“There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged, to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.”
~Nelson Mandela
In a few days, I am leaving for a trip back “home” to South Africa. I am longing to see my Grandparents, who will be celebrating their 65th Wedding Anniversary while I am there.
I truly feel as if I have a “home” in three countries. South Africa, which is my birth country and the country which I grew up in, holds for me a sacred and raw energy which cannot be felt anywhere else in the world. The U.K, where my Parents have settled after retiring, holds so much culture, history and enchantment, and the U.S.A which is now my permanent home, really encompasses everything that freedom and abundance stand for.
I feel completely blessed to have this opportunity to experience the richness of different cultures and places.
As I prepare for my trip the familiar feeling comes over me. I constantly feel as if my life is a series of hellos and goodbyes. As I embrace something new, I have to let go of that which I am presently experiencing. I am excited about my trip to South Africa and delighted at the thought of spending time with both my Parents and Grandparents, but I will be saying goodbye to my husband and teenage children for a month (as well as my 14 year old yorkie!). Then in a months time I will be parting with my family again as I make my way back home to the US. These constant cycles of allowing life to flow, and not trying to hold onto my family or my country, have been great teachers in my life.
Learning to trust the cycles of life and knowing that life is constantly changing can bring great comfort to us. Life offers us many opportunities to grow, heal and expand our awareness. As I journey back to a beautiful South Africa, I feel a love in my heart and a joy in my spirit as I remember the words of a phenomenal man, Nelson Mandela:
“If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness.”
Life is filled with so many blessings. If we practice staying conscious and aware we can remain open to the many great teachers around us. Let the experiences of life be your teacher, as you grow in self-knowledge, self-empowerment, love and acceptance.
Our Greatest Fear
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.
~Marianne Williamson
These striking words have often been referred to as part of Nelson Mandela’s Inauguration speech in 1994.
However the true source is from the superb book “Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson.