Merry Christmas to you all

Photo from www.flickr.com

As once again we prepare to celebrate the joy of the
miracle of the birth of our Lord Jesus, and as we relive
this holy day may we be seen, as were the shepherds
to be glorifying and praising God, thus showing the
true and only meaning of this blessed season.

Galatians 4verse4-5 says, “When the time had fully come,
God sent forth his son, born of woman, born under the law,
To redeem those who were under the law, so that we might
receive adoption as sons.”
He really is a God of Grace.
Over the years and especially in these more modern times,
the sheer wonder of this act of Grace has been overshadowed
by the emphasis placed by society upon the commercial aspect
of Christmas and mankind has done its best to drown the beauty
of the voices of the Angels and the Heavenly Host by the jarring
noise of cash registers and tills as shops make money during the
Christmas season.
Just as God sent his son into the world, “when the time had
fully come,” so I believe that the time has fully come when
emphasis should be placed upon the true meaning and spirit
of Christmas and water down on the commercialization of
this blessed day.

Let’s start by jolting our memory to the events leading to the
birth of Jesus. In the midst of all the troubles, injustice, lust
and greed that filled a harsh world, the angel of the Lord
appeared to Mary, a young unwed peasant girl and made the
startling announcement that by the power of the Holy Spirit
she would give birth to the Son of God. Then appearing in a
dream to Joseph, the man engaged to be married to Mary, the
Angel said, concerning the child, “-----you are to give him the
name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Centuries have gone by since then and despite all that fickle,
wilful man has done to deny and disobey Christ, he is still
the same and only Jesus who as God incarnate, was born in
a humble stable in Bethlehem and who came to save his people.

Just as it was in the years preceding the Advent of Christ so it is
now that the world still displays evidence of injustice, oppression,
and waywardness that causes many sensitive hearts to
recoil in horror. Year after year we are assailed by news items and
incidents of a dreadful nature, and time and time again we experience
the viciousness of man as he tramples over all and sundry in order to
attain his selfish desires. We would all have given up hope altogether
had it not been that as each year draws to its close, the blessed celebration
of Christmas reminds us that Jesus came into the world to save his people
from sin – a calling to which he has remained faithful throughout the ages.
Christmas is a constant reminder to us all that, notwithstanding all that we
may be called upon to endure and all that threatens our society and the way
of life we cherish, Jesus Christ is the same Lord of Life who came to save
his people and as he has done through the ages, will continue to do so.
So although the future may appear bleak we should not lose hope. Instead
we need to put our faith and trust in Jesus the Savior of the World and
especially during this Christmas time, absorb the Love, Joy, Peace and Hope
he so freely gives us to equip us for our journey through life.

In the midst of the gloom that surrounds us in the world stands that shining
beacon of Love-the Light of the World- inviting us to step out of the darkness
and to put our trust in him as we make our way along the pathway of the future,
guided by the Light of Life. We need to cling to the assurance that nothing can
ever separate us from God’s love which is in Christ and this assurance should
enable us to trudge through life with a confidence born only of our personal
experience of the Savior.

May God’s peace, love and happiness be with you all, this Christmas and always.

Music is the best thing that ever happened to humans

Photos from www.fotolia.com

In one of my previous articles about Peace, I mentioned
that music is the best thing that ever happened to humans.
It sure is to me. When I listen to some music I enjoy, I
feel it flowing through my veins to the centre of my heart
and the effect that boomerangs on my whole being is to
make me feel relaxed, put me in a good state of mind,
remind me of happy moments in my life & organize my
thoughts so that I have peace of mind and happiness.



Music that kills you softly (literally) as it sings out
loud your life experience.

There are songs that if I listen to make me think that they
were sung especially for me. These are of the same kind as
the one Roberta Flack was talking about when he sang the
song, Killing me softly with his song, whose words I have written below.

