Welcome to your ✨Monday Moment✨
Take a deep breath in. Hold it. Exhale.
Pick a colour 🔴 🟠 🟡 🟢 🔵 🟣
Find the moment below with that same colour, then go to the closing moment at the end.
🔴 Take a moment to learn about some famous Norwegians – other than Erling Haaland! Kristian Birkeland was the physicist who first explained that the Northern Lights are caused by charged particles from the Sun interacting with Earth’s magnetic field. You can also thank Thor Bjørklund for inventing the ostehøvel (cheese slicer), proving that some of life’s greatest inventions are wonderfully simple.
🟠 Take a moment to think of Norway’s iconic fjords. Carved by glaciers over thousands of years, they’re among the most spectacular landscapes on Earth. If you haven’t already had the chance to visit them, would you choose to explore them by boat, hike above them, or stay near one and take it all in? Would you take anyone with you?
🟡 Take a moment to take a Norwegian-fan rowing breath. Inspired by the unforgettable rowing chant of Norway’s supporters at this year’s FIFA World Cup, let’s use their steady rhythm to find some inner strength. Sit tall and relax your shoulders. As you inhale, slowly draw your hands towards your chest as though pulling an oar. As you exhale, gently push them forward. Each breath is one steady stroke. Whenever life feels challenging this week, remember this rhythm and know that strength isn’t found in one mighty effort, but in the next calm breath and then the next.
🟢 Take a moment to learn about some delectable Norwegian treats to try. From fårikål, Norway’s national dish of slow-cooked lamb and cabbage, to brunost, the sweet, caramel-like brown cheese that’s become a Norwegian favourite. And if you have more of a sweet tooth, look out for multekrem, a traditional dessert made with wild, foraged cloudberries folded into whipped cream, making it a truly special Norwegian treat. Have you ever tried any others?
🔵 Take a moment to learn a few fascinating facts about Norway:
- Oslo is home to the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.
- Norway remains the most successful nation in Winter Olympic history, having won over 400 medals, including more than 160 gold.
- Modern skiing was developed in Norway, and the word ski comes from the Old Norse word meaning “split piece of wood.”
- Norway has two official written forms of the language: Bokmål (“book language”) and Nynorsk (“New Norwegian”), both widely used in schools, government and public life.
- The Norwegian King’s Guard has an official mascot, a king penguin called Sir Nils Olav III, who lives at Edinburgh Zoo.
🟣 Take a moment to learn the beautiful Norwegian word and philosophy of friluftsliv, a way of life centred on spending time outdoors and connecting with nature. Where would you go to experience a little friluftsliv? And who would you take with you, or would you rather go alone?
A closing moment to take another deep breath together. Hold it, feel it, and gently exhale. Every country can teach the rest of the world something about life and living. From Norway, we can learn a love of nature, a strong sense of community, a resilient spirit, and the joy of life’s simple pleasures. Try to carry a little of that with you as your week begins.
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Disclaimer
This post is created for entertainment, happy vibes and informative purposes. It is not to be perceived as professional advice regarding health or finances, or any other field. I am also human and may have the odd misspelling, grammatical error and/or repeats. I will always try my best, but will never promise perfection.
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