• About

Gaynor Kast Blog

~ Life. Love. Laughter. Repeat!

Gaynor Kast Blog

Tag Archives: laughter

It’s the most wonderful time…

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Just for today…

04 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

authentic, blessed, Blessing, chocolate, Determination, fabulous, favoured, grace, gratitude, journey, laughter, life, lifetime, moment, purpose, reason, relationships, season, thank you, unconditional love

In this moment, I’m thankful for:

* the grace to see another day

* laughter

*unconditional love

* authentic relationships

* chocolate on demand

* the space I get to call “me time”

* people/ situations who help me realise what I don’t want

* the fact that I choose not to settle

* the fact that I choose who to invite into my personal space

* the realisation that some bridges are meant to be burnt and never walked again

* letting go of someone once their part in your story is over – it’s all about reason, season, lifetime…

* every single lesson (no matter how bitter-sweet) that has gotten me to this point

* being blessed to be a blessing

As I continue to move forth with purpose and determination, let me never for one minute take the gift of each moment or freedom to choose for granted.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

 

blueskies

Love in action!

17 Thursday Dec 2015

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

When the penny drops!

09 Monday Nov 2015

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

authentic, Colleague, day, deadlines, Editing, fabulous, favoured, Flame, Job, laughter, life, passion, Passionate, Read, Realisation, Shine, talk, time, time out, work, writing

I had one of those I love my job kinda days.
It was super duper… even though it started at 4am, it just got better and better with each passing hour.

Deadlines.
Writing.
Editing.
Random bursts of laughter.

I think the one most important aspect of today was the realisation that the passion I have is like a flame that keeps burning stronger instead of diminishing with time. While speaking to a colleague, suddenly the penny dropped… no matter what happens in life, nothing and no one can extinguish the fire that resides within you. They might try but boy oh boy, someone’s going to get the short end of the stick and it’s certainly not going to be the authentic, passionate person 🙂

If you find yourself in a funk with doubts or questions, take time out or speak to someone… soon you will realise that you never really lost that flame. It was still burning, just not as intensely as when you started out.
Now go out there and shine, brighter than before.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay favoured and fabulous xxx

photo

Looking forward to…

18 Tuesday Aug 2015

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Alive, Authentically, Best days, Birthday, books, brother, chocolate, courage, experience, fabulous, favoured, Flowers, Friends, Fulfilled, God, good people, grace, gratitude, heart, Heartache, hugs, laughter, life, love, Nature, parents, Rain, siblings, Sister, Sun, time, Wind

I woke up feeling very emo. Not sad. Rather more thankful.

With another birthday just hours away I’m deeply grateful for the gift of life; and God’s grace showered upon me daily.

I jotted down a few things – that have shaped my journey – in my Gratitude Journal earlier and thought I’d share a few with you.

* Parents – need I say more

* Brother & sister – for keeping me grounded, the fights, laughs and memories over the years

* Cousins – they are an extension of my siblings

* Friends – for letting me be me and creating a safety net when I need it

* Nature – whether it’s soaking up the sun, feeling rain drops on my cheeks or the wind blowing through my hair

* Courage – to walk away from toxic situations & people

* Hindsight – go figure!

* Hugs – whether it’s to express appreciation or a sign of comfort and support

* Voice notes – from the special, little people in my space especially Eli and Leah

* Flowers – to remind that it’s really all about the simple things in life… that’s what makes me happy

* Chocolate – because… which woman can live without these comforting cubes?

* Books – when I need to escape nothing comes close to turning the pages of a good read

* Heartache – you haven’t lived till you’ve had your heart smashed into splinters and then for time to heal and make you whole again

* The future – I know this next chapter of my life is going to make everything else pale in comparison. That what God has in store for me no eye has seen or ear heard…

For every single moment I get to open my eyes & am blessed to declare that I’m ALIVE, my heart flows with gratitude.

P.S my birthday wish is: that YOU will live authentically & find fulfillment in every experience.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous & favoured xxx

unnamed (16)

From me to you…

31 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

amazing, blessings, extraordinary, laughter, love, reading

Blessings, love & loads of laughter to you and yours!

IMG_20150727_193249

Who is in your front row?

21 Saturday Feb 2015

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

appreciate, bond, crisp clean page, discuss, evolve, family, Friends, front row, God's grace, good times, keep smiling, laughter, likes, pet peeves, reasons, reflect, seasons, support, tears, that's what friends are for, unconditional love

With each new season I realise just how much I love and appreciate my front row – made up of a few family members and very good friends.

Supportive would be an understatement when it comes to my front row. They have and continue to play a huge role in my life – each one for different reasons.

We’ve shared years of good times, unpleasant times, crazy times. None of which I ever take for granted. These times are always punctuated with the right amount of rolling on the floor kind of laughter or buckets of tears that are enough to fill a river.

Through all the robust discussions, disagreements one thing is certain – the bond and love strengthens and intensifies.

I’ve evolved and continue to do so thanks to my interactions and time well spent with my front row. How else would I determine my likes, pet peeves or best approach to respond to certain situations.

I’ve had the most trying time over the last few weeks.
It was nasty.
It was unpleasant.
It was like those I just want to scream into a pillow and pull my hair kinda experiences.

But…

I am still standing and much stronger must just add due to God’s grace and the unconditional love from my front row.

As I begin to close that book and start on a fresh, clean, crisp page I look forward to creating and sharing many more memories with my front row; the kind that will last a lifetime. The kind that will find us bursting out into fits of laughter as we look back.

Today, ask yourself: who is in my front row? As you reflect I hope you will realise just how much they mean to you.

Thank you for taking the time to read and enjoy one of my favourite classics below.

