“I want to live a happy life,” one of my clients told me recently. “And I will succeed, I’m sure when I leave this job and find another one.” “When my kids are old enough so I have the time to take this dance class I so much want,” said another.

Does this sound familiar? Have you ever had similar thoughts? Have you ever said or thought something like: “I will be very happy (calm, ready, fulfilled…) when I get this position” or “when I will be with this partner” or “when I will buy this amazing handbag”? I know I have!

And when you finally got what you wanted, when you did indeed achieve your goal were you happy? Oh, yes! You were thrilled at the beginning! Showing and telling everyone about it! Do you remember what happened afterwards? Do you remember how long your excitement lasted? A week? A month? Six months? A year? Two years? Would you honestly say that you were as happy as you thought you’d be for as long as you wanted to be?

I’ve been there and my answer is a big blunt NO! I remember how much I wanted to be accepted at a specific university for my Master’s degree and how enthusiastic I was when I succeeded. Did that prevent me from feeling or, better yet, securing my not feeling sorry, angry, frustrated, unhappy for the rest of my life? Of course not! And it’s not because I’m underestimating my efforts and what I’ve accomplished; not at all.

What I did not know then is how our brain works. How it is programmed to get used to things, situations and accomplishments regardless of the time it may take. This is exactly the reason why when we finally get what we want (you may fill in what suits you here …) our emotional reaction becomes less intense as time goes by.

“Does this mean we can never be happy?” you’ll righteously ask. Of course not! There are tools we can use at any given time to help ourselves. For example, the 4-step process of the role of our brain:

1. Realize and acknowledge how our mind works.

2. Devote some time to study how we –each one of us – use our minds.

3. Look into our specific prejudices with a magnifying mirror as they affect our perspective. 

4. Work on ways to overcome those prejudices.

Is it easy to do? Not necessarily but it doesn’t have to be hard either. It all depends on how dedicated – and not simply willing – you are to working on bringing about the lasting changes you want to see in your behavior and in your life.

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If there’s a topic you’re interested in and would like to learn more about you may contact me via email. For more information about me and my work check the XpatAthens Directory or visit my website. Because this is your life!

FokiaNou Art Space is pleased to present a solo exhibition of Geeta Roopnarine, “Fragility of Breath.” Geeta Roopnarine is an interdisciplinary artist working within the intersection of art, science, and technology. Her process is inspired by the archaeology of things, unearthing layers of meanings, and in making connections between cultural and historical artefacts. Her background includes Indian, Trinidadian and Greek cultures and she draws upon images and myths to transform the familiar into the unfamiliar.

Prana, the Sanskrit word for breath, life force, which permeates reality on all levels including inanimate things is her starting point to pose questions about mind-body ‘dichotomy’ and what it means to be a breathing body. Paper, a fragile material, interacts with watercolor and mark making and effects a collaboration between artist and material. Watercolor, poems, and 3D installation create a liminal space between abstraction and reality within the context of human and non-human.

Geeta Roopnarine was born in Trinidad and Tobago and lives in Athens. She trained as a forensic scientist before studying sculpture at Athens School of Fine Arts (Professor George Lappas). She recently completed an MA in Computational Arts at Goldsmiths, (Univ of London) and has taken part in exhibitions in Greece, London, and New York.

The use of masks and social distancing are required in all areas of the space, including the roof terrace, halls and elevator.

FokiaNou Art Space is an artist-run project space in the intimacy of a small apartment in an old building in the center of Athens. The space encourages collaborative creative efforts between Greek and foreign artists, thereby promoting and supporting the local art community. The space hosts exhibitions, workshops and projects under the direction of two artists, Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris. www.fokianou247.gr

Opening: Thursday 10 June 2021, 18.00
Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 18.00-21.00

Greek tennis champion Maria Sakkari reached the French Open semifinals on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, after an impressive performance against last year’s winner Iga Swiatek.

Sakkari won in straight sets, 2-0 (6-4, 6-4), and confirmed her stature among the leading ladies of world tennis. The 17th seed has secured a first Grand Slam semi-final where she will meet Czech ace Barbora Krejcikova.

After her epic win, Sakkari, speaking in Greek, thanked all her fans who watched her performance at the Philippe-Chatrier court in Paris and those back in Greece watching on tv. 

On Monday, June 7, 2021, the Greek player’s 6-1 6-3 demolition of last year’s runner-up Sofia Kenin secured her place in the last eight and prior to that, she had dismissed the 14th seed, Elise Mertens, in the third round.

