A quick consideration tells me identity is the sum of experiences, thoughts, expressions, actions, and beliefs that define an entity; how one identifies the self.
It’s what defines any culture.
It’s also the age-old question: Who am I? Where did I come from?
There are so many facets that make up one person or an entity.
Last night, I updated BiograView’s feature image. Or, how I think BiograView should be presented. BiograView is not just one thing. For a while now, BiograView has been sitting in the background for me as I contemplated what it’s all about, what it represents, its beginning and future, as well as my own.
So far, BiograView showcases a collection of stories that cover topics in relation to culture past and present (hence the thinking that it was about time and the reason for the header image to be updated).
I feel these stories help to unify the world we live in and connect us on one level or another. That with our differences and individual opinions, we have so much in common. That we can agree to disagree. That my perspective is my perspective and yours, is yours, and that’s OK. Accepting that, allows energy to flow and allows us to live in harmony and peace.
BiograView is just as much part of its own, as my personal journey, wherever that may take me.
Since its last stories were published mid 2022, I took some well-needed time out and then worked with many international (mostly Indian and Nepalese) students aged early twenties to mid-forties in tertiary education; in 2023 helping them with accommodation and pastoral support, and in 2024 as tutorial assistant with highway engineering students (some of these very recently graduated so I’m super proud!).
When my fixed term contract ended in ’24, I took the time to put together FOOD VIEWS from around the world, and now, again, I work in education. This time, as admin/secretary/treasurer for a union that fights for the rights of teachers and staff in early childhood, primary, and secondary education. Although (or maybe because) it’s a part time occupation, it’s a full-on but fulfilling job that challenges me every day, where I’m learning new things and it’s one where tikanga and reo Māori (Māori principles, values and language) are most noticeable – the missing bits in New Zealand culture as Māori history has been swept under the carpet for a long time and therefore I found it so important to include Māori culture, stories and language in BiograView, perspectives from around the globe.
When I started BiograView almost six years ago, it was still relatively unheard of for a Pākeha (New Zealander of European descent – I come from the Netherlands) to share about Māori culture in mainstream media. Nowadays thankfully it’s much more integrated and common to hear the language on national TV and in schools, workplace, or daily life although there’s still a long way to go.
Talkikng about facets of identity, I have started to pick up on some of my old activities again too. (Who am I?)
After having my own practice as a magnetic healer for almost 15 years (and a break from it for about four) an opportunity came up recently in my local town to work from its natural health centre. Going through my testimonials it rekindled my passion realising how much it had been appreciated. It would be a shame not to acknowledge those skills, knowing how much this work can benefit people and how life changing it can be.
Over the last couple of years I have also picked up my creative journey again in the form of a paint brush and other media, recycling some BiograView materials. I’ve not shown too much of it anywhere on social media as usually I tend to wait until a work is finished but here’s a little bit!
It was also nice to see one of my books purchased the other day – it was just so uplifting to see, thank you!
If you feel like keeping up with what I’m up to please subscribe to my art and healing website, I would really appreciate it! In fact I expect to be a bit more vocal there than what I have been on BiograView so hopefully I’ll see you there!
Until next time.
BiograView 