Leave Out all the Rest

"Memory" Oil & pastel
Annemie Odendaal

I was young, he was handsome, we were in love. Life and love seemed just so easy back then. I just started working and he was a lawyer who knocked my feet out from under me. 

We dated for a while, but I was a free spirit, and just didn't want to be caged as yet. We parted friendly, and I started a very promising career in another city. 

The Manna and Quail Principle

For years I jokingly said that I am definitely not a "manna and quails" type of person. Yes, I have to admit, I am a bit of a control freak. I am referring here to the Bible story where God provided food for the Israelites on a daily basis, and they were not allowed to collect more than a days worth of food at a time. 

The lesson to be learnt here, is that you can only concern yourself with today. If you got through today, that is enough. Trust God for the rest. I always thought of myself as someone with faith, and that hard work always pays off in the end. Having a business and being responsible for the welfare of a lot of people, I always make plans and think of every scenario ahead, consider opportunities and threats, and basically plan the whole year up front. It is the responsible thing to do, right? 

My Year of Saying Yes!

"Window of Possibilities"

Often times we get so stuck in a rut with our daily routines, beliefs, hobbies and friends, that we don't even notice how watered down, monotonous and safe our lives have become. 

"Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you" - Shahir Zag

A year ago I realised that I have become so stuck in my ways, that I would rather say "no" to most things, because I think I know exactly what works for me, and what I like. Right? It is always much easier to stay in your comfort zone, that  trying out something new. Heaven forbid I might actually enjoy it. The problem is, if you do not have new experiences, try new things and meet new people, how will you ever stay inspired, or grow?

Travel Spot 3 - Joshua Tree National Park

"In the desert a fountain is springing, In the wide waste there still is a tree, And a bird in the solitude singing, Which speaks to my spirit of Thee." - Lord Byron

It was probably the coldest, most windy day of the year when we visited the Joshua Tree National Park in America. We were on our way from Las Vegas to Palm Springs, when we came across this beautiful, surrealistic - yes it looks like a Dali painting - desert park.

A Mad-Hatter Affair

"Tea is quiet, and our thirst for tea is never far from our craving for beauty." ~James Norwood Pratt

It is not often that I am more excited than my guests about a party, but this time was different! 

I have not been entertaining for quite a while (since the building disruptions), and was really afraid I lost my mojo. So slightly nervous, I started to plan a High Tea for a few woman at my newly renovated home. 

At first I just had a bunch of cluttered ideas in my head, and then I remembered, as we all read in Alice in Wonderland, that you should just start at the beginning, go on until the end, then stop.