Tag: Liebe

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Verse of the bible for 2022

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

Everyone longs for acceptance and love in life. To be accepted just as you are and to belong somewhere. And each of us certainly knows the feeling of being excluded, of not really being accepted in a group or community, or even of being rejected. Those who have had the experience in childhood of not being accepted due to their mistakes and weaknesses, of having to achieve something in order to get recognition or simply being excluded due to being different, these situations often shape their whole life.

The thought pattern of being an outsider is not easy to break. There is a way out, however. Everyone can have the experience to be loved unconditionally, to be accepted with all weaknesses and faults. Jesus invites all people to come to him just as they are. He promises:

“Whoever comes to me I will not be rejected or cast out.” John 6:37

Jesus does not judge our doing, thinking, or status. Everyone can come. God accepts us. Whoever accepts this invitation and comes to him, experiences acceptance and real belonging. Jesus himself took the first step towards us humans. He came to earth as a human being to be close to us and to reconcile us with God the Father. Whoever comes to Jesus and believes that he is the way to the Father, that he paid for our guilt and sin through his death, is accepted into eternal communion with God. God will not reject anyone who comes to him, no matter what the past is. Experiencing this unconditional love of God, helps to break through and let go of negative thought patterns. In addition, we can bring all of our injuries and experiences in which we felt excluded or rejected, to God. For this, too, Jesus died to relieve us of all burdens. He has already carried them on the cross. Jesus liberates and fills our hearts with his love and acceptance.

God’s love also helps us to forgive and to take a step towards our fellow human beings, just as Jesus came to us. So we can see the other with God’s eyes.

“Therefore accept one another, just as Christ accepted you, that God may be honored!” Romans 15:17 NIV

“Dear brothers and sisters, we want to love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love has not known God, because God is love. 9 God’s love for us is evident in the fact that he sent his only Son into the world to give us life in him. 10 Love is not because we loved God, but because he loved us and sent his Son as an atonement for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we too must love one another. 12 No one has ever seen him himself. But when we love one another, God lives in us, and his love has reached its goal in us. 13 We can tell that we live in him and he in us by the fact that he has given us a share in his spirit. 14 We have also seen with our own eyes and can testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 And if anyone confesses to Jesus as the Son of God, then God lives in him and he in God. 16 In any case, we have seen that God loves us; and we believe in his love. God is love, and whoever lives in love lives in God and God lives in him. 17 In this, too, love has come to its goal with us: We can look forward to the day of judgment with confidence, because just as Jesus is connected to the Father, we also live in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, for God’s perfect love removes all fear. Anyone who is still afraid expects to be punished. With him, love has not yet reached its goal. 19 But we love because he first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God!” But hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. Because if you don’t love your siblings, whom you can see, how can you love God, whom you have never seen? 21 Remember the commandment God gave us: He who loves God should also love his brothers and sisters. 1 John 4: 7-21 NIV

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Change of perspective

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

In our life we ​​look at different circumstances, situations from our own perspective. Sometimes our views are bogged down, we are convinced of something, and our point of view is only one-way. But often we need a new perspective, something that helps us see things in a different light.

A few days ago we celebrated Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. This event was such a change of perspective. On that day darkness became light, defeat became victory, and death became life. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared and met several people. The encounter with the risen One revealed God’s perspective on what was happening to them.

There were Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, who stood crying by the empty tomb. They were full of sadness and fear. They thought Jesus was dead until they met him in a gardener.

We also read about the two disciples, Cleopas and his friend, who were on their way home from Jerusalem to Emmaus when they met Jesus in their disappointment and hopelessness. It was only when he broke bread with them that they recognized him.

In the same way he appeared to his 11 disciples, who left the tomb horrified and terrified (Mark 16.8). He showed himself to them in the midst of their desperation.

Thomas, one of the disciples, was in a perspective of doubt and disbelief. It was only when he laid his hands on Jesus’ wounds that he could believe.

Peter also had an encounter with Jesus. He had slandered Jesus three times and felt himself to be a failure. Despite his weakness, Jesus approached him and asked him the same question three times: “Simon Peter, do you love me?”

