Tag: Life

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Living Life

Mindfulness Thoughts

Jacaranda view

The past few weeks I’ve been fortunate to be trained as a Mindfulness Facilitator at my place of work. I’ve learned so much under the guidance from Mark Joseph, (you can follow him on Insight Timer ‘Mark mindful-mentors’). Together with Mark and my fellow class mates, I have gained so much insight and I have this immense gratitude towards them all for the experiences and growth that was allowed.

The concept of mindfulness has been inspired by many. In our sessions, Mark always refers to the mindfulness definition of Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn – “Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, and as non-judgementally, non-reactively and open-heartedly as possible”.

I’ve jotted down some observations, thoughts, feelings and sensations that arose during my mindfulness sessions:

Acceptance of what I cannot change

Choosing to act in a positive way

Taking on peace finding the harmony

Nourishing my soul cherishing mindfulness

Holding on harnessing the power of love

Staying curious taking in knowledge to care

Learning to be better in all that’s good

Incorporating values of integrity and respect

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Living Life

What do I See?

I see an Egyptian goose swimming in a golden pond

Altering my eyes to erase the reality of a murky pool

I urge myself to realise my blessings amid life’s challenges

The down pour of trials keeps me humble in prayer

Observing life as more than just doom and gloom

Feelings of frustration ignored as I notice the joys of life

I’m armed with encouragement to enter a new chapter

I turn that page and continue to write…

What I perceive to be my book of life

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Living Life

Living Life Consciously

Many things occurred in 1972, but perhaps the most notably, 1972 was the longest year in the history of recorded time, outlasting other years by a whopping two seconds. Read more on this here https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/why-1972-longest-history-003323744.html. I was wondering why there’s so many people I know, heard or read of that’s turning 50 this year. Perhaps it’s because I’m one of 5 cousins turning 50 this year! That’s a lot of us, right? This reminds me of when I got a new car and suddenly I notice all the cars with that exact colour and model like mine on the road. Maybe it’s something like that…

My thoughts further wonder as I do introspection, becoming aware of myself and the world around me. I’m conscious of my faults and I’m encouraged to making my years count instead of counting the years. I know that I don’t have a perfect recipe for life, but I know that I can always practice and strive to live life consciously.

Live your life consciously and honourably

Live purposefully and become the greatest version of yourself

Live to express and lighten the load of living through laughter

Live a life filled with care and kindness

Live in joy and a love for life every single day

Please share some thoughts on living life consciously.

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Living Life

Storms of Life

I’m watching the drizzles becoming bigger drops and wonder if I’ll be able to go out for my morning walk. I can almost feel my garden smiling as the rain gently meet the soil. I cannot help but rejoice, knowing that the rain brings much relief to many of us. I welcome the rain and was quite satisfied even though it impacted my morning walk. I noticed the weather changing significantly, the quick disruption in the rain turning into a massive storm. There was a deluge of rain pouring from the sky. I know this can dampen many a spirit but feel comforted that rainstorms help sustain life on earth by bringing much needed water. I know that people might be caught in this storm and hope it remains a restorative shower and not a downpour that causes floods and landslides.

I’m reminded how we can usually handle the mild frustrations and problems that surface on easy days, but trials can bring us to the brink. In the storms that wreck life, what’s really valuable becomes completely transparent and unclouded. Some of us might be able to survive the storm as we accept the shelter in our metaphorical boat. Others might feel optimistic, or feel left behind, and or trapped in the storm.

Life is not always smooth sailing. My wish for all is that we can keep afloat no matter the storms we encounter! I thought of some quotes that you can ponder over and perhaps take with you along your way:

“I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.”  Louisa May Alcott

“Do what you can, with what you’ve got, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt

“Most of us live our lives by accident – we live as it happens. Fulfilment comes when we live our lives on purpose.” – Simon Sinek

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Living Life

Smile and the Whole World Smile With You

I’m exhausted because of the busyness I have been experiencing these past few days and perhaps even weeks, months and over the past year. I am however so thankful for it all and this just brings a huge smile to my face. I’m a day late writing here, but it feels so great being able to express myself and I’m sure many a one can relate. 

