During my travels around the world, I find inspiration in unexpected encounters that I'd love to share with you. Sometimes you even have to move away to get closer. This time: 'A Network of Lights'.

Some places and times give you more meaning than others. This time, I'm taking a little trip closer to home, to a park near where I live in the Netherlands. Not far away, still it brought me a miracle. How close travel and a dull (natural) place can bring you light and inspiration. Take a look:

Sometimes I like to sit alone in nature. And sometimes something miraculous happens, like yesterday. Imagine it's December, cold, seven degrees Celsius above zero. I'm sitting opposite a patch of withered grass, slightly illuminated in the dark by lampposts further away. Nothing special, you might think. Until I see something I never thought possible: I see a light slowly coming on on the withered blades of grass, then briefly going off again, only to come on again for a while. This continues for several minutes. Later, I see the same thing happening 40 centimeters away. Fifteen minutes later, the two original lights have moved ten centimeters apart.

In fact, they turn out to be two glowworms that only appear in the South and East of the Netherlands in June/July. But for once, they're across from me in the cold West.

I sat there, stunned, and my mind began to wander and ponder. Suddenly, I realized that, just like glowworms, we carry light within us. No matter how dark, cold, or artificially lit our surroundings, the original light shines within us as soon as we think, feel, and act from our hearts: from kindness, curiosity, compassion, forgiveness, equality, and community.

If we consciously live this more, we radiate the consciousness and light that makes ourselves and our immediate surroundings happier. One light ignites another. Before you know it, we unconsciously create a network of positive energy. Your immediate work or living environment becomes brighter, more enjoyable, and more effective.

What would you do differently in your immediate work environment if you practiced 10% more of these spirit values? Would you work more collaboratively and with kindness, curiosity, compassion, forgiveness, equality, and community, even if you encounter resistance?

If you do that, your light will shine more brightly.

Want to know how you can further shine your light and put it into practice in your work? Then download the free promotional book "Spirited Personal Leadership" (in PDF): https://martinthoolen.com/en/publicaties/

I hope you'll let your light shine more, so that together we can build a new network of light that makes the world around us a little brighter, more fun, and more beautiful.

#wereldinspiraties #worldinspirations #reisverhalenmartinthoolen #travelstoriesmartinthoolen #spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #firstnations #persoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #persoonlijkleiderschap #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching #businesscoaching #psychologyofselves #voicedialogue #egozielspirit #egosoulspirit #healer #healing #shaman #awarenessatwork #martinthoolen

During my travels around the world, I found inspiration from unexpected encounters that I'd like to share with you. Sometimes you have to go (far) away to get closer. This time: ' A better world by being a temporary astronaut’.

Years ago, I was at the WOMAD festival in Malmesbury, UK, where the album Big Blue Ball featuring artist Peter Gabriel was being presented. The idea behind it is that we see the Earth as a big blue ball when we look at it from a distance. Just like astronauts see and experience it. Because when you step back, you become aware of what you didn't see before. For many of them, it's an unforgettable life experience that makes a deep impression and brings them back with a new awareness to live and work differently. Just look.

Big Blue Ball - Een betere wereld als je even astronaut bent

DSCF1976 1 - Een betere wereld als je even astronaut bent

Do you know that feeling? Imagine traveling for a while to a different place, country, and culture. Suddenly, you see that people there do things 'differently' than 'at home'. Like I once experienced in Sweden, where people waited patiently for each other in the queue at a gas station. Or in England, where people give each other right-of-way instead of taking the right-of-way. That's different from what I'd become accustomed to in the busy Netherlands, where many people push and shove to avoid losing a second.

That distance made me more aware of the urgent behavior I no longer wanted to engage in upon returning to the Netherlands. This shows how travel and distance can expand your consciousness, help you learn differently, and transform your life or work, both small and large. So, traveling offers a different, natural way of learning.

"When you distance yourself, you become aware of what you didn't see before."

