5 Must-Read Life Lessons from Gandhi

Mohandas Gandhi was the pre-eminent ideological and political leader of India during the Indian independence movement. He pioneered Satyagraha; which is defined as resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience.  This is a philosophy based on complete non-violence.

This idea assisted India in gaining its independence, and provided motivation for civil rights and freedom all across the world.

After assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns to ease poverty, expand women’s rights, build religious and ethnic amity, end “untouchability,” and increase economic self-reliance.

Gandhi lived very modestly in a self-sufficient residential community.  He wore the traditional Indian dhoti and shawl that he hand-spun. He ate vegetarian food, experimented with a fruitarian diet, and fasted as a means of self-purification and protest.

…Without further adieu, I present to you the 5 must-read life lessons from Gandhi:

5 Must-Read Life Lessons from Gandhi:

1. Be the Change

“You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

Be the example, be the leader.  If you lead properly people will follow, and together you will change the world.  Anyone can complain, anyone can blame, and most do, but if you desire to change, then “you” be the change.

2. Ask the Right Questions

“The power to question is the basis of all human progress.”

The quality of your life is in direct proportion to the quality of the questions that you dare to ask.  Are you asking the right questions?  Are you asking the right people?  You can’t get answers, without questions; you can’t make progress, without an inquiring mind.

3.  Always Act

“Have a bias towards action – let’s see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right away.”

If you’re going to be biased, be biased towards making something happen today.  Tomorrow never comes, any progress to be made, must be made today.  It must be made right now!

If you don’t act now, you don’t have a future, just a longer today.  Gandhi said, “The future depends on what we do in the present.”

4. Forgive

“The weak can never forgive.  Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”

It’s not “weaklings” who are quick-to-forgive; it’s those who are strongest.  The ability to forgive quickly is a sign of strength.  How strong are you?

If you’ve been weak in the past, you can begin today to be strong.

5. Monitor Your Beliefs

“Your beliefs become your thoughts.  Your thoughts become your words.  Your words become your actions.  Your actions become your habits.  Your habits become your values.  Your values become your destiny.”

In short, your beliefs will create your destiny.  What do you believe?  What do you believe about yourself, your future, and your potential?  What you believe, you will surely become.

Source:
http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-must-read-life-lessons-from-gandhi/

The story of Thomas & Heiko

This story is exactly two months overdue.

Heiko, Thomas & me...

August 12 2012.
It was a Monday – my first day back at work after my two-week leave. I was on a high! It was great seeing all my students again, meeting new students and catching up with my colleagues. I was pleasantly surprised when one of my students came to give me a beautiful "welcome back" bouquet of flowers.

Later that day, on my way from the elevator to my apartment door, I passed an elderly gentleman walking steadily and slowly with his walking stick. He was an Asian man who I've seen around. I always assumed he was visiting children/grandchildren in the building. I greeted him as I walked past. He didn't greet back, but said, “Those are very nice,” – referring to the bouquet I was carrying. I soon realized why he didn't reciprocate my greeting when I saw his hearing aide.

I stopped next to him and we exchanged random banter about the flowers. In no less than two minutes, a lady joined our company. I’d seen her around the building as well. She was petite, had grey/white hair around her face and wore a cautious, nervous-looking smile. They two were husband and wife.

In a space of three minutes I learned that they moved from Hong Kong to Cape Town ten years ago. The gentleman, Thomas, was an English teacher at a public school and his wife, Heiko, was a housewife. As soon as I learned that this elderly couple were staying on my floor, alone – I immediately knew I had to get to know them better.

“Let’s have tea together some day?” I suggested.
“Our apartment is very messy right now, so we wouldn't want to invite you in,” spluttered Thomas. The words came out slowly and he seemed to run out of breath easily.

My experience about making plans with people which never materialize happens too frequently. It was now or never.

“Are you free right now?” I asked.

And off the three of us went to the Woolies Café downstairs. Something told me that these two people had an interesting story. Especially after learning that he was Chinese and she was Japanese. They made Hong Kong their home, before deciding to move to South Africa.

Their story...

After settling at a table, we placed our order. Heiko ordered tea for herself, hot chocolate for Thomas and I had my regular Mocha.

I was so curious to know what brought this couple to South Africa. Thomas explained while Heiko sat smiling – looking back and forth from Thomas to me. I explained to them that I was an English teacher and had the pleasure of meeting people from all walks of life. I had to remind myself to speak slowly and clearly. Thomas was deaf in one ear.

When our drinks arrived, I noticed that Heiko was confused – who did she order the tea for? For Thomas or for herself? My guess was right when she asked me, “You live alone in Cape Town?” – something I told her just a couple of minutes before. She repeated the same question several minutes later. 

The more these two people spoke, the more my mind went into turbo-mode …wondering what I could do for them. I never grew up with grandparents and I had a tendency of 'adopting' elders.

What do they do all day?

“At OUR age, it’s very easy to fall asleep,” said Thomas.  

Do they watch TV? I wondered. No – they don’t own a TV. Then how do they know what’s happening in the world, if they don’t buy newspapers – would it even be relevant or interesting to them if they never left their apartment?

Heiko told me that she enjoys reading. Lovely! A hobby we share. However, I was blown away to know that she is reading and re-reading stacks of newspapers from Japan, given to her by someone she knew at the Japanese embassy. The newspapers are two years old.

Just the two of us…

But where are Thomas’ and Heiko’s family? 

The two never had children.

Would they ever go back to China or Japan?

“I have no family left,” said Thomas with no expression.

I looked over to Heiko and asked about her. “I can’t leave him alone,” she said – referring to her husband.

Trying my best to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat, I asked Heiko what they planned on having for dinner. I can’t exactly remember what she said, but I do remember suddenly losing my appetite. My heart sank when she told me that some days, she walks all the way to the end of the Main Road to buy sushi for her husband from Spar. 

“Heiko…please be careful when you walk and when you cross the street. It’s very busy and the taxis drive very fast,” I cautioned her. 

At the back of my mind, I worried that one day she may forget where she lives.

My quick shopping run

“Could you please wait for me for a few minutes? I need to buy something for school tomorrow,” I told them. First I paid the bill for our drinks and hurried to the food section of the store. I called my mum and quickly relayed the story about the couple I had just met. I told her that I needed to buy food for them. It was a chilly evening and soup would have been ideal. Walking down the aisle of baked goods, while talking to my mum, I found myself looking for bread that was soft. 

I hurried back to Thomas and Heiko who were waiting for me at the café.

“Shall we go?” I asked them.

As Thomas stood up, he said that he went to pay the bill, but they told him that I already paid for it.
“You shouldn't do that. You’re a young working woman and there are two of US,” he said.

I simply smiled and told him that it was my pleasure and that I had invited them out. Also, this certainly wasn't going to be the last time we meet.

I had to mind my speed. Even though Heiko’s memory is clearly deteriorating, she was able to move faster than her husband, whose mind was sharper but was slowly losing his hearing. He walked very slowly. What would have taken me roughly 3 minutes took us about 10. 

Refusing a gift is bad in my culture

Arriving on our floor, we strolled down the passage. We had to pass their door first and as we said our goodbyes, I handed Heiko my shopping bag. Her sweet smile was quickly replaced by a very deep frown. 

A look of seriousness had also taken over Thomas.

“This is for you – please enjoy…it will keep you warm,” I told them.

“Are you crazy? What are you doing this for?” asked Thomas.

Neither would take the bag from me and I was so surprised by Thomas’ sudden physical strength as he resisted my handing him my gift.

When I looked over at Heiko, her eyes had welled up with tears.

“Do you buy gifts for your students?” Thomas asked me.
“Actually, I do,” I replied.
“…well, do they give you gifts too?” he continued.

“Thomas. The very flowers that sparked OUR conversation was FROM a student.”

He continued looking at me, took the bag from my hand and walked towards my door. He was going to make this very difficult for me.

I walked over to him, looked him in the eye and said, “Thomas, in my culture it’s very bad to refuse a gift.”

He didn't take his eyes off me. Heiko merely stood there, with her arms crossed – looking confused.

At last…

Thomas asked what I had bought.

