I’m back and it feels wonderful to be on air with you!  Thank you so much for all your emails - the Merry Christmas wishes as well as all your magnificent Happy New Year messages. 

Life is such a blessing and although we have a great many challenges ahead of us - that is the place at which we meet our true selves.  Wouldn’t it be great to see yourself rise above a crisis instead of buckling at the first sign of pressure?  Every day we are faced with a plethora of choices.  Even if you make a negative choice the first time round, you can always undo the damage by making  a better choice just as soon as you realize things would be better if you’d chosen a different option.

I wish you an incredible 2009 - a year filled with daily forks in the road which take you on the journey of your making.  You have the power to rise above even the darkest circumstances - simply by refusing to allow your thoughts to be riddled with neagtive energy.  Soon you will begin to sense the change that your thoughts are generating in your life.  Remember as always - I’m right here and it is my pleasure to entertain and hopefully uplift you!

Happy New Year!

Happy New You!

Be kind to yourself and those around you.

Tové 

So many people are describing the trials and tribulations of 2008 - and maybe you are one of them!  As you know, I always prefer to focus on the outcome I prefer - the silver lining rather than the whopping great thunderous cloud of doom and gloom. 

So I am wishing you the very best in all areas of your life for 2009!  I’m away with my mum in Port Elizabeth, enjoying a very special holiday that I will treasure for the rest of my life.  My wish for you is that every moment of this brand new year is a treasure to you. 

I’m back on air on Monday - can’t wait to catch up with you!  Be kind to yourself and those around you.  Tové

I’m writing to you from the coast – we fly back to Joeys later and I’ll be back on air on Thursday 18 December 2008.  I am playing “Don’t Save it All for Christmas Day “ on my Mac as I offline some of the images I’ve been taking. 

The song is about finding your way every day, “love lives on if you give on”.  I love the spirit of Christmas – the hope and the renewal are all much needed and deeply appreciated. 

We’ve been away for a wedding.  We spent a few days before the ceremony on a short family excursion to Balito: MG and me, mum-in-law and our son Jesse.  Today is the Day of Reconciliation – a public holiday that saw thousands and thousands of people swarming to the beach as we drove through Durban. 

Our accommodation was a magnificent lodge, beautifully decorated with all sorts of Christmas paraphernalia – including Santa’s sleigh and some reindeer seemingly flying right across our balcony, lit in joyful lights like a beacon to the whole of Balito.  I’ve spent a few Christmas’s in Balito where the contrast between snow covered fur trees and the baking heat - not to mention the stifling humidity - seems incongruent. 

It’s as peculiar to me as the people shopping for loved ones yet behaving in an unloving way to fellow shoppers and indeed family members whom they skinner about en route to Christmas lunch. 

Maybe we can reconcile our differences and celebrate that we are uniquely blessed to be here for another Christmas.  Just like the couple who got married in the company of family and friends who had flown in from Zimbabwe, Dubai, England, Australia and various parts of South Africa, they have a new beginning together marriage is so much more than the wedding. 

Elderly family members bore testimony to the idea that love is everlasting, now and then there needs to be compromise and reconciliation if there is to be love that lasts just like the song says - not just for a day but for life. 

Okay so on the radio just before the news at 2pm this arvie, I mentioned that Sunelle (Vinnige Verkeer) and Gerda (Nuus) were wearing something that I would photograph and load on to my Talk to Tové Blog. 

Here are the promised pics ah hem….What is it with Christmas hats – they always make us look a little silly?  Anyhoo the fabulous twosome delivered their respective updates live on air without flinching as I took pics of them in their racy headwear….

Here are a few of the pics that fans of the Bjorn Again show have been sending me.  The cast did something most stage acts would refuse – and that is, to stay behind after the show to meet people and give them a photo opportunity. 

If you were there on the night – I’m sure you had a wonderful time – Bjorn Again is a truly feel good show with one awesome ABBA hit after another.  Lots of people are telling me they are booking to see the show again and you could too click on this link: 

http://www.computicket.com

With pleasure – if you have photos – I’ll add them to this Blog entry so send me an email right away tove@jacarandafm.com

   I love inspirational thoughts and messages – I find they really help improve the quality of my life.  We spend so much of our lives in our headspace and just because we might not be conscious of our thoughts doesn’t negate the impact of their negative energies. 

