Tag Archives: #Choice

A lesson from a naartjie

A naartjie (also called mandarin or tangerine) is a small round citrus fruit we usually enjoy in winter. This fruit makes me think of each day we get to live. It has the same amber glow of the rising African sun and each morning, I have no idea if the naartjie in my hand isContinue reading “A lesson from a naartjie”

Young bravery brings victory to a community

As you read this story of brave young ones who paved the way for future generations, visit Bookdash at https://bookdash.org/books/egg/ to read their beautiful children’s stories. Also, consider supporting them in their cause?

You are a sculptor

As I am getting older, I am aware that time is becoming a scarce commodity. I am consciously managing my waking and sleeping hours to live life to the fullest.  That’s why I believe each of us has more power over our lives than we make it out to be. Choices are the commodity eachContinue reading “You are a sculptor”

The patience of LOVE ❤️

I encounter them on almost every morning run, winter and summer – a woman and her St Bernard dog. Their love for each other differs from the runners whose dogs have only seconds to sniff to keep up with their owners’ pace. These two grand old ladies move slowly through the suburb, waking up forContinue reading “The patience of LOVE ❤️”

The Discussion

Sugarplum and Honeybee had a conversation. They wondered why they are called these names when they are women with beautiful real names.  Sugarplum remembered some days she has no sweetness, sometimes with no love or respect – only work and perform and walk on eggshells to keep safe. Honeybee remembers she has more stuff thanContinue reading “The Discussion”

The Why of Resilience

In a world full of distraction and empty entertainment, it is beautiful to witness the resilience of the human spirit and how this perseverance inspires those around them. Resilience has many elements, of which determination gets you to focus on what you set out to do and perseverance keeps you doing that thing. Determination helpsContinue reading “The Why of Resilience”

How do you handle loss?

Two men had the same experience on the same day – they lost everything they had and dreamt about. Their thieves tossed each into a dark hole with bleeding wounds and crushed egos. The one man decided he was a victim and would die in this terrible place. The other one recovered quickly by makingContinue reading “How do you handle loss?”

The story of three paintbrushes

Three paintbrushes had the same opportunities, but what did they do with them? These three paintbrushes were living in the same studio, with different mediums of beautiful colours surrounding them. The one gave up painting long ago, as she was believing it was not worth it because people would not like her work. The otherContinue reading “The story of three paintbrushes”

The power of focus

On a morning run where the birds celebrated the new dawn, I saw a tiny sparrow with a piece of plant material twice his size. He tried to take it somewhere by transporting it with his beak – quite a hefty thing for someone this small. It would have been easy for me to helpContinue reading “The power of focus”

Postponed dreams

I know of a man whose wife died a year before their retirement. And, there is another one who waited for retirement to enjoy holidays in his camper van, but a sudden sickness stole this beautiful dream. With a new year just starting, I think it is a good time to revisit our dreams andContinue reading “Postponed dreams”

Your kindness may heal someone else’s pain

In a time where we do life differently than the other parts of the year, one story reminds me to be kind, as we don’t know other people’s pain. Another reminder is that bad behaviour may be a cry for love, acceptance and help. The story: A group of men were locked up – murderers,Continue reading “Your kindness may heal someone else’s pain”

Rest before you get tired

🏃🏃‍♀️I was running at a good pace in one of my favourite road races when a woman from my neighbouring city started an interesting conversation. I remember her saying, “Walk before you get tired”. And meant that I had to start walking with her at that moment. Her advice was a bit weird, as IContinue reading “Rest before you get tired”

Why I am writing?

The first waking moment of the morning is the place where they live. Story seeds slowly grow in my soul to become a lesson for myself before I write it down for mankind.  This is not inspiration or daydreaming. It is growth, a memory of what was said to me or what really happened inContinue reading “Why I am writing?”

A lesson from my favourite plants

With winter being only a memory, it is the winter plants Echeveria (the beauties on my homepage) and Aloes (below) that teach me a lesson I value. These plants are the water-wise, low-maintenance ones that blossom in winter, giving us an array of colours when almost all other plants are in ‘hibernation’. These plants andContinue reading “A lesson from my favourite plants”

The sound of your heart ❤️

I was always warned not to daydream too much. I could not stop because this was the way to connect with the song in my heart, that sound that brings joy into my life. Dreaming only, however, is dangerous because I was tempted in doing only that. Planning my dream is the journey to getContinue reading “The sound of your heart ❤️”

A life lesson from Nicholaas

A boy waits in the queue on his first school day, quiet and full of nerves to go to class. His new teacher walks by and her pencil falls (in modern days, her smartphone or laptop cable). This boy jumps out of the neat row of schoolchildren to pick it up for her.Being a smallContinue reading “A life lesson from Nicholaas”

Givers are the happiest people, hoarders live in fear

Fear is real. You feel it on your body, you see it in your steps. To become a giver is smashing the fears milling in your mind. Get rid of the excuses I can’t, I am not good enough or what if, because you always get something when you give! Giving is misunderstood by thinkingContinue reading “Givers are the happiest people, hoarders live in fear”