Over the line

In some of these columns, I have expressed critical views about the people and the world around me. This week, I have decided to start doing voluntary work in addition to my work as a consultant, coach and therapist. Because changing the world starts with yourself.

In addition to guiding people individually or in groups from our Holistic Centre Brabant, I will be committed to “be the change”, better known in the Netherlands as “over the streep”. In May, I will be attending a three-day training course for this purpose, after which I will regularly participate in sessions throughout the country as a coach. This will be in a supporting role, as leading the sessions in their entirety requires more extensive training and experience.

Actually, the pieces of the puzzle for this decision fell into place this week during a team coaching training session at Vidarte in Den Bosch. On the first day, we shared the answer to the question: if you really knew me, you would know that... This was followed by moving stories from people and a glimpse behind the masks we all wear. The connection that is created when people take off their masks and make real contact is heart-warming.

On 6 June 2008 – our wedding day – I registered Delta M with the Chamber of Commerce. Delta M stood and stands as a symbol for “people make the difference”. Now, almost nine years later, Wilma and I are continuing to expand the Brabant Holistic Centre, where together we are making the world around us a little bit better.

Nevertheless, I want to think even bigger, and through “over the line’ we can get a large group of people to take a step forward in one go. I would like to contribute to that.

But back to that question: if you really knew me, you would know that. How many people around you really know you? Perhaps this is a good question to share with your partner or a close friend. Because Marco Borsato already sang it: for you, I take off my mask, but do we really do that, or is there always a bit of a brake on it? You can always ask me that question, you'll get an honest answer, and you'll also know why I want to be so meaningful to the world around me.

Last week, I talked about the significance of the place where you were born. And I am glad that it is here, in a country that woke up on 16 March without a new Trump. A country where common sense has prevailed and where there will now be a broad government that will not do anything too crazy. No wasting money, thinking a bit greener, paying attention to norms and values, and being compassionate towards refugees.

And in this relative calm, my question for you this week is: how did the place where you were born and your childhood shape you into who you are today? How would you respond to the question: if you really knew me, you would know that... And then, what are your dreams now? What do you want to leave behind for this world, how do you want to make a difference?