Sakkari’s progression into the last-four club at a Grand Slam has been a fairly long time coming. This year’s French Open is her 21st appearance in the main draw of a Slam and her previous best was reaching the fourth round at last year’s Australian Open and US Open.

Sakkari will join Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Roland Garros semis, in what has been a dream week for Greek tennis. Tsitsipas defeated Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-final on the Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.com

Photo Credit: Roland Garros

 

After a year's absence, one of our favorite cultural events is returning from June 20th to June 30th for a "Jazz & World Music" edition!

Petit Paris makes a dynamic comeback with a series of 11 concerts taking place in the beautiful garden of Athens' Municipal Library, opposite Larissa Station. 

The Covid 19 pandemic defined the form of this year's festival, so due to the protection measures against the coronavirus, the festival this year will not include street performances, activities for children, theatrical performances and concerts indoors.

The concerts will start at 21:00 with free admission but you will first need to reserve your seat by email at petitparis.athenes@gmail.com, as seats will be limited due to coronavirus protection measures. |

More information about the events can be found in Greek here! 

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XpatAthens Is Proud To Be A Media Sponsor Of Petit Paris 2021

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The Authentic Marathon Swim is approaching and expects to gather participations of amateur and professional swimmers from Greece and abroad for the 2nd consecutive year, on July 2-4, 2021, at Pefki, Evia of the Municipality of Istiea- Edipsos.

The absolutely successful organization of the Authentic Marathon Swim last year, led the event to the top of the Tourism Awards with 5 awards in total. More specifically, it was distinguished with 2 Silver awards for the strategy implemented for the “Guest - Staff Protection” during the Covid-19 pandemic and its “Integrated Communications Campaign” while receiving 3 Bronze awards at the “Sports Tourism”, “Interconnection of tourism with other sectors of the Greek economy” and “Technology enhanced experience” categories for the technology solutions used to improve the travel experience.

Register Today For The Races & Acquire The Richest Participation Kits
Participants will swim with safety in the impressive 10km route (over the shipwrecks of the Naval Battle of Artemision that took place in 480 B.C.), the 3km, the 1.5km as well as the new and unique 5km route. Respectively, the younger fans of the sea will have the opportunity to test their swimming skills in the 800m children’s race. The 5km, 3km, 1.5km and 800m. routes will have Pefki beach as their starting and finishing point. Registration for the 800m children’s race is free. The event also offers a special discount on group registrations of more than 10 people. All citizens of Istiea- Edipsos will have the opportunity to take part in the 5km, 3km and 1.5km routes as well as the 800m. children’s race, completely free of charge.

 

Accommodation Packages At The Municipality Of Istiea-Edipsos
The Authentic Marathon Swim already collaborates with more than 35 hotels in the region, with the aim of revitalizing the sports tourism industry of Northern Evia and strengthening the Greek tourism product. Up to this point, this year’s event is enormously supported with special prices starting from 40 euros, by the following hospitality sponsors: Maria Louiza Apartments, Altamar Hotel, Villa Anastasia, Ellaeon Throesma, Kochili Apartments, Pefki Seascape Rooms, Hydna Studios, Aktaion Hotel, Arethousa Hotel, Galini Hotel Edipsos, Island, Ilios Studios, Irene Studios, Meliti Studios, Mirtia Hotel, Prigkipessa Studios, Aenaon Studios, Aidipsos Hotel, Alex Spa Hotel, Anesis, Apolonio, Artemis Rooms Pefki, Artemision Hotel, Asimina Rooms, Avli, Evia Dream, Kerasiotis Apartments, Konstantinos Hotel, Lito Hotel, Maria Studios, Melikari Studios, Oversea Rooms & Villas, Posidonio Studios, Rodon Hotel, Sunset Pefki, Thalassa Hotel, Viki Studios.

NP Insurance and Philosofish are the event’s Official Sponsors.
Natural Mineral Water Vikos is the Official Water. Luanvi is the event’s Official Clothing Partner.
Avance is the Official Car Rental Partner.
Target Security is the Security Partner.
Schoretsanitis Cheese Factory, Nivea Sun, Syconia and The Norman Farm are the event’s Partners.
Red Swim Academy, Swim Academy, Leandros, Swimmingclub.gr, LA Elite Fitness, APS TRIAS and Kallithea Open Water Team are the Authentic Marathon Swim’s Athletic Partners.

