Odyssey Magazine Autumn 2024 Edition

ASmilingSoulCoachingAcademyFoundationscourse

GiftedbyBrettShuttleworthandSmilingSoulCreations(ValueR14000)

Enter and step into your greatness: “We look forward to walking this journey with you to your brightest future with our world-class Master Trainers Brett Shuttleworth and Mark Fraser-Grant and Master Coach Rupali Mahendra.”

This is the first step to becoming a Smiling Soul Coach. You can access the webinar replay at the link below hosted by our team - which will give you insight into the course https://event.webinarjam.com/channel/coach-academy-web

The Coaching Academy Foundation Course includes:

- Training Videos to master your coaching skills

- Lifetime Access to Programme Online Portal

- Coaching Academy Facebook Group

- Two one-on-one Coaching and Mentorship calls AND

- BONUS #1: Manifestation Diary + Video Training

- BONUS #2: Training on how to build your brand

- BONUS #3: Mastering the Subconscious Mind Video Series

THAT'SNOTALL…

There is a bonus prize of membership to The Soul Circle Community Platform with Brett Shuttleworth (value R 1 650) - https://smilingsoulcreations.com/soulcircle/ AND …

11 Lucky Readers will win a Three-Day Ticket to KwazuluSpirit Festival™ 2024

- https://kwazuluspirit.com/

TOENTER:

Answer this question? Which Three countries host Smiling Soul Retreats https://smilingsoulcreations.com

And send the answer with you name, mobile number and email address to: fulfillment@odysseymagazine.co.za

Competition Closes: 31 May 2024 Giveaway

Editor’s Note

Liketheseasons…“TimesTheyAreA-Changin”

We all have that friend, or are that friend, that is very environmentally conscious and vegan. Shopping secondhand, recycling, upcycling and reusing and loves talking about sustainability and their conscious life choices. Perhaps after spending time with them, you've wondered: what sustainability actually is and what it means for you, your lifestyle, your home, your family and your business?

Sustainability presumes that resources are finite and should be used conservatively and wisely. It's defined by UCLA as: “The integration of environmental health, social equity and economic vitality in order to create thriving, healthy, diverse and resilient communities for this generation and generations to come”.

In simplest terms, it's about not only personal health and wellbeing; it's about planetary health and wellbeing and it is about the children and grandchildren of today and tomorrow and the world we intend to leave for them.

Buyer beware. As the personal pressures of living toward sustainability mount, we need to be ever mindful of the practice of 'Greenwashing' by businesses. Recent polls have reported an exponential rise in this practice, whereby misleading or overstated eco-savvy environmental claims are made by businesses and product manufacturers. This misinformation is intended to deceive conscious consumers, who really do want to make responsible choices and make a difference.

We all want to live well. But sometimes it's hard-going:

The media, our fast-paced society, technology and the responsibilities of daily life… It can be an overwhelming realisation that true wellness comes from within. In this edition we explore 'Conscious Choices, the Power of SelfAwareness', 'Wellness Travel' and 'Eco Habitats, a Lifestyle Choice' alongside alongside all of our regular segments.

In our winter edition and going forward we bring you a new and innovative mini mag within our mainstream mag - which will explore 'Wellness Within' and all of its components and will showcase national and international retreats and retreat venues and wellness travel routes and wellness tourism options. In this edition we explore property investments in Bali based on sustainability and personal lifestyle choices.

Wellness has a direct impact on overall health. We first have to attain wellness within, in order to experience optimal health for our unique body and being; this essential for living an engaged, happy and fulfilled life.

In February this year I met with Brett Shuttleworth while he was in South Africa, what a delight it was to engage with this incredible human and teacher. Going forward Smiling Soul Creations and Odyssey Magazine will be collaborating at many levels including our ZA Spirit and KwazuluSpirit Festivals in 2025. We kick this collaboration off with this fantastic giveaway on the opposite page.

Yours in wellness Debra and e OM Team

Comegather'roundpeople,whereveryouroamandadmitthatthewatersaroundyou havegrown.Andacceptitthatsoon,you'llbedrenchedtothebone.Ifyourtimetoyouis worthsavin'youbetterstartswimmin'oryou'llsinklikeastone, forthetimestheyarea-changin

WordsBobDylan

In this Edition

FromDebra’sDesk

3 Editor’s Note

Community

10-12 Wavelength: My Story

Phelisa Mangcu

14, 15 Kindness, Always in Season

Yael Geffen

18-20 Deep Forest - Steve Hurt

22-25 Falling Passionately in Love with Life - Geoff Dalglish

28-31 Why People Buy

Kiki Theo

46-49 Seven Laws of Conscious Business Growth

Colleen-Joy

104 Odyssey Winners

BodyMindSpirit: Feature:ConsciousChoices

8, 9 Power of Self-Awareness

Carl Rogers

13 To Know Thyself

21 The Aroma of Tranquillity

32, 33 There is More to Life

Paula Janse van Rensburg

Editor and Publisher

Debra Robins +27 (0) 82 875 2985 editor@odysseymagazine.co.za

Business Development Quinton O’Dwyer +27 (0) 78 342 9389 bizdev@odysseymagazine.co.za

Contact Fulfillment Team

+27 (0) 63 255 0102 fulfillment@odysseymagazine.co.za

34-36 Five Conscious Steps to Help you find your Dream Career

Kristy Weterings

38, 39 Wellbeing in the Workplace

Mbali Mapholi

41 Self-Awareness

42-44 Being Your Word

Ann Gadd

45 She is the Future

50, 51 Living in the Moment

Jock Brocas

54, 55 Conversations with Kuthumi

Chanel Lingenfelder

58, 59 Profound Connections

Between Emotions and Manifestation of Illness

Jerry M. Kantor

79 Unveiling the Significance

94, 95 Kindness

Heike Sym

Health

57 The First Wealth is Health

60-63 Prepare to Hibernate

Dr Arien van der Merwe

64 Jamu Juice

65 Eating for Transformation

Advertising http://www.odysseymagazine.co.za/advertise +27 (0) 82 875 2985

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Submissions editor@odysseymagazine.co.za +27 (0) 82 875 2985

Proof reader: Susan Cooke

Spotlighton: WellnessTravelandEco Habitats

26, 27 Revolutionary Shift in Wellness Travel

66-69 KwazuluSpirit™ Festival

Verified Accommodation

Portal

80, 81 Namaste Beaches

Anne-Marie Clulow

85 Bali Green

EcoPlanetandHabitats

56 10 Waste Management Myths Mpendulo Ginindza 70-72 People Saving Rhinos

Part 3: The Rhisotope Project 74-76 Rescuing and Rewilding Africa's Wildlife and Landscapes

82-84 Unveiling the Essence of Bali Brett Shuttleworth

Design Studio

Denis Meyer +27 (0) 83 301 2883

denis@denismeyer.co.za https://denismeyer.co.za

Copyright and Disclaimer

Odyssey Magazine ISSN 0256-0356 (odysseymagazine.co.za) is owned and published by Mindful Media Publishing (Pty) Ltd

Romy Morsner

Kiki

No person, organisation or party can copy or reproduce the content on this site and/or magazine or any part of this publication without a written consent from the editors' panel and the author of the content, as applicable. The publisher, editor, authors and contributors reserve their rights with regards to copyright of their work.

The copyright includes (and is not limited to) the content and/or images used in any of the articles of this publication, the Odyssey Magazine logo and any of its derivatives.

The content in Odyssey Magazine and its website and digital platforms are made available on the terms and conditions that the publisher, editors, contributors and related parties: Shall have no responsibility for any action or omission by any other contributor, consultant, editor or related party.

Disclaim any and all liability and responsibility to any person or party, be they a purchaser, reader, advertiser or consumer of this publication or not in regards to the consequences and outcomes of anything done or omitted being in reliance whether partly or solely on the contents of this publication.

Are not responsible in any way for the actions or results taken by any person, organisation or any party on basis of reading information, or contributions in this publication, website or related platform.

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in the magazine are those of the contributors and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Mindful Media Publishing (Pty) Ltd and Odyssey Magazine.

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Self-awareness stems from reflecting on three aspects of the 'Self'.

Ultimately, knowing and understanding oneself leads to a more productive life and attaining one ' s goals.

‘I-Self' 'How do I see myself?' Reflecting on the concept of 'ISelf' helps the individual to understand themselves from life's learning experiences, including past experiences, accomplishments, mistakes, attitudes, behaviours or values

'Me-Self' 'How do others see me?' This aspect of the self is developed from influences and interactions with society

'Ideal-Self' 'How do I want others to see me?' This is a projection of oneself onto others and the fulfilment of various roles in one's life journey.

The power of self-awareness is the foundation to know oneself as it is helpful in identifying personal weaknesses, accepting areas for improvement and identifying optimal choices when faced with a decision

There is also a direct link between meditation, mindfulness and selfawareness and it has been found that practising the first two as a daily practice will naturally lead to more of the third.

To say "I love you" one must know rst how to say e 'I'. “

Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead

ConsciousChoicesandthePowerofSelf-awareness

“Weareresponsibleforthechoiceswemakeandweareresponsibleforthe consequences.Tobeabletolivewiththeconsequencesiswhatresponsibilityisallabout.

Carl Rogers

Inspirational pioneer, Carl R. Rogers is widely regarded as one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th-century. He was a humanistic thinker, who believed that people are fundamentally good. He is considered one of the founders of humanistic psychology and the person-centred approach. Herewith an excerpt from a 1984 interview with Odyssey Magazine. It is noteworthy that his views and teachings during his lifetime are still powerful and valid 40 years later.

Odyssey: How does one go about being a real person? How does one achieve congruency?

Rogers: I'd say it's a lifetime occupation, but we can always take steps in that direction. The more integrated the therapist, the more useful he can be to another person.

Odyssey: Being real, whether at home, in the classroom or with a client, one needs to be able to acknowledge mistakes. This applies to all our relationships.

Rogers: Perhaps it's possible to be congruent for 50 minutes a day at a time (e.g. the length of a counselling session) but within a family, 18 hours a day – that's tough!

The conditions for the optimal climate in therapy which we are outlining here, cannot be turned on and off, but when these conditions do exist the client is very fortunate, for he has a maximum opportunity for growth.

Another very basic element is that of caring – caring for the other person; giving them unconditional positive regard.

A person is very fortunate if faced with a situation in which the positive regard is unconditional, for this is not something one can turn on. It is a prizing of the individual – a parent, for example, prizes his child whether good or bad. Prizing, unconditional positive regard, is the kind of attitude which makes for growth.

Then there is a very sensitive empathy. This is a very, very special kind of listening. I'm not talking about just listening, but about being able to enter the world of the client and experience that world as the client experiences it. This is easier if you, as therapist or facilitator, are secure in your own world and know that you can return to it. Seeing the world through the client's eyes – going with the client as a companion in his fear, be it fear of dying or of marriage or whatever he has to face. Very rarely are we listened to and accepted without judgment. Seldom do we find someone who understands what its like to be 'me'. Non-judgmental empathetic listening is one of the least understood elements in therapy and one of the most important.

Odyssey: What if the client is leading you on, testing your responses, or even lying to you outright?

Rogers: That's fine. I am a gullible therapist. If that's what my client wants me to believe, I don't mind. It is important to him.

Odyssey: Do you rely on your intuition?

Rogers: Intuition, like empathy, is not something you can just turn on, but there are times in a relationship when something rises within me to be said. It may not seem to have any relevance to what is happening, but often I find that, if I do say it, it touches something important. Intuition cannot be manufactured, but if one trusts one's intuition then sometimes from the depths of one's being something connects between the therapist and the client and this is very precious.

Odyssey: In your writings you talk about levels of awareness. Would you illustrate what you mean?

Rogers: If, when I am trying to respond empathically to a client, the client says, “Yeah, that's what I've just said,” his reply is an indication that your response was superficial. If on the other hand the client ponders over what you have said and then hesitantly agrees with you, it could be that your response has touched an area just below the conscious level and that it could be threatening. In trying to be too empathic you may in fact have responded too deeply, at a level not yet in the client's awareness and this makes the therapist an 'authority' instead of a companion. The ideal reply to your response would be for example, “Yes, you understand me just a little more than I understand myself.”

Odyssey: I'd appreciate feedback on the issue of responsibility. I used to understand that responsibility meant being responsive to the needs of others –consideration. Then in recent years I came to understand that it meant being responsible to oneself with one's primary responsibility being self-actualisation.

And I've never fully understood the balance between responsibility for others and for myself. Responsibility implies choice. Does this imply a knowledge of the consequences?

Rogers: I'll answer the second part of your question first. We are responsible for the choices we make and we are responsible for the consequences. To be able to live with the consequences is what responsibility is all about. I don't believe in being responsible for the other person. I do believe in being responsible to the other person and in a caring and sharing with consideration for the other.

Honouring Carl R. Rogers (1902-1987)

AnIronHandinaVelvetGlove

We had the honour and pleasure of connecting with Phelisa Mangcu, the previous Director and acting CEO of Johannesburg Tourism, who recently concluded her most recent tenure as CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprises. 'An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove' was what stood out when engaging with Phelisa. Balance and integrity, with firmness couched with outward gentleness. On today's business stage and beyond the metaphor; communicating in a balanced manner is probably one of the most important competencies demanded of leaders of our time. Phelisa reflects a communication and mentorship style that is forthright yet palatable, without diminishing the underlying objective of the communication, truly a leader of our times.

Phelisa shares her beautifully uplifting story of endurance and dogged determination to follow a dream and path to destination tourism development and marketing, which all started in 1985 while she was at high school.

“Now that I think about it, my standard nine (grade 11) teacher gave us an assignment, a composition, with a choice of

topics. I chose 'A Tour Package to Israel'. I wrote that assignment, the composition, so well and, in putting together this package of a tour in Israel, I totalled it. I was the highest in class. Amazing. And, yes, I was excited, but it didn't mean anything after that. Looking back… it was the beginning of my career direction and an inner knowing and awareness of what I really wanted to do,” shares Phelisa.

Phelisa brought a wealth of global tourism experience to the KZN South Coast, having worked in the tourism sector in Washington DC and New York in the early 1990s. After returning to South Africa in 1999, she took on a position in the tourism unit at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), before relocating to Johannesburg Tourism.

In 2018, Phelisa made the bold decision to relocate with her four daughters to the KZN South Coast, where she took on the responsibility of growing the local tourism and investment offerings. She has enjoyed the fulfilment of her role at SCTIE, which has allowed her to continue improving the lives of South African citizens while showcasing the beauty of our country to the world, inbound international tourism always top of mind.

withPhelisaMangcu

Phelisa is a tourism professional and specialist with broad experience that includes urban, semi-urban, rural and coastal tourism development. She has contributed significantly toward growing the South African economy through tourism. Her conscious leadership style, emphasising self-awareness, emotional intelligence and ethical decision-making, is coupled with a holistic business approach. Phelisa comes from Ginsberg, a township on the west bank of the Buffalo River near King Williams Town, now known as eQonce, Her family lived in the same street as Steve Biko and Phelisa remembers vividly and emotionally how she, as a young child, watched Biko's funeral procession driving down 'her' road.

[About Steve Biko (18 December 1946 – 12 September 1977) Biko became one of the earliest icons of the movement against apartheid and is regarded as the 'Father of Black Consciousness'. https://museum.za.net/ginsberg-an-early-history-researched/.]

Although the ninth in a family of 10 children. Phelisa was the first one of her family to receive a matric (grade 12) and go on to higher education. Despite not having education themselves, her parents had a great respect for education and readily agreed when her junior school principal motivated for her to go to boarding school in Fort Beaufort.

Phelisa recalls: “In high school my father was always on the road in his sales job, one of his routes was in a town called Alice, just before Fort Beaufort and so he visited with a parcel often. Bless him! My parcels were nicely packed and, if I was in class, he would leave them with the matron.”

It was during her first year at university that Phelisa met her now ex-husband, who had studied at Wits. It was the beginning of a life overseas, as her husband had been admitted to study his PhD at Cornell University although, after they got married in 1992 and relocated to the US, they settled in Ithaca, New York, this after Phelisa had graduated with her BA Sociology and Political Science degree.

“We left around July 1992,” she remembers “On the way we had connecting tickets in Europe. We went to Spain and Portugal. It was in these moments I realised I was directly experiencing this yen to be in tourism, as my earlier school years flashed through my mind, demonstrating that wanting to be in tourism was still a strong desire; although I didn't know much about what it actually was then. We stayed in New York City for a day or two and we did some sightseeing. I was fascinated by people carrying maps, stalls selling these maps and selling souvenirs alongside selling newspapers. The awareness heightened - these are tourists! That's where my self-awareness translated into a desire and my ultimate goal.

“I started researching everything I could access, reading newspapers and magazines, totally fascinated by the tourism aspect of things. I would cut out newspaper articles and file them because, at this time, this subject was of intense interest to me and still is. It became a passion rather than an interest - it was much later that I embraced tourism from an economic development perspective. “Then I wanted to study because that was the objective I had set myself when we later visited Washington DC. This awareness of understanding the tourists at the White House and the White House being a popular tourist attraction... I then began to 'connect the dots'.

“I knew that this was my calling, my career... what I really, really intended to do.”

“I applied to Cornell University Hotel School, not really differentiating between hospitality and tourism. However, before I knew if I was accepted or not, I found out I was expecting twins and, due to a difficult pregnancy, did not continue the application sake of my own health and that of the babies. I gave birth to my precious first-born daughter Thando and her stillborn twin and studies were put on hold for a while.”

When they relocated from Ithaca to Washington DC, Phelisa then started to knock on different doors in search of assistance to start a career in tourism and she met a certain Professor Goldblatt at the George Washington University and this is where her conscious choice of working toward her goal started coming together, when the academic exposure started. This is when she knew unequivocally that she wanted to do this destination management. Phelisa went on to complete her Master's Certificate in Tourism Destination Management in 1996 at the George Washington University School of Business and Public Management.

Phelisa's husband, then got a position at the Rockefeller Foundation in New York City and Phelisa, armed with her Tourism Destination Management qualification, began searching for a job and daycare for Thando.

“So I applied to an agent for a hotel role and the next moment the HR manager at the new Trump International downtown called, letting me know they were about to launch. They called me for an interview and I got the job as a coordinator. The company was hiring skills from different countries – totally multinational: Chinese, Russians. Ukrainians, there were Africans from central Africa and I was the only South African. This was a time of great learning and appreciation of how my path had evolved - divinely guided, I think.

“Just before we returned to South Africa in 1999 my second daughter Ranji was born. South Africa was a different place from the place we had left. It was vibrant, refreshing and I was glad to be home and in connection with my family.”

Once back in South Africa, Phelisa completed Master of Arts (Tourism Studies) at the University of the Witwatersrand. Her research topic was South African Airways as a national carrier: Reinventing identity through the culture of hospitality service. As she was finishing her masters in 2003 while with the IDC, her daughter, Bantu, was born. Her fourth daughter, Phumlo, followed in 2008, but by that time she and her former husband had separated.

Phelisa was with the IDC from 2002 to 2006 as Corporate Social Investment Manager – Marketing and Corporate Affairs. She then joined City of Johannesburg Municipality as General Manager: Tourism Development and later became Director: Johannesburg Tourism Company (Acting CEO).

In the role of GM tourism development, Phelisa was finally where she had intended to be, doing exactly what she had always wanted to do and, following restructuring within, the full scope of: marketing, marketing tourism development and visitor information came under her control. It was at this time everything just fell into place, highlighting the importance of conscious choices and self-awareness in achieving career success.

“Self-awareness enables individuals to identify and capitalise on their strengths, address their weaknesses, make informed decisions, enhance interpersonal skills, foster continuous learning and build resilience. Selfawareness also positively benefits others because of the intentional effort to be open, vulnerable and relatable”. Sheryl Brinkley

In 2018 Phelisa interviewed for the position of CEO at South Coast Tourism and was appointed. One of the pressing issues at this time was: 'How do we send tourists to rural communities? How do we take tourists there?' Phelisa set about melding the coast with the rural opportunities, her vision being that it's one destination, not two. “Even the politicians were not asking this question correctly,” she points out. “They were not saying why are the tourists not going to rural communities? They were not saying that. They were saying why is there no development? “

Delicate but doable! Yes Phelisa pulled it together! This and many other successes attest to the resolve of this incredible woman, quietly confident, erudite and business savvy. She earned her stripes overseas and in South Africa, in both Gauteng and KZN and she has the credentials to back it up.

A thought leader in tourism and investment strategies she led a new team, coming from different work cultures and assisted them in understanding the mandate and their respective contribution to the outcome through their roles and responsibilities. With impeccable change management and transition capabilities Phelisa ensured that changes were implemented effectively and seamlessly. One of the outcomes was that the Ugu district achieved a 97 per cent occupancy rate, for the 2022 festive season, the highest in KZN. At the time of connecting with Phelisa, the 2023 occupancy rates had not been confirmed.

In conclusion I asked Phelisa this…

And at some point in the interview you said: “...and then I knew that was where I wanted to be.” And that, for me, is the story

I'm seeing this outward gentleness and inner strength and determination playing out in your life. I am awed by the way you did everything you needed to do to get to where you wanted to be, authentically and honorably

When you got to Johannesburg Tourism and you suddenly had met your dream of a destination-based tourism platform, how did you feel? Was it like 'I've arrived', or 'I've always known this'?

She answered:

“I don't think I had the thought that said I had arrived. I just always wanted to understand the entire value chain, in terms of destination management and, finally, I felt I was in the position to do just that. When I became the acting CEO, I brought together both sides. Yes. With a combined purpose, a combined directive, in 2011 everything came together.

When you look at South Africa, you are saying, okay, we have the big five, we have the ocean and we have rural communities with deep cultural roots.

South African tourism initiatives should be selling everything about South Africa. Those mentioned are the primary three things that it would take to get South Africa to be regarded as a country of choice and an inbound destination for world travellers.

In 21 Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell, the last law is the Law of Legacy. Maxwell summarises the life of a leader by saying:

“Achievement comes when they do big things by themselves. Success comes when they empower followers to do big things for them. Significance comes when they develop leaders to do great things with them. Legacy comes when they put leaders in position to do great things without them.” He ends the chapter with the thought: “Our abilities as leaders will not be measured by the buildings we built, the institutions we established, or what our team accomplished during our tenure. You and I will be judged by how well the people we invested in carried on after we are gone. This is the greatest challenge a lifelong pursuit of leadership will face, but it is also the only thing that will matter in the end.”

I am grateful and blessed have had this time with this beautiful human and inspirational leader, Phelisa Mangcu. I have personally taken so much inspiration and courage away with me from our time together. Thank you for your candour and your guidance, Phelisa. My 'take-away' from this led me to connecting to members of Phelisa's team that she had empowered and guided over the years. Here is what they said…

“Thank you for being a great leader. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor”

“Thank you for always inspiring us to push on, no matter what.”

“Thank you for your guidance; your reassurance helped me work through tough situations.”

“Thank you for always making time for me and for your listening ears.”

ToKnowThyselfistoHonourThyKnow: EmbracingTransformationthroughthe HealingPowerofFrequency

As the autumn season returns, there is a call to pause and reflect on the passage of time. It has been a year since Kamala first enriched the pages of Odyssey Magazine, infusing our lives with the sacred threads of Frequency Medicine.

In this dance of time, I stand before you humbled, for the journey from then to now has been one of profound transmutation. I found myself immersed in ceremony, shedding old identities to emerge anew. I received the name I walk with today, Mother Angel Seeds the Light — a reminder to walk with reverence. It is my deepest honour to hold space and journey alongside each of you as you unlock all that resides within.

The path to self-discovery, to truly Know Thyself, is a pilgrimage of the soul — an invitation to delve deep into the recesses of our being and unearth the truths that lie dormant within. It is a journey of remembrance, a rekindling of the divine spark that resides within each of us, awaiting the gentle breath of awakening.

To embark on this odyssey is to embark on a quest for healing — a journey where the frequencies of Kamala's Medicine will guide you like a beacon in the darkness, towards wholeness and transformation. It is a journey of shedding that which no longer serves you, releasing the burdens of the past to make space for the blossoming of your truest selves, carrying forward only the wisdom gained.

This is an invitation to embody the teachings of snake medicine, for within its coils lies the promise of rebirth and regeneration, the wisdom of cycles as old as time itself. Embrace the dance of duality, finding harmony in the balance

between light and shadow, creation and destruction.

As we traverse this sacred path together, let us honour the truth that to know ourselves is to honour the very essence of our being.

The serpentine path to profound healing with Kamala's transformative offerings, each a unique segment of the snake's potent energy. Choose from the diverse packages in the Know Thyself Shamanic Awakening Series from a personalised one-on-one Shamanic Frequency Healing Journey to a comprehensive three-part, fiveweek one-on-one Wisdom Embodiment experience.

Opt for an immersive online one-onone session, including the profound sound of your vibration or join to dive deeper into ancient tools in the Sacred Tool Rattle Workshop.

Stay tuned for the upcoming dates of 'Wisdom in Waves', a Shamanic Embodied Immersion with Ancient Drum and Rattle Tools. Immerse yourself in sacred space, connecting with the divine flow of energy through activation, movement and stillness. Watch, follow and stay updated, as there is much unfolding and evolving in the offerings that lie ahead. For those attending the KwazuluSpirit Festival, anticipate the special experience of 'Wisdom in Waves'.

Know, dear heart, that you are divinely guided and held as you navigate the flowing waters of your journey. Be courageous, dear one, and choose yourself — for in your embodiment lies the key to unlocking the miracles that await.

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin

Kindness is always in season

ByYaelGeffen

Inaworldthat'scharacterisedbyanincreasinglyfastpaceandgrowingegocentricity,it'seasy tooverlookthesimpleyetprofoundpowerofkindness.

From small gestures of compassion to acts of generosity and empathy, kindness has the remarkable ability to uplift spirits, foster connection and promote overall wellbeing and, as we navigate the complexities of our modern world, embracing kindness as a guiding principle can have profound benefits for our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

During certain times of the year, like the festive holiday season, we're encouraged and reminded to be kind. However, kindness is not just a seasonal sentiment; it's a timeless virtue that can be practised year-round, enriching our lives and the lives of those around us in immeasurable ways.

At its core, kindness is an expression of empathy and compassion towards others. Whether it's offering a listening ear to a friend in need, lending a helping hand to a stranger, or simply sharing a smile with someone passing by, acts of kindness have the power to brighten someone's day and create ripple effects of positivity.

social bonds. When we approach interactions with kindness and compassion, we create a supportive and nurturing environment where trust and mutual respect can flourish.

This sense of connection and belonging is essential for our mental and emotional wellbeing, providing a sense of security and validation that contributes to overall happiness and fulfilment.

When I've gone through my darkest times, if someone checked in on me with kindness or sent a bouquet of flowers or a chocolate hamper or just took me out for coffee, it made me feel less alone and that, in itself, makes a world of difference.

I've also learnt that it's also important to stay away from people who trigger you - even if its family - and those who drain your energy. When I'm around positive people who uplift me, it's harder to fall back down the dark pit.