Saul also experienced a change of perspective on the way to Damascus. He was a bitter enemy and persecutor of the Christians, until suddenly a light shone around him and he heard the voice of Jesus, whom he was persecuting. It was a life changing event in his life. He became Paul, who with great zeal, preached the good news among the people and became a believer of Christians.

An encounter with Jesus transforms and gives a new perspective. Not only then, also today, Jesus wants to meet you and me, in our everyday life, in our circumstances and life situations. Jesus is risen, he lives. He loved us first and he always takes the first step towards us humans. He wants to be close to us, to meet us. He proves his love when he died on the cross for our sin. Through his sacrifice we are reconciled to God, and through his resurrection we have eternal life. God gives a new perspective. Sadness and disappointment become joy, where despair reigns hope arises. Doubt and unbelief have to fade away, new faith arises. In failure and weakness God brings new strength, hatred is conquered by love.

We can ask ourselves the following questions:

  • Where or in which area of my life do I experience disappointment or sadness, where do I need new joy?
  • Where I feel desperation, where do I need new hope?
  • Where am I stuck in doubt or unbelief and need new faith?
  • Where do I feel weak and in failure and need new strength?
  • Where do I need love that conquers all hatred?
  • Where did something in me die and need to be brought back to life?
  • Where do I see the end and need a new beginning?
  • No matter what it is and what we need, that’s exactly where Jesus wants to meet us and give us a new perspective, God’s perspective.

This new perspective, this love of God in our hearts turns night into day, brings light into every darkness, makes a new beginning out of every hopeless situation. An encounter with Jesus changes our hearts. By believing in him we become children of God and his spirit lives and works in us. Thereby we become bearers of his love and as children of light we can pass on his love and his light to our fellow human beings. We can tell about Jesus, pray for people, live charity so that many more people can meet Jesus.

Quotation: “But when Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven evil spirits” (Mark 16: 9); Another biblical passage in John 20: 11-18

Quote: “And they came to him and took hold of his feet and fell down before him.” (Matthew 28: 1-10)

Quote: “As they talked and discussed one another, Jesus approached himself and went with them.” (Luke 24: 13-35)

Quote: “The disciples were glad that they saw the Lord.” (John 20: 19-23)

Quote: “Because you have seen me, Thomas, that is why you believe.” (John 20: 24-29)

Quote: “When it was already morning, Jesus stood on the bank.” (John 21)

Quotation: “At last of all he was also seen by me as an untimely birth” (1 Corinthians 15: 1-8); Another biblical passage in Acts 9: 1-19

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The good sheperd

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

A shepherd takes care of his sheep. He knows all of his animals. He looks after them and guards them, and if he has lost one he follows him until he finds it again. In doing so, he often risks his life. He takes the lost sheep on his shoulder and carries it home, to the safety. He leads his flocks of sheep on lush meadows and to fresh water, he goes ahead of them. He grazes his sheep and does not leave them alone. With his shepherd’s staff he protects them from danger and wild animals. He cares for the sick and weak sheep. The shepherd knows what his sheep need.

The sheep know their shepherd and follow him. Sheep who have lost their shepherd wander around disoriented. They search protection, guidance, direction, and supply. Sheep need a shepherd; they can rely on him. With their shepherd and in the flock of sheep, they have everything they need.

There are good and bad shepherds. A good shepherd loves animals and does his job well. Every single sheep is important to him and if he loses one, he looks for it until he has found it again. A bad shepherd works mainly to get his wages; the sheep are less important to him. He does not risk himself to find a single sheep that has been lost because he still has many in his flock.

We humans also need such a good shepherd who knows us and whom we know. There are situations, circumstances in life in which we wander around like the sheep, in which we feel lost and disoriented, lost our way and are exposed to danger. We can no longer get any further alone and long for security, protection, care, direction, orientation, guidance .

