Category Archives: Gratitude

Gratitude, idyllic landscape, Living in Jo'burg, Sharing My World

How Was Your Weekend?

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Mine was relaxing. We had the requisite load shedding on Friday and Saturday and on Sunday there was none. I took my niece horse riding and it was lovely out in the open spaces amongst the plots, sleepy almost. The flies were abundant though and very persistent, buzzing and landing on my forearms like ten-ton trucks on wings. They felt heavy, it must all the horse manure that they feast on… :-0

I love the wide open spaces which are so close to us in Joburg
©2019 Regina Martins

My niece has lots of work on her plate, she’s doing the International Baccalaureate (IB) and from Grade 11 it’s like a prep for ‘varsity. I don’t remember my Grade 11 or 12 being so onerous. I helped her visualise her work on a Kanban system to help her better manage it – there ‘s a wonderful sense of satisfaction when one task is moved into the “Done” column. She’s experienced it already and its motivational characteristics.

Personal Kanban to manage IB school work
©2019 Regina Martins
Post-it notes and markers, all needed to set up a Kanban system
©2019 Regina Martins

We’ve been blessed to have wonderful moderate weather in the highveld. It’s autumn and it’s still short sleeve and swimming weather. The gardens are still lush due to all the recent rains.

Our international coach camp this year is in Marrakesh. Neither Che or me have been to Morocco! I confess that it wasn’t on my list of places to visit, but now that we’re going there we’re taking the opportunity to explore. I’ve just done the bookings, flights and Airbnbs for our holiday portion after the coach camp.

So we’ll explore Marrakesh, take the train to Casablanca and explore that city. Then we’ll fly to Lisbon where we’ll spend time with family exploring there too – there is no end to my exploration of Lisbon, I love it there. Then it’s off to Istanbul to spend 3 days there before flying back home to South Africa! Now I’m looking forward to it.

Che and will use our backpacks again. This time due to time pressure we’re not doing the G-Adventures thing but crafting our own adventures. We have some research to do. I’m already following a few Marrakech and Morocco accounts on Instagram, now to follow Casablanca accounts to get an idea of what to visit.

If you have any tips for touristing in Morocco please share.

Regina

 

Gratitude, Learnings, Origin and Identity

Anchored

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Have you ever thought about what anchors you? The people, things, habits, thoughts, smells and tastes that make you think, “yes, I feel secure. I belong here.”

Yes, it’s important to move forward, to look ahead and not back. To allow the winds to fill the sails of life and propel you forward to new adventures.

And it is also important to know when it is necessary to drop anchor in a quiet cove, enjoy the slow pace, relish the security and recharge for the next adventure.

My varied careers have taken me to different places, many of them to other countries. It’s adventurous to be able to do that. With each new place I visit, I learn something new about myself. The things which drive me forward, the things which render me stuck, and what anchors me.

When the adventure is over I return home, to Che, to my family, to the familiar smells, routines and tastes of what anchors me. On deeper reflection, what anchors me is also what allows me to sail forward in search of adventure. I wouldn’t be able to do one without the other – the balance between forward-momentum and the sheltering coves of my life’s journey.