Things I do. Things I believe.

I have a belief that it is not the “favored” or the ones who are “called to live an altruistic lifestyle”, or the “so inclined” who need to do good in the world.  After the horrific shooting in Colorado, and the Protest killings in the South African mines– I started realizing how truly broken and evil this world is.

Most people just don’t pay attention because frankly, it’s upsetting to our daily existence and anyway, what can we personally do about all that?  I firmly believe that while I (and you) can probably not stop loons from killing people, keep babies from going hungry 100% of the time, stop wars and genocide or stop sex slavery in totality – each of us MUST atleast try to fight every little injustice in our immediate lives in order to create some order and sanity to this world. Think of it – if every person helps another human being.. how much less violence and suffering we will have.   Some skeptical cynic might disagree..

I heard a saying on a movie the other day:  “you can’t change the world, it changes you.. and no one can truly save the world” – yeah … maybe.. but if we all stop trying.. then it will be an inevitability right? Why not atleast TRY – maybe.. just maybe SOMETHING can change.

It’s not about being a billionaire who can throw millions at a cause in Africa – we need that too.. but what if, instead of just spending every penny you earn on yourself, you buy some food for another person.. or whatever.. something. Something!!

I don’t know.  I can see people ignoring me too busy or too whatever.. what a radical concept  - I guess I must be a radical then. I know its too inconvenient.

Here is what I did last week.. we packed food for kids who have run away from abusive homes (or just home in general)..  living on the streets - we provide food, water, deodorant, sunscreen to them, also provide counseling and a safe place to sleep and shower.  Maybe one of these kids WON’T be a serial killer one day.. who knows.. I sure don’t.. but I know that I am compelled by being human to do what I can do.

When I tell people this they say: “you inspire me, what a great work you are doing.  so proud of what you do...Wow” and I get mad and irritated.. really? I’m doing a great work?? Really?… I’m just doing what needs doing,. That’s all.

 I don’t do It to feel good, to feel fulfilled, to fill a quota or for people to see me and say “you are a good person kudos to you”..  and I dont want people saying "thats so amazing, I admire you" - I do it because it needs to get done.  Is NOT amazing...   It doesnt have to be dramatic.. we ALL have to do it. Stop praising and admiring from your sofa those who do it, and get off your lazy, selfish butt and pitch in just once in a while. Or just ONCE at all. If that is ALL you can do.. it can make a difference... Yeah I sound like a psycho who thinks the world can change...

A friend of mine shared with me how she took care of her neighbors kids some days in order for her to go to work etc. And while minding them, she started helping them with school work, teaching them the importance of chores, also showing them how to take the bus and become independent. She also helped the mother get around since she can't drive.. so maybe these kids won't go start a war somewhere.. wouldnt that be great - if more of us did something like that?

Of course we all don’t have time to save anyone else.. whatever. Just saying.

That’s all..

Photos of my travels to LA....

10 Days in the City of Angels

Our company opened an office in LA and I took that as the perfect opportunity to spend some time in LA.  It turned out to be QUITE a week!

It started out by a long 5 hour drive, the drive itself went by quickly and it was very relaxing. Cleared my thoughts and felt very excited about being in LA.  I was staying at friends’ place who was away and it was nice to be in a new environment. Felt like I had moved into a new apartment in a new city ..starting a new job!

I had a full itinerary planned.  The traffic driving to and from work was horrendous.. It was just such a waste of time. But the days at work were nice, quiet office and walks in the city – having lunch at cool places and the weather was just perfect.

I took 2 days off as well to enjoy and be on a bit of a vacation.  I visited the Getty museum, went to Santa Monica Pier and Venice beach.  Driving down PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) - with the ocean on the one side and the mountains on the other, through Malibu.. watching the surfers emerge from the breakers, just gives you that California feeling.  The Hollywood sign in the distance gloating her ever present magnificance and impact on Humanity... "what dreams are made of" .. is what you will hear in the movies...

Your eyes ever searching for the sight of a Celebrity, a hot car or just enjoying the song in your head that Tom Cruise sang in Jerry Mcguire:..'Yeah I'm Freeeee--eeeeeee.. Free falling..." ha ha

Batman: "The Dark Knight Rises" - Awesome posters and adverts everywhere - on Hollywood Blvd. Batman and Bain were the 2 most famous characters.  And Despite the tragedy in association, people still chose to celebrate the art.  I was very happy about that. 

A few highlights was eating a boerewors roll (South African sausage on a hotdog bun) and watching the Olympics Opening ceremony at the Springbok Bar.  While there, I ran into a few celebs!  It was just exciting. I hung out with one of my best friends and we played beach volley ball (well, attempted beach volley ball) watched the sun set over the Venice beach ocean and just had a blast!

I also got to have dinner with another really close friend and mentor whom I hardly ever see, but who has been impacting my life for years. It was just wonderful.  Dreams of moving to LA started to take root again…

I must be honest though, the traffic is a put off.. and when I arrived back home,  it was a relief to not sit in hours upon hours of crazy traffic and smog.  But LA still calls my name….

I went to a few shops as well and also just spent money I don’t really have! Ha ha.

It was wonderful and I felt renewed inside.. My hopes and dreams for the future alive and well in my heart.

A poem I read today that I LOVE ( It has nothing to do with LA.. or does it?? ;) )

Absence

I have scarcely left you
When you go in me, crystalline,
Or trembling,
Or uneasy, wounded by me
Or overwhelmed with love, as
when your eyes
Close upon the gift of life
That without cease I give you.

My love,
We have found each other
Thirsty and we have
Drunk up all the water and the
Blood,
We found each other
Hungry
And we bit each other
As fire bites,
Leaving wounds in us.

But wait for me,
Keep for me your sweetness.
I will give you too
A rose.

Pablo Neruda

Pics will follow shortly.