1 x butternut soup
1 x vegetable soup
1 x white rolls

He said he would only take the vegetable soup. Since he’s diabetic, he's unable to eat the white rolls and butternut soup. I could make peace with that. The three of us said goodnight, but as I entered my door, the lump in my throat grew in size.

What / Who do they have?

I sat on my couch and tried to reflect on what just happened in the past two hours. Hot tears welled up in my eyes. I needed to eat dinner, but had no appetite whatsoever.

I imagined that Thomas and Heiko could very well have been my grandparents.
They could be my parents.
They could be me.

This thought scared me.

Living in a foreign country. No living relatives. No children. Almost no contact with others. Oblivious to world events. 

What do they have? Each other.

The energy and excitement of my first day back at school melted away. I needed to get out of my apartment. I needed to go out. To speak. To laugh. I knew exactly who I wanted to be with.

I made a phone call and within a few minutes I was in the company of special souls. They listened to my story of meeting Thomas and Heiko and empathized as I wept in front of them. At the end of the evening, I felt slightly better, but little did I know the great impact these two people would have on me.

Hesitant to follow up

For days after, on my way to work early in the morning or coming home late at night, I would pass Thomas and Heiko’s door. Sometimes there would be no light peeping through the blinds. How would I know if they’re okay? I was so hesitant to knock on their door or offer them help.

Perhaps it was not in their culture to accept such “gifts”, but I could not accept that I could ignore this elderly couple.

The letters begin

On Friday last week, before going to work, I slipped a note under Thomas and Heiko's door. It was a short note to let them know that I just wanted to know how they're doing. Since I come home quite late and leave rather early in the morning, I don't get to see them.

This evening when I arrived home from work, I found this on my door.

It read:

Dear Sheetal 

Thank you for the "food" the other and and your thoughtful note. 

You are young and kind. But let me at my age teach you something - everything can be carried beyond a reasonable limit, so that it is not longer practical or wise. 

[He went on to tell me about a young and generous Chinese man who has recently been forced to sell his business and is moving back to China]. 

...He was too generous to other people. 

You are not a business woman either.
That said, we are delighted to know a person like you - and a neighbour. We shall get together some weekend 

At our age, we have some "problems" with "life" which in all your joyful youth, you will not understand. 

We will go out for coffee!
Sincerely, Thomas

If Thomas and Heiko are uncomfortable accepting gifts from me, and are happy just to accept my friendship, then that is what I will be happy to offer.

Remember, angels come in all shapes, colours and sizes - and these two people, since meeting them, have taught me something quite remarkable. I'll keep you updated as things develop - even if they continue via handwritten letters!

My un-PC coffee date

Last week, a university friend and I found each other in the same town at the same time so she suggested a coffee date, which of course I agreed to... but it wouldn't just be the two of us. There were a couple of other people, one of whom I also knew from university via my friend.

We met at a coffee shop, and after greeting my friend (I was pretty excited since we hadn't seen each other since graduation) I wanted to hug the friend (of my friend) who I know - although not very well. She sat with her arms crossed and said, "I don't hug people of colour."

"What sh*t is that?" I asked - knowing very well that she was attempting to be humourous.

It was a square table with all four chairs occupied and one pulled up to the corner of the table.

"That chair is for you. It's for people of colour," this girl said.

Taking it with a pinch of salt, I sat down and proceeded to catch up with my friend over this "People-of-Colour" girl. I asked her if we could please swap seats because I didn't want to be talking over all the time.

For the next hour and a half, I tried to elicit conversation with my friend who was sitting to my left, while the girl on my right was continuously making these racist jokes. Now, I know her, but I never knew her that well to make such jokes to/about (?) me. Eventually, I turned a deaf ear and blatantly ignored the little smart-ass chirps that were coming from her direction.

So what do you think? At what point would you think it's just not funny anymore? Kind of annoying and so rude - whether it's a joke or not. Remember, "there's an element of truth in every joke".

Luckily, I had another coffee date to get to so it was time to leave...and oh boy, was I ever so happy to leave their company.

