Claire and I in Capetown

Internet Time

Small steps

It's all about small victories. Generally if you want to achieve your dreams it better to Break it down into small victories that are easily achievable and take it step by step then progress will follow.

Are you certain?

Uncertainty.

Not a word we use everyday although it is perhaps one of the best words to describe our daily dance with life.

Life is actually, one huge gamble and we're constantly gambling......Isn't it funny how the major faiths stipulate gambling is a Sin but, we do it everyday of our life and in everything we do.
The prize is Life and the only difference is that we get to live with unceratinty another day and continue in our gambling;-) 

But on the other hand it is this uncertainty that breeds determination. It fills us with purpose. Uncertainty it is present in almost everything we do. We fool ourselves that we can minimise its impact but we can't really.
I am sure uncertainty is our main driver to achieve in life. The Uncertainty of not knowing how, when or where?

Of course when we mention uncertainty we will ultimately arrive at the thought of our own demise and what it will mean. We walk around everyday with uncertainty as our one constant close true companion. Yet without it life would be well, perhaps boring, think about it.

But imagine, even if we knew everything that was on our path life would still take some crazy curves because as our lives intertwined with others they too would make moves to change events on their favour so maybe that certainty would still bring a certain uncertainty (I'm stone cold sober, by the way).

Life would be played out like a game of Chess with strategy, moves and countermoves rather than taking the random directions it does now, except nothing is random......but that's another conversation.

So, nothing is certain, nothing is forever and nothing is definite well, maybe two things, The Universe and our old friend Time.

The Universe will last forever and that is definite. Ok, it may shrink or expand, planets will come and go as do comets and one day Father Sun will cease to provide us with light and warmth......but it will always exist in some form or another

And time although being a concept and something you can't hold, see or touch just because there's nobody there to measure it doesn't mean it's not there anymore, I'm uite sure it will always exist until the end of time. Ha ha ha is that possible?

But of course, none of what I've just said is certain.

Perhaps, It's a moment of clarity

I'm perfectly fine. No, I haven't lost it, I am merely high on the vibe that is life and the Universe.

Noor explained it this way:

The cosmos reflects on us from the stars, you are reflecting on yourself, you, me, and everything here that lives is created from starlight, it's the energy that feeds us.

That, Is the Force.

I have never had such vision of clarity that I have right now and I've realised yes, you can live life but, what matters is how you live that life.

My Eyes are wide, wide open almost like I've awakened.

Yes, I miss family and friends but, I'm loving South Africa and having a great time. Everyday, is a new adventure here.

So, Universal greetings of Love and Light to you all.

XXx.

Lion Cubs

Cape Town an African Miami.

This weekend I did a little reconnaissance in Cape Town (As you may noticed).

It's a place of wildly varying contrast and far too many to glimpse in a weekend (Yep, so I'll be back).

The beach life is a very prominent one lots of beautifully suntanned or shrivalled, healthy and rich another side is the ghetto Township dwellings where people struggle dailly to survive.
During a conversation with a Capetonian he explained that he had many memories of Apartheid like going to the beach especially Llandudno where you couldn't even step on the beach if you weren't white, separate toilets, shops and benches - yes, there are many pictures that take you back to childhood but they unfortunately don't have a frame as the were ugly times.

He had high expectations of the new South Africa - if you see a man walking along the street and you see a black, coloured or white man rather than a South African then you've already failed to understand the message.

Very noble expectations indeed.

Welcome Life, Welcome Light, Welcome Spring

Soon come! a time of equal parts light and dark

The word equinox is derived from the Latin words meaning “equal night.” The Spring and Autumn equinoxes are the only dates with equal daylight and dark as the Sun crosses the celestial equator.

At the equinoxes, the tilt of Earth relative to the Sun is zero, which means that Earth’s axis neither points toward nor away from the Sun.

Ubuntu. Universal Law African style

I arrived in South Africa sure that the Universe had plotted my Journey here to expand my horizons in much more than obvious ways after all when the Universe sends you a message or a lesson it's never just a straight call, there are always many different layers, multi dimensions.

So, when I met a South African who told me he was a practitioner of Ubuntu and espoused a little info it naturally got my curiosity and sounded very similar to the tenets of Kabbalah and it's Universal Law.

Hmmmm an African view of our relationship with the Universe, perhaps some of my ancestors were aware of this and were perhaps practitioners of this Universal Law.

It is the essence of our purpose here. We are all part of the Universe and the Universe is in part in all of us. I am because I belong. It's about compassion, mercy and kindness.

A person with Ubuntu is welcoming, hospitable, warm and generous, willing to share.

Open, communicative and available to others, willing to be vulnerable, affirming of others, they do not feel threatened that others are able and good, for they have a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that they belong in a greater whole and happy for others when they ahve the gift of plenty.

They know that they are diminished when others are humiliated, diminished when others are oppressed, diminished when others are treated as if they were less than who they are. Ubuntu is about conquering your ego and being abel to share. The quality of Ubuntu gives people resilience, enabling them to survive and emerge still human despite all efforts to dehumanise them.

The "I" affecting the "We"

If we take the attitude that everyone we meet along our journey is a teacher then we may perhaps begin to understand that it is through relationships that life finds its meaningfulness. With this concept in mind it is possible that through our relationships, we become closer to the Universe.