ByKikiTheo

Research has shown that practising kindness can have tangible benefits for our health and wellbeing and studies have found that acts of kindness trigger the release of feel-good hormones such as oxytocin and endorphins, which promote feelings of happiness and reduce stress levels.

Additionally, engaging in acts of kindness has been linked to lower blood pressure, improved immune function and increased longevity.

Moreover, kindness has a transformative effect on our relationships, fostering deeper connections and strengthening

Kindness is contagious and when we lead by example, we inspire others to pay it forward, creating a chain reaction of compassion and goodwill that transcends boundaries and unites communities.

So how can we incorporate kindness into our daily lives and make it a priority year-round? Here are some simple yet meaningful ways to practise kindness:

• Start with yourself:

When experiencing mental health issues, it's very difficult to be kind to yourself but self-compassion is the foundation of kindness. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would extend to a loved one. Practise self-care rituals that nourish your mind, body and spirit and be gentle with yourself during times of struggle or adversity. Take a day off work, book a massage, cancel dinner plans if you aren't feeling up to it.

For me, it's often the simple act of walking my dog to see his joy - even when it's the last thing I feel like - and watching a funny movie or series and spending more time with my son are also a tonic.

I was initially very hard on myself when going through a depressive cycle. I would instinctively berate myself and see myself as a hopeless failure.

I had to learn a very valuable lesson: That the difficult times are when it's most important to be compassionate towards myself. To recognise that I was merely stuck in a moment and would eventually come out the other side.

I would name this negative voice Rita and say to myself: “Ah, Rita is here to visit and she is going to try and convince me that I am unworthy but she will pass.” I do not suffer from schizophrenia but naming a negative inner critic dissociates your feelings from yourself.

What also helped was going for a massage to feel the connection of touch with another human and trying to sleep more to feel more balanced.

And one of the best things I've done for myself is to establish an SOS group – close friends who would drop anything if I felt I wasn't coping, people I felt safe reaching out to without feeling judged.

• Be present and mindful:

Take the time to truly listen and be present with others. Show genuine interest and empathy towards their experiences and offer your support and encouragement without judgment. A kind word or a compassionate gesture can make a world of difference to someone in need.

• Practise random acts of kindness:

Look for opportunities to perform random acts of kindness throughout your day. Whether it's buying a coffee for the person behind you in line, complimenting a stranger on their smile, or leaving a kind note for a co-worker, small gestures can have a big impact.

• Volunteer and give back:

Get involved in your community and lend your time and talents to causes you care about. Whether it's volunteering at a local soup kitchen, participating in a charity run, or organising a fundraiser, giving back to others is a powerful way to spread kindness and make a positive difference in the world.

• Spread positivity online:

Use social media as a platform for spreading positivity and kindness rather than negativity. Share uplifting content, inspirational quotes, or acts of kindness to brighten

someone's day. Engage in meaningful conversations and promote kindness and empathy in your online interactions.

• Practise forgiveness:

Let go of resentment and grudges by practising forgiveness towards yourself and others. Holding onto negative emotions only harms your mental and emotional wellbeing. By choosing to forgive, you free yourself from the burden of anger and resentment, allowing kindness and compassion to flourish.

• Cultivate gratitude:

Take time each day to reflect on the blessings in your life and express gratitude for the people and experiences that bring you joy. Gratitude is the ultimate expression of kindness, reminding us to appreciate the beauty and abundance that surround us.

You never know what someone is going through and just being kind can make a big difference to their frame of mind. Kindness can be as simple as giving personal space, time off to an employee, a text or call to check in or sending some choccies or a message someone's way.

If you know that someone is going through a difficult time, asking them how they are can seem like a loaded question which needs a full answer. Instead, simply ask them if they are OK. That way, the pressure is off and their simple one-word answer will let you know if they need help or even just a hug.

As we embrace the spirit of kindness and compassion, let us remember that it is always in season. By cultivating a culture of kindness in our homes, communities and workplaces, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for ourselves, our loved ones, people we encounter regularly or by chance and future generations to come.

Remember, kindness is not just a virtue; it's a way of life that can transform the lives of others and bring joy and fulfilment to your own life as well. So let us commit to spreading kindness wherever we go, knowing that even the smallest acts of compassion have the power to make a lasting impact.

Yael Geffen is the CEO and shareholder of Sotheby’s International Realty, South Africa. She grew up in a real estate dynasty established by her grandmother, Aida, and, prior to joining the family business in 2009, she acquired extensive real estate marketing, brand building and business development experience in the United States. Yael is also an accomplished public and motivational speaker and her broadcast experience includes hosting and producing her own radio show from 2013 to 2017. Yael is a sought-after Life and Business Strategy Advisor

No,itisnotaspellingerror.

As a society we are consumed by our external reality – we can post pictures on social media all day about intimate details of what we are wearing, eating or doing… and to express our feelings, we have an ever-increasing bank of emojis, memes and stickers. Mental and emotional literacy levels are low because they pertain to abstract, very subjective experiences that happen behind the human eyes, relating to our inner world of thoughts, cognitive functions, feelings, values, meaning and identity.

In modern day language, this inner world is the software that is not some insignificant aspect of our identity and existence, it is our very identity. And just as we regularly receive prompts that a software update is due on our phones or computers, life sends us regular reminders that inner change and growth are needed. Man landed on the moon and traversed intergalactic spaces… yet few of us have explored the recesses of our very own minds and the chambers of our hearts to draw on the infinite wealth of inner resources to navigate life –a resource that is a repository of our true power. Resilience refers to our inner human-spiritual capital. Socrates wrote: 'Know thyself'. Sufi mystic and poet, Rumi stated: 'We carry inside us the wonders we seek outside us. If you are in search of the greatest treasure, don't look outside… look within'. Einstein wrote: 'We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them'. Why don't we know about these inner resources? The answer is eloquently captured by Candace Pert (Molecules of Emotion): “Unless we can measure something, science won't concede it exists, which is why science refuses to deal with such 'nonthings' as the emotions, the mind, the soul, or the spirit.”

I also played on the word empowerment because a growing culture of expectation and entitlement prevails, of receiving help from outside and external sources. While both giving and receiving help are good for mental health, we will never grow our own muscle if somebody else is always feeding us or carrying our burdens.

Professor Dr Suvira Ramlall has produced a gem

Review: of a book that is something of a work of art as well. Communicating directly to the reader through the prism of prose and poetic insights from famous names, which punctuate her words, her guidance and specialised advice place the ownership of mental health into the hands of the reader. The work is written in elegant simplicity that belies the specialised weight of the repertoire of health approaches brought to the 'seeker' of health. Transcending the narrow bio-medical path, her approach cuts to the heart of mental health as holistic, while demystifying myths around achieving mental wellness.

Professor Maheshvari Naidu-Anthropology-UKZN

Suvira Ramlall is an associate

About the Author: professor in psychiatry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, heads a public sector specialised psychiatry hospital in Durban and is the immediate past-president of the College of Psychiatrists (SA). With more than three decades of experience in clinical services, undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, research and working with NGOs, she has also published in local and international scientific journals, written book chapters and co-edited Talk Therapy Toolkit - a proudly South African primer for counselling and psychotherapy in the local context. She champions the needs and rights of patients, families and caregivers on local, provincial and national committees, on academic, clinical and community forums. She also offers private consultations to those seeking optimum mental health, personal growth or professional development, embracing a person-centred, holistic and humanistic approach within a multi-disciplinary framework. Her special interest is in spirituality and mental wellbeing. Inpowerment - her recent workbook on how to build mental and emotional resilience - was launched on 9 August 2023 at the Durban International Book Fair. Of her many roles and achievements, being mum to three young adults tops her list of priorities and sources of joy. Yoga, meditation, long walks in nature, gardening and reading nourish her-body, mind, heart and soul!

Odyssey Magazine is giving away three books. Website link: https://odysseymagazineco.za/community/ #competitions-giveaways or scan the QR code

Click on the title of the book. Closing Date 31 May 2024

TheWildernessWithin

WordsSteveHurt

Deep Forest: Inward Perambulations of Love

This morning, I walked a winding trail inside a dense coastal forest. I am fortunate to live right here, so near to this primal natural world, to feel the wildness of nature so close at all times. This place is sacred, it is a verdant unfolding of dappled greenery nestled alongside a narrow stretch of coastline that is home to some of the last remaining primary indigenous forests of South Africa. These forests provide safe retreats for the abundant biodiversity protected by our national parks. Here, you might find the spoor of a leopard and hear stories of the rare sighting of forest elephants. The birdlife is extraordinary, almost deafening at dawn. In this wilderness, one feels the touch of primeval earth, the cradle to the heartbeat of ancient life.

The pulse of this forest ushers me into a familiar place inside, where there is a deeper recognition of my own inner wildness. In recognising our shared wildness, there is a remembrance that we are both made of the same fabric of consciousness. There is a deep kinship with the forest and all living things in this landscape, punctuated by trees, mountains, rivers and creatures big and small. These woods are soaked in our shared soul, woven throughout everything before me. This kinship always brings me back to love — a deep love for the earth and all living things, a sense of connection to everything that I hold dear in this living world. It is also here in these delicately woven natural spaces that I sense how the forest is like a clear mind holding an original

vision of creation. I love how this place is filled with potency and presence. I love the tryst between its fragility and resilience. I love how the forest breathes and then leaves me with the pulsating presence of a pregnant stillness between its breaths. The forest embodies wholeness, connectedness and presence and a burning heart turned by the fingers of God.

And yet, even though this place is pure wilderness and a place of deep connection, I cannot walk here without a vivid sense of what has been lost. I am surrounded by utter beauty but I feel such a deep missing.

In the forest are the echoes of absent voices; there is a hollow imprint of wild animals that once were part of the fabric of this place. Even in the fullness of this avian orchestra, there is a chorus of emptiness, a palpable void of silence that speaks of what was once here; songs filled with the silent ululations of the missing choir members. Only 200 years ago, this land was an undulating coastal forest, a labyrinthine mass of towering trees. Giant yellowwoods, some up to 1 000 years old, punctuated every part of this canopy, perfecting the architecture of a dense understorey. Not long ago, the uncharted forest floor stretched for hundreds of kilometres, spilling over into vast thickets and rolling hills. Thousands of antelope ventured out from the thick forest to graze, then disappeared back into this deep green sanctuary of wildness.

The Knysna forest elephants once flourished here. But the arrival of the woodcutter and the hunter irrevocably changed this landscape. They set up camps, the trees fell to their axes and roads were forged through the heart of the forest. And within a heartbeat, the woodcutters' camps turned into suburbs and their dirt roads into highways, reaching ever deeper into an ever-growing spillage of urbanisation and suburbia.

What man wants, he takes. And if there is an insatiable need to forge a path into the sacred heart of the wilderness, then that path will be made. And in the dust of this path, there is the distinct smell of all the friends of this vast wilderness who are now absent. Their absence now fills the world. We lose our kinship with nature when we destroy it. The relationship turns sour; the bitter aftertaste of desecration lingers insidiously. We suffer the desecration inside ourselves and in the outer world because we are actually one and the same being. We are but the earth looking back upon herself.

As humanity encroaches ever forward upon the edge of the wilderness, not only does the footprint of the forest diminish, but the essence of this living being recedes more into her sacred core. There is an essential presence in this untouched wildness that cannot bear the face of man, tarnished by his naming and claiming. And so this wildness perambulates back into herself, withdraws her presence in this physical world. She coils herself into the inner sanctum of her wild heart and fades from the spaces that materialistic man seeks to claim, protecting a sanctuary that his gaze cannot pierce. This withdrawal into herself is a safeguarding of what remains behind, a careful cushioning of the inner essence of her wild heart.

She is the greatest of lovers and every retraction of her heart shatters the heart of her lovers. We live in the agony of her absence, not knowing why or how we suffer this deep longing for something we inherently know is missing but cannot place. It is this ecologically lovestruck heart that fuels the cry of our souls in the night, this longing for that which is absent, which we know should be here but no longer have the words or memories to describe. That is an ache that the forest carries. That is

the ache present in this cathedral of greenery with its myriad singing voices of creatures great and small.

Whilst walking along the sun-dappled path and feeling this deep missing and longing for the return of the wildness, I was touched by the life of the smallest of creatures in this forest: The humble spider. It was as though the spider, the smallest and most delicate of creatures, was telling me a story now. It was a story about the ephemeral nature of life, resilience and love.

I had been cognisant of how my lumbering strides were tearing apart the spaces between the trees that had been woven shut overnight by the shiny, silky threads of the spiders. The forest is filled with these gossamer threads, near-invisible lines cast across the path. Each thread is painstakingly crafted across the spaces between trees filling the open spaces and I cannot walk without tearing them down. I am reminded that all creatures great and small are equally valued, from the ancient forest soil strata below me with their billion microorganisms to the towering yellowwood architects of this canopy. And, while the forest is so often a story of the trees that grow to be a thousand years old and the wild animals that inhabit this space, paradoxically, the spider's story is one of impermanence. The life of these spiders is fleeting, yet their presence is continuous and their labour consistent. They inhabit this dynamic space in creation where their world of webs is made anew again each night and day. As I walk I watch this story unfold in my mind's eye and it dawns on me that these webs are both temporal creations that last only a few hours but are also the very silky fabric of a family lineage that stretches back millions of years. These spiders have always woven their threads and will continue doing so forever. They will never retreat, will not stop this relentless pursuit of being embedded in their God-given territory and this resilience is the signifier of a wild heart that is simply true to itself without compromise. It is a beautiful testament to the power of the heart, the power of being embedded in one's true nature where there is no possibility of being anything other than what you are.

I see parallels between our lives and those of spiders, a deep kinship woven into our shared soul. It feels as though, much like the spiders' webs torn down daily by passers-by, we too face a similar fate: Our culture has ceased to respect the ancient forests of mystical wisdom and the intricate webs we've meticulously crafted through our spiritual practices that nurture love and connection in this world. These gossamer threads, spun from our hearts, are the narratives we create by living true to the soul's deeper reality. They are stories of our hearts, interwoven into the fabric of this world, brought forth with the silk of our spirits. Like the spider webs strung across the path, the love we weave into the world holds no guarantee of permanence. Yet, we can draw lessons from paying attention to the earth and her expressions of love. Nature, embodied here by a spider, persists in living from a place of profound loveunwavering love for all of creation. This deep, true love, undeterred by challenges, emanates from its very essence and purpose. Nature embodies love incarnate. Mother Nature continues, unabated, to love and give herself freely to all life, completely surrendered to her heart, which is steered by the Great Spirit - the thread that unites us all.

Eventually, I reach a bench on top of the peak. I sit down and stare across the most breath-taking landscape, looking out over the national parks onto the lakes of Wilderness below. From this perch I can hear all the birds of the forest below me and their song is a conduit to love's secret hiding place. These are the moments I cherish. I catch my breath and relax into a waking meditation, counting my breaths and drawing my attention into my heart. I feel the need simply to acknowledge how deeply in love with this place I am. My heart is swollen with awe and reverence for this beautiful forest and it cascades into a love that opens it even

wider, stretching it, pulling me deeper into love. Opened like a rose, petals unfurling from this bud, soaked in the dawn of love. Love dawns inside and my heart is a waiting rosebud, surrendered open.

In this moment of falling in love with the Earth I invite Her to find a home inside my heart and offer my life work to be surrendered to Her needs. But what is more, for the first time ever, I am conscious of a deeper surrendering in my heart to allow myself to be loved and held in return by the Earth herself.

Dawn birdsong, soft heart

This is Love and I am yours

My heart enraptured.

Steve Hurt's writing falls within the paradigm of spiritual ecology which approaches ecology from a spiritual perspective. His writing is influenced by shamanism, sufism and a deep love for the earth. Steve currently lives in South Africa and runs a business that trades in African medicinal plants, a trade that is driven by his wish to preserve the rich heritage of African medicinal knowledge for future generations.

TheAromaofTranquillity:

HarnessingAromatherapyforImprovedSleep

In a fast-paced world filled with stress and constant demands, achieving a good night's sleep has become an elusive luxury for many. As sleep disorders and insomnia continue to affect a significant portion of the population, people are increasingly seeking alternative and natural remedies to enhance their sleep quality. Among the various holistic approaches gaining popularity, aromatherapy stands out as a soothing and effective method to promote restful sleep.

The power of aromatherapy

Aromatherapy, an age-old practice that utilises the therapeutic properties of essential oils, has emerged as a gentle yet powerful tool to alleviate sleep-related issues. The essence of aromatherapy lies in the ability of certain scents to influence the brain's limbic system, the area responsible for emotions, memories and arousal. By harnessing the natural fragrances of essential oils, aromatherapy induces a sense of calm, relaxation and tranquillity – the perfect recipe for a peaceful night's sleep.

Essential oils for better sleep

Several essential oils have proven to be particularly effective in promoting relaxation and enhancing sleep quality. Lavender, renowned for its calming properties, is a popular choice, known to reduce anxiety and stress. Chamomile, with its mild sedative effects, is another excellent option for creating a serene atmosphere conducive to sleep. Other oils like cedarwood, bergamot and ylang-ylang also contribute to a restful sleep environment.

Incorporating aromatherapy into your sleep routine

Integrating aromatherapy into your nightly routine is a simple and enjoyable process. Diffusers, which

disperse essential oil particles into the air, are a popular choice for creating a calming ambiance in the bedroom. Alternatively, a few drops of essential oil on a pillow or pyjamas can also be effective. The key is to find the scent that resonates with you personally, as individual preferences play a crucial role in the success of aromatherapy.

Scientific backing

While aromatherapy's efficacy in improving sleep has been largely anecdotal, recent scientific studies provide growing evidence to support its benefits. Research has shown that certain essential oils can impact brainwave patterns, leading to a more relaxed state conducive to sleep.

A holistic approach to sleep Aromatherapy should be viewed as part of a holistic approach to sleep improvement. While it may not be a stand-alone solution for severe sleep disorders, its incorporation into a comprehensive sleep routine can contribute significantly to overall wellbeing. Pairing aromatherapy with other healthy sleep habits, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment and practising relaxation techniques, can yield even more profound results.

In a world that often seems relentless, the pursuit of quality sleep is more important than ever. Aromatherapy offers a natural and accessible avenue for individuals seeking to enhance their sleep experience. As we continue to explore holistic approaches to wellbeing, the gentle power of essential oils in promoting relaxation and tranquillity stands out as a fragrant beacon of hope for a restful night's sleep. So, let the soothing scents of aromatherapy guide you to the peaceful shores of rejuvenating slumber.

Falling passionately in love with life life

“

Wearemadeforloving.Ifwedon'tlove,wewillbelikeplantswithoutwater.

My very earliest memories are of love. Of loving everything around me. Everything that grows, moves, breathes. Trees, animals, birds - and the bugs that would be clutched too tightly in my fouryear-old hand when I drifted off to sleep, awaking to tears when I unclenched my grip to reveal the lifeless bodies of my little friends.

Being surrounded by love was a given in my very young world. My devoted parents opened my eyes to a benign world filled with awe, wonder, beauty and miracles.

How fortunate to have role models like these in my formative years. What a gift to step forward excitedly, knowing that Mum, Dad and the world at large had my back, gently coaxing, supporting, encouraging me to explore and discover.

Disappointment and disillusionment only seeped in later.

The journey has taught me that possessions, positions and outer status are nice to have but matter little in the grand scheme of things. More important is striving to be kinder, more loving and of service. To be a

presence of love.

I write this today on the anniversary of the passing of Herman Potgieter, one of the world's great aviation photographers who became a best friend and was intended to become a business partner as well.

All that ended in a heartbeat. Herman and eight others died instantly when the Pilatus PC-12 aircraft they were travelling in, slammed into Kenya's Ngong Hills of Out of Africa fame.

I was scheduled to have been on that fatal flight but had had to cancel at the very last moment.

Herman and I had several creative collaborations planned, but it was the loss of his special friendship and that wicked and irrepressible sense of humour that was so devastating. This wasn't part of my plan. But as John Lennon famously observed: “Life is what happens while you are making other plans.”

For a time, I was paralysed by shock and grief. It felt like something important in me had also died in that wreckage, obliterating my childlike sense of awe, wonder and gratitude. I lost my mojo.

ArchbishopDesmondTutu

WordsGeoffDalglish

And then there was a recurring nightmare I didn't know what to do with. I was trapped in a room, the wind howling through the door and windows. “You must perform a ritual,” an indigenous elder counselled. “You must let go of what happened and move on with your life.”

I embarked on a meandering road trip of several weeks from Johannesburg to Nairobi and had planned to trek to the actual crash site and perform a ritual. In the end that seemed unnecessary. Early one morning while gazing questioningly at the distant Ngong Hills I felt a huge energy shift and a sense of peace settled over me. My mojo was back. I'd fallen in love with life again.

Since then, I've probably adventured enough for both of us, also discovering some of the things that really matter to me. Some of what makes me truly happy and fulfilled.

Knowing that I never walk alone is pivotal, of course, and being part of a loving and caring community committed to service is one way of experiencing that joyful connection and sense of purpose.

As sportsman and philanthropist Muhammad Ali noted: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”

It took an 11-day Vision Quest and solo time fasting in the Groot Winterhoek Mountains of South Africa for the next meaningful nudge along my soul path. “You need to go to Findhorn where your next steps will be revealed,” an inner voice urged. Where did that come from?

Signing up for a month-long immersion within the pioneering Findhorn community and Ecovillage in northern Scotland radically changed the trajectory of my life. For ever.

Huge initial misgivings around standing in circles holding hands with a bunch of strangers, soon gave way to a new way of seeing and being. My heart cracked wide open and much of a high-pressure lifetime of striving seemed somehow less important. Hardly a priority any more.

Findhorn elder and mentor Craig Gibsone once looked me in the eye and insisted knowingly: “If it's not fun, it's not sustainable.” That lesson stays with me. As do

the three cornerstones of my adopted spiritual community: Being still and going within to access guidance, cocreating with the intelligence of nature and embracing work or service as love in action.

Cheesy as it sounds, I now try to infuse whatever I do with love, no matter how mundane the task. It's that old familiar idea of loving the ones you're with, where you're at and what you're doing, even when it sometimes makes your blood boil. I guess, we're human, not saints! It's a work in progress.

Along with the regular ritual of meditation, one of Findhorn's great gifts for me has been what's known as attunement. It's something you encounter every day at the start of almost any process. Participants stop what they'd doing, circle up and take a sacred pause. Usually someone will lead with a few words inviting all to close their eyes, or soften their gaze and silently attune to the hearts in the circle, the wisdom and divinity within the group, the task at hand, or even just the beauty and sanctity of the moment. It's a chance to let go and reset.

At one time I imagined I might walk the world visiting countless intentional and eco-inspired communities. I did some research and realised that, by following my intuition, I was exactly where I needed to be and had arrived in perfect timing.

The community in The Park at Findhorn ticks most of my boxes. It is remarkably full featured, offering a dazzling array of choices, including music, dance, theatre and local and international gatherings in the Universal Hall. These have included conferences like the New Story Summit, We Do Not Die and Climate Change and Consciousness.

I'm also proud that 'my' community has been such a bold pioneer. Toilet and grey water is cleaned by a natural process in The Living Machine, which was the first of its kind in Europe. When much of Scotland was celebrating the abundance of North Sea Oil, Findhorn introduced a wind turbine named Moya, which means wind or spirit in Sesotho. And it was here that the Game of Transformation was invented to simulate life in a spiritual community, with all its inspirations and challenges.

“...whilstthisplanethasgonecyclingonaccordingtothefixedlawof gravity,fromsosimpleabeginningendlessformsmostbeautifuland mostwonderfulhavebeen,andarebeing,evolved.”

-Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species

Purchase the online Chi Gong Course, go to: https://www.mingsmartialarts.co.za/online-chi-gong-course/ Get your free online class now! Contact Leo Ming at +27 83 378 0468

The deck of Angel cards was the world's first and one of the tools of the game. If you'd like to sample an Angel card, click on the link at the end of this text.

Findhorn has been described as an experiment, a laboratory for change, a hothouse for spirituality, or more simply as a quest to find ways of living together that are kinder to each other, the Earth and all lifeforms. It's inspiring and often messy and uncomfortable.

Covid has been both a crisis and sacred pause, inviting questioning and deep introspection.

Is this who I am. Is this where I belong? What's mine to do? What would serve the highest?

In my travels I've noticed and admired similar golden threads at places as diverse as the Ojai Foundation and Three Creeks in California, and the Tamera Healing Biotope in Portugal.

I've visited Tamera, a so-called 'free love' community, welcomed some of its co-workers to Findhorn and shared a source-to-sea Walking Water pilgrimage with others in California. I respect the courage, commitment and authenticity I've seen and experienced. Public speaker, teacher and author Charles Eisenstein recently described Tamera as a really bold undertaking. “One thing that has been moving me is just how audacious the project is. And how deep and fearless the exploration.”

Rather than being a sexual free-for-all, it is about creating a culture free from fear that aims to free people, especially young people, from the shame, secrecy, taboos and judgments around eros, or sexual love and attraction. It's brave and honest.

A recent documentary entitled The Village of Lovers is worth a look if you're curious. https://thevillageoflovers.com/watch

In my meanderings I've realised you don't have to be in a Tamera or Findhorn to experience the best of community. A friend walking the legendary Camino do Santiago in Spain commented: “It's like a walking Findhorn.”

During the Walking Water pilgrimage... https://walking-water.org/ I realised I'd never been happier or more fulfilled - and that while trekking through hot, harsh conditions and sleeping under the stars for weeks on end. It fulfilled my love of adventure,

challenge and contribution.

There was a common vision of protecting the Earth and her sacred waters, defending the rights and dignity of indigenous people, collaborating with like-minded idealists and trusting in the wisdom and messages from the natural world. Beauty was pervasive, from the backdrop of the snow-capped Sierra Mountains to the love, hope and yearning mirrored in many faces along the way.

Again and again over the years I've come back to the thought that this feels like home. And home, I now know, can be a place or a state of being. It is anywhere that my heart is wide open.

In recent weeks and months home has been the seclusion of the Findhorn Foundation's retreat house on the sacred Scottish Isle of Iona, and, on the opposite side of the world, the loving embrace of close family and friends in Cape Town; Saddlebrook Estate, an oasis within the bustling busyness of Johannesburg and the Raptor's View Wildlife Estate of Hoedspruit, that is a dynamic staging point for innumerable South African wildlife adventures.

Mostly my inspiration has come from taking time to look deeply into the eyes of another, recognising that spark of divinity.

As humanitarian, theologian and Nobel laureate Albert Schweitzer observed: “The only thing of importance, when we depart, will be the traces of love we have left behind.”

Geoff Dalglish is a writer and spiritual and ecological activist dedicated to raising consciousness. He has walked more than 30 000km with climate change messages about treading more lightly and lovingly upon the Earth. He is an ambassador for the Findhorn spiritual community and ecovillage and is Odyssey’s ‘Pilgrim at Large’

Visit: www.findhorn.love www.ecovillagefindhorn.com www.tamera.org

Choose an angel https://innerlinks.com/angel-cards/pickan-angel

The Revolutionary Shift in Wellness Tourism

ByDebraRobins,EditorOdysseyMagazineand Founder,TheWellnessWayAfrica

Theconceptoftotalwellnessrecognisesthatoureverythought,wordandbehaviour affectsourgreaterhealthandwell-being.Andwe,inturn,areaffectednotonly emotionallybutalsophysicallyandspiritually.

