I find that practicing gratitude is a valuable tool for clients who need to be nudged out of a slump,
but I recently found it to be an equally valuable tool in helping to deal with the stress of living in South Africa.
We had friends visit from overseas and they were completely blown away by the beauty and
energy of this country, and by the friendliness and generosity of our people. They had heard all the
horror stories of crime etc before they arrived – and they almost didn´t come as a result – but once
here, they were in awe of the abundance around them on so many levels. At the end of their
holiday they left very reluctantly, in complete sensory overload, with their next trip back already
planned.
Being their tour guide made me look around me with new eyes, and by the time they left I was in
love with my country again. They could see why we had left their country to come back home – and
reminded us of that fact over and over again. Family and friends who welcomed them and showed
them genuine interest, the way strangers across every divide routinely greet each other instead of
avoiding eye contact at all costs, the beauty of people, inside and out, and the spectacle of nature
that surrounds us. We are a special bunch and we live in such a special place. So the next time
you find yourself ground down, try playing tourist tourist in your town or area. Turn off your brain
and your phone, and turn on your senses. Immerse yourself in whatever your province, your local
businesses and local communities have to offer. Intentionally look for the good that exists around
you, acknowledge it and be grateful for it. And repeat it as often as possible.
Contact me on 076 778 2787 or email vastrop1@gmail.com for a free exploration session to see how coaching can help you to navigate the changes that life brings.
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