The lure of Fantasy

By Heather de Wit – Founder of INSPIRING SOUTH AFRICANS

As a curious human being, I don’t believe everything I hear and read, but the realm of fantasy is something that can make or break you, if you don’t dig deep and unpack what you are perceiving is your reality.

FANTASY, DREAMS and REALITY

Let’s look at fantasy, dreams and reality - How do we differentiate between them > When our heart rules ? or > When our head rules ? – Which one do we believe ?.  I believe there is a fine line between fantasy, dreams and reality, but that is my perception.

FANTASY

Fantasy is powerful – it pulls you in via TV, the Media, film, especially animated film, the Internet and all it represents and so on. 

What really pulls us in ? - Mind Control, which is nothing new and which has been practised for centuries and comes in many guises and talks of how ‘they’ lure you in so slickly. It just is what it is – Controlling the mind with fancy jargon, expectations, promises, hope and we get lured in either by the heart or by the head. 

Get rich quick and MLM schemes are one example – they pull you into the fantasy, hook you in with the same jargon – ‘We’re in … countries’  ‘Our top leader made … in … months. ‘We give back to …’  

All same same – I’ve been there, done that, worn the Tshirt and it did not work for me. Intrinsically, intuitively and in principle, I knew it was not me, not what I wanted to do, not what I believed in, but I got addicted to the jargon, the promises, the hope. I had to learn that first and when I eventually ‘got it’, I walked away from anything that smacks of it many years ago - for life !

DREAMS and VISIONS

A peep into some of my dreams and visions since I was a child.

As an avid and imaginative dreamer, while ‘asleep’ – for many years now, I’ve traveled to countries and places I’ve never been to in my lifetime – Astral traveling ? – I knew them, felt them, sensed the smells there - that déjà vu thing – What is that ?. I have my inner knowing of it and I do enjoy the ride and forgot to say - it has saved me a small fortune in airfares and other expenses !

I often experience what I call 'my black and white slide show' – flashes, in quick succession, of faces of departed people, visuals of animals and birds from decades, even centuries ago – Always in black and white, no colour – Past lives ? They won’t stop until I switch them off. I ‘knew’ them all well – So what was that ? - I have my inner knowing of it and I embrace the messages I get with gusto.

This one visits me often – a gorgeous lady singer, done up and dusted, perched on a stool, donning a glittering headband, complete with feathers, weaving a very long cigarette holder – in a smoky speakeasy during the prohibition era – about to burst into song – Jazz of course ! Who is she ? I’ve been there, I know her, I feel she a part of me. What is that ? I have my inner knowing here too, so I choose to simply enjoy and embrace her visits and enjoy the music !

All this in the realms of my dreamworld, which no one has privy to, unless I choose to share them.  The curious being that I am, I always try to write them down, as I remember them and to unpack them, to find my special message or lesson – I always seem to find one or a few, which alerts me to what needs to be done … or undone …

FIRST LOVE

Let’s go back to our first love – we should all have one, but not conforming to the norm and not believing everything I hear, I believe we can have many first loves. Remember the butterflies, the excitement, the high, the expectations, the hope - which, once experienced, we forever yearn to feel again – to experience that ‘high’ again.

So who was in charge of that First Love ? Was it the heart or the head ? And – was it just a fantasy – our fantasy – of a perfect experience between two people, with boundless possibilities for a ‘happily ever after’ ?

FAIRIES

As a child, around 5 or 6, I used to build what we called 'fairy glens' in a hidden part of the garden - make the fairies mud pies, pick flowers for them, give them cookies, all sorts - I swear I saw them early in the morning when I went to see if they had taken the pickings and every time, without fail, all the goodies had disappeared. What was that ? - Well Mom or Dad could have ? or ... ? - My knowing said what I saw was real and I loved believing that.

One of my favorite movies of all times  is FairyTale : A true Story - which I have watched time and again and never tire of it - My assumption - I fully believe those little girls ...

ALIENS

I have had a few visitations from Aliens - I saw them, I sketched them - What was that ? - I knew them, they knew me. The one was negative and it rattled me and I did not like their energy. My knowing knew why they came - why they were attracted to me and so I had to do the necessary process to detach them from my auric field. 

