In the Netherlands, there is a proverb that says, ‘Wisdom comes through hardship and shame.’ I haven't quite reached that level of wisdom yet, but I certainly fit the second part of the proverb. As a spiritual guide once said to me, ‘You've done it the hard way.’ It doesn't matter. Ultimately, all paths in life lead to inner growth. It may just take a while, longer for some than for others. And of course, I'm talking about many lifetimes here. In any case, I have already learned a bit of wisdom. I notice this because my life has become much easier over the years. Ease, my guides have taught me, is part of life. Because life is easy, they teach me. So if it's not easy, then that's a good time to ask yourself, ‘What am I doing? What am I not doing right?’ My life was downright unbearable. So you understand that it took a lot to achieve a sense of ease.

I work in elderly care, am over 60, and have recently started a new phase in my life since I live alone. Nature beings play an important role in this phase. They came into my life quite late.