed to eat bread with butter and Aromat with a host family. It was like a special meal. Aromat is officially and neutrally known as a seasoning and comes in a container similar to salt or pepper, but larger. However, Aromat has the property that it clumps together relatively quickly - and so it can happen that the sprinkling container is full of the spice, but because it has clumped together inside as a result of not being used for too long, it cannot escape through the narrow holes of the sprinkling container. So you would have what you want, but it is not accessible. Sometimes shaking it vigorously helps to break up the clumps, sometimes nothing else helps but opening the can and breaking up the clumps manually with force. Do you have areas in your life that would be valuable for your environment, but which you have neglected and should shake up and activate again?

I wish you an extraordinary day!

In nature, we marvel at lush plants, especially those that serve us as food: Gorgeous cherry trees or apple or pear trees or berry bushes with their fruit. It is a pleasure to harvest and then enjoy them. The same applies to strawberries, which grow close to the ground and can be enjoyed from the bush to the mouth. And then there are the herbs. These are relatively small and yet often look rather simple, almost pathetic. No pretty flowers or fruit. But some of them are so full of flavour that they make an enormous impact on a meal. If you like them for the better, if you don't, they can spoil the flavour. A small addition with a big effect. It's often the same with our self-talk or our words. We use them to give projects, conversations, events and decisions essential character and flavour. It is therefore advisable to use the right amount depending on the situation. Do you manage that?

I wish you an extraordinary day!