CHOICES

No matter what cards we get dealt in life, dream, fantasy or reality, we do get to choose how we will respond internally. 

We can choose to resist or resent them, either bemoaning our fate, or we can face and embrace them - Expanding in the moment to possibility, to the now, the present moment, which is all there is.

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Countryisms and Communication

By Heather de Wit – Founder of Inspiring South Africans  

ISMS

Every country in the world has their own quirky lingo or slang, commonly known as an 'ism', which defines its uniqueness and sets it apart. When we visit other countries and cultures, learning the 'isms' first is a great way of getting to the soul of the people. If you take the time to learn them and interact using their 'isms', something different happens - You communicate on a more human and humorous level, with boundless possibilities - You can share and laugh with one another, rather than at one another. Its also very good for Business !
I left out the swear words, as I thought I may get into trouble ... ! 

SOUTH AFRICANISMS

Many Afrikaans and African words have in time become South Africanisms and mainstream South African English – The colorful South African language is a mishmash of all sorts – We need to laugh at ourselves more, wherever we are in the world. Here are just a few - Enjoy !

ag  – used for any response – commiseration, joy, comedic, just about anything.

bakgat – an expression of appreciation for something very well accomplished e.g. ‘cool’.

bakkie – truck, pickup truck.

biltong - dried meat, similar to jerky.

boerewors  - popular type of sausage in South Africa.

boet - male buddy - from Afrikaans boetie, meaning brother.

boytjie – a guy – What a guy !

braai – noun: a barbecue - verb: to barbecue, from the Afrikaans braaivleis.

brak - mongrel dog, also brackish water.

bru - a term of affection, shortened from Afrikaans broer, meaning brother.

china - a friend or buddy

chommie - a friend or buddy - similar to the English 'chum'.

dagga - most commonly used word for marijuana.

dikbek - grumpy, in a huff.

dinges - a 'thingamabob' 'wotzit' or 'whatchamacallit. 

dof - stupid or slow to understand 

donner - to beat up, from the Afrikaans 'donder' 

droewors - dry sausage, similar to 'biltong' from Afrikaans 

eina - Ouch ! - probaby from Khoisan origin.  

eish - to express everything, ranging from frustration to surprise, to disapproval, displeasure, but also just everyday acknowledgement of things you cannot change.

gatvol -  fed up. 

howzit - general hello greeting.

is it -  Is it so ?

ja – Yes from Afrikaans

kwaito  – popular genre of music - a mixture of South African disco, hip hop, R&B reggae and a heavy dose of house-music beats.

lekker – nice, good, great – from Afrikaans. 

loskop - airhead, clumsy forgetful person. 

madiba - globally the name Madiba denotes South Africa. It is the name of the Thembu clan to which the belated Nelson Mandela belonged, derived from a 19th century chief. All the members of this clan can be called Madiba. Nelson Mandela was called Madiba as a sign of both respect and affection.  

moegoe - a stupid person, coward or weakling. 

moer - to hit or fight with.

mzansi – Xhosa word for South Africa.

now now – in a minute, shortly, in a bit.

outoppie – father or older male figure.

shame – could be compassionate, happy, adoring – just about anything.

skelm – do things on the sly - a crook or trouble-maker a mistress or secret lover. 

skinner - gossip. 

skraal - very hungry or very broke. Derived from the Durban region from Afrikaans for 'thin' or 'emaciated'. 

slaptjips - similar to thick-cut British chips - usually soft, oily and soaked in vinegar. 

sosatie - a kebab on a skewer. 

stoep - a porch or verandah, like the American English stoop. 

stompie - a cigarette butt or a short person. 

stukkie - a woman from Afrikaans meaning 'a piece' - mostly used when referring to a woman that you have casual encounters with. 

tata - means father in Xhosa. An affectionate name for the belated Nelson Mandela, who was referred to as the father of the nation. 

toppie - an old man. 

vellies - veldskoene - a traditional Afrikaans outdoors shoe made from hide. 

vuvuzela - inspired from a Kudi horn - A plastic horn, which produces a loud monotone note and allows pitch variation, depending on the blowing technique and pressure exerted. It is commonly used at South African football matches. 

ubuntu – Used in South Africa and all of Africa - means I am because you are, Human kindness, Human-ness, I am human because I belong to the human community and I view and treat others accordingly, people are people through other people. 

yoh - an expression of surprise.