Dispatch Dialogue with Jay Naidoo

Image from Daily Dispatch

Yesterday (Tuesday, November 16 2010) I went to a Dispatch Dialogue with Jay Naidoo.

Come, Be inspired!

An open field across the road of a family friend's home in East London, SA

A few weeks ago, my mum forwarded an e-mail to me. It was an invitation to attend a workshop hosted by South African Fine Art Photographer, Marlene Neumann.  It would be on Saturday, November 6 2010 at 9am. I didn't answer my mum whether or not I wanted to go, but the thought was at the back of my mind. For nearly 30 years, Marlene's message has been, "I photograph what I feel, not what I see."

On Thursday, I felt a bit zoned out and slightly disconnected. I was trying to write, but my words were coming at a very slow pace. I needed a nudge in the right (write?!) direction. Something told me to go back to the e-mail and re-read it.

The workshop promised:

An experience in Awareness

How to express your Creative side

Connect your HEAD & YOUR HEART

How to see Light...

A taste of MARLENE'S MAGIC

End the year with an inspirational SURGE!

They were only accepting 50 bookings, and when I booked - they opened it up to 60. There were only two available seats left. It was meant for me!

I woke up on Saturday morning still feeling a bit disorientated, and I couldn't wait to get to the workshop for this "inspirational surge"!

Arriving at Marlene's gallery, one walks through a driveway and enters a magical place - her garden. There are trees, flowers and crystals everywhere. I marveled at the serenity and I knew I was going to leave feeling uplifted.

Each person had to draw a card which had a special message written on it. Mine read:

"There is always a piece of fortune in misfortune." 

-Japanese Proverb

Stairs leading to? At Egyptian Embassy in Seoul, South Korea

All I really want to do is share what I learned and that's why I've written this blog. There were some moments where my eyes almost welled up with tears as Marlene spoke. Why? Because she spoke the truth about loving life...and how to do it. It's a fact that truth hurts, doesn't it? Emotions are powerful and when any emotion is evoked, we need to listen to it. It's our mind, heart and spirit talking to us. How many of us are guilty for ignoring this voice?

Since this post is longer than usual, I've broken it up with photographs I have taken over the past few years in various locations - South Korea, London, Singapore, China and Egypt. To me, they're beautiful and make me feel good. I hope you'll feel the same way.

Enjoy...

Oprah's Keys to Success

From Google Images

I read an article in You magazine (My hour with Oprah, 10 December 2009) where managing editor, Izelle Venter attended a lecture by the Queen of Talk herself, Oprah Winfrey. Here are a few points from that article:

Oprah's Keys to Success

1.       Accept you are connected to a greater source.
2.       You are the co-creator of your life.
3.       You must sometimes surrender the things you want badly.

 ....and:

•          If you have so many doubts about something that you end up asking everyone around you for advice, drop it.
  
  
•           Your calling is the thing you would do without being paid because you love it so much. If you have to rearrange your life so you earn a salary that allows you to follow your passion elsewhere, do it.
  
  
• The way you treat people is directly related to how you’ll be treated.
  
  
• Be the best you can be and use your energy for that rather than getting involved in a battle with competitors. That will only make you tired.
  
  
• Every person has a soul and a personality. You have to bring those things together to make your purpose on Earth work.
  
  
• When there’s a crisis stay in the moment. Think what you need to do now – don’t let possible future consequences determine your actions.
  
  
• Be brilliant at what you do.
  
  
• Look out for the signs, often subtle, telling you something is wrong.

Sylvia - Our Maid

Sylvia with her baby, Ziyanda

This post is just a ramble.

For the purpose of this blog, I think I need to define a few terms (from The New Penguin Dictionary)

Domestic worker

A person employed to do household tasks.

Helper/Help

1) Aid or assistance.

2) Somebody hired to do work, esp housework.

Servant

Somebody who or something that serves others specif. somebody employed to perform personal or domestic duties for somebody else.

Maid

A female servant.

Job: 

A regular paid position or occupation.

Some people dislike the term "maid" (Is it derogatory? If so, why?) so they opt to use "domestic worker" or "helper". Without wanting to offend anyone, I sometimes find myself using "domestic worker" and "helper" when talking about Sylvia, who works for us. This morning I got to thinking "What is wrong with the term 'maid'?" 

