Silent war...moving forward

Who would have thought that all that we are living through presently would become such a reality? A time when you’re asked to stay home from work, work from home, homeschool, wear a mask, no personal contact, keep social distancing, reminded to relax, maybe watch a movie, read a book, have a permit to travel, and constantly reminded to wash your hands.
With restaurants, clothing shops, and other inessential shops closed, its truly amazing how we CAN cope. We can cope with not going to the mall ever so often, or stopping to have that cup of coffee at the local cafe.
How have you been coping?

Have you been productive in these last weeks, and more so have you given your body a chance to really rest. This is about the only time people don’t have to complain about getting up really early and getting ready for work, apart from their annual leave.

Everyday is a reality of this global crisis. Health care workers post videos to remind us of how real and deadly this invisible enemy is.
As it creeps and surges through the cities and countries, we see the rise in the number of deaths and those infected daily.
All our plans have automatically changed.
Being the humans that we are , we are so accustomed to making plans in advance, some be it for travel or work.
It turns out there is no sense of urgency for any of that at a time like this. Whatever plans we had scheduled have to be cancelled or postponed...due to unforeseen circumstances and changing times. There’s no sense of urgency...period.

It is a mental challenge. The survival of the fittest. We have to really programme our minds to this time of Lockdown, we have to find ways to fight this boredom, stimulate our minds and grow...grow personally, spiritually and mentally.

As this war continues to defeat us in so many ways, we remain strong and powerful, somehow recharged with this Lockdown. There’s a sense of community and gratitude in various parts of the world when frontline staff are greeted by applauds as they arrive home from work.

As we proceed to a stage 3 of this Lockdown within a few days we have a responsibility to our families and community by being sensible.
Follow the precautions and guidelines when you have to go to the grocery store or out in public. Wear your mask, sanitize your hands, maintain social distancing of 1.5 -2 meters apart from the next person.
Use a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of it thereafter into a waste bin. Sanitize or wash your hands as soon as possible. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow.
Educate your children on proper hand hygiene using the 20 second rule. As some of the pupils prepare to go to school, there is a fear factor and probably anxiety amongst educators, parents and learners. Parents have to ensure the safety of their children by educating them and preparing them appropriately. Ensure they maintain a healthy and well balanced diet, including their fresh fruits to support their immunity.
This is a time when we have to accept what is and move forward believing, and praying for a positive outcome around the world, acknowledging that life will  never be the same again for a long while. We have to have faith in our leaders who are guiding us with these decisions being made, believing they have our country’s best and safest interest at heart.

Stay safe. We will overcome this.
God bless you and your families🙏🏽

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.
🙏

Thankful for life.

Some say “my life flashed before my eyes” when a major accident or near miss has occurred.
It’s true when it happens to you.
A few mornings ago on my way to work I was almost involved in what could have been a big accident...God was on our side. ‘Our’ for the other driver, other potential drivers, and for me.
I had to quickly swerve right to the next lane without having time to even check whether there was a car on my side as I hooted quickly at the driver (who was looking the opposite side) who almost drove into me from my left.

As I drove on, I regained my composure after feeling quite shaken thinking the worse. Tears rolled down from my eyes as I realized how blessed I was....blessed for my life.

So often we take every DAY, every HOUR, every MINUTE and every SECOND for granted.
We just leave home in faith and return home in faith.
I’m thankful it wasn’t my time, and maybe somewhere in my mind I heard a voice saying that it wasn’t my time. It was a jerk back into the reality of my life...to be greatful, and thankful for all I have in my life.

I’m sharing this because:
-no matter how safe a driver you think you are, there can always be someone out there who’s not,
- this was s reality check as to what COULD have happened,
- I’m alive now and it may not seem a big deal (it’s an awareness)
- it’s going to be the Festive Season soon and we just need to be cautious, practice patience  and courtesy all the time when driving,
- I could have lost my life and left my son without his mum,
- it’s a reminder to CELEBRATE this life we have on this earth!

Even though I might seem an insignificant number in this big world like the many thousands who have lost their lives daily due to different harsh factors, I’m definitely the world to the significant few that I really matter to, and I’m blessed for having them in my life.
It makes me appreciate each day MORE and thankful to God for all I have!

With this in mind, have a blessed, safe and happy day!
Be humble. Be kind, courteous and patient. Life is not for rushing, despite the deadlines.
Smile, and pass it on.