Thinking is like breathing – it is automatic – we can’t escape consciousness.  Even when we are unconscious: either asleep or in a coma, our thoughts continue.  We might not know the exact calculations of gravity – but a glance at pictures of our younger selves proves a sometimes harsh reminder of its sagging effect even on the body!

So many people are writing to me and sharing their despondency about the global credit crunch and how it’s ruining the Christmas spirit.  When the same conversations come up in person – I do that movie look where the person stares blankly back at the person who appears to babbling.  I glaze my eyes, trying my hardest not even to blink.  I keep my body as still as I can.  Actually I’m reflecting their doom and gloom away from me, preventing my consciousness from latching on to one single iota of negativity.

You won’t believe how long it takes some people to realize I’m not wallowing in agreement.  Others don’t even realize I’m not participating in their misery.  They conclude that, “After all, it’s not just South Africa - the whole world is collapsing…[depressing]…[the kids will be so disappointed]…[awful]… [it’s just terrible]…. [no hope]…. [long time before we get out of this]… this will be the worst Christmas ever!” before leaving to repeat their sorry story to the next sad pair of ears. 

If I am challenged about my peculiar behaviour – I’m cautious not to lecture, instead I echo their opening phrase, “Christmas Spirit”.  Some people get it and find new ways to approach the festive season and their lives in general – others stare blankly back at me.  It’s not so funny being on the receiving end of those empty stares. 

I elaborate, “Spirit”.  Some people don’t want to be cheered up.  Some people prefer the constricting comfort of being stuck – blaming circumstance for the quagmire.  I’m so glad of the few who genuinely get what I’m saying.  Spirit is beyond the physical.  Spirit is not the physical gifts that cost money.  Spirit is about the essence of giving.  Christmas Spirit is about caring for others – not lavishing our loved ones in expensive presents that will rocket us into further debt crippling us by February next year. 

I believe that everything happens for a reason and it just so happened that one of the numerous motivational newsletters to which I subscribe succinctly describes my message today.  Joyce Sheldon was also contemplating Christmas Gifts when her meditation kept echoing the phrase, “Gifts with Meaning”. 

Greetings and Blessings

from

Joyce Marie Sheldon

“Joy”

author - inspirational speaker

faith coach - caregiver advocate

www.MyJoyToday.com

 I thought about researching the meaning of the word “gift.”  Instead, I decided to talk to you about “gifts with meaning.”  It’s really very easy to walk thru a store and purchase gifts for our loved ones - a sweater, perfume, a book.  Sometimes we have second thoughts about our gifts and wonder if they really are the “perfect thing.”  All of this “giving” can often become tiring as we search for something special, something different, SOMETHING WITH MEANING.  And so, when meditating on what message I could give to you this season - what words of inspiration I might share - the phrase GIFTS WITH MEANING kept coming up.  And so I ask, what GIFTS OF MEANING are you giving this year? 

Is it possible to give THE GIFT OF LOVE - to wrap it up and tie it with a bow - to present it to the ones we love.  How about THE GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING - something for which we crave but which is often withheld or replaced with judgment.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to give THE GIFT OF COMPASSION to those who are suffering loss, or THE GIFT OF OUR TIME AND INTEREST to those who are sick and lonely. 

These gifts cost nothing except a commitment to listen to our hearts and to act beyond the confines of our usual routine.  Life goes by so quickly.  We have the opportunity each and every day to provide Christmas for someone who needs us - someone who would benefit from a smile, a few kind words, an outstretched hand, a patient ear.  Some gifts come with a big price tag and are meant to impress.  Some come wrapped in shiny paper with big, bright bows.  But the best gifts, the GIFTS WITH MEANING, come from our hearts and linger long after Christmas day is gone.  