But who is this good shepherd and how can we distinguish one good shepherd from the many bad shepherds? In the Bible in John 10, 11-16 Jesus says:

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A shepherd who only works for wages runs away when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they do not belong to him and he is not their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and disperses the herd. The paid worker runs away because he has only been recruited and the sheep are not really close to his heart. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and they know me, just as my father knows me and I know the father. I give my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not in this pen. I must bring them here too, and they will listen to my voice; and all will be one flock with one shepherd “

Jesus is the good shepherd who cares for us and knows what we need. He knows us and loves each and every one of us. Everyone is valuable and important to him. HE is our provider who gives us everything we need. HE takes care of us and goes after everyone who has got lost, who no longer knows the way and has lost orientation, and is on the search. HE is the source of life that quenches all thirst and hunger. He always wants to be with us. HE is our protection from the dangers of the world, our security, our home. And HE leaves his life for us so that we don’t get lost, but are saved.

There are many bad shepherds in the world who lead us astray and fail to keep their promises. Who do you want to follow? I invite you to open your heart for the true good shepherd and get to know him. So he will provide you with everything you need. He gives you love, security, security, protection, care, guidance, orientation, guidance and direction.

The Good Shepherd A song by David. The Lord is my shepherd, I will lack nothing. He grazes me on lush meadows and leads me to fresh springs. He gives me new strength. He guides me safely and lives up to his name. Even if it goes through dark valleys, I fear no misfortune, for you, Lord, are with me. Your staff gives me protection and comfort. You invite me and set the table for me in front of my enemies. You greet me like a householder his guest and fill my mug to the brim. Your kindness and love accompany me day after day; I can stay in your house all my life. Psalm 23

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Protect your heart

Lesedauer 4 Minuten

Pay attention to your thoughts, because they become feelings.
Pay attention to your feelings because they become words.
Watch your words, because they are turning to actions.
Watch your actions, because they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become your character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. (Chinese proverb)

The heart is the seat of our deepest inner being, emotions, personality and will. The Bible mentions several times how important it is to protect, keep our hearts clean. Our current state of mind is reflected in our hearts, what we think, what we feel, what we want.

“How are you?” – “How are you feeling?” Are questions that we often hear, but mostly superficially answer with “Fine, thank you!” But how are we really doing? Are we sad, angry, anxious, angry, offended, happy, tired, excited, relaxed, calm, etc., or are we currently in a chaos of emotions, an emotional alternation?

What thoughts are we dealing with? What do we think about ourselves, about our fellow human beings, about our situations and circumstances?

Is what we think and feel consistent with the truth? Can we always trust our thoughts and feelings?

God created us with feelings and they also have important tasks. Feelings make us alive, create closeness to our fellow human beings by empathizing and empathizing with others, they can motivate and inspire us and let us feel alife. In addition to positive feelings, there are also negative feelings that can drain, depress and depress us. It can happen that we feel depressed and weak and often don’t really know why. It is therefore important to pay attention to our thoughts and feelings, as these affect our lives. Negative feelings arise from negative or wrong thoughts that we have previously let into our hearts. Therefore it does not help to suppress them, it is better to accept these feelings and to observe which sources they have.

Last week I wrote about how we become a new person through Christ, acquire a new identity. If we accept His love, we become children of God and the Holy Spirit dwells in us. As children of God, we no longer need to let our feelings determine us, but we are guided by the Holy Spirit and live by faith.

God’s Word is truer than all my feelings.
God’s Word is truer than all my experiences.
God’s Word is truer than any living conditions I may get into.
God’s Word is truer than anything in the world.

Because our feelings can deceive and mislead us. They are volatile, changeable, they come and go. Our feelings are often not true. Feelings are not a good guide. They depend on many factors and external circumstances. The weather, poor nutrition, too little sleep, the behavior of other people can influence our emotional state. We can also be trapped in life lies that we believe. So we have to choose to do the right thing no matter how we feel.

