Holiday

Apologies for my lack in posts. I've been spending the Christmas holidays away with my family in The Motherland. Something I haven't been able to do in over 11 years. Previously we've only been able to visit during (British) summers so this trip was pretty much a big deal. It was a wonderful Christmas & an even lovelier 25th birthday! Yup, I am now a quarter of a century old and boy does it feel good. Actually it doesn't feel any different but I am 100% certain that my latter years from hereon out, are set to be my greater years.

Prior to all the Christmas and birthday shenanigans, I was blessed enough to visit family in South Africa a day before Mandela's funeral and pay homage at a statue set up in his likeness in Johannesburg. There were crowds of people and the site was covered in flowers. It was a humbling experience to say the least.

Did I mention that I'm currently in Zambia? So unless I'm staying at particular family member's house, my access to wifi is pretty infrequent. This was the whole point of this post, to let you know why I have been unable to post and that I'm sorry but not that sorry because I'm enjoying the sun. I'll be sure to post on New Year's day though. I'm sure you kids can stay out of trouble until then.

Live in Love

I don't believe in love. I live in it. Every single day. It's a wonderful thing to know no matter who you are or what you do, you are loved unconditionally.

Live for you

If your existence is based on what other people think about you or whether they like you or not, you're not going to get very far in life... & the minute you allow someone else to define who you are or value your worth, you position yourself on the precipice of an impending breakdown.

Madiba

When someone can bring people together not only in life but also in their passing, it truly shows how exceptional a human being they were. 

It is with a heavy heart that I write this, a heart that has nonetheless been touched by the life of such an extraordinary man. Whilst saddened by his passing, I seek solace in the fact that he has taken precedence as a legend among the greats. 

He has lived an inspirational life, one that transcends race and one that will transcend time. He is a shining example of what we should all aspire to be; forgiving, courageous and relentless in the pursuit of what is just. I am honoured to have existed in a world that he not only lived but one that he made a better place for me and millions of others.

To quote Obama "He no longer belongs to us, he belongs to the ages."

~laleni umutende tata~ rest in peace father

You are not alone.

You know those moments when someone takes the feelings right out of your heart or the thoughts right out of your head and pours them out onto paper or into a song? Those are the seemingly insignificant reminders that you are not the first person to feel this way and you sure won't be the last. Insignificant as they may seem, find comfort in the knowledge that those moments are perfect confirmation that YOU my dear, are not alone.

Value yourself.

Stop waiting for someone to walk into your life to validate you. You are invaluable within your own right. Stop thinking you need anyone else to prove that!

Stairway to success.

I recently heard the wonderful actress, Jenifer Lewis say, "The elevator to success is broken. That's okay, take the stairs." Best quote I've heard in a while so I decided to expand on it...

The elevator to success is broken. That's okay, take the stairs. You'll get tired, you might be the only one in the stairway, you'll most likely want to quit halfway up BUT those stairs will be enough of a workout so that by the time you get to the top, you would have built a character strong enough to keep you there!

Grow & Let go...

People often come into our lives simply to escort us through the journey. People we were once close to, friends we no longer see nor speak to. They are not here to see us through to the end. They are just specific to a particular chapter in our story so don't fight so crapdamn hard to keep them there. Leaves fall off branches and still the tree remains standing, and come spring, new leaves grow...

Are you listening?

Sometimes when people speak, it's important to listen to the silence between the words. For it is within those silences that the truth often lies.

Who's in your corner?

The pains of navigating your way through life seem almost worth it when you have the right people holding your hand. You don't know who's in your corner until you're really backed into one.

Be Great

No one can beat you at being you. You are the best you there has ever been and the best there will ever be. Make it a great you!

Inauguration

Qu'est que s'up interpeoples? So all my life, I've been thinking and in my thinking, I've been writing... & writing. Then after acquiring over 16 journals in my 'adulthood' (I'm 24 years young) I thought "how's about we save some trees and start a new blog?" (Bearing in mind I have had a secret few over the years). So  I thought I'd share my innermost musings with you on here. Just cause. So here goes...

Disclaimer: The words I write on here, unless stated otherwise, are my own work, drawn either from wonder, admiration and inspiration of other people's lives... & sometimes my very own.