Feel Dream Live

 Inequality is not dictated by the amount of money one has or does not have. Inequality starts when greed succeeds need. What do you need and what do you want? Understanding the difference a key to great life experiences of sharing, caring and living a fulfilled life.

"I have spread my dreams under your feet. Tread softly because you thread on my dreams"- William Buffet Keats

“A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to us. To live is to be slowly born.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea" Izak Dinesen

Phantom limb described by Wikipedia: A phantom limb is the sensation that an amputated or missing limb (even an organ, like the appendix) is still attached to the body and is moving appropriately with other body parts. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] Approximately 60 to 80% of individuals with an amputation experience phantom sensations in their amputated limb, and the majority of the sensations are painful . [ 4 ] Phantom sensations may also occur after the removal of body parts other than the limbs, e.g. after amputation of the breast, extraction of a tooth (phantom tooth pain) or removal of an eye ( phantom eye syndrome ). The missing limb often feels shorter and may feel as if it is in a distorted and painful position. Occasionally, the pain can be made worse by stress , anxiety , and weather changes. Phantom limb pain is usually intermittent. The frequency and intensity of attacks usually declines with time. Sounds pretty much like the end of relationships, friendships or children...

"You will know (the good from the bad) when you are calm, at peace, passive. A Jedi uses the force for knowledge and defence, never for attack"   Yoda

We must be willing to let go of the life we planned, so as to live the life that is waiting for us.   E.M Forester

“Life is not easy. We all have problems-even tragedies-to deal with, and luck has nothing to do with it. Bad luck is only the superstitious excuse for those who don't have the wit to deal with the problems of life. ” ― Joan Lowery Nixon , In The Face of Danger     

It is difficult for a women to define her feelings in a language which is chiefly made by men to express theirs.   Thomas Hardy

The unbearable pain As she cries out Breathing, breathing, breathing No comfort will come Until he sees the light at night Little cries of arrival Soft skin, little fingers toying around an angels face Will she have enough? Dancing in the rain Skipping in through grass Diving in the sea To the edge of forever No sacrifice He wants Manhattan She wants the sea The realisation When love is not enough Outside her window A single magpie.

The violin is a string instrument of which the sound can either be a sound of melancholy or a beautiful compliment to an orchestra.   The difference is how you play it. Played with love and affection, it produces beautiful heart wrenching music. Miss treat it and it produces the most horrific sounds every imaginable. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NguIpRFLM4M

The story of King Solomon's wisdom has had me wide eyed from a young age. The older I get, the greater the understanding of sacrifice for unconditional love. It's a pity that there are people who are willing to destroy because they do not think someone else deserves to be happy.

But luxury has never appealed to me, I like simple things, books, being alone, or with somebody who understands.” ― Daphne du Maurier

Perception, intelligence, insight, wisdom- all synonyms of  each other. How do you define perception or wisdom? Is it the ability to recompose multiple natural phenomena into a harmonious whole and, through the great chain of being, ascend to principle that govern reality? Or as  expressed by the latin words festina lente- hurry up slowly. Quentin Varin, Tabula Cebetis

“People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that’s bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they’re afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain.” ― Jim Morrison

How do you understand relationships? The” language” of relationship have change from the halls of Oxford English to the streets of a global world. Oxford definition of relationship: Noun The way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected. The state of being connected by blood or marriage. Synonyms relation - connection - connexion - kinship - affinity   Urban dictionary: Relationship A legal form of prostitution where a female collects money, cars, and other valuable things in exchange for sex. And we wonder why divorce rates have risen. How do you view relationship? Does your view influence your choice of Oxford or Urban relationships?

The sudden disappointment of hope leaves a scar which the ultimate fulfilment of that hope never entirely removes- Thomas Hardy I love children. Their scars are of falling off a bicycle, cutting their finger while venturing into uncharted territory, breaking an arm climbing the highest tree etc. Yet, they continue to explore and hope to explore more! At what age do we decide that the scar is bigger than the hope? Do we tell our children to be careful and not climb a tree or wheelie on a bicycle or climb through a fence- just in case they get hurt again? Do we leave them wondering how far they can cycle on one wheel, what they will see from the highest tree top or what discovery lies beyond the fence? What scars do we show our children? Scars that are not even theirs? How do we influence their hope? How do we keep hope alive? Theirs and ours.

