Charlotte's Web

Sometimes we need to make a promise that is seemingly beyond our ability to keep. Then we must keep it. To see the worth in others, to believe in the inevitable triumph of virtue over the mundane shuffle of ignorance and vice - the path of worth.
Working towards a goal that perches high on a cliff above the plains of your ability, this is truly a worthwhile enterprise.
To keep a promise.
The subtlety of living in the next life, the life after our own, is the highest cause. For our children, for those reliant on us. The quid pro quo is that we respect this and live and die accordingly, that we learn from this and complete the cycle.
Sometimes we have to believe blindly in what is written, sometimes we have to contribute to what is written without expectations of return in investment, and we must learn not to judge within the limited bounds of our flawed perceptions. Maybe this is at the core of growth and sustainability. How do we live a simple life, in sync with ethics in these times of spin and the webs of words? If only we can claim a core value - something like being a gentleman, being truthful, being able to walk away from the lure of fame, money and personal status, being a husband, a father, an honest son, a loving grandfather…
The day dissolves into the black ink of night. Sleep comes on silent wings to find each of us alone, facing the remnants of a day, the consequences of life, always as if in preparation of death. As we pray, we live our hopes and dreams, our fears. Some of us are privileged to find the arms of loved ones in this moment, some need to turn once more to a pillow for consolation, some are swallowed by the monster of chemistry.
Some have the luxuray to say “Goodbye”, “Goodnight”, “I love you” and even “Miss you”. But it all comes down to our moment of truth, did we live a lie or did we live a life of promises fulfilled. Every day, every life.
In memory of a gentleman: Piet Smit
Image from FreeFoto

In Celebration of Women

August is the month for celebrating women in South Africa. A fine institution, and one that helps every person to focus on the role and position of women in society. If you are expecting a long story on the superficial greatness of the female of the species, quit the page and surf on. This is not about celebration, unfortunately. It is mostly about the farce of equality.
We are not equal; yes, I’ve said it. It is true, from a physical perspective, through physiological evidence, to emotional reality, we are different. We are not the same - we are different - males are not females: the art of stating the bloody obvious. Even in same sex relationships we establish role diversity. Why do we want to erase the diversity, why is it so important to eradicate the great divide? Even when the evidence is piling up against this misconception?
If it is about the atrocious suffering of women under religious dogma, if it is about the incredible and obvious discrimination against the being of the female, if it is about the vicious violence perpetrated against these beautiful beings, then let’s rave and protest. But if it is about burning of the bra - move on!
South Africa is living a lie when it comes to the rights of women. We have a Bill of Rights that insists on equality, but we do not protect women from rape. Look at our statistics (if the MAN Bheki Cele will allow us to publish it). In many companies, the contribution and critical role of women in establishing and maintaining the social fabric, is negated by policy: 5/8 positions for women with small children are not allowed, women are discriminated against at bonus time if they were on maternity leave, stupid jokes are cracked when a women needs to go for a yearly check-up, etc. We are still in the age of barbarians - or worse, we have declined beyond anything human when it comes to how we treat women in this country, despite the ANC flighting a good array of women in government. Rape is still tolerated on the grounds of ethnicity, the past , drug abuse, and (for crying in the proverbial bucket of badly made beer), poverty!!!
When you read this, think about the women in your life, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a life partner, a friend with compassion. Open your hearts and regardless of your gender or your sexual orientation, enforce a moment of silence, of reverence and promise to work towards the future of humanity by celebrating our gender differences and roles. Be smart enough to acknowledge it and then work actively to enforce equality for every human under the law, but walk away from the fallacy of sameness. We are different, and I love it. I say this as I salute the exceptional qualities of the the women I know, and those that love me for what I am. And to my life partner, best friend, mother, pioneer and lover - thanks for making me exceptional.

The image is from iStockPhoto and I have bought the rights to using it here. Do the right thing - respect the rights of artists.