Window washing in the rain :)

So off we went to save our little haven by the sea...

We found the roads flowing like rivers, the fireplace waterlogged, the braai representing a waterfall. And also an ideal opportunity to let nature wash the windows - with a little help from a friend :)

So this is summer in the Western Cape and we are a winter rainfall region. Not too sure what is happening but 3 seasons in one day with the most amazing full moon hanging low and lit in a moody sky. 

Love nature :)

21-day Meditations...

I started a bit late - it commenced on the 10th of November, but can highly recommend Deepak and Oprah's 21-day meditation. It is free on the link below and gives a beautiful message every day, as well as a 15min meditation and some questions for your journal. Very powerful to think how many people are doing this together.

https://chopracentermeditation.com/

As my previous Boss used to say: "...sort your sh#t out Ms. Le Roux!"

So here I go....

Ethics....and other scandals!

I attended a talk on "Ethics in Business" last night. Always good to see what happened over the last decade, with the 101 Acts and pieces of legislation, Kings III etc. And let me not get into all the unintended manifestations of people in high places - it made for an evening of high entertainment!

We spend so much time talking about what is right and what is wrong, when people of such high intelligence should know this by now? It is rather the discussion on the choices we make, in spite of knowing, and how we justify these decision, that make me sit up and take notice.

A highlight of the evening...a reflection of what happens when you become a highly regulated society, with a free media :)

But the best part was when the speaker ended with...."enough with the applause, now throw the money!". How's that for awesome irony :)

Part of the whole....

I believe that nothing happens without a reason. Everything is part of a bigger plan. There are no coincidences: The person you sit next to on a flight, the animal who chooses you, the bullying boss or the difficult student. All have been send to assist you to discover yourself and your purpose in this life. Impossible to do on your own, no matter how self-sufficient or independent you may be...eish!

"A human being is part of a whole, called by us the ‘Universe’ —a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts, and feelings, as something separated from the rest—a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”

Albert Einstein

 

 

To know that you are needed in another persons life, or to be able to experience the kindness of people is truly magical - giving and receiving in balance. We need each other. 

So many places to go, so many animals to meet :)

One of the things I adore about JC is his love for animals. In his ranking of most favorite companions in this life, I am out-ranked by approximately 4 dogs...and counting! I do not mind, in fact, there is none that I respect and admire more than acts of kindness towards animals, children and old people...and waiters.

 

Here are some 4-legged favorites who recently marked his journey through some of the small towns in our beautiful country.

 

Note: I am not counting the tortoises saved, the spiders rescued or the animals phoned in to the local SPCA's.

Love :))

The road is long...

Another adventure the past week....we visited the Northern Cape for one of my projects. Well, what can I say about towns named Rugseer and Grootdrink?!

 

It is dry, hot and not for sissies, but the sunsets are spectacular over the Orange River. Especially with a glass of beautiful red wine brought all the way from Tokara to mellow the hard edges of the trip :)

 

 

Next time I will bring more music, travel no more than 200km in a day (amazing and affordable places to stay is definitely a positive!) and, if possible, bring more wine!

Gifts!

I have often wondered what I would have studied or which skills I would have developed knowing what I know today....

Would I take French classes at school or maybe Piano lessons instead of playing Netball and choosing Science as a major? I honestly do not know and maybe it does not matter?

One way or another our journey takes us exactly to where we should be at this moment in time. Jobs, money, titles and specific skills do not count. It is the human experience, the act of living and loving and learning that determines if we live our purpose, or not.

Having said all that, there may still be an artist lurking just below the surface...a film director of note, or even a gifted linguist? It all depends on what I want to spend my time on, for I am sure there are many gifts to still uncover.

 

The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of life is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give. The joy of life is to love.

 

 

William Arthur Ward

 

 

 



I am all of this already...

“Do you know what you are?
You are a manuscript oƒ a divine letter.
You are a mirror reflecting a noble face.
This universe is not outside of you.
Look inside yourself;
everything that you want,
you are already that.”

 

Hush, Don't Say Anything to God: Passionate Poems of Rumi

 

 

Homeward bound....

We went up North (Nylstroom) to surprise my parents with a quick visit. My Dad had an amazing year of teaching young and old to play the guitar and finished the year with a concert. Two nights in a row we were treated to witnessing his students: A group from the Abraham Kriel Orphanage, professionals, moms and some very talented upcoming Idols! I wouldn't have missed it for the world - although he nearly had a heart attack when he saw us walking in all the way form Cape Town...LOVE!

I adore them - how did I get so lucky?!

The Guests....

The Guest-House

This being human is a guest-house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you
out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Say I Am You: Poetry and Translated Stories of Rumi

Life is....darling!

Taking the weekend off to drive out to the small towns around Cape Town....

Stopping to sleep over in Struisbaai...life is Darling :)

This beautiful Country offers so much which I am grateful for...proudly South African I am!

Feeling down...

As mentioned previously, I am in the midst of marking position papers and in spite of my trying to make it comfy, it remains a very subjective, intense and isolating experience. After a while I cannot help but feel a bit down.

So JC noticed the slight withdrawal and all of a sudden I am surrounded by flowers, healthy dinners, invitations for long strolls on the promenade...

What can I say...Angels come in delicious packages ;)

Chanting....

I am currently a bit obsessed with chanting....and this one from Krisna Das envokes beautiful memories of an ashram in Southern India, with my best friend, in the tempel foyer...bliss.

Om namha shivaya :)

Leaving a mark.....

If there is one part of part-time lecturing at the Cape Town Business School I do not enjoy, then it must be marking assignments. I now know every one of the students and I can see how each one gave it their all. Why give a mark? It feels like I am comparing apples and pears....every business case is interesting, every situation unique, every perspective valid. A fail or a pass would do it for me!

So, in order to make the most of the next week, I build my 'nest' for marking. Coffee on the stove, digestive biscuits within easy reach and soft soothing music in the back ground. I have contemplated a glass of wine, but if I get even more relaxed, marks may invariably also increase (!)

With empathy and hopefully some wisdom, I am leaving my mark :)

Looking after me...

Caroline, my Reiki Master and Teacher posted this quote and then went on to write very eloquently on how we must look after ourselves, in order to have enough of "me"left to be of service.

As synchronicity would have it, I heard this same message twice more this week - so OK....I hear you!

I realised there is also a little bit of "I'm OK, you're not OK" in there. Almost as if I am above the mundaneness of daily petty troubles. And every time I look at others and see something that makes me want to run, I realise that I can see it because I recognise it in myself.

So, every once in a while I will now declare a "Me-Day"...sounds almost like May-Day!
- I will do at least 3 things only I enjoy;
- I will invite one person who makes me a better person for a visit;
- I will write a letter to someone I love, telling them how much they mean to me;
- I will not be answering my phone or emails!

So as I plan to discard my Goddess cape this weekend, I know that just for today, I am more aware of what works for me...