Greg Anderson

Wellness tourism is voluntary travel to worldwide destinations for the purpose of promoting health and wellbeing through the nurturing of body, mind and spirit. It refers to travelling for health and wellbeing reasons. The wellness tourism economy includes all expenditures that tourists make during a trip to improve or maintain their wellbeing.

The wellness tourism industry has been revolutionised due to a global surge in interest in fitness, health, wellbeing, and increased consumer disposable income post-Covid. Leading players in the hospitality sector are capitalising on this trend by catering to conscious consumers.

There is also a global increase in demand for wellness lifestyle habitats and estates, which can be defined as living or vacation spaces that are proactively designed and built to support the holistic health and wellbeing of their residents, focusing on 'Wellness Within’

Primary wellness travellers.

These travellers are primarily motivated by wellness to take a trip. Their destination is chosen specifically for its wellness

offerings. An example of this type of tourist might be someone who books a retreat at a spa resort renowned for its holistic health programmes such as Yoga, meditation and nutritional workshops.

Secondary wellness travellers.

These individuals aim to maintain wellness or engage in wellness activities during any kind of travel. An example would be someone who ensures their hotel has a fitness centre and uses it regularly during their business trips or a traveller who chooses accommodations based on the availability of healthy menu options.

Wellness tourism and medical tourism, adventure and eco tourism.

• Wellness tourists travel to improve or maintain their health and quality of life and wellness within whilst practising holism. This is a conscious choice and is different for every traveller.

• Medical tourists travel to receive treatment for a specific diagnosed medical condition and elective surgery.

• Adventure tourism is where travellers generally travel to partake in physical, and often physically challenging endeavours, which may include: Cycling, trail running, hiking and kayaking.

• Eco-tourism is considered to be responsible travel to natural areas that conserve the environment, sustain the well-being of the local people and the planet. It generally involves interpretation and education.

Wellness tourism includes:

Nutrition (organic restaurants, health food stores, plantbased products)

• Weight management

• Detox programmes

• Culinary experiences

• Farm-to-table dining

• Nutritional workshops

• Juice bars

Fitness (gyms and fitness centres)

• Gym visits

• Fitness classes

• Stretching sessions

• Pilates

• Personal training

Personal growth (lifestyle retreats and wellness retreats)

• Retreats

• Life coaching

• Stress reduction techniques

• Writing workshops

• Art therapy

• Meditation and mindfulness programmes

• Upliftment and lifestyle seminars

Spiritual and connectedness (Yoga retreats, spiritual retreats, and ashrams)

• Solitude and reflection

• Chanting and singing

• Spiritual workshops

• Pilgrimages

• Global Prayer

• Community service

• Volunteering opportunities

UBUNTU COACH TRAINING

Mind-body (Yoga studios and martial arts studios)

• Yoga

• Tai chi

• Qigong

• Biofeedback

• Meditation

• Martial arts

• Breathwork

• Energy Healing

Spa and beauty (health-focused hotels, wellness cruises, health resorts, spas, salons, bathhouses, and springs)

• Massage therapies

• Aromatherapy baths

• Body treatments

• Facials

• Hair and nail care

• Thermal and mineral springs

• Hydrotherapy

The growth and sustainability of wellness tourism and lifestyles

Leading players in the hospitality sector are capitalising on this trend by catering to conscious consumers. They are incorporating fitness facilities into their hotels and offering amenities like in-room Yoga mats.

However, it's not just hotels that are adapting to the needs of wellness tourists. Airports around the world are also entering the market, providing travellers with meditation rooms, massage chairs, indoor green spaces, organic dining options, and walking tracks.

The Global Wellness Institute reported that “wellness tourism” is expected to grow more than any other wellness sector, increasing by about 20.9% by 2025 to become a $1.1 billion slice of the economy. The hospitality industry is taking notice!

www.globalwellnessinstitute.org/

“Wellness within is mindfulness and acceptance of what you are, what you feel inside and how it's always changing. That process is helped by being attentive to the breath as it moves through the body.”— Rodney Yee

Nobantu Mpotulo

Why people buy

ByKikiTheo

Why do people deal with people? And why do they stop dealing? What makes you choose this hairdresser over that one? This coffee bar? Why do you go back to this particular restaurant, or holiday destination? Why do people continue to work with companies that consistently deliver no service? Investment institutions that are losing money for them, across decades? While other investors will leave a company that is actually making money for them?

I have long pondered these questions - and you should too, because it will rid you of the notion that people deal with you or with your company for the reasons you imagine. Rule one of business and of sales, is: People buy for their reasons, not yours. Many business owners never really grasp this concept and it's imperative to do so, if you intend thriving in business.

The first question every business owner needs to answer is: Why should anyone deal with me? None of the usual clichés are valid reasons – good service, great food, we care, we have a great/the best/the most economical yahra; we are the only/the foremost/the proven blah, blahs and, unless you want me to lay a curse, please never utter those dreadful words, 'we under promise and over deliver'! I may have mentioned this before.

The truth is, the reasons people buy are flimsy, tenuous, ephemeral, and generally unrelated to all the wellmeaning clichés and purpose in the world. Nothing to do with price. Little to do with affordability either. How many people do you know, that routinely buy things they simply cannot afford?

It seldom has to do with the actual product either. Even though we do so love brands. It has everything to do with you. Always. More importantly it's how you and/or your staff and your product make clients feel. Even online.

People want to feel good. They want to be validated, heard, encouraged, and made to smile. They want to feel there is someone else out there who understands their point of view, who sees the world the way they do. They want connection, especially in the service industry, which underpins all industries. They also want to feel they are right.

The best way to look at any business is from the standpoint of the clients.

Jamie Dimon

Right there problems start, because some companies try to demonstrate their competence and knowledge by making the client wrong. It seems to make logical sense and it is even some people's sales procedure - the 'you have a problem, and I have a solution' stance. But how does that make the client feel? No one wants to feel like an idiot and, although it's popular culture to celebrate arrogant chefs, opinionated interior designers and dictatorial wedding planners who whip the client into submission, in real life, nah. Not so much.

Don't presume. Don't insult the client with either your knowledge or your attitude. Don't make them wrong. Don't make them feel bad.

Remember, he/she/they with the purse have the power. If you make them feel bad, they won't buy, or buy again.

There is a ludicrous dynamic we have allowed to persist, whereby, in particular, publishers, gallery owners, agents of all kinds and some managers of wealth, treat the customers who are responsible for putting food on their table, not like valued clients, but like errant, slow children, or devotees, who are expected to propitiate said agents and managers to curry favour.

We need to say bollocks to that! It is the seller who must charm, propitiate and pursue (gently and elegantly) the buyer. They must make the client feel good and right and valued. (See my book The little conscious book of selling.)

Now different things make different people feel good and valued and you need to find out what that something is. It's usually not what you think – and it varies, from person to person. Ask your existing clients why they deal with you. The answers always surprise and differ client to client, for the same product and service, but always have to do with some subtlety or small detail you may take for granted.

Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.

Swami Sivananda

I, for example, generally think my clients are focused on increasing company profit, as I help people expand self, wealth and business. While this is true, when I ask what is valued and why clients deal with me for over a decade, I am told something different. That it is my ability to really listen, that I am an impartial confidante and advisor

and that I am always there, consistent, holding the space. They say my work keeps growing and expanding as the client expands. That I inspire, see the tiny detail that makes all the difference that I am a catalyst for magic. That's what they say - and I know, because I regularly ask. The increase of company profit, though the reason clients come, seems not to be the main focus. It seems to be taken for granted. Which is interesting and illustrates my point.

So great food, great service, actually doing whatever your business does, however brilliantly, can never be the reason people deal with you and, more importantly continue to deal with you. Nor is it your fabulous product – whatever it is. No matter if it's the best. Those things are a given and many companies will deliver them, or claim to do so. What we know for sure, is that it's not always the better products or services that make it in the world, nor the companies with the best service and delivery making all the money.

Where does that leave us then, as aspiring, enlightened companies? Just remember the simple maxim –People buy for their reasons, not yours, so find out what they want.

Many companies do not survive because their founders insist that people deal with them for the company's reasons. They insist that clients must be interested in the trees they plant, or that their product is ethical, that they must understand what they are buying, that they need to be educated with many facts.

If I had a dollar for every sale lost due to that logic. Few people give a darn about your ideals and aspirations or will use them as a major reason to do business with you. Some do, but most don't give a continental fig.

Now you may have flown across the world and climbed the Andes on foot to access that special vicuña wool that your scarves are made of. (A vicuña is a camelid – looks a bit like an alpaca). And you might want to explain how ethical this wool is, because the vicuñas roam wild and that it takes three years for the wool to grow and that's why the scarf costs $2 500. Truly! But your client may only be interested in the fact that it's rare, unique and that it's expensive. Or that it's a great colour match for their coat. Your rambling on may put them off and, when they leave without buying, you may think it's the cost that put them off, but it wasn't. It was you.

Nothing exists except atoms and empty space, everything else is opinion.

Democritus

How many times have you walked out of a shop, because some no doubt well-meaning sales person kept blathering on and on about the merits of something you wanted, that you were sold on, but just needed in a different colour? Will you buy a dress from the woman who looks you up and down with distaste? Remember Pretty Woman? Do you go back to that restaurant with awesome food but creepy waiters? Or to that hotel in a fabulous location, where the staff were rude and unfriendly?

Then there are those too embarrassed to leave their incompetent fund managers and cut ongoing monetary loss because the fund managers are 'the bank, who also stores their will', 'abc – reputable company', or because 'their wife would not like it' or 'the fund manager is the husband's cousin’.

So when we really analyse it, there are some pretty nebulous reasons that cause people to buy or not to buy, to continue or not continue dealing with someone. People buy for their reasons not yours and people buy the way things make them feel. Or the way they think things and services will make them feel, therefore become. Much marketing is based on this. Also, people buy from people. People therefore buy people, not products or services. People are always buying you.

The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge.

Thomas Berger

Find out what the client wants, then give them what they want, not what you want. Find out what the client wants to feel, through asking, paying attention and listening. That is the key to all sales. Ask questions and listen, don't launch off talking, giving facts or data the client may have no interest in. In the ideal sales or marketing presentation, the client should be doing most of the talking.

Often, a client does not know exactly what they want, or what they are buying, so you need to help them unearth it. It's never the obvious, it's always a small, slight, ephemeral subtlety, a detail. It may be hope, support, general feel-good, understanding, or just being heard.

Regardless of the kind of business you are in, people will deal with you and, more importantly continue to deal with you, because they like you and can relate to you. Or to your staff. And because dealing with your company makes them feel good and adds value. Always.

We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.

Mother Teresa

When someone is really joyful and deals with you with interest, with kindness and with love – there is nothing that can match that and you will buy and keep buying whatever they are selling. As Og Mandino says in The greatest salesman in the world, 'they may dislike me, or my goods or my offerings, but what shall they do with my love?'

If your business is new, then get input from old clients (in whatever you were doing before) as to why they dealt with you. Also speak to friends and family. They know what you stand for, what you deliver and what that unique detail is, which makes you, you.

If you have never had the clients that you are aiming for and are not creating a product that you yourself want to buy or use, please stop and rethink. Aiming a business or product to a vague 'out there' audience of 'everyone' never works. You are either selling to clients like yourself – in creating a product or services that you want, cannot find, or want to improve, or you are doing it for clients you have dealt with in the past in a similar business or while working for a boss.

It's hard to leave people you like. If you have built a good relationship, people will stick with you. That's because you add value, not just with goods or services, but with your energy, with your love, with a breath of your own Spirit. And, at the end of the day, that's what people want – someone to add value to their lives and a little sunshine to their day. That's what we are always buying.

So, if you want to increase sales and clients in the new year, consider why anyone would want to deal with you? Why should they drop everything and come to you right now? What do you offer? How do you add value? Do you know what they want to buy? Do you know why they deal with you? Also ask, how can I add more attention, love, kindness and sunshine to my clients' day? Answer these questions well and watch your profit soar! Wishing you a fabulous 2024! That rhymes too.

Kiki Theo is a wealth expansion author and facilitator. Bridging money and energy, she offers a combination of business experience, based on her own successful background as an entrepreneur, including over a decade as the owner of a fund management company, and energetic transformations, based on her lifelong study and practice of energetic healing, Jungian psychology and metaphysics. She is the author of nine wealth expansion books and offers courses and one-on-one sessions focused on wealth expansion for self and business that create tangible results.

www.kikitheo-wealthworks.com kiki@moneyalchemy.com.

Relationship Alchemy – How to align wealth and love Relationship Starts Tues 11 June 2024 by the light of the

Six weeks Live Online with Kiki Theo Tuesdays 17h00-19h00 SAST ZAR 5 500 USD 299

Kiki's holistic approach to wealth creation bridges money and metaphysics. We work in both ordinary and non-ordinary reality to create extra-ordinary results!

Focusing on mother, father, child, and lover relationships, we will:

* Align the flow of masculine and feminine energy in your life and business

* Transform and release inherited money patterns linked to core relationships

* Explore the relationship of money to mother, father, child, lover and Beloved

* Restore your power and increase wealth flow and money radiance

Who held the money energy in the home? Who was the wealth shrinker? The wealth attractor? Processing historic relationships with key persons and their effect on the creation of wealth in our life and business is ground-breaking, powerful work. It will change your relationship with money and with others for the better!

You will leave feeling more connected, clear, and inspired, with practical tools to continue your wealth expansion journey! See https://www.kikitheo-wealthworks.com/kiki-theo-money-courses

For more details and registration kiki@moneyalchemy.com Deposit ZAR 1 000 EFT /US$ 100 via PayPal to secure booking balance 2 weeks before start.

There is more to life: Unlocking a life of freedom and bliss

M50s, find themselves looking for meaning beyond the success they have carved out for themselves in spaces like their work, in a business, or in the role they play with and for their families.

Many face this as their children get older and reach independence, or when they reach the pinnacle of their careers. These achievements have made them feel comfortable in so many aspects of their lives that it can come as a shock to realise: 'But what about me? I've been looking after other people. I've been leading my business or leading in the corporate environment, serving others. I may have served myself in gaining financial freedom, but there must be more to life, and how do I access that?'

The pandemic opened us to introspection and left us wanting to lead fulfilling lives, rather than just 'surviving' or achieving traditional success. We now want a reason for being beyond our day-to-day.

Coupled with this, we have seen the rise of the coaching industry. There are life coaches, business coaches, executive coaches, personal training coaches. Social media has cultivated the content creators who help us with our physical and mental health and tell us how to eat to change our lives. Whether it is wall Pilates, Yoga or a new diet of intermittent fasting, keto or low carb, there is no end to the advice we can access, everywhere.

WordsPaulaJansevanRensburg

YouTube that share his teachings, has helped to mainstream the notion that we are in control of our lives, that we can change by shifting our thoughts, shifting our energy and our 'vibration'. Now a neuroscientist, Dispenza was a chiropractor and triathlete who healed himself from a very serious back injury after a truck collided with him during a triathlon. Breaking six vertebrae but refusing surgery, he was walking within 12 weeks through meditation and mind-body healing. He now trains people in these practices and gives talks worldwide. Communication with the universe, the quantum field, manifestation… these things are no longer considered 'woo' and are more accessible to people who want to live life to the fullest.

Paula Janse van Rensburg is someone who, from an early age, knew that she was connected to something greater than herself. Even as a child she was deeply spiritual and, as a teenager, started to have a sense of seeing beyond the surface of what people showed to the world.

When she worked in the corporate sector in her early career, Paula found herself managing people in a call centre environment, where she introduced meditation practice to her teams. While this was not always received well in the days long before 'staff wellness' programmes, it was her earliest expression of a gift she felt compelled to share.

When Paula was in her 20s, her mother was diagnosed with cancer and she left the corporate environment to spend time with her. Her mother died at the age of 52, having spent a life of scarcity, service and unending hard work, a woman who had played the role of providing for a family with five children. She had been a talented artist and creative person who was never able to give expression to that part of herself in her lifetime.

The experience of her mother's end of life drew Paula closer to her life's purpose. She trained with a spiritual mentor and became a life-long student of various teachings and practices such as mindfulness and meditation, while at that time still caught up in the conventional notion of success and achievement.

When she and her partner decided to marry in 2007, they could find no place or service to provide the picnic wedding in nature that they envisaged and this led to Paula starting her company Dial-a-Picnic. She threw herself into a frantic life of entrepreneurship and events, eventually franchising the business which now has five branches countrywide. While the business was a success, she was working long hours and at weekends, her husband was working in a corporate job he hated and they knew this was not the life they wanted. After their daughter was born in 2013, Paula started taking steps to create the life she really wanted and to pursue her role helping other women to do the same.

In 2017 she qualified as a soul coach through Soul Coaching International Institute, and she now runs her She Thrives programmes online, from her new home in Barrydale. Here, she and her husband and daughter are enjoying a life of mountains, rabbits and horses, an outdoor hot tub and fresh produce delivered to their door. By helping women reconnect with their inner power, towards a life of meaning and purpose, Paula is giving true expression to her gift.

Google will tell you: 'A soul coach helps you get in touch with your spiritual self to rediscover your soul's true desires so that you may live your life to the fullest.’

We are living in a world where women have felt the

need to hide aspects of themselves in order to succeed. Or they have been driven in one part of their lives and have neglected other parts, in the corporate environment, as a mother, or as an entrepreneur establishing a business. Paula has walked a path that many of us find ourselves on, processing trauma, striving for success and ultimately found joy in a life beyond it all.

She says: “We hold this incredible tool within us - this is where our power sits. I want to help bring that original understanding back to the feminine, so that women can heal and live in real freedom. And once a woman starts healing, everybody around her moves towards healingwomen have an incredible ability to affect those around them.

“One thing I am passionate about: Follow your bliss. When you learn to trust yourself and connect with your soul that is where the magic happens.”

Open to the possibilities beyond the conventional notion of a successful life? Paula says that, if you don't like where you're at, you get to change that: “You're literally one step away from the change and it starts from the inside out.”

“We are amidst the biggest awakening that our planet has ever seen and are being called to shed the old layers and wounds so that we can rise to our fullest potential and truly be abundant and free. Your darkest experiences can be your biggest portal for expansion.”

Paula Janse van Rensburg, Freedom and Soul Coach.

To find out more about Paula Janse van Rensburg https://www.facebook.com/PaulaJanseVanRens IG @thrivewithpaula Facebook@thrivewithpaula

Services:

Meet Godfrey at the KwazuluSpirit Festival 2024

Five conscious steps to help you find your dream career

KristyWeterings

As an international career coach I see way too many people, particularly women, who, on paper, have it all - degree(s), a good salary and the promise of yet another promotion, yet they feel trapped and frustrated in a job they don't love. Many womenand many men - are not getting any fulfilment in their daily lives and undertakings, nor do they have a healthy work-life balance. Most days they simply return home feeling exhausted and empty. In my practice and in this article I focus on women and those who identify as female.

Step 1: Get to know yourself.

When you don't know who you are, what natural skills and talents you have and what gives you energy, you are like a ship that has set sail without a compass.

We have been shaped by our upbringing, our environment, our friends and hobbies into the person we are today. The skills that we have acquired along the way, no matter how good we are at them, are not necessarily those that give us energy or make us happy.

On top of this, we end up choosing the wrong career path because we're trying to live up to the expectations of others, such as our parents, friends and colleagues. Unconsciously we have adapted and changed ourselves to be liked, accepted and to fit in.

We end up choosing a job that doesn't make us happy but that's approved by society and that gives us

security, status and a good pay check.

What eventually happens is that we hop from one job to the next, hoping that the next one will be more fulfilling, only to discover that none of them keeps us feeling fulfilled.

My advice to you is, before you start scrolling endlessly on LinkedIn looking for a new job, go on an inner journey first and discover who you truly are, what gives you energy and what will make you happy in a jobnot what you think will make you happy or what is expected from you.

How do we find the answers? There's a big misconception that the answers are in your head. If they really were, wouldn't you have found them by now? The truth is that the answers are not in your head but in your body.

Your intuition has all the answers and, if you want to listen to your intuition, you need to become still.

Here are four tips to get out of your head and into your body:

1 Start a Yoga or meditation practice;

2 Start journaling;

3 Go for a hike or run in nature;

4 Take a bubble bath or long shower.

This might give you some great insights into who you are. But how do you know what your natural skills and talents are – those that give you energy?

In my coaching programme I work with an incredible tool, called TalentScan, which helps you discover what your inherent talents are and what gives you energy. It also highlights energy drains and what may be better avoided. This tool is designed help you discover which occupations and skills profiles are best suited to your attributes and preferences.

Step 2: Master your mindset.

People usually stay in an unfulfilling job because their fears, self-doubt and limiting beliefs stand in the way of what they want.

Women come to me believing that they're not good at anything, that they don't have any real talents or skills, that it's too difficult to make a career switch since they don't have the right degrees, that they are too old and that it will cost them too much time and energy to go back to studying.

Remember that these are just beliefs, they are not the truth. You need to stop letting this negative voice inside your head (which is just trying to keep you safe and in your comfort zone) take control over your life. Ask yourself:

– What is getting in the way of what I want, what I really, really want?

– What have my fears, self-doubt and limiting beliefs cost me?

– What is holding on to these stories costing me here and now?

– If I don't change my limiting thinking, what will it cost me in the future?

Another big fear that women have is fear of rejection. They worry about what other people think of them and therefore they don't take any action. You might have an amazing idea to start a new career, but if you worry about what other people will think of it, chances are slim that you will leave your unfulfilling job.

From this position, you will only search for jobs that suit the image of what others expect from you, leaving you feeling unhappy. It's vital that you prioritise working on your mindset and start shifting your beliefs.

Step 3: Dream big.

Imagine! If anything were possible, what would you do? Imagine! If you had all time, money and skills to realise your dream, what would you do?

When we were children, we had powerful imaginations and could conjure up all sorts of fantasy stories. Through our upbringing we have learned what's possible and what's not. Our parents and teachers told us often that what we imagined was not possible.

As we get older our capacity for fantasy diminishes, to the point that we forget how to let our thoughts run wild. Your brain will always try and keep you safe. Your brain's default setting would rather err on the side of safety than move you out of your comfort zone.

So, when you have a big dream, your brain will ask questions such as 'what if you fail?', 'how will you pay your bond?' or 'what will your parents think?'. This type of thinking paralyses you and you eventually stop dreaming.

Instead of listening to the limiting dialogues inside your head, make every effort to allow your creative brain to activate. Allow your imagination to wander in the field of all possibility… allowing your inner dialogue to direct you to what you desire and what you want to do.

Step 4: Ask yourself 'why?'

What do you want your legacy to be? How do you want your children to talk about you one day? How do you want to be remembered?

When you are older and no longer active in the workplace, when you look back on your life, you want to be able to say that you lived your life fully, taking risks, expanding and growing.

Try to imagine your future self. Who do you want to be? How do you want to feel? What would you want your future life to look like if you could have anything and do anything you wanted?

When you are not crystal clear on why you want to change your career, you will never take action towards achieving your goals and dreams, especially if you are in a job that, although it is not making you happy, gives you great colleagues, a fabulous salary and favourable conditions of employment – one that it's difficult to leave.

When you have visualised and embraced the bigger picture of why you want to do a certain thing, you will be more motivated and driven to achieve that.

Step 5: Take action.

If you don't work on your mindset and challenge your limiting-beliefs, negative self-talk and your selfsabotaging behaviour, then you will never change, you will never take action and get out of your comfort zone. If you never get out of your comfort zone, you will never be able to live the life that is truly going to make you happy. The only person who is standing in the way of reaching your goals and dreams is you!

We tend to procrastinate because we want everything to be perfect. Perfectionism will prevent you from taking action. Instead, try to let go of perfectionism, good enough is good enough.

If you want to make a radical change in your life, then you need to make a radical change in your mindset. It all starts with you and a decision to change.

If you wait for all the circumstances to be perfect before you decide to make a change, you will be waiting for a very long time. You will never feel 100 per cent ready. You won't miraculously wake up one day, feeling more confident and decide to start your dream career. The perfect moment will not come. You don't have unlimited time on earth. You and only you can make the decision that the time is now.

When we are afraid to fail, we start playing small and hold ourselves back. Don't be afraid to fail, failure is part of the process and you should see failure as a learning moment. Most successful people failed many times before they succeeded. So if you try something new and the outcome is not what you hoped for, don't give upreadjust your plan and try again. Take small steps; success doesn't happen overnight.

Many women don't take action because they have so many ideas that they can't choose. They are also afraid of making the wrong choice and feel they are not ready. Remember, you can always change your course along the way if you need to. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step, even if it's only a tiny step in the right direction, as long as you keep on moving.

What

small action step can you take today?

“Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love

Hi, I am Kristy Weterings.

As a Career Coach, I help ambitious women who feel trapped in a job that drains them find out what they truly want and what they're good at so that they can find their dream career

A job that feels exciting and gives them loads of energy I would love to connect!

Website: https://kristyweterings.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristy_weterings/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristy%F0%9F%8E%AF-weterings-16a37840/ The Career Booster Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fo82nWfQjfbfnmnOJdj5 a?si=bb5f5c152a0041f8

Wellbeinginthe Workplace

byMbaliMapholi

Adults spend at least a third of their lives at work. Whether it's an eight-to-five desk job, shift work, or running a business, a big chunk of time and energy goes into work. In a world dominated by technology and ever-increasing pressure, it's easy to get carried away by workplace demands at the expense of our health, which is why consciously prioritising good health and wellbeing choices in the workplace is key.

Tetley partner dietitian, Mbali Mapholi, says that corporate nutrition is a vital contributor to overall health. “Nutrition plays an important role in corporate wellness,” explains Mapholi. “Food choices are more than just sustenance; they impact energy levels, cognitive function and overall wellbeing. In this era of heightened awareness around holistic health, investing in good nutrition at the workplace is a catalyst for heightened productivity, job satisfaction and overall wellbeing.”

In line with this, Mbali has shared four top tips to help people feel at their healthy best in the workplace.

Breakfast boost

The intermittent fasting craze has become popular in the corporate world, but it's important to remember that this weight loss strategy may not be suitable for everyone in terms of sustained energy throughout the day. Research shows that skipping breakfast or having a breakfast high in sugar and refined carbohydrates can lead to mid-

morning crashes, mood swings and decreased focus. A nutrient-rich breakfast that is low in sugar can regulate blood sugar levels and reduce cravings throughout the day.

Food Tips: Start the day with a nutritious breakfast of oats, peanut butter on wholegrain toast, fruit, avocado toast with eggs, or smoothies.

