Drunk, happy me

Joy in little moments was what I tried to put into words during a sunset in the Philippines in 2012. The family was enjoying itself, I’d had a good day’s work, and right there life felt really pleasant.

Joy in the little moments around me

The children played on the beach while I watched the sun go down. I was also happy about paintings and keyrings with the Amino logo that local artists had made for me.

They were small, concrete things I looked forward to getting back to the office. I was pleased with both the work and experiences with the family.

Work could be part of the joy

I’d worked a few hours that morning and was proud of what the developers had made. Recording a video during sunset didn’t feel like ruining the break.

I liked the work, and sharing my thoughts made the experience bigger for me. That’s how I felt that day.

Stop when something is good

I mention a book about happiness that made me think about appreciating the present. I didn’t remember its title and recount the idea in my own words.

My encouragement was to notice little things: A bird outside the window, a good deed, a sale or something else that brings joy.

Stop for a moment and feel that it’s good instead of immediately moving on to the next problem.

I’d been drinking rum and coke and say myself that I’m tipsy in the video. That’s part of the situation and loose tone; my central point was appreciating the moment.

Rum and coke, children playing and a good day on Boracay

I’m on Boracay in the Philippines with a rum and coke, watching the sunset. I haven’t drunk that for many years, but right now it tastes very good. The waiter removes the parasol so we can see better.

My daughter is running around the beach playing with a skimboard, and my son is also playing with one of those boards you throw across the water. My wife is getting a massage. I’m here, a little drunk, the temperature is pleasant and the sun is setting. It’s a good day.

I’ve just had ten great paintings made with the Amino logo in different colours, plus 200 keyrings with the logo. Local artists made them. I’ve been to the post office and sent everything home. It looks bloody good, and I’ve also supported some local people on the island.

The paintings are going in the meeting room at our office in Nørrebro. They have summer, beach, palm trees, boats and Amino logos. I can’t wait to hang them.

Joy in little moments and a thought from a book

You might think: Why the hell am I sitting spouting this while you’re back in Denmark and it’s probably raining? I tease that there’s an 80 percent chance of rain. But I’m not actually just trying to annoy you.

I’ve read a book by Tor Nørretranders about happiness. I can’t remember its title while making the video. One thought I took away was that a difference between happy and unhappy people might be the ability to enjoy the present, relax and appreciate sitting somewhere beautiful.

Right now, I’m doing something I love most. Hand on heart: After four or five rum and cokes, I can also feel I’m a little tipsy. The kids have made friends with local children. My daughter’s new flame, AJ, is nine and she’s eight. He’s actually very sweet.

I’m on a beach I describe in the video as one of the world’s best, and think is on a top-ten list. I don’t know for sure which list. But I look around thinking there’s a bloody lot to like here. The sunset is beautiful, and I appreciate it.

Four hours’ work and something I’m proud of

Why make a video instead of simply enjoying the sunset? Because I love the work. Sharing my thoughts with you while the sun sets actually makes the experience bigger for me. I’m comfortable in myself right now. There can certainly be trouble in my life occasionally, but right here there isn’t much.

I’ve worked four hours this morning and finished lots for Amino Freelancer. I’m so proud of what our Filipino friends at the Manila office have made, and the improvements were due online the same day.

I’ve also worked on a big blog post about the journey. I can’t remember the address in the video, but say you can search for Thorborg USA blog. So it’s both four hours of good work and the pleasure of having sent home things to decorate the office.

Three guys and a sandcastle

Lots of people are on the beach because everyone’s waiting for sunset. A couple of bald guys and a third man have spent the last three or four hours building a sandcastle. It’s almost like watching little children.

They’re so proud. They’ve collected seaweed for greenery on the castle, get others to photograph them and keep tinkering. That’s the spice of life too. I’d rather sit with my rum and coke, but perhaps it’s my mistake not wanting to build sandcastles.

Later, I also show some Japanese guests impressed by the three men’s construction. They’ve got something from their time investment, you could say. I can feel I’m tipsy, and I’m certainly having a great time.

Stop and be proud of yourself

The point of all my rambling is to find the little great things in life. Perhaps you see a blackbird with chicks outside the window. Perhaps you’ve helped an old lady across the road or made a sale in your business. Whatever it is, just stop for a moment. Also read Skab din egen succes about my thoughts on creating a good life on your own terms.

Look at the sunset, the bird, the spreadsheet or whatever has just worked out. Sit down, be proud of yourself and say: That’s fucking well done. That’s not bad at all. Take some deep breaths and think: Is life really that bad? Isn’t it actually pretty fantastic when it comes down to it?

Then all those annoying things we all have can fade into the background for a while. In my reading of Nørretranders, happiness is those little flashes. You can easily skip over them and say: So what? But the sunset is there to be enjoyed.

I praise the book as one of the best I’ve read and try to help you find it: I remember a big tree on the cover and him sitting on a little bench. I still don’t remember the title, so I won’t guess at it here.

Now the clouds are coming and taking the last of the sun. I’ll let you enjoy the view while I take a sip. I’m heading on to Vietnam and expect the next video to be from Ho Chi Minh City. The interviews with Danish entrepreneurs around the world will be on Amino TV. Have a fantastic time until we meet again.

Also read making room for both ambition and the present moment.

Best wishes, Martin