Now it has happened. Within a few hours, our country has been completely transformed. All the houses, meadows, forests and roads were covered in a thick white mass. Snow! For many drivers, this change became a costly nuisance. For others, this newly created fairytale landscape became a dreamlike spectacle. This was also the case for me. On a spontaneous walk through the forest, I did what I had done as a child seventy years ago. I pushed my winter shoes into the fresh snow and marveled at the trail that had formed. As if by a miracle, the track began to move. It took its own steps. In all directions. I could no longer control it. It simply went its own way.

As you can see, the real trail turned into an inspiration within seconds. She gave wings to my thoughts. I invite you to join me on this journey of thoughts. Inspirations become valuable when they trigger something. These are usually groundbreaking questions. For example: Am I leaving a trail? Which one? Or: Am I following traces that I can use as a guide? Which ones? Are there also tracks that lead me astray? And what if there are no tracks to be seen?

The first question is easy to answer. Yes, I always leave traces. You can’t leave no traces. We even leave traces through what we could do but don’t do. The question about the nature of the traces is much more difficult. I can leave my traces to chance. That’s what many people do. They are so preoccupied with themselves that they lose their sense of responsibility for others. But I can also consciously think about the footprints I want to leave behind. This leads to a conscious life in which I take responsibility. In my blogs, I help you with inspiration to discover and develop your perhaps dormant talents. You should be able to decide for yourself which traces you want to leave behind.

The next question is: Are there tracks I want to follow? Tracks that I know will lead me to a worthwhile destination? Or do I just go where my shoes take me? In my life, I have recognized and experienced the value of good friends and mentors. Some were simply given to me from heaven. Others I had to choose for myself. The crucial question is: Which people do I want to surround myself with? I have a few criteria for this: Do they represent values that I can share? Do they help me with my personal development? Do they challenge and encourage me with respect? Are they willing to learn from me and accept criticism?

People without role models develop by chance. This can turn out well, but it is also associated with considerable risks. However, it is even more dangerous to follow bad role models. There are many of them. What they do and say seems exciting, logical, appealing and profitable. At the end of the journey, however, all that remains is smoke and mirrors. There is no profit. So, follow the advice in my blogs and books: Choose your friends and mentors carefully and nurture those relationships like a jewel.

Another experience in my life has had a particular impact on me. Since the age of twenty, I have followed in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. This has paid off in every respect. And yet there was a dark time when I could no longer see his footsteps. That was the time of doubt and fear. But it was not the end. The psalmist Asaf showed me the way out. “Your way was in the sea and your path in great waters, but your footprints were not seen.” (Ps. 77:20) God’s footprints were no longer visible to Asaph either. And yet they were there. In the sea and in great waters. It was the same for me. Even though I could no longer see Jesus’ footprints for a while. They were still there. After a period of darkness, they became visible again and I still follow them today.

Mario Brühlmann