HE KNOCKED...

He knocked as though he were invited...

Through a vacant stare, my eyes met his

A knowing chill of dread and fear

A struggle and a desperate prayer

A chance and an angel...

on a rainy Tuesday,

I was one of the lucky ones.

How does a woman survive a rape, or an attack? How does she put the pieces of her life together and move forward?How does she stop peering around corners or expecting further trauma? This world has become so angry that often it feels as though we are under constant attack. How do we overcome? Many people will never know the feeling of fighting for your life but sadly, they will not go unaffected. We are all touched by crime in some way. It may be fearing for your life or for that of our loved ones. These are equally bad..both fill you with a sense of dread and often make you feel discouraged. 

ENOUGH!

There comes a point where we must decide to stand strong...to refuse to fear but rather fight for our lives and our dignity. We must not be victims but rather victors. Stand up when we see injustice and not be afraid to come between and innocent and an attacker. Would you rather be alive and an accessory? Or die a hero? Friends, it is time to fight the evil of the world. We must not turn our cheek.

Words of Truth

Two Priests and an old lady...

I went to church today. In fact I was so excited I got there an hour early. It was a pretty, sunny day and the walk was just what I needed and it felt amazing. It was as if the world was smiling directly at me and everything looked beautiful. When I got to church I met an old lady sitting on the stoop. And we spoke... Later joined by the two priests saying mass for the evening, we continued the conversation while I marveled at the calm and serenity of the church grounds. How beautiful...how simple life can be sometimes...and how complicated we often make it. 

The sermon caught me by surprise, I planned on a a enjoyable service and a happy ride home in a shuttle. But no...He spoke such truth that it seemed to sear my heart slowly, as though removing a growth that was protecting me from pain. He said...we all have two sides. We have an ability to be good and kind but we also have a side that is selfish and cruel. Once we admit this to ourselves and admit that we have hurt others; we will see our truth. He said that we are all broken, in some way or the other we have all been injured...but our hearts though scattered can be put back together. But we must rebuild our temple in a way that is pleasing to  God...if we do, we will stand strong. 

Those words hit home...those words are words of truth. 

Much Love...

Jay 

The Planet Art Creative Centre in Darling! 

What an honor it was to perform Don Giovanni at this amazing gallery. Have look at some of the artwork on show at this gallery with a difference. This gallery is a definite Darling must see...

The Darling Music Festival Was truly a wonderful experience! I am grateful to have been a part of it!

Love...

Romantic Love

Feeling the love at My Sister's wedding

Writing this entry is challenging. Throughout history people have written countless truths about love that with age, I have come to understand and appreciate. We grow up and we learn to love differently; deeper and stronger...or sometimes we become guarded and withdrawn. Either way, to open your heart to love is to take a risk. Recently coming out of a particularly difficult patch of heartbreak, I know what this "risk" is....I know how pain can change you. But would I take it back? Do I regret it? 

Today I look in the mirror and I see me differently. Though outwardly I look the same, I am...changed. This is what love does...cuts through the fabric of your spirit and fashions a new design. So yes, I would love again...deeper and stronger than before because to live is to love, and to love is to grow!

Here's something I wrote a while back, it's quite personal but I've decided I'll share it regardless...Perhaps you can relate? Here it is:

I think of you

In the stillness of the early morning

I should be sleeping

But the pain

Memories flood my mind

And there is nothing I can do

To erase them

And the pain...

Runs through me

Breaking into my quiet mind

Holding on to my heart

Changing me

Changing me

Pictures of us

Things that you said

The way you laughed

Make me cry

Stories you told

Words I cannot forget

The joy I felt

And so the pain...

Runs through me

Breaking into my quiet mind

Holding on to my heart

Changing me

Changing me

Yes, we are changed by love.The best of us...even those of us who have found their soul-mate are still tested. Love is challenging but there is no greater joy than the wisdom it brings. So friends... breathe love into every aspect of your life and be renewed!

From my heart to yours

Jay

Darling! What a beautiful place!

Many of you are aware that I have been working on a adaption of Don Giovanni to take to the Darling Music Festival. This post however is not about the Festival but rather the beauty of Darling itself! Look at the pictures I took of this quaint little town. With so much culture and beauty, who wouldn't love Darling!

The view outside my window

Some snacks for the trip home:-)

Our Guest House!

Always give back! Thanks for reminding us Evita!

Apparently one of the best places to eat in Darling.

Evita se Perron

Evita se Perron

Evita se Perron

Evita se Perron

Evita se Perron

Station sign at Evita se Perron

Guess who I found wondering outside my window

Evita se Perron

The Guest House

Evita se Perron

Do join us this coming Saturday, 16 February for the final performance of Don Giovanni in Darling!

Why are you all soooo serious? 

I remember back in matric when writing my Head Prefect speech, I was so concerned about saying the profound. I wanted people to remember me...I wanted to be the person they never forget. I even changed the way I spoke when I gave my speeches so that people would sit up and take heed. Man, was I toooo serious! There is a time and place for everything on the earth (I'm not making that up, even the bible says that!). There is a time to be serious and there is a time to laugh and be joyful!

Often we spend our lives hoping that something will change: "I hope something will come along today to make me laugh!" Does that sound familiar? I used to say that all the time, in fact, for the last few years I have not enjoyed my birthdays because I was always waiting for something profound to happen on that day to make me smile- Crazy, but true! 

It's not easy to change this way of thinking. We are all on our own journey...from day to day our lives are completely different. So how can I tell you that you must find joy in your life? I have no idea what your journey is about...True, but does it ever really hurt to smile? To take time to laugh? To watch a good movie and find yourself fantasizing about finally meeting Mr Right, getting married, and having ten kids?  

 A few months ago, going through a particularly bad patch I was forced to take charge of my own happiness.      I still have days when I feel like the world has it in for me, but most of all, I feel joy in the knowledge that I am in control of my emotions... and I choose joy:-)

So... paint every nail a different colour, take a long walk to nowhere, call a friend, wear red lipstick and go out dancing. Change your hairstyle, buy a nice pair of shades, take pretty pictures or read a book...have a laugh! Smile!

Things that make me smile...try it!

What I call "Mental Health Walks" up to Rhodes Memorial.

Walks to Rhodes Memorial 

Doing crazy things with my nail polish

Coffee for one!

Eating these Yummi Brownies! Yuuuuuuuummmmmmy!

Spending time with my best friend, Patrick!

Family!

Don Giovanni

Having fun at rehearsals at the South African College of Music

I have recently been quite busy with rehearsals for a production that will be happening at The Darling Music festival on the 9th and 16th of February.  It's a fresh take on the traditional opera,coupled with a script providing a shortened version of the opera. This is opera plus acting, so I was in my own personal heaven. With a passion for acting I have been searching for the opportunity to develop this particular skill for quite a while. 

The script

It has been a wonderful experience. There were times that I laughed so hard I thought I'd faint because of a lack of oxygen! Priceless moments where the director, Christiaan, would say something and I would finally understand certain things about myself that have always boggled me! Hahahaha! Very often the stage is not only a means to project outward but it also acts like a mirror showing you, your own self. These include those parts of you, you love...and the parts of you, you'd rather hide. It then teaches you to embrace it, own it and use it in your favor. I have learnt so much more about performance and the stage which has become a friend rather than an enemy. I have added some pictures of the rehearsals which I am sure you will find interesting. Enjoy!

Rehearsal Fun with Victoria and Nomsa

Serious business in the Don Giovanni rehearsals!

The Cast: Picture by Kim Stevens

Myself and Don Giovanni or rather Sandile: Picture by Yasmin Ezzideen!