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Tag Archives: kindness

Choose your circle carefully!

28 Saturday Dec 2019

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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blessings, Boundaries, choices, courage, decisions, honesty, Inner circle, integrity, journey, kindness, life, lifetime, love, peace, people, reason, season, truth

I hope YOU choose to enter the new year, new decade with endless faith, oodles of optimism and most importantly, the right inner circle.

If this last year has taught me anything, boundaries are more critical than you know. Choosing to have boundaries simply means that YOU choose to be surrounded by people who share your outlook, share a similar approach and refuse to compromise core fundamentals – like the truth, honesty, integrity, compassion, kindness and love.

As we chart through various stages of life, we meet so many people along the way. Some of them come into our lives for a reason, season (painful and expensive lessons in some instances) and lifetime.

The key is to discern an individual’s role in your journey; and embrace and accept the role he/she is meant to fulfil for the said period. The fact is that holding on when a reason or season is over brings with it unnecessary frustration, hurt and pain so let go when you ought to.

All relationships should evolve (and dissolve) organically. Period. #youllcatchthatinaminute

With 2019 about to come to an end, let us make a conscious choice to refrain from taking the same “mistakes” into a new decade. There’s still time to do a thorough “spring clean”.

Your choices and decisions should be based on what’s best for YOU.

For your journey.

For your peace of mind.

With a new year. With a new decade. We get to make better choices. We get to put ourselves first. We get to stop pretending. We get to stop keeping up appearances. We get to be the voice that keeps it REAL 24/7.

My wish for you: may YOU never sacrifice your peace of mind and mental health to please anyone. Be true to YOU and always choose to have the courage of your convictions, even if you are standing alone. And never ever allow any person to disrespect you… cut your losses and walk away.

The right people will appreciate and love you unconditionally.

Blessings, love and perfect peace to you, always in 2020!

Spreading Christmas Love…

24 Tuesday Dec 2019

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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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!

All it takes is one choice…

20 Wednesday Nov 2019

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caring, chocolates, choices, encouragement, gratitude, Hearts, hugs, kindness, love, make a difference, Old, peace, Prayer, random scts of kindness, sharing, Smiles, thank you, thoughtful, Young

There’s nothing more beautiful than witnessing a random act of kindness. Nothing makes my heart smile more than seeing an exchange of a good deed between complete strangers, or even people who know each other.

This is a little reminder that it’s really the simple things in life that matter and mean the most. Being kind doesn’t necessarily have to cost you a dime. It’s simply one heart opening up in love (and without condition or expectation) and looking to extend the endless string of kindness.

Yes, life is cluttered with all sorts of challenges, and issues that are at the best of times beyond our control… but that should not detract from our core function of being kind and loving toward each other.

Kindness doesn’t always have to come wrapped up in a ribbon or pretty packaged box. It’s the little things:

• A smile

• A hug Sharing a meal

• Dropping off a meal at a shelter

• A shoulder to lean on

• Making time to listen to someone in distress

• Paying for someone’s parking ticket without them knowing

• Paying for someone’s meal without them knowing

• Stopping in the middle of your day to ask a colleague, friend how he/she is doing – and really listening to that unspoken cry for help

• Dropping off a meal, a little treat or sitting and listening to those less fortunate

• Playing with kids at an orphanage

• Reading to the pensioners in an old age home

• Running an errand for a pensioner

• Dropping off flowers or chocolates to random patients in hospital

• Signing up to assist a charity during a fundraising drive

• Writing little notes of encouragement for random people and your tribe and dropping them off (without them knowing)

• Sending a voice note to let someone know that you are thinking of and thinking/praying for them The list can go on and on because the need for sowing seeds of kindness never ends.

I don’t believe for one minute that we are so “busy” or caught up in our own lives that we can’t see the dire need for spreading kindness now more than ever. Some people are in pain (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) and one seed of kindness can make all the difference in the world.

Let us never grow weary of reaching out and caring… it’s the right (humane) thing to do.

Thank you for taking the time to read this… now get going… start sprinkling those seeds of kindness wherever the road leads you…

Love wins the day…

04 Friday May 2018

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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Challenge, choose, compassion, fabulous, favoured, Focus, grow, Headlines, heart, Humanity, kindness, learn, life, Live, love, Morning, purpose, Serve, share, Sow, Speak, thank you, Think, time, unconditional love

I woke up with a song in my heart. It’s a golden oldie but the words ring true today, more than ever.

Some of the lyrics: “What the world needs now, is love, sweet love… it’s the only thing, that there’s just too little of…”

The ghastly headlines, the atrocious stories of inhumanity, hurt and hate, and all-round anger seems to be the order of the day. But… why?

Where have we gone wrong?

Why are people triggered so easily?

What is missing?

Can we find our way again?

Can one person make a difference?

These are some of the questions I contemplated.

It appears we lost our way when we lost our ability to love – and when I speak about love, I mean unconditional love.

It appears we are missing that all important fundamental that we are all born with – compassion; having a heart for others.

It appears we have become complacent and happy to focus on our own needs and those within our sphere.

It appears we have taken our eye off the goal – the purpose of walking and serving in love.

It appears that we have allowed ourselves to be swept up in all that is unkind, cruel and selfish.

But…

All is not lost.
We can find our way again, if we choose to look within and allow the seeds of love to spring forth.

