Easter celebrations!

Easter is coming!

We are approaching the long weekend, where the chocolate and hot cross buns will be flowing. There are lots of treasure hunts and bunnies with Easter eggs running around.

This is a period of the Christian religion which is crucial to everything we believe in and it has also been commercialized in order to make money out of everyone. Stand back and appreciate it without falling for the commercial hype!

The true meaning of Easter has been taken away and replaced by things the people know we would love, like fluffy bunnies, chocolate and egg hunts with the children.

While I am not against this in any way, shape or form, I do believe that we should sit back and remember the true meaning around Easter.

At the beginning, it was a pagan ritual celebrating rebirth and renewal as spring came around. Later it became a period that Christians celebrate as Pentecost usually ends in March or April. So the two were being celebrated at the same time, and this became the Easter celebrations.

The meaning of Easter also symbolizes the complete verification of all that Jesus preached and taught during His three-year ministry. If He had not risen from the dead, if He had merely died and not been resurrected, He would have been considered just another teacher or Rabbi. However, His resurrection changed all that and gave final and irrefutable proof that He was really the Son of God and that He had conquered death once and for all. (Excerpt from http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/)

Popular traditions are going to church for the 2 days, Easter eggs and the bunnies, I have also added the origin for you below courtesy of http://www.houstiniaonline.com/.

One popular tradition is the painting of Easter eggs.

Eggs were forbidden during Lent in medieval Europe, so any laid in that time were preserved, usually by boiling. When Easter would finally come, eggs played a big role in the feast, and soon evolved into decorated and styled gifts.

Many ancient cultures also found eggs to be a sign of new life, symbolic of Christ's rebirth.

Much like Easter eggs, another figure often acquainted with the holiday is the Easter Bunny.

The rabbit, which symbolizes fertility, was introduced to Easter lore in Germany. A story of an "Easter hare" who laid eggs for children to find was shared in the country.

People would bake cakes, shaped like rabbits, which may have started the practice of making chocolate bunnies and eggs. The tradition was spread by German immigrants on their way to America.

And, the traditions of Easter Sunday, now centuries old, are still practiced today, and many Christians believe that what the holiday stands for should be discussed year round.

"The gravity of what Easter is supposed to be about is a lifestyle, it's not something you should seek to do one day a year," Basker said. "You don't have to wait for one day to be thankful. People shouldn't feel confined by the day. Don't let the day define you, define the day."

Jesus Christ sacrificed living like a prince to come to earth, to live among us, to experience trials like a human. To be treated in the worst manner, to be insulted and severely abused, so mutilated that He was not recognizable as a man. To be hung and nailed to a cross because he so loved each of us. He was willing to give up everything to save our souls. He paid the highest price so we do not have too, so we can just believe and receive everlasting life. His resurrection has proven all He said was true.

So let’s use this time to show that we do appreciate the offer that was made and teach those around us, the value of it. And carry on with it through the year.

As you can see this is an important time especially for Christians, so I just want to remind everyone, of the severe price Jesus came to pay for us and how He confirmed his teachings with him rising from the dead.

So I say to you, May you have a blessed Easter holiday and may the love He showed each and every one of us, touch you and carry you through every day and may you shine His love into every one you come into contact with. Remember to spread the news and share His love with everyone!

Good vs evil.

We have all been taught about good and evil. We know what is right and what is wrong.

Somehow in society these lines have become very blurred. This blog is something I feel very strongly about and it is a very personal piece, so please bear with me.

We were taught that pulling rude faces or swearing or to kill is wrong. To hurt someone or say bad things are wrong. Yet how easily do we judge or scold or talk about someone behind their back. It has become the norm.

Now what I really want to discuss is how the evil in our everyday lives, have become normal and we do not flinch when someone sings a song that insults Jesus or wears a demonic outfit. We do not flinch when we watch horror movies or see accidents or dead people on the news.  We have become so desensitized that even our children are seeing and hearing these things, on a daily basis and we wonder why they have become violent.

