~ Inspire me ~

A movement only exists when people are inspired to move, to do something, to take up the cause as their own.     …. by Simon Sinek

• So, what INSPIRES you?

• What makes you DO?

This has brought back a thought about my mom.  When I moved out of home at the age of 18, ready to face the world out there, it was my mom who actually kept me inspired.  Besides chatting to her regularly by phone..she in Cape Town and me in crazy Hillbrow, Johannesburg, I would get a letter in the post from her…sometimes upto 10 pages long handwritten.  How on earth do you manage to write such long letters?  I one day asked her, after she asked my to buy her another writing pad, as she wanted to complete a letter to a friend.  She simply gave a girly giggle and said…”when the spirit moves you have to move with it”.

This saying of my mom has proven so true in my life.

I have been involved on a voluntary basis, with the Western Province Sport Association for the Physically Disabled for the past 11years, presently vice chair.  Here I have seen and been exposed to able bodied people who are totally inspired by people with physical and visual disabilities,  and, they have been involved for over 40 years, always encouraging and motivating members and athletes.  Thats inspiring!  That’s taking up the cause as their own.

Now here’s the humor part to me taking up the cause as if my own…well in a way it is, as I also have a disability now (as mentioned previously in a blog I have Essential Tremors). 

 

What's the cause? you ask.  

Man, if ever there is something that peeves me off then its vehicles parked in a parking bay reserved for people with disabilities.  There is just no respect or compassion for people who need those bays.  So Qasa (http://www.qasa.co.za) recently published a number where people can report such incidents by whatsapp and they would follow up with the shopping mall or wherever the parking area is, as well as get the municipality/traffic to act against these perpetrators.  Darn…I saved that number so quickly….and no im not paranoid about it, but yes if I see people, usually these rich buggers in there Mercs or BMW or 4×4's parked in a disability bay and I SEE them get out and walk and do not have a disability sign on their vehicle…..I take a pic and send on.  The cause:  Disability Awareness and respect for people needing those parking bays.

Typing this has me wondering why many people are so hesitant to follow thru on their inspiration or passion!  Are you afraid of that challenge you are facing?

Maybe you are good at some form of art / landscaping / social sport like bowls or darts, but now that you have a physical disability or progressive disease you feel you just cannot cope with what usually inspires you, but yet that passion burns within you....don't give up...re create how you can be inspired..I cant paint or bead anylong and oh how I yearn to grab a paint brush...but i'm learning now how to use my creativity in a different form.  

I have always enjoyed writing creatively but never pursued that avenue, it was always fun to write my sons essay or my niece and nephews essays and loved that they got 100% for it, but now, i'm learning how to blog, and who knows what will come from that but atleast I can use my creative thoughts in a new direction.  I have a research project up my sleeve too....about the paralympic movement, what South African Paralympians are doing after retiring from Paraympics and how sport has changed over the years for the Physically Disabled.  Its a biggie that one...but I will get to it.

So, take up the challenge, be inspired and let your passion take you to new extremes and opportunities in your life.

Greetings

DONT GIVE UP, YOU"RE ON THE BRINK OF A MIRACLE

We have all been shocked and saddened by the untimely death of an amazing actor Robin Williams.  I enjoyed his humor whether in a movie or in comedy.  When I read of Robin Williams suicide and also knowing he had the start of Parkinson's disease, the thought once again resounded in my mind, how important it is for people being diagnosed with a progressive disease/disability so urgently and seriously need a life coach in their lives.

When looking back a few years....my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.  No one in the family really new what to expect, or do or react.  No one thought to ask "grampa" how he felt, how he was coping etc, and let me tell you, my father could walk many more a mile than any young person.  As a family we would get annoyed or frustrated with him when we got a call from the nearest Shopping Mall to request someone come fetch him, he is in "freeze" mode.   I remember a day when some Pastor prayed over my dad for healing and how he sincerely believed he was healed.  BUT, today I know that was not a healing of the body, it was a healing of the soul, being set free in his spirit.  How stupid and foolish as humans, as families are we not, to realise its not about US, and how we are now being forced to care for the person in our lives with the disease/disability or how embarrassed we feel when the person stumbles or drools while eating, or wets themselves because muscles are not functioning as they should any longer, and what would our friends think.

Have you ever stopped to think how your loved one feels with his/her disease/disability?
How do you feel about your disease/disability?
As a carer, how do you feel, how does this affect you?
and the most important question I ask you........
What are you doing to accept, cope and live with the situation you find yourselves in?

When depression hits us....
When we cry for no reason.....
When we are angry, irritated, frustrated......
                        Please get help, find someone you can share this with.

As my picture at the top of the page says....when life is difficult, feels senseless, nothing seems to go right....dont give up.

Matthew 11:28-30 says:    “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest............ you will find rest for your souls. 

