It is almost six in the evening and the sky is still bright blue and no darkness in sight. If it wouldn’t be for the massive amount of snow (the kids can still glide off the garage roof) I would say that spring is here. The light, the birds who are on their return and a sun descending a lot later than just a week ago gives us all a hint of what’s to come. The changing of season is different around the world and when I lived in South Africa I missed the darkness around Christmas. It was difficult to get used to a fully dressed Christmas tree next to the pool and braai even if the company was great. Nowadays, waking up at six thirty and seeing the light finding its way in through the curtains make me realize that its time for more light, longer days and more outdoor living. I love spring and suddenly feel energized and fired up! Time to get some work done, prepare the business trip to the Netherlands for 15 companies in Ulricehamn, redecorate my home (to my husbands despair I always change the lampshades and curtains every season) and to get in shape.
Sport clubs usually see an increase of new members in January but within months most of these members have quit or disappeared. I have been a member for a year at one of our local sport clubs but rarely used my membership. Now things will change! For two years, since I moved here, I have been very bad at taking care of my physical health but I have been a good financial supporter of many sport clubs. I though that if I pay I will participate but somehow this incentive did not work on me. This is interesting as we often think that financial incentives can change human behaviour (look at the increase in birth-rates in Sweden and France after the governments introduced several financial benefits for families). At one of our EU projects in Ulricehamn, where we aim to get marginalized youth into activity and employment, we tried to force their participation to a certain extent. It is voluntary to be part of the project and if they decide to take part they have to sign an agreement of participation. If they do not show up at their work placement or at study visits etc. we reduce their social benefits. This has not had any impact on their participation what so ever. Most of the group is participating well but for those who don’t the money does not play a role in deciding on staying home or joining the activities (according to themselves). They don’t show up as they don’t see any use in it anyway. I am now working on another project idea for the European Social Funds and I keep on getting stuck right here. How do we create possibilities and challenges for people in a way, which gives them the tools to elevate themselves? I want to give them a chance to change their lives and to get on whatever path they might find interesting but I don’t believe in full support. They must show commitment and they must get into action. There are thousands of theories on how to change behaviour and attitudes and I don’t think we are looking at one solution but many.
Maybe I can find some suitable answers if I get moving as I do believe in the theory that we are more creative if we also make use of physical activity!
If you see some hyperventilating woman hanging over a bush in Ulricehamn don’t be afraid. It is only I, trying to find creative answers through torture.
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