Marianne van Katwijk is working as a creative therapist and next to it studies social psychology on a full time base at the Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam. Since a young age she has been looking for ways to bring more harmony, balance and peace into the world. Five years ago Marianne got introduced into the mindfulness principle, one of the essential factors in Buddhist teaching. By taking mindfulness into her Social Psychology study she looked at mindfulness from a scientific point of view as well as with her inner quest for balance.

In April 2006 Marianne van Katwijk won an international award for her Magical Wishing Lady-Project. In Brussels she was presented by the IASHA (International Association in Service and Homes for the Ageing) the “Excellence in Service for the Ageing” Award. The Magical Wishing Lady-Project (MWL-Project) is a project that has been set up to give residents of care institutes for elderly more person centred attention and care. Marianne started the MWL-project 2 years ago after reading about a similar project in an activity therapist occupational magazine, called AS. She used the idea of making a wish come true, but built a whole concept around this. She decided it was not supposed to be “just make a wish come true project”, but something deeper, something that would make doors open and bring in new possibilities for residents and also for the staff. She realised that to make this possible she needed to work from a compassionate heart and be open for everything. When you work from a compassionate heart there is no room for judgements, fears, resistance and expectations and therefore you create a space where residents feel safe and will actually talk about their deepest wishes.

Marianne often works from an innovative and boundary shifting way, resulting in new and innovative idea’s. Marianne loves new challenges, especially if it involves a suitcase. Travel could be her middle name as could excitement, adaptable, versatile and curious. Wanting to experience all life has to offer. She has a way of turning difficult things into easy things. Focussing on something she really wants and throwing her excess energy into it full force. And then seeing and realising what happens when you don’t give up. Grandiose wonderful, fabulous and great things. Marianne is a dreamer, but she has the capacity to turn those dreams into reality. Because she is a clear thinker, with new and original ideas, her dreams come from a realistic place trough listening to her intuition and trusting the messages of her heart and soul.

www.compassionatecaring.com