In January 2023, I started an Active Hope Circle in Amsterdam to enhance our ecological consciousness and nurture a regenerative culture in my little corner of the world. I had no idea this circle—and a core group of people—would continue the journey with me for 1.5 years, until this summer, and still thrive even after my move to Switzerland. Its been a joy to witness the power of this work to build community and lasting support and inspiration.
As the year draws to a close, I am filled w
ith deep gratitude and awe reflecting on the incredible journey we’ve shared. This blog post is a celebration of the community we co-created together, of the joy, creativity, and strength we cultivated through these gatherings, and of the lasting impact they’ve had.
From the very beginning, my intention was to create a space where changemakers could come together in the spirit of deep ecology—reconnecting with ourselves, with nature, and with each other. . I hoped to empower us to face today’s challenges with resilience and creativity, offering Active Hope as a guiding light. Together, we’ve nurtured ourselves and supported one another in embodying a regenerative culture that ripples out to inspire positive change beyond our circles.
Here are some heartfelt testimonials from participants sharing the story of our journey, our growth, and the magic we’ve co-created together.
“Being part of this ‘tribe’ is the biggest gift I have given myself in terms of self-development and learning. Those times when I feel I am freezing due to climate change anxiety, this spiral makes sure I feel reconnected and calm. Empowering me to think and act creatively—and undertake initiatives I otherwise wouldn’t dare or take the time for.” – Noor
“I am amazed at the strength of this work to bring people together and organically grow a connected inspiring community.” – Esther
“I feel so very grateful for this experience and this circle. Being outside and doing ritual together created for me the most profound experiences and memories. It creates an additional dimension when we are held and guided by the trees and plants around us. I have very special memories of our walk around the gardens and the campfire. Also, the evolutionary practices are very profound for me. Going through all the steps in evolution and imagining roaming around 1000 years ago. I want to continue having this as part of my life. Marjorie, you really embody this connection with the earth and your guidance was deeply nurturing.” Sarah
“I’m participating a second time in the ‘Active Hope’ spirals with Marjorie. Marjorie creates a safe space, where we land, look 
around us with curious eyes, and feel close to nature and also to those around us—we reconnect with all that we forget about during our ‘busy’ days.”
“Thanks to the Active Hope circle, I dared to put myself out there. I dared at work to put more of my ‘female’ warm side in the work, and ask for emotions from my colleagues/clients on how they felt about reaching their environmental targets. I dared in my private life, starting conversations at the dining table, practicing Active Hope exercises with groups of friends weekends away. Taking my friends outside on a walk and feeling the nature with eyes closed. I have a better understanding of my purpose in life and strengths: connecting people with the beauty of nature and people you didn’t know before. We are all connected, let’s take care of each other.” – Noor
“It was a wonderful experience to spend almost one year getting to know how to better connect with nature and humans. Marjorie’s passion and authenticity glued us together, she is naturally in sync with nature and can share it with the wisdom of an ancestor. I enjoyed the calmness and self-awareness, the clarity of her sharings.” – Sofia
“I had a very warm and heart-filling experience in all sessions. I always went home with stillness and hope inside myself. It felt like a safe space which allowed me to open slowly. In the winter, it was hard for me to keep my optimism to see the darkness outside, but the circles helped me to find warmth within myself.” – Deepali
“I really treasure the time I had with Marjorie and this group. We truly became a small community. I really valued being around people who look at ‘sustainability’ in a more holistic, spiritual, and systems way of seeing the world. I felt held and nourished.” – Esther
“These Active Hope circles are a way to ensure I take time monthly to reconnect with community, nature, and myself. It has been a deeply nourishing experience, filled with joy and creativity.” – Juliette
“I love your calm, humble yet deep presence. I think you find a good balance between guiding the process and creating space for people to share and for what wants to emerge. You are very present and at the same time in the background to give people the space they need to share and express. I just love your presence and calm and steady way of being. I hope you realize how powerful your work and the way you bring it is.” – Esther
“This more feminine way of sharing feels so good and safe that we can all share our knowledge with each other in a very equal manner. Feels very different than the patriarchal way—it strengthens each individual’s gifts and invites us to bring these out into the world. Your presence, Marjorie, and enthusiasm and warmth were so nurturing. I feel really sad that you are leaving. You really inspire me and your courage to lead these circles and all your interests and love you have inside. That we can be so vulnerable with each other. This was really thanks to your presence and warmth.” – Sarah
“I was surprised by how in such a short time we really became a little community. I was also moved when so many people started to bring songs of their own and share—so many levels of co-creation!” – Anneke
“You have a welcoming presence which helps us all to ground ourselves. I loved all the grounding meditations, they are so precious. And the way to guide them really is something I wish you continue always.” – Deepali
“It keeps my connection with life alive. It keeps me sane in a very nice, nourishing, joyful, peaceful way.” – Juliette
“What I enjoyed so much about this group is the way we spend time together: sharing deep thoughts, sharing silence, sharing wonder and awe, just being together, drawing, dancing, walking together, sharing our passions and the questions we are exploring. It is just simply a way of being together that feels very easy, meaningful, joyful, simple, and loving. All at the same time. It made me realize how much I enjoy this way of being together and that I want my life and the time I spend with groups to look more and more like this.” – Juliette
I am filled with deep gratitude for each person who joined this journey and enabled the circles to exist as they did—through their unique contributions and co-creations. And the fire is still burning strong. Join a fireside evening in “our” green heaven in Amsterdam here
After 15 years in Amsterdam, life led me and my family to Terre Sainte, Switzerland. After a few months of landing, grounding, and connecting with this beautiful region, I am beginning to sow seeds for this work here. Inspired by the land and the people I’ve begun to meet, I am committed to carrying forward the teachings of Active Hope and The Work That Reconnects—to spread this work in our commune, in schools and organizations, to start new circles, and to nurture the kind of regenerative culture that supports both personal and collective transformation.
My heart is open to what will emerge here. For now, it is time to rest, reflect, recharge, and dream into the Winter Solstice and the end-of-year festivities.