Besides God's Love, Grace and Mercy, we also need to bring our side, find a Life Coach who understands disabilities and start afresh in your life.  A new perspective to living day by day.

I encourage you, Life is not over yet!

Be comforted, encouraged and blessed.

 

Stand UP for yourself

For TOO LONG you have allowed the past to affect you!
For TOO LONG you have taken personally what others say about you!
For TOO LONG you have stood on the sidelines watching others thrive!
For TOO MANY NIGHTS you have gone to bed worrying about what may be.
For TOO LONG you have held a fear in your heart.
For TOO LONG you have settled for second best!!

NOW is the time to awaken!
NOW is the time to shine!
NOW is the time to ACCEPT that you are DIVINE!!

This is my message for you - allow it to touch the deepest parts of your being - to help you awaken to the truth - that you do deserve to live a GREAT life - and whatever that means for you!

NO THOUGHT IS HARMLESS, NO ATTITUDE CAN BE HIDDEN!

Isnt it amazing to know, God listens to us, loves us, understand us and i'm sure in an uncanny way He smiles down on us when we doubt or worry or have a fear of something.  I have just received my recent newsletter from Dr Caroline Leaf, it really inspired me and .......heck, why not share this with you, be inspired and be blessed by the caption from Dr Leaf.

NO THOUGHT IS HARMLESS, NO ATTITUDE CAN BE HIDDEN!
Written by Dr. Caroline Leaf
Thoughts are real - they occupy mental real estate. Every thought has a “heart” - the intention of that thought. God looks at this ‘heart’ (Jeremiah 17:10).
When we are not using our minds (intellect, will and emotions) to listen to what the Holy Spirit lays down in the depths of our spirit, then we will be listening to the lies of the enemy.
Whatever we listen to, we will think about and whatever we think about grows into a physical thought with this ‘heart’ being reflected as our attitude. People pick up on our attitudes - the intent of the thought - not the detail of the thought.
The brain is designed with various structures that facilitate this to happen. So...reflecting our ‘hearts’ is how God designed us.

How precious is your kindness o God!
Be blessed.......

OooOhhh! Those jolly gremlins

So often when we are faced with our disability gremlins in our life, its very difficult to always identify who or what that gremlin is, and believe it or not, there is no shame in identifying that gremlin.

Even though I share thoughts in my blog, I too am faced with gremlins that either mess with my head, my emotions or physically.

This week has been one of those "mess with my head" moments. As mentioned in previous blogs, my progressive disease (essential tremors) has me really frustrated.  I cant live out my life or creative ways as I have before, thinking is becoming challenging...eg. what on earth to prepare for lunch or supper.  Its easier to just grab a weetbix or a slice of toast, but thats no healthy eating for both myself or my athlete son.
Then..there is the exhaustion I experience and would rather continue sleeping, (12hrs + per day),  then I don't have to cook, or keep a cheery smile, or be frustrated because I just cant get down to doing something constructive or stimulating
Yes, what im saying is, i'm struggling too.

What I have discovered is that when I can name that gremlin out loud, talk about how i'm feeling that particular day because of my gremlin, its easier to just to manage for that day, and the next time it happens it becomes easier to deal with.

And yes, once we are diagnosed with a disease, we also go thru a mourning period, and this is where our gremlins love to raise their heads.

So this week I name my gremlin.....Depression.   Im going to learn to manage you.

Whatever thoughts you are choosing today, keep the ones that brings you peace, and release what brings you suffering.  Doing so you know that happiness is just a thought away

 What will you do today different from what you did yesterday that will help you to get closer to managing your life ? Are you going to read empowering books or network with people that will cheer you up ?

May you find encouragement in knowing, you are are not alone, all we need to learn is how to use the gifts God has given us to walk humbly with Him, joyfully..


Greetings and be blessed...

Chatting to my son some 3979ft above sea level, flying at 800kph and 7143km away from Berlin this evening, gave me a new (although known) perspective to how remarkable life and technology is, high in the air chatting to me and watching the soccer world cup match on tv....amazing!

This got me looking at myself with refreshed eyes.

What could I claim as my identity now that my "shakes" (essential  tremors) has toppled me from my self-assured  perch?

I have let go of expectations. I no longer judge "success"--for myself or others--by what people do, but rather by who they are. I am more accepting of their flaws and of my own. My focus is on being rather than doing, on surrendering rather than controlling, on treasuring sweet moments here and now, rather than striving to scale the top of table mountain in record time.

Now, when people ask me what I do, I say, "I am JOY champion!" 

My "shake" has opened my eyes to the true meaning of life.

I just pray and ask the Lord to "give me oil in my Lamp" daily, and keep me filled with joy, hope, peace, understanding, wisdom .....  and lots of faith.

 Greetings to you....