I det frostklare vinterskær uden for, hvor sneen lå som et blødt tæppe over markerne, bragte de små stearinlys en varm glød til det hyggelige rum på det danske retreatcenter.

In the frosty clear winter light outside, where the snow lay like a soft blanket over the fields, the small candles brought a warm glow to the cozy room at the Danish retreat center.

Der var en duft af gran i luften, og små nisser såvel som julestjerner pyntede rummets hjørner.

There was a scent of pine in the air, and small nisser as well as poinsettias decorated the corners of the room.

Lars, en mand der normalt stolte sig af sin praktiske natur, stod ved døren.

Lars, a man who normally prided himself on his practical nature, stood by the door.

Han så sig omkring og undrede sig et øjeblik over, hvorfor der var så stille.

He looked around and wondered for a moment why it was so quiet.

Han havde troet, han skulle til en julebagekursus, der kunne hjælpe ham med at lave traditionelle småkager til sin familie.

He had thought he was going to a Christmas baking course that could help him make traditional cookies for his family.

Men rummet var fyldt med folk, der sad stille, nogle med lukkede øjne, andre kiggede afslappet ned mod gulvet.

But the room was filled with people sitting quietly, some with closed eyes, others gazing relaxedly at the floor.

Det gik op for Lars, at han ved et uheld havde trådt ind i en meditationssession.

It dawned on Lars that he had accidentally stepped into a meditation session.

Lars overvejede sit næste træk.

Lars considered his next move.

Han kunne ikke bare gå ud nu.

He couldn't just leave now.

Døren ville knirke, og han ville forstyrre den dybe stilhed.

The door would creak, and he would disturb the deep silence.

Så han trak en dyb indånding og satte sig forsigtigt bagerst i rummet.

So he took a deep breath and carefully sat down at the back of the room.

"Jeg kan også meditere," tænkte han for sig selv og prøvede at lade som om, han hørte hjemme der.

"I can meditate too," he thought to himself and tried to pretend he belonged there.

Tiden gik langsomt.

Time passed slowly.

Lars kunne ikke finde roen.

Lars couldn't find peace.

Hans tanker fløj konstant tilbage til honninghjerter og brunkager.

His thoughts constantly flew back to honey cakes and gingerbread cookies.

“Bare et lille bitte øjeblik mere,” mindede han sig selv.

“Just a tiny bit longer,” he reminded himself.

Pludselig stak en kildrende fornemmelse i hans næse.

Suddenly, a tickling sensation in his nose appeared.

Inden han kunne stoppe det, kom et højt "Atsju!"

Before he could stop it, a loud "Atsju!"

ud af ham.

came out of him.

Rummet blev fuld af latter, og de mediterende åbnede øjnene og kiggede mod ham.

The room filled with laughter, and the meditating people opened their eyes and looked at him.

Lars rødmede.

Lars blushed.

Morten, retreat-lederen, rejste sig smilende.

Morten, the retreat leader, stood up smiling.

"Det ser ud til, at din indre juleånd også vil komme ud, Lars!"

"It seems your inner Christmas spirit wants to come out too, Lars!"

sagde han.

he said.

Hans stemme havde en mild ro, der straks beroligede Lars.

His voice had a gentle calmness that immediately soothed Lars.

Signe, en af mediterende, kiggede varmt på ham og sagde: "Kom, du skal med til bagekursus nu."

Signe, one of the meditating people, looked at him warmly and said: "Come, you should join the baking course now."

Lars fulgte efter dem til et andet rum.

Lars followed them to another room.

En duft af kanel og nelliker fyldte luften.

A scent of cinnamon and cloves filled the air.

Denne gang var det rigtige sted.

This time it was the right place.

Skåle fyldt med smør og sukker ventede på at blive til småkager.

Bowls filled with butter and sugar awaited to be turned into cookies.

Mens han æltede dejen i fællesskab med de andre, følte Lars en glæde boble op i ham.

As he kneaded the dough together with the others, Lars felt a joy bubbling up in him.

Denne uforudsigelige oplevelse havde ikke kun givet ham grin, men også en ny åbenhed for det uventede.

This unpredictable experience had not only given him laughs but also a new openness to the unexpected.

Da aftenen sluttede, og sneen begyndte at falde igen udenfor, vidste Lars, at han ville tage mere med hjem end bare friskbagte godter.

When the evening ended, and the snow began to fall again outside, Lars knew he would take home more than just freshly baked treats.

Han havde opdaget glæden ved at lade tilfældigheder og små øjeblikke lede ham hen, hvor han aldrig før havde forestillet sig at være.

He had discovered the joy of letting coincidences and small moments lead him to places he never imagined he would be.