"There is a condition worse than blindness, and that is, seeing something that isn't there" Thomas Hardy   Last night was movie night. I trust the universe to guide me in picking a movie to watch. Last night the universe's response was slow but powerful none the less.   I settled on "At first sight". It is based on a real life story about Shirl and Barbara Jennings   Shirl was partially blind since the age of 1 and totally blind at the age of 3.   Barbara met Shirl later in life. She found out about an operation that will allow a blind man to see. Shirl saw life, but not through his eyes. We have 6 sense. Sight is but 1.   The reality of a blind man was totally changed by sight. He knew what an apple taste like, feel like, smelled like but did not know what it was when seeing it. His reality was different. Yet, it was hard for Barbara to understand. The challenge lies in putting or senses into reality. But what is reality really. W...

The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time. Mark Twain

“All people dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind, wake in the morning to find that it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people, For they dream their dreams with open eyes, And make them come true.” ― D.H. Lawrence

The art of philosophy and the philosophy of art What is the relationship between art and philosophy? The halls of Oxford and Cambridge, the Parisian parlours of old times, the open fields under the Tuscan sun, the tavern's of ancient Greece? When did art become a philosophy and when did philosophy become the writings on modern "art"- quotations on mugs, place mats and  bumper stickers. Why did art become a money spinner instead of an expression of the soul and self. How did electronics replace the banter over a decanter? Are we blind or just lazy? Or do we just not care?

 The summer sun in the northern hemisphere is throwing a shorter shadow.  I find myself reflecting on the fruits summer has produced. The summer found me on an island. I was testing the behavioral theory of 21 days. Behavioural scientist say that we need about 21 days to make or break a habit. If you go 21 days  without something you wont need it anymore. I can asure you, as a enthusiastic cook, I can do without a kettle but not a wooden spoon! There is as much or a little distraction as you want to allow yourself. What distraction do you have on a daily basis? How much time do you allow yourself to just "be"? How  do you feel in your own silence? What reality do you wake up to every morning? Will 21 days of solitude be bliss or hell for you? How mush time do you give yourself to dream?

I woke this morning at 6am in Exopoli, Greece. Walk onto the balcony to the awakening of a new day. As I sat on listening to the sound of the crickets saying goodbye to the night and the street lights and stars disappeared one by one, I felt the peace surround me. It was quite and in the distance a cockerel announced,  that day break will soon arrive. The temperature rose for no other reason that the smile of the sun on the horizon, bringing the song of cicadas    to fill the air with their summer songs. The simplicity so profoundly beautiful!

                                                                                                                   Oh those bones, oh those bones oh those skeleton bones. Oh those bones, oh those bones, oh those skeleton bones Oh those bones, oh those bones, oh those skeleton bones Oh mercy how they scare!   With the hip bone connected to the back bone, and the back bone connected to the neck bone, ...

A year ago, I used to have a purpose. It did not pay well, but I enjoyed it anyway. It had the possibility of paying well, but that was never the reason why I did what I did. By doing what I did, I changed what I believed needed to be changed. Today, I am so bored out of my mind. I just ate a tub of crunchy peanut butter with a teaspoon as punishment. The amount of exercise I will have to do to work off 2029 KJ will serve as a reminder to never work with people or for people that only has money as a purpose!

I am truly fascinated by airport lounge conversations. What is you favourite airport conversation? The conversations stating the obvious- have we got the passports and the kids? The not so obvious- Sir, (to the 96 year old gentleman) you missed your plane! We called you 8 times to board the plane. Madam, I fell asleep right here at the boarding gate. Sir, do you know your wife is on the plane by herself. Gentleman- O Well. Man behind me- I think he planned it that way. Now he does not have to listen to her and after 74 years together, I would do the same. Looking forward to my next trip.

How would you describe the difference between funding and fund raising? I have observed a few of both strategies in the past 7 years and found it to have very interesting to see which projects work best and continues past it's sell buy date. Funding- the pot that gets chased to get something. Quite often no real research has been done in terms of the needs of the target group. How do I know this? Easy- I simply asked the target group about the satisfaction they experienced. I also observed the short duration of the commitment from the people following the pot of money. Fund raising- the blood sweat and tears of a group of people sincerely perusing a goal for other than selfish gain. They expect little, give what they can in time of time, commitment. It touches the heart of both the givers and the receivers. Persistence plays a big part with these folks. Are you a fund hunter or a fundraiser?

Dancing, the synchronized movement to music.    A Tango cannot be a waltz and a waltz cannot be a Tango. Stepping on toes is no longer a dancing. Do you change the style or the dance partner?