God bless you.
🌹

Some Lessons in Life

At some point in our lives we’ve all learnt some lessons, be it through mistakes, experimenting, being daring or just not taking advice.
There are some valuable lessons in life that can’t be taught to us as we go through our stages of life, but we learn as we journey through life. Here are some of them some people have experienced and practice.

Thank God, in all you do. Everyday is a new beginning.Be thankful, say your prayers. Pray for others.

Good manners: this is plain and simple, if children can’t get it right, then why are we surprised with adults who don’t display good manners?
Inculcating good behavior to children at an early stage is imperative. Teaching them to be kind, humble, non-judgemental,  and to share, are priceless life lessons. These will make better respectable adults geared to face the reality of the world, which can be very harsh.

Some people often compare themselves to others, and want to “keep up with Jones’s”, as is said. They spend so much time trying to compete, that they often forget they have their own dreams too. Don’t chase other people’s dreams and in the  process forget your very own. Everyone has their own journey to the same destination in the end. Live your life your way.

Don’t encourage gossip. Often people can get caught in this. By contributing to the gossip, the negativity grows and who knows what slander is spread about you. Try to be positive and encourage others to do the same. It’s not our place to judge others. It’s good to have an open mind and your own opinion, and not to dwell on the negative opinion of others. Nobody’s perfect, but we can try to stop that kind of human pollution. Encourage to inspire, all the time.

Spend time with the elderly. They are a source of wisdom and have been around for many years, and have seen many changes through the years. Take the time to listen to them, encourage your children to do the same. Appreciate the valuable advice they have, they’ve lived through and experienced so much more in life. Listen to and hear  what they say. They feel appreciated that someone has taken the time to listen to their story (that they might have said 100 times over, or more).

Take THAT CHANCE! Be sensible and practical, be realistic (as our mum always said).
Don’t let others discourage your ambitions or goals, because THEY think it’s impossible. If you can dream it, believe that you can achieve it. Believe in others, and encourage them that they can do it!

Don’t live to have regrets! You cannot turn back the hands of time. If your opportunity comes knocking, what’s keeping you from it? Tomorrow will be here so fast, that it will be too late for “if only” and “I should have”. Be daring when you’re young, take the risks, but also be sensible about it! Live to tell the tale! Be fearless.

Stand up for yourself, and stand up for what’s right. If you witness something that’s wrong, do something about it. Unfortunately we live in a society where a smart remark may cost our life, but do what’s safe and right.

TRAVEL!!! Don’t rush to marry him or her. Invest time in good friends, and in yourself when you’re young. Find out what inspires you, what your ambitions are in life, what’s your happy space, find yourself. Visit countries that you’ve read about, places that excite you. I grew up with a passion for music, listening to the sounds of Richard Clayderman. He was my musical inspiration, and still remains so. You can only imagine my elation when I saw him perform live twice, and meeting him on both occasions.
Be inspired, live to love, laugh and dance.

Enjoy that chocolate cake(restrictions if you’re diabetic), but everything in moderation. Habit and occasional are very different terms.

Have meals as a family at the table. Don’t let social media steal your family time too. Enquire about the day at school, work or home. Everyone has something on their mind, no matter how little, or how insignificant it may seem, it’s all important!

Be thankful for everything...the challenges, the successes and all the blessings! What defines us is how well we rise after falling.

Listen to your children...they’re listening to you, ALL THE TIME, maybe not obeying you all the
time, but they listen to how you talk. Be happy and smile...children emulate that of which they see in their parents, family and surroundings.


Be nice, all the time. Yes people can be rude to you and say hurtful words, but you don’t have to
justify it with a response. Spread the kindness, teach others that it exists!

Appreciate constructive criticism. Never stop believing in yourself, despite the criticism.

Learn from the past, learn from mistakes.
Don’t dwell on them. How can it make you stronger? What lesson did you walk away from? Focus
 on improving yourself and making YOU a better person.

Pay that compliment to someone, I actually have a habit of doing that, cautiously.
Make someone’s day. Pass on a smile and see how you can change a frown...I have seen it a few times. When you smile, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters called endorphins, which make us happy. A smile costs nothing, something so priceless and valuable in life.

Be proud of who you are. Don’t wait for someone else to tell you your worth. You ARE beautiful,
amazing and awesome. YOU are UNIQUE. We were all created differently, dare to be different.. Be yourself!

Don’t wait for occasions to celebrate.

Use your talent to help others, be a service to others when you have time. Volunteer if you can.

Run that race, don’t put it off. Some people only started running in their 60’s.

