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Gaynor Kast Blog

Tag Archives: season

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!

Just for today…

04 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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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

A timeless tradition…

23 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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Tags

Baubles, blessings, brother, Buon Natale, Children, Christmas carols, cooking, Craciun Fericit, Eggnog, Eguberri, fabulous, family, favoured, Felica Kristnasko, Feliz Navidad, food, Froche Weihnachten, God Jul, gratitude, heart, hope, Jesus, Joyeux Noel, Kitchen, life, love, miracles, Mother, Nadolig Llawen, peace, people, perspective, purpose, season, Sister, sky, time, Tinsel, Traditions, Trees, Turkey, Vesele Vanoce, Wesolych Swiat

I don’t know about you but I’m counting the hours…
I’m still at work trying to finalise the odds and ends, spring clean my office, ensure my new note book and pen is set aside and ready for 2016 (I’m OCD like that), the reality is that all I can think of is Christmas Eve.

You see the memories I have of this time of the year all comes down to this one moment, the one night before the actual day. On Christmas Eve, Mommy Kast is up at the crack of dawn and her action plan gets into gear. Come to think of it, that’s probably where I get my meticulous planning (read: OCD tendencies).

The house is cleaned for the umpteenth time from wall to wall, floors are sparkling and sliding doors are shining so much that you could easily walk through. Yes, it’s that clean. And boy oh boy, let one of us try a trick and take a shortcut, then the lecture begins…

By the afternoon things start to slow down but not until the eggnog is made. At this stage, all I want is peace and quiet (read: a nap) but my sister, Taryn thinks the house is far too quiet and turns on the Christmas carols… from Boney M to Mariah Carey, BoyIIMen, Luther Vandross, the list just goes on. Before we know it, the sing along begins and the trip down memory lane begins…

As evening approaches, the pots and pans come out, and it’s not long before the different aromas waft through the house. Mommy Kast is queen of the kitchen and our role or contribution is to wash the dishes, keep the conversation alive. Just typing this is making my taste buds go into overdrive. I can’t wait to tuck into the Turkey, especially the stuffing (it’s one of those recipes that have been passed down over the years). Or, the prawn curry that somehow just has that Christmas taste.

I must point out that while all three children are quite capable of holding our own in the kitchen, and do offer to help, we’ve come to accept that all cooking will be done by our precious mother. No discussion. No debate.

What I know for sure is that:

Times change…
People come and go…
But family and the traditions we once frowned upon are everything.
Whether it’s the Christmas tree decorated with baubles and tinsel from when we were aged 3, the blinking lights or Tazzy bombs (what my sister calls her gifts to us), they mean more to us with each passing year.

My one Christmas wish, and I’ve had this forever… is that once, just once I am able to experience a white Christmas. On this side of the world, it’s often a blistering summer day. Not that I’m complaining. Some snow would be nice. Just once.

Let me end with this:

“Dear Special Person,
As the minutes tick closer to Christmas Day, my prayer is for you to cherish the peace and goodwill of this significant time. As you gaze toward the sky, may the star remind you of the hope and love we are assured of through Jesus. As your heart delights with sheer gratitude and you share the Wonder and glory of this season (Luke 2:13), let miracles unfold in your life like never before. Appreciate those near and dear to you. Blessings and much love x

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

nativityscene2car

Dare to stand alone!

03 Saturday Oct 2015

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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authenticity, Boldness, courage, decisions, fabulous, favoured, people, perspective, purpose, season, thank you, time

Dare to walk confidently.

Dare to speak boldly.

Dare to hold on to your promises.

Dare to walk away when a season ends.

Dare to step right into your open door.

Never ever trade your authenticity trying to please people.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous & favoured xxx

images (21)

images (20)

Moving along swiftly…

02 Wednesday Sep 2015

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Arise, Destiny, fabulous, faith, favoured, God, love, peace, purpose, reconciliation, season, Thrive, time

Arise!

Stand firmly and with faith.

Be the one to make a difference… today and always.

When you are focused on sowing seeds of love, peace, reconciliation and every single thing in line with your purpose, the fulfillment is incomparable.

One lesson I’ve learnt over the years: obedience is key. Know when to walk away, cut those ties & acknowledge/ appreciate that that specific season is over. You only have one person to please – God.

Holding on longer (to a person or situation) than you should causes unnecessary pain, frustration and delays. And let’s face it, ain’t nobody got time for that.

Now go out there and thrive… because you are destined to do so.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous & favoured xxx

2015-09-02 07.20.45

My rock, my world…

05 Wednesday Aug 2015

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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Contemplation, fabulous, favoured, love, Mothers, Mum, School, season, strength, thank you, thankful, Treasure, unconditional love, Wife, work, world

I should start by saying this post is brought to you compliments of Eskom (a state utility in South Africa). Not.

You see, in South Africa we are plunged into darkness every other day because of an energy crisis… Eskom is apparently addressing this challenge.

Sigh.

So here I am, listening to the sound of my neighbour’s generator, and thinking about my birthday in a few days time.

I love August.
No, not because it’s my birthday month, but it’s still winter. Although our coastal town is not subjected to sub zero temperatures or snow, we have our fair share of chilly, grey skies. And what better excuse to stay indoors and have a duvet day 🙂

Winter for me = what better season to invoke contemplation!

