Sikiliza

Much younger me at Sarova Panafric Hotel in the early 80s My early childhood memories are sprinkled with moments when I was left to my own devices. I was used, no scratch that,    I was resigned (is a more accurate description) to being left behind or on my own in the house for long stretches of time. It was not unusual to be the last to be picked up at school when each of my folks thought the other was doing the school run…the anxiety of being on the school grounds for hours on end lessened when I was older and able to walk home on my own. You see, the age gap between my siblings and I was more pronounced. We grew up in different eras. By the time I was knee-high, they were off to college and boarding school and so away from home for most of the time each year.   My folks were each grappling with their own internal existential crises at the time of my growing up.    They both had vastly different ways to cope that seemed to drift them further apart. Mum, a bor...

Tethering to the present moment Declaring 2023 a challenging year would be, by all means, an understatement. I'm thrilled to put it behind me. That said, I do feel there is something to appreciate about dealing with such numerous adversities… we did a test run of my resolve, and I am glad to say as I write this, I am still standing with a few battle scars to show for it. One of my most profound observations this year is my renewed admiration for my body and its fighting spirit. As Dr Clarissa Pinkola Estés calls the body, our consort and co-warrior. This year, I paid more attention to how it sought safety and connection and its impact on my day-to-day life. One resolution I made earlier this year was to become a student again and learn and listen to my body much more. The journey so far has been a gratifying experience - the notion of restoring wholeness rather than simply seeking a cure makes more sense to me.  In my experience, solely seeking cures is such a sinking hole because ...

Lately, I realise that the notion of aliveness has been an ambient theme drifting around my orbit for the longest time. Now more than ever, this theme plays a more prominent role in my every day as it influences the relationships I care the most about.     Each day I arise, I do my best to be truly present in the moment… for my existence to reflect in my work and play and to keep myself devoted to the people and causes that mean so much to me.   I attempt to master the art of aliveness by remaining rooted and grounded. But alas, how do you uphold your footing when the ground underneath keeps constantly shifting?  As I seek balance and harmony, I realise I need to cast my anchor from within. So, over time, with a lot of ongoing patience, I am discovering ways to reconnect with my inner feet that keep me upright, light and nimble. This journey of self-discovery and compassionate introspection has expanded my questions and responses to life.  But eish, those lesson...

Pictures they say are worth a thousand words… Perhaps this is why I find taking photographs of profound moments so important. Occasionally I put together a series of images and create a postcard set that tells a story… this one talks about how rooted, energised and renewed I feel when I am fortunate enough to enjoy the sights and sounds of sunrise… ᴡʜᴏ ᴀᴍ ɪ 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙙𝙤𝙢  𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙣𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙨…   𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙚… 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣  𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨  𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬  𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠  𝙤𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙩.

Innerwork Reflections…  Who am I I am storm…  An eerie calm maintains dominion in ‘the eye’ because she senses raging turbulence outside… Wild and ferocious skies seem severe because she feels the quiet stillness has inside… What do I want To remain awake, curious and grounded unswept by  the shifting tides and waves... both inside and out. What do I want today To retain the countenance accepting whatever  I have no power to  change  with   lighthearted gentleness.