Soldier of Africa

My sister, Shireen, sent me an email this week, which included info on OCHA (the UN Office for the Coordination Humanitarian Affairs). I have researched OCHA and other NGO’s as part of my Disaster Management research. It is not just the amazing efforts by these organizations that strengthen the response to both complex emergencies and natural disasters. But by the soldiers on the ground, from all over the world, united as one movement to help aid those in need.

Werner is a South African soldier, working as an infantry captain and is also a UN/AU military observer in Darfur, Sudan. Please check out his blog “Soldier of Africa”

http://rsasoldier.blogspot.com/

His pictures are truly amazing and heartbreaking. It really puts the truth of the situation into perspective.

My admiration and awe at people like Werner cannot be fully expressed in words, and I hope one day (after I finish my degree) I can join in their league of people doing extraordinary things. Like Werner says in his blog: “This is my world and I could not imagine doing anything else”.

It’s simply...a calling.

PEACE, love and safe travels (esp to Werner!)
Orangeblossom

Shiny Happy People

After my last blog of unhappiness, I thought I’d balance it out with a blog of happiness!

What is the definition of happiness anyway? It is probably impossible to objectively define happiness as we know and understand it.

Here are some happiness quotes and some happy thoughts:

“True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” - by Helen Keller

“Happiness is man's greatest aim in life. Tranquility and rationality are the cornerstones of happiness.” - the meaning of happiness according to Epicurus

“A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” - by Hugh Downs

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” - by Aristotle

"If you want happiness for an hour -- take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day -- go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month -- get married.
If you want happiness for a year -- inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime -- help someone else.” - Chinese proverb

"Until you make peace with who you are, you'll never be content with what you have." – by Doris Mortman

There is also Positive Psychology in happiness or doing things that make you and others happy. Martin Seligman in his book Authentic Happiness gives the positive psychology definition of happiness as consisting of both positive emotions (like comfort) and positive activities (like absorption).

He presents three categories of positive emotions:

past: feelings of satisfaction, contentment, pride, and serenity.
present (examples): enjoying the taste of food, glee at listening to music, absorption in reading, and company of people you like e.g. friends and family.
future: feelings of optimism, hope, trust, faith, and confidence.

There are three categories of present positive emotions:

bodily pleasures, e.g. enjoying the taste of food.
higher pleasures, e.g. glee at listening to music.
gratifications, e.g. absorption in reading.


There are so many ways to find happiness. What makes you happy? What brings you happiness?

I will leave with a song from REM that automatically popped in my head when I wrote the subject line.

Shiny Happy People – by R.E.M

Shiny happy people laughing
Meet me in the crowd
People people
Throw your love around
Love me love me
Take it into town
Happy happy
Put it in the ground
Where the flowers grow
Gold and silver shine
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing
Everyone around love them, love them
Put it in your hands
Take it take it
There's no time to cry
Happy happy
Put it in your heart
Where tomorrow shines
Gold and silver shine
Shiny happy people holding hands
Shiny happy people laughing

Peace, love and HAPPINESS
Orangeblossom xxx