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Tag Archives: Christmas

Spreading Christmas Love…

24 Tuesday Dec 2019

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caring, Children, Christmas, compassion, Durban, family, Friends, hope, kindness, love, Loving, Moments, Pay it forward, sharing, time

Christmas is a season of renewed hope, joy, peace and unconditional love and these are the very seeds that the ladies from Yataghan Foundation, sowed recently. The team took to the streets of Durban to spread some festive cheer with less fortunate children and their parents.

Leader of Yataghan Foundation, Karen Wallace, said: “It’s our privilege and an honour to be able to reach out to those in need. Sharing a meal and a special treat with children who are ordinarily ‘forgotten’ at this time of the year is priceless. The hugs, the big smiles and the general excitement on their little faces is heart-warming.”

She added: “The stories the world over is full of doom and gloom; and while it’s easy to be caught up in that negativity, there is hope. For as long as we have the grace to go out and be a beacon of hope and love, our team will continue to serve the people of Durban and wherever there’s a need.”

Wallace and her team take to the streets of Durban almost every weekend to share a meal and an encouraging word with those who have no shelter. Their mandate is very clear – pay it forward, one meal and one moment at a time with unconditional love.

As you celebrate with your family and friends this Christmas, pause for a moment and consider reaching out to those in need. After all, this is a time for caring, sharing and giving… unconditionally!

It’s the most wonderful time…

14 Friday Dec 2018

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blessings, Care, Christmas, family, Feast, festive, Friends, heart, Holiday, hope, joy, laughter, love, peace, share, smile, time, world

… of the year. Indeed it is a time where family and friends gather to feast on all things festive. But, for some, it’s the loneliest and saddest time too… for various reasons.

As we go through the motions of this holiday season, I would like to encourage us to be more mindful of the next person – whether known or a random stranger. Sharing a simple smile, marshmallow, singing carols or taking the time to listen, will do someone out there a world of good. Even better still, it will reignite a sense of dignity and worth to a soul whose focus is purely embedded in pain.

From me to you… I pray the pure joy, eternal hope and perfect peace that the birth of Jesus Christ offers the world is always stored in your heart and home. May your days be peppered with ladles of love and laughter. Be safe.

Blessings always xox

love and christmas

A life less ordinary…

28 Monday Dec 2015

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2016, blessings, books, Boundaries, chocolate, Christmas, Confidence, fabulous, faith, favoured, grace, gratitude, Health, Hug, kindness, Laugh, life, Listen, love, Miracle, Most High, new year, Obedience, Ordinary, peace, perspective, pray, Prayer, purpose, Rainbow, Read, reason, Sing, Sleep, Speak, Storm, sunrise, sunset, Talent, time, To God be the glory, unconditional love, Walk

This Christmas will go down in the book of memories as one of my best. Ever.
I won’t bore you with the details other than to say, to God be the glory.
Truly, He still works in mysterious ways… and for that I’m most thankful

As the year slowly draws to an end and we look forward to the promise of 2016, my prayer for you is to:

*Continue to walk and bask in God’s grace
*Open your heart to give and receive unconditional love
*Remember that somebody loves you
*For the singles: somebody is praying to meet someone just like you
*Embrace the gift of each moment
*Enjoy the beauty of a sunset or sunrise
*Look for the rainbow after each storm
*Increase your faith
*Spend more time in prayer
*Spend more time meditating on the Word
*Choose always to live on purpose
*Laugh more
*Be courageous
*Cherish friendships
*Walk with confidence
*Shatter any self-imposed limitations
*Spread kindness
*Be a cheerful giver – of time, talent and self
*Hug more
*Talk less and listen more
*Sing more (even if it’s only in the shower)
*Ask for help
*Keep those boundaries intact
*Let go of those ties that are cut for a reason
*Take time out for you
*Sleep more
*Eat more chocolate
*Read at least one book a month
*Treat yourself as often as you can
*Always count your blessings
*Remember that you are a son/daughter of the Most High
*Immerse yourself in the favour that follows you
*Wake up each day with the knowledge that it’s your time
*2016 is the year of one miracle after another… no ear has heard or eye has seen what the Lord has in store for those who choose complete obedience
*More than anything else, I pray that you are always blessed with good health (body, mind and spirit). There’s no substitute for good health

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

2016purpose

Striding with purpose!

21 Monday Dec 2015

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Challenge, choices, Christmas, courage, Divine Connections, favoured, generous, grace, life, Men, Moments, Money, Person, perspective, purpose, reason, smile, strength, Talent, thank you, time, Women

photo (26)
(Source: Brene Brown)

There are moments in life when we all feel like throwing in the towel; whether it’s work, a relationship, a project and even ministry. And not because we are weak but because the load just appears to be super heavy and we feel like we need some breathing space.

But, have you noticed that it’s at those times that some wonderful person will cross your path, and with just one word, they will give you that extra nudge to keep moving along purposefully.