Jesus also had feelings. He was angry when the merchants gathered in the temple and made his prayer house a robber’s cave. He was angry when he spoke to the Pharisees and scribes who lived in law. He was sad when his friend Lazarus died and disappointed with the unbelief of his successors. When his pioneer John the Baptist was beheaded, it hit Jesus in the heart. In the garden of Gethsemane, shortly before his crucifixion, Jesus was afraid and grieved to death. We can only guess how Jesus must have felt when he was slandered by Peter and betrayed by Judas. In all of this, he always looked at his Heavenly Father and enjoyed communion with God. Early in the morning, he went up the mountain alone to pray. When the Holy Spirit filled Jesus, he was joyful. He exulted in the spirit. He found joy in the presence of God. He enjoyed serving people and fulfilling his mission.

If Jesus had always relied on his feeling, he would not have been able to carry out God’s plan, but since he was guided by the Spirit of God and looked at the will of the Father, he could make the right decisions.

“Father, if you want, take this cup from me; but not mine, but your will be done! ”Luke 22:42


We feel best when our thoughts agree with God’s will, when we test our thoughts against the Word of God.


“But if he comes, the spirit of truth, he will lead you into all the truth” John 16:13

“The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, kindness, faith, meekness, chastity”


The Holy Spirit gives faith and heals the emotional world. We are happy about things that make God happy and we are sad about everything that makes God sad.

Contrary to our feelings, God’s Word is constant. We can always rely on that.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
“… but the word of the Lord remains forever.” Matthew 24:35

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God remains forever.” Isaiah 40: 8


God’s truth never changes. We can choose to speak God’s thoughts about our life, our fellow human beings and our circumstances and to believe and trust His promises more than our feelings.



“For I know well what thoughts I have about you, saith the Lord: thoughts of peace and not of suffering that I may give you future and hope.”

We can allow our thoughts and feelings, identify them, bring them to God and live them out according to his will. God knows our heart and every thought.

“Explore me, God, and recognize my heart, test me and recognize my thoughts.
Show me if I am going wrong and lead me to eternal life. ”Psalm 139: 23-24

“Your instructions are my darling, they fill my heart with joy. I am determined to keep your orders until the end of my life. ”Psalm 119,111-112

“You should take your old life off like old clothes. Do not follow your passions that mislead you and destroy you. Let yourself change in your thinking and realign yourself internally. Attracts new life as you put on new clothes. You have now become new people, whom God himself created in his image. Let everyone know that you now belong to God and live the way you like it ”Ephesians 4: 22-24

Faith is not a feeling, but a decision.

“But faith is a firm confidence in what one hopes and no doubting in what one does not see” Hebrews 11: 1

We don’t have to follow our feelings, our feelings have to follow our beliefs.

Rely on the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your understanding, but remember him in all your ways, he will guide you properly. ”Proverbs 3: 5-6

“And the peace of God, which goes beyond all understanding, will keep your heart and your thoughts in Christ Jesus!” Philippians 4: 7

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Eastern

Lesedauer < 1 Minute

The night turns into day

the darkness to the light,

the grave is empty,

Jesus speaks:

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live even if he dies. ”John 11:25

Despair turns into hope

weakness becomes strength,

Jesus brings us forgiveness and reconciliation,

he speaks on the cross:

“It is done” John 19:28

Sadness turns into joy

from the end a new beginning,

his death brings life

God’s plan from the beginning.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

The way is prepared because Jesus lives

in his presence and love

all our suffering passes

he carried all our burdens and sickness,

full of humility and without complaints.

“The Father saved us from the reign of darkness and put us in the kingdom of his son, his love, in which we have redemption, through his blood the forgiveness of sins.” 1 Colossians 1, 13-14

The way is clear in God’s presence,

his love won.

The enemy’s power broke in two,

Jesus has conquered evil.

Nothing and nobody can separate us from his love now

the relationship restored.

If we believe in him in faith,

we overcome the world together with him.

His kingdom remains forever.

Let’s turn our hearts to him

God’s love will never end

and will turn all things to good.

He did all of this because of grace,

for everyone who accepts the gift in faith.

“Because God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten son so that everyone who believes in him is not lost but has eternal life. John 3:16 “

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Be thankfull in all things

Lesedauer 4 Minuten

Gratitude changes the perspective on life. Gratitude is a lifestyle that we can practice and train. There is always, in every situation, in every circumstance, in every crisis, at least one reason for which we can be thankful. We can become aware of what we can all be thankful for. Nothing can be taken for granted, everything is a gift.

