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Tag Archives: South Africa

Learnt from Lockdown

08 Saturday Aug 2020

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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baby, COVID-19, family, hope, life, Lockdown, love, pandemic, promise, South Africa, thankful

When the rumblings of the COVID-19 pandemic started making its way into our lives via various media channels, it was hard to ignore. Then the heart-breaking and often horrendous stories linked to it were a lot to digest on any given day.

And still, I went about life fluctuating between a degree of calm and peace and sudden anxiety – always weaving their way into what was until then a relatively measured life. It was not until President Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa) declared a three week lockdown period that I was suddenly gripped by fear and rolled into survival mode instinctively.

For someone who loves mapping things out, setting and meeting deadlines and steering the charted course, the start of the lockdown was difficult. I remember rushing into the supermarket before the lockdown kicked in and although I had a list of essentials to buy, when confronted with all those aisles of groceries and toiletries i went into a flat spin.

The neatly typed out list was deleted and I found myself throwing things into the trolley that I would not ordinarily buy because I was hit with the “what if…” thought. What if the lockdown is extended? What if supermarkets don’t open for the longest time? What if I run out of x, y, z?

Looking back now, I can’t believe I was “that” shopper. *Hides*

The other thing, as someone who enjoys her own space, it was the first time I was super thankful for having company in the form of my mother.

The reason she was visiting is because four days before the lockdown my brother and his wife welcomed the most precious baby boy into the world. Connor Luke Kast made his grand appearance at a time where things like chaos, confusion, fears, anxiety and depression were slowly but wilfully starting to wrap itself around our nation.

We had a Heaven sent antidote.

They say that a baby is a blessing and while I believe it, it wasn’t until Connor came into our lives that I fully grasped the real meaning of that comment. I desperately want to paint a picture of how I felt when my eyes spotted him for the first time, but, words will not adequately describe the pure joy. I never thought I could love another human the way I love my nephew. My heart literally feels like it’s exploding at the thought of him.

He is perfect. He is ours to love and nurture. He is without doubt our biggest blessing.

We got to see Connor in person very briefly but those moments are deeply imprinted in my heart.

We depend on pictures, videos and face time calls to bond with him. Not ideal but what can we do?! Bias aside, on the days when I feel like I’m going to drown with heaviness and despair (oh yes, I too have my down days) the thought of Connor gives me an instant boost of hope. A hope and a promise that just like the sun rises and sets each day, so too will this pandemic end.

When it will end we don’t know. But, what I do know is that we can and must keep hope alive… for ourselves and for Connor’s generation and those after.

Remain hopeful.

Remain thankful.

Stop. Pause. Press on…

28 Thursday Jun 2018

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fabulous, faith, favoured, Fearlessly authentic, Intentional, learn, lessons, life, Live, love, perspective, Press on, purpose, Romans 8:28, South Africa, time

There are moments when it feels like life is coming at you, fast and hard.
And it’s at these times that you need your faith to be rock solid; and more importantly, you need to be surrounded by fearlessly authentic people.

What you don’t want is a fence-sitter or someone who suffers from delusions of grandeur, on your side.
Be around people whose motives are clean and clear, whose reputations are impeccable and not afraid to stand for the truth. Not their “truth” but the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

To paraphrase Tera Carissa-Hodges, when the lies, slander, backstabbing, plotting and planning happens, don’t lose focus because those intentional acts are all part of the purpose.

Painful as the lessons may be, the “tables have turned”.
Trust the process and trust that God alone still has the final say.

So, if you find yourself at a crossroads, we have a saying here in South Africa – vasbyt.
It simply means, press on… and hold onto Romans 8:28.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured xxx

There’s always time to pamper yourself…

22 Thursday Dec 2016

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Balance, gratitude, Ice-cream, Pamper, perspective, Rejuvenation, Relaxation, Rest, Richards Bay, South Africa, Summer, time, Treat, work

spa1
spa2
spa3

Nothing beats ice-cream on a lovely, laidback summer day. Well, unless of course you are like me and love treating yourself to regular pamper sessions at a spa. Then, the ice-cream comes a close second.

Now, I’ve visited quite a few spas across the country/abroad but none come close to one that I discovered here in Richards Bay – Alexis Beauty and Wellness Spa.

Sharleen and her team are the best. They really are…

No matter what time of the day you pop in, there’s always (and I mean always) big, bright smiles and a welcoming warmth that you simply can’t miss. At the end of any treatment you always want to ask for an extra 5 minutes.

