Taking a portrait to me is the challenge to capture the person in front of me at their most human, vulnerable, open and him-/herself. To complement the picture taken I love to ask my protagonist a couple of simple questions to gain more insight into their being and their essenze of existence.
Marije is one of the strongest most determined women I have ever met. And getting to know her over the last 3 years has just increased my respect and admiration for her resilience and drive. Faced with big personal challenges I wanted to find out how her view on life has changed if it did at all.
To the interview now:
As humans we ask ourselves what did we come here to do? What do you think you are here to do in this lifetime?
Be love, spread love and do the best we can every day. Inspiring others to do their best every day. Also, to be positive. There is always something that you can do. A choice you can make to brighten your, another being’s or earth’s day.
What are the things you want to accomplish in your life?
Leave the world a better place.
Is there anything you do to make the world a better place?
By living consciously. Because my choices matter!
There are so many different aspects to this. Asking myself: Am I living by my highest values and integrity? Am I looking after myself well so I am adding positive energy and love to the collective energy?
By living consciously towards our physical environment. How can I do a little better every day? Eg. Do I need to buy this? By not using single use plastic, by doing picking up rubbish on the street when I see it. By thinking through my choices, And with my actions hopefully inspiring others to do the same. By being kind, compassionate and generous to others.
If you imagine yourself in 20, 30, 40 or 50 years towards the end of your life what do you think will be the milestones that you will remember?
Definitely becoming a mum to the beautiful soul that I am about to meet any day now. The love shared with people in your life and the things I have done to leave the world a better place. Being part of Orchard St. is part of that. To make a difference, to live mindfully and consciously through love.
What are you looking forward to in the next 20, 30, 40 or 50 years of your life? How do you want to shape your life – what do you want to invite, drop and who you want to be around and why?
Invite: more love and presence and to always keep learning, also outside of my comfort zone as that is where you learn the most.
Drop: Judgment, about others and myself to the same extent.
Be around: the people that I have in my life now. I feel so blessed by all the beautiful souls that are currently in my life. Friends and family, but also people that are just in the same circle that you meet every day, by living this amazing life.
And after you have left this world how would you like to be remembered?
As a loving, compassionate person that inspired people and always tried to make the most out of things, who tried to do good!
Do you think you will regret things? Or do you have anything already that you regret?
It is not true regret as I believe everything happens for a reason and everything shapes you into the person you are, to eventually help you grow as a soul. Things that you learn from, help you make better choices in the future. Life is happening for you, not to you. I wish with all my heart though I could move Australia a little bit closer to The Netherlands as I miss my family and friends. I would really love to hang out more regularly.
What would you love to tell your younger self about life and how to live it well?
You only live this lifetime once! Things happen for a reason, when it is meant to happen, so relax and have faith that it will all work out. Most importantly, enjoy the journey, the time right now is all you have so enjoy the now as much as possible! Be yourself and be proud of who you are!
What would you tell your child/children/next generation on how to live life well?
Very much the same as what I would tell my younger self.
What did you learn in your life from struggle and a tough time? How did it shape you?
Anything is possible! It is all in your mind, whether you believe you can or you can’t, that is true and that is how you shape what you will accomplish. Same with forgiveness and letting go, it is all in your mind, and the choice is yours.
During hard times, take it one step at a time, one step is all you need, after one step, comes the next and the next, and slowly you will be in a different position.
What did you learn from love and relationships?
Open your heart wide, it is risky at times, and you will get hurt on the way. When your heart is open wide, it truly is the best feeling and that openness is everything. By letting people in, you are connected and fully experience life and what it is really about.
What did your family and friends teach you in this lifetime?
To love unconditionally and to always be there for others. Everyone wants to be loved and be seen, so make sure you love and see others for who they truly are. To be determined, to keep going, that I can do anything I put my mind to and to be proud of what I accomplish.
Do you believe that we as humans are recalibrating to a new way of existence? What do you think we need to change as humans the most?
Everything we do has consequences.....
If I say something hurtful to someone, it hurts them; as much as it does me.
If I buy plastic, it will end up in nature somewhere.
I choose to live my life consciously and there are many people that are doing the same.
Sometimes seeing where we are right now can be a little bit depressing (e.g.: inequality, environment, wars) but I know we are where we are supposed to be and it just inspires me to do better.
You cannot make someone else do/think something, you can only start with yourself. So do the best you can every day, love and be kind to the fullest, and with that inspire others.
In that I find peace and calmness. I see a lot of beautiful initiatives; people doing amazing things and I get inspired every day by the kindness and love in people and mother nature and that gives me trust and faith to believe that we are making a difference.