I can name lots of examples but I will just list a few, Lady Gaga’s has 2 songs, Fernando and Judas. Comparing their meanings and words next to each other shows us how it has become acceptable in society, that demonic powers are visible and blatant. I know there are many who disagree with me here, but the proof is in the pudding. This is not just about Christian religion (which I am) but most religions preach the same values.

We need to sensor our lives as; we were censored when we were raised. We need to watch the films with our kids to see the whole story with them. Lots of Animated movies these days have a PG rating of 10, and we have 5 year olds watching PG 10 movies or WWE, and we wonder why we have become a violent society.

Many children are not ready for WWE or Casper or Scooby doo at such a young age. WE have children staying awake at night afraid of ghosts; we have teens having sex by 13 and parents by the age of 16. I feel somewhere we as society may have sacrificed our humanity and morals for the lights, riches and promises “Hollywood” offers, which in the end leads to the damned.

The war is waging and we are not paying attention! Be vigilant and protect yourself, your mind, your heart and your children!

Please consider this carefully and feel free to discuss it if you want more examples.

Are you a woman or an angel?

Today is just another day in your schedule of 100 things that need to be done.

Every day you run through your chores, you listen to every ones demands, you give them every part of yourself as much as you can, until you flop down in bed, utterly exhausted. Does this sound like your life? Does it feel like you are just a woman on auto pilot?

Well, here is what I want to share with you: You are firstly a woman, secondly you may be a mother and a wife as well.

A friend once told me that God created woman as this is the closest thing one will experience on earth, to His unconditional love. In other words, the only person who can love you more than a woman or a mother is God. How awesome is that?

Pro 18:22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

 Acts 9:36 ……this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

You have so much to do and so many people to take care of, family, friends, because you can handle it. Because you are strong enough to love everyone, there is always, somehow a little piece of you left.

On behalf of everyone around you, I want to say thanks for every bit of yourself you sacrifice for those around you.

I also want to remind you to take time to recharge, to re-align and re-energize. Take me time - like a ship sinking says "may day" get a "my day". You need me time, deserve me time and will only be able to give a better part of yourself have you done so.

As a woman you are there to support fellow woman, you are an integral part of a relationship, the keeper of the house (i.e. nothing can happen without you so, you are right they do need you) a professional in the workplace.
As a mother you are the primary caregiver, the most important building block for a safe and happy childhood. You have many hats you have to wear everyday from doctor, to teacher, to principle, to mom, to friend, chef, cleaner, nanny and so the list continues.
As a lover or wife, you need to be a seductress, a friend, a soul mate, always ready and waiting.

And all this in one day! But you can, that's why you are the woman. Women are angels sent by God to look after his cherished ones.

You can carry the world on your shoulders and you would still manage to care for every one. (Even if it doesn’t feel that way)

I would like you to realize the value you have as a woman, your importance in society, you are the one who influences the household, the mood of the coming day, the level of happiness in the house.  If you have children here is a test, notice how long it takes the children and your partner to pick up and reflect your mood?
If you have no children, how long does it take your partner to sense your mood and react to it?  It is so easy to influence those around us merely by our moods, because we hold all the power, as their guardian angels.

I hope this blog has shown you how important you are, not just as a woman or a lover but also as a mother.  I hope you can now look at your chores as deeds of love and service to every one that needs a piece of your heart. And in so doing will continue to enrich every around you and knowing how important your smallest deed is to each and every one of them.

Need a break?

Our lives are a constant rush to get things done. We are running around whether it is for daily chores, our jobs and the house and kids. The list of things to do never stops. You have responsibility to see the family, the friends and make time for your household.

We have to learn to step out of the rat race every once in a while. The reassess our goals and to make sure we are on the right track. Though working hard and being a busy person is not bad being too busy and going without a direction is. We need to congratulate ourselves for our accomplishments, whether it is at home, and work, personal or even just managing to get everything done in a hectic day. Buy yourself that bracelet; take yourself out for that dinner, or a glass of Champaign. You deserve it.