I’d like to challenge you.
When life chooses to distort the canvass of (y)our world, I hope you will always choose to sow seeds of love; and not just any love… unconditional love.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

Feelings and forgiveness…

29 Sunday Apr 2018

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Anger, believe, choose, Church, Emotions, family, Feelings, Folk, forgiveness, friend, God, Hearts, Hurt, kindness, love, pain, Scripture, Thoughts, world

We’ve all been in situations (with one or more people) where things went south rather quickly and some sort of disagreement results in a few bruised egos and frazzled feelings.

And normally such situations are not too difficult to handle if it involves strangers – and so forgiveness almost seems effortless. It’s those situations where someone very close – family, friend or folk from church – does something that makes no sense… and forgiveness takes on a whole new meaning.

Such times are designed to either send our emotions into overdrive, and or to rob us of our joy. And it’s usually in these moments, that it’s easy to think the unkindest thoughts about the person(s) who we believe has caused us pain.

Recently, I experienced something that made me feel like my world was tumbling down. And instinctively, I called a friend – because let’s face it – we like to vent before we fall on our knees.
And, it was after I ended that call, that I realised I didn’t have to call because I wasn’t alone… God is always right there with us… even in the height of the storm.

I also thought, as shattered as I was feeling, I’m not God and can’t possibly stand in judgement of any person.
Secondly, what does Luke 6:27, 28 tell us we ought to do when people hurt us:
“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Emotions aside, putting scripture into practice is not a mission impossible. And why do I say this? Because I believe that our default settings are kindness and love and so if we choose them over the anger, bitterness and possibly even a grudge then embracing the concept of forgiveness becomes easier.

Take a moment to think… is there someone who has upset you, someone who you need to forgive and release?

Beloved, love covers a multitude of sins.
This day, let us choose to recommit our lives, our hearts and all that we are to walk in love and kindness…

Some things can’t be replaced…

04 Sunday Mar 2018

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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authenticity, Empathy, fabulous, favoured, kindness, love, Replacement, Substitute, Thoughtfulness

There is no substitute for thoughtfulness

There is no substitute for kindness

There is no substitute for sincerity

There is no substitute for empathy

There is no substitute for loving

Styles come and go but these fundamentals never go out of fashion and keep us grounded.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

A heart of gold…

03 Saturday Feb 2018

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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Age, authenticity, Divine Connections, Gold, grace, gratitude, heart, honesty, kindness, lessons, life, love, purpose, Real people, relationships, wisdom

It’s been like forever since I’ve posted. And not for a lack of trying, I must add. My sabbatical (January-December 2017) was nothing that I had envisaged. It was one of the busiest and most fulfilling times. Ever.

I learnt. I cried. I smiled. I sighed. I loved. I lost… but through it all, I experienced and am most thankful for His immeasurable grace upon my life.

I met some of the most amazing people and some not-so-pleasant “characters”. There are lessons I hope to never repeat. Some opened my eyes and left me gasping in utter horror (because there are some things you just don’t expect from human beings…), while others showed me what unconditional love is all about.

In all of the living and learning, there was one person who crept into my heart… almost instantly. It was one of those connections that you know, that you know, it has to be a Divine connection.

In an age where superficiality is the order of the day, it’s so refreshing to find someone who is super real. No mask. No highlight real. Just the core of what an honest, good old fashion, genuine person is all about.

Yes, these precious treasures still exist.

A caring, kind, delightful, witty person. No airs and graces, just a beautiful soul… inside and out. A heart of gold.

It’s the kind of relationship that you want to freeze just so that time can stand still as you savour the moments. Those moments that are filled with frank comments and quirks that leave you holding your sides because you can’t stop laughing. Those moments that you don’t want to end because in that time… you appreciate and cherish the authenticity of an individual like aunty Erica; a 60-something lady whose life experiences are as fascinating as the anecdotes she enjoys sharing.

A few months ago, this was a complete stranger and today, she’s someone I can’t imagine not having in my life. I always look forward to spending time with her and most of all her “Erica-isms” … given the chance she could easily give some of the best stand ups a run for their money. Her chirps are really out of this world, and she’s quick off the mark. And then there’s her vault of wisdom.

I hope you too will get to meet amazing gems like aunty Erica, and when you do, don’t let them go…

heartofgold2.png

 

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

perth5
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Somewhere, someone needs you…

09 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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authenticity, change, choice, compassion, Cry, fabulous, faith, favoured, grace, gratitude, kindness, Laugh, learn, love, Moments, people, perspective, purpose, smile, thank you, time, world

Someone asked me the other day whether I have “bad” days.
Of course, I do.

I’m not a robot.

I love. I laugh. I smile. I cry. I frown. I grit my teeth.

My patience runs thin from time to time and I have moments where I lose my cool. But, you can count those on one hand… and they hardly ever last long.

At the end of the day, I’m just an imperfect vessel living in a complicated world, getting through each day purely by His grace.

What has been somewhat liberating is embracing the fact that with time, some people will be left behind as my journey takes a few detours.

A few years ago, I would never dream of accepting this and would want to cling to those who crossed my path like my life depended on it. Time is a wonderful thing. Perspective is everything.

I’ve also come to the realisation that some people will never fully understand or accept the kindness, compassion and love you choose to offer. And that’s okay too. Pray for them and leave them be.

Somewhere, someone is in need of your authenticity.
Now go out there and keep living, loving and learning.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

changejune2016

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