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Communication around things that really matter

By Heather de Wit – Founder of INSPIRING SOUTH AFRICANS.COM 

CHILDREN

When a child meets a new friend, some questions they may ask are – ‘Do you like frogs?’ or ‘What’s your favorite game?’ or ‘Do you have a pet?’

When they tell their parents they have met a new friend, they will generally be asked – ‘What does their father do for a living?’ ‘Where do they live?’ ‘What car do they drive?’ – Rarely will they ask questions about things that really matter, such as – ‘Does your friend also love music as you do?’ or ‘Do they also love to collect butterflies as you do’ or ‘Do they also like the sound of birdsong, as you do?’

ADULTS

Adults, in the main, are wired to ask the ‘facts and figures’ and status questions first – around for e.g. status in society, financial position, place of work, residence, material possessions.  Adults seem to be so distracted and strung out by the surface level of life, that they are missing the deeper, more human and truly important things, that would make them worth knowing, for the values they uphold and the spirit of their being.

So how can we rephrase our opening questions, when encountering a new acquaintance? – By asking deeper, gentler questions, which address ‘the Self’ – the very fibre of their being – We can do that when we operate from a different level of consciousness – tapping into and working with the intelligent system we are all a part of, by taking a non-judgemental stance and seeing one another soul to soul – By seeing them as just another human being, with more or less the same basic wants, needs and desires as we have.

SO WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD ADULTS BE ASKING?

Here are some openers to consider –

• ‘What are you yearning for?’
• ‘Have you found your life’s Purpose and are you living it?’
• ‘What makes you get up in the morning?’
• ‘Have you found your special gifts and are you sharing them with the world?’
• ‘What book changed the direction of your life and altered and formed you?’
• ‘What was your most defining moment ever, that formed a part of who you are today?’

We are all unique – The only difference is that we all have different stories, histories and cultures, but innately we are all one, all a part of the collective whole, all with our own dreams and hopes for our lives and time here on this Earth.

When we engage differently, about things that really matter, magic happens and this changes the whole conversation – The energy of it will be entirely different and this is when we truly connect on another much deeper level and where we recognize ourselves and the Universe in one another.  It will be gentler, more meaningful and compassionate.  This will give us a clearer and bigger picture of our role as co-creators with the Universe and propel us into power and possibility. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Most of us are operating on the Social Media and what we put out there can be seen by millions of people – Our Profiles only give viewers a vague clue as to who we really are – They rarely depict or encapsulate our essence, that is of course if we already know that?  So what we say in our content here really matters – That we are being authentic and should be reflecting who we truly are and not someone we want the world to believe we are, is paramount to manifesting meaningful connections and encounters. Drop the mask and operate from the heart, from the soul – This changes everything.

Asking questions about things that really matter, which inspire compelling and passionate responses is a beautiful thing !

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What’s the buzz around Leadership ?

by Heather de Wit - Founder INSPIRING SOUTH AFRICANS.COM

Let’s take a look at a few genres across the board

• Countries
• Corporate Business
• Non Profit organizations
• Families
• Tribes
• Groups
• Religions
• Cults
• Sport
• Music
• Dance
• The Arts

What should the role of a Leader be ?

To : Drive people forward, educate, stimulate, motivate, inspire, engender support and popularity, gain credibility, acquire customers/ followers, gain respect, engender collaboration and so on.

What sets you apart as a Leader ? 

The world is changing at a phenomenal, overwhelming pace – new information and truth is emerging, new technology is evolving, different thinking and lifestyle is evolving. The ability to lead is becoming a challenging and daunting task.

Every genre has a defined purpose or intention – to create something out of what has gone before or start anew with new thinking, trends and habits.  

This all hinges around conscious choice which is yours as the Leader !

What precedents are Leaders setting ?

In a perfect world, Leaders should be living by example, projecting a good image, know their role, strategy, vision and so on. What messages are Leaders sending out in the world with their behavior in all things ?

What Emotions do your Leaders evoke ?