Chorus
Strumming my fate with his fingers, singing my life with
his words, killing me softly with his song x2, telling my
whole life with his words, killing me softly with his song.
I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a
style and so I came to see him, listen for a while and
there he was this young boy, a stranger to my eyes.
Chorus
I felt all blushed with fever, embarrassed by the crowd,
I felt he found my letters and read each one out loud,
I prayed that he would finish but he just kept right on.
Chorus
He sang as if he knew me, and all my warts and all.
And then he looked right through me as if I wasn’t there
And he just kept on singing, singing three words songs.
Chorus





The Hollies kill me softly with their song, “He ain’t heavy, he
is my brother.” He sings a part of my life in this
song when he sings,
The road is long, with many a winding turn, that leads us to who
knows where, who knows where.
But I am strong, strong enough to carry him, he ain’t heavy, he
is my brother, so long we go.
His world is my concern; no burden is he, to bear,
We will get there, but I know
He ain’t heavy, he is my brother.
This really touches my life because it reminds me of the
last day I saw my mother before she had a heart attack and she was
saying to me Seby my daughter as you can see I am sick. I pray to
God everyday that he lets me live at least until my last born child
Emlyn finishes at university and is working and therefore
self-sufficient. I told her not to increase her blood pressure worrying
about Emlyn because he ain’t heavy, he is our brother and his welfare
is our concern and will never be a burden for us to carry.
She eventually had a heart attack & died a week after this conversation
and ever since then this song kills me softly every time I hear it.

Music that makes you think of and long for the one you love.
There are lots of songs about love, each portraying the “color
of love” (song by Billy Ocean) as seen through the eyes of the
composer or the singer. Listening to each of these many love
songs makes you realize the “power of love.” (song by Celine
Dion) After listening to a number of such songs you will agree
with Ijahman that love makes the world go round as he sang
in his song, "Two sides of love."
As you listen to the love songs you feel a stirring from
deep down your heart, you feel the rhythm of your heart,
(Rhythm of my heart by Rod Stewart) an
intense longing for the one you love.

The love song that makes me ponder in awe of the immense love
that it depicts is the song, “When I see you smile,” by Bryan Adams
which goes like this,

Sometimes I wonder if I would make it through,
Through this world without having you,
I just wouldn’t have a clue,
Sometimes it seems like this world is closing in on me,
And there is no way of breaking free,
And then I see you reach for me,
Sometimes I wanna give up,
I wanna give in,
I wanna quit the fight,
But then I see you baby,
And everything alright,
Everything is all right

CHORUS
When I see you smile,
I can face the world, Oh-oo
You know I can do anything,
When I see you smile,
I see a ray of light, Oh-oo
I see you shine right through the rain,
When I see you smile,
Baby when I see you smile, at me

Baby there is nothing that this world would ever do,
Which the touch of your hand can’t do,
Its like nothing I ever knew,
And when the rain is falling,
I can feel it ,
Its here with me now,
I wanna ask you baby,
Its all I ever need, its all I ever need
CHORUS
Sometimes I wanna give up,
I wanna give in,
I wanna quit the fight,
But then I see you baby,
And everything seems so right,
Everything is all right, so right
CHORUS
Smile at me
This song makes me long for my soulmate Dumi because
when I hear his voice,I see a ray of light and I can face the
world.
The other love songs that testify of the sweetness of love
and touch my love cord are the following,
1. Because you loved me by Celine Dion
2. Flying without wings by Westlife
3. I believe I can fly by R. Kelly
4. My love is your love by Whitney Houston
5. In my time by Teddy Pendegrass
6. Let me be your Hero by Enrique Iglesias
7. Endless Love by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross
8. Dont Know much by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville
9. You are still the one by Shania Twain
10. Queen of my Heart by Westlife

Music that makes you cry with sadness
There are sad songs that make you want to cry not with
joy but with sadness. I guess it is such songs that Billy Ocean was
talking about in his songs, "Sad songs to make you cry."
What makes you sad might be the words being sung or the song
might remind you of some sad moments in your life.

The song whose words makes me want to cry with sympathy for
the little girl in the song is the song, "Coat of many colors," by
Dolly Parton which goes like this,

Back through the years I go wandering once again;
Back to the seasons of my youth;
I recall a box of rags which someone gave us
And how my mama put the rags to use
They were rags of many colors and every piece was small
And I didn’t have a coat and it was way down in the fall
Mama sew the rags together, sewing every piece with love,
She made my coat of many colors,
that I was so proud of.
As she saw she told me stories from the Bible she had read,
About the coat of many colors Joseph wore,
and then she said perhaps this coat would bring you good luck and
happiness
And I just couldn’t wait to wear it and Mama blessed it with a kiss
My coat of many colors that my mama made for me
Made only from rags but I wore it so proudly
Although we had no money, I was as rich as I could be
in my coat of many colors, my mama made for me.
So with patches on my breeches and holes in both my shoes
and my coat of many colors I hurried on to school
just to find the others laughing and making fun of me
and my coat of many colors my mama made for me.
Although I couldn't understand it, for I felt I was rich
and I told them of the love my mama sew in every stitch
and I told them of the stories mama told me while she sew it,
and how my coat of many colors was worth more than all their clothes.
They didn't understand it, and I tried to make them see,
One is only poor if he choose to be.
Now I know we had no money but I was as rich as I could be in my coat of
many colors, my mama made for me.
Made just for me.

