Friday 9 December 2011

Smile... All your dreams are coming true!

How crazy is this, 
I down loaded this photo two weeks after I moved to Cape Town 
I was staying in a friends flat which looked onto table mountain 
with no view of the ocean and as much as I love that mountain, 
I am a water baby... 
So I stuck it next to my bed and pictured it being my window 
and I renamed it "My Bedroom View"....


Six weeks later I have moved into my new home and this morning I woke up and took a photograph... it may not be exact but its close enough for me... 


Everyday I am amazed at this incredible gift we have called life, 
I am even more amazed and grateful that we can create, 
resonate and attract even our craziest dreams and make them our realities... 
They can all come true...
They will all come true...
Thoughts become things...
When you feel intensely, the universe will begin to move... to mould...
make sure the thoughts you have, are the ones you wish to create, 
be "joy-filled" as you materialize all the wonders that exists within YOU. 

Because you deserve it ALL
an abundance of 

HAPPINESS
LOVE 
and 
FULFILLMENT 
Bring your dreams to life, 
and while you do 
SMILE
it will speed up the process!




Tuesday 22 November 2011

Words to make you smile...


I know I haven't written for a while, 
I promise to write again soon, in the mean time be happy :-) 

Friday 16 September 2011

The Grass May be Greener on the Other side BUT...

In life everyone is constantly in search of the illusive greener grass that lies ‘on the other side’, most of us are too scared to take a moment and look around us to see the gifts that lie at our finger tips, we are afraid that the gifts that life is offering us will not measure up to our expectations or we will not be able to hold onto them, so with tunnel vision we continue our search for the illusive greener pastures which may lie somewhere in the distance.

The grass may always be greener on the other side, but the secret is to look around you and realize that although it may be greener, you are surrounded by opportunities to create an abundance of fragrant flower beds, exquisite large shady tree’s and soft warm mossy ground beneath them, where grass cannot grow but warmth, comfort and love can flourish... 


The secret is to look around you and acknowledge the gift offering that life sends your way and stop feeling upset because you don’t have the illusive ‘green grass’ which everyone is searching for. 

The secret is to see all the incredible gifts and opportunities you do have and to take them, to be grateful and happy and rejoice in them, treasuring and nurturing  them so that they will not feel neglected and slip away... 

If you can do that, one day you may just wake up and realize that, ‘that green grass on the other side’, pales in comparison to the beauty that is your life.

Saturday 13 August 2011

"Dolce far niente"

Italian [ˈdoltʃe far ˈnjɛnte]
[literally: sweet doing nothing]
My next challenge may sound simple but I wonder how many of you will battle to actually do it. I challenge you to pick a day, one single day, where you refuse to make any arrangements. None, not one. That's the first part, the second part is to not set your alarm and just wake up when you wake up...(if you have children book a night away and get a baby sitting or you do it one weekend and your partner can do it the next or the next) 
When you wake up, stop yourself from falling into your daily rutine, stop, think, what do I feel like doing right now? Now remeber you have no plans for the entire day, so whatever it is, you can do it. If you feel like going back to sleep, do, if you feel like flapjacks and mascarpone cheese with fresh strawberries and dark roasted coffee with full cream, have it, if you want to go for a walk, do it. 
Eat eactly what you feel like with no care for calery counting or convention, do whatever you want, but do it by yourself, give yourself time to sit in silence... alow your mind to wonder and drift and go wherever it wants to go. Sit at a side road cafe or coffee shop, read the paper or an actual book and sip on full flavored full bodied red wine or a chocolate milkshake. Listen to music that fills your heart and makes you want to sing and dance, and then sing and dance, do it, who cares if someones watching, do it because you want to and because it make you happy!


Remember happiness, like laughter, is contagious, 
so feel it openly!
Achieve nothing for a whole day except doing what gives you pleasure, enjoy it, embrace pleasure, you are worth it and you deserve it. This is not wasting time, this is "the sweet art of doing nothing", "Dolce far niente" and its your turn to enjoy it, no excuses make it happen,  Happy You Day!



Friday 5 August 2011

Just a thought... Being in a relationship means you need to be brave...

Be brave, being in a relationship today, means being big enough and honest enough to realize that who ever you are with, will have faults, and you will have to accept those faults. And in return, that person will have to accept that you have faults too and will have to accept them too… and possibly the most difficult of all, you are going to have to look at your self honestly, admit to your faults and then work at them and compromise so that you become someone that the person you love can live with… As difficult and hard and tiresome as this sounds, don’t you think that’s the point, to find our humanity through love, and to be made the best possible version of who we can be, and them the best possible version of who they can be, by choosing to share our life by loving another human being… it is the most difficult, challenging, selfish and selfless thing we can do… and yet life without love, is a life not lived at all.


