Alex Verlek, Author at Alex Verlek

On one of my trips I spent time in the beautiful nature of Croatia. Nature is breathtaking, the food is great and the people are so friendly, you’ve got to visit the place!

One morning I was hiking through one of the endless forests, together with a young guy who was my guide. At some point we bumped into a huge fence and, since going back wasn’t an option, the way forward was up; climb that fence!

The fence was almost three meters high yet not that hard to climb. My guide went first and I passed on our gear before I started to climb with my guide waiting on the other side. He must have been in his late twenties and super fit. I noticed that funny look on his face whilst I climbed down on the other side and then he asked me ‘the’ question: “How old are you”?

This wasn’t to just find out my age yet more like, what, how can an old man like you, climb such a high fence so easily? To not make him feel funny about himself, I simply answered the question yet internally I laughed.

We continued our hike and whilst enjoying the beautiful forest, where we spotted lots of wildlife, his question made me reflect. It took me back to a conversation about life and death with a friend, just the day before. The conclusion was to ‘eat the pie before you die’.

About 20 years ago, when I was still young (LOL), a doctor told me I had fibromyalgia. Hm, that wasn’t the kind of news I was hoping for as the end result of a series of tests in the year before. I knew people with this diagnosis and some of them even ended up in a wheelchair.

I asked the doctor what I could do to improve it? The answer was short: “Nothing”.

The next question was if I could do something to make it worse: “Nothing”.

I thanked the doctor for this info and told that this would be the last time we’d see each other because from that time I would be busy. “With what”?, the doctor asked. “Squeezing everything out of life and live full steam ahead as long as I can” was my reply.

Since that moment I made experiencing adventures and travelling a big thing in my life. Doing this in ‘Alex style’ means that this comes with taking risks and injuring myself frequently. A broken bone here and there, a cut, a bruise, nothing major. Just collateral damage.

Whilst embracing this ‘full steam ahead-approach, and frequently healing from those injuries, both my body and my spirit became stronger. I’m 20 years older in the meantime, and the adventures I’ve lived in the meantime, put a huge smile on my face and makes my heart sing. Luckily I have a loving partner who either joins or gives me the space to live those adventures. She also frequently provides the first aid needed when I had another ‘Alexident’ and injured myself again.

I celebrate each scar as another victory over fibromyalgia, as proof I’m for sure not wasting my life and my health sitting on the sofa behind a TV-screen.

Living full steam ahead was one of the best choices I’ve ever made. Putting my time and money in experiencing adventures, instead of buying things I actually could do without, makes me feel alive and happy.

Yes, my hair turned almost completely white in the 20 years since I last saw that doctor. So in the eyes of younger folks, I look like an old guy. This old guy loves to surprise them with not behaving in line with my age yet in line with how I want to feel: Alive and kicking!

Age. They often say it’s just a number. I say it’s not about the number nor about the age you can calculate by deducting your date of birth from today’s date. I’m more thinking of the roots of the word ‘courage’ with holds the word ‘heart’ in it.

With what do you keep your heart beating with excitement? That’s my answer to the question ‘What’s your age’.

What’s yours?

© Alex Verlek, February 2022

The year 2022 is already a month old, can you believe it?

2021 is history and it feels many don’t mind at all. The pandemic still kept the world in its tight grip. Huge numbers of people suffered greatly because of this, many even paid the ultimate price.

Many younger people experienced the first real setback in their life, and struggled with this to the point of burn out. Travelling was still a challenge and countless business owners lost all they’ve worked for. Parents had to homeschool, often combined with a full time job. Especially for single parents, this was really tough!

The elderly still experienced super annoying limitations, frequently leading to not being able to see their loved ones. We all know the list of Covid-related struggles is a lot longer.

On top of all this, many countries suffered from war, earth quakes, famine, volcano’s erupting, hurricanes and much more. Locally even more catastrophes can be listed.

The world, with its 7.8 billion people, struggled. 7.8 billion individuals. This includes you and me. Fair chance I don’t know much about how 2021 was for you, nor the other way around.

The number 7.8 billion doesn’t tell me that much, it feels so anonymous. It gets so much more personal and real when we look at the individual and their story. When we look them in their eyes when they share how 2021 was for them. When we hold them in our arms when they shed their tears. Or when we see the twinkles in their eyes when they share stories of joy and gratitude.

Some of the stories are highly influenced by the challenging circumstances yet it’s really special to see how individuals respond differently to similar circumstances. I got inspired by the statement from someone who had a really tough year, yet claimed that she would no longer be held back by circumstances. No matter the circumstances, she would find her way.

No matter the circumstances, she would write the story that would make her proud of herself, that would fulfill her. Wow… so much power and courage in such a statement, in such a claim.