I’m quite excited about my birthday this year because it’s the first time in 16 years that I’ll get to spend it with my mum. About that “mysterious” number, let’s just say that I’m over the age of consent and still a few years shy of a retirement village. Apparently, I don’t look my age. That’s always like music to my ears, especially when I’m with my younger sister.

Back to my excitement.

Working away from home for all that time was good while it lasted. However, there comes a time when one realises what matters the most. As i write this, I’m so thankful that my mum has her health and wits about her; that she doesn’t miss a beat to tell me when I’m wrong or give me one of her “I told you so looks”.

The fact that I’m starting to sound just like her scares and excites me; I’m sure the ladies reading this will understand. But, my favourite thing (and this I treasure the older I get) is coming home from work after a hectic day and smelling her perfume as I open the door. The scent offers me a sense of peace and security that comes from the unconditional love and support that only a mum brings. It also transports me back to my primary school days (long, long ago) when I’d get home and she’d be there.

My rock. My strength. My world.

We’ve had our fair share of disagreements and ugly-cry moments but I wouldn’t want my life’s script to play out any other way. If I could be half the wife or mother that she’s been then I’d consider myself blessed.

P.S every single time I see St Joseph’s Lilies, I am reminded of the wonderful woman I get to call mum.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous & favoured xxx

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Closer than you know…

10 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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Blessing, Breakthrough, Divine plan, fabulous, favoured, God, Overflow, season, Sing, Victory, wisdom, Worship

This is just a little reminder that as you continue to walk into your season of overflow (there’s no looking back – roger that!)… that patience is key.

When life happens, you may well be tempted to do things differently… and your mind might give you 1000 000 reasons to justify something that’s not part of the Divine plan.

Stop.

Resist the urge to deviate from this path or, act impulsively.

Find refuge in worship/ quiet time with the Father. Some of my favourites include: Don Moen (Be Magnified), Israel Houghton (Overflow), Vashawn Mitchell (Nobody Greater), Tamela Mann (Take it to the King)…

If you stumbled upoon this page then I’d like to encourage you:

You are on the final home stretch… can you see the finish line and the chorus of angels cheering?!

Your breakthrough is closer than you think.

Stand firm.

Oh wonderful person reading this, please know that the complete and utter joy that will fill your days once you’ve learnt, accepted and are willing to live through the lessons from your wilderness, is beyond anything that you could possibly imagine.

No matter how daunting the trials may appear it’s not over till God has the last word.

Keep your eyes on the Cross… expect only great things and as you continue to mature in the Lord, know that not only are you guaranteed of victory… but He will also give you the wisdom and strategy to take the next step.

Stay fabulous and favoured x 

It’s not about you…

14 Sunday Dec 2014

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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God, hindsight, journey, life, lifetime, new year, pain, purpose, reason, resolution, season

Since my last post so much has happened. Some days felt like I was riding a roller-coaster ride that had no brakes and other times it was pure bliss.

With hindsight it’s safe to say that even the uneasy, unpleasant times offered me a nudge in the right direction. I now have a much better understanding of people coming into our lives for a reason, season and lifetime. I’ve also found peace in the fact that when a season is up and a person has fulfilled his/her role in your story that it’s okay to let them go. The trouble starts when we try to hold on longer than we ought to.

And so as I sit here typing, I can safely say that, I’ve made peace with the fact that some people will not continue to journey with me in 2015.

I’ve never been so excited about the thought of starting a new year. I’m not one of those resolution-making types; I’m more about evolving authentically one moment at a time. The more we edge closer to 2015 the more humbled I am about what God has in store. No eye has seen, no ear has heard…

Only now (finally, the penny dropped) I understand how vital it is to embrace the fact that the journey is not about me; that there’s a reason to the pain/pleasure and I can’t wish away my Divine purpose.

The one important reminder from this past week is that when you allow God to have His way the rewards and learnings are beyond measure… TGBTG!

So, wherever you are and whatever you are facing, know that ultimately all things work together for your good. Even when it feels like you’re caught up in a storm that’s not letting up, remember the One who holds you in the palm of His hand is greater… and has the final say.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured x

image

The answer is within…

15 Saturday Nov 2014

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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authenticity, choices, conversations, decisions, lifetime, peace, perspective, purpose, reason, season

It’s amazing what a bit of solitude can do for your spirit.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the rat race and lose sight of what our ultimate purpose is all about. You see, no matter how invincible you perceive yourself to be, no person is an island.

We walk this earth to live, love and grow, together. Some for a season. Some for a reason. Some for a lifetime.

What I’ve come to realize over the last few weeks is that my encounter with some individuals have passed their sell-by date. You know that feeling you get when you you have done all you could and if that is not enough then it’s time to move on? Yes, that feeling.

My toxic detector is on red alert. Negativity, snide remarks and conversations that break instead of build have no space in my life.

I choose purpose instead of popularity.
I choose authentic instead of shallow.
I choose peace instead of chaos.

I choose to share my time with those who have the courage of their convictions instead of hiding behind the facade of infantile banter.

I choose to cling now more than ever onto Jeremiah 29:11 and Isaiah 40:31.

I choose to cling to my faith and look forward every good thing that’s Divinely ordained to come my way.

I also choose to give thanks for the Divine removal of every thing or person who hinders my purpose.

I know that the tough choices are the right ones. To God be the glory!

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay favoured and fabulous!

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