Effective hydration

Staying hydrated throughout the day is crucial in order to function optimally, but it's important to choose the right beverages. In addition to drinking water, consider adding fruit slices or herbs to your chilled water to keep your hydration levels up. Be mindful of your caffeine intake and avoid relying on coffee as a meal replacement, as this can impact alertness and reduce sustained concentration.

Drink Tips: To improve productivity, incorporate Rooibos or Green Tea into your routine as these are both rich in antioxidants and compounds that promote brain function, resulting in better focus and alertness.

Mindful breaks

Taking time to enjoy a meal mindfully fosters a positive relationship with food and sets a tone of intention for the day. Stepping away from your desk during meals, especially lunch, can positively impact your mental health. Taking mindful breaks throughout the day can also positively impact mental health and productivity. This means setting aside a few minutes to step away from work and engage in an activity that promotes relaxation and mindfulness.

Break Tips: Meditation, deep breathing exercises, or going for a walk helps reduce stress and increase focus.

Smart snacking

Healthy snacks can combat mid-morning or afternoon slumps and promote sustained energy. This helps you avoid the temptation of unhealthy snacks while fuelling your body with essential nutrients. It's important to remember that snacking should be a supplement to your diet, not a replacement. Therefore, it's crucial to choose snacks that are high in protein, fibre and healthy fats, as

these will keep you feeling full for longer periods. Snacking can also be an opportunity to experiment with new fruits and vegetables.

Snack Tips: Snack combinations like apple slices with peanut butter; hummus and fresh cut-up vegetables; boiled eggs and fruit; yoghurt and fruit; and nuts or popcorn are great options.

Mbali Mapholi is a registered dietitian and nutrition expert. She is passionate about helping people achieve optimal health and wellness through personalised nutrition plans and lifestyle modifications. As the cohost of the Dietitian Frequency podcast, she has a platform to share her insights and expertise with a global audience and engage with other professionals in the field. Through her consulting work with food and drinks brands, she is able to provide strategic guidance on product development, marketing, and regulatory compliance, while also ensuring that nutritional considerations are taken into account. She partners with organisations to design and implement initiatives that promote health and productivity in the workplace.

www.urbandietitians.co.za

To discover healthy tips and recipe ideas from Tetley Tea, follow @TetleyTeaSA on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.joekels.co.za. For more insightful dietary information, follow Mbali Mapholi @Urbandietitian.

Self-Awareness: Apathtocreatingyourlife throughConsciousChoice

Self-awareness is our inner mirror, reflecting the truest version of ourselves back at us. It is the awareness of our thoughts, emotions, beliefs, biases, strengths and weaknesses. It's not only an acute sense of 'me' but also an understanding of how 'me' interacts with the 'we' of the world. This inner awareness is more than introspection; it's a deep-seated understanding that guides our reactions and interactions.

Self-awareness gives us the clarity to see the choices we have, the wisdom to evaluate their consequences and the insight to understand which align with our deepest values and long-term aspirations.

But how does this awareness link to conscious choice? Conscious choice is the deliberate navigation of life's crossroads, with selfawareness as the compass. It's about making decisions with a full understanding of their ripple effects, both inwardly and outwardly. When we are self-aware, we can avoid being swayed by impulses or external pressures. We stand firm in the truth of our experience and the authenticity of our desires.

Self-awareness is instrumental to conscious choice because it allows us to cultivate mindfulness, ensuring that our decisions are thoughtful and responsive to the present moment. It enhances our emotional intelligence, enabling us to navigate our emotional landscape without being overtaken by it and to make choices from a place of balanced emotional understanding. It

promotes authenticity, helping us to make choices that are true to ourselves and encourages alignment with our values, leading to a life of integrity and purpose. It also facilitates our growth and learning by making us aware of our limitations and areas for improvement and it supports relationship building by making us conscious of how we come across to others and understanding our impact on them.

The journey to self-awareness is not without its challenges. It requires courage to face ourselves, resilience to accept what we find and a willingness to grow from it. Yet, this journey is the most rewarding adventure we can undertake, for it unlocks the door to a more conscious, fulfilling life.

When we embrace selfawareness, not just as a destination but as a travel companion, every choice becomes an opportunity to manifest the life we envision, a step towards the life we would love to live. When you make choices consciously, each decision is not a roll of the dice but a conscious stroke on the canvas of our lives, where we are both the artist and the masterpiece.

If embarking on a self-awareness and self-mastery journey feels inspiring to you, where you feel inspired to increase your ability to create your life through conscious choice, STAR Leadership might be the perfect place for you. To find out more go to

www.starleadership.co.za

BeingYourWord

Becoming a conscious co-creator in your life

• How do you create the life you want?

• How do you stop feeling like a pawn being moved around on a giant chessboard and reconnect with your empowered self?

• How do you spend more time being and less time doing?

• How do you master yourself and your life to cocreate your own destiny?

It was Women's Day and I was due to open an exhibition of my latest sheep paintings at The Blou Donki Gallery in Clarens that evening. With time on my hands, I took myself off for a walk in the mountains. Reflecting on a life lesson taught to me by friend and mentor, Brenda, I conceived the idea for a book. Returning to the B&B, I started to write. The result was The Ambitious Sheep, (now reprinted as Achieving Your Goals), a simple allegory of a sheep who wanted to step away from the flock, to be more than a follower — a leader sheep — and how the sheep achieves the goal. (The book has since been reprinted four times.)

Into a society where 'over-promise' and 'underdeliver' is the norm, comes a sheep who learns the benefits of personal integrity — doing what you say you

AnnGadd

will, by when you say you will. This forms the basis of the story of the three sheep with desires to be more than roast lamb with vegetables.

A simple lesson from a sheep

The lesson is by no means a new concept, universal truths seldom are, but, like so many truths, they are often hidden in lengthy tomes which we buy with good intent and end up using them as hefty doorstops. Personally, I've always favoured keeping things simple. At times I've struggled to maintain this degree of integrity. I find reasons to procrastinate and, more recently, I've had more 'senior moments' than I'd have liked. But I understand the concept and work hard to live by it. So, what is the lesson that this sheep has to offer?

The lesson: Be your word.

It's really that simple. Do what you say you will, by when you say you will. Would you rather employ a plumber who shows up on time and does the job as quoted, or one who is late and then adds on extra charges? But, when we apply this integrity to ourselves, it becomes harder. The principle can apply to all areas of your being, be they spiritual, mental, emotional, or physical needs.

How it works

John 1 in the Bible starts off with: "In the beginning was the word..." From this "word" came all creation. We are microcosms of the macrocosm – the creative being which people call God / Allah / Jehovah / The Divine. If the word is the source of all that exists, then the word holds incredible creative power for each of us. We speak things into being. Hence the popularity of affirmations. Similarly, for us to derive the personal power to make things happen, our word needs to be our truth. This is how we create or manifest.

All great teachers and leaders throughout time have this common trait: They do what they say they will do, by when they say they will do it. Integrity is the guarantee of success. To be effective means to commit to a goal be it physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual and then to create steps towards achieving that goal.

Incidentally, the word 'commit' derives from 'com' (to bring together) and mittere (to send). Therefore, to commit to your goal means to focus (or bring together) your goal or ideas and thereby to send it into manifestation.

The conscious and subconscious mind Your subconscious mind is very important when it comes to assisting you in achieving what you want in life. While your conscious mind controls around five per cent of your brain power, the subconscious controls 95 per cent. It is responsible for everything your body needs to function properly, which includes eating, digesting, breathing and learnt behaviours and habits. It also records and stores our experiences and knowledge.

no past or future, just the present.

Take a hypnotist. If they hypnotise someone and then communicate to their subconscious mind that the onion they are given is actually a juicy apple, they will munch away happily. (I've actually seen my son do this.) The onion eater's conscious mind can see it's an onion, but the message in the subconscious overrides it and the conscious mind acts upon the suggestion.

By working consciously with your subconscious mind, you gain control of the 'elephant' and can direct it according to your needs.

How does this affect your affirmations or goals?

If you say: “I will finish these reports by Friday,” and then don't, the message to your subconscious is: I don't do what I say I will do, therefore my word is not true. The literal translation to your subconscious is: Say = not do. Then you do your affirmation practice, yet don't achieve the desired result and can't understand why.

Let's say one day you decide you want to become a successful artist, but when you tell this to yourself, your subconscious has no reason to act to make it happen. Its stored memories have little to draw from, because your subconscious has learnt that what you say seldom happens. So, you don't have the backing of this incredibly powerful force. Since you do not usually do what you say you will do, why would this time be any different? Only five per cent of you is backing the project. Your subconscious mind has unwittingly become your private saboteur.

However, if you always do what you say you will do, when you say you will do it, your subconscious takes your words 'I am a thriving artist,' as a direct order to be acted upon to make just that happen.

Being specific

If you affirm something in present time, such as 'I live in abundance' the subconscious understands because there is no past or future in its literal world. However, affirming: 'I want to live in abundance,' you are telling your subconscious that you want to spend your life wanting to live with the desire for abundance, but not actually having it.

It is incredibly powerful and is responsible for much of how your life pans out. Yet its power is largely ignored by your conscious mind. If the unconscious mind is powerful, the conscious mind is clever, but it lacks the ability to make things happen. In the book Nudge by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein, the example given is that of a tiny man riding a huge elephant. Unlike the conscious mind, the subconscious mind responds to your literal word. It doesn't question. It doesn't reason. For the subconscious mind, time is not linear — there is

Present time is the way to communicate with the subconscious. Believe it. Live it. 'I am' versus 'I want'. Get that message through to your subconscious and the results will be awesome. However, there is a problem with the word abundance. It's not specific enough. An abundance of fleas? Unsolicited emails? Problems? The word needs clarification. 'I live without financial constraints, in a cottage I own surrounded by beautiful countryside,' is way more instructive for your subconscious to manifest.

Hoping versus knowing

There is a big difference between hoping and knowing. When a professional golfer prepares to hit a ball, even before the club strikes there is a sense of knowing that he is about to hit a beauty. Or before the dart even leaves a dart-thrower's hand, he may have a sense that he will get a bullseye. Professionals invariably know when they will perform well, while amateurs may hope to get lucky. You have probably experienced this sense of knowing in your own life.

If your word is true. If you always do as you say you will even if you only tell it to yourself, then the message to your subconscious is: Do as I tell you to do. Based on your actions in the past, your subconscious knows whether you mean business. Fortunately, if you have not always followed through on your word, it is possible to reprogramme your subconscious.

When you act on your word, you become the creator of your own reality. You become effective in all aspects of life. You live in knowing, rather than hoping. Now, let's say you live and act according to your word. You get an idea for a business venture. You know you can make it happen, whereas the person who does not act on their word can only hope that it will happen. Through achieving goals in the past, you have developed good self-esteem (not an inflated ego which comes when we don't have good self-esteem). You already believe in yourself and your ideas. You don't need the approval of others. You know where you want to go, and you know what you must do to get there. Sure, life throws curve balls, failures happen, but now you have the self-esteem and confidence to handle this. Failure is just part of your learning curve. You go about it methodically. You focus on committing to what you said you would and not just on hoping your aim will be achieved. You detach from the outcome and focus on the here-and-now.

That's where you have the most power: If you can act now, then the future will be in alignment with your actions. If you don't act in the present, then you shift into the future and most likely into fear of what the outcome will or won't be.

Summary

• Be your word.

• Be specific with your affirmations.

• Affirm in the now not the future.

A tribute to Brenda van Straaten

Brenda was my friend. Dynamic, vibrant, intensely alive, Brenda. She was a power woman, movie producer, loving mother and Life Skills coach with a deep desire to help humanity. It was Brenda who taught me this lesson (and teaching an artist and writer to make a viable income is

no easy challenge). She gave the speech at the launch of the book at The Book Lounge. I will always be deeply grateful that we connected.

Ann Gadd is an author and artist. She has 42 books published with 18 language translations on a wide variety of subjects, most recently focusing on the Enneagram. Her most popular art series is the sheep/ewe paintings. More recently she has been combining her wildlife photography with graffiti and Khoisan forms of expression.

Illustrations by Ann Gadd

Websites: https://enneagrams9paths.com https://southafricanart.co https://anngadd.co.za https://artforewe.co.za https://anngaddphotography.co.za

The book, Achieving Your Goals (previously published as The Ambitious Sheep), by Ann Gadd is available from Amazon as a paperback or on Kindle, or directly from Ann Gadd ann@anngadd.co.za.

MUSE-Sheisthefuture.Empowerher.

Dedicatedtoempoweringthe"her"ineverySouthAfrican woman–thedaughter,thesister,themother,andthefuture.

Muse, a beacon of hope and change, is an organisation dedicated to advocating for period justice across the nation. In a mission that resonates with compassion and determination, Muse strives to alleviate the burdens of period poverty, ensuring that every individual has access to the dignity and resources they deserve.

In the pursuit of change, Muse identified a critical need that had long remained unaddressed. The young girls of South Africa had been silently suffering due to a lack of access to period products, a need that extended far beyond the girls themselves. Families and communities had been indirectly impacted, as education and opportunities were curtailed, creating a ripple effect of limitations.

Awareness comes before change. According to the South African Journal of Health, lack of access to sanitary products results in over 7 million girls in South Africa missing school monthly, resulting in a 25% annual learning gap. Moved by the knowledge of a basic human right unmet as well as the environmental impact of disposable products; Simone Fink and Danielle Beekman were called to action and founded Muse.

The heart of Muse beats to a sustainable rhythm. Simmi and Dan recognized that change must not only address immediate needs but also ensure long-term impact. Choosing a path that provides reusable period products and offers a lifeline to girls and their communities. It's a sustainable approach that empowers not just the present but secures a brighter future.

In our education system, we often assume that fundamental knowledge

about procreation and the functions of the female body is adequately provided. However, we've found that many young women lack this crucial understanding. That's why we've taken on the noble task of educating our youth. Recognising and embracing one's body cycles isn't just about the present; it's also about making informed decisions that shape the future.

Visiting schools, safe houses and community spaces, Muse not only offers reusable and sustainable period products; we also provide education that promotes conscious decision making when it comes to choices regarding pregnancy, sustainability and holistic wellbeing.

The lives of over 500 girls have been changed, who won't have to worry about paying for products their family can't afford for up to five years of their lives. That impacts their entire school career.

“I am because we are.” We are stronger together.

In whatever capacity you feel led to contribute, we thank you for doing it in the spirit of Ubuntu. With small actions, we all create a ripple effect that will change the world. As a direct result of people like you, who make up our generous community. You are our heroes and we thank you.

We invite you to join our journey and mission. At Muse HQ we believe collaboration is key. By working together, we believe that change is not only possible but inevitable. Whether it is your expertise, time or funds, any contribution is greatly valued and appreciated.

WisdomWellDialogueswithColleen-Joy

TheSevenLawsofConscious BusinessGrowth

Wisdom for solopreneurs and entrepreneurs who don't want to sell their souls to make a sale.

“Thank you for the great talk, Colleen, "my client said, walking me to my car. This successful entrepreneur (also in her 20s) designed bespoke corporate clothing for executive women. I'd just delivered an inspirational talk for her client function.

"It's my pleasure," I smiled.

My first car, a very old white Ford Escort, looked like a 'spot the difference' game in a parking lot packed with shiny and new. "I knew you were the right person for the job, Colleen," she added, looking intently at my Ford.

"Thank you, that's kind.”

"You're the real deal, a true spiritual teacher - I mean, look at your humble car. I'm glad I hired you," she said.

"Uh… thanks," I replied, watching her leave as I stood with my humble spiritual car.

But what if I want a decent car? I puzzled.

This was the first of many collisions with the wall

between spiritual and material. In the decades to follow, I would shed many tears trying to find a way to grow a conscious business, feed my children, not ask friends to help pay for food, be spiritual and still afford a decent car.

Perhaps, had it not been for being a young mother of two baby daughters, with my second-born with ongoing life-threatening medical challenges, I would have stayed in the no man's land between the borders of spiritual and material. But suffering has a way of asking us to look deeper, doesn't it?

Here are the wisdom teachings, the juice of my first 15 years of entrepreneurship, pressed from sleepless nights of financial stress, facing shameful spiritual arrogance, wrestling with endless imposter syndrome and tons of work, to heal the wall between spiritual and material.

Three years ago, when I turned 50, I made enough profit from my international training and coaching business to invest in property and set up trust funds for my nowadult daughters. I cried new tears of gratitude for the young Col and her fight for wisdom.

Today, my clients and students worldwide, from life coaches to CEOs, celebrity influencers to stay-at-home mom solopreneurs, use these seven principles to grow conscious, wisdom-led businesses.

It's not easy, and this is not a typical garage-to-fortune story because growing a natural business is never a drive-through quick fix. It's like choosing regenerative farming methods instead of poisoning the soil for quick profits. This means creating products and services that work with natural wisdom instead of against it. And when we create anything in a natural way, we reap the longterm benefits because we build sustainable ecosystems.

We feed our business so that it feeds us. We give to grow and grow to give. We leave things in a better state once we leave.

When inner wisdom guided me to grow my business using these seven steps as inspiration, I had no idea how powerful they were. I call this framework the 'Seven-Step Dream Builder'. Picture seven steps in a spiral staircase or the seven chakras repeated ongoing.

A business that first grows from the seed of Identity - the true self of being, is naturally in service. Everything in nature serves. But a cancer-ridden cell goes against the purpose of the body - its design is corrupt and broken, reverting to primitive single-cell programming. It acts without aligning with the whole body's purpose. It takes and destroys without service. We all know the price of cancerous organisations, governments and businesses.

Unnatural businesses start with Action (Step 7), intent on accumulating Power (Step 6). Then on this base, they formulate their Truth (Step 5), which determines how they Relate (Step 4). This becomes their Voice (Step 3), Vision (Step 2) and, finally, is shaped into an Identity (Step 1). Think mafia-like business practices. Corruption and destruction are the organisational cancer's game.

When we grow healthy, wisdom-led businesses, we are the healthy cells with the collective positive power to heal and remove cancer cells.

#1 IDENTITY “Purpose is not something we do”

“What am I supposed to do?” I asked Wisdom. Wisdom said: “You're asking the wrong question. If an Apple Tree didn't know it was an Apple Tree, how would it know what to do? Find and free your natural Apple Tree Self - it knows what to do.”

How many times do we do, for the sake of doing? Nature never works that way. An Apple Tree only does what it is. And an apple seed doesn't know what its future expression will look like; its life is moving as an expression of love, trusting that its design knows what to do - because it does.

This doesn't mean remaining ignorant. The right knowledge is like nutrients for the soil - helping to grow your Apple Tree business.

Your Apple Tree's love can send emails, guide meetings, create, teach, lead and work. Sense the difference?

When we build a natural wisdom-led business, we start with Identity. We seek to discover the seed of 'What it is' because identity is Purpose. Everything in nature is first being, then expressing doing. If we do without the spark of being moving us, this is empty doing; it's empty of love. You don't need motivation when love is moving. It's powerful. It is life itself.

#2 VISION “Cult leaders are certain”

“How can I be sure - I'm tired of doubt - I want to be certain I'm doing the right thing?” I asked Wisdom. Wisdom said: “Cult leaders and psychopaths are certain. Doubt keeps you humble and questioning. Let doubt live in your heart, side-by-side with your deepest knowing.”

We are told to make firm goals, visualise exactly what we want to create and convince ourselves of it. We are told to pick a niche market, perfect a product and then promote it with certainty. We hold ourselves back from expressing our Apple Tree being because we want certainty before we start.

But what if that's not the deeper truth? What if we aren't sure? What if life can dream a better dream for us? What if certainty is a problem?

We are in an avalanche of fake news, 100 per cent guaranteed infomercial-style voices and perfectly filtered faces - it's no wonder we're sceptical.

Nature is not certain. A tree doesn't know if it will survive. A river doesn't hold itself back until it's given a guaranteed rock-free path. The river trusts itself to find a way.

When we crave certainty, we are easily manipulated.

But Col, surely only certainty sells? No. My community of coaches, leaders and guides proves daily that honesty works and feels good. Compare these two ways to start a conversation with a potential client.

“I know exactly what you need. I help people triple their income in less than two months using proven scientific strategies. Would you like to triple your income? Don't miss out! Book a call with me today.”

We've all become allergic to this tone. Rightly so. We know it's not honest.

Compare it to this:

“I'm not sure, but I think I could possibly help. Perhaps a quick chat would be good. So, I can understand where you are now and where you want to be. I have some solutions in mind - we could check if this works for both of us. How does that sound?”

Can you feel the difference? It's honest. The truth is, we don't know if we can help. The truth is it's a possibility. Not all seeds grow and that's okay.

We walk away from a deal if: 1. They can't afford our solution or 2. We can't help.

#3 VOICE “Stop singing the me, me, me song”

“Will my product idea work?” I asked wisdom. Wisdom said: “You cannot know until you are in front of them.

Meet them at their place of need.”

When we try to perfect a product or service at our desks, we too easily sing a “me, me, me” song. We try to create in the vacuum of what we like. We get attached to our product ideas. We cling too tightly to the fonts we picked. And we hope these seedlings on our desks will leap into full, abundant, healthy Apple Trees. But this is unnatural.

Everything in nature serves life. Business happens naturally when… Our Apple Tree Purpose finds the right pockets of People (people seeking Apple Trees) and we custom-create the right Products (shade, bark, leaves and, yes, apples).

When we follow mainstream advice and try to: 'Pick a niche, perfect a product and promote all at our desk'we get stuck at go. How many businesses die right there? I think most.

Instead, start singing a you-you-you song. Get out there

and discover the many small pockets of people who need you. Then, meet them at their place of need by listening to where they are suffering, stressed and stuck. And create something to help.

When I've struggled to find clients, my mantra has been: 'If I can't find 100 people to serve from 7.8 billion, I don't deserve a business.

#4 RELATE “Grow to

give and give to grow”

“What if people say 'no'? I don't like having to sell.”

Wisdom said: “An Apple Tree makes apples even if they fall to rot on the ground. It lets the wind take its leaves and the birds make nests on its branches. Be equal to people's no and yes.

Then give to grow and grow to give.”

You never need to sell if you share and serve. I shrieked like a kid at Christmas when I spotted a pumpkin growing in my garden. We ate it for a family lunch, salted, roasted, soft and delicious. There were close to a hundred seeds in that one pumpkin, enough to feed a small village.

And yet, we humans hold back.

“I won't share my best teachings - they must buy the course.”

“I'm not going to let people try my cake before buying it.”

I'm not saying be a charity. I needed to feed that pumpkin so that it could feed me. Dead soil produces nothing. Give to grow and grow to give. Let them taste the cake. Help them. Give samples, talks and demonstrations and create social media content that serves at the highest. Plant many seeds. Prove you can help by helping.

Those who can afford will step up for more. Those who can't, you helped them for love. This is also an excellent way to test and adapt. Refine your products and services in the fire of your clients' experience.

#5 TRUTH “Playing small is also ego”

“Why don't I have clients?” I asked.

Wisdom said: “You feel superior to the accountant down the road with his front yard advertising billboard. You believe that you don't need to put yourself out there because you are following your purpose. You expect the bees to find you like a flower hiding under a rock behind a shed in the shadows. This is spiritual arrogance. Be like a flower.”

An Apple Tree doesn't say: “I am better than,” nor “I'm less than.” It says: “I am this.” Minus is as much ego as plus. Advertising can be plus or minus, but it is better when it's equal, just, 'I am this, I love to help. Let's chat to see if I can.’

Every time I judged materialistic business principles from a 'plus' place of spiritual arrogance, I was humbled. I rediscovered advertising, admin, income statements, sales, marketing and leadership with fresh wisdom and clean eyes. All of these can be expressions of the love of our being.

#6 POWER “Stop chasing the rain away”

“Do I need to find more money?” I asked.

Wisdom said: “If a bucket is full of holes, does it help to add more water? Fix the leaking bucket. You are like an Apple Tree telling the rainclouds not to rain on you because you are spiritual. An Apple Tree doesn't do this for survival and that for its purpose.”

Money is not personal - it's practical. I can waste rain or look after it. Money is not identity, power, freedom, or worth.

Wisdom taught me to be equal to the valley of having less and the summit of having more. And mostly to not form an identity from either. That is true financial freedom.

It's sensible to collect firewood for cold nights. Money can be practical. It can be rain for your Apple Tree.

“But Col, shouldn't we be unattached to money?” you may ask.

Which is real non-attachment - being attached to not having money or having money and being unattached to it?

#7 ACTION “Feed the farm so it feeds you”

“Now that my business is working and growing, how do I look after it?” I asked.

Wisdom said: “It's not your business. You own nothing. You are a custodian. Like a wisdom farm, feed the soil so that it feeds you. Create ecosystems. Create work from joy and love.”

We don't own money, businesses, or land. We are all custodians. I work for my staff, my business partners and my clients.

When work I don't like arrives on my desk, wisdom says: “You would happily scrub the floors of a holy temple; this is scrubbing the temple floor.”

A business is a farm. Feed it so that it feeds you. Don't throw poison on the soil for a quick profit - work with wisdom to create natural ecosystems.

Ask wisdom to dissolve the mirage of a wall between spiritual and material so that you can create from the wholeness of your Apple Tree true self and serve others at the highest with your work.

Colleen-Joy is an MCC Master Coach and CEO of InnerLifeSkills. Join her and her partner team, to gain the Big 4 most in-demand certifications: Life Coach, Business Coach, Executive Coach and Enneagram Coach, plus Global ICF internationally accredited skills. If you are called to guide, coach and lead with wisdom visit innerlifeskills.com

Living in the moment

Letting go of material expectations

ByJockBrocas

AsIwritethis,thestingofgriefhaspiercedmyheartoncemore.Itdoesnotmatterhowmuchofan expertIconsidermyselftobeingrief,thepiercingofthestinghurtsasmuchnowasitwouldatthe beginningofmyjourney.Thepainofgrieftravelsthroughoutmybodytearingitapart.

Only a few days ago, my wife and I lost our best friend. In fact, this woman was more than a friend, she was family. She was my greatest supporter and we enjoyed so many wonderful experiences together over many years. We were nicknamed the three musketeers and we enjoyed many adventures together in many places. We spent many Christmases together, as well as other important life events. The tapestry we wove together was exquisite and told a tale of our intertwined lives. Materially, she had more than enough and worked immensely hard all her life to get to where she was and now, in a moment, it is gone. What was the point!

Life is delicate. It is eternal yet finite in the material Life is a delicate balance, a finite tapestry woven with the threads of time, relationships and experiences. This recent personal loss has served as a stark reminder of the inevitable fragility of our existence within the earth plane and a poignant lesson in the essence of truly living - living for the moment.

Every day, we are bombarded with an avalanche of societal norms and expectations, an unending race towards the accumulation of material possessions. We've been conditioned to understand success as owning a luxurious house, a fancy car, or flaunting designer clothes. And in this ceaseless pursuit, we often lose sight of what really matters.

The world we inhabit is far more than a sphere of concrete, consumerism and competitive urges. It is also a place of wonder and beauty, a space for profound connections, joyous experiences, and soulful introspection.

