I WAS BORN AND raised in South Africa,
until age 9, after which I came to Australia. My
parents taught me to believe in myself. Through
their guidance I understand that that for every
one person who does not believe in me and
support me, there are ten others who do.
To be honest, my parents have been my biggest
role models. They have stuck by me through thick
and thin and I KNOW they would do absolutely
anything for me…unquestioningly. That sort
of unconditional love and support is just
something that is truly inexplicable and
something I am thankful for every day.
Honesty is a quality I place a lot of value
on in my friends. I don’t need my friends
to always agree with me or tell me what I want
or need to hear. I need them to be honest, no
matter what that is. An open heart, compassion
and a sense of humour are equally as important
to me.
The wisest people I’ve met are my pets.
They are constantly “in the moment”.
They hold no grudges; they love and live, with
pure intent and nothing malicious. They approach
everything with enthusiasm and have the most
wonderful joy and zest for life. They live and
let live and judge no one. I know, without a
doubt, that I am a better person for having them
in my life and teaching me so many valuable
lessons.
Animals are great for having a laugh at
themselves and lifting the mood. It doesn’t
take much to make me laugh. I quite enjoy seeing
pretentious people making a right duffer of
themselves while trying to impress. Funny movies
or skits (think Little Britain etc) are always
made funnier when you watch them with friends
and I just love animal antics.
I draw my strength in life from the love and
support of all these people in my life – my
family, partner, friends and pets. Even when I
feel a little lost it’s comforting to know
that I have the support of so many wonderful,
inspirational people who I know truly believe in
me... even when I don’t!
It’s not surprising, my greatest fear is
losing all those who I love and have touched my
life. It’s not something I think about but
I constantly remind myself never to take my
loved ones for granted and never walk out on an
argument or go to bed angry. If you love
someone, let them know, don’t wait for the
“right moment”... that moment is now!
As cliché as that sounds, it’s
important to me.
Life! is my favourite journey. Staying with
the question is very important to me. If you
always have the answer and question nothing, you
don’t grow. Growth,
living…experiencing life…it’s a
wonderful journey…even if at times you feel
lost, it’s all part of living and who knows
what will come at the next leg of the trip!?
Some of the things I most enjoy in this
journey of life is sleeping in on cold wet
mornings. Lying in bed with the one I love, the
rain tapping on my window, the cats on my bed,
the dogs at the foot of the bed... perfect! I
love being in nature.. it’s just such a
tonic for the soul... so grounding.
I also love photography! There is just
something peaceful about the whole experience.
It really makes you stop and look closely at
even the tiny, seemingly insignificant details
in the world around you and see it all in a
completely different way.
Transition has definitely been my greatest
achievement. Stepping up to the plate and taking
responsibility for my own life and actively
deciding who I want to be and what I want to do
with myself.
Taking back my own power was a very big
moment for me. It’s difficult to pick an
actual moment which defined my experience as a
man, because I’ve always felt myself.
I’d have to say though the defining moment
in terms of being accepted by others, was the
day I realised that I had the unconditional love
of a wonderful, remarkable woman...simply for
being ME, as I am…not for who I thought I
was trying to become or who I thought she needed
me to be. The penny suddenly dropped for me that
I was already that man she needed me to be.
Nothing was going to change except my outward
appearance.
To finish up – my life motto: I actually
have a few but the one that gets the most weight
is simply, “What I do today is important
because I am exchanging a day of my life for
it”.
I feel too many people (myself included!) are
getting bogged down every day by things that
when you really stop to think about it…mean
what? Nothing! Our life is now! There is no
take-two.
I often have to stop and ask myself “is
what I am doing today (or is the way I am
feeling right now) really worth the trade
off?” Live with an “attitude of
gratitude”...be thankful for all my
blessings. Don’t just say it...FEEL
it…BE it because what you put out to the
world is what the universe will give you.
