Loving Life Blog

Make the world a better place November 4, 2024

Filed under: Health,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 4:42 am
Tags: coaching, executive wisdom, Happiness

This past week Thriller has been a recurring song. From NYC Halloween Parade with over 50 000 people – to the iPhone in our car with my family of three driving up north for the All Saints Weekend.

Another song with Micheal Jackson is Heal the world, which came to my mind as I listened to the podcast The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett, episode from October 2021: The Happiness Expert that made 51 million people happier: Mo Gawdat.

Profoundly valuable shared insights that will impact the wellbeing of you as an individual, boss, parent and global citizen.

Please take a couple of hours and listen to this. Till the end. I would be happy to hear your take aways.

✨Success vs happiness

✨Happiness is your birthright

✨Build your brain muscle

✨ Happiness flow chart

✨The eraser test

✨Ambition vs expectation

✨The happy list

✨Gratitude

✨Ethics of the AI machine and why we must become amazing parents today

✨ Masculine vs feminine energy and the biggest executive failure

Please enjoy. ✨✨✨

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It started with a song October 11, 2024

Filed under: Herringbone,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 5:24 am
Tags: entertainment, herringbone, inspiration, Sweden

When I crossed the security check at Arlanda Airport and came to the tax-free shops, there was a stand where you can sample the Swedish Fika items. Chokladboll, dammsugare… although, I would say a commercialised version.

Me: “I have a question: does that taste like the original? What’s up with the color?” 🙂

He: “Yes – we just put yellow color in it – but it was a bit difficult to make the chocolate blue.”

Indeed – the marsipan was yellow instead of green, like the original.

Me: “Well, that is a good reason to ask for a sample :). Are you selling well?”
He: “Yes – in fact, this is the most sold product at Airlanda airport!”

Me: “That is great – who is behind this? It started with a book, right?”
He: “It started with a song.”

How awesome isn’t that? Walking away, I pondered my own seed to starting my business. Same, same but different. It started with a concert – and making it possible for my friend to sing a song.

The company was Go Blue Promotions, Inc – later on doing business as Herringbone.
The concert was Rhapsody in Rock with Robert Wells, featuring Peter Jöback, Ruben Studdard – as well as my dear friend Ylva Elias, San Diego 2005.
The song became three. Thank you for the music was one of them.

What does that mean? 20th anniversary coming up! It’s time to turn up the volume!

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An invitation to write October 4, 2024

Filed under: Herringbone,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 5:25 am
Tags: coaching, Life Coach Sweden, startup, The Artist Way

Hello world! It’s been a while.

Fifteen years ago I started this blog. It came about after three months of doing morning pages, in a period of soul searching and life pivots in several areas when living in San Francisco. I must have shared about this morning ritual before – yes, in these two posts.

“The bedrock tool of a creative recovery is a daily practice called Morning Pages.“

This year I picked up the practice again. And here I am.

I have felt the urge to write, but expressed it in other outlets. Earlier this week I got a letter in my mailbox – with a gifted pen. With my company logo on. What an ego boost, I must admit. (Thank you pens.com) The last few days has in several ways taken me back to when I started my business – the reason *Why*. Communication – “Herringbone – Make yourself heard” / “Making voices heard for positive change”- was one key pillar. Coaching – “Envision. Embrace. Achieve” – was another one. Structure – for empowering individuals and businesses in creating greater things and lasting change – was the basis. It started with a journaling software. The vision became grand.

Herringbone – Envision. Embrace. Achieve.
A plattorm for profitable co-creation with meaning, that will revolutionize the use of Social Media.
(from business pitch deck with footer “Copyright 2010, Herringbone”)

Sometimes things become too grand. And it is better to start small.

Sometimes you run. And you run to fast. Or blindfolded. Or following the main stream. Or doing what is necessary right then and there. And suddenly – you realize you might have taken the wrong path, for you.

Nothing stops you to begin again. Start over. Maybe not completely. Start small.

I am starting here and now, by picking up the pen. Dusting off. Turning the coins. Testing the thoughts and ideas. Reconnecting. Coming home. Oh, sweet home.

How are you doing?

Wishing you a great weekend.
All the very best,

Johanna

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The superheroes of our time August 23, 2020

Filed under: Health,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 11:14 pm
Tags: Astrid Lindgren, Bamse, corona, covid-19, health care, health care staff, medical doctors, nks, nurses, Pippi Longstocking, superpower

The original version of this picture somehow said it all. The superheroes of our time: the health care staff that deserves the honor, praise and appreciation at a level unheard of.

The depth of appreciation I personally feel to this group of individuals for doing their best, and saving the lives of my family members and close friends among all others, during this unprecedented time of pandemic is immense.

Something fundamental was missing in this picture though, and I couldn’t resist creating this Swedish version with Bamse and Pippi Longstocking – the kindest and strongest bear and the unconventional and superhumanly strong gal in the world. (I hope the original creators don’t mind).

Let us all be fed with their superpowers in time of need and lets make this bumpy period a little smoother. It is possible. I have seen it. You are invited.

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What if? March 31, 2020

Filed under: Health,Inspiration — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 5:33 am
Tags: corona, covid-19

I got the question on linkedin from a friend: “0 to 10…..0 is not serious and 10 is extremely serious…what do you rate what the world is going through?”

My take is this: “Nothing we can’t handle or survive – but serious enough for a wakeup call to do things differently in the future. Hopefully it will bring along great outcomes as well – for the planet and humans. 5? You?”