I actually asked Sylvia what she preferred: "Domestic worker", "Helper" or "Maid"?

"Maid or Helper is OK. I don't like that word Domestic Worker. I'm hearing it on the TV, I don't like it," she told me. (She didn't say why)

So I will use the term "maid".

Sylvia used to work at a plastic factory and about 9 years ago, she found herself unemployed. At that time, our previous maid, Victoria, passed away so my mother was looking to employ someone else. By word of mouth, Sylvia came to our house for a job and with no experience of running a household, she was employed.

Sylvia loves fashion and my mum and I have given her a lot of clothes, jewelry and make-up which she wears on a daily basis. Apparently, her friends ask her, "What does your ma'am say about you dressing like this?" to which she replies, "My ma'am makes me smart!"

This morning was like any other. I was having breakfast with my mum when we buzzed Sylvia in. We complimented her on her jewelry and colour combinations that she had on today. 

Then my mum told me about someone we know who was looking for a maid, so Sylvia's sister, Cynthia who was looking for a job went to this lady's house. "Not even a day or two she worked there, and said no, she (Cynthia) is too fashionable."

"She fired her?" I asked my mum.

My mum nodded.

This woman fired her maid, because she was "too fashionable".
Tell me, have you heard anything more ridiculous?

I think you should appreciate that someone takes the time and effort to look presentable when working for you. Don't you agree?

Chatting to Sylvia this morning, I asked her why she chose to work in a house when she never did before. 

"It's a job," she said.

"Do you like it?" I asked.

"Ooooh - I like it, the people are so good, so I am happy. When I come to your room, I want to clean it and make it beautiful with all my heart." she told me. (...and she really does!)

She told me that she's grateful for the things my parents have helped her with. Her daughter who was 20-something passed away a month or so ago and my parents helped out with the funeral. She also has a teenage daughter and a one year old who my mum also helps out with by buying her things or taking them to the doctor.

I asked Sylvia why she dresses up in the morning only to come to work and change into an apron...and then at 15:30 dress up again to head straight home.

"For the people in the street. I want them to see me. I have a job," she said.

I do consider Sylvia part of our family and the way she dresses to and from work is actually no business of ours, but I'm proud to say that she works for our family.

To be brutally honest, I feel ashamed to say that i know someone who fired her maid for being "too fashionable".

As Twitter friend, Kagiso said this morning: "Being a maid is just a job like any other". 

Lady Gaga's Meat Dress

Yeah yeah, I know - this is stale news, but I didn't blog about it before. So, I'm just uploading these photos of wacky Lady Gaga who wore a "meat dress" at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, September 12 2010. Got these pics via e-mail from my dad!

The Power of Gratitude

We can never bring anything to us unless we are grateful for what we have. In fact, if somebody was completely and utterly grateful for everything, they would never have to ask for anything, because it would be given to them before they even asked.

That is the power of Gratitude.

InterSEXions - Do you know your lover's lovers?

                                Google Images

Last night, Tuesday October 13 2010 was the premiere of a new educational drama series on SABC 1. Titled Intersexions, viewers will understand how our lives are all somehow connected and that our paths cross in one way or another. This becomes even more complicated when when we become sexually active and our "network" extends to people we don't even know of.

The punchline of the series is "Do you know your lover's lovers?"

The opening scene of the first episode introduces us to a career-driven woman who, in her wedding dress, is on her phone closing a business deal. Moments before she is about to walk down the aisle, she receives a message on her answering machine. It's her ex-boyfriend who tells her that he is HIV positive. 

What should she do? Call the wedding off? Walk down the aisle anyway?

She does the latter. On their wedding night, she's cold and tells her husband that she's just tired. A few days later, he confronts her about not being intimate since their wedding night. She lies and tells him that she's pregnant.

As the saying goes, the truth will always come back to haunt you...and it does. Her husband soon finds that she and a well-known DJ (whose HIV status is known nation-wide) were lovers and he storms out the house in a rage. 