But what would happen if you zoomed out even further from the place o what you often call home? And then very far away? Imagine yourself as an astronaut for a moment and saw the Earth from a distance. Like William Shatner (Captain Kirk from Start Trek) did after he had made a real, short space flight. It deeply touched his heart and soul, bringing him to tears, as he "felt" the pain we inflict on the Earth, and indeed, on ourselves. The pain felt intensifies the desire to change from within.

To this day, he still says about it, deeply moved: "What a beautiful blue/green planet we all live on; I see no boundaries; the Earth and we are so incredibly vulnerable with such a thin layer of atmosphere and limited nutrients."

William was so deeply moved by the boundless consciousness that upon returning to Earth, he wanted to do much more for the healthy development of the Earth, not least for ourselves as human beings.

"The pain he felt strengthens the desire to change from within."

On Earth, we are all 'allowed' to live, where we are only temporary guests. How do we behave as guests? How do you do that when you visit someone for real? Why not do the same on Earth: with respect?

Many other astronauts share similar, lived insights. One of them is the fact that from above, there are no borders visible on Earth, only nature. They also wonder why we humans argue and wage war so much when there's enough for everyone. Universal rights are awakened by these distances. While some are more committed to a healthy Earth, others want to contribute to equal rights. This global awareness (also called "spirit" in my books) is also seen in leaders and organizations, who are focusing more on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and making them increasingly part of their policies or even their missions. What would happen if leaders were astronauts for a while?

And what would happen if "you yourself," like an astronaut, zoomed out and returned to Earth anew? What would you do differently that would contribute to a better world, no matter how small?

"Zoom out to zoom in new again"

Thank you for zooming out with me for a moment, hopefully zooming in again. And thus contributing even more to a better world.

Martin

During my travels around the world, I found inspiration in unexpected encounters that I'd like to share with you. Sometimes you have to go (far) away to get closer. This time: "Our precious."

Years ago, I was on the film set of "The Shire," the home of the beloved Hobbits from "Hobbit & Lord of the Rings." On the North Island in Matamata, New Zealand. In my hands, I held the great ring used in the film "Lord of the Rings." Gollum's words inevitably came to mind: "My precious."

En toen realiseerde ik me ineens dat deze woorden ook de ‘huidige’ bron van veel kwaad is, wat we kunnen veranderen. Namelijk als we gaan denken en handelen in termen van ‘our precious’. Kijk maar:

The entire Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy is a mythical reflection of what's happening in the world today, both small and large. The ring symbolizes, among other things, a tool of power with which you can control many others, if not all. This includes sowing fear, creating dependency, intimidation, increasing one's own power, greed, arguing or waging war to get what one needs, and ego domination. Something we experience a lot these days.

The pursuit of these symbols, such as gaining a position of power, tightening the rules or laws, or the absolute need to have something for ourselves, is not foreign to us as humans. We see it in many of our leaders, but if we're honest, sometimes in ourselves as individuals as well. Even as children. This need to have something for yourself, just like the ring, can sometimes be so strong that we're literally or figuratively willing to walk over dead bodies. We are then completely trapped in the ego trap

Greed infects our minds and sometimes drives us to make choices and behave in ways that are detrimental or even destructive to others.

From 'my precious' to 'our precious'

But what would happen if we were to create a ring for all of us, melted down, and distributed among all people? Just as the world's stored gold were distributed, so that everyone in the world would have sufficient food, drink, and shelter? Then leaders would use their power much more for the benefit of all people. Then politicians would truly be representatives of the people. Then leaders in organizations would delegate their power to others much more, including increasing authorizations and powers to their employees. Then sharing and granting would play a more important role in your choices and behavior. In short, then 'my precious' would become 'our precious'.

How do you transform "my precious into our precious?"

Here are three short suggestions for transforming "my precious" into "our precious."

For a change, take a minute and ask yourself what you can do. Is there something you absolutely must hold on to, that you could let go of or share, that would bring joy to others?
If you are a leader, which powers and authorizations could you delegate more of?
What other actions can you think of to avoid clinging to something out of ego, fear, or greed? What would you do differently?