Gratitude is humble enough to be given something. The proud only takes what is due to him. He refuses to receive a gift. ( Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

The Bible teaches us to be thankful, not only when we experience good things, but also in difficulties and hardships. Such an attitude helps us to better manage crises and to emerge stronger from them. We then no longer circle around the problem with our thoughts, but look for what can result from this situation, for a meaning. So there are different ways to deal with what happens to us. We can whine, complain, be dissatisfied, feel victimized, and sink into self-pity. The other possibility we have is to ask ourselves the following questions:

    What does this situation want to show me?
    What can I learn from it?
    What am I thankful for in these circumstances?
    What gives me hope
    What can be good, what are the opportunities?

I like the story in the Bible of Paul and Silas in prison:

“After being beaten many times, the colonels sent them to prison and ordered the guard to keep them safe. At this command, he locked both of them in the innermost cell and locked their feet in the block.

It was around midnight when Paul and Silas prayed and praised God. The other prisoners listened. Suddenly the earth shook so violently that even the foundations of the prison were shaken. At the same time, all the doors opened and the chains fell off all the prisoners.
The prison guard woke up from sleep. And when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and wanted to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped.
But Paul cried out as loudly as he could: “Don’t harm yourself! We’re all still here! ”The guard called for light, plunged into prison, and trembled to the ground before Paul and Silas.
Then he led them out and asked, “Gentlemen, what do I have to do to be saved?” They said: “Believe in Jesus the Lord! Then you will be saved and your whole family with you. “
And they proclaimed the Lord’s message to him and to all who lived in his house. The prison guard took Paul and Silas the same night and washed their bloody streaks. Then he was baptized with everyone who lived in his house. Then he led the two up to his house and had the table set for them. He and everyone who belonged to him were overjoyed that they had found faith in God. “Acts 16: 23-40

Paul and Silas were in dark prison and they had every reason to be desperate, to complain and to lose hope. Instead, they praised and thanked God and sang songs to him. They didn’t look at their circumstances, but at God. They probably thanked God for what he had done in their lives and remembered his promises. Thanks to their gratitude and praise, their hearts were close to God and therefore they had peace and confidence. God himself was the reason for their joy. They were strongly connected to God, had trust. Her belief was so great that a strong earthquake even released the bonds from her feet. Faith thus changed not only their attitude but also the circumstances. They were released. And what I think is the best thing about the story is that Paul and Silas not only helped themselves through their attitudes, but also touched the prison guard. He experienced salvation through the testimony of the two and came to believe in Jesus.

In difficult times, I am especially grateful that I have Jesus at my side, that I don’t have to confront the situations on my own. Being a child of God and being allowed to live in relationship with him is the greatest gift of my life. It gives me support and comfort and the courage to go on. His love carries me and never leaves me alone. It gives hope in every situation.
When I look back, I’m grateful for the difficult times. Because exactly in these times God was very close to me and the relationship with him has grown.
So I no longer see the crisis as a threat, no, it’s an opportunity. The chance to take God’s loving hand and go on with him …

“Always be happy, pray without ceasing, be thankful in all things; for that is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1. Thessalonians 5, 16-18
“Do not worry about anything, but in all things let your requests in prayer and supplication be expressed with thanksgiving to God! And the peace of God, which is higher than all reason, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4, 6-7
“Be persistent in prayer and watch with thanksgiving! Colossians 4.2
I thank the Lord with all my heart
and tell all your miracles” Psalm 9.2

Gratitude seeks the giver over the gift. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Gratitude-Psalter (self-written)

