Sunday 5 January 2014

The gift of trust!


Just before I left home, three weeks after my 16th birthday, my Mum called me into a private meeting
with her and while looking me directly in the eyes, she told me she was allowing me go, only because she trusted me completely and firmly believed that I would hold on to all I had learned, never forgetting my identity and the values which she had so lovingly tried to instill in me. Then she held me tightly, and for a short while, I thought I heard her sobbing, but when I turned to face her, she had on the most gentle smile on her face.
Upon reflection, I learnt the power of trust, as well as the sense of responsibility it brings to the person being given the precious gift.  A gift that spelled freedom and at the same a tremendous responsibility to live up to that trust, and to prove yourself worthy!
Years later, I'm still learning the price of trusting another, and the risk involved. I am feeling the knot in my heart as I wholeheartedly offer the same gift to the people in my life.

That moment and that single generous act of faith was one experience that has continued to influence my decisions and my life. I have to add that years after that conversation, on the eve of my 23rd birthday and 6 months before she passed away, my mum held my hands and told me that she was proud of me. This time, I saw her tears, but they appeared to be tears of joy.

Over 20 years have passed since that night, but still whenever I find myself celebrating success or hurting from disappointment or challenging decisions, I still see her face, I still hear her voice, and it still feels awesome that she trusted me then!

A new year! A new resolution



As has become a norm, the beginning of every new year brings with it new resolves, decisions to do things differently, or better. To do more of some things or less of others.

As a woman, I find myself making new resolutions everyday. I find myself learning and changing, I find myself making every effort to be better than the person I was the previous day, I find myself questioning some things, and finding answers to other things.

This year, as every other year, I've chosen to be a better woman, lady, sister, mother, lover, wife, professional, service provider.
My resolution this year as every single day of the previous years is to do more, to give more, to help more, lo love more, to cheer more, to encourage more, to support more...
Again, I've chosen to be more graceful, more patient, more forgiving, kinder in words and deeds...

I have chosen to be more! And, I am more!

And for every woman in my life, you are more!



Life's small pleasures and gentlest joys.

“Don’t ever let yourself get so busy that you miss those little but important extras in life- the beauty of a day, the smile of a friend, the serenity of a quite moment alone. For it is often life’s smallest pleasures and gentlest joys that make the biggest and most lasting difference.”  Christopher De Vinck