I Am
I Am
I Am Man
I am human
I am soul, jazz and alive
I am, in essence, a creator
I am cook, coach and writer
I am lover to the woman I love
I am a manifesting generator (4/6)
I am a vessel of love
I am
A bringer of perspective
A seeker of truth
A personal growth devotee
A sucker for food
And coffee addict
Yet, above all,
I am me
Just me
I am NGBV
Or - simply - Nick Verhagen
With this first post I step into the void. Into the new, anxious yet excited. One foot before the other, into its dark and murky mass. With no way to know where to go. With not a sense in the world of its depth or darkness. Will I fall? Will there be life and learning? Love and lessons? Abundance and truth? Will I be tested and challenged? Dared to go deep? Will I be nearer to my truth? The answer is: I don’t know. Yet, I walk. Yet, I take the next step forward, into the void.
It’s how it’s always been for me. I climb out from one abyss, broken from facing past pains, from leaving behinds parts of me that are untrue, from going deep, but nonetheless I willingly hurl myself into the next. And though I don’t know what awaits me there, I do know what lays beyond the abysses’s erratic and sharp edges. And from experience I can say it is this knowing that makes me commit, makes me submit myself to all its suffering. ‘Cause what lays beyond its bounds is, precious, powerful and potent. ‘Cause what lays beyond is…Truth. My truth. The truth of being me. And it is as if, inherently, my soul is forever searching for more of it, and I simply have become aware of this. I still its hunger for deepening, I satisfy its craving to come closer to its essence. And so, I believe that by walking, by taking the next step, I honour its sole purpose.
Yet, apart from this constant search, I sensed that part of this purpose is to voice. To voice and have others feel as if they walk alongside me as I walk forward. To share and have others hear what it is like to live a life like this. To have others see what is possible. To, besides seeking truth, also share it. And so I see this space, this substack called “Nick Verhagen: perspectives on past, present and future”, as a place for me and you. A place to share myself, my inner world and my endeavours in the outer world (as this is the way for me to process life!) ánd have it serve you. Because I know that within these tellings of what’s alive and true for me, there is also value for you. And though you might not always feel there is meaning to my words, I intrinsically know you-will-benefit-from-them.
How come, you say? Because they will provide you with a true and unique perspective…
A perspective on life and a new way of living, unbeknownst to many
A perspective on purpose and my endless search for its fulfilment
A perspective on masculinity and its meaning
A perspective on making bold changes (e.g. my move to Bali)
A perspective on partnership (eleven-and-a-half years and counting!)
A perspective on love and how it deepens A perspective on coming closer to self
A perspective on becoming more you and more true (truer!)
A perspective on writing a future best-selling thriller
A perspective on biding time by drinking coffee
A perspective on…
A perspective on…
A perspective on…
I leave the last few for you to fill in, as long as you keep in mind I’m bringing new, healthy, amusing (sarcasm prevails!), and refreshing perspectives. And also that I am thirty-odd year old male millennial, eager to bring about change in others and self. I thank you.
Now finally I want to leave you with this: this Substack is meant to be the bedrock of my future undertakings. It will be the platform from where I provide my perspectives, both paid and public (this one is public!), but also where you will find my future in-depth offerings; offerings, only for those ready to find themselves in the void with me. So, if this post, my energy and work resonates with you please do subscribe. I thank you, from the bottom of my full heart and from the depths of this new void if find myself in, for reading this.
And so say, I salute you and see you next time..
Yours truly,
Nick Verhagen