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Gaynor Kast Blog

Monthly Archives: March 2017

The luxury of simplicity…

10 Friday Mar 2017

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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Baggage, Blessing, brother, caring, change, fabulous, family, favoured, friendship, gratitude, journey, life, Moving, Pay it forward, perspective, purpose, Sabbatical, Simplicity, Spring clean, thankful, time, Travelling

I like open, uncluttered spaces.

I don’t hoard (thankfully) and spring clean every now and then to make sure I only have what I need at that point in time.

With my last house move, I promised myself that that would be the last time. Well, that wasn’t to be and a few weeks ago, I found myself packing up and moving. Again.

After much thought, I decided to take a sabbatical. In terms of the time factor, well that’s a post for another day.

Back  to the move…

With my previous house moves, I had my bff also known as my brother, Jarryd Kast, on hand to help (read: do most of the work). This time it was just me and my helper, Hazel. Now, if ever there was an angel on earth, Hazel would be that person.

Where Jarryd would take the lead and ensure all the ducks were in a row, this time round Hazel fulfilled that role. Super organised and super efficient is an understatement. The actual day of the move, we got moving bright and early which allowed me time to have lunch with a very dear friend, before I hit the road.

This move made me realise…

Half the stuff we have is hardly ever utilised regularly (if at all) and we realise this only when it’s time to move. I found a blender, pasta maker, a blouse and a jacket, all with price tags still on.  What a complete waste… that was until, I decided these items would be better off elsewhere. And that’s how “operation give-away” unfolded.

I gave away most things and kept just a few necessities. Of course my mother thought I had lost the plot and asked if I was smoking something. The truth is, I don’t know how long this sabbatical is going to be and my thinking is why hold on to things that another family a) needs and b) would make better use of.

So, with the few belongings I chose to keep tucked away in storage, I feel light. I don’t have that nagging feeling about what if the lounge suite, fridge, microwave, kettle, toaster, iron breaks or is no longer working when this sabbatical is over. I know that the family that was blessed with these things are happier and these items are making everyday life that much more comfortable for them.

The other bonus is that when it’s time to take that next step, I’ll be travelling light. Who needs excess baggage anyway?!

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

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One random act…

06 Monday Mar 2017

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blessed, Blessing, caring, compassion, encourage, fabulous, family, favoured, friend, kids, kindness, love, Moments, Pay it forward, Pensioners, people, sharing, smile, Tender loving care, thank you, time, truth, Ubuntu

…of kindness is all it takes. Whether it’s a simple hug, smile or opening the door.

It could also be paying the parking ticket for the car behind you, tipping the waitress (even if there was no smile), a petrol attendant or packer in the store. If you’d like to do something on a slightly bigger scale, drop off breakfast, lunch or dinner for a friend or family.

A friend shared how she buys gift cards from a local grocery store, attaches an encouraging note and then drops it off on door steps of homes that are in need of some assistance. Someone else shared with me how they visit orphanages and read/play with the kids for an hour or two. Then, someone else visits an old age home and pampers the grannies with a mani/pedi  and hairdo.

All in the name of love.

It’s these little acts of compassion that have a huge impact in the life of the recipient. I truly believe that this world would be a less horrid place if we all reach deep within and pay it forward.

The truth is, you are blessed to be a blessing. Don’t waste another moment to spread a little TLC.

Aaaaand… go.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

Musings and meandering…

05 Sunday Mar 2017

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Australia, authenticity, chocolate, fabulous, favoured, heart, Kangaroo, kindness, life, love, marriage, Packing for Perth, people, perspective, Perth, Places, purpose, relationships, thank you, time, wisdom

Earlier today I stumbled upon a business card I picked up while in Perth earlier this year. This was no ordinary card. It belongs to a cab driver turned tour guide for the duration of my stay.

For purposes of this post, let’s call him *Pedro. A soft spoken, unassuming gentleman in his mid-50s.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love talking so it didn’t take me long to start “interviewing” Pedro about his life. I was intrigued by his journey and how he landed up in this part of the world.

I was even more impressed by his knowledge of the city and general global topics. I kid you not, you could bring up any subject and Pedro would be able to offer an opinion, facts, figures and some sort of history. I called him a walking-talking encyclopedia.

I think the thing that struck me the most was the way he spoke about his family – wife and daughter. His face lit up when he told me about the day they met for the first time. The hopeless romantic that I am, Pedro’s story sounded like something out of a fairytale.

The pictures just screamed happiness; and when he shared anecdotes about his daughter or how he still gets to have date night with his wife, it made me realise that some people still appreciate and respect the sanctity of marriage. Hallelujah 🙂

Perth is so pretty. The hot, dry sweltering temperatures aside, it was an unforgettable experience. I would have to say the highlight was the stop at The Margaret River Chocolate Co. Every chocoholic needs to add this to their bucket list. As I stepped in, I felt like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You are spoilt for choice. I wanted something from every shelf but the thought of traipsing half way around the world with a chocolate stash kept me in check.

I also now realise how “Packing for Perth” or “The Australian capital of South Africans in exile” came about. I bumped into quite a few South Africans who couldn’t wait to share about life Down Under.

Not only do I have some fond memories from my time in Perth, I also have a few nuggets from *Pedro. It’s stuff I’ve heard before but somehow… he was on point and because of his PHD in Life, I found myself meditating on these comments during the 17-hour flight back home. And still today.

 For instance, he stated matter-of-factly:

  • “Don’t force anything –  anyone or anything that’s meant for you will appear when the time is right.”
  • “Your authentic self will attract real people and you will never have to second guess their motives.”
  • “Keep your heart open to give and receive love, and never stop being kind.”

As I sit and type this I find myself gazing at my screen for the longest time. The realization that it’s quite liberating when you choose to let things evolve organically.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

 Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

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This heart of mine…

03 Friday Mar 2017

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blessings, courage, day, fabulous, favoured, gratitude, heart, hope, life, light, love, Morning, Ocean, perspective, purpose, Smiling, strength, sunrise, thank you, time, Water, Waves

Do you ever wake up with your heart smiling? There’s no specific reason other than just oodles and oodles of pure gratitude.

That’s how I started my day…

Soaking up the soothing sight of the vast ocean and feasting on the brilliance of the day unfolding through what seemed like a perfect sunrise.

With each ray I spotted, I got thinking and gave thanks for the countless blessings in my life. Try it sometime… after all, perspective is everything.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

gratitude

No ordinary month…

01 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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Autumn, courage, fabulous, faith, family, favoured, Friends, gratitude, happiness, hope, life, love, March, miracles, Moments, Patience, people, Perseverance, perspective, Purporse, strength, time, wisdom

New month.

New season.

New song to sing.

May you choose to step out in faith and walk on water.

May your heart and mind be filled with perfect peace, wisdom and understanding.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

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