Yet, we are liable to forget this, lost in the maze of materialistic expectations that seem to command our existence. We live in fear of those who make the rules, we panic at not having enough and we are constantly conditioned to want more.

But life, I've come to realise, is not about the number of possessions we accumulate; rather, it is about the quality of moments we experience. Each day is an opportunity for unforgettable encounters, spontaneous adventures and gentle reflections. Each moment is a chance to feel, to love, to live.

If you want to know what life is really about, then look deeply into a photograph, for it will tell you a story and captivate your mind and your heart.

Use your imagination to connect with truth

Imagine walking through a forest at dawn, the world around you coming alive with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves, the smell of damp earth filling your senses. Picture yourself gazing at a star-studded sky, feeling an overwhelming sense of awe at the marvellous, infinite cosmos. Ponder on the joy of shared laughter with friends, or the silent comfort of a loved one's presence. These are the experiences that enrich our lives, that leave imprints on our hearts and souls. They are the simple yet profound moments that make life worth living. Instead, we remain focused on what we have, what we can get and the need to conform to expectations. The world is imbalanced and full of a negative fog that engulfs us.

The need for power, the need for more and the need for control create distance from the miracle that was divinely bestowed upon us.

Lessons from loss are invariably harsh. The pain of losing someone close is beyond words, the void left behind, vast and unfillable. And yet, amidst the grief, I encountered an enlightening revelation: Life is fleeting, transient and impermanent. But rather than leading me to despair, this realisation can serve as an empowering motivation and lesson for you to make the most of every moment, to honour our ephemeral existence by soaking in every experience life offers.

It's your choice, so make it a good one I urge you to make a conscious choice today. Choose to live your life for the moment, not for societal standards or material possessions. Don't let the noise of the world drown out your own voice, your own needs, your own desires. Allow yourself the freedom to cherish the present, to experience life with all its intensity, its chaos and its beauty.

Let's move beyond the obsession with materialistic expectations, towards a celebration of life, and existence. Focus on creating, cherishing and immersing yourself in experiences. Embrace the joy of connection, the power of presence and the beauty of the simple, everyday moments. In the tapestry of life, each thread represents a moment, an experience, an emotion. A thousand threads of material possessions won't complete the picture of a beautiful life, but a single thread of cherished memory can. This is not to renounce the material world completely but to give it less precedence, to understand that the core of our being is not defined by what we possess, but by how we live and cherish each moment.

Life is too precious to be solely devoted to striving for materialistic expectations. So, breathe, live, feel, love and, most importantly, cherish the now. Trust in the wonder of life, in the beauty of experiences, in the magic of each passing moment.

“Create memories, for they have more currency in spirit than anything that exists in the material.”

Jock Brocas

Many people get caught up in grief and refuse to live after loss. Few people live life and instead, just exist without truly ever experiencing what it really means to feel the wind in your hair or the drop of rain on your face. Even now I sit here and am worried if I have enough to pay taxes, but really it does not matter. In the grand scheme of things, the suffering created by the material world does not serve us in any way. If only we could take back our divine power, we would create the experiences that bring us joy and, of course, fulfil what is needed for our soul's expression.

I do understand that we have responsibilities of life such as finances but, again, this is a construct of man and we do have the power within to fulfil that which is needed. Man

can take things from you if you do not conform to expectation, but your mind is yours and it is the psychological building blocks of your reality. Your memories will exist far longer than the coins or paper in your wallet or the instance of digital currency you accumulate.

Your loved ones would not want you to create that prison in your mind. Remember, you are not just existing, you are living - a marvellously unique human experience. So, live without fear, live without regrets, live for the moment. For in the end, it is not about the years you have, but it's about how you lived and experienced those years and, in the grand scheme, how you served without condition.

As you move forward, consider each day as a blank canvas waiting to be filled with colours of joy, lessons, love and experiences. Break free from the chains of materialistic obsessions and embark on the captivating journey towards living for the moment. Because living is not merely surviving; it is a celebration, a wondrous adventure filled with countless moments of joy, love, pain and beauty.

Every heartbeat is a rhythm in the symphony of existence, every breath a reminder of the transient beauty of life. So, make each one count. Live for the wonder, live for the moments, live for a life filled with experiences.

In memory of Sheila Colaluca, who went home far too early. You will know the impact you had on the world and, though you could not see it here, you will know now. You are, to us both, an integral part of our lives and your tapestry of life is now complete; we are grateful to be a thread in your tapestry. May it be woven throughout the cosmos for all to feel.

We love you!

Jock Brocas is a renowned evidential spiritual medium, best-selling author and respected paranormal researcher. With an unwavering commitment to authenticity, Jock blends his rich spiritual experiences with extensive scholarly study, inspiring thousands across the globe. His intuitive abilities and dedication to truth have fuelled his popular books, such as Deadly Departed and Powers of the Sixth Sense. Jock uses his deep understanding of the afterlife to support those grieving, providing comfort through afterlife education. An influential figure in his field, Jock continues to captivate audiences with his fascinating insights into the spiritual realm and the unexplored corners of the human psyche. His work reshapes our understanding of life, death and what lies beyond, offering us a unique lens into the extraordinary.

Bring some sunshine back into your grief journey with Jock's 'Grief Group': https://jockbrocas.com/grief-group/ or find out more https://jockbrocas.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/jockbrocasmedium

Full-colour deck and book features crystals, animals, plants, elementals and ancient symbols to reawaken intuitive knowledge.

Intricately illustrated with images of crystals, animals, plants, elementals and ancient symbols, the 40 full-colour cards of the Crystal Clear Oracle provide a hands-on, intuitive way to work with crystal wisdom, unite with your

higher consciousness and access loving energies to inspire, empower and awaken your spiritual journey.

Crystals and stones featured on the cards include moldavite - the interplanetary visitor, smoky quartz - the astral protector, amethyst - the eternal caregiver, celestite - the heavenly meditator, labradorite - the grounded invigorator and lapis lazuli - the wisdom keeper.

As artist Nadine Gordon-Taylor explains, crystals are conduits to the past, storing within their matrices important information about Earth's true history and the people who inhabit it. Each vivid card features one crystal 'guide' that introduces itself and its spiritual and healing qualities and then assists you in understanding and decoding the messages of the other symbols and beings that also appear on the card. Created to help you activate and align with the sacred geometries of higher frequencies of consciousness. Working with these cards and the crystal guides, you reawaken to the intuitive knowledge of the ancients as you are held in the heart of Divine love.

About the Author:

Nadine Gordon-Taylor, MFA, EdD, is a classically trained artist who focuses on the animal kingdom and its symbolic connection to humans. She received her master of fine arts in painting from Long Island University and her doctorate in art education from Columbia University. The creator of The Heart Path Oracle Cards and Animal Love Oracle Cards, she runs a gallery, Third Eye Arts, in the town of Peekskill, New York. https://www.thethirdeyestudio.com/

Odyssey Magazine is giving away three 40-card decks and guidebooks

Website link:

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Closing Date 31 May 2024

TheReikiAssociationofSouthernAfrica

Celebrating23yearsin2024

Today RASA, a longstanding and credible association founded in May 2001, boasts over 1,650 members. RASA is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of Reiki healing and teaching in Southern Africa. Our unwavering commitment, demonstrated through consistent quality education and competency, ensures comfort for both prospective students and healing recipients.

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Workshops: Psychic development, Dream Interpretation

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Inner Alchemy

Conversations with Kuthumi

A New Cycle Awakens!

TransmittedthroughChanelLingenfelder-HowickSouthAfrica

Liquid Love

I am Kuthumi, I come forward upon the rays of Love and Wisdom to greet and gift thee a divine blessing of expansion. It is with great joy and pleasure that we gather, as we hold you firmly within the Heart of Christ and securely upon the Hands of God.

Beloveds, you are indeed in a time of liquid love!

This energy invites you to be flexible enough to integrate the diamond codes as etheric liquid crystalline frequencies.

Everything initiates as a 'fluid-like' state of movement and, when the formation decides on its projected outcome, it takes on form.

These specks of coded light have been bestowed upon your planet for years, more intensely since 2012. We suggest you integrate these 'consciously', which over time will take on form according to that which you project to experience.

We shared metaphors of how the dimensions of water and pure oxygen differ and to be comfortable within fluidity. Multidimensional thinking reminds you that you carry the 'liquid dimension' within.

As an infinite crystalline flame essence, it's vital for your physicality to integrate these frequencies, as the only way you are going to face survival within the current planetary cauldron of confusion, is to be flexible.

This is the dance of the Aquarian Age! By dancing with your shadow, you become versatile and dare to choose differently! Christ Consciousness, or Diamond Crystalline Light Codes, is what the new earth is about.

When the limitations of the lower mental field stir uncertainty, insecurity, restrictions and fear, things seem unreachable. Hence, set the intent to create a new viewpoint platform, especially when stars align.

If you always do what you always did you will always get what you always got!

2024 = Flexibility and movement

The year of power and abundance, when manifestation abilities are more profound than ever! It's an end, yet new beginnings await on your doorstep to greet your horizon! By stepping through your celestial golden door, you embrace new possibilities like never before.

Why not fill your cauldron with things anew?

2024 is the end of the 12-year 2012 cycle offering multiple timeline changes, inviting you to take a new chance on yourself! Within the new cycle expect attunement and planetary changes unlike ever before.

The Dove of Peace stirs

Previously sewn seeds reactivate and awaken, thus nurture your dreams! Pay attention to areas where commitment is required. Opportunities are about to shift into a new enhanced frequency for manifestation.

The divine feminine is very present as part of these new codes, especially those of gentle expansion, the gentle observer. Let your creative juices flow as you allow transformation.

To be in the 'right place and time', is to be still, which facilitates mind expansion. As veils between worlds start thinning, let intuition be your guide as you surrender into the gifts of liquid love.

The fifth dimension, where your aim should be at, is about communicating through higher levels of inner knowing within the third eye, telepathic in its frequency.

The sixth dimension is about fluidity. You work within third and fourth dimensions during sleep and wake states. Don't let lower frequencies hinder your expansion. Let third eye mindfulness become like breathing.

The 'observer' opens higher channels. Most often you don't 'allow' the self to gravitate towards your Still Point where truths are revealed, which you crave! In juxtaposition, your egoic side feels that it needs to know everything. Wrong!

Much is shared across timelines and dimensions, up to a point. From the dimension I gravitate towards, we share to help lift your load and heighten your frequency. Thus, to help prevent the heaviness of the 3D earth experience drag you down.

Your current timeline is still part of the foundational stage for The Age of Aquarius, which equals a state of peace.

Planetary

grids

The grids around your planet are currently being upshifted or 'rewired' affecting your energy field and chakric system. Everything is shifting, moving on and up into finer tuned frequencies.

We told you years ago that your world is about to go mad! I rest my case! To survive this, be the observer!

Extend your gifts of transformation to others. Nonjudgment, forgiveness and gratitude unleash unconditional love. Your Ascension Chakra keys and senses, together with 'trust', reveal your 'truths'.

Invoke the frequency of liquid love to shift restrictions, thus don't react, and become creative! No matter your timeline, focus on that which is at hand. Through turning the golden key to your consciousness, you unlock every opportunity that you project! Allow the MYSTERY beyond your golden door to pave your way!

12 years after 2012 – Time to create a brand-new cycle! An 'eight' year that shouts power and abundance! Everything is in alignment for greatness, thus allow the flexibility of these magnificent codes to remind you of your multidimensional, magical magnificence! Once again you came to walk the path of an earthling to remind yourself that you are part of The Greater Whole! Eliminate fear by embracing the infinite powerful ability of LOVE.

Initiation

- See yourself floating away from your planet yet feel grounded and safe.

- Visualise a magnificent Christ fountain burst open from within as you bathe within cascading Christ Consciousness

Crystalline Liquid Love Codes, also seeded unto the planet way below, and drenched, like a glittering ball!

- Gravitate towards your moon, then travel through the 'dark' side into deep space.

- Visualise yourself as magnificent violet crystalline flame and be at peace.

- Venture past the planets, floating towards the 'edge' of your known solar system.

There are billions of glittering star bodies everywhere! Many you know as you visit them during your nightly sojourns and between lifetimes. Although beyond your earthly vision, they are there nonetheless!

Floating in complete darkness, you are guided by The Light from within, you fear nothing as you float within the bliss of The Void.

Gravitate towards your golden door in the distance. Place your palms on the door. Ask your questions; the answers will be revealed.

Upon entering you find yourself in a magnificent domed temple. Within the centre, 12 beings manifest all around you.

This is your 12-being support team. Choose four of each to work with; Ascended / Spirit Masters, a family / friend relation and four angelic beings forming your support team.

A magnificent pink ray of light connects your heart to theirs, a glorious crystalline energy with a blue undertone connecting your throat centres and a divine emerald and tanzanite connecting your third eyes.

Visualise 12 floating golden flames within your crown chakra, with gold and amethyst rays connecting your crown centre to theirs.

The beings raise their palms, beaming codes of liquid love towards you. Feel it.

The angelic beings ask that you to call upon them when you feel you can be no more. The next group offers you a unique gift of divine transition and love. The Ascended Masters remind you that indeed all things are possible. Long pause. They release their energies from your space.

Do call upon and work with them. Pay attention to synchronicity for guidance and answers!

A magnificent golden pyramid envelops your cathedral to which your golden door allows entry. Visit your scared place as often as you like.

Gently descend from your pyramid, back towards your planet, back through the dark moon, back into your space and body.

You are love incarnate!

The gift of multidimensional consciousness is a reality that is yours!

Instead of clinging to the past cycle of 12, embrace the next completing in 2036, an 11-master frequency.

What do you project into that?

If the past cycle wasn't what you hoped it to be, allow the next to bring unimaginable possibilities by trusting the mystery!

See these codes infiltrating your very DNA! Allow your sacred mind and heart to initiate an enhanced circular flow of love.

If another doesn't reflect this same frequency, simply send them love. Leave them to their own choices and let the laws of cause and effect' be yours. Remember, manifesting means matching your frequency with that which you desire!

If someone misses their opportunity of change, they will simply face it again and again, whereas you as Lightworkers came to recognise yourself as love in manifested form.

May the Light of the Living Christ burn brightly within you, now and always, in all ways.

I bless you with gifts of love, enlightenment and inner sight, so that you may go forth and be a mirror of joy for others. I AM Kuthumi, I am the lord and master Cohan of the Golden Rays of Love and Wisdom and greet and bless thee in love. Adonai.

Transmitted through Chanel Lingenfelder, Howick - South Africa Author of “From Party Patsy to Praying Patricia”www.visionoftheheart.co.za.

Transvoice channel for the ascended masters since 2006 after surviving a mind-blowing extraordinary ordination.

Metal Organic Glass Plastic Paper E-Waste

10WasteManagementMyths,BUSTED

Every industry suffers its fair share of myths and waste management is no different. "We need to separate the truth from the half-truths and nonsense that can hinder our progress towards a waste-free society," says Mpendulo Ginindza, President of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa.

Myth 1: Waste management is only about garbage disposal

How to dispose of one's garbage is just a small part of waste management, a complex discipline that reaches across industries and national borders. It embraces strategies for ethical, sustainable and responsible product development, manufacture, consumption and disposal, including the destruction, storage, recycling or reusability of waste.

Myth 2: Waste management is solely the government's responsibility

Waste management is, in fact, the responsibility of everyone who generates waste, including households, retailers and, under recent legislation, product manufacturers. They are assisted by the waste managers who direct day-to-day operations in the waste industry.

Myth 3: The goal of waste management is to save the environment

While environmental preservation is a key goal of waste management, it equally benefits society and the economy. This includes protecting the health of humans, animals and plant life by preventing them and their surroundings from becoming contaminated. Contamination can threaten food and water supplies and therefore has dire economic implications.

Myth 4: Landfills are the only solution

Until now, landfills have been a necessary evil, not a solution. Modern waste management comprises a range of alternative strategies that seek to reduce landfills and minimise our dependence on them.

Myth 5: Recycling is too expensive and inefficient

In some cases, maybe, but if this myth were really true, recycling companies would not survive long, let alone profit as they do. Every year, recycling technologies become more advanced, cost-effective and efficient, ensuring recycling remains a go-to waste management practice.

Myth 6: Everything must be recycled

Unfortunately, this myth is the result of retail marketing focusing only on recycling because the term is popular with consumers. In fact, not all waste is suitable for recycling and

other methods exist to handle anything that is not. They include incineration, composting, waste-to-energy, reuse and others.

Myth 7: We need to maximise recycling rates

If only. However, achieving a maximum rate of recycling depends on many factors, such as recycling technologies, capabilities and throughput capacity as well as economic viability. Every solution has limits and, as mentioned, attention and resources must also be given to managing waste that cannot be recycled at all and for which better techniques exist.

Myth 8: Stricter regulation is the answer

Do more traffic cameras prevent people from speeding? Usually not. Regulation only sets the standard for compliance. It must be supported by education and public awareness programmes that teach people the benefits of positive waste management behaviours. Training needs to start at home and in kindergarten and continue throughout high school, university and into employment.

Myth 9: Waste management is a secondary concern

You may be surprised that many of today's global problems, especially the climate crisis, are directly or indirectly linked to poor waste management. It is actually a primary concern because it is deeply embedded in so many others.

Myth 10: Third world countries can't afford waste management

The truth? We cannot afford not to embrace waste management because that will cost us dearly in the long run. In fact, we have the opportunity to lead the world by developing advanced waste management techniques that fit the African context.

Successful waste management demands the participation of all stakeholders, including consumers, businesses and government. Unfortunately, waste management myths can hamper our initiatives and hinder our progress. "We need to educate ourselves on waste management truths so we can develop effective strategies and each play a meaningful role in reducing waste," says Ms Ginindza.

For more information on IWMSA please visit:

Website: Home (iwmsa.co.za) / X (Twitter): @IWMSA

LinkedIn: Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

Facebook: Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

FeelGreatwithGreenPHARM

"Thefirstwealthishealth."-RalphWaldoEmerson

Single and mixed herbal tinctures have been used as powerful tools to support the body's self-healing and maintain equilibrium for centuries. Single herbal tinctures are crafted by extracting the active compounds of a single herb, while mixed tinctures blend the essence of multiple herbs. The magic of these tinctures lies in their ability to harness the therapeutic properties of nature's bounty. Each herb carries its unique healing properties and, when combined thoughtfully, they can create synergistic effects that enhance overall wellbeing.

GreenPHARM, founded on a smallholding in the north-east of Pretoria, situated next to Roodeplaat Nature Conservatory and the beautiful Dinokeng Nature Conservatory, has been dedicated to perfecting the art since 2012.

Founder Eduan Joubert started his journey by studying Health Sciences, a Master's Certificate in Herbalism with modalities in Iridology and Sclerology, Bio-resonance Feedback, Rife resonance and Kinesiology accredited by the Institute of Natural Health Care. His dream was realised by developing the product and launching the company now known as GreenPHARM South Africa (PTY) LTD, the focus being on manufacturing quality premium tinctures readily available to you to assist the body with self-health and equilibrium.

Most of the herbs used in our tinctures have been used all around the world to create self-healing for the body that seeks equilibrium between the physical, emotional and biochemical parts of the self. Most of our herbs are grown on our farm, on the premise of conscious practices devoid of pesticides and herbicides, while the rest are sourced from across the globe, ensuring excellent quality manufacturing and supply.

In addition to our tinctures, we offer a diverse range of health-enhancing supplements in capsule form. Lions Mane Capsules are designed to improve sleep, reduce anxiety, enhance brain function and boost the immune system.

Our product line-up also includes Moringa, Collagen, Saw Palmetto Plu and Glyco C Mag, each serving specific purposes such as providing essential nutrients like oxygen, vitamin C, glyconutrients, and magnesium. Blackseed capsules are included for their anti-inflammatory properties.

For those looking to address male libido and testosterone levels, we offer Testo Plus, while MSM capsules are available to support individuals dealing with osteoarthritis, anti-stress needs, joint pain, and overall gut health. These encapsulated supplements are a convenient and effective way to address a variety of health concerns and optimise wellbeing. We also manufacture an Angstrom molecule mineral liquid range we have Zinc, Iron, Copper, Super Silver, SilZinCo and Water of Life.

Visit our official website for any inquiries, to place orders or to explore our extensive product range: at www.greenpharmonline.com

There, you will find a wealth of information about our products, their benefits and how they can support your health and wellbeing. Our website is your one-stop destination to discover the finest herbal products, carefully curated to promote a holistic approach to self-health. We look forward to serving you and helping you make wellinformed choices for your wellness needs.

Step into the world of natural wellness with remarkable herbal GreenPHARM's products, where the power of nature meets the art of healing.

Theprofoundconnectionsbetweenemotions andtheirphysicalmanifestationsinillness

JerryMKantor

“In addition to working well for purely physical ailments, homeopathy offers remedies for engaging directly with the subconscious mind and ameliorating embedded, existential causes of chronic illness –called miasms in classical homeopathy.” As an example:

CHALLENGE VS. ANXIETY

Master Yunmen was asked, “What is most urgent for me?”

The master answered, “The very you who is afraid that he doesn't know.”

With this answer the master points out that anxiety is rooted in fear of the unknown and that our constant challenge is its overcoming.

Challenge

Whether accepted or invited, the little brother of anxiety grows up into the big brother of challenge. The psychological, biological and material will to obtain mastery over anxiety is exemplified in the hunt, whose fearsome challenge functions as a staging ground for entry into adulthood. As we sometimes bite off more than we can chew (and then must chew it over), grounds for challenge are also found in the process of eating.

Once the body accepts a challenge, its biological response is to cash in one or more units of fuel currency, namely, the molecule ATP. A recent discovery with regard to the ATP molecule supports the notion that challenge is directly and immediately associated with the mouth. In addition to providing the body with fuel, ATP performs the additional essential function of being a non-neuronal neurotransmitter conveying information regarding the sense perception of taste, as well as that of other senses. When released by non-neuronal cells like those found in the oral cavity, ATP triggers protective responses within the body that may build bone that is calculated to meet a challenge. The gut faces the challenge of transporting ingested materials, breaking them down into absorbable forms, extracting nutrients and ridding the body of waste products. At every stage in the carefully gated process of transport — breakdown, assimilation, and rejection — the potential for costly error must be thwarted.

Anxiety

What the Wuxing calls worry, we refer to as anxiety. Anxiety that begins with taste makes itself known in the depths of the gut. The enteric nervous system is a brain within the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, extending from mid-oesophagus to the anus. It has autonomous functions but is connected with the central nervous system by the vagus nerve. Relying on the same neurotransmitters as the cranial brain, the enteric nervous system controls local blood flow, directs propulsion along the digestive tract, and influences absorption. Under stress it can shut down the digestive system or signal it to empty by means of excretion or vomiting. It can also trigger an immune response, causing mast cells to release histamine in the lining of the small intestine and colon. The enteric nervous system samples the contents of the intestinal tract with chemoreceptors that react to acids, sugars and amino acids. By chemically ascertaining anxiety of fight-or-flight situations, our brain in the gut is empowered to make key distinctions.

The body's ability to perform expulsion is a functional aspect of anxiety. A judgment is made within the dimension of taste that a pathogen, a nonviable foetus or a baby at full-term, a transplanted organ, a morsel of food lodged in the oesophagus, or an ingested toxin can no longer be accommodated or assimilated. The body then mobilises to repel or expel the substance by sneezing, coughing, gagging, vomiting, downshifting of bowel, or uterine motility.

In parallel with Hahnemann and Kent's understanding that psora covers the majority of medical conditions, we also find that more ailments reflect disharmony within the sense dimension of taste than in any other sense dimension.

The psoric miasm's existential themes

~ Anxious, not okay in the world

~ What I have today is not enough for tomorrow

~ Not safe, sheltered, or nourished

~ Insecurity

~ Anxiety vs. challenge

~ Nurturance

~ Competition vs. compliance

Treatments and Expectations

Remedies manifesting subcategories of is my presence in the world sustainable?

Aceticum acidum Falco peregrinus

Arsenicum album Kali bichromicum

Calcarea carbonica Kali bromatum

Camphora Lycopodium clavatum

Clematis recta Mezereum

Cobaltum metallicum Psorinum

This excerpt from: The Emotional Roots of Chronic Illness. Homeopathy for Existential Stress, Jerry M. Kantor - ISBN: 9781644117842, is published with the permission of the publishers www.innertraditions.com.

This book reveals that the subconscious mind is amenable to change. Kantor shows how to select accurately remedies to defuse the energetic charge of unresolved existential stress and thus quell the root causes of chronic illness.

Jerry M. Kantor, L.Ac. CCH, MMHS, is a faculty member of the Ontario College of Homeopathic Medicine and owner of Vital Force Health Care LLC, a Boston-area homeopathy and acupuncture practice. The first acupuncturist to receive an academic appointment at Harvard Medical School's Department of Anaesthesiology, Kantor is the author of Sane Asylums, Interpreting Chronic Illness, The Toxic Relationship Cure, and Autism Reversal Toolbox. He lives in Dedham, Massachusetts. https://vitalforcehealthcare.com/

Odyssey Magazine is giving away three books. Website link: https://odysseymagazineco.za/community/ #competitions-giveaways or scan the QR code Click on the title of the book.

PreparingtoHibernate

DrArienvanderMerwe

Let's define hibernation: It is the natural process of

slowing down, preparing for and entering, a time of rest, replenishment, regrowth and renewal. The whole of nature does it and human beings are a part of nature! So sit up, breathe deeply and prepare…

Some animals and plants spend the winter in a dormant state. Grizzly bears, for example, gorge themselves on food to prepare for hibernation, or a deep state of sleep. It is characterised by minimal activity and a metabolic slump undergone by some animal species. It is identified by low body temperature, slow breathing and heart rate and low metabolic rate.

Humans have veered far away from this natural process, but we can still apply some healthy body, mind and soul self-care habits to include some slowing-down time into our busy lives.

Ideas for warmth, comfort, prepping for cozy cocooning.

• Soup 'n sherry or glühwein time in front of a warm fire or heater, snuggled under a colourful blanket. Great for some more family and friend time together.

• Healing, hot soups and stews to warm the cockles of your heart and support your immune system.

• Cheese fondue with wholewheat or rye bread cut in blocks, sharing with family and friends.

• Time for more reading, taking up painting, drawing, or poetry writing and journaling during longer periods spent indoors, contemplating new pathways on your winding journey through life.

• Regular shimmy shakes to warm up your whole body and improve blood circulation. Dancing to music that moves and shakes you, works well for me.

Symbolism of hibernation for humans

The symbolism of winter is more than just the coming cold season. Winter is a time that symbolises deeper spiritual meanings, the search for rest and reflection during the season.

Winter is associated with its own set of unique joys during the cold months. Walking among leafless trees, ice skating on frozen ponds, the crisp crunch of snow underfoot in some areas of South Africa (plan a trip to a winter wonderland break) and the tranquillity of a snowcovered landscape, each telling a tale of winter's magic. The quiet beauty of snow falling and the cozy feeling of sipping hot toddies, cacao or winter tea by the fire, make it a time to enjoy.

