It Doesn't Matter

Photograph by: Zandile Mcinziba

So often I have lived my entire life being questioned about my race, whether my family is black or coloured or whatever ethnic group that we fall under.  Many would approach me speaking Afrikaans, lucky enough I would be able to respond; some would speak Xhosa and still I respond in the same language.

Looking at how diverse my family is at times makes me beam and be proud of who I am, it makes me be more proud at the way in which I was brought up; the influence that both my maternal and paternal families had on me; and the values that I have been taught in my upbringing.

It doesn’t really matter what the colour of the skin is, and what race you are; all that is important is YOU as a person, not as a black, coloured or white person...because all that matters is that you are human still.

The 10 Unexpected Consequences Of Being Online



Photograph taken from:

http://anjapartanen.blogspot.com/2012/02/benefits-and-drawbacks-of-internet.html



So many things happen while we are busy browsing through the web, sometimes not knowing what we are looking for; but here is my top 10 list of what happens:

1. Being friends with strangers on social networks
2. Finding the truth while browsing on a “friend’s” wall on facebook
3. Giving your personal details on a trusted website and the next time you search your name on google the information appears
4. Getting a spam email about winning a prize of a competition you never even entered for
5. Avoiding people on your bbm, facebook, etc and then update your twitter via your smartphone
6. Telling a lie and when you being asked the same question you forget and tell another lie
7. Unconsciously and deliberately passing offensive statements 
8. Pretending to be someone you not and getting caught in your own game
9. Being attacked by people because of what you said
10. Ending up in a creepy website.

Know Your True Friends

Photograph taken from:

http://astralilitu.deviantart.com/art/true-friends-159384052

So many times we find ourselves in regret of what we have put ourselves through; not knowing what may be the results of our actions. The wise have said it in so many ways for us not to take for granted the relationships we have, but rather to nurture them and take care of those we love.

Friendship is very important, especially when based on trust and honesty; it takes a minute to break friendship but a life time to restore it to what it was before.  Know who your true friends are, before you lose them.  You might not get along with them at times because you know they mean well and they are telling you the truth, but value all the times you share with them; for true friends are hard to find.

The Elephant In The Room

Photograph taken from: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elephant_in_room.jpg

Wherever we go, wherever we are; there will always be that one person who wants to be bigger than the others, that one person who sees his/ her views as being the most important than any of the other people surrounding him/ her.

At times trying to be the bigger person by shutting others down doesn’t always help, but rather alienates you from other people; you start wondering why you don’t have anyone you call a friend, why people don’t talk to you anymore forgetting that you have been the elephant in the room, you created the hurdle between you and the people surrounding you.

It takes a lot of courage to come to terms with realizing that you were at fault, but more time in trying to restore all the relationships you lost; so rather be your true self than trying to please everyone in the world.

Keep Your Audience Happy

Photograph by: Marysa Leukes, Arts and Culture Student Development Officer at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology

It is so amazing witnessing the way in which the CPUT Choir approaches things in the choral music industry; coming from the South African Tertiary Institutions Choral Association (SATICA) 2012 it is a surprise that they still remain positive and goal oriented even though they lost their championship title this year.

I remember how the crowd remained silent in each of their performances, and how the choir itself was so content before and after performances.  Even though they lost their championship title to the neighbouring university choir (University of the Western Cape), they kept their spirits high and said “for as long our audience was satisfied and happy with all our renditions, we remain champions to them”.

This made me realize that it is not about being the best, but doing what you love at your level best and with passion.

Every Day Is A Good Day

Photograph taken from: http://tzr.ro/sunny-day/

Our thoughts and attitude have a way of shaping our wellbeing, whether consciously or unconsciously. For every day to be a good it all starts with being a positive minded person, not allowing your position and conditions that you are in as an individual dictate how your day should be like.

You wake up every morning already having planned how your day will be like, it is also up to you to make sure that you defeat all the negatives that might shadow your positive mindset.

Therefore, smile so that each day could be a good day; forget your problems while you are around those who make you happy, and keep laughing knowing that there are people with bigger problems than you might have thought yours were.