MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH
Today I was given another wonderful opportunity - an opportunity to let go of old patterns and to just BE in my vulnerability (my nakedness/my strength), with an open mind (no control), sharing of this beautiful song that I carry in my heart (unconditional love) ♥ I am deeply grateful ♥ Not everyone 'hears' the music. That will not stop me! I will keep dancing ; ) ♥
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH
Today I am preparing myself (updating annexures and finalizing quarterly reports) for the Regional Quality Assurance meeting with DCS (Department of Correctional Services in South Africa) in Drakenstein tomorrow. This is an amazing opportunity and it will open the doors for us to all prisons in the Western Cape. All prison process updates can be followed here.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH
Today I am at Drakenstein Management Area for Regional Quality Assurance. I am presenting THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL to be opened in ALL prisons in Western Cape. Exciting : ) So this is it...
Dear SPONSORS, come on board and support us as we take LOVING ACTION for our beautiful South Africa ♥ We really do need your help! Our 2-year budget per new prison: R250,000 / 2nd and 3rd year R100,000/per year.
We are looking at activating at least 3 more prisons this year (that makes 8 in total) with THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL
- Pollsmoor Women
- Worcester Men and Women
- Allandale Prison
- Malmesbury
Thank you Meeghan for joining me! Today was a wonderful reminder of how important and how precious a TEAM is.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH
I am allowing myself a day of calmness filled with 'empty spaces'. After so running fast (like I have done in preparation for the meeting yesterday) it is good to allow time to rest and relax for a moment or three ; ) I am also taking some time to follow up with Vivian in Denmark via Skype (giving thx for technology!!! - 'to be used wisely').
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH
I am having a productive day in my office and knocking on doors re containers for our SWOP SHOP programme (re-cycling awareness programme) plus funding.
I am looking forward to welcome my Dad and his wife in a few hours. They are visiting from overseas... a weekend of FunLovingSharingCaringFamilyMoments is awaiting me! Mmmmm... can't wait!! : )
At Peddlars waiting for our table.
Soooo good to spend time with Family!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH
Due to the visit I am having the weekend off. The Youth Programme is of course still running in the Nyanga Township - facilitated by our team! This is one of the great successes of the process - the community is buying into it, they are owning it and now driving it.
I am spending most of the day in Kalk Bay with Daniel, Nathalie, my Dad and Lena. We are enjoying the charme of this beautiful boheme side of Cape Town. Loving the small arty shops and the vibe. Afterwards we are off to find ingredients for homemade Sushi.... yum yum!
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20TH
Today we are having FUN in Camps Bay, enjoying the Beach, the Atlantic Ocean, Sinnful Ice Creams and a yummy early dinner at BLUES.
I had such a wonderful weekend with my beautiful kids, my Dad and his wife. I am reminded of how precious family is. And as with everything else in my life I am deeply committed to them. It takes each one of us to make this beautiful union. We can do so much MORE when we do it TOGETHER ♥
Now I am ready for an exciting week back in all projects!
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST
The next couple of days my focus is also to wrap up all lose ends in the accounting - making sure that it is ready for audit end of the month. I am at the same time drawing up the 2011 budget to be presented to the board next week. Once approved it will be send out to our network, sponsors and supporters.
Fundraising is KEY! We need at least 1M for 2011. And we need help to make this happen!! CAN YOU FUNDRAISE? Are you keen to assist us at The SmilingOne Foundation to raise much needed funds which will allow us to keep the wheels running in all of our programmes (sustaining 5 prisons, expanding to 2 more (women prisons), expand our township/youth/re-integration programme, kick starting our new SWOP SHOP recycling and awareness programme etc).
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND
Today I started off with a meeting at the Waldorf School - exploring recycling and synergies - and the rest of the day I was burried in numbers : ) I still got one file to go and then I am done.
As I was updating my Facebook Page this morning I cam across this beautiful poem written by Oriah Mountain Dreamer:
THE INVITATION
It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.
It doesn’t interest me how old you are
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dreams
for the adventure of being alive.
It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon…
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.
I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.
I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your
fingers and toes
without cautioning us to
be careful
be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.
It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand on the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”
It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after a night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.
It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the center of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.
It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.
A little something to reflect upon!
Have a stunning week everyone!
IN GRATITUDE
Karina