At the end of the day, putting the other persons need above your own, even when you really don't want to, compromising, putting up with each others crap, fighting, forgiving, laughing, comforting, being 'in love', to 'not being your favorite person at the moment' and not leaving, choosing ‘this life’ because you know that at the end of the day that person makes you the best version of you, you can be and you do the same for them... a relationship that lasts, that goes the distance, is so rare and fragile and requires a large amount of bravery, but That Is True Love... and that Is a Big Deal.

Sunday 26 June 2011

Live a Life you Love...

I am sorry I have been away for so long, its been quite a month... filled with salty water... to be honest, I have produced it all from my eyes... I have lost a friend and closed a 14 year chapter ... and although its been truly rough, it has shown me it is time for the new and boy am I ready!

http://pinterest.com/pin/49612764/

I am right now, for possibly the first time in my life, truly deeply living in the now... 
and life, my life, is absolutely fantastic! 

I am so lucky, I am surrounded by such incredible interesting, brilliant people and friends and family.
I am living my dream working in the film industry with 
wonderful opportunities constantly coming my way. 
I am happy, truly happy. 

I realized a while ago that the knocks in life are 
merely opportunities to look at your life, 
change what you don't like 
and focus and rejoice in all the incredible gifts you already have.

http://www.mehtanirav.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/making_happy.png

So today I challenge you again, 
be gateful for all the gifts in your life, make the most of it, 
it is fleeting and fantastic, so enjoy it!

For after all, it is not the amount of years that we spend on the earth that matters 
but rather how many people's lives you touch within those years...
I know its corny but "be the change you want to see", be happy, make a difference, smile 
and Live a Life you Love.

Have a great week!!!


 http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs27/f/2008/075/2/7/Smile_by_SpyKate.jpg

Tuesday 31 May 2011

Be the rainbow at the end of someone elses road…

Life is a journey of ups and downs, often when we as human beings it is very easy to become enveloped by our own situations, mini crisis’s and joy. This can lead to jumping to conclusions as to what others are going through or why they react in a certain way. How often when you say: “How are you?” do you actually listen to the answer or care?

I have a friend who has been going through a truly tough time, she works everyday, has a child who has recently gone through such a horrifying ordeal; we feared we might loose her. To add to this after working a full day, and worrying about her child’s life, she then goes home to care for her bedridden mother.

She hates to cook and so my fantastic mum dropped off a macaroni cheese one night, she was so appreciative, I asked a friend to drop off a lasagna another night and then I made her soup for dinner another night, with teary eyes she expressed her gratitude, she was so grateful not to have tocook, not to have another thing to worry about, that that little bit of effort went a loooooooooong way.

So I challenge you all in the next few weeks to mean it when ask someone how “they are” and to take a few minutes out of your week to do something small for someone else, for you it will be easy and simple but for them it could mean the world, and who knows maybe one day the favor will be returned and even if it isn’t, I bet it will make you feel fantastic!

Have a happy week and be the rainbow at the end of someone elses road…


Ps. Her child is finally on the road to recovery, but I might just drop off some supper at some point this week anyway :-)

Tuesday 10 May 2011

Its never too late ...



                              TAKE THE LEAP, MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE...


found on http://pinterest.com/boards/?sort=popular

Friday 6 May 2011

5 little pic's to make you think and smile

I've put together a few photographs because I think we can all learn a little something from them (and cos they cool!)

Picture 1: Not caring what others think -
She is unapologetic, she is truly there, unflinching and raw, nothing to hide.




Picture 2: Because it's just so utterly romantic ...
Because sometimes when you love each other so much, you just have to squeeze in that last kiss! After all if you're not willing to make yourself a fool for love do you really deserve to love?




Picture 3: Because I love slightly off the wall ...
Because we all have a little strange side, no one is perfect, but if we embrace our imperfections with pride, we can be perfectly imperfect.




Picture 4: Because her soul is singing ...
because dancing allows you to feel with not only your heart but your entire body and soul.




Picture 5: Because she is the epitome of classically sexy ... and she knows it!
Aware of the power her beauty gives her, she does not shy away, she embraces it, effortlessly existing within her awesome seductive perfection.



Lesson:
Don't worry about what others think
Be willing to make yourself a fool for love
Dance as often as you can, it frees the soul and
Embrace the things that make you YOU and recognize that they make you unique, embrace your power!

