9 January

Addo Elephant Park

Nature shows our need for one another spectacularly. We’ve been on safari the last few days. Time out from the urban landscape of South Africa and an opportunity to go slower.

Female Elephants, in a herd gather in a circle around the younger female calf’s when a predator approaches. They circle around them and provide the nurture needed for survival.

I have observed a very different phenomenon on social media. Environments when humans storm one another when they are weak. Gossiping and pulling people down, to make themselves feel seen or approved.

What if we nurtured one another in a way that was protective?

Have you worked in an environment, that preferred achievement over connection? I have also worked in places that create opposition over the unity that they value.

Can you create moments where the younger members feel safe?

This is nature showing us a way to protect and nurture one another for the future.

A group of giraffes is called a journey. They travel together, albeit very individual. They don’t need each other, but enjoy the journey. Therefore as they travel, they walk together, for the enjoyment of one another’s company. This posture of companionship inspires me to remember the beauty of travelling every day life with fellow people.

We live in a world that promotes individualism, but reminding ourselves that companionship is the beauty of a humble, quiet life— alongside. Nature proves an animal alone is unsafe. There are times, like when a teenage boy elephant must go and learn the lessons of independence, when it is important for his maturity. But also, a lone animal is an unsafe one. They are subject to predators.

We need one another. I need you. You need me. We are stronger together.

A group of zebras are known as a dazzle. It’s hard to know what is happening when all their stripes confuse the predator. They stand together, each stripe unique to the individual, but in a group they form an eclipse of stripes. Nature is very beautiful. This trip to Africa has endeared my heart towards nature and has shown me the spectacular creativity of God.

One of my favourite activities of 2024, was a meditation that Anne, my co- retreat facilitator ran in our overseas retreat in Bali, Indonesia.

She took us to a place of rest and contemplation. Asking us to imagine a safe place in a forrest. A place where we could rest and observe. As we took a moment to focus our imaginations on a place that bought us peace, she then led us in a creative meditation, where we imagined an animal.

She asked us “What animal comes to sit alongside you?” She spoke of an animal that had strength, one that was able to inspire us in this place of safety in our minds.

This moment became one I reflected on many times across the last few months of the year. I imagined a white tiger, she was female. She was strong, calm and present. I sat on the log in the forrest, I wasn’t afraid or concerned at all, with the animal sitting with me. The calming presence of this animal, was so comforting. I found strength in this safe place.

Anne facilitated a moment where we learnt from that animal and allowed our Spirit to use a metaphor to speak to our current situation. A learning, that we desired and needed. I needed strength. I needed to rest and be calm, to allow the moment to refuel me.

Across scripture, story tellers use metaphors of animals, mountains and nature to speak into our current circumstance. The psalms are a specific example of this. Moments where deers ask us to look to the mountains for their hind places of hope. Or the allegory of God as a lion, who roars through the earth, showing His majesty and Kingship.

Moments when birds are looked after by a God who sees. A talking donkey in the Old Testament, a snake tempts humanity and an eagle who shouts “woe, woe, woe” in the book of Revelation.

There is something powerful about nature mimicking the eternal and I can’t explain the transformation that happens to my inner ocean, when I sit and spend time observing the world around me.

Tell me in the comments linked above, have you ever had an encounter with an animal that has impacted you?

Creatively Yours,

George, South Africa

3 January 2025

Anna Elizabeth Viviers is 89 and she has inspired me over the last few weeks, more than any other. She is curious, cheeky and deeply contemplative. Visiting Charl’s Ouma has been the healing gift I didn’t realise my heart needed.

We were driving around doing some daily tasks, shopping, paying bills and we came across a retirement home. Discussing what it is like to live in retirement years, she defiantly said “Eighty is not old!”

I laughed out loud. I am feeling every day of my forty eight years and then suddenly perspective gained. Of course we are only as old as we allow ourselves to feel, but hearing Anna Ouma articulate it so compellingly my sights were once again reframed higher.

Michelle Obama said “When they go low, we go high” and it’s a quote that I shape my life by. Observing my son’s change in tone from the impact of one year at high-school, I realise that it is a cold and harsh world in the teenage years. We easily shape ourselves to the culture we are surrounded by.

Age is subjective and challenges, turmoil and tension layer the impact of the stories we carry. However, our hearts were designed to live expansively, with eternity opening up the beauty of forever.

Last month I read Ecclesiastes and King Solomon, was burdened by the stories of his days. If we read this chapter of the Bible, without perspective of the meta narrative, it’s easy to think that nothing is new under the sun. He shouts life is meaningless, it is filled with challenge and difficulty— why bother? He allowed the culture, conversation and challenge of the days to lower his gaze. He went low.

Perspective enables our courage to expand amid the conflict. To a 89 year old, 80 is not old! When one expands their thinking to the viewpoint of eternity, we are able to think higher.

God Set Eternity in the Heart of Mankind

He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, without the possibility that mankind will find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.

— Ecclesiastes 3:11

This verse spoke so deeply to my soul, because I could not see a pathway forward. I was hemmed in, backed into a corner and had lost courage. I allowed the culture surrounding me to convince me that everything was meaningless.