I thank you my Lord and my God, you are the creator of heaven and earth, through you I may live. You gave me life and I can be your child to live with you. I thank you my Lord and my God, your love envelops me, your light surrounds me, your power protects me and your presence watches over me. You created me for relationships in your image, you set me aside valuable people. I thank you my Lord and my God, you are the giver of all good gifts. You gave me talents to use them for you and my fellow human beings. You are generous and rich. You are my provider at all times, your care never stops. You are gracious and mighty Lord, an unshakable rock forever. I thank you my Lord and my God for your word, which is truth and shows me the way to life and fills my heart with joy. You are faithful to God and the hope of the world. I thank you my Lord and my God, through Jesus Christ you have given me new life that will not go away forever and will overcome death. Jesus lives in me and the Holy Spirit helps me. I thank you my lord and my god, you paid for my debt, through you I am free. In my deepest need you were with me and freed me from fear and worry. In challenges and difficulties you are there and let everything work for the good. I thank you my Lord and my God who saves, redeems and liberates. Blessed is he whose roots are in the Lord, the Eternal God, for he is safe with you. Hallelujah, I will always praise the Lord!

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Crisis as an opportunity

Lesedauer 3 Minuten

There are crises in every life, which can be personal crises or also affect entire population groups. It is currently affecting the whole world through the corona virus. The economy, tourism and social life have come to a standstill in many countries. Our lives have changed a lot at the moment. We have to avoid social contacts to stop the virus from spreading. Meetings with friends, sports, festivals, theater, cinema, church services etc. are not possible. We can only leave the house if it is necessary, for work reasons, for shopping or for health reasons.

There is uncertainty among people, nobody knows how long the situation will last and how it will end up. What else will we have to do, will the health system be able to withstand, how will the economic situation develop?

However, this slowed time also gives you the chance to pause and reflect on what really matters in life. We can focus on the essentials, set new priorities, rethink. Now the values ​​of our performance society no longer count – higher, faster, further -. Perfectionism and performance. Now counts helpfulness, cohesion, solidarity, renunciation of consideration, taking care of each other and encouraging each other.

“Let us take care of each other! We want to encourage each other to love each other and encourage each other to do good. ”Hebrews 10:24

In times like these we also become aware of how satisfied and grateful we can be for everything we have and we can also think about our consumer behavior. Now that most stores are closed and we can only buy what we really need, many things are no longer necessary. So we notice in what abundance we actually live and how little we actually need effectively.

“Be thankful in all things” 1. Thessalonians 5:18

Now that we can no longer visit our friends, cultivate a community, the services are no longer available, we recognize even more the value of good relationships and friendships that build us up and do us good.

“Friendship is a gift from God”

Now that all schools are closed and depending on the job some parents do not go to work, we have a lot of time to cultivate community in our families and to think of common activities at home.

With traffic at a standstill, we can already see an improvement in air values, nature can regenerate, in Venice people are happy about crystal-clear water in the canals due to the fact that no more ships are sailing. In Trieste dolphins swim to the shore.

We can also see this crisis as an opportunity to think about what ultimately really gives us stability in life. What are we building our foundation on, who or what gives us security? What remains when material things, wealth, finances, health etc. are lost. Who is our provider? All of these things are impermanent and have no hold.

“But we know that for those who love God, all things serve the best” Romans 8:28:

We can remember Almighty God, who created heaven and earth, for whom nothing is impossible, who is the same yesterday, today and forever. In all of our uncertainty and worries, we can trust him. It is at this time when our faith is being tested that we want to hold on to God and confess that He rules. We can use the time to pray, read and proclaim his word.

“My grace is all you need. My strength shows in your weakness ”2 Corinthians 12: 9

Finally, a suitable text that I found on the Internet (author unknown):

The world stands still and we suddenly all have the opportunity to rethink our lives, to discover new sides in oneself, to make difficult decisions and to deal with fears … Suddenly things become important that we have taken for granted long enough: We miss physical closeness to people, social contacts, the privilege to move freely, travel, carefree life, financial security and normality … Is there a reason why everything is turned upside down? Is it a cry for help from nature that needs a break from us? Have we lost the value of life? Just have to be reminded once again of the importance of our life? In this exceptional situation we get to know each other better and have the opportunity to become a little “better”, to set priorities differently, to treat our fellow human beings with respect and love and, at best, to put our own needs back …