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And I still miss someone...

You may have wondered where I've been. I have been inside. Inside me . I have discovered my own core in order to maintain balance.

If one wants balance, he or she can not be dependent of anyone. You can share on others but not lean on them --- Trust is wonderful. The first one to trust is oneself.

This is why I am letting go. I need other people to find their own balance, and I need to stand firmly grounded on my own two feet and in my own energy.

It is spring. It is time for a new start, and a new chapter in my life!

Yes, I still miss someone. When I have filled myself up, I may have room for others again !

With closed eyes

I see you

when I close my eyes

I feel your anxiety

and your darkness

I feel your longing

and the fear of comforting

When you too

close yours-

We are two in loneliness.

You are just a blogger - but I miss you!

See what blogging does to you. Well it is no doubt it forms friendships.

I have not been blogging much, due to new work with long hours, plus the fact that I'm working on a few book projects - one is finally sent to publisher! Wish me luck...

I promised myself to use some of my writing capacity to produce bigger works than blog posts and that is what I have been working on.

The blogs in my favourite list are usually visited by me on a daily basis. I have tried to find time to maintain that habit, know that I read far more than I comment.

I miss you folks, not just as writers, but I miss your energy, and the dynamics between us. Isn't that strange, how one can establish a relationship of care, humour, friendliness, support with people you haven't even met "irl"?

This weekend I met one of my norwegian "blogmates" first time irl. It was a great experience. The dynamics between us were exactly as I had imagined. We had a lot to talk about - such an imaginative, giving, deep-thinking person! It had me think --- irl friendships are NOT so illusive in most cases.

I miss you guys - don't give up on me ! ;)

The Devil in Me

You love my halo and you love my wings
You love me for all of those sweet little things
But you have to know that I also do fail
If you really like me - love also my tail
If you really love me - then see my obsession
If you really want me - accept my posession
Your blood and your heart is what I want to eat
You have the force that I need to defeat
So please, come on in, let us have a fresh start
For twenty-five minutes- till death do us part.

Killer Whale

I found the perfect way of exercising for me. Swimming! I can keep up and I can compete. A wonderful thing that I don't have to carry my own body weight.

Me and one of my friends have been swimming twice a week lately and yesterday we swam 1,5 kilometres! I think we are allowed to be proud of ourselves...

Thank God we have a indoor heated swimmingpool in the nearest town. Or else we would have to break through the ice to get to the water.

It is a great feeling to take care of one's own body.I am somethings doing great at it, and sometimes I am lousy. But what i DO know is that when I stay in and over-eat, it is because I am depressed, and this behaviour drags me further down. What I really need is to keep my routine on this. So now I will focus on this for a while, make sure that I move my body sufficiently and eat food that makes me feel good, not stuffed and heavy.

So maybe the orca will turn into a slim dolphin real soon :)

9 to 5

New job. Four days a week, at a eatery. Cooking, waiting, cleaning, dishes, aaaaaahh!

It is a typical sagittarius thing - we totally deal with a routine job, we'll do ANYTHING, as long as it finances our next great idea, in my case establishing a small travel company and arrange trips to Egypt.

Everything in the Land of The Sun is ready. What takes time, and costs money, is the paperwork in Norway. And - still a sagittarius girl - I hate that! It feels like restriction and control. But I will do what I have to.

Don't get me wrong, I like my job. It is a social thing. The thing one learn most from, is other people, and that means ALL people, i don't just talk about teachers, parents, not just the old ones, the well educated or successful. But from children, the sick, the housewives, drug-addicts, anyone.

When you regard anyone life presents for you as an opportunity to learn, you will evolve very fast as a human being. You will become very compassionate, as you know how to identify with anyone and understand their situation.

There are all kinds of people and professions represented among the readers of my blogs. Some of them study, others work, some stay at home. Remember that whatever you do you are useful and unique. Remember that to me you are a teacher. And remember to stay "Always Open", so you don't miss out on the opportunities life presents for you.

Have a nice day all of you!

Blogs they are a-changin

And so is mine. Until now Bedouin Staircase has been a collection of inspirational texts. The last couple of months my blogging here has been really slow. That usually means it is time for change.

From now BS will take on more of a "Letter/ diary"- form. It will be less perfect, more personal, more alive I guess.