She tells the doctor that she isn't the kind of girl to sleep around and that she can count her sexual partners on one hand. She's told, "It's not about how many sexual partners you've had. Do you know who your lover's lovers were?"

Each episode will present different characters and situations, but the core theme will remain the same which is making viewers aware of the risks involved with contracting HIV.

Says Producer, Karima Effendi of Curious Pictures, "The onus is on each individual to take responsibility for their sexual choices. Intersexions does not judge; it simply tells stories that show how the risk of being infected with HIV is always waiting for an opportunity to take root. we can minimize infection by becoming more conscious of our sexual choices and our everyday decisions."

A central theme of the series is honesty...to ourselves, our family, friends and most importantly, to our lovers. Our lives are intersected at various times in our life, and if we don't take the necessary precautions we may very well be faced with a life and death situation sooner than we ever hoped for.

My life: Butterflies & Mosquitoes

"How does he/she sleep at night?" is something my mother often asks about people who are ugly to others. People who hurt the feelings of those around them. How do they feel making others cry?

The first thing I do when I get home is get out of my work clothes. I usually get home just after 5pm. It's now 9:07pm and I've only just settled down from 4 hours ago.

Today was the second last day at my school. Tomorrow, after 3 years of teaching at the same school, I say goodbye to teachers, colleagues, friends and people who have become my family since living in Korea.

I'm really so blessed to have people in my life who care and love me the way they do.

However. And I say this with a capital H. There has been a person in my life who has drained me emotionally and spiritually for the past few months. Because I see this person on a daily basis, I can't avoid them.

Michael Jackson - 1 Year Later

Last year on this day, I wrote a blog post: Michael Jackson is no more - a sad day for the world.

Michael Jackson passed away on June 25 2009.

I can't believe it's been a year. I remember waking up and doing my usual morning routine of checking emails and tweets. For the next hour, I was scanning news sites and was on the phone to my mother & brother in South Africa about the breaking news that The King of Pop was reportedly dead.

Remembering Michael Jackson, the legendary King of Pop on this day.

Viva Bafana Bafana Viva!

Ok, granted I don't usually follow soccer, but the FIFA 2010 World Cup is extra special as the host country is South Africa.

For the past three years, I've lived in South Korea and my love and patriotism for my country has definitely increased over the years.



Since last week Thursday, June 10 when I (virtually) attended the Kick Off Concert, I have pulled all-nighters - gone to work, meetings and tried to maintain a somewhat balanced lifestyle as I straddled two timezones (South Africa and South Korea).

On Friday night when I watched the kick off match with hundreds...thousands of fans across the world (online), my heart skipped a beat when Bafana Bafana scored a goal in the first match of the 2010 World Cup - on African soil.


Cameras panned over the colourful crowds cheering, dancing, singing, hugging each other as they waved their flags high with pride. I remember tweeting LADUUUMA! (pronounced la-doo-mah... it's a popular South African cheer to celebrate goals at soccer matches) I also sent texts to my parents and brother in South Africa expressing my joy. The electric energy flowing from the bottom of the African continent was contagious, regardless of timezones.

The online community was buzzing, especially of tweets with labels #BafanaBafana. For my non-South African readers, Bafana Bafana means "the boys the boys".  People talked about the team as their own children. "Come on, boys....you can do it" It was quite endearing. When Siphiwe Tshabalala scored a goal in the first match against Mexico on Friday, June 11, South Africans were all praises for him. I felt super proud to be part of a nation coming together like that.

On Wednesday, June 16 (Youth Day in South Africa) I went to bed at 10pm - probably the earliest I've slept all week, just so that I could wake up in time to catch the South Africa vs Uruguay match.

At 03:30, the game started and I had butterflies in my stomach as I watched and half chatted to friends across the world - from South Africa to Germany to Switzerland.

When I heard the Korean commentators shout GOAL! My eyes darted to the TV...who? Who? WHO?

It was Uruguay.

Uruguay 1 South Africa 0.



My heart beat a little faster and I didn't know what to expect. Friends told me, "It's still early in the game, don't give up."

An hour and a half later, the final score was Uruguay 3 South Africa 0.

There were shots on TV of people leaving the stadium before the match was over. People were looking disgraced, sad and angry.

