1st December - Worldwide

Year after year the 1^st of December has been instituted and celebrated as for the awareness of HIV.

Campaigns are done throughout the world to aware people of this killing disease but also to show to the HIV victims that we care for them.

However, after the first, the spur of the moment is gone and many of the supporters for this worldwide day go back to their routine not remembering any longer of this date up until a funeral is set and another friend, family member, relative is buried on its account.

This week, I want to use this space not to discuss about the disease or what has been done to prevent it,  what the latest statistics are,  but rather let me dedicate this blog to those who are fighting it directly or indirectly.

Either you are a HIV positive or someone very dear to you has got it and the pain seems to be the same. What to do to ease it or how to comfort one in such situation?

I believe, correct me if  I am wrong in that, pity is not the way. I believe that any HIV survivor needs to feel himself part of the society, part of the community, part of the family and be looked at not as someone in need but someone who can surprise with potentiality to do great things for him and for those around him.

Do not hold yourself back, do not quit your plans, do not give up on your projects or sit down and wait for the end as if it would come tomorrow. Take courage and live to the fullest you can, occupy your mind with different things, put up challenges for you, live each day.

Doctors have stated that the biggest share of a healing process is not related to the medicine applied but the positive mind of the patient who loves life.

I give you a quote from Ecclesiastes  “While there is life, there is hope” (9:4). Make of this 1^st of December 2008 an awareness day for you, be aware that you can do, you will do and it only depends on you.

In the spirit of  encouragement with all of you!

 

CHANGES...CHANGES...CHANGES

We have all, in recent days, followed quite closely political runs around the world and changes in governments. I believe I can mention the French President, the Australian Prime Minister and now the USA President which political campaigns have shaken the structure of countries and continents and awaken the mind of many for different possibilities and opportunities in life.

What made their campaign so special? They have materialized the meaning of newness, hope and perspective through their characters and proposals and all of a sudden people got so attached and identified with this perspective. They voted for them and in other words they voted for a change.

If it will take place, only time will show. If they will be able to deliver all that was thoroughly discussed and promised, we do not know; but they took people to believe they will.

Deep down we are all in search of new things, new experiences and new improvements in our life. We all appreciate what is unique and different. We all want changes.

Hence, some make options that are extreme and lead them to complete loss. Others are able to do right choices and apply themselves in particular areas of life that will bring up changes to them. They will embark in new professional careers, new adventures and health resolutions therefore being able to experience a whole new world.

All the effort is valid and again if you will overcome, only time will show. But there is a need of change inside of you that all material and emotional efforts cannot quench because you need to fill up the void that you do not even mention to your best friend or you do not want to pay attention to and acknowledge honestly that it is there.

You have changed jobs, professions, cities, your look is trendy, you are now making new friends, your partner now seems to be Mr. Right Guy but still you do not feel that you achieved the change that you so much want and need.

Take a look in this quote extracted from a powerful book of wisdom and encouragement “Forget the former things; 
do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert 
and streams in the wasteland    “ Isaiah 43:18-19.  I invite you to give a chance to the Creator of all new things to work this change in you.

Do all you can, apply your efforts in all new projects you may have but do not forget that first things come first and all changes will start by you allowing God to change what goes inside of you.

What is your legacy?

The early hours of Monday, the 10^th Nov, grieved the nation with the news of Mrs. Miriam Makeba’s death. I pay tributes to an international icon with such a beautiful legacy to all of us women. Through the passion for her song, she did not change culture alone but used it as a platform for the struggle for freedom in South Africa.

The entire occurrence made me to think about the power within a woman. If we put together purpose, self-discipline, character and perseverance, we are able to do much more than we just first planned or thought.

You may not have the idealism of changing the world but I am sure you feel like some changes are needed in your family, neighbourhood and in you. Perhaps you did not find the path as yet or you are struggling with the choices you made.

Remember, Mama Africa lived in exile for 31 years and that was the price of her choice, purpose and determination! It does not come easy, so it seems.

But the point is: you can make it! And it starts by believing in yourself  and applying every effort to achieve what you have purposed.

Now, when you allow God to lead your way and be partner with you in this adventure, you will build up what it takes to get to your personal success : self-confidence and faith, emotional and spiritual resistance to anything that wants to steal your dream.

Alone, you can conquer  a lot if so is your purpose but working in partnership with God you can be a worldly icon and reach out heavens, conquering eternity.