Confession-time: Who am I? I am Norwegian, working to move to Egypt, as my husband lives there. That leaves me on the middle of a bridge between cultures, continents and religion ... as if the gap between the sexes was not enough.

I am between jobs. I am establishing my own company, and while waiting to get started, I work with whatever I can get, bartending, cooking, teaching, writing. I am a passionate blogger. I am a compulsive eater - struggling to get well from that.

When in Norway, I live with my parents, who are very different from me. We have great difficulties understanding each other... My refuge is my cousin's house, he runs a camp site close-by. We like to have a glass of wine and a walk in the cool norwegian air.

I like to read. Today I finished one of the best books I have ever read and find myself in some kind of limbo, not knowing what to do.

Call my husband?

He didn't answer.

Hope you will like my blog as I take my mask off - honestly.

e-mail me at: miriamkhalifa@hotmail.com

Art is everywhere

What do you see every day, that others may view as artwork? A lot, I think... Anything can be art, situations, decorations as here, facial expressions, animals, everyday objects...

A lot of us take the world around us for granted. But your everyday world can be exotic for bloggers around the world.

This photo is from the front of a motorboat that crosses the Nile near Luxor Temple, Luxor, Egypt. I cross with one of these boats almost every day when in Egypt, as I live on the opposite bank of the city centre. All the boats are richly decorated with humorous paintings and good wishes.

Here is a challenge for all of you --- post a picture of something that you see everyday, that you would like to show other bloggers from all around the blogosphere.

The vikings are back!

New movement in Norway. The vikings are back!!

Through the last years there has been a growing interest for the old vikings. Everything is coming back, bit by bit, brought by committed people who are eager to learn from the ancestors.

They try to make everything authentic: The houses, the vessels, clothes, jewellry, tools, handcraft, food and beverage, not to mention the viking weapons and games, ceremonies and rituals.

But life is more easy for modern vikings. There is less pain and much more fun for us. This christmas I met my Viking Family for the first time, for the Christmas offerings. And in these sturdy persons I found wonderful spiritual personalities. A new door opened for me and I am so thankful that my friend Annhja brought me there.

Picture: The handsome Eldar, always working with his hands !

Something new for the new year

I have stopped making New Years resolutions a long time ago --- it is just not my thing I guess, I am already working out, already dieting and already environmentally concious. So this new year I have decided to , instead of changing habits, learning something new. Topic for the next six months?

Astrology.

i have bought the books already and have read some during christmas, soon I am ready to draw my first horoscope - my own of course.

Isn't that a great idea for presents by the way? A framed hand-drawn horoscope, and a book with the hand-written interpretation? I know that was something to make ME very happy! Well, we'll see how much work it is :)

Happy new year to all! Any of you promised yourself anything regarding the new year? January is often seen as the slim month. Eat less, exercise more and so on--- but do not forget to be good to yourself and the people around you.

Do not forget to celebrate life.

Download a free book, happy spiritual reading! :: http://www.waterbook.com/

Christmas Meditation

There is no limit to what you can concentrate upon when you meditate. A meditation is merely emptying your mind of everyday thoughts, and so you are allowing your subconcious mind and your higher self to speak, you are unlocking doors to your childhood memories and even past lives, after a while even humanity or the voice of God.

Some people simply meditate upon Nothing, Emptiness, Space, others have a mantra which they chant. You can also meditate upon pattern, spirits, nature phenomenon, the simpler the object the easier the concentration, and to come to a relaxed and inspired state of mind.

Yesterday, after christmas dinner, I went for a walk under the nearly-full moon and i meditated upon snow.

Snow is a wonderful carpet under which the earth can gather strength to achieve new growth in the spring. Like us, the souls, all snow crystals are unique, but equal. One snowflake seems not important, yet it is one of natures most beautiful masterpieces. Together the snowflakes makes a mighty mass that can give blessings or disasters.

One warm breath and the snowflake is gone - as is the human body. But it doesn't disappear --- it merely transforms into a drop of life-giving water, which is it's true nature. So do not fear death, you are simply part og the cycle. Next winter, you can fall as another snowflake - if you so choose.

My name is independence

(Thank you Azrael for the idea for this post...)

I always had cats. I got my first one when I was four, at the same time I got a baby brother --- so I had something to be busy with, and I WAS busy. poor Martin was dressed up in babys clothes and carried around, always patient.