It made me think. What am I willing to claim, in spite of what is going in the world, in my life?

One thing that came out that reflection, was to take my new book “Golden Rules for Coaching” on a big trip over the world. Look for the support that’s needed for such an idea, get creative, find the possibilities and make it happen! Against all odds, give it a go.

Maybe some things won’t happen, or turn out differently but at least I want to feel proud at the end of the year that I gave it a try, that I did my best. The stories I’ll collect, the people I’ll meet, the adventures I’ll experience; they for sure will fulfill me!

You see the question coming: What is the story you choose to write, in spite of, or even maybe due to the circumstances you find yourself in.

Let’s keep inspiring ourselves and each other by the stories you choose to write.

You matter, your story matters! It’s yours to claim it. It’s yours to write it.

January 2022, ©Alex Verlek

This weekend I had the privilege to lead another CTI Co-Active Coaching course. A joyful experience with my great colleague Conchita Rodríguez Franco. This time in the both beautiful and historical city of Berlin, Germany.

I’d never been there and used my evenings for long walks to visit historical sights. I deeply respect Berlin keeps reminding us of the lessons history holds for us, whilst at the same time being a wonderful vibrant city.

The many monuments tell stories of the impact of war. How countless lives got lost because we picked up our arms. To fight, destroy and kill. One life after the other, or many in one go.

The monuments do not represent the very last wars we’ve seen. It still seems the lessons aren’t clear and loud enough and we keep trying the same thing, each time expecting different results. Einstein nicely summed that up: This is insane!

This is exactly why I do what I do.

We need to learn to fight with different weapons! We need to create a totally different army. We need to grow in awareness on what really matters, both for the individual as well as for the collective. We need to create an army of positive change. Where the weapons are radically different!

We, for instance, need to start ‘fighting’ with curiosity instead of judgment. With respect and love instead of hate. With a desire to learn from differences. With a longing to grow the other as much as ourself. To multiply by sharing.

It may sound as if I know it all so well.

Well, I strive to live in line with the above. I teach it. Yet frequently I fail since I’m human after all. Maybe this is why destiny took me to Berlin this weekend. To remind me of the lessons I constantly need to learn. The choices I need to make over and over. To be on purpose. To act on purpose.

My invitation is to reflect on what choices you individually need to make to collectively create that army of positive change.

So that soldiers can go home and be with their loved ones about which the detail on the Siegessäule reminded me.

Real victory is when we can all go home in peace to be with our loved ones and never have to pick up our arms again.

©Alex Verlek 2021 Berlin, Germany

Or was it death, that was trying to teach me something…?

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and I was travelling back from a few days off.

I often use this time in the car to talk with people and that morning I called my mom to see how she was doing. Or just to hear her voice. With a serious distance between us, I don’t get to see her that often and the pandemic only made that even harder.

During the pandemic I heard a lot from folks living abroad and how they suffered being apart from their family. How hard it was to miss celebrations, let’s forget final goodbye’s.

When I reflected on that, I must admit, I often thought “what is the big deal”? You can call them, videocall even to stay in touch and it’s part of the expat life after all.

As mentioned, I called my mom yet she had (great)grandchildren visiting so we agreed it was better she would enjoy that first and that I’ll call back later that afternoon.

Driving through Italy towards France, I continued my journey and somewhere during the afternoon I received a Whatsapp that ‘something’ happened to my mother. Not long after I got a call which told me that ‘something’ was a huge heart attack and that it was unclear what to expect…

BANG!!! A punch in the stomach. A cold shiver in my heart. A million thoughts crossed my racing mind.
In between somewhere and nowhere I felt the deepest loneliness and very, very far away from what used to be home.

I imagined my mother in the ER where doctors tried to safe her life.

Flashbacks to the day my father passed away, now 35 years ago.

I always thought we’ve said all the words which needed to be spoken. I started wondering if that was true. Complete or not? Was I ready to let her go with a heart at peace…?

Bitter tears I cried. I mourned my mother before she was gone. I felt alone, so alone.

All of a sudden I felt one with all those expats who cried similar tears. All of a sudden I started to see, to feel, that the last time you said goodbye in person never is enough for a final goodbye…

Another lesson in humbleness I had to learn. Another lesson in compassion I had to experience…

A couple of days later I was able to visit my mother in hospital. How precious!

After that visit I wrote these words:

Never longed to see you more

Never held you closer

Never hugged you this intense

Your kisses and whispering meant the world to me

Your eyes lit up when they saw me

You cried when you said my name

I cried when I held your hand

Love filled my heart

My beloved mother

You knocked on heaven’s doors

Almost reunited with my dad

Eternity wasn’t ready for you yet

Thus sent you back

For precious moments to live

To love

To share

To read you your favourite psalm

To be closer than ever before

Whilst we’re trusting the divine

What today’s goodbye really means

© Alex Verlek (July 2021)

More and more parts of the world are enjoying the pandemic being on its return.