By doing this, you are instantly contributing to a better world, where ego not prevails, but true spirit i.e. where more people ,than just you, will be happy; "our precious fellow human beings."

I wish you a wonderful adventure in making the ring serve us all.

Martin

Want to see other short discovery stories? Check out: https://martinthoolen.com/en/blogs-en-artikelen/?_categorie_knops=wereldinspiraties&_categorie_knoppen=wereldinspiraties

Here’s a short impression of some of my journeys of discover https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca58VpEoy_Y

Nieuwe inzichten komen soms makkelijker tot je, als je uit je ‘normale’ bubbel stapt. Zoals reizen naar een ander land of cultuur je kan geven. Soms moet je (ver) weggaan om dichterbij te komen. Iedere keer weer een andere plek, een andere tijd én een nieuw inzicht.

FROM NOW ON…
… you'll regularly find posts next months with insights from unexpected encounters with people and nature that I'd like to share with you. Insights that contribute to personal- and professional development in an adventurous way. Here are a few: https://martinthoolen.com/en/blogs-en-artikelen/?_categorie_knops=wereldinspiraties&_categorie_knoppen=wereldinspiraties

Ik hoop dat ze jou iets waardevols brengen. Hartelijke groet, Martin

Here's a short video of some places where I found inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca58VpEoy_Y

© 2025: Martin Thoolen

During my travels around the world, I found inspiration from unexpected encounters that I'd like to share with you. Sometimes you have to go (far) away to get closer. This time: ‘The Famous Healer from Ubud'.

Sometimes we're simply looking for direction, confirmation, or support. Me too. Then we might turn to an astrologer, psychic, reader, or healer. Or to a spiritual guide from your religion. Sometimes we're simply looking for direction, confirmation, or support. Me too. Then we might turn to an astrologer, psychic, reader, or healer. Or to a spiritual guide from your religion.

Do you remember that book and that movie: ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ by Elisabeth Gilbert, adapted into a film starring Julia Roberts? In it, the main character visits a "Balean," a spiritual healer in Ubud, Indonesia, named Cokorda Rai. So I thought, "I want to go there too." No sooner said than done.

I surrendered to what he called a Kitra Healing. He screened my head several times, pulled painfully on my ears a few times, and hit them incredibly hard, then said, "You have nothing. What can I do for you?"

A dialogue ensued where he asked me what kind of job I did, and I replied: "(spiritual) empowerment." He responded with a warm smile and said, "Oh, so you're also a healer. Mmm, you are a gentle man. You've come to bring peace to the world. There's a wall between you, but you move through it. You embrace the world and bring Light and peace to the world, which is good."

Cocorda en Martin - De beroemde ‘healer’

‘What are you supposed to do with these words?’ I immediately wondered. ‘How seriously should I take this? Maybe none of it is true.’ But strangely enough, it supported me to continue with my life's dream: to make my own contribution to a better world, however small or large. Years later, I managed to materialize my contribution in, among other things, my second book: ‘Spirited Personal Leadership, for more effective work, a meaningful life, and a better world." With thanks to Cokorda Rai 🙏.

Over the past decades, I've made several trips to healers, shamans, chiefs, gurus, and mediums who shared their perspectives on my life and work. And quite a lot of it was bullshit. Therefore, never outsource your own authority and individuality to others or blindly follow their advice. Remain critical and walk away if it no longer feels right.

But in every area, including here, you have qualitatively sharp and valuable guides. For me, an important criterion is whether it touches on the truth and as long as it supports me in realizing my life's dream. In that case, there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, it's extremely stimulating.

So why not, with a critical eye, occasionally open yourself up to good guides who inspire you?

I hope it leads to positive, original and talented choices in your life and work.

Martin

Want to see other short discovery stories? Check out: https://martinthoolen.com/en/blogs-en-artikelen/?_categorie_knops=wereldinspiraties&_categorie_knoppen=wereldinspiraties

Here’s a short impression of some of my journeys of discovery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca58VpEoy_Y

© 2025: Martin Thoolen

During my travels around the world, I found inspiration from unexpected encounters that I'd like to share with you. Sometimes you have to go (far) away to get closer. This time: ‘The Flowing Soul'.

