Tag: #Canva

Gratitude for Nature and Time Outdoors- Day 16 2025

Reflections

Four days away from work and I finally feel refreshed. What a blessing! The funny thing is that now my brain feels like it has all its tabs open. I have not been able to focus on anything. I feel like I am in overdrive. 🤷🏽‍♀️

This year, my garden surprised me twice. The Bearded Iris that my aunt gifted me about 5 -6 years ago finally flowered. I was delighted. Today, I looked out the window and discovered that the onion I planted about a month or two ago rewarded me with four onions. I had to throw one away because it looked like a monkey or another animal had bitten into it. My lilies flowered for the first time in two or three years. I had been so disappointed the last couple of summers when they did not flower. I love lilies.

My onions
My Bearded Iris

I got to experience sunrises and sunsets in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Ballito this year. I am always in awe of Mother Nature’s work. She never paints the same picture twice and each one is breathtakingly beautiful.

The Blood Moon
Sunrise over Ballito
Path to the Beach in the south of Durban
Winter sunrise in Johannesburg
A view of Durban central from a soccer training field in Durban

All Pictures taken by the author

Let me leave you with a quote as always:

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”

– John Muir

Image: Canva

What are some the wonderful experiences you have had with nature this year?

Thanks for popping in. Bye for now!

Gratitude for Rest – Day 12 2025

Reflection

It’s not that often that I find myself absolutely exhausted but this year I experienced it far too often. Last night I was just too tired to even think of writing. This morning I woke up feeling a little unwell, still exhausted and my body felt like it had been hit by a train.

No doubt, it’s a sign that I need to rest more often, given how much more stressful work in particular has become. That’s exactly what I plan to do this weekend. Sleep, potter around the house and garden, read and watch a bit of TV. My body and mind need to unplug for a bit. I might consider a walk along the beach as well just to clear my head. An added bonus is that I have taken Monday off and Tuesday is a public holiday so it’s an extra long weekend for me. 💃🏽💃🏽

How do you unplug and unwind?

I’ll leave you with Anne Lamott’s words of wisdom on rest.

Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.

— Anne Lamott

Image:Canva

That’s it for today. Bye for now 🌼

 Gratitude for the People Who Held Space for Me – Day 9 -2025

 Reflection

As I have mentioned in previous posts, this has been a very challenging year for me for several reasons. Most challenges were work-related. There were times when I was simply exhausted. Thankfully, I am still standing. I can still smile and laugh. I can still be kind even though quite a few people have not been kind to me this year. That’s on them though.

I can do all this because God always goes before me, and I have amazing friends and family who always make space for me when I need it. I am so grateful that they let me talk through my experiences for hours on end sometimes. It really helped me get some perspective, and their advice was pure gold. Thank you God for your guidance. Thank you to my friends and family for letting me talk your ear off some nights. Thank you for distracting me from my problems but sharing your stories with me.

It’s been a tough year, but I have made it, and I did it with amazing people holding my hand.

To my friends and family

Thank you for being my confidant, always listening without judgment. Your support and encouragement have helped me to overcome some of the toughest challenges I have faced. I am so grateful for your presence in my life. Thank you for being there for me, for your unwavering support, and for being the kind of person who makes the world a better place. I am blessed to call you my friends and family.

Today’s Quote

 At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.


–Albert Schweitzer

Image: Canva

Thanks for popping by!