I smile as I hear the gentle sound of the rain,

Bringing calm to my inner self and mental state

I smile when I smell the earthy scent,

Produced by the rain as it touches the dry soil,

I smile because of the gentle reminders,

Reminding us that the soil is earth’s fragile skin

I smile because rain brings along hope,

The hope for new life, new growth,

I smile as we embark upon spring

I smile as the earth seems to come to life again

I hear the happy sound of children,

Experiencing freedom after indoors for a very long time

I smile, knowing happiness is contagious, and the only

Outbreak will be more laughter and happy screams.

I smile as I welcome the contentment of family and friends 

The ripple effect is happiness, peace, and more smiles

I smile as I’m inspired to reach out in love

Love that will bring hope and smiles to the world.

And of course, I’m humming along to When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You) – Louis Armstrong

What are you smiling about 🙂

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Living Life

Cheers to Celebrating Life!

I am a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mom, an aunt, and yes, I am a woman.

I celebrate my birthday soon and looking forward to celebrating life.

Born on August the 9th, a Leo according to zodiac signs, describing the following:

Strengths: Creative, passionate, generous, warm-hearted, cheerful, humorous

Weaknesses: Arrogant, stubborn, self-centred, lazy, inflexible

Leo likes: Theatre, taking holidays, being admired, expensive things, bright colours, fun with friends

Leo dislikes: Being ignored, facing difficult reality, not being treated like a king or queen

Some of the descriptions might be true and some I’ll say not. I honestly think that we as an individual have control over who we want to be and who we become.  Yes, circumstances mould us too, but we still have control over who we choose to be.

“When you strike a woman, you strike a rock.”
(Zulu saying used during the protests of 1956

Here in South Africa, we also celebrate women’s month in August, so double celebration for me. I know I love celebrating life, but I feel that it’s only worth doing so if we also celebrate one another.

I’ll start celebrating all the amazing women in my life. Mom, aunts, sister, daughters, nieces, family, and friends (including my online friends). I love you all and I hope to always bring joy and upliftment as well as sharing in your joy.

If you don’t feel included in the above, don’t worry I still celebrate you! Cheers to celebrating life!

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Living Life

Live and Be Content

“When you are an optimist, life has a funny way of looking after you.” – Simon Sinek

It’s winter over here and it’s blistering cold

Although the weather reports the cold

You still feel unprepared bracing the cold

On such days you wish for the comfort of warmth

Life can be unpleasant, like the cold

We are faced daily with trials and tribulations

Many a day it seems almost impossible to survive

As you listen to reports filled with doom and gloom 

Like in unpleasant colder days, we look forward to warmer days 

So we have to hope for better and brighter days 

Look forward to the happier ones

This can help us to live life to the best of our content

Categories
Living Life

Just Give a Little Love

Give a little  love

So that you can feel the joy

The joy of living!

Give a little  love

So that you can practice thankfulness

And appreciation for life!

Give a little  love

So that you can encounter kindness

A life of love and kindness is never wasted!

Give a little  love

So that you can feel blessed

To live a life with blessings in abundance!

Whilst writing this poem I thought of the lyrics “What the World Needs Now Is Love” and I was also humming along  to this catchy song. Lyrics by Hal David, sung by Jackie DeShannon and by Dionne Warwick

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No not just for some, but for everyone”

May you all find yourself surrounded by love and experience the joy of giving in return.

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Living Life

Life is a Journey

Life is a journey, isn’t it? Some of us have chosen the road less travelled, others are approaching life like they plunging into oncoming traffic! We desire to live opulently, some may already live this way. For many it’s a longing that seems out of reach and it might feel as if there’s an influx of travellers blocking their way. Along life’s path there’s also interruptions as obstacles are placed along the way, some expected and so many unexpected.

Continue reading “Life is a Journey”
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Living Life

What Next?

BTS Quote J-Hope 

“Even when this rain stops, when clouds go away, I stand here, just the same.”

A year ago it would have been unimaginable, our world we found ourselves in. We were forced to face a number of challenges. So if you are reflecting on the year that was or contemplating the year to come, how do you approach the “what next?” For me, the “what next” is to live life and hopefully follow the “mantra” of my blogs “Finding Inspiration in the Gifts of Life” I know that it is a crucial year to rebuild and that I have to continue finding the inspiration to do just that. I find myself uplifted in the good that others do and it’s so much easier to also follow and contribute to the positivity of life in general.

Continue reading “What Next?”