No man is an Island

Almost everything I do triggers amygdala responses linked to someone who was or is in my sphere. Standing in the rain this morning enjoying my cuppa, the sounds of the breaking day immediately triggers memories of my Dad. I can't think why specifically, but the look and feel was one of happiness and home. 

I smear a little butter on my toast and think of my Mom making us cinnamon toast in the middle of a thunderstorm. I drink black coffee and my sisters are here with me and I walk in the garden, and their voices echo in my head.

What I'm trying to get at, is the fact that whether or not you choose it your relationships and experiences, however mundane and small, all shape you in a way. Some leave deep grooves and forge habits for a lifetime, and some just linger to pop up when needed.

The age old quote of John Donne, " No man is an Island....." doesn't stop there. The full quote says, "No man is an Island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main."

We are part of the whole, which means it always takes a village..... Even if you don't see it. You can be trapped on an island alone, but sooner or later you need company. 

The movie Cast Away portrays the character of Chuck Noland who survives a plane crash and years alone on an island with the all important 'company' of a soccerball.

He spoke of the reality of being isolated, and choosing life only to lose the love of his life. He said, "I've got to keep breathing, because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide will bring." 

We have been designed to be a part of something greater. Just connect with one person and be in the moment, and the world becomes a better place. Some connections stay for a while, some clock up a lifetime of memories and some leave a glittered footprint , albeit short-lived.

But all of them come to fill your life with purpose, love and a glimpse of the divinity of God. Specifically to carry us into the next part of our journey, to use the stored up glitter for a new tide.

God makes the sun to rise and brings in the tide. 

He's got this.

The Power of Positivity

Positive thinking is just so much more than the overused and misunderstood cliché thrown around, abusing the true value of tuning into the conscious present.

Positivity is an inert quality unified with our very core, right into our mitochondrial essence. While identity is partially rooted in DNA, we all know DNA can be altered by just thinking what you're thinking about.

The truth is that identity starts in the boiler room of our Creator. The Source of all creativity. The Source of all Design. 

In its effort to copy this, humankind thought it found power. And forever set a trajectory for the most epic world fail of all time.

So here's the kicker. God knew it would all happen. He even knows what's coming. 

We were made in His Image, and yet we slayed His Son. 

Still, He loves us like a Father. I mean, really......Isn't it time we quit trying to do God's work for Him? 

True positivity feeds itself naturally when we step into our calling. When we consciously tune into His present. The only Truth that cannot be denied. The washing of the water of the Word can restore our identity, just like a plant in the wilderness when it rains. 

All you need to do is try.

God's positively got this.

Oxygenation

While taking in this gorgeous view of which I literally took this unedited spur of the moment picture in the last couple of seconds, I realise the immensity of the impact this forest has on me.

Churning out a symphony of Sunbirds and Loeries dancing  with the soft whooshing of the wind pushing through the trees, the forest is alive and oozing Oxygen. 

Have you ever noticed people inhale deeply when they take in a natural view of any kind? Some even find a bench and exhale longer than normal when sitting down.

As an ocean lover/addictee, forest retreating is a necessity. Having this stillness heightens the senses, accentuating the need for complete restoration in the quiet way. 

Connecting with God in the stillness unlocks self-imprisonment and empties emotional storages of the worst kind. 

And then, just as an added benefit, to inhale pure Oxygen from the source, refreshes all nerve endings, sending relaxed vibes to the vagus nerve.

All I can say is I came home with creative juices of the forest kind and a revitalised spirit. This Forest Valley has earned an annual spot in my diary. 

God's not only got this, He's got you too.

Coffunkly things

When you're in a funk due to a lack of coffee, you're in a coffunkle, having either run out of your favourite bean at home, or you haven't had your fill/fix for the day.

This means you get to go out to pick up the stash. Which holds the promise of finding a muse in a joint where other coffunkly things always seem to present themselves randomly.

Things such as a ton of conversations which underwrite a world of muchness, people watching, catching the aroma of the bean being roasted and prepared, and of course the muchness of hearty people you keep wanting to go back to again and again. 

The world of "the bean".

And for me, the world of the muse. 

I distinctly remember my first introduction to the bean. All I can say is a couple of espressos made a javaphile out of me. I went from instant coffee to beans in one swift tasting.

The ton of conversations and people watching that followed contributed to my discovery of a whole new world that suited my senses. The bean had started a community. One that understood the underwritten benefits of wallowing in such muchness.

You never leave empty. You always carry the aroma of joy unspeakable with you. 