We have to assess our goals constantly to make sure we are heading towards them. It takes lots of baby steps to accomplish something big. Like that big house you have always dreamt of, or that dream holiday. It may take you 10 years to reach that goal but the pay off will be significantly more than if you got it, given to you on a silver platter and your gratitude so much greater.

Success in any endeavor does not happen by accident. Rather, it's the result of deliberate decisions, conscious effort, and immense persistence — all directed at specific goals.

~Gary Ryan Blair

List your goals and also keep a list of the smaller goals that you do achieve. Write them down so you can revert back to them for encouragement.

Every now and then you have to step back from your situation and reassess. Are you stressed, are you tired, do you need a weekend away? Do you need some quiet time; if the answer is yes to any of the above, why not take a break? Learn to say no, to take the time you need to recharge, not only for yourself but for the people around you as well. They will love and respect you for it.

Take a satisfaction break. Make a list of the accomplishments you are proudest of, and then read over your list and appreciate yourself for all your hard work. You've done a lot, so celebrate already!

~M.J. Ryan

Remember taking your break, and reassessing your goals and achievements will give you the strength, perseverance and will to carry on. It will give you the determination to continue in the rat race for your pay off. At the end of the day having a positive outlook because you know where you are heading and this will lead you into the future smiling.

Everything can be taken from a person but one thing: the last of human freedoms — to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.

~Viktor E. Frankl

Being a realistic optimist

Being positive is easy when you are in a high spirits, or when things are generally going well.  However when faced with adversity, it is common to regress back into our negative habits. The positives and negatives in our lives are unavoidable, and sporadic calamity is unfortunately beyond our control. This life we live will guarantee good times and bad times because for all things in life there is a season.

Dolly Parton once sang a song with the lyrics, “To everything, turn, turn, turn there is a season.”

It’s important to acknowledge that all the seasons in our life are necessary, and that the very challenging times help to prepare us for our next season of abundance. How can you appreciate the warmth of summer without surviving the harsh realities of winter? In addition, a beautiful spring is more beautiful after experiencing the changing colors of autumn.

When we are having a period of growth and positivity, there is a guarantee of hardship to follow. Anticipate and prepare for this season as best you can without becoming negative in your thought life, and general outlook. Just as you buy a coat for winter in autumn, be prepared for adversity. When you are in this season of hardship know that the wheel will again turn in your favor, as surely as the earth orbits the sun. A fruitful time is approaching and everyday you are closer to the next season of basking in the sunshine with good times.

When things are going well it is natural to focus on the good things. Your outlook of life is so much brighter, and because of this going into harder times may feel overwhelming, but try to concentrate on all you once had, still have, and will have again. Remember the summer in life’s winter. It’s just a matter of time before your warm again.

The wheel is round and never stops turning.

"Seek not to change the world, but choose to change your mind about the world. What you see reflects your thinking. And your thinking but reflects your choice of what you want to see." (SOURCE a course in Miracles)

It takes courage to reinvent joys, to reinvent opportunities, to reinvent dreams, to reinvent connections, to reinvent hopes that you have set aside.

~Mary Anne Radmacher

We call the shots on how we handle issue’s that come our way, so be a realistic optimist and know that proceeding every harvest comes a famine and after every famine comes a harvest. Every cloud has a silver lining and we need to develop patience to wait for the sun to come up. Incorporate these practices and you will soon find another reason to be optimistic. Concentrate on the way you look at things and take control of your mindset.

Watch out for your negative habits, and be reluctant to return to them! Don’t recall the previous times when undesirable things happened to you, but recall that after every storm follows a period of calm! Don’t submit to the thoughts that get you down and the people who deplete you. Replace these snares with happy thoughts, actions and positive people.

It's the little things that make the big things possible. Only close attention to the fine details of any operation makes the operation first class.

~J. Willard Marriott

Need More Positive Vibes?

Positivity is something we all crave and need, yet it is something we have to work on.

It does not come automatically, it is a change in your thinking, the way you see life, ultimately a change of heart.

This will have a major impact on your life if you can remember the other side of the half empty glass. The glass is also half full. Everything in life has two sides, positive and negative, Ying and Yang. We just have to concentrate on the good side of it.

