Víctor Küppers: “Aesthetics in life are very important, they influence the mood”

Today, we wanted to speak with Víctor Küppers, a professor, internationally renowned speaker, and natural motivator, to discover how the environment we live in, its buildings and structures, affect the quality of life of people. Also, how it influences our mood and the way we approach and perceive our day-to-day life.

We share with you an exciting talk that leads us to reflect on the purpose of life, the attitude with which we face each of our experiences, and the importance of living with enthusiasm. Because of this, Víctor Küppers is an expert in communication, who possesses great knowledge and experience.

Perhaps that's why he sees it so clearly, and when asked about the importance of landscape and nature for achieving a clear mind and good health in general, he points out that: “Aesthetics in life are very important”. A powerful headline that Küppers illustrates with his own experience: “I decided to live in the Pyrenees 9 years ago and when I wake up I see green, trees; I don't see asphalt, I see cows. The aesthetics of the landscape are very important. Even the construction of the houses. It affects the mood”.

And he confesses why he decided to leave the big city to live in the mountains: “I think stress is bad. I spend my day working in Barcelona and Madrid. And there, people are always in a hurry. Sometimes I'm walking down the street and people overtake me on the right with a frown on their face. And then there's the humanity. It's wonderful to arrive somewhere, greet people, and know their names. Everyone you meet in the mountains always greets you. And also, because of the nature”.

Nature connects us with ourselves, it allows us to truly listen because it distances us from other impacts and influences, therefore, paraphrasing Rojas Marcos, Víctor points out that, even if we live in a big city like Barcelona, “we must walk through nature. Seek moments, go to the sea or to Collserola”. And he notes: “From Núñez i Navarro, I like those buildings you make with plants hanging on the exterior. Aesthetics are important. Cities need greenery. Aesthetics are fundamental, also for work”.

Nevertheless, to truly enjoy the Catalan City, Küppers recommends visiting Camp Nou, although we must wait for now, the Sagrada Familia, and, with a laugh, he also points out the legendary Bar Mandri, located at number 60 on the street of the same name.

The environment surrounding us also facilitates the connection with our own intuition, with what truly benefits us. Hence the importance of preserving spaces in nature that offer us the opportunity to get in touch with ourselves on a deeper level. Because “a problem we have today is that we never stop. We need to find moments to pause. I believe we must listen to the mind, listen to the conscience. And for that, we need to seek silence. In silence, we hear ourselves”, he points out.

Probably, we live surrounded by too much noise in a world that moves so fast it takes us away from the present and prevents us from appreciating what we have. Fortunately, for that, Küppers shares a cure: “It's very good to ask oneself questions. First, what can I do? Instead of complaining, see what you can do. I think being responsible is not about dwelling on what's out of your hands, but on what is within your reach. If you don't have a good relationship with your children, don't make excuses saying they are at a difficult age, instead ask yourself how you can act”.

And it continues: "Another question is why am I angry? There are dramas, people who have passed away, you've been fired from your job, a relationship breakup, etc. But sometimes we make a drama out of things that aren't. It's not a drama if a flight is delayed by 45 minutes or if the coffee is lukewarm. In life, what isn't a drama is just a circumstance to be resolved. When you recognize that, you get less angry. All the experts tell you that when you get angry, stop and think. Why am I angry? If it's not a drama, it's not worth spending much time on it. It's also important to ask yourself, what do I have that's fantastic? Maybe you have healthy parents, a wonderful family, you make ends meet with some dignity, Barcelona has won the league... When you realize that there are only a few important things in life, and they're fine, you get less angry. Look for things that excite you, how can I make the people around me happier?"

A way of understanding life in which our own attitude takes on a decisive magnitude: “I believe that attitude is the most relevant thing in our life. We have to be good people, have a sense of humor, be hardworking, smile, work well with others, be generous and above all kind, it's the greatest quality of a person”. Because for Víctor Küppers, “attitude is how you choose to react to things. The good and bad, the everyday. In the end, we must change the habits that harm us and develop positive habits.

However, other factors are involved for that change to be possible: “First there must be the intention, because if I want to, then there is will. Then comes the effort, the repetition”.

And when Víctor Küppers talks about attitude, he does so in close relation to how we feel: “I speak of attitude and attitude is related to spirit. To see life with optimism and excitement. We can face life this way or do it with resignation, conformity. Focus on what is in your hands, put problems into perspective, appreciate the positives, set exciting goals, nurture relationships with the people you love most, be a good person, help others. This simple way of approaching life is the most coherent with our essence as human beings.”

We reserve a space in our conversation to talk about mission and purpose in life: “I believe it's important to have a purpose in life, but without becoming obsessed. I am 50 years old and I was never able to find a purpose when I wanted to think about finding one, until I read a quote from Mother Teresa of Calcutta that I loved and it became my purpose.

Yes, full of curiosity, we asked Victor about the phrase that had inspired him and he shares it with us: "May no one ever come to you without leaving feeling a little better and happier".

“Está bien tener un objetivo, pero está igual de bien dejarse llevar. Intentar un objetivo, pero si no sale, aceptar lo que viene porque puede ser mejor. Hay otra frase que dicen todos los sabios: “Cuando miras atrás y ves todo lo que has pasado tienes que conectar los puntos’”, apunta Küppers, “significa que cuando pasa el tiempo y ves lo que te ha pasado, que quizá no te gustaba, al final tiene sentido”.

We ended up discussing the illusion as a driving force and guide in life: “We need to live with hope, and when our environment doesn't provide it, we must seek it ourselves. Small hopes, because the best things in life are almost free. Without hope, there is no expectation.”

Having a chat with Víctor Küppers or attending one of his lectures and discovering his approach to life is, undoubtedly, giving oneself a moment for reflection, to pause and think about the world around us and analyze what role we want to play in it. Then, it's up to each individual to decide which path they wish to take.

By the way, in case you're curious to see our buildings with plants on the outside, here are the common areas of NN Espronceda 254-274, NN Riera de Cassoles 66 and the terraces of NN Via Augusta 349-355.