Sitting by a flowing stream in the forests of Queensland, Australia, I wondered years ago: If water flows, giving and receiving, would that also apply to the soul? Does it also flow best when it gives and receives as a natural cycle of life? And if so, how do you translate that into choices you make in your own work and life?

Suppose the soul has a giving and receiving side, then you also know that you can become depleted if you can no longer receive what is good for your soul. And then you can no longer give from that source. Then you become a source of pollution. Then it's important that you cleanse your source.

A soul naturally wants to express itself with its talents, joy of life, pain, desires, and dreams. It 'must' express itself. And any system or relationship you enter into that limits that, imprisons your soul and can even make your body seriously ill.

If the soul were to flow, then besides giving, it must also receive. Like receiving felt experiences from which you can learn. The soul cannot ‘not’ receive, because then the (natural) circle of giving and receiving is broken. Therefore, the soul must also receive. If you haven't received what your soul needs for a long time, you also become empty or depressed. And if you can't express yourself naturally, you become frustrated. It must therefore be an ongoing circle, just like a flowing stream.

This can mean that during your soul's journey, certain people, encounters, jobs, or roles may be suitable for a particular phase of your life’s journey and beneficial to your soul, but in a new phase, they may no longer be suitable at all. Especially not if the circle of giving and receiving is no longer balanced for your soul. And you feel deeply frustrated or depressed.

To break through the dams blocking your inspiration and flow, you can identify what instantly gives you positive energy and then choose and act on it. This could be a relaxing walk in the park; a new job; new friends. And what it requires also, is the courage to let go of what no longer serves you into the flow. A salmon, just like the you within, can die if too many dams have formed in your life or work. If you allow the natural flow to be dammed too much by other people and "normal" systems, then that is actually unnatural, which is deadly for the soul that wants to live and flourish.

In short, dare to examine what forms do and don't fit anymore. Dare to let go of old forms that no longer serve you. And accept the grief over them as a sacrifice. And choose new forms and relationships that will instantly make you shine. Then the flowing soul will return, giving your life and work more fulfillment and impact.

Martin

Want to see other short discovery stories? Check out: https://martinthoolen.com/en/blogs-en-artikelen/?_categorie_knops=wereldinspiraties&_categorie_knoppen=wereldinspiraties

Here’s a short impression of some of my journeys of discovery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca58VpEoy_Y

© 2025: Martin Thoolen

During my travels around the world, I found inspiration from unexpected encounters that I'd like to share with you. Sometimes you have to go (far) away to get closer. This time: "The Desert as a Supermarket."

Do you know that sun-ripened, fresh red tomato you eat in Italy or Greece? A wild, brand-new salmon straight from the river onto your plate? Lettuce from your own garden. No chemicals, just pure nature. Can you taste the difference?

We've become so accustomed to supermarkets that eating like that has become normal. Or it's even delivered to your door. With all the convenience, original food has often become increasingly distant.

I truly woke up to this when I volunteered for a day at a salmon factory on Bella Bella Island during a Native Canoe Event organized by First Nations Natives. The salmon I literally handled was being prepared to be smoked and eaten later. So close, so pure, and so much more flavorful and healthy.

Salmon Factory - De woestijn als supermarkt

Smoking Salmon - De woestijn als supermarkt

And do you think nature doesn't have enough to offer you? Even if you live in the desert for years? I thought so until I came across the following words in the desert of Joshua Tree Park from Ruby Modesto, a Cahuilla Elder, who said: "Walking down a canyon is like strolling down a supermarket aisle."

Desert Supermarket - De woestijn als supermarkt

It's food for thought about what we allow ourselves to be nourished with. And yet, this is also a choice. It's now been proven that natural food increases the likelihood of staying healthy and vital for longer. Imagine if you reduced your comfort and made more of an effort to make original food a little more your own, how would you feel? How would that contribute to your overall health and vitality, which we all value so highly? Try out the advice ancient peoples give us, and then decide whether you'd like to eat more natural food.