Stay fabulous and favoured x

3, 2, 1…

30 Tuesday Dec 2014

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

abundance, brilliant, good health, kindness, laughter, love, new year

Hello lovelies *waves*

This incorrigible optimist just stopped by to wish you (and your family) a very happy new year.

Every single fibre of my being tells me that 2015 is going to be YOUR best year yet. Let good health, kindness, love and barrels of laughter be yours in abundance.

As doors of opportunity present themselves I hope you will embrace it with passion.

May you never doubt for one moment that YOU are destined for greatness. Now go out there and be your brilliant, charming self.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay favoured and fabulous x

image

Be in the moment…

26 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

cooking, family, food, Friends, laughter, love, memories, moment, time

I hope everyone had a Christmas Day filled with loads of love and laughter; surrounded by family and friends. Not to mention a spread fit for a king and a second serving of dessert.

I had every intention of uploading a post yesterday. But, in typical Kast family tradition, we ate until we felt like a stuffed turkey. Then, after a trip down memory lane and a few giggles, everyone found a spot to nap. I don’t know about you but nothing tops a post Christmas lunch nap…

I thought I’d tell you about the driving force in my life – mommy Kast. My mother is the best. She is as solid as a rock and epitomizes fortitude. I am the woman I am today because of her.

While we all know that the kitchen is off-limits because she loves to cook up a storm, this year I watched her more attentively. For the sole reason that I’ve come to the realization that my mother now falls into the category of a pensioner.

No, she’s not frail or losing her faculties. (Says a silent prayer). But, you can definitely notice that the speed with which she once moved is now slower. Oh, and the nagging 🙂

I’m completely humbled by my mother’s love and selfless attitude. Before we sat down for lunch I watched how she packed packs for those less fortunate. Everything that would be on our plate was in that lunch box. I offered to assist and the response that followed was: “I’ve got this Gaynor, I know what I’m doing. I’ve been doing this for years.”

If you’ve stumbled upon this blog and are blessed to have a mother or motherly figure in your life, don’t waste another moment reminding them of how much you love and appreciate them. All the gifts in the world mean nothing – it’s your time and attentive ear that your mother yearns for. Be in the moment, for one day it will be just a memory.

As you continue to soak up the festive vibe, I’m sure you can identify with the lyrics to this song, enjoy:

Boyz 2 Men – A Song For Mama http://youtu.be/NFRW4_46dJg

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay favoured and fabulous x

It is what it is…

15 Monday Dec 2014

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

deadlines, encourage, family, Friends, God, grace, introspection, kids, laughter, love, perspective, relationships, share, society, tears, time, work

With days to go before I get to see my immediate and extended family, I’m more excited than usual. This year it’s going to be different.

I’m waiting for them to throw their caustic comments under the guise of concern. I usually laugh it off or walk away. Not this year. This year they are going to get an earful;  whether it’s my aunts, cousins or long time family friends.

You see, at this time of the year the same script plays out. It’s so predictable that I know which are reserved for after dessert and which will come flying after someone has had too many glasses of G&T.

The comments are all the same and go along these lines:

Aunt 1: “Gaynor, have you met anyone yet? You are not getting any younger you know!”

Cousin1: “And so… is there anything you’d like to share?”

Family friend: “Gaynor, don’t you think you are being selfish… why would you deprive your mother of grandkids?”

This year there will be no flustered face. This year I will look them square in the face and respond; something I should have done a long time ago.

Rewind…

After matric (many, many moons ago) it looked like I was well on course with my plan. Take note, my plan. All the boxes were being ticked off one by one. Things really couldn’t get any better. Or, so I thought.

Working 18hour days, chasing the next big story, deadline or flying off somewhere was all part of an adrenaline rush I couldn’t live without. With each passing day the passion for my work intensified and nothing else mattered.

I had it all…. a wonderful job, loving and supportive family and friends. It was all I needed. My attempt at relationships fluctuated between total bliss and the possibility of a happy ever after but that was all until the grueling work schedule got in the way.

With hindsight, it was naïve of me to think that any man would want to take second place after a career. At the time I couldn’t see the missing link – work-life balance. So, one broken off engagement later and a serious bout of introspection, I’ve pondered: “Was it all worth it?”

***drum-roll***

Yes; because when all is said and done it’s really a matter of perspective.

So, what if I’ve missed all the “normal deadlines” that society imposes on us women? My appointed time to take the proverbial plunge and tie the knot and start a family is just a tad “delayed”. And I for one am not complaining.

My life’s journey and the lessons bagged along the way are incomparable. I’ve had my fair share of laughs, tears, heartache and a lot of other insane wobblies that made me feel like my heart would stop but you know what, I’m still standing (thanks to His grace) and all the more stronger if you ask me.

Every encounter, every interaction has been chalked down to experience and part of my character building. At times it felt like I was being panel-beated into shape but that’s the way my story was written and I’ve made a mental note to embrace it.

There were days I wished this journey was set on cruise control. It wasn’t. That’s not life. We stumble. We fall. We hibernate. We rise. We get up hopeful that the sun will rise and new possibilities lay ahead because God is the Pilot of our lives.

Let me encourage someone… if you’ve been one of those people caught up in what, when, where and how the world says you must live then I got news for you. You are uniquely designed and have your own spec so don’t allow society to dictate the pace at which your story unfolds. More importantly, drop all the different masks and just be your authentic self. The people that matter will accept you and love you for you. Even if, like me, you have a bout of OCD and can’t stop yourself from tidying tables in a restaurant 🙂

Live. Love. Laugh. But most of all never cease to be grateful for the path you walk.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured x

← Older posts

Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

Archives

  • August 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • July 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • June 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • December 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014

Categories

  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Gaynor Kast Blog
    • Join 98 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Gaynor Kast Blog
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...