Then there is the song, "Water runs dry" by Boys II men that make me
want to cry because it reminds me of the sad moments in my past marriage
that led to my divorce. I would listen to it night after night as I slept alone
pondering on how to run away from my life threatening ex-husband.
The words in the song that eventually urged me to take a leap out of the
marriage and continue in my pursuit for happiness go like this,
"Some people work things out but some just don't know how to change. 
  Lets not wait till the waters run dry, we might watch our whole life passing by."
I didn't want to watch my whole life pass by in an unhappy marriage so I moved
on.

Then there are those love songs that make you want to cry with empathy
as they tell of unrequited love, betrayed love, hurt love or rejected love.
You end up feeling the hurt that the singer will be singing about, which
is why you might end up crying. Below is a list of a few of such songs.
1. Nothing compares to you by Sinead O'Connor
2. How am I supposed to live without you by Michael Bolton
3. I will always love you by Whitney Houston
4. Think Twice by Celine Dion
5. Fool Again by Westlife
6. How could an angel break my heart by Toni Braxton
7. Who is holding Donna now by El DeBarge
8. Jesse paint a picture by John Denver
9. Living next door to Alice by Smokie
10. Unchained Melody by Elvis Presley

Music that induces happiness into you
There is music that evokes happiness and erases all stress
from you and makes you feel like dancing, like stepping,
this is the type of music R Kelly was talking about when he
said, “What is it that, can come and take away all your stress?
Music,” in his song , “Happy people.”


The music that always manages to take away all the stress from me
is the song, “The world’s greatest” by R. Kelly which states clearly
just how great God is. It makes me feel happy as I start to remember
all the good things that God has done for me in my life and all the
things I appreciate in life that he created, for example nature. He
is, indeed, an awesome God.
The world's greatest song goes like this,

The world’s greatest, God, the world's greatest

I am a mountain ,I am tall tree,
Ohhhh I am swift wind,sweeping the country,
I am a river down in the valley,
I am a vision and I can see clearly,
If anyone asks you who I am,
Just stand up tall,Look him in the face and say,

CHORUS 
I am that star up in the sky,
I am that mountain big, up, high,
Hey I made it,
I am the world’s greatest,
And I’m that little bit of hope,
Lean my back against the ropes,
I can feel it , I’m the world’s greatest

I am a giant, I am a negro,
Ohhhh , I am a lion, down in the jungle,
I am the magic band, I am the people,
I am a helping hand,
Ohhhh, I am a hero,if anyone asks you who I am ,
Just stand up tall look him in the face and say
CHORUS


Music that makes you ponder about life
There is music that has loads of meaning and teach you
about life. This type of music makes you sit down and start
to think about what is being sung.
Here is a list of songs that make me ponder about life.
1. The living years by Mike and the Mechanics
2. If tomorrow never comes by Ronan Keating
3. The greatest love of all by Whitney Houston
4. The storm is over by R. Kelly
5. What a wonderful world by Rod Stewart and Stevie Wonder
6. My love by Julio Iglesias and Stevie Wonder
7. Loving Pauper by Gregory Isaacs
8. The Great Pretender by Queen
9. Save the best for last by Vanessa Williams
10. Going to the Chapel of love (Wedding songs album)
11. Leaving on a jet plane by Janis Joplin/Chantal Kreviazuk

Yeah, music is the best thing that ever happened to humans.
It brings love, peace and happiness.

THE BEAUTY OF NATURE (Part 3) GAME VIEWING IN ZIMBABWE

All photos are from www.flickr.com
MATUSADONHA NATIONAL PARK
Situated on the shores of Lake Kariba, Matusadona National Park
occupies a lakefront wilderness which is home to a multitude of
animals, among them elephant, black rhino, buffalo, eland, sable and
roan, impala, girraffe, and hyena. 
Waterbucks are at home on the floodplains where hippo graze
at night. Crocodiles lurk and lie in wait, and the air is alive with
expectancy.