And so I present the challenge - for each and every gift you give this Christmas, give a GIFT WITH MEANING.  In addition to the lovely sweater, add a note promising the GIFT OF LOVE this year; in addition to the fragrant perfume, add a note promising the GIFT OF PATIENCE, UNDERSTANDING OR COMPASSION.  Be creative!  Meditate on what each person on your list might want or need.  You have the power to give GIFTS WITH MEANING.

with love.

Joy

P.S.  I would be pleased to know how this works for you.  Let me know at jayladybug@alltel.net

Write to Joyce (Joy) if this message has helped you today – I’m sure she would be chuffed to see that her “Gifts of Meaning” has come to South Africa and back out to the world again via my various Blogs on http://www.tovekane.com ; http://blog.jacarandafm.com/talktotove ; http://www.myspace.com/tovekane just 15 days before Christmas. 

In South Africa we have the world’s worst record of abuse against women and children.   This is an unspeakable crime and I find it intolerable that a society with such a progressive constitution would be the same society that wages war against its precious women and children.

We are also a country of lethally shocking drivers – our road death toll is off the charts and annually causes deep suffering and anguish since many lives are lost to negligent driving and unroadworthy vehicles. 

Crime, corruption – I can see my negative friends heading back to the discussion to bang on about how bad life is in South Africa.  I acknowledge that there are a great many challenges for us to overcome – not glibly with a Merry Christmas wish – but significantly – rooting out poor service, crime, corruption etc and rebuilding this magnificent country that is home to millions and hope to a continent. 

Despite all the things that need change, we are also a country of immense heart, generous giving and sincere compassion.  Let’s focus on those fine gifts and enhance them, involving more people in the cleansing wave of change.  Give the Gift of Patience next time a taxi driver cuts you off – the very next one might let you in saving you from an accident.   Spend time with your children instead of spending money you don’t have on them. 

The effort it takes to give gifts of meaning seems immense at first, till you try it.  Anyone can do it at any time.  Just become conscious of your thoughts and begin to think of them as gifts you give to yourself and those around you.  Everything we do is returned to us – if you give stress, you get stress.  You might not even be conscious of your negative energy.  All you can feel is the oppressive pressure of more negative energy accumulating.  You can change that right now – not with an almighty upheaval, but with a simple gift of meaning.  What you give, will be returned to you and like Sir Elton John tells us in one of my favourite animated features, it’s “The Circle of Life”. 

Bring your camera - take pics - let’s have fun tonight with all those amazing ABBA hits!  See you tonight!   

The Fray are back with a new single it is called “You Found Me” and you could find yourself winning some amazing prizes simply for rating this song as today’s Fresh Cut.  You have until 5pm today so get online and have fun!

Thousands of teachers and students protest the killing of a 15-year-old shot dead by Police in Athens. 

     Shot dead by police, Alexandros Grigoropoulos.   I’m watching the footage coming in live on TV News Networks around the world and I can’t believe what I’m seeing.  I understand that a mob of people can be extremely dangerous - but the people the police are attacking are students and the very people who look after the police’s own children - the teachers of Athens.   And the protestors who are attacking the police seem violent and out of control.       Hundreds of people have thrown stones and bottles at the building and the police officers who are trying to fend them off.  They are holding a demonstration to demand justice for Alexandros Grigoropoulos.

The death of the 15-year-old sparked days of rioting across the country, with 87 arrests made last night alone.  Officers have even reported being attacked with swords looted from a weapons shop during the unrest.

Thousands of teachers and students, carrying a large banner declaring “Assassins, the government is the culprit”, are involved in the march on parliament.

Greece’s Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has appealed for national unity to fight back against the worst rioting the country has seen for decades.

But the opposition leader wants early elections and said the government could no longer defend the public from rioters.

   See you tonight!  Hope you got your discounted tickets to join me at the Bjorn Again ABBA tribute show tonight at The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City.  I’ve seen the show and it is absolutely awesome. 

Each song is a feel good classic and there are one or two surprises too – you’ll see and hear them for yourself tonight.  There might just be a handful of tickets, remember they’ve been discounted to just R 100 so get some friends together and join me tonight Honey Honey!

http://www.computicket.com