‘These were days full of surprises, surrounded by beautiful people and nature’ (pilgrim Marlou Elsen)

On April 27, 2017, I turned 60. The ancient Greeks called 60 the age of the philosopher – the human being who searches for the deeper meaning of things and fundamental values. I recognize myself in this and wanted to celebrate my birthday in a special way. I decided to walk the Walk of Wisdom , guided by those who are dear to me.

From 17 to 27 April I walked this contemporary pilgrimage route. The philosopher begins with himself. She knows herself in her relativity and incorruptibility. Self-knowledge is the philosopher’s starting point. In ‘Happiness’, the World Book of Happiness, it says: “Happiness is Other People. Don’t look for happiness in yourself, but in your involvement with others.”

At the heart of the Walk of Wisdom is an attempt to help create the right conditions for wisdom to flourish. During my 11-day Walk of Wisdom , I had different company every day. I sent an invitation in advance with the following content:

“… I want to invite you to allow these circumstances to arise with me so that wisdom may blossom for each of us. Choose a preferred day and indicate what your options are. We can start in the morning, but also in the afternoon. After walking, you can go straight home. You can eat together. You can stay overnight. You can’t walk along and only eat together. Other ideas, which I don’t see in front of me right now, but you might. Everything is possible. And so we let wisdom flourish and I walk out of my 60th year of life accompanied by you, the people who are dear to me….”

It was an experience I will never forget. Days full of surprises. Surrounded by beautiful people and nature.

In his book: ‘Living and working in the rhythm of the seasons‘, Jaap Voigt asks the following questions about the period April-May:

• What do you need to bring into the world now?
• What would you do if you were free: what is your dream; What are you passionate about?
• What are the supporting elements in your life: within yourself and outside yourself?
• Exerting influence with integrity: how do you do that? What can be improved?
• The relationship between content and attractiveness: how do you move in it?

I got answers to all these questions.

Happiness for me is:

• Being with friends and family;
• The beauty of nature;
• Move;
• Enjoying what I have and what is yet to come.

I look to the future with optimism, accept change, love family and friends and am what goes further. Into the adventure.

Marlou Elsen

More about Marlou link.