It provides the adventurer with a scenic combination of wildlife
roaming grassy plains, and secluded bays and inlets which are
home to a plethora of animals and birds.

Matusadona is famous for the dramatic sight of viewing
a combination of wildlife & a sunset over the lake - one of
the most beautiful sights in Africa.
PEACE reigns at Matusadonha as nature takes its course
against a backdrop of wildlife.
The photographs below tried to capture the beauty of watching
animals over sunset or sunrise, over a bright full moon or on a
misty morning.





Game Viewing from a houseboat at Matusadona National Park .
This really captured the unique beauty of the experience at
Matusadonha.



Here yellow fades to orange and orange bursts to reds, crimson and
black, while the silent whisper of night creeps up from behind a lone
elephant. This is hauntingly beautiful.. nature in its full glory.


Impala on a misty morning, just look at how the animal blends
in with the surroundings. The bushes, the grass, the mist and
the impala, they just look perfect together.



A giraffe silhouetted against the sunset, a stunning rendition,
 showing off the powerful natures of Earth and creature
 when they merge. So beautiful that it almost looks surreal.



A beautiful sight  at Matusadonha as the glowing moon shines
across a cloud speckled sky when a hyena is sniffing around for
 a scent that can lead it to prey. Who said moonlight was not as
beautiful as sun light.



MANA POOLS
A trip to the lower Zambezi's great wildlife reserve at Mana Pools
is for travellers who wish to see Africa untamed and truly wild, to
live in nature and to be more than a mere observer. For this is
Africa at her best, a remote wilderness in an exquisite corner of
Zimbabwe - a place of solitude, a meeting place of man and the
great beasts, a place of water, big trees and big sky.

Mana Pools is ranked as one of Africa's outstanding wildlife
reserves. Set against a backdrop of hills and with magnificent
trees creating a park-like effect, it deserves its designation as
a World Heritage Site. The riverfront scenery is exceptionally
grand. Here, the wide Zambezi flows steady, but a series of
meandering waterways wind through grassy flats and low lying
islands. During the winter months it has the highest concentration
of game in the entire continent. Mighty herds of elephant and buffalo
are drawn to the sweet Zambezi waters, followed by lion, hyena, kudu,
nyala,impala and a multitude of game.

Paddling in a canoe down the Zambezi at Mana Pools is one of the most
unique safari experiences in Africa - coming close to great herds without
feeling like an intruder, warm African sun beating the brow, the beauty
of great raptors soaring and circling above, the stillness, serenity and awe.


What is so striking at Mana Pools is the LOVE the different couples
of animals and birds show to each other, which is what the photographs
below captured.

Witnessing the LOVE-in-action by animal couples at Mana Pools leaves
you agreeing with I-Jah-Man in his song, "Two sides of love," when he
says, "Love makes the world go round, how sweet is love, it blooms as it
pleases."




A sublime portrait of intimacy is shown by these buffalo dream
lovers. This is so sweet, lovers sleeping tight, holding on to each
other. This is a cosy kind of love.



"Honey please can you message  my back in that special way of
yours that makes me feel relaxed and peaceful. Yes, like that,
Ummmm!!!!" the lioness seems to be saying to the lion.
This is heart-warming love.



Love is in the air for these elephants seen here touching & feeling
each other in their own special way. This is beautiful love.


Zebras exploring each other's bodies. "Honey how does it feel if I
touch you here and like this." This is love in action.



The kiss on the beak that says, "I love you babe, and am happy
you are by my side at this moment in time." This is lovely love.



GONAREZHOU
THE glorious Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe sweep southwards
and slowly give way to the lowlands and the wildlife reserve of
Gona-re-Zhou - a wild, rugged "place of elephants". Among
Zimbabwean conservationists, Gonarezhou enjoys a long-standing
reputation as one of the most interesting wilderness havens in the
country.
The park is home to some of the most unusual species of game, such
as Lichtenstein's hartebeest, nyala and suni antelope, and its wooded
bushlands house a healthy population of elephant. Other animals include
giraffe, buffalo, zebra, waterbuck, roan, sable and impala, followed in
their paths by the predators, lion, leopard and hyena.

