Being me in the world
Today I was awake to see the most beautiful sunrise over the dam. What a privilege. What a treasure. Images like that do so much good for the soul. At SA Schools, there is a team managers’ meeting at 6am. Because I’m sorting Parktown out, I was there this morning. So was Dani. Very, very…
I don’t like the day on which we actually leave to go away anywhere – mainly because there is always so much to do and not enough time to do it in before actually leaving. Through the whole process, there’s always the thought that I should really be sensible and not get over-tired because I…
Can you get so close to something and manage your expectations so well that you cease to be able to see the picture from outside? Is it possible to become so narrowly set in your own, prosaic, everyday ways that you cannot stand outside and even be a little objective? It was Michael’s house plays…
Today is voting day – at least, that’s how I remember it: the day of the first free and democratic election in SA. That was a good day. Today has also been a good day: one of those during which I feel as though I’ve got a whole lot done – including producing three trees…
Small things can act as triggers to such great things – or great reactions. Today, we went for a game drive around Dinokeng. I was reminded of driving in 4x4s on the farm. It brought back so many memories of Dad and I missed him so much. Then, later in the day, I saw a…
Birthdays are special. Birthdays of those close to you are even more so. The most special, possibly, are those of one’s children. Each year it is an opportunity to look at the extraordinary human being you once held as a tiny, little baby, crying and pawing the air, looking for contact, waiting to become what…
We were just finishing the second workshop today, when I noticed the discomfort and even a bit of pain under my right arm (in the usual place). It suddenly made me realise that I hadn’t actually really been aware of the whole site and the discomfort for the past two days or so. If I…
We have definitely learnt this week that time is a differently-understood concept and commitment and attendance can be transitory. These are not, of course, ideas that one should necessarily just accept – except when there is literally no alternative, but to have to go with the flow – which is just about the best word…
I wonder how many lessons a person has to learn in one lifetime. I think the answer must be infinite. We never stop learning. We should never want to. The group of students on this workshop is so different from those last week and yet, in many ways, they are the same. Perhaps the most…
Travel is never bad for the soul. There is something particularly wonderful, though, about travelling through the Free State during a glorious Autumn late afternoon when the sun makes everything golden and presents the most amazing display of artistry and virtuosity itself. That is simply wonder. I am in the Free State again, to present…