The secret of success is in the sauce There have been times in the past, when I have come across successful people and wondered- how do they do it? Have you ever wondered about the secret of their sauce? The last few  years, I have wondered less about the secret of their sauce. Why? I realised that my sauce was good, it is authentic, it was made with a pinch of this, a pinch of that, a measure of humour, an overdose of enthusiasm, a glut of oil, as little of lemon as I can possibly can get away with and home-grown organic herbs. The secret to a good sauce is to do it over and over and over until you find the right amount of every ingredient. I have been asked to share my secret sauce receipt many a time. The answer is always no. What is it that makes me not want to share my sauce? If I share my sauce recipe, how will you find your own sauce? Ask me about the ingredients. I gladly share the ingredients. Is it not important to understand the ingr...

It is no secret- I hate putting people in boxes. I feel it is arrogant to assume that peoples freewill, to "just be", has to fit into a category that will make sense to the person interacting with them. That was, until this past weekend! I had the privilege to learn about DISC profiling. It is a model introduced by Bev James. It is available in app for iPhone. I am by no means recommending or affiliated to or receive any incentive for her product. I just love it when I come across something of real value. I cannot help myself from wanting to share it! What I found fantastic about DISC is that it open up a whole new way of communication with myself and with other people. It gave me an understanding on how to "handle" people who I would normally avoid like the plague. It is no secret that most of my friends are very caring, sensitive and sincere people. My acquaintances enrich my life by being so different to me, but I learn so much from them. By having an under...

 Losing your parents is like becoming a tortoise without a shell. There are many ways other than death to lose a parent. Exposing your soft spots to the world makes for an interesting life.

My friend, L, has flow to South Africa yesterday for her mothers funeral. I am grateful for aeroplanes that allow us to be with loved ones in time of joy and times of grief. I am grateful for the Internet to connect us to loved ones in the world. I was in London yesterday. I was at an event for entrepreneurs and the use social media. It was interesting. I took my 12 year old son with me. Needless to say, he was the youngest person in the room. See, the way I see it, is that to often adult or entrepreneurs produce solutions to problems. Whose problems? My son stood amongst the group of adults and just observed. He then turned to me and said- they are all on their phones. What is the point of coming to a networking event and playing on your phone. Interesting observation. Good one too. Everyone is talking! Talking without sound. Connecting. Connecting without touching, contact without connection, smiling without emotion but with emoticon. (emoti-con?) Connected witho...

Earlier today I was disappointed that I lost a weeks worth of blogs. Reality knocked at my door and reminded me not to be disappointed, not to worry too much about the small things, not plan so much as life has a way of waking you up. 2 Days ago I had a conversation with my big brother. He was saying to me that he has noticed that I do not write from the heart that much lately. I was about to say something, but I know what he said was true. Most of my friends has said - you have a bohemian way about you. The part that they like, but fear at the same time. Never quite sure about what I may say or do. The part that speaks from the heart, through the throat and to ears. Ears that do not always want to hear. It is this bohemian ways, childlike ways, open and vulnerable and sincere and sometimes silly and stupid, but never malicous that I have been hiding the past year. I have spent the past year pretty much in isolation. It was good. You can just be. Be bohemian on your own. You...

I have just shredded a whole weeks worth of blogs! Creativity strikes when you least expect it. Writing on the back of a bill or scrap paper often happens. Shredding happens too. Not cool shredding what you have written. Bare with me this week!

    BRAVE-Verb Endure or face (unpleasant conditions or behavior) without showing fear. B-Be R- Ready, A-Always V-Virtues, E- Enlightened    

In England, Courage, used to be an brewery. The dictionary says: The ability to do something that frightens one or strength in the face of pain or grief. To all you courage's people across the world C- Come and see what you have never seen before O- Observe the hurt in your fellow humans eye and show them they are not alone U- Understand that being frightened is not a lonely feeling, but collectively there is no space for fear R- Remember you have fought fear before and you are still alive A- Accept that some things are not in your control G- Give the middle finger to your fears E- Experience the light through dark. If you have to, shine light in your eyes to blind you to the dark. Go and do something that frightens you x

The sun was shy but the vibes were hot! Yes, the festival season is in full swing and Saturday it was Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Band at Burghley House, England. The fun had started much earlier than 5pm.  Arriving at the luscious green pastures in the heart of farm country, Burghley House, the tartan blankets and wellies clearly visible in  e-i-e-i-o country. The whiff of strawberries and champagne just floating over the smell of fresh cut grass set the mood for a fabulous evening of Rhythm and Blues! There is no cure for the beat of boogie woogie! No comfy chair or tartan blanket can stop the feet from tapping when the drums begin to hum. Softly building up the tempo, adding the bass guitar and then the firing away on the black and white of the piano. The saxophone begins to energise the soul. Before you know it the hips begin to sway and the wellies get chucked away! This bare foot African kid is  music heavens ...