Winter can also encourage us to slow down and appreciate the calm. As the world gets quieter, it's a good time to reflect about life for a while and to rest, like the trees and seeds waiting for spring. Winter reminds us to take a break and prepare for what comes next.

Meanings of winter rest and endings.

Across various cultures, the winter season represents different factors, from the changing seasons to a symbol of death and closure.

Autumn is a time of preparing to go within. As nature is bound to do… dormant, to burst forth in new growth once spring arrives.

It is a conscious choice requiring some selfawareness to go within, to follow the rhythm of nature, reconnecting with your natural biorhythms.

Some prompts for you to reflect on:

What do you yearn to achieve from this time of introspection?

Leaves falling are not a sign of death, but of continuing life and renewal. This time is not death of your energy, but essential resting to build new courage, tackle new challenges, discover new and different solutions to old problems… enhanced, targeted energy and focus.

Carl Jung identified four developmental stages of life: Birth, childhood, youth, middle life and old age. I've added a stage before old age, though: The stage of maturing into a wise, youthful living human being . Like the life cycle of the butterfly, we are also on our own journey of transformation, as analogous to the sun's journey through the sky, with its brightness representing consciousness.

Jung further described in this way: Infant to teenager: During this stage, we are mostly preoccupied with our looks, with the way our body looks and works. Young adult, lasting often for many years: During this stage, we are preoccupied with looks, fashion,

competition and winning.

Adult: During this stage, we are preoccupied with our career and making a name for ourselves. The Stage of the Spirit, of maturing into wisdom age (the long wintertime of our lives): During this stage, we are preoccupied with spiritual matters and the meaning of life.

The Rose

Written by singer songwriter

Amanda McBroom

and

popularised by Bette Midler

'Some say love, it is a river That drowns the tender reed Some say love, it is a razor That leaves your soul to bleed Some say love, it is a hunger An endless aching need I say love, it is a flower And you, its only seed

It's the heart, afraid of breaking That never learns to dance It's the dream, afraid of waking That never takes the chance It's the one who won't be taken Who cannot seem to give And the soul, afraid of dying That never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely And the road has been too long And you think that love is only For the lucky and the strong Just remember in the winter Far beneath the bitter snows Lies the seed that with the sun's love In the spring becomes the rose

And back to the body we go.

SUPPORTING YOUR IMMUNE AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEMS DURING WINTER

Because the symptoms of the common cold are caused by more than 200 different rhinoviruses (rhin = nose), the development of a vaccine for the common cold isn't practical. By supporting your immune and respiratory systems, you will be able to prevent colds, flu and allergies. After all, your body's natural state is to be healthy! To minimise the spread of colds and flu, people should try to keep their immune defences optimal and limit their exposure to pathogenic organisms.

PREVENTION IS THE BEST CURE

Cold and flu viruses can be transmitted in the following ways: Touching respiratory secretions on a person's skin (when shaking hands, for example) or environmental surfaces (such as doorknobs, kitchen counters, wash basins or handrails) and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth; also by inhaling infectious particles in the air (from a cough or sneeze).

The best way to break the chain of infection is by frequent hand washing and not touching the nose, eyes or mouth and wearing a mask whenever you feel a threatening sniffle, in consideration to others.

The inner, mucous lining of the respiratory tract is the body's first line of defence against cold and flu viruses. Drink lots of natural probiotics and fluids, prevent air from drying out by using humidifiers, take a natural food state comprehensive antioxidant of high quality and in sufficient quantities to protect these delicate membranes, while supporting your immune system.

IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN THE OPTIMAL FUNCTIONING OF YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM:

Increase your intake of antioxidants containing vitamins A and mixed carotenes, C, D, E and selenium and bioflavonoids. Add a calcium and magnesium balance combo in correct quantities and ratio. Eat lots of fresh fruit, including kiwi, and vegetables, drink plenty of water (250ml for every 10kg in body weight) and a glass of freshly squeezed orange or other citrus juice every day, and take an antioxidant food supplement combination throughout winter and all seasons.

Control your stress levels with daily relaxation techniques, do regular moderate exercise (strenuous exercise exhausts your immune system) and listen to your body by taking a break when you're feeling under the weather.

Avoid crowded, dry, smoky, hot places. Your environment can increase your chances of getting colds

or flu, so beware. Turn off the air conditioners and heaters to allow the air to humidify them, or always keep a bowl of water near them. Dry air and smoke irritate your mucous membranes and this may lead to catarrh (runny nose, phlegm becoming yellow or green).

AUTUMN PREP FOR WINTER RESCUE

Many of us get a feeling of impending doom as winter approaches. Here are a few well-known, proven and trusted natural remedies to help you prevent and control colds and flu!

Stay in bed for a few days. You will recover a lot sooner. Listen to your body and rest a while. Your immune system is exhausted, too tired to fight the foreign invaders, all because of your hectic lifestyle. So take a break and relax. Don't exercise while you're sick and during the recovery phase – it might strain your heart and lungs. Your body is fighting a viral war, so help it!

Drink lots of fluids and filtered water, fresh fruit and vegetable juice or soup, with some chicken broth for tender love and nourishment!

Put some eucalyptus or peppermint oil in boiling water in a bowl, put a towel over your head and inhale the steam. This will loosen the phlegm, hydrate the mucosal lining of the airways, while disinfecting the environment. Other aromatherapy oils to try are lavender, grapefruit, rosemary and tea tree oil (put a few drops in a burner, or in the bath, or use in a carrier oil for a soothing back and shoulder massage).

Increase your intake of your antioxidants combinations Immune supporters. Herbs like echinacea, garlic, chickweed, licorice root and golden seal are excellent immune supporters. Ashwagandha and ginseng improve general immunity and, as adaptogens, also support the body during stressful times. There are three different herbs commonly called ginseng: Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Siberian 'ginseng' (Eleutherococcus senticosus).

Other herbs used in the natural treatment of colds and flu are astragalus, lime blossom, sage, elder flower, thyme and liquorice root. Include turmeric which contains curcumin, which has a strong antiviral and antiinflammatory effect.

Wild cherry bark is often used to treat an irritating, persistent cough that keeps you awake at night. It is also good for people who suffer from chronic bronchitis and for whooping cough.

Quercetin, one of the bioflavonoids, accelerates the recovery of the mucosa after infection. It also has an antiinflammatory, antihistamine, decongestant and antiviral effect.

Don't use antibiotics at the first sign of a cold. If you take antibiotics for every respiratory tract infection or problem, you will soon end up with a vicious circle of lowered resistance and re-infection. Upper respiratory tract infections are often a sign that you're overdoing things. Don't insist on antibiotics and antihistamines. Rather take a few days' leave and give your body a chance to recover. Keep the antibiotics for serious, persistent and life-threatening bacterial infections and they will be much more effective.

Antibiotic abuse has become a very serious problem, leading to increasing resistance in disease-causing bacteria that may render antibiotics ineffective for certain life-threatening conditions in immune compromised patients (Aids, after surgery, organ transplant patients, patients on chemo- or radiotherapy). Your abuse of antibiotics has an effect on the whole community!

Note: These guidelines should not be seen as an attempt to replace medical advice. If natural remedies and supplements do not improve the condition within three days, if you are worried about anything, if the condition gets worse, the temperature remains high, there's neck stiffness, serious headache, or the condition develops into sinusitis, bronchitis or pneumonia, consult your doctor at once. An acute asthma attack, croup, and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) are perfect examples

of diseases where western medicine and technology can be utilised to best advantage to save lives.

Try this recipe for immediate relief of colds, flu, thickened mucous, post nasal drip and sinusitis.

Mix together a pinch of ginger, cinnamon, mustard, cayenne pepper (optional) and turmeric with a fresh clove of garlic (optional), a little lemon juice and honey in hot water – it makes for a delightful spicy drink. (You might even add a tot of brandy!). Add a pinch of sage and thyme if the mucous is yellow or green. Drink this regularly until you feel better.

Recipe from: Health & Happiness (Ariani Health Solutions 2023); written by Dr Arien van der Merwe. More reader info www.ArianiHealth.com

Dr Arien is a medical doctor, author and a specialist holistic health counsellor For more information on her work, publications, product formulations, list of product distributors and ongoing public and CPD Training Courses, visit www.ArianiHealth.com.

ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT NATURAL HEALTH?

JamuJuice

Jamu Juice or Essence is the merging of the alchemy of East and West. This powerful body tonic not only boosts the immune system, it is a powerful ancient remedy for inflammatory diseases. Jamu is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and antibiotic and it contains probiotic properties, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Jamu is also a vermifuge for the treatment of parasites in the body and also eradicates unwanted gastro-intestinal flora and fungi such as Candida. Jamu also improves blood circulation and lymphatic flow.

The main ingredient is turmeric (curcumin) which has renowned health benefits. Make your own Jamu Juice with the recipe below.

• ½ cup fresh turmeric root juice (juice from ¾ cup fresh turmeric roots)

• ½ cup fresh ginger root juice (juice from ¾ cup fresh ginger roots)

• 6 cups cold filtered water

• 1 cup warm water

• 3–4 tablespoons honey (or agave)

• squeeze of lemon or lime to taste

Slice the turmeric and ginger into thin rounds and juice, using an electric juicer (it's ok to leave skin on). You should end up with 1 cup liquid combined. Add a little water to the juicer to extract more of the juice if you want. Place this in a 2-litre (8 cup) jar, pitcher or container.

You can also place the ginger and turmeric roots in a blender, and puree with a cup or two of water. Let this sit for a couple hours, then strain. Add the honey to 1 cup water and stir to combine well. Add this to the jar. Fill the jar with water (about 6 more cups) and squeeze with lemon or lime to taste. Enjoy this cold, over ice for a refreshing after workout drink. Or heat it up and serve as a tea. A dash of warm apple cider vinegar may also be added

Eatingfortransformation

Our planet is transforming, moving from a dense version to a version containing much more light and at a much higher frequency. As humans, we are manifestations of this planet. We have her earth in our cells, her water in our blood, her air in our lungs and her fire in our belly. We are her nervous system. It really is up to us if we want to leave our dense body-suit behind or move on with a lighter one with her.

At , we Anouthen Infinite Wellness are a family of healers, each one of us are healing ourselves, learning to eat to shed that which is not us. Our highly intelligent body is geared to transmute, we simply need to get rid of that which is not us. Accumulated interstitial waste, the ash of food not meant for us, parasites, heavy metals, and isolated minerals have much lower frequencies than our cells, it is a grand necessity to rid ourselves of it to maintain a higher frequency.

There are many ways to support this transformation, from prayer and meditation, to crystals, to sound and frequency healing. Then there is the very tangible way of supporting our cells to heal, thereby enabling them to channel more life force, thereby allowing our awareness to raise and our emotional and mental bodies to heal across generations and life-times. The secret of these times is the ability to transmute our electromagnetic, bio-chemical body suit as our planet is doing the same. Very exciting to know we can do so much to support the process.

If you need some guidance or simply a healing family of support, join us on one of the programmes that resonates with you.

Launching our brand new 1-year Lifestyle detox

This one is designed for those wanting to implement permanent lifestyle changes, those who want to find the balance with choosing the sustenance you want to use to energise and build your body, those who want to stop the damage they bring to their body via addictions, stimulants and complex food. Every month we spend 13 Days together, every month we focus on an organ of our body, a substance and its influence on our body, an external factor bringing damage to be eliminated or managed better, emotional/mental release and healing and so much more. You have the rest of that month to implement what you have learnt, then we connect again in the new month with another round.

Our trusty 28 Day in-depth body detox and workshop

This is great introduction to the concept of eating to heal. How to understand the language of your body and how to support yourself as you move through your own healing. A self-empowering, informationdense online workshop.

Our 6-month Solstice to Solstice deep dive

These are our journeys together, where we check in with each other regularly, where we move from one focused area of healing to the next, allowing for deep cellular regeneration to take place, never to be the same again, always integrating changes and sculpting a better version of ourselves, one cell at a time.

Heleen Elizabeth is your detox specialist and coach, with a passion to empower you to become your true self.

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BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION

KwazuluSpirit Festival™ Verified Accommodation Portal

We provide a verified accommodation portal, from Scottburgh to Pumula to give you a wide choice and options to suit all budgets, coupled with the convenience of one link: https://kwazuluspirit.com/accommodation/

Wellness travel is the most sought-after form of tourism emerging globally and in South Africa in 2024 and beyond. Tourism infrastructures nationally have embraced the festival as the first of its kind. The magnitude of the coverage and attention this region will receive both nationally and internationally is immeasurable.

The KwazuluSpirit Festival™, 'A Celebration of Consciousness' offers life-changing experiences for those pursuing or wishing to pursue a holistic and sustainable lifestyle. Our events and offerings are diverse, healthful and uplifting.

The Wellness Way Africa™ that launched alongside and in support of the offers a healing route of KwazuluSpirit Festival™ exceptional wellness options and practitioners that suggests an extra day or two on either side of the festival to experience optimal wellbeing.

https://kwazuluspirit.com/the-wellness-way/

Tickets are available on Quicket: https://qkt.io/yej05B or SCAN Book verified accommodation: https://kwazuluspirit.com/accommodation or SCAN

Dates: 9,10, 11 August

The Laughing Forest is a family owned resort in Elysium, on the beach. Our self catering cabins accommodate 38 people sharing. We specialise in weddings, conferences, retreats and social functions. The gardens are immaculate and we are pet friendly.

Escape to Mtwalume’s home away from home, praised for its charm, modern comfort, and breathtaking views. This spacious self-catering accommodation, ideal for families, boasts an inviting pool and impeccable cleanliness. The hosts’ genuine hospitality ensure a memorable stay, making it a haven for relaxation and rejuvenation.

084 647 2443 | Email: charna018@gmail.com 142 Cabin Road 142 Cabin Road Mtwalume, KwaZulu-Natal, 4186

Taste the sweetness of Halal Hospitality at Sugar Beach Resort located in Elysium on the South Coast of Durban KwaZulu – Natal. The Resort has 22 Rooms, Conference Centre, Boardroom, Restaurant, Spa, Games Room, Rock Pool, Jungle Gym, BBQ and Picnic Areas.

039 977 0014 | 081 773 7457 | 083 786 7795 | reservations@sugarbeachresort.co.za FB: @SugarBeachZa | www sugarbeachresort.co.za | 1 Cowry Drive, Elysium, KZN

Just 40 minutes south of Durban, this is one of KwaZuluNatal’s South Coast’s most iconic hotels boasting exquisite sea views. The hotel offers over 100 rooms with comfortable accommodations and a range of facilities, stunning subtropical gardens, superior service, sparkling pools and the warm Indian Ocean. Enjoy memorable meals at the Lighthouse Restaurant or a cocktail at Big Blu pool bar.

Ironwood Lodge offers a relaxed atmosphere with stunning sea views and spacious rooms, just 200m from the beach. Our hospitality will make you feel at home in any of the 9 en-suite units. Accommodation options are offered on a B&B basis, a semi self-catering basis and a full self-catering basis. Dinners are available by arrangement only. We also have conferencing facilities and can host weddings and functions.

084 575 1895 | Email: ironwood@scottnet.co.za

7 Figtree Lane, Pennington, 4184 | www.ironwoodlodge.co.za

Discover this beachfront oasis with direct private beach access. This idyllic property boasts a beautiful garden, a spacious pool, and accommodations for up to 18 guests. With 7 bedrooms of which five rooms open onto the pool area. A large, fully equipped kitchen opens to an expansive living area with an 18-seater dining table and lounge with both TV and DSTV.

657

| Email: julia@majormachines.co.za

Cherry Lane, Pennington, South Coast, KZN | www kwazuluspirit.com/turtle-cove

Find peace and tranquility in a variety of different rooms nestled in the midst of nature. Wake up to the sound of birds chirping and leaves rustling in the breeze. If relaxation is what you need, then give us a call and let us help you find a room that suits your needs and budget. Located in Umzumbe, a 5-minute walk from Sharks Bay Beach, or use the swimming pool and enjoy the beautiful garden. Private parking available.

Situated in the tranquil seaside village of Mtwalume, lies one of the South Coasts best kept secrets, Seaside Escapes. Please accept our invitation to share in our little slice of paradise. A stone’s throw from the beach, with a 180 degree frontline sea view, all units boast the full ocean vista and can in total comfortably accommodate 25 guests. Escape with us!

Pennington is a tranquil little South Coast village, fifteen kilometres south of Scottburgh, blessed with gorgeous beaches that back up against a coastal forest. It has superb beaches, excellent golf courses, natural wildlife and subtropical weather all year round which makes it the perfect holiday destination. We have a fast growing portfolio of some of the best homes in Pennington. Our holiday houses all have their own unique offerings, and all provide amazing holidays

Self Catering Accomodation

Petra’sVillas

This quaint self-catering accommodation is situated in the sleepy village of Elysium, 30 km from Scottburgh and 15 km from Hibberdene on the Natal South Coast. Petra’s Villa derives its name from Petra in Jordan, both of which are awesome discoveries. The Villa offers affordable luxury accommodation in all of its units. Featuring beautiful sea views and offering all guests free access to the Roman-style swimming pool. The units are named after Roman Caesars, Mediaeval Knights, and even an Egyptian Queen.

4185 | www kwazuluspirit.com/petros-villa

At Searenity Holiday Homes, we strive to provide luxury accommodation at affordable prices, we boast a wide and exclusive range of beautiful & versatile villas in Pennington, Selborne Golf Estate & Eden Rock Forest Estate, KwaZulu-Natal. With over 10 years of experience in property management, Searenity proudly boasts a 4.8 overall rating on Airbnb, a 5-star Google rating & an overall 9 4 on Booking com

Making Holiday Dreams Come True...

A gem of coastal luxury where elegance meets the ocean. This splendid self-catering haven in the heart of KwazuluNatal’s South Coast is nestled between the stunning Sea Park and Southport beaches. The Beach House Southport is a tastefully furnished and well-equipped self-catering home for up to 8 adults and 4 children and boasts a prestigious four-star rating. With breath-taking sea views and front-row seats for dolphin and whale-watching your stay will be nothing short of exceptional.

info@beachaccommodation.co.za

www.thebeachhousesouthport.co.za

The Little Round House is a super cosy thatch roof bungalow situated in a small secure thatched village. Enjoy the stunning sea views and easy beach access to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The gardens offer an abundance of trees and bird life. A communal pool and tennis court are on the premises. Scuba diving, golf, surfing, shark cage diving, abseiling and mountain biking are all within reach from this off-the-beaten-track village of Mtwalume.

PeopleSavingRhinos

THERHISOTOPEPROJECT

Part three of a profoundly significant trilogy

“SciencesavingRhinos.RhinosSavingPeople.

PeopleSavingRhinos.”

Thecreationofanewtribehasbegun.Ourtotemistherhino.Andweareusingpeople-power andnucleartechnologyinawhollyinnovativewaytohelpustryandsavethismagnificent species,aswellasothers,intothefuture.

Despite our shortcomings as humans, there is (thankfully) an ever-growing awareness that our very survival and wellbeing depend on a healthy and balanced natural world. Technology in and of itself is as 'opposite' from our natural world as you can get. Yet in all its facets, tech is increasingly becoming a lifesaver for all manner of fauna and flora, and their habitats, around the world.

The definition of the word 'save' is defined as: To keep safe or rescue something or someone from harm or danger. Thanks to visionary pioneers, both current and those who have gone before us, many species and habitats have been brought back from the brink of extinction. Much of this has been achieved through sheer will power, innovation, passion, communication, collective action and determination.

Enter rhinos.

For more than 50 million years, rhinos as a species have roamed this earth. Being megaherbivores, they have helped to create – and continue to support - a cascade of life that sustains and benefits a myriad of other species and their habitats. Rhinos were architects of the landscape then and continue to fulfil that vital role today. Rhino evolution pre-dates that of homo-sapiens. Their ancestors emerged shortly after the demise of the dinosaurs, long before hominids were featured in the evolutionary line.

Enter humans.

In terms of human evolution, which began around six million years ago, we are but a blip on the evolutionary landscape. Our entire existence on Earth has always been intimately entwined in all-natural rhythms, supplying us with everything we needed for daily life and survival. Our living planet has inspired and influenced our thoughts, creativity, inner wellness, spirituality, cultural structures and belief systems and continues to do so to this day.

Within the last few decades, our global rhino populations have been decimated. This is due to demand for their horns which serve as status symbols, for crafted and carved trinkets or jewellery and for traditional medicinal and usage purposes. Traditional cultural beliefs in the main consumer countries of China and Vietnam have taken their toll on the few remaining rhinos of the five species left in the world.

As we have evolved and expanded, humans have become a powerful force for change and not always for the better. We continue to take more than we give back. Have we forgotten what it means to feel connected to the greater life force around us? And in what way are we feeling the effects? Today we live in a technological world that many feel has largely distanced us from what it means to be in tune with the natural rhythms of Life. We have become victims of our own success.

Or have we?

Enter technology.

Nuclear technology to be precise. Humans might be part of the problem, but we are equally part of the solution. Innovation is often born out of desperate need. And innovation is precisely what The Rhisotope Project is all about. Science saving rhinos. Rhinos saving people. People saving rhinos.

By placing small quantities of radioisotopes into the horns of rhinos, this elegant nuclear technology is about to become a conservation hero, changing the dynamics forever in terms of rhino safeguarding. The best part is there is absolutely no harm to the animal as there isn't any movement of the compound from the horn into the body of the rhino. The results were conclusive in Phase 1 of the Project.

Five years ago, the possibility of using nuclear technology to help save a species was only a concept. Through The Rhisotope Project this is now becoming a reality. Although the realm of nuclear technology may mean almost nothing to rural communities – or consumers of rhino horns for that matter – this is about to change!

With the rhino as an ambassador species, we now have the ability to merge the power of nuclear technology with the power of philanthropy. With rhinos as living ambassadors, we can create meaningful change in the lives of people both in South Africa, Africa and around the world.

Many may ask why anyone would want to save a rhino – especially those in communities nearby, living on the edge of poverty. For most, a rhino is something very far removed from their sphere of daily survival. For some, poaching is a means of survival. This, however has the disastrous result of bringing the darkness of organised crime into otherwise peaceful communities.

Using the rhino as a symbol to bring benefits and empowerment to local people is key to deterring poaching and helping to create and sustain healthy, resilient communities. This is achieved by Rhisotope embarking on various philanthropic campaigns with local entities. By bringing benefits linked with rhinos into each home, village, and community and beyond, we can ensure a living rhino has more value than a dead one. People saving rhinos.

Equally, people who live in other parts of the world may only see a rhino as simply an animal that lives in Africa. The Dark Continent lies very far away from their daily realm of awareness or care. The Rhisotope Project plans to change all that. A rhino does affect every human on the planet – no matter where you live. The reason for that is simple – black market crime. Black market crime adversely affects every person and community on the planet in one way or another.

Black market trades consist of four main pillars –weapons, drugs, wildlife trafficking and human trafficking. Where you find one, you will always find at least one other. It stands to reason that weapons are an intimate part of rhino poaching. After all, it is with illegal weapons that the lives of these magnificent creatures and others, are taken on a daily basis.

Rhino horn is the most valuable false commodity on the black market. Dollar prices fetch in excess of $20 000 per kilo. All manner of attempts continue to be made to try and stem both the demand and poaching, such as attempts to poison the horns (which was unsuccessful), through to dehorning. Research has recently shown that removing the horns, has a detrimental effect on the breeding and habitat range of black rhinos. Rhinos have needed their horns for millions of years and still do. But what choice do some have?

Many owners have been forced to sell their animals as they cannot afford the security required to protect them – a tragic disinvestment in the species. For others, seeing a living rhino without a horn is ultimately more preferable to seeing a rhino poached and savagely slaughtered.

The business of transnational crime is valued at roughly between $1.6 trillion to $2.2 trillion annually – if not more. Wildlife crime alone – featuring armed violence, corruption, money laundering and other forms of organised crime – is responsible for the eradication of plants, birds, marine life and mammals with trade value estimated at over $20 billion per year.

Take heart however in that the good guys are by no means sitting idle.

Crime fighting has many facets, however, especially when aided by placing nuclear technology into the horns of rhino. Rhisotope is able to benefit from a global multibillion-dollar nuclear security infrastructure. How many people know that nuclear detection portal monitors exist at over 11 000 ports of entry around the world? In addition, there are thousands of personnel who are equipped with radiation detection monitors.

International nuclear security agreements are clear and specific. It is illegal for any unauthorised person or entity to be caught in possession of any nuclear or radioactive material under any circumstances. Anyone caught in possession of a horn/s treated by Rhisotope, or involved in part of a consignment will be prosecuted under much harsher laws and penalties. Thanks to Rhisotope technology, we are now able to turn what is currently a low-risk/high-reward enterprise, into a highrisk/low-reward endeavour.

And as for the end user, people's innate fear of nuclear technology is designed to put them off entirely. Would any sane person want a radioactive horn decorating their desk? Or, for that matter, try to ingest radioactive material as 'medicine', or wear radioactive trinkets?

As The Rhisotope Project embarks on a journey to try and restore some sort of balance – we will continue to combine the latest technology with innovation, passion, exploration, compassion, courage and connectedness. Some of the most precious and innate qualities that set humans apart.

By uniting these and other powerful human capabilities and by celebrating the rhino as an ambassador species, we stand a chance of protecting the fragile, delicate balance that exists between man and nature, nature and man and what is needed to sustain each into the future.

Although there have been tremendously successful interventions when it comes to wildlife protection, it is not enough. There is much more to be done.

The Rhisotope Project needs your help. By saving rhinos we are able to save people too. The Rhisotope Project relies on people in order to succeed. People saving rhinos.

Whilst the criminals rake in massive amounts of cash, projects such as Rhisotope – as well as many others – do not have that cash-flow luxury. The single biggest challenge that has faced the Rhisotope Project has been to source the funds and investment needed to take each phase forward.

In addition, our pioneering partners such as Wits University, Texas A&M, Colorado State University, International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa, Australian Nuclear Science

and Technology Organisation, Merrick and others, have all played a vital role in helping Rhisotope achieve this point of success. They will continue to do so.

The power of the global citizenry to help save rhinos, save people and fight crime at the same time should not be underestimated.

By reading this article, you have already become a rhino ambassador by simply learning about and understanding the species a little better and how rhinos play a role in all of our lives. To be a part of the awakening to the positive power of nuclear technology and how it is being applied to help save a species – and ourselves – at the same time, is a massive step forward.

- Science saving rhinos in the form of nuclear technology.

- Rhinos saving people by being an ambassador species that is linked with a better life.

- People saving rhinos in the form of collective philanthropic action and its benefits.

If you would like to find out more, or are interested in supporting any aspect of The Rhisotope Project, please feel free to contact us at: info@rhisotope.org and look at our website www.rhisotope.org

References:

• https://www.dffe.gov.za/mediareleases/creecy_relasesrhinopoachingsta ts2024feb27

• Duthé, V. et al. (2023) “Reductions in Home-Range Size and Social Interactions among Dehorned Black Rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis),” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 120(25)

Restore Our Earth

Ahealthy world sustains human life. Lions Clubs worldwide are committed to caring for our earth through sustainable projects that connect our communities and our environment to enrich lives.