Think in terms of Microcosm (You) affecting the Macrocosm (Humanity and the Universe) as it is in all of us and we are a part of it.
Although I have for a large part unknowingly practiced a form of solitude, through a self imposed exile away from friends and family it may sound contradictory, but in fact it's not as its without having experienced this solitude I may not have truly begun to understand and appreciate who I am and all my flaws for they too are an important part of me. One of my close Brethren always reminds me my only one true enemy is my ego (Thats giving it a Kabbalic slant). But, first we need to really know ourselves so that we can recognise the many manifestations of the ego so we can bypass the obstacles that are placed in front of us.

When my close friend Noor made me aware of a concept described by Shams-i Tabrizi the man who led Rumi to become a Sufi poet
It is through solitude you know yourself, but eventually it is best to find a person, the person who will be your mirror.

The I as in We and the you as in I.

"Only in another person's heart can you truely see yourself and the presence of God within you."

This of course has had its benefits in so much as my view of the Universe has been nurtured, expanded and helped in making my reflections and contemplation far more wider and reaching perhaps even giving them more depth.

But, through this I am left in a predicament of sorts as the ego rears its ugly head and then it becomes difficult to let people into my space.

The Atlantic! Will bite your feet

The weather here is about 30c and the Sun is full on, here Father Sun is strong and you welcome the warm breeze as it jumps wildly through your hair so you can handle the heat beating down on you all day.

There is an urge to get to the beach and get cooler air but, The Cape has yet another surprise for you when you put your feet in the water!

O Ta Rarse - It's COOOOLD!

As you step in and the waves enshroud and roll across your feet suddenly, it snaps really cold and you jump back to get out and, as you look up you suddenly see the Surfer's and realise this can only be done in a wetsuit!!!

It's a strange phenomenon as I am told that if you go east toward Durban the Indian Ocean water is much Warmer as South Africa is surrounded by The Atlantic Ocean on the left and The Indian Ocean on the right with the Cape of Good Hope on the bottom looking out towards the South Pole.

But, it was lovely to walk barefoot in the sand and watch the Miracle of Father Sun and Sister Moon as they perform their Dance in the Sky from Solar to Lunar and the twinkling light Brother stars provide the backdrop like a blackboard.

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Cape Town a city of beautiful views

This place is really, really windy. But, on someways that's great because Father Suns rays of beautiful Sunshine were glowing but the wind keeps you cool. Went out to Houts bay and met an old friend called Mandy Friedberg and met her Husband Guy and Son Nate.

Mandy and Guy really took time out to make sure it was memorable and decided Llandudno beach was perfect for a Sunset.

The setting Father Sun and yours truly.

Cape Town

Cape Town

Bakabung Safari Lodge

My first proper Safari - didn't get to see too many Wild Animals but the landscape and scenery was breathtaking. Looking forward to the next one in April.

International Womens day.

I’m surrounded by strong, intelligent, determined, talented, humourous, thoughtful, beautiful, caring, spiritual, perceptive, sensational and passionate Women.

And, even though you may drive me crazy and i’ll probably never really understand you

I respect , appreciate and Love you (well, most of the time;-)

BDW X.

The four phases of sister Moon

Astrologers traditionally also consider the phase of the moon at the time of birth in interpreting its effects on the individual.

First quarter (new)

Astrologers say a person born in the first phase of the moon will have an underlying sense of youthful enthusiasm and optimism, a touch of the zodiac sign Aries in their nature. They will probably prefer to take the initiative, especially in romance, and will be ready to look for new interests in life, new people and new ideas. The person will see how things can be improved and can spur others to action, before leaving them to finish the project. They will probably get off to an early start in life and be quite successful when young, though other factors in the chart will indicate whether this success is lasting. They need to guard against selfishness and taking others by surprise with over quick and hasty reactions.

Second quarter (waxing)

Astrologers say a person born in the second quarter will be ambitious and sociable, with an underlying touch of the zodiac signs Cancer and Leo in their nature. The person will be locked into their goals and have a strong need to create something which will be remembered by others. They will have a charismatic personality that draws others to them, but may instinctively use others for their own ends, rather than help them. They prefer a career where they are out in front and have attention and status. They also need a place of their own to express their personality, either their home or workplace. The person should achieve considerable success when young, but other factors in the chart will indicate whether that status is maintained. The person will be slow to anger, but formidable when aroused, and hates to be hurried or presented with a fait accompli. However, they won't mind doing this to others if it tips the odds in their favour.

Third quarter (full)

Astrologers say a person born in the third quarter will be sensitive to the needs of others and expects others to be sensitive to their own needs. There is an underlying sense of watchfulness reminiscent of the zodiac signs Libra and Scorpio. The person will need friendships, colleagues and relationships, and will relate well to others. They will either be drawn to highly successful people and help them achieve their goals, or else achieve success themselves with the help of others. There is a tension and nervousness at play which can lead to a short attention span and a constant search for new people and experiences, and sex will play some kind of transformative role in their life. The most successful time of life will be in the middle years.

Fourth quarter (waning)

Astrologers say a person born in the fourth quarter will have an underlying feeling of the zodiac signs Capricorn and Pisces. They will finish the projects that others start, and reorganize and sort out the problems left by others. They will often have clairvoyant insight and follow hunches rather than be logical. The person can be too sensitive and become upset by the demands of others, and can also be too inclined to sit back and let things happen. They will work best in groups and are not materialistic, but they do need job satisfaction. They may be slow to grow up, but are likely to go through some kind of metamorphosis later in life and achieve success in something unusual and completely individual.

Chilling at Home