... Because YOU are awesome!

Saturday 30 April 2011

‘50’s rules book for girls’

I found this picture, I assume it comes from a ‘50’s rules book for girls’, I’ve added my notes in pink!


 
What are your notes? 

Friday 15 April 2011

if you can dream it, then believe in it, then it can become your reality.


A few years ago, two of my friends where told that having a baby would not be in their future, the likelihood was extremely unlikely, if possible at all… they persisted, they believed, wished, prayed and hoped (along with all their friends). On Tuesday both of my friends gave birth, yes on the same day! One to a beautiful little girl and the other to twins, a boy and a girl.


I walked into the first room, it was calm, quiet and warm, my friend lay there, her miracle clutched close to her chest, both of them glowing with love and comfort… the tears where unstoppable and burst forth like a fractured fire hydrant. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen and I will never forget it. She said to me in a hushed tone through her wide Cheshire cat smile “I am so exhausted, I haven’t slept a wink, I have never been so in love, I cant stop staring at her”. My heart melted and I was so overwhelmed by my happiness for my friend.
I then went and saw my other friend three doors down, and she was totally different, laughing out loud with excitement at seeing me, filled with energy and light completely supported by her husband and step daughter, such opposite energies but both so filled with happiness. We always joke that he’s a control freak, but boy does that come in handy when you have twins! I tucked her baby boy into his bed and passed her, her baby girl. We giggled at how odd her stomach looked as it contracted while she breastfed, like a little alien was still buried up inside there and too afraid to come out. She too, glowed happily, I kissed and squeezed her tight and left the hospital feeling filled with the joy of the affirmation of belief. Because, if you can dream it,  then believe in it, then it can become your reality.
What an incredible gift to be a mother, to feel that love… it is the most selfless and selfish thing a human being can do, knowing you will be loved unconditionally and feeling a love so immense it cannot be matched by any other … “Giving birth is like having your soul walking outside of you for the rest of your life” I think a small price to pay for unconditional love… I look forward to one day being so blessed. Congratulations to all of you who have persisted and never gave up, aware that all your dreams can come true.
 "Your children are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself." Feel blessed and believe
pictures from 
http://rialeephotography.com/blog/2010/06/22/six-days-old-newborn-twins/
http://pinterest.com/hledingham/read-these-words/

Monday 11 April 2011

Be Happy!


I have always believed that aging gracefully has everything to do with mirroring your inner self:

If you are bitter and filled with regret and hatred, holding on to life’s knocks and hurts, I believe you will shrivel and wane as you age; feeling the loss of a life not lived.

But if your heart is filled with love, you take each blow and mistake in life as a blessing in disguise and a lesson glad to be learnt. If you see the positive between the thorns and help others, live life passionately, with the enthusiasm of a child and wisdom of your age. Laugh at yourself. If you remember to have compassion, be genuine with a generous spirit, have courage to do and say what you feel is right and always, always follow your dreams. You will be so filled with light and love that aging will be a journey so beautiful that Shakespeare’s quills will blush at not having written your story.

Even if you don’t feel like smiling, smile, smile as hard, and as long as you can, the world will not be able to resist smiling back at you :-) 






  I always knew Audrey and I where cut from the same cloth ;-)


Sunday 10 April 2011

Happy open minded days lovely friends, may your hearts and minds be enriched by life’s offerings…


I was recently cast in a commercial where I acted as a Muslim woman. I had to dress in a traditional hijab (which is the scarf that covers your hair) and a traditional Muslim dress, which was actually quite lovely. The only thing I did not wear is an abaya (which is that black piece of fabric with just the slits for your eyes to see through).
 


For the casting I did one take with the abaya on and one without. My eye lashes (much like the eye lashes in the example picture I have loaded) where too long and kept whacking against the fabric with every blink- not very comfortable at all. The hijab is pulled tightly around your throat ensuring no skin or hair is seen besides the face, which is perfectly framed in fabric- I found this very uncomfortable, firstly because I am claustrophobic– not just a little bit, I hate taking lifts (but will if I have to) I cant seem to deep water dive, I hate small spaces, tunnels, I hate wearing anything tight round my neck. Despite my frustrating little claustrophobia, I challenge myself as much as possible, I will not be controlled by it, I shall squish it like a little bug! (No I don’t actually squish bugs, well except for flies and mosquito’s … and sack spiders, but only those I promise)  So I am forcing myself to manage this frustrating discomfort by adorning myself with scarves as I love them and they are pretty and I shall feel comfortable wearing them! Even if I actually am not comfortable, 90% of the time, I will be! So there I was, finding myself with another perfect opportunity to squish my phobia, so I smiled and did not complain, I took the challenge head on!