Lions also support the Rhisotope Project and encourage Odyssey Readers to do the same.

RescuingandRewildingAfrica'sWildlifeandLandscapes

Aunique, groundbreaking NGO has launched in Southern Africa, which promises to disrupt the conservation landscape by delivering results where many other NGOs merely talk. WeWild Africa, a dynamic force in wildlife conservation, officially launches its groundbreaking initiatives in Africa in January 2024 (the world's largest vulture translocation and the Ndumo Game Reserve emergency elephant intervention are a few projects under way) but the organisation has been operational in the region since 2019. In a short space of time, the organisation has become one of the most active and successful NGOs in conservation in Africa, focusing on rewilding of captive-born animals and protecting large tracts of habitat for endangered species.

WeWild Africa has perfected the art of emergency responses. Where other NGOs may take days or weeks to respond, WeWild Africa guarantees a response within 24 hours. WeWild Africa has become known as the go-to organisation when results need to be achieved, efficiently and effectively. The philosophy is simple, the animal always comes first and WeWild Africa does what it takes to secure the lives of individuals, often against impossible odds.

Our hands-on approach in the field, coupled with strategic partnerships, has led to countless world firsts and historic achievements. These include the first ever rewilding of zoo-born cheetahs from the United Kingdom and Canada, to implementing historic elephant capture missions, to the rewilding smaller species across

the continent for the first time.

With a veteran team boasting over 100+ years of conservation expertise, Damian Aspinall, Tansy Aspinall, Amos Courage and Dereck Milburn have tackled some of the most challenging conservation scenarios in the world with a never-give-up mindset. Together, these founding members form a formidable force, motivated by a profound love for Africa's wildlife and ecosystems.

Damian Aspinall, chairman of WeWild Africa, affirms: “We go where very few other organisations are willing to go, to secure the future of endangered species and threatened landscapes. Always asking why not, rather than why? WeWild Africa is set to change the conservation landscape in Africa, through turnkey conservation solutions and a network of collaborations.”

With conservation efforts often crippled by inadequate support, WeWild Africa emerges with tangible solutions, backed by funding solutions that allow them to take swift and decisive actions, key in highstakes projects, where hours can mean life or death for our precious wildlife. WeWild Africa has secured the lives of more than 1 000 animals since 2019 by direct intervention and the organisation is merely getting warmed up. WeWild Africa is establishing 'first of a kind' government partnerships with an aim to becoming a catalyst for the protection of massive tracts of land and supporting government reserves, showing private organisations what can be achieved through collaboration and dynamic interventions.

Select major projects and collaborations

WeWild Africa's approach is characterised by ego-free collaboration, a sense of urgency, a pioneering approach and deep expertise in holistic landscape management and wildlife translocation. The organisation has been involved in several landmark projects, including:

World's Largest Vulture Translocation: WeWild Africa was instrumental in the pre-event logistics, loading, route planning, partnerships and funding and building of specialised custom crates for the entire operations of the world's largest vulture translocation. This monumental project will secure the future of wild vulture populations in southern Africa with the triumphant completion of the 1042km 18-hour translocation of 163 Cape and African White-backed vultures into their new home at Shamwari Private Game Reserve. The success of this project was in collaboration with our partners Shamwari, Vulpro, DHL, Dr. Katja Koeppel and Dr. Johan Joubert.”

Ndumo Game Reserve elephant intervention: Early on Saturday morning, January 20 2024, WeWild Africa, gathered resources and funding, then organised and executed an emergency aerial rescue intervention of five elephants at Ndumo Game Reserve, in partnership with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, tracking and safely redirecting the elephants back to safety and saving their lives. These elephants had moved from the Kruger National Park, through southern Mozambique and into the communities around Ndumo Game Reserve in South Africa. At least 13 elephants were shot in the region and WeWild Africa and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife are now working together to mitigate the need to shoot elephants.

Addo Elephant National Park relocation: WeWild Africa helped orchestrate the historic first-ever relocation of family groups of elephants from Addo Elephant National Park to three different reserves.

Loskop Dam rewilding: A first-of-its-kind partnership with the Mpumalanga Province government to restore and rewild the Big Five at Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, aiming to increase it to a whopping 100 000 hectares. No other organisation has partnered as extensively with provincial governments in South Africa as WeWild Africa has. WeWild Africa works with local and provincial governments, aiding in capacity building and resource management, not with an iron fist approach. The team will create a blueprint for successful provincial government habitat co-management for all of Africa.

International cheetah translocations: Never before have cheetahs from zoos been rewilded back to Africa.

WeWild Africa accomplished the world-first international rewilding translocations, moving cheetahs from the UK and Canada to South Africa and Zimbabwe to enhance genetic diversity.

Tembe the African honey badger: Never before in the history of conservation was a badger brought back from any zoo to Africa. Tembe the badger was successfully transported and rewilded to the Loskop Dam Reserve, where she now thrives and enjoys life as a wild animal.

Blaauwbosch rescue: A massive effort to rescue 63 animals from deteriorating and dire conditions in a private game reserve. The team experienced extreme challenges with legal threats from the private game reserve owner who refused to relinquish his animals. Yet, with a never-give-up attitude, the team rescued the wildlife.

Elephant relocation to Zinave National Park: When elephants were part of extreme human-wildlife conflict, WeWild Africa stepped into the rescue. This operation was one of the most challenging our conservationists have seen in their lifetime of work. It required forging and creating new roads deep into the bush to capture the elephants, causing severe damage to the vehicles, but with grit and determination, it ended in success and the elephants were saved.

We do worry about the small things: What makes WeWild Africa unique, is that we are concerned about wellbeing of the smaller, less iconic species. All too often, NGOs are only concerned about iconic species such as rhino, lion, etc., whereas, WeWild Africa has rewilded and rescued species such as jackal, caracal, serval, crocodiles, wild dogs, etc. From big to small, we rescue them all.

Crocodile Rewilding: WeWild Africa stepped in to rewild 23 captive crocodiles into the wild, partnering with Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency to give these crocs a new lease on life.

“Looking ahead to 2024, WeWild Africa has set ambitious goals to tackle hundreds of large animal projects while maintaining focus on individual rescues and every individual. We are collaborating with governments and corporations on profound initiatives, the first of their kind to be seen in the world, and we are beyond excited. Our team is expanding, ready to embrace the challenges ahead with the conviction that conservation is more than a mission – it's our calling.”

For more information, please visit the WeWild Africa website on: www.wewildafrica.org

TheBRCisasanctuaryofstillnessandbeauty,ideallysuitedtodiscoveranewleaseoflife.Itoffersa widerangeofworkshops-structuredandself-retreats-whichincludemeditation,yogaandchikung.

UnveilingtheMagnificence: HarnessingMentalFitness forInnerPeace

In the chaotic voyage through life, the quest for tranquillity amidst the storm can often seem like an elusive mirage. Our minds, accustomed to the rigours of daily survival, frequently overlook the sheer beauty inherent in each passing moment. However, amidst the frenetic pace of contemporary existence lies a profound truth: The potency of mental fitness in nurturing a serene state of being.

In our relentless pursuit of societal validation and perfection, we inadvertently thrust ourselves into an unending rat race, fixated on material success and external acclaim. We construct elaborate facades of achievement, tethering our self-worth to external metrics of accomplishment. Yet, therein lies the peril: When we tether our intrinsic value to external validation, we subject ourselves to a cycle of anxiety and overwhelm.

Our brains, perpetually vigilant in safeguarding our sense of belonging and worthiness, interpret every setback as a threat to our very existence. Amid this ceaseless quest for validation, the demarcation between thriving and mere survival becomes blurred, ensnaring us in a labyrinth of self-doubt and discontent.

Nevertheless, amidst the chaos, a beacon of hope emerges: The recognition that mental fitness is not a luxury but an imperative. Just as we nourish our bodies through physical exertion, fostering mental resilience is indispensable for nurturing inner serenity and vigour.

By embracing mindfulness and presence, we liberate ourselves from the shackles of incessant striving, infusing clarity and purpose into our lives. By quieting the ceaseless chatter of our minds, we tap into our innate capacity for tranquillity.

The odyssey toward mental fitness is not a solitary endeavour but a collective journey of self-exploration and rejuvenation. Through introspection and self-compassion, we embark on a metamorphic expedition toward holistic wellbeing, unearthing the latent potential for joy and fulfilment residing within us.

In a world that extols busyness and productivity, prioritising our mental wellbeing becomes an act of selfpreservation. By elevating self-care and emotional fortitude, we seize control of our destinies, transcending societal norms to embrace a more authentic existence.

Let us heed the summons to cultivate mental fitness in the face of adversity. Within life's crucible of challenges lies the opportunity to unearth the strength and resilience latent within each of us. As we traverse life's peaks and valleys, let us remain cognisant that true liberation emanates from within. By embracing the potency of mental fitness, we pave the path toward a luminous future — a future characterised not by external accolades but by the profundity of our lived experiences.

Within this narrative, Madeleine Pretorius, Director of Leadership and Cultural Transformation, as well as Anél Jacobs, General Manager of Ignite Purpose Africa, assume a pivotal role. With their courage and profound impact in the South African market, they authentically advocate for the necessity of mental fitness. Through various workshops at the Spirit Festival and the upcoming Phenomenal Women's Conference in October, they elucidate the significance of mental resilience in navigating adversity and fostering a more beautiful future - one crafted by the individual.

www.ignitepurposeafrica.com

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IGet ready to ride the digital wave… NamasteBeaches!

WordsAnne-MarieClulow

The digital nomads are coming!

f you've been watching what's happening in the dreams and aspirations of many of the younger generation, seeing what they hashtag on social media, where they are filming their videos and reels, you'll see a move toward remote working which increases travel possibilities.

It's changed from the backpacking days of the predigital era, to become a valuable way to travel and make money, without taking away jobs from the local communities. In fact, it expands economies as money is put into living in local communities!

Young adults are moving away from doing things the way their parents did.

This is especially evident within the gig economy. Many are not tying themselves to location-based work environments and are shifting out of the nine-to-five office career.

The digital nomad route of working online and living affordably in places like Bali and Portugal, has spawned a specific tourism for extended co-living, self-catering stays. These destinations have begun shifting gears to provide accommodation and wellness tourism for this trending market.

The digital wave is already arriving on the South Coast of KZN, with people wanting 'South Africa's Bali' of beautiful vistas and cost-effective living.

With the amount of Blue Flag beaches, healthy coastal lifestyle, wellness tourism (initiatives like the Wellness Way) and the introduction of fibre internet, the South Coast is starting to ride the possibilities of this wave.

After Covid, many South Africans realised they could work online and began buying more remote coastal property. Once you've got solar panels, inverters and water tanks, you're able to live more eco-consciously within your own country. This first wave began boosting the coastal economy far more than just finding a local job!

This wave has already started and the two generational opposites of the South Coast would do well to create opportunities together, digital nomads and remote workers are looking for co-living and working spaces that have access to great WIFI, beaches, Yoga, mindful living, social spaces and conscious community.

Wellness tourism is also starting to offer longer retreats, balancing and revitalising those that can take an extended break whilst still working online part time. For many, this prevents total burnout, without having to take extended leave. This can be integrated by offering offseason specials to these remote workers, creating a year-round tourism opportunity, as well as becoming a preferred destination for digital nomads.

It's happening elsewhere in the world; many holiday accommodation places are converting to co-living spaces where folks live in social community and work online, making memories, building friendships and bringing income into more remote and beautiful destinations worldwide.

The South Coast has great prices and has started becoming more sustainable, which is often very attractive to a younger digital nomad community.

The water and electricity issues have ironically given the South Coast a reason to become more ecoconscious and sustainable within their businesses, which is often a hot selling point for younger digital nomads.

This has given us on this beautiful wild coast a headstart, as many digital nomads are not looking for city life, they are looking for the lifestyle of coastal living and affordability to create experiences.

They work to create their life, not live to work.

For seasonal tourism to make the shift to offering remote co-living workspaces, invites more year round trade. It's a golden opportunity for those places willing to be early adopters, creating opportunities for these travellers at a great price. And finally to bring together an older

generation running holiday-style accommodation with a younger generation, creating symbiotic communities and an expansion in what digital and wellness tourism can do for the South Coast!

Digital nomad and coach Anne-Marie Clulow, is the founder of Intimacy Coaching International and Bliss and Relaxation's 'Sense You Wellness' programme as well as the SENSORIUM Creator. You can experience this immersive sound journey at Kwazulu-Spirit Festival 2024. Anne-Marie is an Odyssey Magazine Thought Leader with her Blissexology column in every edition.

Craig McCaw, American businessman and entrepreneur, a pioneer in the cellular phone industry, predicted in 1993 that the union of telecommunication and computing would create a new nomadic industry. By enabling people to conduct business from any location, wireless communication and digital assistants would facilitate a return to a nomadic lifestyle where people moved as they wished and took their environment and possessions with them.

The 1997 book Digital Nomad by Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners used the term to describe how technology allows for a return of societies to a nomadic lifestyle Makimoto and Manners identified an emerging 'digital nomad' lifestyle freed by technology from the constraints of geography and distance.

In March 2022, South Africa announced that it would update its visa laws to be allow digital nomads to stay in the country for more than 90 days

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Unveiling the Essence of Bali

AHarmoniousFusionofSustainabilityandWellnesswithShuttleworthLifestyleGroup

WithBrettShuttleworth

In the golden hours of dusk, Bali transforms into a realm where the ethereal beauty of sun-kissed rice terraces and timeless temples merges with an almost tangible sense of spiritual vitality. This autumn, Odyssey magazine takes you on an enlightening expedition into the core of Bali's sustainable sanctuaries, offering a closer look at the burgeoning wellness tourism industry through the visionary lens of The Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group.

Based on the mystical Island of Gods, Bali, Brett Shuttleworth, founder of The Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group, has created a haven where like-minded individuals and families can step into a Smiling Soul life and embrace a conscious lifestyle. Inclusive of personal transformation and extending to empowering lifestyle experiences as well as property investments carefully

curated based on the ethos of sustainability and growth. This journey across Bali Island of Gods is not merely a passage across the island's geographical wonders but a deep dive into a lifestyle where the principles of sustainability seamlessly blend with the quest for spiritual wellbeing, setting the stage for a celebration of life in its most vibrant form.

Nestled between the green embrace of Bali's landscapes and the serene blue of its waters, a sanctuary awaits those seeking peace and spiritual awakening. Known affectionately as the Island of the Gods, Bali stands out for its pulsating culture, rich traditions and stunning natural beauty. Leading the charge in the island's wellness tourism sector is The Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group, an organization under the dynamic leadership of Brett Shuttleworth.

This company is at the forefront of offering immersive experiences that respect Bali's natural heritage while promoting a conscious lifestyle.

With an enticing invitation to "Find Your True Nature in Bali," The Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group crafts a variety of experiences that pay homage to the island's sacred traditions and holistic wellness practices. From eco-friendly lodging amidst the jungle's heart to rejuvenating retreats with views of untouched beaches, each initiative is thoughtfully designed to enrich the mind, body and spirit.

Bali's charm extends beyond its scenic views to embody a profound dedication to sustainable living and harmony with the natural environment. This ethos is evident in the eco-resorts powered by renewable resources and the organic culinary journeys from farm to table, showcasing a lifestyle in equilibrium with nature. The Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its offerings; it is deeply ingrained in every aspect of its operations. By prioritising ecofriendly practices and supporting local communities, the company is dedicated to creating a positive impact on both guests and the environment. Through responsible tourism initiatives and philanthropic endeavours, The Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group aims to leave a lasting legacy of sustainability in Bali and beyond.

The Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group works in concert with local communities and conservation efforts to safeguard Bali's exquisite landscapes for future explorers.

Wellness tourism here is an odyssey of personal enlightenment and transformation. Leveraging Bali's

ancient healing traditions, Ayurvedic principles, and a diverse range of therapeutic approaches, visitors are encouraged to undertake a comprehensive journey towards renewal and healing. The island offers a rich array of transformative experiences, from traditional Balinese massages and sacred sound ceremonies to meditation practices rooted in Vedic wisdom, allowing individuals to reconnect with their innermost selves.

The essence of The Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group's approach lies in a profound respect for Bali's spiritual and cultural heritage. Collaborations with local healers and cultural practitioners enable guests to delve into Bali's vibrant cultural mosaic through participation in traditional ceremonies, temple visits, and cultural events, offering a window into the island's soul.

More than a commitment to environmental stewardship and wellness, The Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group aspires to cultivate a community spirit among its guests. Through organised group activities, workshops, and comprehensive wellness programmes, travellers can establish meaningful connections with others who share their values, weaving themselves into the rich cultural and spiritual fabric of Bali.

As modern travellers increasingly seek impactful experiences that feed the soul and tread lightly on the earth, Bali shines as a model of sustainable living and wellness tourism. Guided by The Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group, embark on a voyage of selfdiscovery and rejuvenation, where each moment is ripe with the potential for personal growth, deeper interpersonal connections, and transformative experiences.

Amidst the lush allure and profound spiritual energy of Bali, may you find the inspiration for healing and a more profound connection with both yourself and the natural world. Embark on this journey of sustainable sanctuaries and wellness tourism with us, laying the groundwork for a more mindful and enlightened future for all.

Come and enjoy the tastes, sights and sounds through a unique and highly transformative experience with your host, Brett Shuttleworth, on his next Bali Smiling Soul Retreat 14-24 June 2024, and delve into the magic of your soul!

Brett Shuttleworth's remarkable journey from farm-boy to spiritual teacher is an awakening story of love, transformation and the pursuit of a higher consciousness. His unwavering commitment to changing lives and creating a ripple of love inspires individuals from all walks of life to embrace their greatness and live authentically. By immersing ourselves in Brett's teachings, we are guided to rediscover our true essence, find inner peace and make a profound impact on the world around us.

Discover more about our transformative retreats at Smiling Soul Creation http://www.smilingsoulcreations.com

Our lifestyle and property offerings at The Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group http://www.shuttleworthlifestylegroup.com

Bali Green Eco Habitat Extraordinaire

Green Living is a practice that comes from living in harmony with the earth. One such way to do so is to practise natural building. Natural building materials are considered abundantly available in local environments; they are also often reused, renewable or recycled. Examples of common natural building materials include sand, clay, wood, earth, straw, bamboo and stone.

Natural building materials have been around since the creation of the earth itself. On the whole, natural materials require less energy for their production. The use of locally abundant materials results in the least disruption to one's natural surroundings. Adobe (clay, sand and water) has good thermal mass, keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter. Other sustainable building techniques are also usually applied when constructing natural homes to ensure adequate insulation. Overall, there has been an increase in the construction of earth homes, domes within the earth, wooden cabins and bamboo structures.

Bamboo has been utilised as the primary building material, owing to the fact that it is one of the world's most sustainable and versatile building materials with strength equivalent to steel. Bamboo is ready to be used as building material when it reaches the age of 3-5 years.

When the bamboo is chosen well, treated properly, designed mindfully and maintained, bamboo houses will last a lifetime.

Bali is one area of the world in which visions for sustainable living are brought to life. Located on the slopes of the Agung River in Bali, there is a living community of conscious, globally connected individuals who care about nature. Unique and sustainable bamboo houses that are hand-constructed by skilled artisans and craftsmen, assisted by eco-savvy architects and designers who create homes, structures, and interiors out of bamboo and other natural materials, building structures that utilise the flow of energy that exists within the natural world around them, this community has attracted nature lovers, celebrities and entrepreneurs from all over the world.

In addition to bamboo, many Balinese dwellings incorporate Indonesian Black Lavastone or clay for pools, ornaments, bathtubs and walling. If the visual impact isn't enough to stir your interest, why not visit one of these natural places and feel the magic for yourself.

Why not contact Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group and explore the incredible Balinese property investments available: http://www.shuttleworthlifestylegroup.com

Green School Bamboo village, Traditional houses constructed with Bamboo. Our hearts long for structures that flow in harmony with nature.

ConsciousParenting

Primitive Reflexes

Primitive reflexes are the instinctive, automatic movements of the body controlled by the brain stem that promote survival during the early years of life. These early life reflexes lay down the architecture and neural networks of the brain and each reflex builds on those that have gone before. This results in the passing of control from the brain stem (primitive brain) to the prefrontal cortex.

The Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR) is the key to all other primitive reflexes. It is the first reflex to manifest. FPR is a withdrawal or 'freeze' response to shock and lays the groundwork for more mature coping strategies in response to stress. It is intended to develop, become integrated and fall away before birth.

If the FPR does not follow the proper route of development, or if a person is caught in survival response due to shock or alarm, their sympathetic nervous system will be locked in a state of fear. This will affect all waking and sleep activity. When FPR is active all situations are (neurologically) seen through a filter of fear.

• The freeze response results in an inability to think and move under stress.

• Overcompensation for inner anxieties by attention seeking often in inappropriate ways.

• Chronic insecurity, phobias and fears of public humiliation, embarrassment and/or failure.

• Depression, compulsions, sleep and eating disorders.

• Rigid, inflexible, perfectionistic and controlling behaviour with a tendency to blame others for their misfortunes.

• Outbursts of aggression or temper borne out of frustration and confusion.

• Reduced muscle tone and poor balance.

• Hypersensitivity to stimuli, constant feelings of overwhelm, dislike of change, risk and/or surprises.

• Shallow, difficult breathing.

• Chronic fatigue.

• Difficulty in expressing or receiving affection.

Typically, if one early life reflex remains unintegrated then there is usually more than one.

Each retained reflex controls aspects of posture, movement, perception and behaviour. If an individual is operating from their brain stem rather than their prefrontal cortex they will have difficulties processing and analysing information and they will have coordination difficulties.

Moro Reflex

An active Fear Paralysis Reflex is often coupled with an unintegrated Moro reflex. It is estimated that the majority of people suffer with either an unintegrated Moro or Fear Paralysis Reflex.

The Moro reflex is a startle reflex which causes the infant to inhale and spread their hands wide with their head back and eyes wide open, followed by withdrawal. This is the primitive fight or flight response and should be integrated at about 4 months.

If the Moro reflex is not integrated, the individual will remain in a highly stressed state for their entire life. This can manifest as:

• Tension, emotionality and an inability to relax.

• Frequent nightmares.

• Allergies, infections and chronic pain as the liver and kidneys become stressed.

• Low tolerance of stress and resistance to change.

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex

The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) emerges at around 18 weeks in utero and is inhibited or suppressed between 6-8 months after birth, while awake. It persists up to three and a half years while asleep. The ATNR fulfils many purposes. It has been suggested that one of its primary functions is to assist in the birth process - the rotation of the head allows the shoulders to move, and therefore the baby moves in a spiral down the birth canal. The ATNR may also help survival. When a baby is

placed prone, it should not go into the "frog" position. The head should go to one side, with extension of the jaw arm and leg. This allows free passage of air.

The ATNR is the first training ground for eye-hand coordination. When a baby is born it can only focus its eyes at about twenty centimeters. Outside of that the baby can see movement and shadow, but it cannot focus. Through the ATNR, the baby slowly extends the vision from near point fixation to distance, and therefore this is vital for eye-hand co-ordination training.

Activation

When the head is rotated to either side the jaw arm slowly extends, the jaw hand and fingers also slowly extend. The jaw leg extends, but not as much as the arm.

The occipital (the back of the head) arm and leg bend. This is the "kick" the mother feels, and it should get stronger and stronger as birth approaches.

Consequences

If the ATNR remains strongly present it might affect vision. The hand does not want to cross the midline, and as the eyes are locked in to the hands, they do not want to cross the midline either. This may mean that, when reading for example, when the eyes get to the midline, they "jump" and the child may lose his/her place.

In crawling, the child is unable to reach and then bend the elbow to drag itself along (it is physiologically impossible to creep, commando style). In creeping, the arms need to remain straight, but the ATNR causes a bending of the occipital arm. In grasping, when the baby looks at the object, the fingers will want to straighten out. In the older child, it is as though there is an invisible force which causes the arm and hand to straighten whenever the head is turned to one side.

Conscious

The child may have to exert a great deal of conscious control when writing - something that should be automatic. In addition to the fatigue caused by the effort of fighting the reflex, the child's comprehension can suffer due to the cortex being involved in movement. This can, in turn, affect concentration. Judging distance will also be difficult. If present in the legs, walking will be affected, and the child will tend to walk with a stiff leg gait. When at school, catching a ball (bringing the hands together at the midline) will be affected. When the head turns right, the left knee will bend and therefore disturb balance. Writing and copying problems will also be seen. Gross and fine muscle co-ordination and eye tracking will also be affected. Many children who are articulate and bright just cannot seem to express themselves well in written work. It is as though the mind can think and the mouth can speak, but when a motor task is added (writing, for example) the child seems unable to demonstrate the intelligence that one knows is there.

It is clear, therefore, that the ATNR can have a very severe effect.

Help - Jane Field (1992) has suggested that a child who has the ATNR will need more space to help counter the effect of the reflex - some children will write with the paper at the far side of the desk and the arm straight. To seat a right and a left handed child together at the same table will cause difficulty for the one who has the ATNR.

Symptoms suggestive of a residual or retained primitive Asymmetrical Tonic Neck reflex

• Balance may be affected as a result of head movements to either side.

• Homolateral (one sided), instead of normal cross pattern movements - e.g. when walking, marching, skipping, etc.

• Difficulty crossing the midline.

• Poor ocular pursuit movements, especially at the midline.

• Mixed laterality (the individual may use left foot, right hand, left ear, or

• may use left and right hand interchangeably for the same task).

• Poor handwriting and poor expression of ideas on paper.

• Visual-perceptual difficulties, particularly in symmetrical representation of figures.

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex

The TLR has two forms: forward and backward. In the forward TLR, as the head bends forward, the whole body, arms, legs and torso curl inward in the characteristic foetal position. In the backward TLR, as the head is bent backward, the whole body, arms, legs and torso straighten and extend. The TLR provides the baby with a means of learning about gravity and mastering neck and head control outside the womb. This reflex gives the baby opportunities to practise balance, increase muscle tone and develop the proprioceptive and vestibular senses. Eventually the TLR interacts with other reflexes and bodily processes to help develop coordination, posture and correct head alignment from infancy through

toddlerhood. It is critical for the TLR to do its "job" because correct alignment of the head with the rest of the body is necessary for balance, visual tracking, auditory processing and organised muscle tone, all of which are vital to the ability to focus, pay attention and learn.

Possible long-term effects of an active tonic labyrinthine reflex

• Balance and coordination problems:

• Shrunken posture

• Easily fatigued

• Muscle tone too weak or too tight

• Difficulty judging distance, depth, space and speed

• Fear of heights

• 'W' leg position when floor sitting

• Motion sickness

• Visual, speech, auditory difficulties

• Tendency to be cross-eyed

• Stiff, jerky movement

• Toe walking

• Difficulty walking up and down stairs

• Difficulty following directional or movement instructions

Comment:

What is clearly evidenced in the foregoing are the difficulties that children can face. How do children (and parents) cope with these conditions if they are not recognised and timeously addressed?

