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Born in Uitenhage, South Africa, I am a proud 'Eastern Caper'. I have had the privilege of living in a few provinces in South Africa. Namely the Eastern Province, Kwa-Zulu Natal and for the best part of 30+ years, the Western Cape. As such, I have been exposed to many different cultures within my own country and have been able to learn valuable lessons from amazing people from all walks of life.
I have been able to travel quite extensively to many different countries around the world, although my husband currently holds the record in our family for the most countries travelled - 29 in total and counting. New cultures always excite me. I love learning about the way people live and why they live that way. Coming from a country that has 11 official languages, you could say that I am built for learning!
Having studied Speech and Drama, communication in all it's forms is something I am passionate about. I also have a background in Social Media Marketing and Finance admin. Over the years, I have prayed for and walked with many women who have or are experiencing difficult situations. This continues to be one of the most fulfilling parts of my life and I would never be able to do it without the support and love of my family. I have learnt many things regarding mental health and the struggles that women face, whether married, in a relationship or single. Over the last 20+ years I have spent time learning, reading and finding support for women of every age from all walks of life. It has been an incredible blessing to watch women overcome their individual struggles and to rise up and walk the path meant for them. I am by no means a psychologist or medical professional. All I offer is my time, my listening ear and prayer.
I have three children with my husband I married in 2001 and we live in a full, vibrant household. There are actually four generations currently living within our walls! I am fiercely passionate about family, particularly, supporting, loving and nurturing each family member on their respective journeys. It can seem all consuming to some, and certainly not everyone feels like I do. I am fully aware that each of us is called to walk a path in different and unique ways. This is something I choose to celebrate and encourage. Michaela, Tayden and Lorén have taught us infinitely more about life than school ever did and they continue to teach us on a daily basis. They are all very different and require different parenting needs and skills. Our family is definitely not a one-size-fits-all situation! We have learnt to treat each one as an individual and to parent according to who they are and not who we think they are. Parenting our children has most certainly been the biggest life-learning curve we have ever experienced. It is not for the faint of heart, I will testify to that! Most importantly though, our children know the value of communication. They also know what happens when we don't communicate. As such, we try to live our lives through an 'unfiltered lens'. Beyond the perfection portrayed on social media, beyond the societal expectation, we try to live truthfully...authentically. It's not as easy as we thought but, it is well worth it.
Come and sit a while. Cosy up with a warm cuppa or bask in the sunshine with a cocktail and lets walk a ways together.
Our Founder and Inspiration
This life of mine has been a wild ride so far. I never expected the life I have today. After a somewhat tumultuous youth, I thought I was destined to be alone. The truth, however, is the complete opposite.
As I reflect on my journey, I am reminded that there are so many people out there who are in need of some human kindness; Some compassion and empathy; A little bit of understanding. Life is not always easy and sometimes it can be difficult to find the joy of life hidden amongst the chaos. Most of my days are filled with the repeated mantra, "just breathe!" I have learned to embrace the chaos, not as a way of life but more so, as one of the many features of it.
The world as we know it has changed drastically in the last ten years but even more so in the last two years.
The world post COVID is different and some of us have had to adjust our lives accordingly. My family in particular, has had to readjust our way of doing things more than once. As a family with several autoimmune conditions, we find ourselves immuno-compromised and learning to put boundaries in place has been a difficult learning curve. Perhaps you have gone through similar trials and can resonate with our story! I applaud you for your tenacity! Keep it up! It will be okay!
So if you have just joined, welcome! I hope you you will enjoy your time browsing through my blogs. I hope we can lift your spirits, give you some new perspectives and inspire you to keep going despite the hardships you may face.
Come, let's walk a ways together.
Navigating life through an unfiltered lens.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines “allegory” as a “story, picture, or other piece of art that uses symbols to convey a hidden or ulterior meaning, typically a moral or political one.” To the naked eye, the Phoenix represents pure beauty. But this aesthetic beauty is somewhat contradicted by the birds destruction by combustion for seemingly no reason at all. Having completed its destruction, this extraordinary COUNSELOR OF HOPE is effortlessly transformed into an admirable SYMBOL of encouragement.
