LOCKDOWN 21: Time to reflect and time for a change

As we tread cautiously, peacefully, and hopefully in a positive frame of mind into LOCKDOWN21, there are a few things to consider. Have you updated your will, have you GOT a will, have you made peace with those you have avoided over insignificance, pretty much everything now would seem insignificant as we prioritize the value of life, before more lives are claimed by this invisible and invincible force. As morbid as it sounds, it’s the harsh reality of this changing time.
 It’s a time to put our differences aside, time to soften our hearts to forgiveness, and open our hearts to change. These are real times that we’re living in. It’s like watching that movie Contagion, and realising we’re actually living some of those scenes.

21 DAYS of LOCKDOWN...what does it mean for fellow South Africans?
There are some advantages : our streets will be safe from criminals..no reports of hijacking, burglaries, petty crime, we can sleep easy without those sounds where we think and wonder whose next in the neighbourhood.

What can we do? We can be RESPONSIBLE.

How can we help?
STAY AT HOME.
Follow the advice set out by the authority.
Keep in telephonic contact with family, check in with the elderly.
If you are going to the mall for necessities, protect yourselves by keeping your social distancing of at least 2 metres from any one coughing or sneezing.
Take heed of the advice set out by the WHO.
DO NOT SPREAD FAKE NEWS.
Maintain strict hand hygiene measures. DO NOT touch your face.
Educate your children if they don’t already know. Make them aware of this global crisis. This is the history they’ll be talking of in their future. These are historic times we are living through.

What will you be doing for lockdown?
When people are at work, some often say: how I wish I was at home or on holiday.
Well here’s your break.
There’s no need for boredom.

PRAY. Read the Bible or your religious scriptures.
Wake up early in the morning to watch the sunrise, and appreciate it.
Start a hobby. Start SINGING if you’ve never  done it before.
Learn a new language online. Kids do your online studying.

PRAY
DANCE to your favourite music.
Bring out those board games you never had time for.
Sit with your kids and chat about your childhood.
Read to your kids, with your kids, for  yourself.

PRAY
Make a movie night with popcorn. Create a cinema in your lounge.
Have snacks.
Rest....our bodies need it.
Exercise, practice yoga, meditate.
Reflect....write down your thoughts.
Complete that cleanup task you were always hoping you had time for.
Start baking. Start cooking. Experiment with new recipes.

PRAY...
Find out more about your spouse, about your children.
Assign each family member a chore so that everybody gets to do something and nobody feels left out!
Watch a comedy .... LAUGH!!!
Send out positive vibes on media... WE ALL NEED IT!!
Be encouraging.
Show your love, kindness and support to those around you and those who need it.
In light of the gloom and despair, STAY POSITIVE and KEEP YOUR FAITH.

Pray for the world. Pray for healing. Pray for our leaders that they may gain wisdom, knowledge, understanding and insight to the decisions they have to make and the impact thereof.
Pray for the frontline care workers who fear their lives, and their families lives, now more than ever, though still bravely get up, get dressed and go to work. Pray for a stronger and united nation, and for nations to unite globally.


God Bless Our World
Guard Her Children
Guide Her Leaders
And Give Her Peace
For Jesus Christ’s Sake
AMEN
🙏🏽

WE ARE ONE

As I enter a new milestone year in my life in the light of current times (every birthday is now a milestone), there has never been a wish that I’ve wanted as much as I do today, with the rest of the world.

Many have already been defeated by this deadly novel virus. We sit and watch the news daily praying, and hoping, that things will be different, there will be more positive news, something, anything!!

It has proved to us that people can come together and work ‘hand in hand’ for the greater good of all humans. In the last few months, it has been incredible how countries throughout the world have united to fight this WAR. Even the wars in the Middle East have taken a back seat and is forgotten ( for now), with the news on every channel dominated by this bitter pandemic.

Countries are getting financial support by means of medical equipment from influential persons, countries are offering their medical expertise to others, irrespective of what sanctions there might have been in the past. Their political eyes are shut, their hearts now have eyes.

There is no division in any country...all political parties have united, differences aside, to come to the table to make decisions about how they can combat this virus and stop the spread. It has taught us to unite in solidarity as ‘separated’ as we have to be, to get back to the basics of hand washing, taught many to have faith, and brought many to their knees to pray, taught us to realize how blessed we actually are, and it has taught us the rich and poor are not protected.
We are one.

When you think about how people have rallied around to help countries, it’s a wonder how this effect could have been if it was implemented for world peace. If countries could unite for the greater good of our earth, greed aside, there would be less organizations pleading for donations to help war torn countries, to help save the planet, to fight carbon emissions, to fight the daily struggle that has escalated over the years.
Mother Earth is finally getting a reprieve, at a cost to us, and is teaching us a valuable life lesson in the process, after crying out for help all these years...a little too late unfortunately.
We have been greedy, wanting more, wanting better, taking, wanting and wanting because as much as  we already had and have, it was and is never enough.
Enough is now enough, or is it?

It has gotten ‘out of hand’, created a global panic, a reality that must be faced. Poverty stricken countries have more challenges to face amidst this growing threat, where most cannot even self isolate or social distancing cannot be practiced due to their unfortunate circumstances they have been lifelong burdened with, not to mention running water for hand hygiene.

What will happen when the virus has gone, will the people still remember this lesson, will it have taught us what better values and the importance of life and actually living are, will it have taught us that we can all work together to heal the world, heal its people by putting differences aside, and eradicating the power struggle? Will we have learnt anything in the stillness of self isolation?
We are one.

We are smart intelligent beings. We CAN do it...it took a virus to unite the world, to show us what we are capable of achieving.
This is a time that calls for all to be calm, pray and have common sense. We cannot avoid it.

God bless you and your family. Be thankful, be grateful, be selfless and be kind. May you find comfort, peace, courage and strength during these changing times.

My wish is my prayer, that all this come to an end, sooner than predicted.
A year never to be forgotten!
We are one.
🙏