Gonarezhou has always been appreciated as much for its wilderness
atmosphere as its wildlife. There is a diversity of terrain, from mopani
tree savanna and acacia woodlands to riverine forests and fine old baobab
trees.

What is so interesting at Gonarezhou is the HAPPINESS exuded by the
animals as they play with each other in their natural habitat

The experience will leave you feeling so happy having caught on the
HAPPINESS from the animals, you know how HAPPINESS is contagious.




 
Happiness abounds as these elephants swim and bath each other
or is that making love in the river. What ever it is, the elephants
are showing that they feel at home in their habitat and are happy.




Side by side, through thick and thin forests, this is reason enough
for these zebras to be happy to be at Gonarezhou National Park.


 
The wild, untamed beauty of these two animals as they shared
some quality time together gripped me by my throat for a second,
(literally!) No wonder they look so happy.




Even the most powerful predator of them all gets time away from
the hustle and bustle of hunting for prey and gets down to the 
basics of relating to the finer issues of life, like love and happiness. 




Happiness is an attitude that makes even the most mundane things
in life like eating food together very enjoyable. Look at those
corkscrew antlers, God is the best artist ever.


 
HWANGE GAME RESERVE
A short flight from Victoria Falls is Hwange National Park., one of
the great nature reserves of Africa which boasts one of the largest
concentration of elephant in Africa, as well as kudu, sable, roan, eland,
antelope, zebra and waterbuck. Also present are large populations of
buffalo, giraffe, rhino and zebra. The abundance of prey attracts the
full spectrum of predators - some 25 species - including lion, leopard,
wild dog and hyena. Birders and twitters will delight at the 400 species
of feathered friends which grace the park.

The greater portion of the reserve is managed as a wilderness camp area
which is only accessible to visitors staying in small, exclusive lodges. It
is here in these camps, that the wildlife lover will have a true wilderness
experience and come face to face with the great diversity and quantity of
Hwange's wildlife.

An early game drive, to watch as the sun rises on another day in Zimbabwe
while the great creatures begin their daily quest for food and water will
enable you to observe the wonderful CO-EXISTENCE exihibitated by the
different animals and birds as they share life in Hwange Wildlife Reserve.

The CO-EXISTENCE experience at Hwange leaves you wondering if
humans are indeed more civilised than animals.






 
Coexistance in practice, as this girraffe tries to belong to the same
level of height as the wildbeast by bending its front legs so that it
doesn't tower too high above the wildbeast and make it feel inferior.


  
The birds are saying to the buffalo, "Hey fellow Hwange citizen
even though we have different political views concerning life
in our mutual habitat, it's nice to co-exist in harmony despite our
differences." Note that this is Hwange Game Reserve, not the 
Garden of Eden.


 
Elephants and egrets taking a leisurely walk together in the Hwange
wildlife reserve. The elephant could easily trample on and crush the
egrets if it so chooses but it doesn't because its small brain knows that
there is no point in doing that, so it opts for the joys of co-existance
instead. This is an amazingly beautiful shot. The elephant, the egrets,
and those beautiful mountains behind. Wonderful!!!





  
It sure is sweet, how one of the most dangerous mammals, the
crocodile, is posing no danger at all to the egyptian geese. Look
at how the geese don't look worried at all. Co-existance at its best.




    
An antelope having a leisurely trot within the environs of its home
in the Hwange National Park. Look at how beautiful it looks with
birds perched on its back. The kind of oneness and neighbourliness
between birds and animals potrayed by that photograph is a common
feature at Hwange , which shows how the animals have mastered the
harmony of co-existance

THE BEAUTY OF NATURE (Part 2) Nyanga

The beautiful pictures below were taken by Jerry H. and can be found on this link, http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimcontracts/sets/72157619386536108/

Nyanga is a natural lure for the nature-lovers.
Sublime relaxation await the nature-lover at Nyanga which is in
the beautiful Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, what with its
majestic granite peaks, verdant valleys, prolific birdlife, trout fishing
and fine golf courses. It is also the birthplace of rivers and cascades.
Adding to the attractions are leisurely walks over hill and dale,
hikes along mountain paths with each bend opening up to another
magnificent vista, horse and pony trekking and of course, the deeply
satisfying enjoyment of trout fishing in the crystal clear streams and 
bubbling brooks.
This narrow sliver of high country at altitudes up to 6 000 feet which
sweeps along glorious mountain ranges on Zimbabwe's eastern border
with Mozambique, is ideal for those who want to relax and enjoy
crisp mountain air.
Its peace inducing capabilities are second to none.