Why were they leaving the stadium?

To me, that was an embarrassment. All eyes are currently on South Africa. People are judging us in every aspect and being the host nation, what do you think they're thinking of people leaving when the game was not even over? It's a disgrace.

And then the online community started their rage. Some said they wanted to cry. I was one of them. I really felt sad. I was surprised at my own feelings, but this is the power of solidarity across the ocean and continents.

Other netizens hailed the day as "the day the vuvuzela fell silent"

Getting ready for work on Thursday morning, I got to thinking about all the comments I read online.

The only comment I know I said was that I felt like crying, but I never hammered the team or its players on their performance.

Granted, only loyal soccer fans will understand how fair the games are or how well the players played, but this is what I maintain:

Parents support their children in sports (and other things) no matter what. Even if they know their little boy or girl is slower than others or not that good, they sit on the sidelines and cheer. When they don't make it, do you see mothers/fathers driving away angry that they children played badly? Do they simply not speak to them?

No! They continue to support their children and encourage them to better themselves next time.

Many South Africans have declared that they will still be die-hard Bafana Bafana supporters, but I was really disappointed to see that others have failed miserably to support their nations team.

Vuvuzela Day Fun

Received these in an email (also no credit to the photographer).

I know some (South African) folks will take offense to the caption on the second pic, but just ignore it! The title of the email was SA's Got Talent. ^_^

Porn you can touch

From New York Daily Times:

The New York Daily News reported that a Canadian artist is creating porn for the blind by turning nude photos into raised images.

The news report said Lisa Murphy of Toronto takes the pictures herself, then uses materials like clay, metal, cardboard to make a relief that's put into a machine that spits out formed plastic pages.

It's an involved process: An individual image takes up to 50 hours to make, and in turn, every book page is made by hand. Thus, the steep price - a copy of "Tactile Mind" goes for $225 Canadian dollars each.

"Even sighted people want to touch it," Murphy, 35, told the News. "Everyone needs outlets to use their imagination, whether they are sighted or not."

Since completing her book about two years ago, Murphy has made about 60 copies of her book.

Control - Cut it out!

I was sitting with an empty blog post thinking what to write when this email came through from The Secret Scrolls by Rhonda Byrne. It's a gentle reminder that we can't always play God:

"Isn't it great to know that you cannot control your world from the outside? To try and control things on the outside feels impossible because it would take so much work, and in fact it is impossible according to the law of attraction.

To change your world all you have to do is manage your thoughts and feelings on the inside of you, and then your whole world changes."

"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle"

I just received this in my e-mail...part of Rhonda Byrne's The Secret Scrolls

"Every single day, no matter who you meet in the day - friends, family, work colleagues, strangers - give joy to them. Give a smile or a compliment or kind words or kind actions, but give joy! Do your best to make sure that every single person you meet has a better day because they saw you. This might sound like it is not connected with you and your life, but believe me it is inseparably connected through cosmic law.

As you give joy to every person you meet, you bring joy to YOU. The more you can give joy to others, the more you will bring the joy back to you."

 

"Nice" just cuts it

From Google Images

I remember my high school English teacher once saying that the word, nice should only be used to describe food and not objects or people. Find another adjective, if you must.

We all know those moments when we're at a loss for words, and we can't think of anything nice to say about someone except that they're just nice - you know?

Well, for now I'm dismissing that rule (sorry, Mrs Moore) and going ahead to acknowledge some really nice people that I know. A few days ago, I wrote about weeding people out - mortals that just kind of feed off you. Many of us seem to dwell on the 'energy thieves' in our lives, but this evening, I'd like to take a U-turn and recognize all of MY nice people!

The following gems hail from various parts of the world and I've gotten to know some of them online. That doesn't make them any less "real", but I sincerely hope that I get to meet them somehow, somewhere, someday.

So what makes them nice? It's many things - but above all, I've noticed the way they treat others. I've been raised to respect people regardless of their gender, age or status and over the past few months, I've come to realize that these people share the same values that my parents have instilled in me.

