Lente MV

Hello and welcome as you join me on my favourite bench in Maastricht, with a marvellous view of a mighty tree, and the light sparkling gently on the river as the light breeze bristles my hair, tickles my chest, and brings joy to the family of five-or-so young swans in front of me.

As ever, I’ve some tame French music blessings my eardrums. I was quite enthralled and inspired this afternoon as the enigma that was the thick morning fog lifted and left in it’s path a glorious, almost dreamy dazzling appearance on the now very-present autumn colours. Twijfeling over whether I should finally write this entry or not, the final push was awarded to me by a large cargo ship named “Lente” passing by, and ever-so glamorously leaving it’s pomp and greatness behind to reveal a quaint little sailing boat behind it, with a grandfather and his two young passengers.

This week has brought a welcome restricted to my treachery and I feel and act with much more purpose, affirmatively, and joyfully.

I have looming problems with work (don’t we all!?) in the distance, but for the moment, I’m getting my work done, and doing it meaningfully. I just had a meeting with Alberto, a newcomer to Maastricht who wanted to discuss the startup ecosystem. He found the same problems that I had with it, and had some similar innovative ideas to work on it. I think that there are some opportunities there for certain, then.

On a personal level though, I’ve been making progress. Last week I outlined my priorities for work and school and life and I had many more eye-opening, important conversations. I also kept working on everything despite having a nasty cold, which now that it is gone (largely!), I am proud of. I spoke to Bas today, and now I’m thinking about how I can connect those priorities to my overall purpose.

I am still not quite sure what this purpose is, but I am coming closer to an answer.

Furthermore, with new habits of thinking with purpose, thinking before I speak and overall being slower and more intentional with everything I do, I have cut out the silly thoughts and my brain is not so occupied with things that do not push me forward.

I am still fighting the current, but at last, I am swimming against it with strength and wit. With consistency, I know that results will follow. I hope to, largely, continue on this positive path.

Thank you + wish me luck!

Love, Alex

AJR - Maastricht, 2025