This view at Troutbeck Inn in Nyanga is a paradise for nature-lovers,
 with its stunning combination of a lavishly green  mountain, lush 
forests with  exotic plants and a breathtaking water spot which has a 
carpet-like green lawn at its banks.  This you will  agree with me is 
nature at its best.





 Mutarazi Falls, the second tallest waterfall in Africa. It
plunges some 762 metres into deep-forested gorges, where rock
pools abound and beckon.
The top of the Falls is a camp site. If you love this photograph
then seeing the Falls in reality will make you gasp in awe.




The second drop of Mutarazi Falls which plunges gracefully into
the Honde Valley. The area around the falls is a small National
Park. Looking at it makes me sing the song, "What a wonderful
world ," by Rod Stewart.



This looks like heaven on earth to me, what more can I say, this
most beautiful place has made me speechless with its beauty.
You can view and experience it at the Blue Swallow Lodges at
Troutbeck Inn in Nyanga.


A magnificent  view of the Pungwe Falls which is 243metres high 
and which flows down into the Honde Valley.



Susurumba Mountain is not only a lovely scenic place to view, it
is yours to climb if you are into mountain climbing.



A spectacular view across the Udu Dam with flat topped, thorny,
Umbrella (Acacia) trees at the banks of the river and a beautiful
mountain in the background. Such is the beauty of nature in
Nyanga.



Sunset over the Udu Dam which is situated on the road to
Inyangombe Falls, close to the main Inyanga road.  
This is beautiful.


  
The upper end of the Mare Dam, which is a trout fishing spot with
Mount Inyangani the highest mountain in Zimbabwe in the
background.


 
This is a private cottage  in Nyanga which is far from the madding
crowd and surrounded by nature in the form of granite kopjes and
fir trees, with little dams on mountain streams on the other side.


 
Natural savanna trees can be viewed across the Mare dam and their
reflection in the water make a sight that seems to be out of this
world.




The Inyangombe swimming pool which has an unused low level
bridge above it and is situated in the Inyanga National Park, is a
popular picnic spot. The pool has a pleasant beach and picnic
area, with clean, invigoratingly cold mountain
stream water to swim in.




If you know beauty when you see it then you will agree with me
that this is it, in fact this is more than beautiful, it is splendid
beauty. Its all yours to view and experience if you book into
those lovely Blue Swallow lodges at Troutbeck Inn.




For those who do fishing, Nyanga Lake is waiting for your fish baits
hooked on your fishing rods.

THE BEAUTY OF NATURE (Part 1) The Victoria Falls

Nature is at its best at Victoria Falls, which is in Zimbabwe and is
one of the seven wonders of the world.
Known also by the African name Mosi-oa-Tunya which means
the Smoke that Thunders this great waterway was named by the
English explorer, David Livingstone, who declared that "angels in
flight most probably pause to marvel at this beautiful sight".
The Victoria Falls Bridge majestically straddles the Batoka Gorge
below the Falls. It is 111 metres above the water and that's how
far you'll drop if you decide to take on the world's highest
commercial bungee jump






  
You can wallow in the beauty of a rainbow as you fly past
the Victoria Falls in a helicopter on a sunny day.
At high flood, the wall of water is a mile wide, the ground shakes
and trembles and mist is thrown hundreds of feet into the air,
making this "thundering smoke" visible from 20 miles away.
The resulting spray of water causes giant rainbows and a
mini rainforest is sustained by the perpetual mist. It is the magnet
that draws many travelers to the banks of the mighty
Zambezi River, to stop and gaze in awe through rainbow mists at
this most beautiful sight.




  
A helicopter ride over the Victoria Falls enables you to view
the different cataracts of the Falls which are such an awesome
sight to see.
The beauty of nature curves and dances in the mists above
thundering cataracts, as the mighty Zambezi River plunges
over 300 feet in a cataclysm of cascading water. At night, 
by the light of a full moon, you can see moonbows in the spray.



  
You can get into a waterjet and view the Victoria Falls 
closely from there while enjoying the waterjet  ride on the 
Zambezi river.
Alternatively there are magnificent walks through the Rain Forest,
resplendent with Acacias, lianas, strangler figs, ferns and orchids,
while sunbirds, paradise flycatchers, bulbuls and finches are among
the many birds that can be seen. In the canopy above, vervet
monkeys play in their own glorious Eden.