The Phoenix not only rises from the ashes of its complete dismantling, it continues with a proverbial clean slate upon the presentation of a new beginning.
As we delve deeper, we learn that beauty, being merely 'skin deep', is certainly a damaging/destructive literal interpretation of what a living being feels internally - in their soul. As human beings, for the most part, we use our eyes and ears to form an impression about anything new that we encounter n front of us, relying instinctively on these two of our five senses.
The truth is that YOU DO have the ability rise from the ashes of unbearable hurt and pain. Every one of us has the innate ability to reset and start from scratch. It is not easy and it differs from one to the next. While I am not qualified to offer advice, I do know that the ability to change is within you. Everyday you have an opportunity to start with a clean slate - like a reborn Phoenix - equipped to improve your life as well as the lives of those around you.
EVERY DAY IS
YOUR (RE)BIRTHDAY.
The PHOENIX :
Our bird of HOPE
The earliest references of the bird can be traced back to ancient Egyptian mythology linked to the sun god RA. Moving on a few generations, in Greek mythology, the phoinix (spelt differently) meant crimson or red and in Greco-Roman mythology, it was also associated with immortality and the sun. Amazingly, the bird also appears in Middle Eastern and Asian cultures as the same mythical creature with regenerative powers. The Persians mentioned the Phoenix and described it a benevolent and wise creature, while the ancient Chinese regarded it as one of the Four Symbols of the constellations, representing the FIRE element and often paired it with a dragon. The Phoenix also appears in Arabian folklore while Christianity recognises its deep symbolism, representing resurrection and eternal life. More recently, beginning with the Renaissance, the popular symbol of the Phoenix appears in numerous literature, art, and cultural references.
The Phoenix’s story has been interpreted and adapted over thousands of years, but the central theme of death and rebirth remains constant throughout.
Motivational speaker
podcaster
online media journalist
Jaqueline Douglas-Jones (Q.B.E)
Navigating life through an unfiltered lens.
The earliest references of the bird can be traced back to ancient Egyptian mythology linked to the sun god RA. Moving on a few generations, in Greek mythology, the phoinix (spelt differently) meant crimson or red and in Greco-Roman mythology, it was also associated with immortality and the sun. Amazingly, the bird also appears in Middle Eastern and Asian cultures as the same mythical creature with regenerative powers. The Persians mentioned the Phoenix and described it a benevolent and wise creature, while the ancient Chinese regarded it as one of the Four Symbols of the constellations, representing the FIRE element and often paired it with a dragon. The Phoenix also appears in Arabian folklore while Christianity recognises its deep symbolism, representing resurrection and eternal life. More recently, beginning with the Renaissance, the popular symbol of the Phoenix appears in numerous literature, art, and cultural references.
The Phoenix’s story has been interpreted and adapted over thousands of years, but the central theme of death and rebirth remains constant throughout.
The Allegory of the Phoenix
The Oxford English Dictionary defines “allegory” as a “story, picture, or other piece of art that uses symbols to convey a hidden or ulterior meaning, typically a moral or political one.” To the naked eye, the Phoenix represents pure beauty. But this aesthetic beauty is somewhat contradicted by the birds destruction by combustion for seemingly no reason at all. Having completed its destruction, this extraordinary COUNSELOR OF HOPE is effortlessly transformed into an admirable SYMBOL of encouragement.
The Phoenix not only rises from the ashes of its complete dismantling, it continues with a proverbial clean slate upon the presentation of a new beginning.
As we delve deeper, we learn that beauty, being merely 'skin deep', is certainly a damaging/destructive literal interpretation of what a living being feels internally - in their soul. As human beings, for the most part, we use our eyes and ears to form an impression about anything new that we encounter n front of us, relying instinctively on these two of our five senses.
The truth is that YOU DO have the ability rise from the ashes of unbearable hurt and pain. Every one of us has the innate ability to reset and start from scratch. It is not easy and it differs from one to the next. While I am not qualified to offer advice, I do know that the ability to change is within you. Everyday you have an opportunity to start with a clean slate - like a reborn Phoenix - equipped to improve your life as well as the lives of those around you.
EVERY DAY IS
YOUR (RE)BIRTHDAY.
The PHOENIX : Our bird of HOPE
The Allegory of the Phoenix