Mindful Moment 2 Feb “Conscious Relaxation”
My toolkit for survival
Hello friends
As I sit down to write today I realised how long it’s been since I last wrote. I, like you, have been trying to navigate this world in which we find ourselves. I don’t want to say “our new normal” as there is nothing “normal” about it. But we are certainly all in a state of grief – many of us have lost loved ones recently, many of us are worried about family and friends who are ill, and all of us are longing for a time when we could sit in a packed theatre and watch a show, walk on the beach, move around without sanitisers and masks, and our children could easily and freely go to school and sport.
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Letter to the people of South Africa on Youth Day 16 June 2020
Please watch the video version of this letter here
This letter is addressed to you, our Honourable President, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, to your cabinet, to the CEOs and the captains of industry in South Africa – black and white, male and female. And everyone in between. It’s also addressed to you, the workers, the nurses, the teachers, the tellers – also black, white, male, female, and everyone in between. And it’s definitely addressed to you, our educationalists, our Heads of Schools, our education leaders. And it’s addressed to the mothers and daughters that I sat with in Alexander township on Friday. The ones who feel forgotten. It’s addressed to each and every South African. Including myself. Continue reading
A Letter to the Women of the World
Dear woman of the world
Make yourself a cup of tea. Find yourself a sunny spot. Put down your worries and your fears for just this moment. Let the world carry on without you for the next 10 minutes. Press play … Continue reading
Reply to Dr Michael Blackburn’s letter on FB
A reply to this letter on FB from Dr Michael Blackburn
Dear Mike (aka the Anaesthesiologist replying to the physiotherapist whose open letter is doing the rounds on social media)
I was surprised that you didn’t address your letter directly to me (Nicola Aylward) as we know each other, but I’m pleased that you wrote it and challenged me on it, as that’s what I am encouraging – critical thinking and robust debate. So, thank you for your comments and I address them below. Continue reading
Open Letter to the Department of Basic Education
An Open Letter to the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Angelina Motshekga, the Department of Basic Education, South African epidemiologist and infectious diseases specialist Prof Salim Abdool Karim, executive director of ISASA Mr Lebogang Montjale, and the ISASA team, Heads of Schools and educational leaders in South Africa as well as the Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize, the Department of Health and the advisors to the DBE. Continue reading
We were made for times like these
I have been asked to do a video of this blog – if you’d like to view the video please click on this link.
Humans have been on this earth for over 200 000 years. It’s an undisputed fact. Continue reading
How to be well
Dear friends
Since I last wrote 2 weeks ago (“The Power of Stepping Away”), we as a nation and as a global community, have significantly increased our efforts to “stay away”. Continue reading
The Power of Stepping Away …
I’ve gone down the scroll hole. Continuously scrolling, reading, digesting – articles, charts, graphs, opinions, latest news, health advice. I feel my heart pounding in my chest, my breathing is shallow Continue reading
MAYBE …
MAYBE …
As I sit and write this newsletter, I know already that this year, and this decade, will have many ups and downs for us all. We all wish for a healthy and wonderful year, and this is my wish for you too, but the reality is Continue reading