After this I have had a few cats. Tertit and Siri when I was a student. Sirianna and Tutti when I was a chef's apprentice. Frida, Frank and Marley when I was living with a freind two years ago.

My cat is my best friend. He is there not because I command him to but because he appreciates me. He is independent. He is wise, He teaches me trancendental medidation. He is divine. He reminds me that I am divine.

Marley on the picture says: "Put that stupid camera away and cuddle me!!"

Time Travel

It has been a dream for human beings "through all times"... How can we travel in time?

But I wonder... How can we NOT?

Because we have left the harbour and are sailing down the stream of time, second by second... I would not wish to travel faster at all.

I study the views on the banks of the world as I float by. I wawe and smile to others and invite some of them on board. We enjoy each others company. Some stay and others go.

Sometimes the stream rocks the boat in a soothing and comforting way. Sometimes we have to hold on for life or row to clear from rocks or banks.

But we move. We travel in time. And I wouldn't want it any other way.

The WORD --- the most sacred of magic!

Take your time today to view this wonderful video, be inspired by the wisdom in the word and the beauty in the pictures. From ancient times the word, the power of voice and the art of eloquence has been a way to contact God within and without, and an evidence of our divinity.

Wake up and reach for your inner sun. Sing, speak and chant --- Be blessed---

(Thank you Eira!!)

Expand!!

Close your eyes so you can see clearer
Lie down so you can rise.
Be alone so you can understand others.
Accept that you are a pupil, so that you can teach others.
See that you are small so you can expand.

What do you know about me??

And what do your friends, family and co-workers know about you?? I have thought a lot about this lately, obviously my family are those who know least about me - to my surprise!

I have a female cousin my age, and we talked about this the other day - I was surprised to learn what kind of impression most members of my family have of me: Immature, lazy, impulsive and irresponsible!

It should not matter to me of course. But it does!! I was really heartbroken! How can I be irresponsible, ME, who work so hard to achieve my goals?

It seems THAT is exactly the problem! I should not chase my dreams, I should marry a norwegian farmer, settle for a 9-5 job, and raise 2,7 children, who will grow up to do exactly the same thing. I should SETTLE!

I am sorry, but for me that is not living, it is just surviving. It is not happiness, it is mediocricy.

What do you know about me? And why are you so eager to judge me? In the end it is not importand what your impression of me is. I will continue to pursue my goals - and I wish one day you'll do the same.

"Heimweh..."

Heimweh, it means longing for home. And that I do. I long for my beautiful new homeland Egypt. It is not always easy or nice to be far from everything and everyone you love.

I have now been on this trawler for almost five weeks, and on friday I go back to Norway. I was supposed to go directly to Egypt, but now I learned that I don't get paid for this trip until after christmas. So nothing to do but staying in Norway, work, work, work.

We are soon there, my husband and I. When we met three years ago, none of us owned anything --- now we have a place to live and a car, the one thing we need now is something to make an income from for both of us to stay full time in Egypt.

But it will come! We have come so far, so we'll hang in there and make it for ourselves, a safe and good life for our selves and our future family...

"Wahistini moot, habibi...!"

Sunflower Morning

An early morning by the sunflower field. I was sitting on a log in quiet conversation with my fiancé. I had his jacket over my shoulders, the air was a little chilly. We watched the sunrise. We should have been in bed a long time ago.

An old farmer with bare feet was working in the field. He was weeding his plants. After a while my friend shouted to him: "Hey grandfather, I can take my shoes off and help you with your work?" The old man shook his head friendly. It was not neccesary. But he could really use a cigarette?

He got his cigarette and two pounds to buy a packet. They always said to me : don't give anyone the finger they will steal the whole hand". But the young man who had so little, gave what he had to someone who had nothing. That morning he taught me how to share..

Morning prayer

Thank you for universal love and light
that flows into me and through me
this day.
Let me be a blessing to the people I meet on my path.
Let my heart be open,
so that I can touch the hearts of others.
Let me be in touch with
the streams of my subconcious,
And the spheres of my higher self.
Today is a day where I will be ONE
with the waters of my emotions,
the wind of inspiration,
The fire of devotion and
My heritage from earth.
Thank you for this day of oneness.
For like all of us are raindrops
that reflect different colours in the raibow,
We are also all part
of the ONE mighty ocean.