A dear friend of mine is always bombarded with the bad; she was in a job she hated, verbally abused by customers on a daily basis. How can she be positive? How do you get past the hard things that happen to you on a regular basis?

You are the storyteller of your own life, and you can create the legend or not.
~Isabel Allende

Your life is your story, you write it, you design it, things may come your way but you ultimately decide how they will affect you and what you will do with the story. Are you going to be the HERO or are you going to let life walk all over you?

Take control of your story, of your life, you will be amazed by the results:

Here are some tips on taking back control:

List the good things that happen to you.

Write them down where you will see them regularly, remember the compliments you get. Mull them over, print them to memory. They are harder to remember but mean so much more.

Every morning when you wake up list three things:

Firstly: One thing you are grateful for, whether it is health, a place to stay, your family, this can be anything.

Secondly: List something you like about yourself. Again anything here works. Remember that you can not use the same thing twice; everyday has to be something new.

And lastly if you have a goal, affirm that goal every morning. Whether it is something small or a big career goal, believing in you is the key to achieving that goal.

Surrounding yourself with positive people and thoughts will rub off; it will influence you beyond comprehension. You will begin to draw people towards you. You will impact the people around you giving you more items for your lists.

Remember: very little is needed to make a happy life.
~Marcus Aurelius

Remember to be positive to the people you meet, even if they are rude your optimism and friendliness will leave some ashamed and others uplifted. You never know what they are going through. Be the light in your story that shines into everyone’s lives.



A matter for the heart or mind?

A simple distinction right? Easier said than done! Discerning whether your inner voice is of your heart or your mind can be a challenge, but it is achievable and can make a huge difference to the choices that you need to make in everyday life.

In my observations the heart perceives the result, while the mind analyses  the path and our goal in life is to find that middle ground where both align.

Have you seen how distracting it can be when the heart and mind are not in unison regarding a decision?  It can feel like your torn apart when your heart desires something which is exactly the opposite of what your mind is demanding.

Many people say “trust your heart”, and I believe you should follow this advice and let it guide you. Your heart is always more optimistic than your mind because it usually believes the best about you no matter what mistakes you’ve made in the past. Believe it or not, your heart also generally believes in the best of humankind.

However it is life’s experiences, which programs the mind otherwise, the memory bank does this as part of it’s survival mechanism. The heart imagines the impossible and wants your dreams to become a reality, but don’t let it be the sole guide for your choices, as wisdom must be considered.  In short, the heart is essentially the light that makes any road become possible, but the mind is your guiding voice of reason.

Many people say “think with your head”, and I partly agree because we have a thought process for a reason, so it is necessary to listen to what your mind is telling you. In any decision making you must take the influence of both the mind and heart into consideration. 

You must always be aware that your mind can get clouded and influenced by emotions and fears, so a sound analysis is always necessary and time should be taken before making serious decisions.

Emotions and fears can taint every decision you make, even in your subconscious, your choices may result in a haunted feeling of not having achieved the most desirable result. Whether it is a fear of failure, a fear of loss or even a fear of embarrassment, your mind will find a way to link it into every decision you make. 

Remember every experience in life is there to teach us lessons in order for us to grow, not to destroy or maim us as the pessimistic side of our imagination would allow us to think.

Using your heart and mind can be the guide you need to change your life, to accomplish the things you dreamed of, even beyond your own expectations. 

I believe if we can separate the reality of genuine unchangeable circumstances from the stumbling-block influences of our fears and emotions, then we can find the perfect harmonic collaboration between heart and mind.

This will ultimately lead to making the best choices for ourselves and help us to become more objective, starting with small things and gradually upgrading your dreams and aspirations to the massive mind blowing passions in your heart!

Life is to be lived to the maximum, so grab your heart and mind and dive into your next adventure.

Believe in yourself like your heart does, know your limits like your mind does and journey on the yellow brick road in between, and success will surely be at the end of your escapades.

Believing in yourself and the opportunities, which arise will open up a whole set of new doors that you may never have known were available to you...so dream big!

Written by Claire Meintjes