TOGETHER FOREVER

Writer: Nelly Roodt

hen Stanfordian, Martiens Maans passed away in July 2019, he had a large family mourning him – his wife, Norma, six children and 13 grandchildren.

And then there was Chico, Martiens’ muchloved, 15-month-old mongrel.

Chico, a short little guy with golden hair and basset-style feet pointing slightly outwards, was not to attend the funeral. He stayed home.

When the family returned, Chico was waiting for them. Not long afterwards, he disappeared, only to come back hours later.

This became a pattern. Norma and her children were mystified. Until one day someone told her that Chico was regularly seen lying on Martiens’ grave at the Stanford cemetery. They had no idea how he had come to know about the grave, nobody had ever taken him there.

News of Chico’s devotion travelled far. A person in Johannesburg offered to adopt Chico. Norma, naturally, refused. The same person, who wished to remain anonymous, then offered to assist with Chico’s monthly upkeep. Norma accepted gratefully as her financial means were limited.

Sadly, Chico, had a short life. On the 14th of January 2022 he succumbed following a serious illness. Norma maintained that Martiens had decided to fetch his loyal chappie.

Chico was cremated and his ashes, kept in a pretty little casket, stayed at home until Martiens’ date of birth, 29 December 2022. On that day, Norma and her family took the ashes to the cemetery to be buried at Martiens’ grave.

“We celebrate their lives, and the lesson Chico has taught us about love. They remain together” says Norma.

Writer: Dr Arien van der Merwe

We’re at a point in human consciousness development where we, often unknowingly to our conscious minds, are searching for deeper meaning and understanding about the source of light and love that we are. On the surface it manifests and can be ascribed to post-Covid stress, uncertainty, fear, job losses, breakdowns of relationships, and the list goes on. Our ancient stress survival response is constantly being triggered. We need to learn to utilise our neocortex, prefrontal cortex of the brain, and superconscious mind. We can learn to have an inner locus of control through mindfulness, alignment, anchoring, breathing, meditation, prayer, and soul-based psychotherapy and Attitudinal Healing.

Many young people today are overcome with feelings of hopelessness – a sense of insecurity and safety of old world and are in dire need of coping skills. An ancient inner default mode of bias towards survival fear drives our stress reaction, which ultimately lowers immunity and causes renegade inflammation.

Imagine feeling transformed, courageous, resilient, empowered and in a state of complete clarity, calmness, and centeredness?

Willingness and mind training are essential to find a better way towards healing and wholeness. Amidst all the wild things happening in the world, we all need a new perspective, something to shake us up a little and remind us how amazing and strong we truly are. Some coping mechanisms for holistic support

• Listen to your body and be aware of any feelings associated with anxiousness, overthinking, overanalysing, and extreme tiredness.

• Start a gratitude journal and each day write down three things you are grateful for. Through this, you will be able to ground yourself and connect to your calm.

• Practice mindfulness. Centre yourself and be still for a while, focusing on being in the moment using all your senses.

• Add superfoods to your diet – seeds and nuts (e.g., pecans and walnuts, shaped like the brain), rainbow coloured fruit & veggies, bananas, fatty fish, herbal teas, blueberries, chia seeds, and raw honey, to name a few.

• Burn candles and use essential oils like lavender, orange, sandalwood and bergamot.

• Use colours to balance your mood (lilac, aqua, teal and hues of blue to calm and soothe; fiery colours for drive and more energy).

• Listen to soothing music and let your body move to the rhythm.

• Change your focus - take a short break, call a friend, get out for some fresh air and listen to the birds.

• Attend meditation and/or yoga classes, or anything else that will help you connect to your calm.

• Tap into your happy chemicals (serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphin).

• Take Nootropic supplements (natural, non-addictive, safe, very effective brain, heart and immune system modulating support), which work on all the neurotransmitters, hormones, informational substances to calm, optimise and support integration and cooperation for a happier and more whole human experience.

• Don’t be afraid to seek help if you find it difficult to cope. You are not alone. There are many therapists out there that you can turn to.

Dr Arien van der Merwe is a Medical Doctor, Specialist Holistic Health Counsellor, and author who will be working alongside the Overstrand Hospice throughout 2023 facilitating workshops on neuroplasticity, epigenetic, holistic spirit-soul-mind-body stress release and topics such as gut health, heart health, bone and joint health, care for the carers and loved ones, and many more. www.ArianiHealth.com