Archive for November, 2008

22
Nov

The courage to follow your dreams …

   Posted by: Blondie    in Random Thoughts

I enjoyed reading another Paulo Coelho book on the plane back to South Africa, and as usual, Coelho’s superb writing left me with so much food for thought …
The Alchemist is a story about a boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. We read about his adventures and growth in his search for his ‘Personal Myth’.

Extracts from the Alchemist that left me pondering …

“Treasure lies where your heart belongs…”
“Simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them”

I always jokingly say that I get what I want … and when there is something that I truly want … I usually get it … making me appreciate this line from Coelho’s book :

“When you really want something to happen, the whole universe conspires so that your wish comes true”

o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o – o

Every person on earth has the need to be happy, find fulfillment and understand their purpose on this earth. The secret to finding harmony on earth is to realize that this will be manifested in a different way for each person, and that everyone should be allowed to find happiness, fulfillment and purpose without judgement. Some people need stability and routine, others thrive on chaos.

Following your dreams will lead you on a road of self discovery beyond your wildest imagination … a path that is not always easy or understood, a path that will stretch you, throw you out of your comfort zone and bring about personal growth beyond measure.

Once again, dreams will be followed in different ways … and what is my path ?
I only need to listen to my heart. My home is truly where my heart belongs, and I find fulfillment in filling a tiny piece of my heart in every location, moment or memory on earth that truly made me happy. My heart will tell me when it is content to stay and when it is time to move on, and may the day never arrive when I stop hearing the call of my heart.

20
Nov

A country retreat

   Posted by: Blondie    in China, Interesting Times

I was very fortunate to experience more than just the city life on my trip to China in April 2008. Not knowing what to expect when I got there the first time, I was amazed(and positively thrilled) by the high energy, fast paced modern life in Beijing … Enter a retreat to Cuandixia and you get to experience a part of China that is in line with images I’ve always had of rural China.

Following a winding road through the mountains we stopped seemingly in the middle of nowhere. A tiny village with a dirt road running through it, mountains all around and someone slaughtering a sheep for supper right there on the side of the road … It was as if the road through the mountains took us back in time and if it wasn’t for the cars in this village, you’d have a hard time convincing me that this did not in fact happen.

I’m leaving you with a few images …

Houses in the village

Following the dirt road along the mountain, perfect place for an ambush ;)

Surprise on the other side of the ‘ambush’