If you had to ask me whether I have any favourite treatment, I would have to say that I enjoy all. Whether it’s a deluxe facial, full body massage, mani/pedi or stress releasing Indian head massage that you are after, you won’t be disappointed.

So, the next time you are in the KZN area in search of some serious downtime, make a point of adding a spa day to your itinerary.

You can thank me later!

(Contact details: 035-789 0079, info@alexisspa.co.za or here’s a map: Link to map)

 

 

Turn the pages…

20 Saturday Dec 2014

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authentic, books, chocolate, fabulous, family, favoured, Friends, leadership, me time, South Africa, time

After chocolate (yes I’m a chocoholic) I love, love, love reading.

I’d gladly hand over my smartphone in exchange for a book. Apart from the bonding with family and friends over the next few days, I’ve made a conscious decision to have “book/me time”.

I think we underestimate the importance of switching off and taking time out for ourselves. It’s all well and good being on hand for everyone but YOU are just as important.

Treat yourself. Go on…

My next two reads were chosen because these are two people who make me feel so proud to be South African; they are also my idea of what makes an authentic leader.

I’ve taken a peak at the first chapter of each book and I know I’m going to give them both the thumbs up.

So, let me log off and turn a few pages…

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay favoured and fabulous x

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Somewhere over the rainbow…

16 Tuesday Dec 2014

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authentic, country, courage, democracy, good people, patriotic, perception, rainbow nation, reconciliation, South Africa

Today we observe and celebrate Reconciliation Day in South Africa.

It got me reflecting… what does this mean for our country and for us as individuals. After 20 years of democracy are we truly a Rainbow Nation? Well, that depends… you decide.

The dictionary defines reconciliation as:
noun
1.
the restoration of friendly relations.
“his reconciliation with your uncle”
synonyms: reuniting, reunion, bringing (back) together (again),conciliation, reconcilement; More
2.
the action of making one view or belief compatible with another.
“any possibility of reconciliation between such clearly opposed positions”

Any notion of reconciliation starts with YOU. It comes from within and that simply means being authentic, having the courage of your convictions and resolving to live/respond in a way that does not disrespect another. It’s also important to highlight that if your heart and intentions are noble yet someone decides that your choices or decisions are anything but pure, you are not responsible for the said perception. Just be YOU.

In South Africa, like our own personal lives, it’s much easier to see the negative. But, there’s something positive in every individual and every situation. The challenge for each of us is to always go in search of that good; in some circumstances you might have to dig longer and deeper… search anyhow.

On any given day my love for South Africa moves from a state of being proud and patriotic to complete disbelief and mortification; but then I’m reminded to look for the good…

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured x

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One year later…

30 Sunday Nov 2014

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compassion, forgiveness, grief, human rights, kind, love, Madiba, memories, nation, reconciliation, sacrifice, selfless, South Africa, Tata, Ubuntu

A nation remembers…

It’s such a sad, sad, time for my beloved country, South Africa. This week and more especially on December 5, we will relive and remember how a collective cry of despair took hold of our nation one year ago.
It is the day the father of our nation, Nelson Mandela (or Madiba as he was affectionately known), passed on.

We knew this day would come but I think we silently hoped that he would live forever.
Madiba paid his dues, he fought the good fight, he made many sacrifices.
That day will forever be remembered as one of the most emotional dates in our history…

Nothing could have prepared us for the incredible sadness that swept across our nation and the world.
Nothing could help ease the heartache that felt like a ten ton truck had crashed.

Words seemed empty. People wept openly and shared anecdotes. This was after all a man who led his people free. A man who never once complained about spending 27 years in a prison cell. This was a man who stood firmly and fought gallantly for basic human rights.

Obituaries read like they were churned out from the same machine.
Each writer (including this one) all speaking about the hero and role model whose immeasurable love,
honesty, integrity, humility, compassion, foresight and wisdom touched the lives of people across the world.

Madiba’s presence was something you have had to experience first-hand. I never really understood what people meant until I attended a press conference on Robben Island where
he delivered a speech. Awwww… the memory.

The sharp pain that darted through my heart before I started writing this has been replaced with a smile and a sense of peace.

The truth is we can smile fondly as we remember and give thanks for the gift of Madiba’s life.
Truly an incredible man.
So selfless.
So loving.
So tolerant.
So thoughtful.
So kind.
So sympathetic.

Madiba epitomised every infinite possibility this country has to offer and more.
My earnest prayer is that every single South African will take stock at this time.
That everyone will make a concerted effort to carry out his legacy of reconciliation, unity, forgiveness and Ubuntu.

Rest in peace Tata!

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