Stop making excuses, another day just passes by with you singing the same song “I’m going to...but I just don’t have the time”, “I really want to....but..”.

Uphold your integrity at all times.

Try to learn something new everyday: a verse, a word or a fact.

Respect everyone in their entire entity.

Don’t be proud to say you’re sorry. Be the first to say “I’m sorry” if you have made a mistake or hurt someone’s feelings. Spare the unpleasantries and avoid creating a mini war, we have enough in the world. Make peace with the past.

Say .... “I love you” to your family and friends who are dear to you. Let them know it.

Respect your parents. Take heed of their advice. They know what they’re talking about!

LOVE yourself! Love everything about you. Be beautiful...
Stay blessed always🌹

Woman to women

We all have our stories to tell. As we listen to grandmas, aunties and the older wise women of today, we hear of incredible hardship tales of how they provided for big families, and traveled long distances, which is still done by many amazing women today.

Whether you’re a mum, aunt, grandma, there’s plentiful advice & support to assist the younger generation  through today.
Women have come a long way in culture, tradition and fighting for equality. It’s amazing and extraordinary  to know what lengths of challenge women go through to get to  where they are.

Being a full time working mum, is no easy task but most women seem to make it child’s play, literally. With everyday routine there’s an expectation of being a mum, wife, running a tight ship as a domestic goddess , and demands of work. Women do, and don’t complain. They lead, provide strength, support and comfort.

Believing in ourselves, and empowering others is fulfilling, and healthy on many levels. We live in a time when women get to a point in their lives when they might feel disappointed because they don’t meet expectations of others, overwhelmed because of the facets of their lives that need to be fulfilled,  and not to mention physically and mentally exhausted from their daily demands of being a multitasker, without understanding from their partners at times.
Some women endure constant emotional abuse in their lives, never really feeling a sense of fulfillment as there are always higher expectations of them at home, from spouses or family. It’s a sad reality when they go through life not believing that there’s always more potential, and that their dream is achievable, and that they ARE worth it.
What’s amazing is the number of women who are living their best lives after a divorce, separation  or death of a spouse, or women who remain single. Women should be living their best lives no matter what their circumstance...and that’s simply living happy and being able to believe in themselves at all times.

Women for years have taken a stand and made their mark leaving their legacy in history, and continue to do so. They’ve liberated the remarkable essence of womanhood, for others to follow.

Every woman is an author to some incredible story of their life, some written, some hidden and some waiting to be published. Their stories inspire and resonate with others to uplift, empower and give them a strength of belief in themselves. 

This Woman’s month stand up for what you believe in, always ; don’t allow yourself to be taken for granted or think you’re second best because others put you down; encourage, motivate and acknowledge your fellow women...everyone has their own challenge to face. We need to uplift, strengthen and shine our light at all times! This life comes  by but only once...be the greatest you can be!
Be Confident and Be Amazing!

I’M A WOMAN PHENOMENALLY.PHENOMENAL WOMAN, THAT’S ME.
Maya Angelou

HAPPY WOMENS MONTH!

Love and light 🌹

❤️

The joys of Motherhood

For those who have been, are and going there, they would have the best experience in relating what motherhood means to them, naturally.
As we watch our little one grow and achieve his milestones, from the first time he rolled, sat up, crawled and started walking we feel nothing less than pride, excitement and extreme joy as he beams so delightfully at his accomplishments.
It's a maternal instinct that really comes naturally where a mum 'just knows'. She becomes a 'mother hen' to her 'chicks' constantly on the look out for their safety and keeping them in check, protecting them under her feathers.
A child can do no wrong in their mother's eyes, no matter how far they attempt to push the boundaries, sometimes.

As they grow through their different stages, dropping/throwing food on the floor, displaying tantrums in public, wanting things they can't have....it certainly gets more challenging and as a mum you find yourself saying 'no', 'no' until you seem like a broken record player...
For some of it, it's just natural behaviour as they get exposed to new things around them. Sometimes, though, we have to turn on the 'police mum' mode where we have no choice but to nip it in the bud there and then.
Then, when you watch them fall asleep at night, they are just the most precious angels that could ever touch your heart. For most, a child just brings about so much love that everyday is just a blessing to have them in one's life. They bring new meaning to life when they're around you.
Patience, love, tolerance, a calm tone and understanding are key ingredients to be able to nurture your child in a loving and stable environment.
Children are a blessing and a beautiful gift from God.


A Mother's Love

A Mother's love is something
that no on can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .
It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .
It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . . 
A many splendored miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.


Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Preparing for D-Day

It's a day millions of women have gone through from the world over, and each with their own experience. Some with great challenges, some simply making it seem like "child's play".
Off course it is a tradition to follow old wives tales and what was done in the granny's day and their days before that...which obviously worked back in the day and must still work if we turned out more than just alright. Today there are just so many books and websites with what you should eat, what you should avoid eating, all the dos and don'ts, that make you wonder how our parents and grandparents made it through without it.
It's almost like taking a course in parenting and it practically is as one is about to embark on one of the biggest life changing moments in ones life.
For sure it's a moment that just comes naturally as with any female specie in the animal kingdom, from nesting and preparing for delivery and maternal instinct and bonding that's just innate. As if the great moment is not enough, there's all these choices of strollers, travel systems, cribs, and checking out all the safety recommendations and customer reviews to make sure you get the best and reliable baby gear. That's another whole story on it's own!

Nine months, three quarters of a year, just over 39 weeks, almost 274 days is a long time and carrying a life is truly one of the most special times in a woman's life, and the biggest joy and proud moment most certainly comes thereafter. No matter what you do and how ready you think you are, it actually is so life changing that you will only know just how ready you are when the day arrives. It dawns upon you that your life will never be the same, there will be a little person needing you and demanding your time 24/7...and suddenly you want to rush and do everything before the day arrives, everything you've left incomplete .... almost sounds a bit selfish...
Then you feel those hiccups resonating in your belly almost to remind you of the time you have left till he/she makes their début, and you realise just how awesome life is and will be...and what a blessing it is in one's life.

                                                        (For our little angel)

( NIV ) John 16:21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

Thank you Smart phone, for social etiquette !!

Hasn't going out for dinner changed these days? If you're going out with one person or two people there's always bound to be way more guests there. It's almost 100% that each of those persons have a mobile phone and are in contact with somebody, just to let them know where they are. Even if you have a sit down home family meal, it's a given someone's getting a text or notification from Facebook, or an email...and all of a sudden it's so urgent to attend to it, in turn being rude to your family that obviously would have no qualms about it because they're getting texts too.

It's everywhere...even at a doctors clinic where a nurse has to leave the consulting doctor to take her call to say she's at work!! Is this what society has come to? We don't need to sit down with our family for dinner anymore...we can just Whatsapp them to pass the rice! You can have a deep conversation with someone and that personal moment has has gone when interrupted by a phone, with a text stating you could be a winner with Cell C!! And that's not all...it's a platform for proposals, first baby pics, break-ups (gone are the post-it days ), make-ups and everything you need to know about anybody.

I used to find it quite amusing but now I think people have forgotten their social etiquette around their families and friends. No matter where you go, people are so addicted to their phones, it really makes you wonder how on earth did we go without it all these years...all these urgent text messages and emails and Facebook comments that we have to put our forks down for. As if it's not bad enough that adults are doing it, can you blame kids who follow their parents example?

One must be really lucky to have the total undivided attention of that person you go out with for an "intimate" meal, because before you can even sit down at that exclusive restaurant, the whole world and their neighbour already know you're there...SURPRISE!!

Try to give people your full attention, The worlds not going to end if you switch your phone off and miss that Facebook picture you've been tagged in.
Let's try to be more human and give people the respect they deserve when in our company.


Be kind, humble and speak with love :)

AS ..I DO...

It's the day every girl dreams of, donning her white fairytale wedding gown, walking down the aisle with her father, and marrying her prince charming.

You seem to plan a for a lifetime for when that time actually comes, until the moment really happens do you realise how quickly it all does happen, almost in a blink of an eye and in a few hours that day passes on, but the memories....they become a lasting treasure.
It's a life changing time for anyone, and most certainly a positive and exciting one, giving up singlehood and adjusting to that of marriage life where "I" becomes "WE" and "ME" becomes "US".

It seems like no big deal and all a breeze (praying that it all does work out as close to plan as possible) even though there might be the slightest hiccup that nobody else picks out barring the bride herself, and maybe the groom if he's been keeping with the programme the months leading up to the big day. As long as there are no dress faux pas, the officiant has arrived, and most importantly your groom is present, you can look forward to a smooth start.

It's for sure meant to be one of the happiest day of any girls life.
You brace yourself ready to walk down what seems almost a mile long aisle, but the minute your eyes meet it just all falls into place, as you pass familiar smiling faces and eventually reach the altar....and the new journey begins.


May love abide in your heart, thoughts and deeds always.