I pulled on the dress; heart pumping, beads of sweat emerging, I was strapped into the hijab; pulse racing, pupils dilating and then… It was very interesting; there is a saying (and if there isn’t there should be) “The suit make-th the man”. As an actress I have found this to be true. “The Quran specifies that a woman should be modest and cover everything but her face and hands” Well, once dressed and cloaked and draped in the way that I was, it made me feel modest, it made me feel gentle, calm and elegant.
 
In life we choose our paths but do we realize how immensely our clothing affects the way in which we deal with the world, and in turn the way in which the world deals with us?

I walked around Melrose Arch and people stared at me as if I were an alien. Which totally defeats what the Muslim woman are trying to achieve, by being wrapped up they hope not to stick out, they hope not to call attention to themselves but rather to blend into the background and yes, some of them really want to do that, they are not forced. “Whatever you choose to wear, remember that the purpose of Muslim clothing for women is to deflect attention. According to the Quran, women should be modest, and part of modesty is not drawing attention to oneself.”  But in western society they do stick out like saw thumbs, we see them and we stare.



It reminded me of the time I lived in India and the time I spend in Dubai, I was stared at there too (even though I dressed modestly for a foreigner and always respected holy places), the local’s starred at me, constantly, unapologetically, without flinching or blinking or turning to blush.




That was the only difference, in South Africa we are taught it is rude to stare, but as humans we do it anyway, but when we are caught a blush and a swift removal of the eyes direction generally follows.

We all look at what is ‘different’, ‘uncommon’, ‘unfamiliar’ either with inquisitiveness, fear, curiosity, judgment, appreciation, or a number of emotions and thoughts, the point is we look, we look and we make judgments or stories up in our minds without approaching that ‘unknown/unfamiliar’ thing and actually finding out the truth. And I think, modestly, I think that the truth lies somewhere in between all the stories and all the truths. A cliché is only something, which has been known to be true so many times that it has now become a cliché, therefore cliché’s exist all around us and almost everything we think to be true, is true, somewhere in the world, or was true at some time. But we must also realize that it’s opposite will also exist and be true, always with no exception. Every human being has the ability to do both good and evil, in every walk of life you will find good and bad, in every single group, religion, organization, every single one is neither completely void of evil, and in the same breath none can be completely void of good. It is a fine balancing act, which is tipped from side to side as the universe/God/Allah (call ‘it’ what you will) attempts to maintain balance, which is the natural order of things. Everything is based on perception and when there is more than one person, than there is more than one perception to take into account, somewhere in the middle is the truth. Like the saying goes “There are always two sides to a coin, but the coin is the whole story”- ok I added that last part, but I believe it to be true.

I challenge you all to challenge yourselves to seek out the other side of the coin and hopefully when you find it, the two halves will give you a glimpse of its centre, and you will be filled with compassion and understanding... because in the centre we are all just humans, made of varying degree's of good and bad, all with needs, wants, desires, dreams and things that piss us off about ourselves, we all get frustrated and happy and sad and mad and we are all just simply ... trying to be happy. As the cliché goes: "Happiness is a journey not a destination" Enjoy the ride!



Happy open minded days lovely friends, may your hearts and minds be enriched by life’s offerings…

An interesting site where I got some quotes:
http://www.muslim-matrimonial-guide.com/Muslim-clothing.html

Monday 4 April 2011

A little bit about me... I am lucky enough to be living my dream!

Most of the time I am a film Producer, sometimes an Actress, Creative Director, Photographer, Specialist in devouring delicious food and Keen entertainer to friends and family, but above all, I am always a Lover of Life!

Since I was able to communicate everyone has known that all I wanted to do with my life was make a difference and to make fantasies a reality, dreams come true, experience every profession known to man, (Producing films and Acting fulfill this side of me) but that’s not all, I also want to surround myself with beautiful things and incredible people, both old and young/new (some favorites: clothing, shoes, photograph’s and books). And to put the rather large cherry on this fantastic cake that is my life, I love to eat devilishly delicious food and drink dreadfully expensive wine while surrounded by my incredible family, my beautiful friends and the fantastically fabulous new people I meet. This is my life, I will only be blogging once in a while, the highlights or on a topic that grabbed my attention, I wont have time to blog more often, but I hope you pop onto my page and most of all enjoy a sneak peak into my life and thoughts!