I hope it tastes well.

Martin

Want to see other short discovery stories? Check out: https://martinthoolen.com/en/blogs-en-artikelen/?_categorie_knops=wereldinspiraties&_categorie_knoppen=wereldinspiraties

Here’s a short impression of some of my journeys of discovery:

© 2025: Martin Thoolen

#wereldinspiraties #worldinspirations #spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #firstnations © 2022: Martin Thoolen #personalleadership #inspiredleadership #spiritedpersonalleadership #mastercoursespritedp[ersonalleadership #peace #peaceonearth #coaching #training #personalleadership #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching #businesscoaching#psychologyofselves #voicedialogue #egozielspirit #egosoulspirit #awarenessatwork #martinthoolen

During my travels around the world, I found inspiration from unexpected encounters that I'd like to share with you. Sometimes you have to go (far) away to get closer. This time: ‘Coaching of Natives show what we have in common'.

Years ago, I was involved in a 10-day ceremonial event for Canadian First Nations Indians on Bella Bella Island on Canada's west coast. An unforgettable experience, especially because of the discoveries I made while coaching a number of First Nations Natives

I volunteered my services as a psychologist/coach and invited people to what I then called ‘Healing Talks’. I made a makeshift flyer to invite people. And miraculously, young and old people came to me, from whom I could learn more than I could from them. For they carried generations of wisdom that many, including myself, had long been cut off from. Nevertheless, they showed their appreciation for my listening ear and interventions.

image - Coaching van 'Natives' laat zien wat we gemeen hebben

One of my memories is of a young woman who had experienced incest, which deeply hurt her. She hadn't even talked about it with anyone out of shame! She had closed herself off to further contact with men, but she wasn't happy with that either. After sharing her story and hearing some of my suggestions for further action, she was visibly relieved.

An older Chief who came to me for help had previously been to a well-known psychologist with many titles in Vancouver. Upon arrival, she scolded him for being a few minutes late and forgot about him: "Who do you think you are!" His faith in mental health services had vanished like snow in the sun. Initially, he was very reserved with me, but his curiosity won, and afterward, I received an unforgettable hug.

IMG 6469 1 - Coaching van 'Natives' laat zien wat we gemeen hebben

What also became clear from the other coaching sessions? Even though we have cultural differences, we are all essentially the same. They too are people with egos, with wounds in their soul baggage that they carry and shape. They too have bright and dark sides, which sometimes lead to violence and crime. They too believe in a creative force that connects us, which they often describe as "Great Spirit." No difference.

These experiences have strengthened my belief that ego, soul, and spirit (consciousness) are universal keys to self-development, leading to greater inner and outer peace. You'll find this in my book "Spirited Personal Leadership." https://martinthoolen.com/en/publicaties/

“Ook al hebben we cultuurverschillen, we zijn in essentie allemaal hetzelfde”

How wonderful it is when we can look at the "person" behind culture, behind history, behind religion, behind the professional, behind every role we play in life and work. Then we can truly connect with ourselves and each other.

© 2025: Martin Thoolen

Here’s a short impression of some of my journeys of discovery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca58VpEoy_Y

#worldinspirations #travelstoriesmartinthoolen #spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #firstnations © 2022: Martin Thoolen #personalleadership #inspiredleadership #spiritedpersonalleadership #mastercoursespritedp[ersonalleadership #peace #peaceonearth #coaching #training #personalleadership #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching #businesscoaching#psychologyofselves #voicedialogue #egozielspirit #egosoulspirit #awarenessatwork #martinthoolen

During my travels around the world, I found inspiration from unexpected encounters that I'd like to share with you. Sometimes you have to go (far) away to get closer. This time: ‘What the Rainbow Shows and The Forgotten Light'.

Years ago, I was sailing on a ferry from England to Ireland. Imagine: cold, gray sky, gloomy decorations on the ship, drizzly, fog banks, rain and hours of sailing. It all looked a bit gloomy. After a few hours I started daydreaming. I looked outside and suddenly saw the sun peeping through the fog banks. And suddenly there was a crystal-clear rainbow.