The article below indicates the problem is acute and of national concern.

It may be beneficial if the Department of Basic Education were to introduce a programme of integrative exercises into their Life Skills syllabus at an early age.

Many SA kids can't read or write June 29 2011 By Nontobeko Mtshali, Shaun Smillie and Sapa The Star

Most Grade 3 and 6 pupils can't count and can't understand what they were supposed to have been taught. They scored a dismissal 28 percent in numeracy and literacy in a countrywide assessment test earlier this year. In Gauteng, nearly 70 percent of the province's Grade 3 pupils can't read or count. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga described the results as "very sad".

"Provincial performance in these two areas (literacy and numeracy) is between 19 percent and 43 percent, the highest being the Western Cape and the lowest being Mpumalanga." The pathetic results confirmed earlier international surveys, in which South African Grade 3s and 6s were ranked very low and their performance was cited by educationists as a symptom of a dysfunctional education system.

Professor Sarah Gravett, the University of Johannesburg's dean of education, explained that the language and literacy assessments not only show whether pupils read and identify words, but also if they understand what they're reading.

The evidence is overwhelming that education is failing, the National Professional Teachers' Association of SA (Naptosa) said.

"We have also been concerned that when samples of learners in Grade 3 and Grade 6 were involved in writing similar literacy and numeracy tests… some years ago, the results did not seem to be used to inform interventions that could possibly have made a difference," it said.

The test now provided hard evidence on which to base decisions on "what must be done and where it needs to be done", and it was now up to the department's officials to take action.

"The same mistakes cannot be repeated over and over again," Naptosa said. Motshekga said the low levels of literacy and numeracy in primary schools were: "worrying precisely because the critical skills of literacy and numeracy are fundamental to further education and achievement in the worlds of both education and work.”

"Many of our learners lack proper foundations in (these subjects) and so they struggle to progress in the system and into post-schooling education and training," she said.

Motshekga decided to conduct the tests after it was pointed out that the poor matric results reflected poor performance at lower grades.

The tests, which looked at the pupils' ability to write, read and count, were written in February this year by over 9 million pupils from public schools in all nine provinces.

The assessments were not used to grade the pupils, but to give the department and the education sector as a whole insight into whether the pupils know what they were meant to have studied in their previous grades. According to the report, Grade 6 results for language – based on a sample of results from selected schools – show that as few as 15 percent of pupils scored more than 50 percent. Among Grade 3 pupils, only 17 percent scored more than 50 percent in their numeracy assessment, and 31 percent scored more than 50 percent in the literacy test.

Anything below 35 percent meant "not achieved".

Basic Education Director-General Bobby Soobrayan explained that the results will be used as "a diagnostic tool" for the country's 25 000 public schools. He said the assessments focused on basic key foundation skills of literacy and numeracy that were "universally recognised to be key determinants of overall learner performance.”

Kathy Callaghan, secretary of the Governors' Alliance, which represents more than 300 Gauteng schools, said that while this was bad news, the positive was that it was now out there. "We can build from there," she said. Salim Vally, an education analyst, said it was a catastrophe and that it "shows that South Africa is at the bottom of the pile".

He emphasised that the critical year for children when it came to cognitive development was in Grade R. He said much needed to be done to improve the working conditions of Grade R teachers and getting access to all children.

"Only a fraction of our kids in South Africa go to pre-primary schools, and that's a shame. This is the time of critical intervention." –

The Star

Ray Lacey is a CranioSacral Therapist and arst. He has focused his aenon on wring, illustrang books. He graduated from the Durban University of Technology in Graphic Art and from the Johannesburg University of Technology in Graphic Design. He lectured at the same faculty in illustraon and then worked as a freelance illustrator for many years. In the late 1990s he developed an interest in the interpretaon of children's drawings. This led him to study remedial therapy for children with learning difficules within the Waldorf School movement. In 2001 he undertook a training with the South African Instute of Cranial Studies and qualified in 2003. He has developed the website hp://knovax.org as an open source of informaon about the adverse effects of vaccinang infants.

Parenting segment

Whyweneedtotalkaboutchildsexualabuse

ByRomyMörsner

As adults, the concept and idea of child sexual abuse (CSA) is a hard and rather unpalatable topic to talk about. The less we talk about it and understand it, the more chance we give it to fester, grow and become an infected sore in our society. Our attitude of fear of broaching this subject is reflected in our society today. Child trafficking and child sexual abuse are rife, especially in South Africa, our home country.

According to the World Health Organisation, one in five women and one in 13 men have experienced CSA under the age of 17 years. According to the Optimus study from The University of Cape Town 19.8 per cent of adolescents have reported being sexually abused in one form or another - 20 per cent of boys and 19 per cent of girls. The South African average is higher than the global average. This is an alarming number of children and these numbers are only the ones that have been reported. Very often this becomes a family secret and the survivor is too afraid to come forward, as they want to avoid a fallout in the family or community. The fact remains that sexual abuse does not happen merely in the bad parts of town, or lower income households. The act of child sexual abuse does not only rear its ugly head where we believe it does. It happens next door with the Smiths, it happens to the people that seem the happiest. It happens at schools, it happens at church, it happens at home.

According to Mike Lew in his book Victims no longer –The Classic Guide for Men Recovering from Sexual Abuse –one of the main issues is really the act of incest (but he does not compare the severity between different types of CSA). He defines incest as follows: “Incest differs from other forms of sexual abuse in that the perpetrator is assumed to stand in a protective (parental) role to the victim. The very person the child should be able to turn to for care, comfort and understanding violates that trust by sexualising the relationship.” He continues to discuss who these people may be. The broader definition of incest therefore includes relatives by blood or marriage, parents, stepparents, older siblings, neighbours, family friends, teachers, members of the clergy, therapists, physicians, babysitters, camp counsellors or any other caretaker. The reason this form of abuse is labelled under incest is because a child is vulnerable and needs people to guide, love and protect them. When a child's trust is violated so terribly in this way, the consequence for the child becomes a lifelong struggle with trusting those that they encounter. This affects their ability to trust the world and their place in it. It affects their ability to have healthy connections, friendships, intimate relationships and relationships with themselves. The impact is severe in that the act of CSA affects the child's self-esteem, their ability to discern what love truly is and how to navigate the world without trust.

Having read Mike Lew's book, I came to realise a couple of things. As I am a survivor of CSA myself, reading this book confirmed to me that there is very little difference in effects of CSA for men and women. The effects are lifelong patterns that require a great deal of work to be undone. Why then do we seem so adamant not to speak or educate ourselves about this topic? If you look at the percentage of CSA in South Africa, we are looking at a higher percentage of boys versus girls. In South Africa we focus our attention on women and children, however I think we forget that children include both girls and boys and eventually boys become men. We are not looking at the victimhood of women. We are looking at the desecration of the innocence of the child.

In my experience (which has not been limited), when a child tells their parent that they feel uncomfortable with how they are looked at, seen, spoken to or touched, the automatic or even natural reaction from a parent or caretaker may very well be denial. It may come to pass that, when the abuse is confirmed, the child may even be blamed. No parent wants to consider that something so terrible could happen to their children, or that anyone they know, respect, are dating or are connected to is able to facilitate this crime. I sometimes feel that we forget that this is a crime. It is a crime for a reason. The longterm effects for the survivor of CSA are devastatingcreating a lifelong mental prison that the survivor tries so desperately to escape. It does not just stop after the act. The effects include a deep sense of guilt and shame, anxiety, anger, a need to be in control, fear of being seen, helplessness, addiction, intrusive thoughts, suicidal ideation, sexual acting out, long-term physical illness, disassociation, difficulties in communication, codependency, low self-esteem, linking abuse with love, fear of speaking out, isolation, suicide, confusion about roles/identity/sexuality and an inability to say no – this is a short list of a very long list of effects that adult survivors live with. It is very possible to overcome these patterns with dedication, self-love, discipline and effective personal development practices like therapy, coaching and spirituality.

My mother denied that my stepfather had sexually abused myself and someone else for two years after the other party told her - before she got a confirmation from both of us that this in fact was the case. Denial protects us from the darkest, ugliest, and scariest aspects of the world we live in. So what is the best way to deal with your child opening up about sexual abuse? Listen with awareness and understanding. Be courageous. Face the fear head on because I promise you that if you try to hide your head in the sand, it will just keep poking you on the shoulder. Take yourself and your child to a specialist practitioner and give your child love, support and understanding. Do not blame yourself, it is not about you or your failure as a parent. Its about us running away and avoiding the truths of the world that we are far too uncomfortable to accept.

Romy Mörsner, a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience, exudes a deep passion for fostering personal growth, healing and spiritual advancement. With a compassionate heart and a wealth of expertise, Romy offers a diverse array of services aimed at guiding individuals on transformative journeys. Romy's commitment is to cultivate a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can unravel their inner complexities, attain profound insights and embolden themselves for spiritual alchemy. Romy Mörsner creates an atmosphere where people can connect, heal and explore their inner landscapes. As an educator, Romy's workshops are based on the notion of spiritual alchemy and self-awareness.

Romy Morsner is based in Randburg, Gauteng and offers sessions face-to-face as well as online via zoom – email romy@romysrooms.com www.romysrooms.com/adaptive/adaptive.html

Poetry

A Purpose to All

To everything turn, turn, turn

There is a season turn, turn, turn And a time to every purpose under heaven.

“To Everything There is a Season” by Peter Seeger

We forget thiseverything that happens has a purpose.

Even the scarred past that we pick at in an effort to obliterate its existence.

We may be criticised for our fragile choices, and yet we know on some level what was necessary for our evolution.

The luminous stitching that binds together calamity and good fortune to make a much-worn garment, one that fits us better than any other and fulfills our unique destiny.

This too is fullnesswhat at first was labelled failure but with introspection we recognise served us more than we could ever have imagined.

When Life Moves Too Fast

If you find yourself on some moonless night dizzy with uncompleted expectations, your heart quaking over what is not yet sorted out,

imagine you are the mother of the child you once were. Cradle her in your arms, comfort her with words of hope, tell her she alone was not meant to move mountains.

Take her for a walk on the shoreline, point out the sandpipers tiring themselves running to and from waves, then seagulls who understand release, spread wings embracing currents, knowing what they do is enough.

Carolyn Chilton Casas is an Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki master teacher and a Karuna® Reiki master whose favorite themes to write about are nature, mindfulness, and ways to heal. Her articles and poems have appeared in Braided Way, Energy, Grateful Living, Reiki News Magazine, and in other publications. You can read more of Carolyn's work on Facebook or Instagram, and in her collection of poems, Our Shared Breath, as well as in a forthcoming collection, Under the Same Sky.

HAIR INTEATIONAL

A Paul Mitchell Signature Salon.

This incredible, multiple Paul Mitchell, award winning salon is owned by Annelies Bos, a most knowledgeable, qualified stylist extraordinaire. Located in a rambling house in the quaint village of Ramsgate, it is peaceful, tranquil and serene - this space is both a hair salon and a healing centre. It tastefully fitted out with exceedingly comfortable salon chairs and state-of-theart equipment, with a vast stock of Paul Mitchell products; in fact, this salon had shampoo backwash units long before it became fashionable to do. This is a welcoming gathering place, conscious and natural - this is a space of communication, care and camaraderie and reminds one of theme song from 'Cheers'… “Making your way in the world today Takes everything you've got Taking a break from all your worries Sure would help a lot”

Why Paul Mitchell ?

John Paul DeJoria, philanthropist and co-founder of Paul Mitchell Systems He slept in his car and sold shampoo doorto-door before he teamed up with Paul Mitchell in 1980 and they each invested $350 into Paul Mitchell Systems. That $700 today has created not only a hair care empire, but also billionaire status for this founder, much of which is spent on conscious and impactful contributions to global aid and earth care initiatives. In this article are just a few of the levels of care, commitment and contribution of this incredible leader, who gives back at every opportunity.

DeJoria is a supporter of Mobile Loaves and Fishes, Food4Africa and Mineseeker

In 2008, he travelled to South Africa to join Nelson Mandela in his efforts to help feed over 17 000 orphaned children. Later that year he helped provide over 400 000 life-saving meals for the children around the globe.

DeJoria is a co-creator of Grow Appalachia, an organisation begun in 2009 which helps in promoting healthy food and teaching farming skills.

In 2012, using a video, he showed his support for Captain Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, when Watson was detained in Germany for interfering with shark finning operations.

In 2022, he pledged £20 000 to save the 19th century frigate HMS Unicorn, one of the oldest surviving ships in the world. What makes the Paul Mitchell brand the global success that it is? "I realised how to overcome rejection,” DeJoria said in a CNN interview. "I knew we had one of the best products in the world." Even though he faced rejection after rejection, he stayed positive, demonstrating the power of manifestation through belief coupled with dogged determination and an unwavering abundance of consciousness.

The trick, he explained, was to "be as enthusiastic on beauty salon number 101, or beauty salon number 110 or number 5, as I was on the very first one." The business flourished. Today, John Paul Mitchell Systems sells more than 80 products and Paul Mitchell Schools help train barbers, estheticians and cosmetologists, have over a 100 locations.

Phone: 039-314-4070

Email: abos@telkomsa.net

Address: 758 Ronwil Road, Ramsgate.

John Paul DeJoria

Kindness is a virtue that goes beyond cultural and societal boundaries, connecting individuals through the simple yet profound act of compassion. It serves as a powerful force that can transform not only the lives of those on the receiving end but also that of the one who extends it. However, the true power of kindness becomes even more profound when paired with the awareness of oneself.

Self-awareness, the ability to understand one's own thoughts, emotions and actions, lays the foundation for true kindness to exist and expand. So let's have a look at the relationship between kindness and selfawareness, unravelling the incredible power they can have on individuals and the collective when they tag-team together.

At its core, kindness is a universal language that doesn't really require any translation. It is the embodiment of empathy, understanding and pretty much everything that's whole-hearted and makes us feel fuzzy and good. When people engage in acts of kindness, whether big or small, they don't just do that in that moment, in that circumstance and with that person etc –NO – they actually contribute to the creation of a more compassionate and harmonious world. The ripple effect of kindness is massive, as each act has the potential to inspire others to follow suit, make different choices, change the energy... and so forth. From holding the door for a stranger, a friendly word, a smile, speaking up, keeping quiet, a hug, to volunteering at a local charity… kindness shows up and manifests in a

Heike Doing life wi

Kindness is always in season

multitude of forms; the diversity of kindness is endless.

True kindness is never wrong (yes, I said that – for it is simply extended because it is heart- and soul-driven irrespective how or if it is reciprocated) but it can get even more heightened when coupled with self-awareness.

Ok – so now what? Being kind AND self-aware? What does that even mean?

A self-aware person is tuned in with their own emotions, values and motivations, allowing them to approach kindness authentically. In short – they are aware of why they are doing what!

Self-awareness prevents kindness from becoming just a tool for a wellplaced publicity stunt in order to achieve a certain public image, or subconsciously being used to find some kind of selfaffirmation, or any other secondary outcome. True kindness is in the act of giving/doing with what you can, where you are, with what you have, without the expectation of something in return.

When we are more in tune with ourselves there is no need for it to be a tool; we are better equipped to empathise with the feelings of others, it allows a clearer and more meaningful connection.

Self-awareness can also get quite messy at first because it requires us to:

First reflect on our own biases, prejudices, preconceived ideas, inner stories, reactions, pros and consnot with judgment but with curiosity, grace and kindness - in order to understand them about ourselves and

others and then;

Then hold space and allow ourselves to adjust/shift/overcome that which became barriers on our journey to approach OURSELVES and others with an open heart and mind.

How do you do this self-awareness thing?

In short – check in with yourself and stop taking everything so personally. You will not always be the 'good guy/girl' in everyone else's or even your own story –and that's totally ok. Know why you do what – keep on aligning with that – and keep going.

Four keys for that are: Mindfulness, self-compassion, reflection and feedback.

Mindfulness allows you to become more aware of yourself in the present –right HERE and right NOW. Selfawareness can only ever be in this present moment. How you feel, respond, vibrate RIGHT IN THIS VERY SECOND. It also gets you out of your head and back into your body.

Compassion allows you to do so without passing judgment on yourself but rather with grace and kindness. (Imagine yourself as a five-year-old - and meet yourself in that exact same way, with gentleness.)

Reflection and honest feedback to and about yourself (warts, glory and all) allow you to take what you have learned and adjust, regulate and celebrate.

And just keep repeating: Check in –don't judge – reflect – feedback! Connecting kindness and self-awareness creates the powerhouse of acceptance, non-judgment and connection. All the wonderful, heart- and soul-based stuff we all crave and are made of. In short: LOVE.

It also forms the stepping stones for growth, inner and outer.

So off we go and change the world with our kindness, superhero capes on – but why do we find it so much harder to be kind to ourselves? Why do we find it so much easier to be gentle, understanding, generous and compassionate with others?

When we are kind to other people, we pay them attention, we offer warmth, affection, generosity, encouragement, without judging whether the circumstances necessarily merit it. We are considerate. We think of actions that the other person will appreciate and we give without expecting anything back. We are open to celebrating their success without feeling that it takes something away from us. Being kind is an action of abundance, not rationed or scarce. And we often bestow it with great enthusiasm - on OTHERS.

Yet when it comes to ourselves, we often find it so much easier to ignore our needs, have negative self-talk, extreme self-criticism, be highly competitive, constantly compare ourselves and expect perfection, downplay our success. We don't often like ourselves (or part of ourselves) very much… now how sad is that? We bestow compassion and kindness on those that we deem worthy – OTHERS!

DARNNNN – now that is quite a punch in the gut – but we do pay attention and invest (time, energy, affection etc.) in what we deem most important in our lives. The proof is in the pudding - who or what do you spend the most time on, on a daily basis?

And how are we doing with RECEIVING kindness? Yip, there we go –giving feels more comfortable most of the time for we feel awkward receiving. We do not feel worthy or we feel

vulnerable or… we just do not know how. The plot twist is – kindness is also allowing OTHERS to be kind to US.

So let's get some tools on how to be kinder to ourselves

Not only does it feel better, it is also much healthier.

- Acknowledge your negative thoughts/emotions with curiosity: “Oh hello, anger, what are you doing here?” Don't just run off with it blindly.

- Find little bubbles of joy – just for you, not any of the roles you play (wife, husband, mother, employee). Start with 10 minutes a day – just YOU.

- BREATHE and ground yourself. Check in with your senses, re connect with YOU.

- Use a mantra/positive affirmation.

- Check your boundaries – they are your bodyguards.

- Allow yourself to make mistakes – we are all here on earth to learn. No mistakes – no learning. We are all awesomely flawsome by design–embrace it.

- Embrace being human – everyone is having ups and downs, failure, pain, loss... People deal with it differently, but they DO experience it.

- Become your own cheerleader. No more 'I shoulda, woulda, coulda', you just end up feeling even worse. Rather crank up the music and write a new song.

- Create/find/join your tribe of likeminded people that hold similar energy and values.

- Write out your accomplishments and things you've done that you're proud of (they don't need to be big things). You can do that every evening to close a day on that note.

- Take care of your physical health. Taking care of your basic needs (eating well, getting sleep, self-care routine, winding down, physical exercise/movement) is part of engaging in self-respect and it's a way to be kind to yourself.

- Joy, fun play. Let your hair down – you do not always have to be an 'adult'. Let that inner child out, live in the moment, have a good belly laugh, be silly, dance wildly, BE.

A long story short: Make yourself your biggest love story.

Bestow all that love, compassion, attention, kindness, laughter, encouragement, forgiveness, time, lightness, praise, goodness, smiling, passion, respect, positive energy, humanity, focus, tolerance… into yourself with wild abandon. It will never be wasted, nor will it be in the wrong place – for you have always been just as deserving as everyone else you deemed worthier.

We are all connected. What you invest in you is what you invest in all. It spills over. Self awareness allows you to bring kindness to others and yourself without questioning anyone's worth, including your own

So… um – the universe is in YOU as much as you are in the universe. And how could the universe ever be wrong, with having decided that we needed exactly YOU, just as you are, right here, right now?

Psychic, medium, Reiki master, tarot reader, numerologist and metaphysical profiler

I studied, Reiki, gemstone healing, numerology, tarot, metaphysics etc. I am constantly furthering my knowledge and deepening my connectedness. This amazing journey took me to places beyond my imagination and my life now consists of being blessed with reaching people nationally and internationally via: Giving courses, talks, retreats, appearing on radio shows, psychic tarot readings, metaphysical profiling of illnesses and my work as a mental medium. I act as the bridge between the spiritual and the physical world, with the intention of connecting and healing both worlds. Just as in any profession, mediums have specialities and areas of expertise. Over time, it has become very clear to me that my calling lies in working with souls who have crossed over to the other side and assisting with bringing clarity and insight into life's choices. Contact Heike https://heikesym.com/

Kintsukuroi Heart Blissexology

Becoming more valuable for having been broken

With thought leader, Anne-Marie Clulow, founder of Intimacy Coach International

The Japanese art of repairing shattered pottery with liquid gold or silver to return the piece to wholeness, can be your beautiful guide to healing a shattered heart too.

It's easy to stay lost in brokenness. Mainly because we are designed that way. When survival mode is triggered, adrenaline becomes the biggest narcissist in the body, takes up the most attention, won't let you rest, keeps your mind racing, stuck in contraction, fear, anger and stress.

It keeps your edges sharp, weaponised, hurting and brittle. 'Adrenaline's job is to keep you alive. It will isolate you, whisper in your ear that you're not safe, keep you running on a lonely path, often into full breakdown and collapse.

It will make you edgy and brittle, even with those looking to help you. Your wholeness is shattered into little shards of broken self. You can't persuade your mind on adrenaline to slow down, to heal, to take rest.

You are not sober.

The chemical dictator adrenaline is not reasonable. It is both brilliant and limited to just keeping the meat alive. Not beautifully alive, not with wholeness and balance, not with kindness: Just in survival mode.

This is where, eventually, your body will step in and force you to rest. Adrenal burnout. Nervous breakdown. Illness. Forcing you into deep rest through brokenness.

Heartbreak and grief are their own kind of broken and can't be forced to heal. The full healing is in the letting go, not the forcing. Consciously choosing where the piece is still strong enough to return and where the shards need to be gently sanded and bonded back together with liquid gold.

Healing is often not beautiful. It's tears and snot and trembling. It often takes more time than we anticipate. It involves a decision to change and focus into the rest and digest part of our nervous system.

Being kind to your sharp edges, collecting the shards of yourself and being willing to share your pain goes against so much of what is valued as rugged selfdeterminism in the western world. Scar tissue can bind us into contortion, a lack of growth and movement if we don't free it up.

When a cup is shattered on the floor, it is no longer able to be a cup. When we are shattered, the inner saboteur tends to work in conjunction with the inner narcissism of adrenaline, keeping you isolated and convinced there's no possible way to create change. This serves you in the beginning, when the only important thing is to keep breathing, keep your heart pumping, keep the spark of life.

But there comes a point when this survival state no longer serves us. Often, we are doubly isolated when adrenaline evokes fear and shame that we can't 'fix ourselves'.

Making a decision to relax into the parasympathetic nervous system and break away from the isolation of adrenaline and pain is often the first step towards rebuilding a shattered self. The voice of adrenaline is slowed, quieted through support and healing space, which we often need community for. If we don't find our tribe, our nourishing spaces, we become hardened by life, afraid to take emotional risks, unable to discern between real threats and false evidence appearing real.

It's the hardest step in the world to reach out for help, for healing, to be heard when individualism is touted as the ultimate goal.

To be kind to yourself. Healing requires a tribe. A community.

A safe place to fail. To start again, to learn.

To play, to be held, to dance, to express. To move through the somatic, the sentient and the soul.

Only then can you really begin to find space within the pieces of your being to reassemble.

For some, It's a total life reset on retreat. For others, conscious touch, being hugged. Healing with kindness is practical. It's having help with childcare, or meals prepared when you've just lost a loved one. Sometimes it's just sending and receiving a text, or staying in bed and listening to a guided meditation.

Small steps are still steps. They tend to be easier in the long run to create lasting change. Slowly we ask others to help us with our sharp edges so that we can stop

cutting ourselves trying to put the pottery back together in the way it used to be.

You are the architect of your kintsukuroi process and your tribe and deep rest are the golden glue. There are many paths and communities that can help you put yourself back together. It starts with a conscious decision to find your kindness tribe, your community, your support systems.

Reach out. May you become more valuable for having been broken. May you find your kintsukuroi heart

Anne-Marie has appeared on 702, Radio Today, Power FM and Kaya FM talking about Conscious Sexuality and Neo Tantra. She has been a guest columnist for the Saturday Star, been featured in Woman & Home Magazine and has appeared on ETV's 'Great Expectations' speaking on regaining libido after childbirth. Anne-Marie can be contacted via her website. https://www.intimacycoachinternational.com/

Rare is e human who can be alone wi emselves.

If at all possible, commune wi nature daily.

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Physical and mental health are inextricably bound together. W Cape

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From health screenings, sclerology, coaching, homeopathy to iridology.

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Namo Health & Wellness is a onestop shop for all your health needs

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Hair International

Paul Mitchell signature salon with a natural and cruelty free approach

758 Ronwil Rd, Ramsgate, Margate, 4285

(See article on Page 93)

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Lime Fusion

3 Frere Rd, Vincent, East London, 5213 Independent retail outlet believing in elevated lifestyle and clean living.

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Ramsgate Stationers

Established in 1984, we are a family run stationers and book shop

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Stocking over 8000 products available in store and online.

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Wellbeing

More than just a health shop we are a must-visit when in Oudtshoorn.

Queens Hotel Building, Baron van Reede Street (opposite Spur), Oudtshoorn, 6620.

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AP Physiotherapists

Specialising in aquatic physiotherapy for rehabilitation and healing

2 Longboat Street, Sun Valley, Cape Town, 7985

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W Cape Knysna Health

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Soul Healing Academy

Accredited Reiki and crystal healing training

9 Eldorado Road, Victory Park, Randburg, 2195

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Crystal Deva

Boutique crystal and holistic outlet combining spiritual healing & gifts

Shop 4, Tweedie Junction, Main Road (R107), Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, 3290

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KelpFindsaWaytoHelp!

Ready-to-ReadPre-Level1

Lee Morgutti

Healing frequencies for body, mind, spirit and emotional inner balance.

2 Tembani Rd, Colleen Glen, Port Elizabeth, 6018

leemorgutti1@gmail.com

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ByNatalieShaw(Adapter)

Meet Kelp, the star of the DreamWorks Animation Not Quite Narwhal animated show, in this Pre-Level 1 Ready-toRead! Kelp loves helping his friends and family. But how can Kelp help this time? Can he dance the problem away or will he need some unicorn magic?

DreamWorks Not Quite Narwhal © DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserve Published with the sanction of Simon & Shuster New York

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Kindness is a timeless virtue

At its core, kindness is a deep sense of compassion, empathy, and goodwill toward others. It involves a genuine desire to alleviate suffering, support growth, and promote wellbeing.

Madiha Qureshi