Own it: The Power of Taking Responsibility

Article | Life Lessons Growth and personal freedom begin when we stop blaming and start owning. Growth and personal freedom begin when we stop blaming and start owning. Responsibility isn’t a burden — it’s your superpower. Own your choices, own your power. When you, like us, regularly visit social media sites, you will no doubt have seen posts that begin with: “Hi, just after people’s thoughts…” or “Am I overthinking this?” “Someone [fill in name] hurt my feelings — but…

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Thousand Thoughts

Poem | When the maelstrom of thoughts is impossible to ignore Sometimes there are so many Thoughts in my head Whirling around in a maelstrom Making it difficult to breathe Caught amidst my thousand thoughts. One leads to a surge, a sequence of others And suddenly, an explosion No longer able to let go Forcing itself to the foreground Demanding attention. They can upset me, distract me From falling asleep. Even if I know They…

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Saltwater Shadows

Poem | When seaside living is just not meant to be Must be so nice to live on the seafront I bet you walk on the beach daily Bare feet touching the slowly warming sand Avoid treading on treacherous seashells You’ll love dipping your toes Into the salty sea, “they” said You’ll love the breeze and the wind blowing through your hair “They” didn’t tell me That the wind would be so forceful Smashing me against…

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Do You Dare to Stand Out?

Article | Life Lessons Dare to stand out. Or are you obsessed with being part of the herd? ‘Don’t wear bright colours,’ my aunt said to her husband. I was in my teens and wondered about that statement. Later I found out the reason and was stunned. Let me explain. My father’s brother, like his parents and siblings, was of Dutch nationality but born in Indonesia — then the Dutch Indies. History buffs will know…

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Do Images of the Past Influence our Perception of the Present?

Article | Life Lessons How reliable are our memories? My father used to film and photograph the three of us growing up: my brother, sister, and me. An 8mm film camera and slides. I remember sitting in the living room after a family holiday, the curtains closed, the whirring sound of the projector aimed at the wall. Those were the times! But were they? How does what we experience in our childhood, throughout adolescence and…