I believe in God, love and life! Married to my friend, mentor and rock. We have been blessed with two beautiful girls. My personal journey provides opportunities for me to empower individuals to lead better lives. I have had a real desire to work with people for a long time and have always been fascinated with human behaviour and understanding how the mind works.
I love the following quote by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. “Remember that children, marriages and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get”
The end of the year is drawing closer and I’m looking forward to the holiday season, a time to celebrate and a time to rest. To me the holidays are all about celebrating the values that bring us together in life, such as our friends and family. At this time of the year, it is also necessary to recharge and to invest in yourself. I was so happy for the encouragement and the reminder in the message below reflecting “21 Days of Investing in Yourself.” I do some of the things mentioned below, but I also know that I can do so much more. I’m sharing, hoping that we will all take up the challenge to be kind to ourselves. In this way we have much more to give to others and we can make these important connections that can bring us unity through generosity, and gratitude.
Why do we need wolves? Did you know that wolves play a key role in keeping ecosystems healthy? They improve habitat and increase populations of numerous species from birds of prey to pronghorn, and even trout. The carcasses of their prey also help to redistribute nutrients and provide food for other wildlife species, like grizzly bears. Watch this interesting YouTube video “How Wolves Change Rivers”
Wolves returning to Yellowstone National Park in the United States helped the ecosystem return to normal by doing what’s natural to them. What are we doing as human beings to help the ecosystem but also to help ourselves return to normal again? We do help in regulating the services of the ecosystem by planting more trees, maintaining a good habitat for a mixture of species and a home for a large amount of wildlife. The actions of humans have a great influence on the environment, we have a positive impact on the ecosystem but we’ve also had a negative impact. It is so important to continue the process of making everything balanced in the environment.
It is also very important to balance our physical and mental health. I know that physical exercise can reduce feelings of stress and depression and improve my mood. I’m also aware that good nutrition and getting enough sleep can improve my mood and can also reduce anxiety and stress. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines: health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The month of October has been proclaimed Mental Health Awareness Month. The purpose is to educate the public about mental health but also to reduce the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illness are often subjected to.
While bringing more balance into your life, contribute to a healthy ecosystem, continue to strive to become both physically and mentally healthy and always reach out in love and care.
This world is filled with intentional wrongdoing and harm and perhaps some started out unintentionally. How willing are we to rectify our wrongs, especially once we become conscious of our actions and deeds? My mind is filled with these thoughts as I read and hear people talking about evil, immoral and inhumane world-wide happenings. I was further reminded during one of our church services about our conscious and unconscious actions. With these thoughts I was forced to do some introspection, and I wondered how willing am I to correct my unconscious wrongs when I became aware of it.
I’m writing this blog as we approach our thanksgiving celebration church service. I further do introspection as to how I can do better and show gratitude. I’m especially thankful for my willingness to work on my shortcomings. Thankfully there is time to rectify the conscious wrongdoing into conscious good. The importance of appreciating others can only but make me a better person. Showing gratitude is as rewarding as receiving it. Small gestures of appreciation can make someone’s day. Alongside humbleness is kindness which is free to give and can be shared at any time. If anything, just be kind.
Happy Thanksgiving.
“The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes. It has enough lush forests, flowered fields, and sandy beaches. It has plenty of stars and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day. What the world needs more of is people to appreciate and enjoy it.” —Michael Josephson
In South Africa, August month is declared women’s month and August the 9th is celebrated annually as National Women’s Day. National Women’s Day celebrates the strength and resilience of women and their contribution to society and country. This day in South Africa commemorates a significant day in our history. In 1956, on this day, 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings to protest against pass laws. These laws were made to control the movement of people of colour during Apartheid. Women still have to fight for their rights, we live in a world rooted in gender inequality. Achieving and promoting gender equality is a critical element of the prevention of violence against women.
My thoughts are driven towards celebrating life, perhaps because I recently celebrated a birthday. Let’s celebrate one another and in the process eradicate inequality.
Show appreciationthrough honouring and respect, congratulate…
Erase inequality and replace it with lasting fond memories, commemorate
Focus on appreciation and recognition for all that has been done, celebrate!
On one of my morning walks, I caught my breath as I witness a vehicle ignoring the stop sign and dashes across to the other side. Accidents have been reported on this very same spot, yet drivers continuously disobey to stop. I could not help but liken this to how some of us end up navigating through life. We ignore the stop signs and continue to take risks, endangering others and even ourselves. Often because we ignore those important signs, we create stumbling blocks along the way and hinder ourselves from positive progress and end up having trouble navigating through life.
Navigating through life with psychological interventions will help ease life’s transitions. Everything from positive events to more dire situations. Adhere to those signs, stop disregarding those signs and approach your life with purpose in order to move and proceed forward. Life needs purpose, so start by enjoying the present moment instead of wishing it away for an imagined future. Continue to maintain personal values and boundaries and avoid treating others as unworthy of consideration or respect. Just a little bit of respect goes a long way, now imagine a life filled with that in every way.
As South Africans we embrace the chance to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life for the whole of July. I therefore will end with one of his many profound quotes: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead”
A whirlwind of change has swept through our life in ways that could not be predicted. I must admit, at times it felt just way too much, especially as things happened very quickly and felt quite difficult to control. I continued jotting down my thoughts as this helped me to do self-examination and introspection. It cleared my mind as I could consider the actions that motivated me and helped with positive growth.
I must admit, although I’m happy for the positive growth, the process of getting there was not always comfortable. Sudden and abrupt changes also bring along many uncertainties, but also brings along hope. I’m reminded in all of this that there is always a time for growth, even as I’m getting older, I want to hold on and I hope that I will always grasp the opportunity for positive growth. I feel encouraged as I take my cue from mother nature with the following:
There’s a time for growth as we make our adjustments
Giving us reason for cutting and pruning away the negative
The undesirable that has overgrown like trees and shrubs
A process that removes the damage and enhances new growth
There’s a time growing older as we celebrate life
Liken to the oak that’s known for honour, nobility and wisdom
Some species of oak trees holding on not losing their leaves at all
A positive quality being steadfast and tenacious in growth
There’s a time for growth, no matter the circumstances
We weather the storm, embrace the wind blowing raindrops
Producing sunshowers and the appearance of a rainbow
Resulting in hope as we cheer for positive growth
I’m further inspired to honour and celebrate Mandela Day which is an occasion for all to take action and inspire change.18 July every year, we invite you to mark Nelson Mandela International Day by making a difference in your communities. Everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better!
“It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.” Nelson Mandela
hensblooms 
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