Life lessons

“Life can only be understood backwards but it must be lived forwards”

We’ve heard all the quotes ‘when one door closes, another one opens’. There are many things that we know rationally, but only by experiencing them, the lessons really stick. If we don’t learn something the first time, life will give us the same lesson over and over again until we understand it. I believe that the secret of life is to recognize and learn the lessons as quickly as possible. Life is a game. Always find the silver lining of the cloud. Even seemingly unrelated things can contain powerful life lessons. I have collected some special examples for you.

Life lessons from eye problems

Esther Jacobs2023-05-15T15:05:35+02:00

Sunday afternoon, out of the blue, I started seeing ‘light flashes’ in my right eye. Every time I moved my eye or head I saw this ‘lightning’; always in the same place, in the periphery of my sight. Instinctively I felt this was not OK. I messaged my doctor friends in Holland and they told me I should go to an eye doctor first thing in the morning. I went to bed at 6PM, trying not to move, not to put any pressure on my head. I was very worried, because even in the dark I saw light flashes.

Life lessons from eye problemsEsther Jacobs2023-05-15T15:05:35+02:00

Conscious Uncoupling

Esther Jacobs2022-09-05T12:52:42+02:00

Conscious uncoupling is a new, more conscious way to end your relationship. You go from the ‘story’ level to the helicopter view. For example, not only the reason why the relationship ended but also the beautiful memories and experiences are looked at. The relationship is honored by trying to turn resentment into wisdom and lessons learned. It’s about how to heal, reflect and move on in the kindest and most productive way possible. You can do this with your ex, but if he doesn’t want to cooperate, you can also do it alone.

Conscious UncouplingEsther Jacobs2022-09-05T12:52:42+02:00

Are you a digital nomad?

Esther Jacobs2022-12-29T12:22:12+01:00

Is your dream to live, work & play around the world? In this test from my Digital Nomads book, you can find out if you have what it takes to be a digital nomad.

Are you a digital nomad?Esther Jacobs2022-12-29T12:22:12+01:00

Life lessons from my cats

Esther Jacobs2022-08-18T17:57:17+02:00

More than 20 years ago, my friend Kristel's cat got kittens. We lived in Curaçao, but I would go back to the Netherlands to take care of my 12 years younger brother Michael R. Jacobs. I had no experience as a 'mother' but wanted to give him (and maybe myself) the most homely experience possible, after all the divorce we'd been through. That's how I got the idea to take the two kittens with me as a surprise.

Life lessons from my catsEsther Jacobs2022-08-18T17:57:17+02:00

Letter to my younger self

Esther Jacobs2022-08-29T12:05:34+02:00

At age 40, Esther Jacobs writes a letter with wise lessons to herself as a teenager. What did you want to know when you were so young? Part of the book by Steven de Jong and Viola Welling.

Letter to my younger selfEsther Jacobs2022-08-29T12:05:34+02:00

Life lessons from ski

Esther Jacobs2022-08-18T20:54:10+02:00

Do you focus on what’s immediately in front of you, or do you keep your look on the future, on the horizon, the bigger picture? I had a private ski lesson that taught me some important life lessons.

Life lessons from skiEsther Jacobs2022-08-18T20:54:10+02:00

The moment that defined 2019

Esther Jacobs2022-08-18T20:56:35+02:00

Every year I am asked to write about my most impactful moment. My contribution for 2019 is very personal...

The moment that defined 2019Esther Jacobs2022-08-18T20:56:35+02:00

From hero to outcast

Esther Jacobs2022-12-29T12:27:59+01:00

From hero to outcast My story (being Knighted for collecting €16 million for charity and being ‘fired’ from that same country a few years later for traveling too much) is featured in the book Friction. [...]

From hero to outcastEsther Jacobs2022-12-29T12:27:59+01:00

Life lessons from surfing

Esther Jacobs2022-12-29T12:22:59+01:00

Whenever I learn something new, I cannot help but notice the metaphor it provides for business and for life in general. I already wrote about life lessons from tango, watercolor painting, meditation and tantra. This time, I’d like to share my insights from a golf surfing retreat.

Life lessons from surfingEsther Jacobs2022-12-29T12:22:59+01:00

The price of freedom

Esther Jacobs2022-12-29T12:20:09+01:00

Travel, adventure, flexibility, no constraints, no responsibilities or commitments, meeting interesting people in exciting places; many people see only this superficial exterior of the wonderful free life I lead. But my life is not that one dimensional.

The price of freedomEsther Jacobs2022-12-29T12:20:09+01:00

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