Here We Go Again

pic by smemon87

Well, another year has passed by and yet another year looms ahead of us. Believe it or not, I have already heard someone utter the words, "this year is going so fast." Even more frightening, I agree as it is time for me to return to the office tomorrow!

This is usually the time when we all smugly sit down and make lists of new year's resolutions with great intent. Of course, by the end of January, most of us have already given up on the vast majority of them. My usual trick is to attempt to learn something new each year and I have done pretty well in the past too.

pic by Tostie 14

However, this year I feel a little different. I do still have a few goals in mind, but somehow they are not in the forefront of my mind, like before. I think that this year will be more about being, than doing. I want to come to the end of 2011 knowing that I lived life fully; that I cried hard, laughed hard, danced a lot, helped out, accepted aid and made others smile. I want to be more spontaneous and find joy, or at least contentment, in everyday little wonders. I want to walk in the rain, giggle in quiet places like libraries and wink at cute children. I want to experiment with wacky hairstyles, even at my age, drink different flavoured coffees and skip along merrily in the shopping mall. I want to sit up all night watching a series I enjoy on TV, drive to some unknown place just for the fun of it and dance madly in the front at a rock concert. I want this year to be full of little serendipities where I contentedly follow the moment. And in the times of difficulty, grief and hardship, may I feel enough to savour the good times, but be able to move on when the time has passed.

Roll on 2011, I don't want to say, "Here we go again," but rather, "Here is a moment to embrace."

Happy New Year 2011

May 2011 be filled with promising ventures and exciting adventures!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is Nearly Over

                                          pic by kira_westland

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month in many different countries. It has been encouraging to see the growth of support by the general public. 

My support this month took the part of a 5 kilometer walk in aid of breast cancer at Mark's Park. I was amazed at the amount of people who took part in the event. There must have been somewhere around 20 000 people or more. There were so many walkers that during the entire walk, we had to stroll as the roads were so crammed with people. The atmosphere was electric and full of hope and it was great to be a part of it.

I know that there have been loads of other initiatives from all sectors of society in aid of breast cancer this month and as a woman I have to say a huge thank you to the organizers of every one of them. I would also like to applaud the survivors of breast cancer and wish them all of the best for their wonderful futures.

The big challenge is for November, December and next year. Now that Breast Cancer Month is nearly over, will we continue to give the fight the exposure and support that it still needs?

The Best Brilliant Ideas for Humanity

Di Smith, from KwaZulu Natal, is one of the entrants of The Best Brilliant Ideas for Humanity contest. This is an interesting competition where the emphasis is on a win-win situation for all. Di came up with the brilliant idea to write an inspiring book about South Africa which is like a journey. The book is called "You're Awesome" and includes daily lessons of life and takes examples from wise South Africans such as Madiba and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
There is a simple message for each week in the year.


Vote for Di, after watching the video clip, as I am sure that you will be inspired. She also has a brilliant website that is worth a visit.

Live Life Fully

Someone sent me this pic on an email recently and I loved it so much that I had to share it. It encapsulates living life fully. The expression on the guy's face is one of sheer childish delight. There is something about the innocent joy of children that is contagious. Kids don't over analyse life, they simply live and explore and experience all that is in their path. They are not afraid to ask awkward questions and they have a genuine honesty about everything that they do.
I want to live like that. I want to enjoy all that is around me in pure simplicity without hidden agendas. I choose to delight in the little things that occur every day. I want to live life fully.

International Rhino Day

Sometimes I feel ashamed to be a human. All of the cruelty and harshness that we inflict, not only on each other, but on vulnerable animals too. I am not one of those people who value animals lives above humanity, but surely we should value every living creature. I acknowledge that there are times when culling, and even hunting, is necessary, but the senseless slaughtering of beasts for fun or for illogical unproven so-called medicinal purposes - come on! Particularly when the creature is already an endangered species. Soon there wont be any more of the fake medicine anyway.


Rhino horn is made up of keratin, the word you often see somewhere on your shampoo bottle. Keratin is basically very compacted hair. Animal hooves and your fingernails are the same thing. So, for goodness sake, or for the rhinos sake, if you are that desperate for the medicine, bite your bloody nails! And as for the game rangers and veterinarians who are in on the scam, shame on you! And that is being exceptionally polite. Money is not worth the price of extinction. 


Africa has most of the few rhinos that are still alive and the rise in poaching has escalated in the last year to frightening degrees. The poaching has also become highly sophisticated. What can we do to help save the rhino? Money always helps so donate to the WWF Rhino Campaign. Make people aware of the plight of the rhinos and spread the cause. Educate your children regarding conservation. I'm sure that you can come up with more ideas.


Let's be humane and do something!

Lighten Up

                                                     picture by doug_wertman


Lead SA has come up with another interesting initiative for South Africa. We have been challenged to drive our vehicles during the day with our headlights on. Apparently, research shows that when we drive with our lights on during daylight hours as well as night, accident statistics decrease. The lights make us more noticeable and we are seen more clearly by other drivers and pedestrians. The lights also make our vision clearer, particularly our peripheral vision.


In a country with such high traffic accident stats, we should surely do anything in our power to make the roads safer. I put my lights on today, and although I saw many other drivers with their headlights burning, there were still many more who had no lights shining. It is something to remember. During my second trip of the day I only remembered halfway to my destination that my lights were off. I am fortunate enough to have a car that beeps at me when I leave my headlights on, as there could be a problem if I wasn't reminded to turn my lights off at the end of the drive.


So, how about it? Wake up tomorrow morning, leap into your faithful carrier and turn on those lights. You will find yourself smiling at every other driver who has their lights on, as if you all belong to some secret superhero club.