In no particular order, I'd like to thank the following people for just being, well...nice :)

Chetan Dodia, Ken Wilson, Jason Renshaw, Vicky Loras, Mercy Moletsane, Grant Monareng, Junior Kanam, DJ Sbu (Sbusiso Leope), Uyanda Mbuli, DJ Fresh, Kojo Baffoe, Trevor Madondo, Gregor Rohrig, Nicki Her, Stacey Yount, Faizan Qureshi, Rebekah Johnson, Mrs Hahm, Myeong No-su. My brother, Darmesh (DJ Damage or his pet name used exclusively at home, but I fear he'll cut me off if I write it on here!) needs to be included here. He really is one of the nicest people I know. He's kind, caring, considerate, funny and wise beyond his years <-- This is up for debate, mum!

So why am I writing this post? Have these people offered me cash or an ocean cruise for writing this? No. Am I sucking up to these people? No. It's just that I think everyone needs a lift now and then. Over the past few days, I've had people say some very nice things about me. I'm not entirely sure if I'm worthy of the praise, but my way of saying 'thank you' is to bring the same joy to someone else.

Alright  - 'nuff with all the soppiness. As you were!
       

Happy Mother's Day!

To my beautiful & amazing mother, and to all mother's around the world,

Happy Mother's Day!

This is a lovely poem for all the special ladies out there.
It's written by Pat O'Reilly

Wonderful Mother
God made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
And He moulded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear mother to me.

Mummy, I miss and love you very much!
 

Project: Weeding

Image from Google Images

In your definition, what is a weed?

Readers on a gardening site, Daves Garden give the following definitions of what a weed is:

1. Weeds are plants which grow where they are not wanted and if not kept under control, they will compete with the ornamental plants or vegetables for the nutrients and water in the soil.
   
   
2. Weeds grow, flower and fruit very rapidly so that they spread very quickly and can soon smother other plants.
   
   
3. Weeds can also harbour pests and diseases and will provide hiding places for slugs and snails.
   
   
4. A plant that isn't growing where you want it. A nuisance plant that multiplies too fast.
   
   
5. Any undesired, uncultivated plant that grows out of place and competes with other plants for water, nutrients and space.
   
   
6. A plant that doesn't oblige you by being "beautiful" in the way you define "beautiful"
   

I haven't suddenly taken an interest in gardening or anything like that, but I have come to the conclusion that there are many weeds in my life. Of course I'm referring to people.  If I take the definitions above and apply them to people, they fit very well. Take a look at that list again and see how many of those descriptions apply to people in your life.

As I get (am I really about to say this?) older, I continue to learn about the ways of the world and its inhabitants.

It's very unfortunate that people don't value promises and commitments. It doesn't matter how small it is: "I promise I'll call you" and they don't or "Let's meet at 6" and they pitch up at 7:30.

Friendship, like any relationship, is a mutual business. You take some, you give some. For those who continue to take, they enjoy the pleasures of being spoiled by their friends. They know they'll always be forgiven when they're late for a meeting or will always enjoy the 'free' ride - so to speak. They also never initiate communication. For example, it's alright if they don't call, text or email, because well, that's what the giver always does. So why bother?

But what about the other poor soul? The giver? Does anyone consider how tired they may get from always doing and giving, giving and doing? All the time. So much, that they don't even think twice about it.

Take a guess which of the above descriptions I've been?

I have these random bursts where I want to scream, "Enough is enough!"

I had one of those very recently when I realized how many riff-raffs are hanging around in my life who contribute nothing fulfilling to my well-being. They just suck my energy & drain me.

Last week I was nearly brought to tears when I read the beautiful and heart-warming comments from people about a guest blog I'd written. They were so open about expressing their feelings about me and it put me on such a high for the rest of the day.  It got me thinking. These are the kind of people I need to surround myself with. People who emit positive energy without even trying and who make those around them feel good.

When you receive love and warmth from those around you, it's effortless to spread that same love and warmth to others. Agree?

So I'd like to take on a new project - weeding. I want to weed out the people, who just like the plants, "smother those around them" or especially those that "harbor pests and diseases and provide hiding places for slugs and snails".

I'd love to know your opinion and thoughts.