"Do you know what's sexy?" #100convos #10

Nina and I always joke that we met when I picked her up at a braai. We literally did meet at a braai and kept in contact. Our mutual friend was only in CT for the weekend, we connected over boy woes, and the rest is history. I chose to interview Nina today, at a lunch to celebrate the dedication of said mutual friend’s daughter. It seemed so appropriate.

Nina is always around to listen to news, good or bad. She dispenses nuggets of wisdom and quotes into my life a few times a week. I’d like to think that I’ve returned the favour a few times over the last few years. Nina has a way of connecting with people, across barriers – with a background in psychology and a passion for philosophy, this self-professed “lover of peppermint crisp caramel pudding” is more than qualified to lay some wisdom on the world.

Honestly when we get together we don’t really have a conversation, it’s more like we weave a spell of stories, wisdom, quotes and love. We covered a number of topics while soaking up some winter sun. Nina shared a few favourite quotes with me; I’ve chosen to share some of them through this post.

We chatted about the decline in spiritually in the world, how so many people seem to be afraid to explore, let alone tap into a higher power. “We need to nurture ourselves,” Nina responded as I spoke about playing in the park the previous day. It makes so much sense, like children, we should tap into the magic, beauty and fun of life.

“The soul always knows what to do to heal itself, the challenge is to silence the mind.” – Caroline Myss

Holding onto pain and bitterness will just hold us back. Sometimes we need to take chances and just say yes. “Sometimes you just need to go with the flow,” explained Nina as she talked about seizing opportunities and seeing where things are falling into place in your path. Nina shared a favourite quote, “When life rejects you, it’s redirecting you.”

“You must not give Bitterness power in your life. Release it and let the Happiness flow within you. Forgive those who have wronged you. Learn from those experiences and grow within. Happiness comes from within.” – Doreen Virtue

Nina has this great philosophy of gratitude leading us to be kinder and more generous to others. It makes sense as a concept of pay-it-forward, where we respond the good in the world by sharing it, even if we need to make ourselves vulnerable in the process.

“Do you know what’s sexy? A real conversation.” - Anon

Wisest Baby Brother #100convos #9

There is so much that I could say about this man. Brother, co-investor, best friend, loan shark, and morning nemesis. Richard... Although over the last 29 years I've called him about a 100 different names... Even before he was born, but baby brother is who he is.
 

I could write a post on Richard every day for the rest of my life - he is loving, wise and I don't know if I will ever know the half of what goes on in his head. I poke around the books in his bedside table earlier and wondered at his vast reading matter.
 

Without further ado, I give you a monologue on philosophical awaking. And because he is still the first person that I would save in a disaster, he got to supply his own photo.
 

"I've always been aware of my existence and that my perception of the world is different to others. We all perceive the world differently. That was my intro to my philosophical side. I only really became interested in philosophy at end of matric, it grew slowly while at varsity because I was studying commerce rather than the arts.

When I finally studied education my exposure to philosophical thinking was increased. I questioned who I was and why I'm here.
 

What I realised was that I'm here to learn as much as I can, teach as much as i can, and attempt to impact as many lives as I can.

Socrates said "the unexamined life is not worth living". We are called to examine ourselves continuously as to reflect and grow into who we are meant to be.
 

Who we are meant to be is unforeseen, the journey has no distinct destination."