And with that claiming life back again.

The question I would love to ask: What is the life we want to create from here?

This pandemic situation wasn’t just bad.

It also taught us many many lessons on how we can live life in a different way. How we can live life in spite of some limitations.

I would love for us to reflect for a moment on how we can use all these lessons learned during the days of pandemic, in the time that is now ahead of us.

This is why today I shot a new 2 min video where I want to share my reflections with you.

Watch it below.

P.S. When you’ve had a chance to watch it, here is my invitation to you: Will you take a moment to reflect on what are the lessons that I want to keep from the pandemic? And include them in the life after the pandemic? And who are the people around me that I still want to give a little bit more time, love and attention? Feel free to leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

Today I just wanted to share chapter 39 – “Self-care” from my audiobook with you.

Listen to it here:

Once you’ve had a chance to listen to it, I’d love to hear from you.

What is the poison I am drinking?
Where am I unwilling to forgive others?
Where am I unwilling to forgive myself?

For all the details & online booking click here.

If we look at the history of warfare, it has hardly ever brought anything positive.

It was always about bloodshed, destruction and forcing your will upon somebody else’s.

Isn’t it interesting that we still haven’t learned that if we keep repeating the same things over and over again, and expecting different results, that’s INSANITY, according to Einstein.

So it’s time we start to fight with different weapons. That we start to fight a different kind of fight.

Collectively.

Intrigued?

Watch my newest video below:

It’s a nice and quiet evening. The fireplace is spreading a comfortable warmth throughout the living room and good smells come from the kitchen. After a long working day it’s good to relax and spend some quality time with the family. The dog is asking for her evening food. The cats installed themselves in a comfortable chair appreciating the fireplace whilst, in all their kindness, accepting that some human beings share the house with them.

Nice music is playing and the candles have been lit. Curtains closed, all nice and cozy.

Beep-beep! Beep-beep!

Just like that the vibe in the house changes from relaxed and comfy into action.

Whatever the plans were, they’ve now changed.

Whatever you were doing, just drop it.

Beep-beep! Beep-beep!

It’s the sound that calls the first responder into action. In no time she changed into her uniform and runs out of the door. In the meantime he pulled her car from the parking, leaving it with the engine running and the door open so she can leave as fast as possible.

Someone is in danger, someone needs help!

When the “Beep-beep! Beep-beep!” calls, it’s time to run, not to ask questions. Then it’s time to act, not to hesitate.

Whilst she jumps in the car, he shouts “Go and make a difference” to encourage her. The adrenaline pumps through her veins, fair chance she doesn’t even hear it. Off she goes, decisive into the unknown, prepared for the unexpected.

He slowly walks back to the house. Clueless when she’ll be back. Clueless how she’ll be back because, some of the incidents she’s been called to, made a deep impact on her. Like when holding that crying girl who watched her way too young mother die. Or when 3 youngsters had to be pulled out of a car after it crashed.

Sometimes he even wonders if she’ll come back. Since some who go for the rescue, become a victim themselves…

Nevertheless they run! All these first responders they run from their homes into the unknown yet on a mission. The mission is to save lives and reduce suffering. Don’t you think that deserves tons of respect from society? In many cases these first responders are even volunteers who felt a calling. The calling to save lives.

Yet sometimes, society isn’t able to give the respect the heroes in ambulances and firetrucks deserve. Let’s not forget the heroes from the police!

They deserve respect and all the space to do their work. It’s absurd some people think it’s a good idea to hinder their work. To offend or even threaten them. In extreme cases, the ones coming for the rescue become the victims because of violence from the public.

When these thoughts cross his mind both sadness, anger and fear fill his heart. He turns around to just see the red lights of her car disappearing into the night.

He whispers, “Go and make a difference”. Now he adds “Come home safely”.

Today on my morning hike I got this annoying feeling: “Bummer. I’m kind of stuck here. For months I’m not getting any further than 10 kilometers from my house. Either for a walk or to buy groceries.”

Whilst I was thinking about that all of the sudden a little tune got back into my head.

A tune sang by a cartoon figure named Alf from the late 80’s which shifted my perspective in no time.

Watch it below. Feel free to join me for the singing part 😉

P.S. Here is my invitation for you today: Will you think of a cartoon figure or an animal or anything that inspires you that will help you to find a different perspective on how you look at this current situation? I’m really curious to hear what you will come up with. Feel free to leave a comment below.