Why do some moments shift us forever, and others change nothing despite all our effort?

There was a time in my life when I was in a lot of pain, actual physical pain. For four years, the entire left side of my body hurt so badly that I could barely sleep at night.

It was difficult to bear, but the mental pain was worse. I would lie awake, haunted by the thought that something was seriously wrong with me, that I might even die from it.

Even though part of me knew this probably wasn’t true, the thought still made me anxious and heavy with dread.

I saw all kinds of doctors searching for answers. But no one could find a cause. Eventually, a specialist told me it was “all in my head.”

That made me furious! It felt like he was saying it wasn’t real.

I tried so many things to feel better — painkillers, cognitive behavioral therapy, walking, osteopathic treatment — you name it. Some of it helped, but nothing brought lasting relief.

And then, quite unexpectedly, the pain disappeare...

Hello dear Reader, I hope you're doing well!

Ever heard about the first time I figured out what it means to be a ‘thinking human’? I’d love to tell you the story (again) today.

But, let's rewind a bit to set the scene …

In 2005, at the age of 30, I served as the lead online concept developer in a Munich-based marketing agency.

My boss, the agency owner, graciously supported my quest to acquire the qualifications for becoming a strategic planner.

So early one morning, I hopped on an ICE train to Frankfurt for a professional development event hosted by the APGD for up-and-coming junior planners.

I recall entering the sleek headquarters of Leo Burnett, a renowned agency, and finding my place at a spacious oval table surrounded by Germany's young creative talents.

Recently, I had seen the woman holding the training on the cover of “brand eins” a prominent German business magazine known for profiling leading companies and their key figures.

It was all quite impressive, but little di...