This year, I’m super thankful for the many Divine connections, that were sent my way at the right time.
I am able to keep going through unmerited grace plus the selflessness of these wonderful men and women.

I’m sure you too can identify a guardian angel or two that saved the day or was the voice of reason 🙂
Or, maybe you’ve been the one to make a difference and help someone keep going.

I’ve said it before and will say it again, no person is an island… we all need each other.
This week especially, be generous… not necessarily with money but with your time and talent.

Here’s the challenge: will you choose to make at least one person smile this Christmas?!

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

Treasure this time…

18 Friday Dec 2015

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Apologies, Call, Charles Dickens, Christmas, fabulous, favoured, festive, heart, Hug, joy, love, Mankind, music, Nat King Cole, peace, Song, Text, time, Treasure, truth

If you are looking for a festive boost, I have the perfect remedy.

I’ve had this song on repeat since last night; and I know that after just one listen your heart will be filled with complete joy. Even after all these years, Nat King Cole, keeps winning.

I was sharing with a friend earlier and would like to encourage you too.
If there are fences that need to be mended or unspoken apologies (read: a gentle hug) that should be exchanged, then do it.

Now.

Why wait another minute?

Make that call.

Send that text.

Reach out.

heart

The truth is that we are all created to love and be loved.
Don’t let anything (read: pride) hijack what is meant to be an idyllic time for everyone.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

Love in action!

17 Thursday Dec 2015

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Carols, Christmas, fabulous, family, favoured, heart, hope, joy, kindness, laughter, love, Love in action, Old, peace, Singing, smile, strangers, time, Young

I love, love, love this time of the year.
It brings with it a sense of peace and unconditional love that the rest of the year cannot lay claim to.

It’s like every worry, every fear, all indecision falls away at Christmas.

It’s about spreading goodwill, love and laughter to young and old, family, friends and complete strangers.

I’m what my siblings would describe as “old school” and have to say I wear that badge proudly.
Some things just aren’t the same when they are put through the remix mill… I’m sure you will agree 🙂

Today, I want to share Christmas carols that I hope will make your heart smile and more importantly, see you reaching out to those who cross your path during this season.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

photo

It starts with YOU…

23 Tuesday Dec 2014

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Christmas, compassion, family, Friends, healing, heart, kindness, love, love has no colour, no words, one gesture, sharing, unity

I have seen this picture so many times before. But today it was different, it tugged at my heart more than words can describe. My heart sank and I swallowed very hard to choke back the tears.

In the sweltering heat (40 degrees in the shade) stood a woman whose face told a story of the harsh realities of life. With crimson cheeks from the sun beating down and humidity charged wind, this lady held a sign that read:

“Any donation of food welcome. Children are hungry. God bless.”

I watched as cars whizzed by; locals and visitors all caught up in the buzz of this season. Nobody stopped. Nobody noticed. Or, if they did they pretended not to see.

Even as I sit here typing I’m still trying to figure out how or when we lost our moral direction…

I stopped. Exchanged pleasantries. And left her with a blessing. Her facial expression was a combination of gratitude and sadness.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not trying to take the moral high ground when it comes to compassion and reaching out to those in need.

This Christmas apart from appreciating the real reason for this season – Jesus – try to spread kindness. No act is too big or small. It all starts with one kind gesture. It starts with YOU…

Family/ friends, I hope you will choose to share the love that this time of the year brings with it.

Love heals.
Love builds.
Love restores.
Love endures.
Love protects.
Love shares.
Love unites.
Love makes a difference.
Love lights up the world.
Love is the hope each person deserves to experience and enjoy – this day and always.

P.S I could not resist sharing the tunes below.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay favoured and fabulous x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAZd3mMeKBY&sns=tw via @youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWHkI6Xns7E&sns=tw via @youtube

No ordinary year…

18 Thursday Dec 2014

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Christmas, extraordinary, fabulous, faith, family, favoured, great expectations, hope, love, promising destiny, purpose

If I had to use a quote to sum up 2014 it would definitely be from Charles Dickens:

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us..

I’m sure you will concede that 2014 was no ordinary year; it was challenging and fulfilling on so many levels. And rere we are… still standing… hopefully stronger and more wiser.

There were moments I felt like life dealt me a strong upper cut… but by the grace of God, I’ve been able to spring back.  As you look back on the year that was, remember this:

YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made with a promising destiny

YOU don’t have to lower your standards to accommodate anyone

YOU walk in purpose and will be misunderstood – don’t be distracted

YOU don’t need to apologise for living with great expectations

YOU don’t have to apologise for not wanting to tolerate toxic relationships and associations

YOU don’t have to apolosise for staying in your lane and being your extraordinary self

YOU don’t have to apologise for making decisions that are in your best interest

YOU walk in faith, hope and love and if people can’t see that, it’s not your fault.

As Burton Hillis said, The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. And that’s my wish for you and yours.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay favoured and fabulous x

coffee2014

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