The Language of Life
An Introduction, february 2024
Hello lovely ones,
In Dutch we say 'lieverds'. I haven't found a translation yet that covers this greeting that can be addressed to as well friends as lovers, meaning I am filled with love seeing or thinking about you ... I keep searching and if you know one, please let me know!
I hope you are doing well. I myself am looking forward to enjoy the sun and spring! The crocuses thrive in the garden, while a bunch of snowdrops bravely take their place among them.
The last few weeks I have been struggling with the question what to share here on Substack with future free and paying members, because in general the free members of Substack accounts do not have access to all publications.
My final decision to share all publications with anyone, who treat them with respect, was preceded by an extraordinary inner process. It is a decision that may seem to go against any economic (own) interest. In my life, however, such a choice has never worked. My motivation can be read on the 'free or paid?' page I recently added.
I have also added 'The Language of Life' as the final section. The publications under this rubric will all together represent a schedule of a process of awareness that, as far as I know, follows natural laws.
I love to share an introduction here with you.
‘What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.’
~ Plutarch ~
Out of a deep longing to understand where this gap came from that I from an early age on so often perceived between myself and others, I have spent my life searching for an answer on how to close it.
Partly because the way I experienced and wished to live my life did not correspond to what others were telling me. According to them, life was after all like thÃs and I was supposed to follow their example, because; there was no other way!
However, my reality was that I often did not recognize myself in the thoughts and behaviors of others. With the feeling I was standing alone, I often drew the short straw. To avoid being excluded, I had to adapt myself to other people's ideas over life, especially my own.
Ideas that seemed to be validated by the fact that everyone acted in the firm belief that life worked this way for everyone, including me.
Even though I really did see people who did things differently. Only I was told they were exceptions, or eccentrics and misfits, people who had been 'lucky' in their lives or were different. In doubt, I wondered why a fine, creative and valuable life could not also be meant for me...?
Looking back on the (inner) journey I have made and the developments it has brought me, I am aware that my focus has always been on people who faced inhumane experiences inflicted on them by their fellow human beings.
People whose being and what animated them was dehumanized and diminished as being useless, unworthy to be lived. Something so painful and deadly that it must have shaken them tremendously in their self-esteem and self-confidence. However, against all odds, they managed to keep their individuality, confidence and zest for life and became an example for me that it should be possible to become happy in this life and that I too could experience a joy of being alive here on earth.
A happiness that is not based on externals, but is affirmed and validated from within by inner truths and values that make you softly hum a song as you rock yourself forward, enjoying a ray of sunshine, nature and a smiling child hopping around happily, breathing life in fully. A life where pain naturally heals itself and our humanity bears witness to the simplicity of an existence here on earth. Of a loving, reciprocal respect.
Which is so essentially different from a life based on possessions, having and clinging to externals and a belief that that brings happiness.
The stories of these people, shared throughout history and from all over the world, expressed in their presence and visibly shown in their handed down and passed down lifework and lived wisdom. They have been a huge inspiration to me.
Combined with the discoveries and findings of many researchers and scientists and a growing awareness of how the energy of life tells itself in us as human beings, a pattern emerged for me along the way that stems from a natural law and reveals a universal life process. Thus I found an answer to the natural development of the ego and the pure functioning of language, one in which I recognize myself.
I find myself in what I recognise and get confused when they tell me who I am.
~ Ans and Alja ~
The developments, knowledge gained, lived experiences and journey I travelled has made it possible for me to understand my creative expressions in the dimensions in which they tell themselves and to be able to consciously give form to them in paintings, metaphorical stories and publications. In my life.
The search yielded the book 'Wat 'Ik' te vertellen heeft' (‘What ‘I’ have to tell’) which describes a process of awareness from within. From which an elaborate schedule was distilled that, in summary, eventually turned out to fit in all its simplicity on an A3.
For me, this schedule has proved to be a reliable resource that provides insights into patterns and offer a guidance when unconscious constructions of thought, shown in emotions and behaviours, come to the surface that ask for a change, so pains can heal and a change of pattern can be initiated.
One that is healing and wholesome, allowing the natural energy to be revived so one can follow the flow of their own nature as a matter of course. And choices can be made from a renewed consciousness that are nourishing for the many dimensions of life. For ourselves, our fellow humans and all other living beings
‘Surrender is like a fish finding the current and going with it.
~ Mark Nepo ~
Knowing that we need our fellow human beings in order to gain insights and grow in awareness. Therefor in all this the thoughts of Ans (my partner and love of my life) resonate.
It is my intention to share this schedule under the title 'The Language of Life' step by step. Based on the energy of life as we as human beings can perceive in ourselves which tells itself through our body, making our inner reality, externally a reality. All to make us aware of 'That what Life wants to live'.
Starting with step 1: I originate into existence.
To be continued!
Alja