the end of the year goes by in a daze, a rush of days tangled together by hugs and errands. work has this tendency to stretch its arms and take over all the available time we have – and between that and all the trips & travels, time to sit down and write has been scarce. so instead of half-assing my way through a couple of posts, let me just close the year by wishing all my friends happy holidays – and see you next year! :)
the sinti and roma holocaust memorial on tiergarten opened only recently – despite them having been one of the largest groups of victims of the second world war. it’s a round pool, with a triangular stone which every day sinks and rises. a single fresh flower is laid on it. on the edges of the pool, the poem ‘Auschwitz’ by Santino Spinelli is displayed:
“Gaunt face
dead eyes
cold lips
quiet
a broken heart
out of breath
without words
no tears.”
on the ground around the pool, scattered stones remind the visitors of the places where sinti and roma were persecuted, while a lonely violin plays in the background…
more from this series.
(…) The customer who seeks out your help isn’t often looking to deplete your bank account. He is usually seeking validation, support and a path to feeling the way he felt before you let him down.
The best measurement of customer support is whether, after the interaction, the customer would recommend you to a friend. Time on the line, refunds given or the facts of the case are irrelevant. The feelings are all that matter, and changing feelings takes humanity and connection, not cash.” – Seth Godin