Sunday, September 2, 2018

Make the memory!


“Life is all about memories” according to Protea Hotels. So if visiting Victoria Falls is on your bucket list, get there if you can.

Here is a story from Marc Chernoff that I read a year ago and would like to make my own sometime soon:
“One warm evening nine years ago...
After spending nearly every waking minute with Angel for eight straight days, I knew that I had to tell her just one thing. So late at night, just before she fell asleep, I whispered it in her ear. She smiled... the kind of smile that makes me smile back. And she said, “When I’m seventy-five, and I think about my life and what it was like to be young, I hope that I can remember this very moment.”
A few seconds later she closed her eyes and fell asleep. The room was peaceful... almost silent. All I could hear was the soft purr of her breathing. I stayed awake thinking about the time we’d spent together and all the choices in our lives that made this moment possible. And at some point, I realized that it didn’t matter what we’d done or where we’d gone. Nor did the future hold any significance.
All that mattered was the serenity of the moment.
Just being with her and breathing with her.”
The moral of the story is: “We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and a mystery.“ as instructed by H. G. Wells.

Next time when you want to push that snooze button tell yourself this: “No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.” according to Regina Brett. Then go out and make someone’s day - and this will make yours. Guaranteed!

Besides, Woody Allen’s mother always told him: “If you don’t do it, then you aren’t going to be able to do the thing.”

Feel free to sing in the shower: "So today is my new favourite day!" as Winnie-the-Pooh loves to say.

Actually I say: “Sure – work hard, but at some point just be. There’s no need to always have a plan, and even if you have a plan, there’s no rule that you should stick to it. Relax. Indulge in enjoying life with your loved ones. Know that this moment will not come again.” Now just think about that...

References:-
Proteahotels.com by Marriott
The Blissful Art of Being and Breathing” by Marc Chernoff 
“Winnie-the-Pooh” by A.A. Milne
"Woody Allen Interview - VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA" by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub
Plus: H. G. Wells; Regina Brett; Anton Blignault

Photo credits:-
Kalk Bay harbour by Anton Blignault
Buffalo Bay, Cape Point Nature Reserve by Anton Blignault

© 2018 Anton BLIGNAULT, Cape Town South Africa

Friday, February 16, 2018

Just say “Hello!”


“A simple ‘Hello’ could lead to a million things.”

To prove the point, here’s the happy-ever-after story of Sorisha Naidoo: “At the time I had been hanging out with a certain friend a lot and people were absolutely convinced that we were going out... I assumed people would see that we were just friends. ...it was during that time that Viv [Vivian Reddy] and I met and the rest is history – all because he had the guts to talk to me!”

“If you want to be interesting, be interested. Just ask questions.” Romain tells me. But don’t ever let it sound like the third degree. Interestingly, Debora Patta, presenter of “Third Degree”on eTV married the guy who at first insulted her about her show the previous night, apologising a day later. She says “Clearly, I obviously want somebody who can stand up to me!”

So who do you want to pursue? In the words of Ryk Neethling, South African swimming champion: “...‘hot’ means so many different things. Marc Lottering responded with “Hot means great feet. We’ve just established...” Ryk: “To begin with, yes. It also does mean a great personality and confidence and the way that she carries herself and what she does for a living and... So it’s a whole package.”
More advice from Pearl Thusi, star in “Isidingo” on SABC on making the right match: “A man who can make me laugh will get very far with me.”

“Zorba the Greek” with Anthony Quinn (Alexis Zorba), Alan Bates (Basil / boss), Irene Papas (widow) and Lila Kedrova (Madame) provides the perfect lesson. Being a "book man" myself I feel the pain and helplessness of the boss, longing to be the boisterous, gregarious Zorba with his astonishing love for life and women. Pushing him towards the widow Zorba told him, "This is an opportunity, you must grab it! That's why God gave you hands!"
And just to confuse you: in French “Salut !” usually means “Hello!” but it can also be “Goodbye!” as sung by Johnny Hallyday in “Salut Charlie !”.

Lastly, when you can say: “I am brighter when I am with you, I truly am”, then you’re truly with the right partner, your soul mate.

By sheer guts, instinct and confidence move from being an observer of the world to becoming a participant. I know what I'm going to do. What's your choice? At any rate whatever you do choose to Live life!
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Photo credits:-

1. Cape Point, Table Mountain National Park: Juliette SALMON – Anton BLIGNAULT
2. Zorba the Greek: Zorba & Basil – Google Images

References:-
Adele “Hello” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQHsXMglC9A 
Debora Patta “Who’s afraid of Debora Patta?” interview by Marc Lottering in kulula.com khuluma July 2011
Johnny Hallyday “Salut Charlie” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bKbPJSrpNs
Pearl Thusi “My name is Pearl” interview by Mpho Popps Modikoane in kulula.com khuluma January 2014
Ryk Neethling “Liquid Dream” interview by Marc Lottering in kulula.com khuluma July 2011
Sorisha Naidoo “Multitasking millionaire” interview by Nicholas Goliath in kulula.com khuluma January 2015
McNabs
Romain LESAGE, FMS
Wine Marketing Services SA: “Just say “Hello!”” http://fms-sa.blogspot.co.za/2018/02/just-say-hello.html 
“Zorba the Greek”

© 2018 Anton BLIGNAULT, Cape Town South Africa
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