Perspective
I have three kids—two sons and a daughter. My daughter is the youngest. She is graduating this summer.
When my boys graduated, I gave them the same present. I took them on a helicopter ride over Stockholm. Not because they asked for it, but because I wanted them to see life from a different angle. Up there, the city becomes something else. Streets turn into lines. Neighborhoods become shapes. You realize how many directions you can take—and how small some of our everyday worries look from above.
There are so many options in life. Sometimes you just need to change your point of view to see them. And when everyone else is moving in one direction, you don’t have to follow. Will a helicopter flight help with that? I don’t know. Maybe. But it’s worth a try. And honestly—who doesn’t want to fly in a helicopter?
I hope it helped my boys reflect on priorities. On what matters. On what doesn’t.
Every New Year I find myself looking back at the year that passed. What happened? What did I do? And then I look ahead—at the new year, an unwritten chapter. Not only in my own life, but in the lives of family and friends.
This past year reminded me what matters and how fragile life is.
Cancer came close to us in 2025. I was not prepared. How can you ever be?
If nothing else, it forces you to stop and ask: what matters most?
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. But this year I promised myself something simple: more time with family and friends.
Because it became very clear what really matters and that our time is limited.
My daughter is graduating this summer. I think she is ready for what’s next. I’m glad that she knows what matters and so do her brothers.
And I’m pretty sure she doesn’t read this, so I can tell you: I’ll probably gift her a helicopter ride too. Why not? It’s a beautiful way to mark a moment—one that might offer a few new perspectives before the next chapter begins.
Take care of each other.
Love - Mats