I could only watch, until a voice out of nowhere told me: ‘All religions and individual souls are like colors of the rainbow. As one rises above the other, we contribute to inner and outer wars. The white, forgotten sunlight reminds us of what we have in common and where we come from and are going together.

Once we live with the common values of spirit (such as love, peace, tolerance, coexistence, forgiveness and wisdom), which you find in all religions, we make a true connection, with respect, and can create paradise on earth.'

“Spirit knows no hierarchy or exclusion”

Spirit knows no hierarchy or exclusion. If you work and live from a place of equality and inclusion, a whole (new) world will open up for you.

Martin

Want to see other short discovery stories? Check out: https://martinthoolen.com/en/blogs-en-artikelen/?_categorie_knops=wereldinspiraties&_categorie_knoppen=wereldinspiraties

Hier een korte filmimpressie van een aantal van mijn ontdekkingsreizen.

© 2025: Martin Thoolen

#wereldinspiraties #worldinspirations #spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity © 2022: Martin Thoolen #personalleadership #inspiredleadership #spiritedpersonalleadership #mastercoursespritedp[ersonalleadership #peace #peaceonearth #coaching #training #personalleadership #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #personalleadership #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching #businesscoachin #psychologyofselves #voicedialogue #awarenessatwork #martinthoolen

During my travels around the world, I found inspiration from unexpected encounters that I'd like to share with you. Sometimes you have to go (far) away to get closer. This time: ‘Ode to the Dragonfly'.

On a journey to Portugal in the ‘Parque des Estrellas’, I sat outside my tent near an idyllic stream. Sitting on the edge, with my feet in the stream, I saw large ultraviolet blue, emerald green and bright red dragonflies flying around. I sat for a while watching them fly, how they suddenly turned quickly and made contact with each other. I became more and more mesmerized by it. Then I got an idea: ‘Can you make contact with a dragonfly so that it will sit on you?’

The ‘inner judge’ in my ego-bus thought: ridiculous, you are not superstitious! After a while, however, my genuine curiosity grew stronger.

At some point it occurred to me how I could imagine from my heart with unconditional love an imaginary line through my arm and hand to the heart of the dragonfly, without expectation. And truly, the dragonfly literally came right up to my hand!

I decided to make a second attempt by carefully directing a line from my heart to the tip of my head and then to the heart of the dragonfly. And sure enough, the dragonfly flew from thumb to crown. And then another request came up from myself: ‘I want you to sit on my knee right now.’ The tone of my voice betrayed a conditional (ego) demand. The dragonfly didn’t seem to be attracted to it, and just flew away instead.

A few months later I told this story during one of my annual weeklong retreats “Inner Nature”. After the break, the retreat continued in the course room and I wanted to sit on the chair from which I had told the dragonfly story a while ago. One participant suddenly shouted loudly: ‘Look out.... don’t sit down... there’s a dragonfly on your chair!’ What are the chances that a dragonfly is sitting in a course room... sits on my chair... right after that story has been shared? I had been in this room many times for years and we had never seen a dragonfly inside.

From the heart and spirit, everything is connected to everything…

Martin

Want to see other short discovery stories? Check out: https://martinthoolen.com/en/blogs-en-artikelen/?_categorie_knops=wereldinspiraties&_categorie_knoppen=wereldinspiraties

Here’s a short impression of some of my journeys of discovery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca58VpEoy_Y

© 2025: Martin Thoolen

#wereldinspiraties #worldinspirations #spirit #synchroniciteit #synchronicity #persoonlijkinspirerendleiderschap #persoonlijkleiderschap #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #leiderschap #spiritueelleiderschap #spiritedleadership #executivecoaching #leiderschap #leiderschapsontwikkeling #teamcoaching #collectiefleiderschap #professionalcoaching #coaching #businesscoaching #psychologyofselves #voicedialogue #awarenessatwork #martinthoolen

Spirited Personal Leadership

From 'my precious' to 'our precious'

How do you transform "my precious into our precious?"

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