People ask why this has become such a culture. The answer is simple - the bean mirrors something the world needs desperately: Belonging. To unconditionally be. To exhale.

Think about it. Isn't this how koinonia works? Fellowship in a belonging environment where you can exhale and unconditionally be.

And to think you can get all that from just being in a coffunkle. 

God will be waiting, because He's got you.

The Quiet

Having nothing to say is probably the weirdest, most wonderful place to be. 

That is, of course, if you are mostly an extrovert.

But extrovert people can also deliberately choose not to speak. The clever people call this 'reticent'. It's when we put ourselves in airplane mode. 

Sadly, this is often misinterpreted as an emotional reaction such as being upset or angry. 

The very reason an extrovert chooses to temporarily disconnect with the world, is proof of a deep and wise connection with self and the ability to tap into the spirit.         

This is the most rewarding act of consciousness. Of being aware. This is how extroverts solve problems, relay fears and gain acute discernment. This is where no fixing is needed and clarity is abundant.

To extroverts, disconnecting is essential. Inward connect heals outward life. So next time your extrovert person checks out, just wait. Because an extrovert with clarity is a beautiful thing!

Jeremiah actually wrote about the good things that come to those who wait. 

When we wait and hope for Him, this is how God has got this. All the time. Every time.

Letting go

Loss has many faces and forms. Depending on your perspective, loss can bury you or better you.

I choose better because I know loss can induce growth or healing, forge new relationships and scattter your path with undiscovered treasures you never would've imagined to find, had you not experienced the loss.

All you need to do is LET GO.

Letting go doesn't mean tearing off limbs and severing blood flow. Letting go is an act of wisdom your very own spirit knows how to do. But your mind needs to hand over the baton. Yes, it's that easy.

So let's try together.

Light a candle for Loss.

Hold in one hand a tiny square of paper on which you have written "My mind's Victim Mentality". And write in the other hand's palm," My spirit's Assuring Love".

Burn the square of paper in the candle's flame. Say goodbye. Do not repeat.

Then open the other hand and read the words Assuring Love out loud. 

Then give your spirit permission to be the Boss, to look for any and all reasons for joy, peace, focus and overcoming brilliance from this moment on.

Repeat every morning and every evening.

There. That was really easy. And in the coming days the ease with which you grow and heal will become your fuel and the treasures on your path ahead will light up your eyes to see wondrous things.

Allow the loss to become your Gloss in which you'll dust every day.

God's got this.

My Blom (apologies, this one has to be in Afrikaans)

          

Die ding met hartseer is daar is nie eintlik n goeie definisie of beskrywing daarvan wat pas nie. 

Ek glo dis omdat dit soveel vorme kan aanneem wat die woordeboekskrywers nie in woorde kon uitdruk nie.

Dit is gekoppel aan n baie intieme verhouding wat skielik nie meer is nie.

Mens se hele lyf trek saam op onverwagse oomblikke wanneer die lyf se amygdala en limbiese sisteem gekonfronteer word met emosies en herinneringe wat uit die dieptes van ons siel opkom.

Hartseer is n seer hart wat  mens van binne gryp wanneer jy dit die minste verwag. 

Dis n soort verlange wat eindeloos terugkom, soos 'n storie wat nie klaar vertel is nie.

Die gemis van die wese wat eens n asem in die huis was is dieselfde vir mens en dier. 

Soveel keer wou ek al gaan kyk waar my Blom is, net om te besef sy is nie meer daar nie. 

Elke tuiskomslag maak ek die binnedeur van die motorhuis oop met n verwagting dat my blom regstaan om te speel met n blaffie of grommetjie van louter plesier om my te sien.

Elke aand met slaaptyd wil ek seker maak sy kry nie koud nie, ek loop nog draaie om die kolle waar haar huisbeddens oral was, en moet soveel selfbeheersing aan die dag lê met oggend staptyd wanneer ek my 'buff' van die kapstok afhaal waar haar leiband eens was.

Vanoggend is die suiderkruis weg en stap ons in stilte terwyl drie satelliete in die hemelruim bokant ons verbygly. Ek wonder in my stilligheid watter ster my Blom s'n kan wees, maar kan nie een kies nie, want dan is dit permanent....

My Blom was die leë nes se engel wat saam gewag het dat die kinders kom kuier, saam weggehardloop het op die strand as die branders inrol en verwoed haar stem dik gemaak het as 'n duif of hadeda kom raas op die dak.

Lukas se woorde sal altyd weerklink:

God's got this too.