As the world commemorates World Aids Day today it might be a good time to sharpen our knowledge on the virus, how it affects us and how we can live a positive life - in the more general sense of the word.
Some interesting articles I came across:
Do you know the story behind the story? The story of a virus (health24.com) provides a detailed timeline of the when, where and how behind the HIV/Aids virus.
"Since the beginning of the epidemic more than 15 million Africans have died from AIDS. Nearly two-thirds of all people living with HIV are found in sub-Saharan Africa, although this region contains only about 10% of the world's population". Read more on The Effect of HIV/Aids on Society.
"When you learn that you have HIV, you feel many emotions: fear, grief, depression, denial, anger and anxiety. There is no cure for AIDS. But there are many ways to live positively with the sickness". Read more on Living Positively.
If we move away from the HIV/Aids subject and just ponder about our lives in general, we might feel a bit overwhelmed and depressed about the current state of affairs in our own communities, country and in the world as a whole. Georgina Guedes gives a positive outlook on life in general in her column, Ten tips to make it better - you'll do yourself a favour by reading it!
P.S. Let's remind ourselves to hang in there - the holidays, or even just a few public holidays if you're not in a position to go on leave - are around the corner!
I've received this email during this week and thought that it should be shared, seeing that we're only one month away from Christmas! Bottom line is that with some out-of-the-box-thinking we can save ourselves a lot of overspending while we're simultaneously doing good to our fellow South Africans. (Thanks for the heads-up Tan) :-)
"As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide South Africans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods - merchandise that has been produced at the expense of South African labor. This year will be different. This year South Africans will give the gift of genuine concern for other South Africans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by South African hands. Yes there is!
Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper? Everyone gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local South African hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car cleaned? Small, South African owned carwashes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of buying a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or games at the local golf course.
There are bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big national chains - this is about supporting your home town South Africans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the South African working guy?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would love the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I know I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes, local owned shops.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your waiter/waitress a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre?
Honestly, people, do we really need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining South African pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about us, encouraging South African small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other South Africans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
This is the new South African Christmas tradition.
Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups - send it to the editor of your local paper and radio station. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about"?
P.S. The 16 Day of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign starts today. It is our responsibility to 'not look away, but to act against abuse'.
I came across this interesting article: "How Blinded Is Your Thinking at This Very Moment? Your strongest convictions are powerfully swayed by the here-and-now" (Sonja Lyubomirsky in How of Happiness, Psychology Now Magazine).
I think that this is a notion that we can shake our heads to in agreement - it makes sense and we know that it's true in most instances - our perception of how full or empty our glass is can be linked directly to our present state of mind of whether we are experiencing a warm and sunny or a windy, cloudy day on planet ME.
This might be the reason why wise people would often say that you should 'sleep on it' before you make an important decision. I am a big supporter of impulsivity, to act in the moment and to not always think about the consequences and the domino effect that one decision might have. I believe there is a definite place for this as well, and that it's actually important to sometimes just act and do, without thinking twice. This, however, might be the safer route to follow when minor decisions are at stake - it will make no difference in the bigger picture if I do decide to eat that second ice-cream, take the day off or to go dancing in the rain. When we have to decide if we're taking up a new job, if we should relocate or whether we should start a family - decisions that will have a significant impact on our lives - it probably is best to 'sleep on it'.
The bottom line is that the thing or things that are bothering us now will most probably not be causing any distress tomorrow - chances are good that we won't even remember that we were unhappy and even if we do, what the cause(s) of our unhappiness were. A reminder, once again, that the how of happiness is locked up in today, now, this moment. Such a simple truth but much harder to really embrace and implement - for me - that is.
What would you say about the how of happiness?
This is a difficult time of year for most. We're all running around frantically to be able to tick of the tasks on our never-ending to do lists. I've just realised yesterday that we should create a 'wake up and smell the coffee moment' for ourselves - at least once a day!
It does happen every now and then that other people create such a moment for you. If you're in that fortunate position - embrace and enjoy the moment! I was humbled by people's kindness and care yesterday, very unexpectedly, and it just made me realise again that we can easily loose the ability to see kindness and care when it is shared. The scarier part is that if we're unable to see and experience it it becomes even more difficult to be kind and caring towards others. And that should never happen!
So if no one else create a gratitude moment for you, create it yourself! The rich and creamy aroma might turn into an unpleasant odour if we don't wake up and smell the coffee when it's first presented.
Dr Seuss couldn't have said it better: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”
Have a terrific Thursday!
Tired of everyone's moaning and groaning? These few pointers might help you get through today:
- In less than two months' time we're celebrating Christmas! If life's getting a bit too much at this stage, decorating your Christmas tree might just lift your spirits, getting you in the groove for the season of sharing and kindness.
- It's silly season...which means that we have official permission to be, well, silly!
- If you haven't noticed it - it's full-blown summer! Which means happy hour drinks, sun-filled days, pool parties, thunder storms and a feeling of 'it's actually a lovely day, why not getting up early'? (or am I pushing it a bit too far now?) ;-)
- It's okay to feel overwhelmed and stressed this time of year - it's the one time when you do fit in with the crowd. The feeling is mutual. Let's remind ourselves again that that well-deserved break (for most) is around the corner.
- This week's 'bad and uglies' will probably be long forgotten next week. Even if this is not the case - remember that there's always someone worse off than you.
None of these 'pointers' are anything new, I know - but hey, I'm looking for the silver lining of the dark cloud today. Hope you do too!
Does it ever happen to you that you feel sorry for yourself on a particular day? Sometimes you know exactly what the reason(s) for this emotion are and other times you can't attribute this feeling to any particular event or cause. This 'sorry state of affairs' can sometimes hang in there for a while. Until? Until you decide enough is enough already!
I've been working very hard (as all of us do this time of year) the last couple of weeks, my husband is away for quite some time and things, in general, just went wrong. More than enough reason for me to be 'sad sally'. All of us go through phases in our life, some are more pleasant than others, true, but the other truth is that 'this too shall pass' - the bad or the ugly has a tendency to make way for the good again.
Luckily I've realised it today. My experience is that it is the small things that we usually don't have time to attend to that does make the world's difference! My friend and I took the Gautrein to Sandton on Wednesday to spend some quality time over lunch, nothing spectacular according to anyone else's standards, but spectacular in terms of food for my soul. Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend a day at a spa, again with two lovely ladies. This just made me realise that we have to stand still every now and then, take the time that we believe we don't have to enjoy a moment, a conversation, an experience!
Attitude is the make or break factor when it comes to how we view and live our time on earth. Gratitude, to really count our blessings, enjoy the lighter side of life and appreciate the small things - is everything!
Do you agree?
It's Friday - another reason to smile, dammit! (courtesy of 94.7 Highveld Stereo).