 
Victoria falls tourist resorts are famous  for offering its 
adrenalin-seeking visitors Bunji jumping.
From the bridge, bungee-jumpers look like human puppets, their
bodies hanging limply from the strong elastic cord, their limbs flailing
in the air. You can hear the screams of exhilaration as they drop
towards the water with the Victoria Falls roaring behind them.



 
If you are not into Bunji jumping, you can get a thrill 
from whitewater rafting in the Zambezi waters.
The more intrepid (or more foolhardy) can white-water raft the
great river downstream from the falls as it divides Zambia and
Zimbabwe. This particular adventure is known to be one of the
most terrifying in the world.







                                                                                                                                                                                              

The paradox of our time

Recently I came across an article that George Carlin the  comedian of
the 70's and 80's wrote a few years ago just after his wife had died.
The truth in the article is just so true that I had to share it with you.

This is the message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend
more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger
houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have
more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more
experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. 
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too
much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a
living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been
all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to
meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air,
but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've
learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more
information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less
and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of
two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These
are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night
stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet,
to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing
in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this message to you, and
a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not
going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to your children who looks up to you in awe,
because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. 
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the
only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but
most of all mean it.
Remember a kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep
inside of you. 
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person
will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious
thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments
that take our breath away.

Peace, peace, peace

As we speak I am trying to pick myself up from an emotional rubble. Like the survivor that I am, I always find means to give myself a peace of mind and to make myself happy through Christ who strengthens me. Besides the situation in my life it is not an understatement to say peace of mind is the next sought after 'commodity' in human life second to love. It appears that most of us are in a state of perpetual restlessness, strain, rush or stress which hinders us from attaining peace of mind. Our minds are in constant chatter thinking about this and that and as long as that chatter is there in our minds we can't have peace of mind. In spite of challenging times in my own life and in the world around me, I have learnt to be a person who lives with serenity and tranquility.

This is how I always manage to reclaim my peace of mind and happiness.
1.
I wake up at 5:30am everyday and give myself thirty minutes to connect to God and meditate about my life and what I want to do on that day. In my early morning prayer I always personalize Paul's prayer in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 for myself saying, “May the Lord of peace himself give me peace at all times and in every way.” I also take the advice of the Bible in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which says, “Give thanks in all circumstances,” so even during trying times I give thanks to God with a prayer that says, “I thank Thee, O God, that it is not always like this.” For areas of life that are beyond my control, I place them in God’s hands, by copying the psalm writer who prayed, "My times are in your hands” in Psalm 31:15. By the
time I go and bath at 6:00am I would be feeling at peace with God as well as with myself.

2.
As I bath and afterwards when I am dressing up and eating my breakfast I will be listening to my personal collection of soft soothing music which always manages to make me relax, put me in a good state of mind and organize my thoughts for the day. I have always thought that music is the best thing that happened to us humans; nothing beats the peace of mind- making capabilities of soft music.

3.
As I go about my normal day to day living I use the following lessons I learnt in life as I grew up to create peace of mind and happiness for myself.
I have noted that often it is the loss of balance and perspective about life that increases stress and anxiety so I always adopt the attitude that my cup is half full, not half empty and whenever I feel inclined to be sorry for myself I think of the multitudes of people who are worse of than me. Life gave me the insight that a happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes so I always maintain a happy attitude no matter what sort of circumstances I am in. Let me admit that even though I invariably appear to be cheerful, I don't always feel that way but I always act as if I am joyful and exude joy towards those with whom I have contact. The joy I give out will be the joy that returns to me, it is like a boomerang--a little blessed boomerang.
When I have been slighted, offended, or insulted, I trained myself to forgive quickly and generously since life taught me that remembering wrongs and reviewing retribution can be tiresome burdens to carry. So I always let go of resentment and
relinquish the need of retribution. In so doing, I discovered that the weight of anger and hostility is lifted out of my life.
Life also taught me that inevitably, people who experience peace and serenity have
some of the following characteristics of inner peace: a loss of interest in judging others; limited ability to worry; overwhelming episodes of appreciation; frequent attacks of smiling; feeling connected to others and with self; increased openness to receive love as well as an uncontrollable urge to extend it and a loss of interest in conflict and argumentation. By incorporating these characteristics into myself I cultivate some inner peace which I maintain by always thinking of the wisdom from the apostle Paul in Romans 8:6 which says, “The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.”
Over the years I have come to the realization that I shouldn’t get caught up in giving priority chasing after superficial goals such as materialism & wealth. Such a chase should be done in moderation because letting it rule my life can become emotionally exhausting. So I live by principles that encourage chasing after the finer issues in life like love, peace and happiness which happen to be the issues that produce contentment in my life and are most important for me. This was consolidated by my belief that I don't need to have what "everyone" else has in order to enjoy life because trying to keep up with others can break me financially and emotionally so I am always happy with what I have at that particular moment whilst working towards attaining more.