  J is just delightful. We were walking in the park a few months ago and he asked me if I believe in re-incarnation and if I did - what would I like to come back as? I thought for a moment and said that I would like to come back as an earthworm. He said that it would be a serious problem. I asked why? He said because I want to come back as a bird. I see, I said. He asked- why an earthworm? I said that people underestimate the work of an earthworm. See, an earthworm likes to stay underground and help make the soil fertile. It helps the soil to grow better, healthier and bigger plants. It doesn't ask for much. J said- but what if a bird eats you. I said that I trust there will be a seed in its tummy and when he makes a dropping, I can help the seed to grow to a beautiful fruit tree! He just laughed and said - I love you so much mum. Why is this story important? It was announced this week that developers will not be abl...

Sailing into unchartered territory   We have to admire our fore fathers, the founders of new worlds. Exploring the places where no one has dared to go before.   What made them different? Was it a sense of adventure or curiosity to see what lay beyond the horizon or as then known, the end of the world where sea monsters lived or would it be an oasis?   They set sail from their safe harbours to explore the challenges of the wide open oceans.   Look at what they found! Navigation – only by stars- no GPS or depth meters or charts. Their curiosity or sense of adventure made it possible for us to navigate today.   The only certainty was that there cannot be 2 captains at the helm.    When this is clear, set sail to unchartered territory and discover what lies beyond the end of the world. Whatever happens, my voyage has already begun. I am exploring unchartered territory. I love the wind in my hair and my feet i...

In a heart beat: Tequila sunrise : A mould does not always fit (unless you are jelly)     I was 15 when we went to Sun City(South Africa) with my parents and cou...

A mould does not always fit (unless you are jelly)     I was 15 when we went to Sun City(South Africa) with my parents and cousins. Our 2 families consisted of 4 adults and 6 kids.    We arrived midday and ended up at the pool bar. Like little soldiers we were lined up. As usual, I ended up at the end of the bar, viewing the cavalry. My father, in millitary fashion, went down the line asking each person what they would like to drink. Tea, Fanta orange, glass of wine etc. He finally arrived at my end and the bar tender asked: “And what are we having young lady”, to which I replied Tequila Sunrise please! My mother almost fell of her chair, my dad laughed and said – if that is what she wants that is what she’ll have and smiled. He always knew that his daughter does not fit a mould! We are easily “put” in little boxes to try and make sense of the world. People feel comfortable if they think they know where you fit in and find you stra...

My Currency to happiness- for Jimbo :-) Forget me not- for the friends spread across the world Twisted Hazel- even things that looks bent is beautiful Strawberries- the sweetest things in life take time to grow Chives Nothing grows when in a box, but leave it to it's own device and it flowers were it lands  My bee house- the most useless places becomes homes Drying mint- there will be a time  when currency is learning to plan for the future  Egg to frog takes time- no amount of currency can make it go faster. Happiness is to see the change. Happiness is going for coffee with good friends and sharing stories. No currency can take happiness away. No Forbes list, halved or doubled, can bring the happiness that good friends bring to your life :-)

19 years ago I met an extra ordinary women. Her name, Martel Walters. Tuesday afternoons for me, was spent in a retirement home doing voluntary work. The clatter of knitting needles and bickering, over whose turn it was to sit at the only window with a street view, became a part of my weekly routine. The fascinating stories, accumulated over a life time, served as  the best life lesson I could not pay for. It was here, that I realized the utmost foreboding sense of loneliness, of being forgotten and left with nothing but the possibility of ultimate hope that it is your turn for the "Street View". The constant reminder that once, you were free to go where you want, talk to who you want and not who you had to. The time when self respect was a choice and not a luxury. Martel had no children. She was married to Professor Pirold. I do not expect many to know who he was. Go to your nearest wine store, ask for a bottle of Pinotage, open it and drink it, knowing that you now kn...

Civilization VS organization I have recently visited the Moroccan city of Marrakesh  It was wonderful! It was the first time I did not read up on a place I was due to visit. I did not care about the history or the story of the place or country. I did not want it to cloud my own perception by reading some account or perception by a writer.    It was a packed 3 days. We arrived on the Sunday night. We stayed at the traditional hotel- Moroccan House Hotel in Guilez part of Marrakesh. It is an up and coming European part of the city. This is the only dislike I had. See, around the corner from the hotel, you can find McDonald's where you can eat a McFondue. Next door, you can shop at Zara. Back in Europe I see. But, sit next to the fountains next to McDonald's, look behind you and see the Botanical gardens. Lovely, if you have the nerve to cross the road. The fear of crossing a road was only overcome by my love of nature . It was in this experience, which I ...