Reflections - by George Carlin

I was emailed this by my mom this morning, and its reflections are...pure and simple. It is by George Carlin

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Me, Reens and my nephews

A picture of Me, William, Shireen and Jed in Franschoek on Sunday xxx

One

One SONG can spark a moment

One FLOWER can wake the dream

One TREE can start a forest

One BIRD can herald spring

One SMILE begins a friendship

One HANDCLASP lifts a soul

One STAR can guide a ship at sea

One WORD can frame the goal

One VOTE can change a nation

One SUNBEAM lights a room

One CANDLE wipes out darkness

One LAUGH will conquer gloom

One STEP must start each journey

One WORD must start a prayer

One HOPE will raise our spirits

One TOUCH can show you care

One VOICE can speak with wisdom

One HEART can know what is true

One LIFE can make a difference.

I love this reading this especially at times when I am feeling quite down or sad about something or someone. Sometimes I get so focused on the negative about a particular thing, that I forget how much positive experiences I have and had in my life. But more the special and amazing and unforgettable people that have touched my heart - knowingly or unknowingly. Whatever paths and contracts we have with each other, I would always hope that I can be just one of these inspirations to myself and if lucky enough, to someone else.



The ONE and only Orangeblossom xxx

On Giving

Last week had a very strange mood about it, perhaps it was the new moon lunar energy or the solstice, but I think a more likely conclusion would point to me. Perhaps my chakras are out of balance and I need to meditate, cleanse and do a bit more self reflection on myself, those around me and my current life.


Anyway all this rambling does and will lead to a point. I had been wanting to write on my blog all of last week, but couldn’t (or wouldn’t perhaps) find the inspiration on what to write. I want my blog to reflect my best intensions and thoughts, so that it serves as something to strive and push towards. To become a better person to myself and to those around me. It’s a long journey.


So while I was self consuming last week, I guess my mood started to lift on Friday and then when Cherise sent me this picture this morning I just looked at it and the message I saw behind it. A message of giving. And giving in all its many forms, from a simple gesture to an elaborate declaration. How brave those are who dare to take a leap, weather for their faith, friendships, studies, career or love.


Where there is giving, there is bound to be taking. They go hand in hand and too frequently do we forget that they are actually mutual actions that need to be circulated in order for the flow to remain in a constant state on equilibrium. And it’s so much easier to take and I often have to consciously remind myself to keep that flow going. And as much as one gives, the more will be returned, its simply karma.


And with life happening all around us, we get caught up in our own whirlwinds so its hard to focus and put forth energy and love to others, especially if we don’t feel we are or will get any in return. Or I find that too often my own inability to clear my own thoughts then manifests into negative energy with my relations with others, which just frustrates me even more, because its unintended. Many times I think that the negativity I feel towards others (often those clostest to me) is just a reflection of the negativity that I see mirroring itself in me. So perhaps if we spend some time on not just giving to others, but also giving and expressing our own thoughts and dreams to ourselves, we will enrich our own souls which will ripple happy and loving energy to those around us.


When it comes to giving and receiving (in every sense of our mind, body and spirit), I hope that I can aim to give more of myself to others so that I may be blessed enough to receive whatever they are able to give of themselves to me. Because although it may seem greedy, but I couldn’t think of anything more precious than being able to be completely open with even just one other person, being brave enough to expose your own inner soul and in return by giving yourself, you allow them to give a part or a whole of themselves to you. I think there is a lot of healing to be found in the sharing of giving, its liberating and freeing.


And as Jo and I always say: “Sharing is Caring”!


I am probably making no sense, so when in doubt I always turn to those little gems of quotations that I stack up along with way. They seem to express things so simply, so purely, and so…perfectly.

“Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.” – James M. Barrie

“Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Norman Macewan

“Three keys to more abundant living: caring about others, daring for others, sharing with others.” – William A. Ward

“If nature has made you a giver, your hands are born open, and so is your heart. And though there may be times when your hands are empty, your heart is always full, and you can give things out of that.” - Frances Hodgson Burnett

“There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life - happiness, freedom and peace of mind - are always attained by giving them to someone else.” - Peyton Conway March

Love, Light and Happiness
Orangeblooom

The Much Belated Update

Greetings from the elusive and slumbering Orangeblossom! Yes for too long I have neglected my blog, I could list some valid enough reasons, but its still poor show really. I guess I can mostly blame it on my lack of creativity of late – or at least feeling very creatively unproductive or uninspired. But I will be making a more consertive effort to keep on updating on a much more regular basis (heard and said that one way too many times, I know, but have faith please!) I don’t even know who will pop their heads into my Orangeblossom world, but feel free to anytime, and if not no worries, my blog is also a form of inner expression of reflection, contemplation, observation etc etc my own online portal of visual thoughts and feelings. I do love writing and perhaps I tend to babble or rabble, but I find it soothing and theraputic to my cluttered mind and spirit. And also I go through stages where I roam alone in my world esp during times of confusion, stress, longing, self awareness...I go to my forest of safety and hang out there till I have made my clearing or set up a new hedge or lay a new path for myself and sometimes for others. My own processing theory!

So quite a lot has happened since my last posting since January….oh I changed my course from Emergency and Disaster Management to Global Security. It incorporates more politics and international relations as well as human security issues and terrorism and all that. Very exciting subjects to be studying. I am loving it.

In January I also went to Amsterdam (with Jo, Jus and Tyran) which was a hazey blast – you can check out my Facebook for the pics of our escapades. I love the one of Jo and the “Lost in Amsterdam” sign behind her – it says it all! I do love Amsterdam, even riding the funky old school bicycles around and there are so many coffeeshops and coffeeshops that it would be quite an awesome place to live for a while – I fear I will get truly “lost” ;)

Anyway….oh yes went on a very spontaneous last minute getaway to Spain before I left with Pete and that was great. The weather was warm and sunny and we went to Valencia, Tarragona and Barcelona, so many places to see in Spain. It was so good to just get away from everything and also clear my head before starting examinations. Sun, sea and sand certainly did the trick. Still need to upload those pics on my Facebook, soon soon that will be.

Exams….phew after seven years of not studying it was quite a battle to get motivated and do get down and actually do some constructive studying. But I think overall it went off well, only the results will truly tell….eeek! But I am so looking forward to second year, although I do find myself being quite drained because of the subject matter which can cause me quite depression and anxiety, but I am faithful that I have made the right decision for me.

Now I am spending the summer holidays back home in Cape Town. Ill be working at the petroleum company again, but focussing more on the community development and project work which suits me just grandly. Am involved in quite a diverse and encouraging youth programme in one of the poorer parts of the city (I will do a posting of that once I have it all up and running). I also have a new baby nephew, Jed, and he is just such a cutie. And William is just growing up to be such a little boy – he is such a cheeky muffin. I also get to spend more time with my treasured friends and basically just chill out a bit and be surrounded by home before returning to the UK in September – which I am excited for as well, for numerous reasons.

But that is just an overview of the latest happenings – will be posting some more random things. I am wanting to get back in touch with my spirit and soul and just reconnect and develop my own truths and values.

Love, light and eternal happiness
C xxx

Back from Elusiveness

I have indeed deglected my little blog for too long - I will try and make up for it my posting loads of pictures of the festive season....

Christmas in Cape Town and a bit of New Years in Brighton and some of my beautiful nephew William - its all been a bit of a blur and just starting to get back to a semi state of normality - university starts next week and Tyran arrives next Sunday!

Ok so here are some snapshot collages for my few days in Cape Town - alas I could not spend nearly as much time with all my friends and family as I wanted to but I didnt have many days :(

Some of William

And of Brighton on New Years day with Jo and Justin - very cold and windy, but clear blue skies!

The next adventure is Amsterdam in two weeks time with Jodene, Tyran and Justin - wow its going to be fabulous - so will be taking lots of cultural and not so cultural pics - actually I cant promise what pictures Ill end up taking, it is after all Amsterdam and its a crazy city!

Love and light Orangeblossom xxx