The event will be held in accordance with FINA regulations and the health protocol approved by the Greek General Secretariat of Sports’ Health Scientific Committee and established by the experienced team of ActiveMedia Group, in order to ensure the health of athletes and attendees.

The Authentic Marathon Swim will be held with the permission of the General Directorate of Tourism Policy of the Regional Tourism Service of Central Greece, under the auspices of the Greek National Tourism Organization. The event is co- organized by the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos, the Region of Central Greece, the Organization of Cultural Development for Central Greece (O.P.A.S.T.E.), the Central Union of Municipalities in Greece (KEDE) and the Regional Union of Municipalities of Central Greece. ActiveMedia Group is responsible for its sports production. The race has joined the swimming community of Global Swim Series (GSS).

Photo Credit: Angelos Zymaras

Share your exciting moments and memories from the Municipality of Istiea-Edipsos and the event using the official hashtag #authenticmarathonswim

 

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XpatAthens is proud to be a Media Sponsor of  The Authentic Marathon Swim

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Located off the coast of Alonnisos, a verdant island part of the Sporades archipelago, Greece's first underwater museum was inaugurated last August and has now reopened its doors for the 2021 summer season. The Museum's main attraction is the Classical-era shipwreck dating back to 500 BC, but visitors will also admire the rich marine life surrounding the shipwreck. 

In 1985, a local fisherman discovered the shipwreck near the rocky coastline of the uninhabited island of Peristera. Since then, numerous excavations have been carried out, uncovering interesting details about the ship and its precious cargo. The ship is believed to be an Athenian vessel, one of the biggest merchant vessels of the time, that sunk in the area in 425 BC, due to a yet unknown cause. It carried 4,000 wine amphorae from the Greek cities of Peparithos (Skopelos) and Mendi (Halkidiki), both well-known for their great wine, and it was also loaded with black-glazed bowls, cups, plates, and tableware. All these items were essential parts of the symposia, Ancient Greece's drinking events hosted by aristocratic men. 

Except for its great historical importance and its unique artifacts, the Museum also boasts unparalleled natural beauty, as it's part of the National Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades, the largest marine protected area in Europe. The park is home to monk seals, dolphins, sperm whales, loggerhead turtles, about 300 fish species, and the rare red coral.

Until recently, this underwater paradise was accessible only to archaeologists, but now divers are welcomed to take a plunge into the water and, at a depth of about 30 meters, encounter the so-called Peristera, named after the neighboring island. Upon diving, you'll probably feel like you're entering a fascinating and mysterious world of wonders, where colorful fish and sea sponges are nestled in well-preserved ancient amphorae. 

There is yet so much more to learn from the wreck and no one knows the treasures that might still lay buried, but one thing is for sure; the Peristera shipwreck truly is a diver's paradise! 

As Athens is adopting a sustainable urban mobility plan, one of the biggest challenges the city has to face is bike safety. On the occasion of "World Bicycle Day",  the Municipality of Athens in collaboration with the Road Safety Institute “Panos Mylonas” (IOAS), inaugurated a new cycling center in the heart of Athens, on Thursday, June 3, 2021. 

The center's main goal is to provide, both children and adults, with useful cycling safety tips and teach them various bicycle inspection methods and techniques, that can help avoid accidents. 

The cycling center is located at the junction of Vasilissis Olgas avenue and Amalias avenue near Syntagma Square. For the next month, IOAS instructors will be there daily to teach bicycle safety to all those interested. 

More specifically, citizens will learn about: 

• Basic bicycle safety equipment. 
• How to do a pre-ride safety check.
• Personal protective equipment for cyclists.
• Essential road rules every cyclist should know.

After their visit, citizens will be given a leaflet reminding them of the things they should check before venturing out on their bikes and the safety rules they need to follow. The leaflet will also include any parts of the bike that require service or repair (e.g. lights, tires, brakes, etc.). 

Moreover, on the occasion of "World Bicycle Day", the Municipality of Athens gave away 60 bikes to children from the Charity Association "Friends of the Child". The bikes, which had been confiscated and remained unused for a long time, were properly maintained and repaired so that children can enjoy safe bike rides.

Operating days & hours: 
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 19:00 - 21:00 

Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00 - 10:00 & 19:00 - 21:00 

Weekends: 10:00 - 13:00 & 18:00 - 21:00 

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