How do Leaders make you feel ? -  Do you feel proud, angry, frustrated, empowered, disempowered, moved, excited, immobile, loyal, grateful, resentful, inspired, uplifted and so on.

Every genre hinges on Leadership  

Your vibe in all things as a Leader in any genre sets the pace !

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Are you experiencing ‘burnout’ in your Personal or Work life?

What is ‘burnout’ ?

1. ‘Burnout’ is something we all experience at one or another time in our lives, whether it be in our personal lives or in our work arena.
2. It is a natural experience, which we as human beings have to endure and more than that, strive to move out of creatively from time to time.
3. ‘Burnout’ can be immobilizing – we feel mentally and physically drained, exhausted, we’re not in the flow, we have no zest for life, no new creative ideas seem to be in our reality or even on the horizon and it commonly occurs when our income starts to dwindle, at the end of a quarter, a year, a season, a relationship ending or the death of a loved one and so on.  
4. Most times this happens when we have been in acceptance and doing much of the same thing for too long, merely existing, without being present or aware and paying attention to what is really going on in the greater scheme of things – Existing in our trusted comfort zone of what we know usually works for us.
5. We often get sick during this time and are scrambling for a quick fix to get well again.

Where can ‘burnout’ take you ?

 

Scrambling in fear mode to find other options e.g. –

• To find An-other to replace the lost other.
• To find ways to generate additional income, sometimes opting for ‘get rich quick’ and risky schemes, which rarely work out.
• To find whatever it is we feel we are yearning for or are lacking in right now.

In the ‘burnout’ state, bad choices are usually made, as they are usually coming out of fear, anger or negativity.
 

Let's take a look at the state of the world and the planet right now and how we should be responding ?

The planet is in dire straits in many areas e.g. Eco systems are collapsing, terrorism, wildlife, aquatic life is under threat, financial meltdowns in many countries, mass killing, killer diseases, inequality, etc.

• Many truths, corrupt deals are being and will continue to be revealed to the world in all areas.
• To name a few - banking institutions, the sports arena, basic services and amenities are collapsing, many Small and Medium businesses are folding.
• Humanity has been hoodwinked by many and accepted as the norm for too long information and statistics they have been bombarded with by the Media, powers that be, etc.

Sadly so it is and we should be doing all we can to make a difference in whatever way we can for the greater good and to do the right thing to save the planet and all who live in it.

 So how do we get out of 'burnout' ?

• Stop, breathe and listen to your gut, your intuition, where innate genius lies.
• Take a step back and see what's really going on
• See what is no longer relevant or not working
• Dig deep, unpack and try to see the truth in all things
• Focus on possibility and positivity
• Spend time with like-minded people, who believe what you believe
• Stay away from and don't get attached to negative people and situations
• Find all the things you can be grateful for
• Revisit your Passions and the Vision for your life
• Focus on things that really matter
• .Start a new 'Dream Chart' for your life
• Start or continue the journey of the healing of the Self
• Allo joy to peep in and when it goes, know it and savor and embrace those moments
• Spend mindful time in nature - that's where you'll find 'it' ...

by Heather de Wit

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Presence through Birdsongs

'Serenity Birds' - Watercolour by Heather de Wit

A totally natural wake up call.

Birdsong has got to be one of the most powerful equalizers in nature, where everything dwells.  The sound can take you to another place and space … or not.

In all the different parts of the world we have so many different species of these magnificent melody makers to move us – and within each species there are many different varieties - on the ground, in the trees or in full flight – from seagulls, doves, owls, sugarbirds, ha-di-da’s, Egyptian geese, sparrows, crows, eagles, cormorants, ducks, chickens, guinea fowl to peacocks and so on.

I love tuning in and talking to the birds and always wonder what they are saying to one another and whether they ‘know’ what I am saying to them … they can pull you in, can change your mood, wake you up to possibilities … or not. To either start the day with joy, fear, anger or other … ? – I choose joy …

If we take the time to stop, breathe and really listen to the magic of birdsongs, to observe them while they sing and twitter, we can shift into another reality … Tune in the next time you hear the birdsong melodies – boundless possibilities abide there …

by

Heather de Wit

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