Self-Interview- German Vogue December 2010 – Asked by Sienna and Savannah Miller
My answers to the questions, translated from the German:
1. Is beauty in the eye of the onlooker?
>When beauty is talked about or discussed, yes, I suppose it is,
because we all have different standards and measures and opinions about
what we consider beautiful. However, I personally believe that all
things are innately beautiful and if we were able to look at people
with our hearts instead of our mind-with all of its biases, judgments
and preconceived notions, then we could really see the innate beauty in
everything rather than judging people or things as beautiful or ugly. I
try to constantly check myself in this respect.
2. Is monogamy a necessary evil?
>If this is meant romantically, no. It is a personal decision for each
person to make. I personally prefer monogamy, but I also believe that
people are capable of loving more than one person. I just feel most
happy and fulfilled when I am in a romantic relationship with only one
at a time. But I also love several people immensely and deeply.
I have learned that just because two people love each other immensely
and deeply, it also does not mean that they should be together. Two
people need to be strong and independent in order to actually love each
other. Past the honeymoon phase, once the veil is removed and
individuality snaps back into place, THEN a real loving relationship
can either begin to grow, or wither. It is the decision of the two
people whether being together aligns with their goals, dreams, ideals
as well as capabilities and limits. Practical realities. Falling in
love is not real love. It can be the start to a loving relationship,
but alone it is just infatuation.
3. Who or what raises your heartbeat?
> Anything I am passionate about. The ocean, good conversations,
philosophical discussion, snowboarding, good movies or music, relating
to people on a very deep level, falling in love, gymnastics,
cheerleading, getting a good idea, sharing excitement, figuring out a mystery…
4. When was the last time you saw something so beautiful it brought
tears to your eyes? Why?
> An album of incredible photos of sea life and of the planets and stars
and galaxies in National Geographic online.
5. Everything just coincidence? Or a question of destiny?
>I believe in destiny only to the extent that opportunities
present themselves in concurrence with your own actions and decisions.
I don’t believe in luck very much. You attract what you want by what
you choose and what you do. Obviously there is a larger picture- people
do not normally choose to be enslaved or abused or die in an
earthquake; but I do believe that within our circumstances we do have a
LOT of power to not control, but guide our life path. We all tell
ourselves stories to live- whether we are religious or not- we all have
reasons for living. I tell myself things happen for a reason, and I
have faith in the universe though I might not, nor will ever know what the
reasons are.
6. What must someone have achieved, before you consider him/her
successful?
>I don’t expect a lot from people materially, but I have very high moral standards. By listingthese I do not claim to possess all of these qualities, but I strive for them.
Materially: Independent (support themselves)
Spiritually (mentally, emotionally, physically):
POSITIVE.
Authentic. (know who he/she is and is true to it)
Honest/trustworthy.
Genuinely loving (i.e. loves others for the pleasure of loving, not in
expectation of reward, whether material, mental, physical or
emotional).
Responsible. (does not blame others for one’s problems, feelings,
actions, personal malaise)
RESPECTFUL of oneself and others.
Open (to all ideas, people, beliefs, possibilities)
Self-motivated.
Persevering (does not give up easily).
AWARE, educated or interested in the world around them and its people,
cultures, etc. (as opposed to ignorant or uninterested in the truth)
7. Are you concerned about the theories and prophesies concerning the
changes in the year 2012?
>Not really, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were true, because as
humans we still know very little about the universe. Take a cosmology class and see ifyou don't feel like an infintesimal speck after one day. Especially in the
west we have this problem. Material, militaristic or technological development does not rule
out ignorance and definitely does not guarantee knowledge, education
and awareness. I might have an army, but that doesn’t mean I know how
to treat people, much less run a country.
8. What happens after death?
>Good question.
9. Do you know how to create an absolutely legendary marinade?
>Unfortunately not.
10. The best song of all time? (Yes, you can only name one.)
>Get back to you on that.
11. Which of your five senses could you not live without?
>It kills me to think about. Hearing. But if I volunteered to give up
two I would say smell and taste. Touch and sight are also very dear to me.
12. The ultimate proof of love? >To reach true enlightenment/nirvana/heaven, like Buddha or Jesus perhaps. No idea,
but I’d hope to know it when I see or experience it.
13. Hot or cold?
>Hot tea, iced coffee.
14. If you could have one superhero power for a day, which would you
choose?
>To beam myself to different places. I would surprise friends all over
the world, go to places I might never make it to in my lifetime, and try
to hug and smile at as many people as possible.
15. Is birth a magical act or a hellish ordeal? >Don’t know yet. 16. How do you know you’re right?
>I don’t.
17. What’s the most important thing your mom taught you?
>You cannot change people, you can only change yourself. You can
inspire or instigate change in others, though, which is how bad people
turn good and vice-versa.
18. If you could start your life over, what would you do differently?
>I wouldn’t. I could fantasize, but I don’t think it will help me now.
What I’ve done makes me who I am now, for better and worse.
19. Who is a hero in your eyes?
>My parents. Anyone who dares to genuinely love themselves and others. People who speak their mind. Nelson Mandela. People fighting for their rights, or others'.
20. Do you learn from your mistakes?
>I try to, but I am no master.
21. Your greatest inner strength?
>Perseverance/Regeneration/Improvement. The power to heal, create and transform.
22. Is there something utterly unique about you?
>Yes. Not explainable in words.
23. Which laws have you already violated?
>Nothing heavy. I'm pretty vanilla.
24. What would you do if you could be invisible for a day?
>Dance around in the streets breaking all kinds of social norms.
Or follow around people who inspire me and see what their daily
behavior is like. Something better might come to me.
25. Someone gives you a credit card under the condition that you can
shop in only one shop. Which would you choose?
>Trader Joe’s. Or the shop of an amazing clothing designer to dress
me for life. But it’s hard for me to argue with endless free, quality
food. It would depend largely on where I lived. If I lived in Europe
I’d go with the clothing designer. If I lived in the US definitely food.
26. Money or Love?
> Love.
27. Which dark secrets have you not yet told anyone?
>“Dark” tends to have the connotation of being evil or law-violating. I
do not have any such secrets. But I do have secrets, or secret
contemplations. All the time. I don’t always speak but the wheels are
always turning. A few secret or not-so-secrets:
a. I like to get underneath things. I am interested less in what people do
or say or wear or eat and more interested in the WHY and HOW of these
things, and what they FEEL when they do these things. I want to know
what underlies things. I am interested in what this means in regards to the rest of humanity, the philosophy of life.b. I am not afraid to see what is behind things. I see through people’s
social veils very quickly, for example, and often avoid superficial or
negative or shallow people. I try to be open and give everyone a
chance, however.
c. I believe people are fully capable of improving or changing, no matter how bad
the situation is. But I also am very discriminating in terms of the
people I surround myself with and who I devote my time and affection to.
d. In order to love someone else fully one must first love oneself fully.
Anyone who thinks this is selfish doesn’t know what real love is. How
can you love someone else if you do not know how to love even yourself?
That is how sick relationships begin. There is also a large difference
between loving a pet or a sport for example, and loving a human being.
The level of maturity and spiritual development required to love
another human being is not comparable to loving a pet or a hobby.
e. I often want to talk or discuss things others either are too afraid to
discuss or do not know how to discuss. I often feel like screaming the
truth in people’s faces. f. I want to enlighten people. But moreso I want
self-enlightenment. How can I teach something I do not know?g. I am highly interested in “truth,” whatever that may mean to different
people. But the end goal is so that I can understand myself and others
more and thereby love and help everyone more. h. I want to provide a positive light on this earth. There is enough negativity to go around already.