And I get this reading below back – you may already have read it – I have to share it. First post here in over 5 years.

A blog (some call it a poem) by Gurpreet Gill.

What If?

There is so much fear, and perhaps rightfully so, about COVID-19.

And, what if…

If we subscribe to the philosophy that life is always working out for us, that there is an intelligence far greater than humans at work…

That all is interconnected.

What if…

the virus is here to help us?

To reset.
To remember.

What is truly important.

Reconnecting with family and community.

Reducing travel so that the environment, the skies, the air, our lungs all get a break.

Parts of China are seeing blue sky and clouds for the first time in forever with the factories being shut down.

Working from home rather than commuting to work (less pollution, more personal time).

Reconnecting with family as there is more time at home.

An invitation to turn inwards — a deep meditation — rather than the usual extroverted going out to self-soothe.

To reconnect with self — what is really important to me?

A reset economically.

The working poor. The lack of healthcare access for over 30 million in the US. The need for paid sick leave.

How hard does one need to work to be able to live, to have a life outside of work?

To face our mortality — check back into “living” life rather than simply working, working, working.

To reconnect with our elders, who are so susceptible to this virus.

And, washing our hands — how did that become a “new” thing that we needed to remember. But, yes, we did.

The presence of Grace for all.

There is a shift underway in our society — what if it is one that is favorable for us?

What if this virus is an ally in our evolution?

In our remembrance of what it means to be connected, humane, living a simpler life, to be less impactful/ more kind to our environment.

An offering from my heart this morning. Offered as another perspective. Another way of relating to this virus, this unfolding, this evolution.

It was time for a change, we all knew that.

And, change has arrived.

What if…

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A Musical Competition in Perspective October 31, 2016

Filed under: Uncategorized — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 10:07 pm
Tags: barbershop, chorus, Music, Rönninge Show Chorus

Rounding up the “Around the Globe” concert in Las Vegas together with hosting chorus Christchurch City Chorus from New Zealand and featured quartets last night, singing “How we sang” together with the audience, puts this international competition in perspective.

“The summer of 1945 was a time to appreciate being alive. Many longed for the older, gentler days, and one of the things held dearest was music.” This was the time and reason why Sweet Adelines International started.

Today Sweet Adelines International is a highly respected worldwide organization of women singers committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education, competition and performance. This independent, nonprofit music education association is one of the world’s largest singing organizations for women, boasting 23,000 members!

Members extend over five continents and belong to more than 500 choruses and 1,200 quartets. Sweet Adelines choruses and quartets sing exciting a cappella, four-part harmony music, barbershop style.

1997 the nordics got their own region Nordic Light Region – Sweet Adelines International Region #32 with today 18 choruses of which one is prospective, as well as 28 registered quartets, a total of 900 barbershop singers.

Rönninge Show Chorus (RSC) “2014 International Chorus Champions, Sweet Adelines International”, was founded 1983 in Sweden and has today over 155 members in the age range of 18-80.

This is the 10th international competition for RSC, and together with Pearls of the Sound, and five quartets Milli Blink, VocalityQuartet, MACC Quartet, Twist Quartet and SVEA, we are now representing region #32 in the internationals in Las Vegas.

Let’s continue to harmonize the world. Thank you Sweet Adelines International, Christchurch City Chorus and all singers – past, current and future – around the globe.

Let’s always WIN [focus on What is Important Now 😉 ] !

– Johanna C. Nilsson, Management Team – Marketing, Rönninge Show Chorus

Rönninge Show Chorus PRESS KIT (Official)

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If singing barbershop is a sport? September 22, 2016

Filed under: Promotion — Johanna C. Nilsson @ 10:44 pm
Tags: Music

RSC holds the title “2014 International Chorus Champions, Sweet Adelines International”, with the highest international score in history.

You bet. And we are going back to the US to protect our* gold medal. Would you like a sneak peek into the Rönninge Show Chorus (RSC) Entertainment Package for the 70th Annual International Barbershop Competition held in Las Vegas in October?

Here below is a short one. Come see our dress rehearsal where we will perform it all for the first time – October 2nd 2016 in Nacka Aula, Sweden. Participating will also be other competing quartets: Milli Blink, MACC, Vocality, SVEA, as well as the brilliant London based musical theatre artist Niklas Asknegård (prev. Andersson). Moderator is Johnny Sundin. Shortcut to tickets and more information: https://ronninge-show-chorus-las-vegas-genrep.confetti.events/

[As a side note – one of the fascinating facts about this one is that the gal in center, singing the solo, spent the whole summer QUIET; not knowing if she would have her voice back or not after a vocal cord operation. She is also a speech therapist…Sofia Hägg.]

Rönninge Show Chorus (RSC) is a world-class competitive female barbershop chorus formed 1983 in Rönninge, Sweden. With over 155 members, spanning ages 18-80, they perform four-part harmony chorus music in concerts, competitions and at corporate events. RSC has been fostering and educating singers nationally and internationally ever since. RSC holds the title “2014 International Chorus Champions, Sweet Adelines International”, with the highest international score in history. http://www.ronningeshow.com

*You’re right – it’s their gold medal. When RSC won gold in Hawaii I watched the live stream from San Francisco. Personally, I haven’t been on this stage in almost 20 years. This is the 10th time the chorus competes internationally – my 3rd. 1995 we placed 2nd in New Orleans, and 1998 5th in Nashville. A they say – third time has the charm.

Welcome to Nacka Aula October 2nd!

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