Why bother?

2024 was my Solomon era, it took the wind out of my sails. Conflict, discouragement, set backs and challenge surrounded me and it started to seep into my heart. I truly stood facing the decision to give up, walk away and let discouragement win.

Then I read this chapter of scripture. Reminding myself that everything is made beautiful in its time. Even though at times we fail, we are offended and we can’t see a way through to a more peaceful place, there is an expansive place within each person. An eternal one. Let that sink in …

You have eternity set within your heart. Imagine that for a moment.

What does a high place feel like for you?

Is there a hint of expansiveness in your soul?

Does that eternal expansion allow movement in your soul towards hope?

Thinking about this place inside helps me to take deep, deep breaths. It brings a smile to my face. This place helps me imagine hope for a better tomorrow. It is a tidal pool of swirling perspective compelling me higher.

The twinkle in Anna’s eye is motivated by this eternal perspective. She whispered to me late at night, over a cup of tea last week “Amanda, I don’t just want to breathe, I want to live.”

When our body starts to fail us and our years slow the stories we tell, a perspective is gained that only wisdom can carve out—live, larger, because eternity awaits.

Creatively Yours,

Hermanus, South Africa

2 January, 2025

A new year is upon us and I knew I needed to change. The year held with it many little moments, deep transitions and heart-sore disillusionment set in.

How did you end 2024?

As a family we travelled across the world, to spend time with family we haven’t seen in a very long time. The mountains of South Africa have raised my vision. They have reminded me what it is like to look up and begin anew. Time with our Ouma (Grandma) in her cottage in Stellenbosch, was the elixir my soul needed. Healing found me under her hand made quilt.

Quiet contemplation.

Slow footsteps and mornings.

Friendship over red cappuccinos.

Architecture from another world and time.

I know many people now find new year resolutions old news, however a marking of moments has always inspired change in my daily habits. I wanted to write again, pick up my metaphorical pen and stop the mindless scrolling of social media. The noise of opinions had taken over the horizon in my mind. Please don’t let the opinions of others, the naysayers take hold of your inspiration. Don’t let them rob you of the reset you desire.

So here I am humbly, picking up this art form once again, with the intention to write regularly here on my website. Assured that many of my readers, now live in other online lands. Yet, simply I begin again, back where I started. Knowing in the end writing is just as much for my heart, as any other journey maker who finds themselves here.

Why Journal? Why write?

In many of my coaching sessions, the inner critic raises its ugly dialect by repeating “Why even bother?”

The excuses that hold our creativity captive, often sound so wise. They speak in the tone of one who knows better. They even convince us of the wastefulness of the time taken to pursue the things that sit deep within our thoughts. Like writing, journaling, expressing our thoughts, slowly—with care.

Why journal? Why take the time to express ourselves through writing? There is already so many books, blogs, essays, articles and untruths— why add to the flurry?

My answer often lies within the realm of why not? You have a desire, you have an inclination, you are trying to make sense of a world that continues to spin and throw your focus off kilter.

Why not?

We often focus on the voice of the one telling us we shouldn’t, rather than the one of compassion that tells us we should.

Simply being, is a powerful reference point to finding our passions and leanings towards our calling. When you are quiet, in the rested places of pursuit, what delights you and makes you smile? This is a hint towards the things you are called to do. Not the loud and shouting places of prophecy! It is the quiet roundabouts of our minds, when we dream of better days, when we wait for those retirement days, those moments of surrendered hope.

Trust that voice within.

Trust the delight that shows you hope.

Trust the moment of inspiration and lean towards it.

Find moments to express those ideas, without the critic sitting on your shoulder shooting lies of condemnation and comparison.

When we simply be, letting the curiosity of our souls recover, something powerful happens in the place of in between. A quiet revolution begins to swell. The tides of hope draw our attention to the mountains and we remember who we once were again.

South Africa has reignited my dreams and confidence once again. Through the perspective of nature, a lens that returns us to places of inspiration uncommon. Everywhere we drive, I am surrounded by mountains, millions of years in the waiting, telling me to begin again.

I look to the mountains; where will my help come from?

My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

He will not let you fall; your protector is always awake.

The protector of Israel never dozes or sleeps.

The Lord will guard you; he is by your side to protect you.

The sun will not hurt you during the day, nor the moon during the night.

Psalm 121: 1-6

Where does your help come from? It’s a very innocent question, but if I was truly honest, I am really bad at asking for help. I just try really, really hard to do it in my own strength and when that doesn’t work, I try even harder.

My writing, my work, my friendships, family and the list grows longer and longer. The voice of condemnation has held me captive for many years and although I try to sit with compassion to reframe its influence, I realise the power it still holds.

How about you? What is the beginning of this new year asking you to surrender and begin again?

May we know the tone of our inner critic.

May we find time to reset its influence and power.

May we write this year with courage.

May we remind ourselves of where our hope comes from.

May we find the balm of simply being, so that we give ourselves permission to begin again.

Creatively Yours,