4.
All throughout my day I let the following wisdom of people who inspire me
guide me.
There is the wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi who said, “'When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end they always fall.” This saying makes me believe in truth and love at all times which results in my happiness.
Martin Luther King observed that, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that," His observation inspires me to live and walk in the light always.
A certain William Penn once wrote, “I expect to pass through this world but once and any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” His philosophy inspires me to be kind to others at all times.
The writer James Thurber encourages me to live in the present with his saying, “Let us not look back in anger, or forward in tear, but around in awareness”
Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets said “I believe in taking a positive attitude
toward the world.... My hope still is to leave the world a little bit better than when I got here.” I have adopted his belief and always aim to make the world the best place to live in.
The great visionary Mahatma Gandhi’s famous saying, “Be the change that you want to see in the world”, urges me to act towards my vision of the better world I want to live in and the life I want to lead.
Bob Marley in his Redemption song said that, “None but ourselves can free our minds” and this phrase makes me realize that no one but myself is responsible for creating the kind of environment that induces a peace of mind and happiness in my life.

5.
I have my own set of cardinal principles that guide my every action and reaction,
with an underlying motive of walking the talk of my vision of peace, love and happiness unto the whole world, starting with my own life.
These are as follows:
I always maintain my personal integrity by being myself and saying what I mean, and
meaning what I say. Duplicity is stressful so I always avoid that trip and so exemplify the values I profess to admire.
I don't have to do everything; I don't have to agree to accept every request that comes my way. “No, thank you” can be the three-word sentence that gives me a less hectic schedule and more peace of mind.
I practice self care because life taught me that my ability to deal with stress increases as I take care of myself. I do this by eating nutritious, balanced meals, by exercising, and by getting enough sleep.
I always make sure that my supper time is peaceful. I never eat standing up; I don't
wolf my food down or pace myself at mealtime, I sit down to a table carefully set with china and silverware, light a candle, decorate the table with a floral arrangement and offer a prayer of thanks for the meal and then eat carefully and consciously whilst conversing to my family or occasionally friends.
Nothing else except soft music beats this in terms of inducing peace of mind and happiness in my life.
I aim to finish what I start because there is nothing that steals my peace of mind and happiness more than the thought of an unfinished something; it keeps occupying my mind and hinders me from gaining peace from a still mind.
I love nature and discovered long back that spending time in the outdoors is a remedy for almost any soul sickness and I take advantage of this natural therapy by gardening or going outdoors simply to appreciate God’s great art in nature, or by simply taking a leisurely stroll through a nearby park so as to breath in the fresh beautiful scents of nature. Stimulating the olfactory senses with nature can be a real spirit soother that smells of serenity. Talking of nature, the moon has always bailed me out of stress. During nights when I am feeling so down, longing for a loving human embrace from someone I love and who equally loves me to chase away
my stress and make me feel like a woman, I gaze out of the window at the cloudless
night and look at the moon and use my mind to picture a river of moonlight. I then
imagine loading my anxieties and concerns into a hot air balloon and letting it float away to the moon with all my stresses. This results in me feeling at peace with nature and myself. The moon looks so serene such that I have always believed that it is immune to the troubles on earth.
Last but not least I always get my daily dose of humour by finding something in my
daily life to joke and laugh about because life taught me that humor lightens the load of life and reduces anxieties.

Armed with all this wisdom that I learnt throughout the many years I have been on this earth it is so easy for me to have the aura of serenity and tranquility around me that most people comment and admire about me. Behind that serene facade that people see and admire only God knows the storms that will be raging in my life.