Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it is the only one you have.

 "Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it is the only one you have." — Alain

Ideas are wonderful; random thoughts that filter through the mind and eventually finds its platform in the form of an idea. But limiting oneself to just one idea is akin to stymieing growth .  And what is a life if it is not about growth and development of both mind and body.  The human mind is designed in such a magnificent manner that it is meant to be home to countless ideas.  Ideas that when fertilised and nourished can become life goals.  As one who has an idea a dime a dozen, to subject myself to the one-idea approach would be futile and completely soul destroying for all the reasons mentioned before.  I regard myself as being a rather focused individual who prides myself on constantly stretching my mind and thereby constantly evolving as a more informed, rounded person.  And I owe this to the very many ideas that have taken root and seen me progressing them to fruition, where real milestones and achievements have been realised from the the little sapling that was once just an idea.  Ideas - I remain intrigued not only by my own but the many that have been shared with me.  Some good and some, well pretty shitty ones, have been fodder for many a great conversation where even more ideas have taken sprout - and so the tree of life continues.

Am I able to accept what they were not?

As the adult Charmaine I sometimes look back and ponder on a childhood that though rich was somewhat lacking in certain areas. My parents were typical products of their time - they were taught that being good parents was all about providing physiological security, that the emotional side would somehow take care of itself and was definitely not high on their list of priorities in terms of my development. So was it a childhood filled with hugs, affection, emotional and morale boosting at the hands of my mom and dad? Mmm, probably not.  Did I lack for anything financially and materially? Hell no, I was the kid everyone wanted to know as I had all the latest gadgets and toys fresh off the dock from yet another of my parents many travels (they worked at sea). In that sense I was spoiled rotten. But was I the worse for wear because of some of the other deprivations? To a degree, yes - but where my parents could not provide in those areas they made damn sure they put a support system in place to make up for their inability to do so.  I was surrounded by love and cushioned by a vast network of 'secondary family' - aunts, uncles, cousins, nannies and the like. However, from where I'm sitting today I still feel I would have been better served by receiving all of that directly from my parents. Do I accept that they did all of what they could and am happy and at peace with the way I've evolved based on my earlier years? I would have to say, yes I'm good. They certainly gave me enough of a foundation to set me on the proper course, and for that I will always remain grateful to my mom and dad. I love them all the more because of, and despite, their shortcomings.

Get connected...

How often do we not get caught in the advertising lures (some say traps) that the myriad of telecom service providers have dangling out there. Even with the good old Consumer Protection Act that came into being on 1 April 2011 that was supposed to protect consumers from the over-zealous and lascivious marketing ploys of said organisations, there is still very little to stop those who can prove affordability from succumbing to the latest 'best deal'.  You know the one, 'for the unbelievably low price of Rx we give you...and that's not all...if you take up this exclusive offer by x date we'll throw in x..." Sound familiar? And they'll 'give you'.  Come on, seriously?! Yet we buy into it. The instant gratification and consumerism mentality that has befelled society is fertile fodder to these 'devils who wear Prada'. I, for one, recently signed up for a 3G service through a supposedly reputable giant in the industry for the princely sum of R150 per month that gives me 1.5GB free data with, yep you guessed, an extra 1.5GB 'night owl' thrown in for good measure. And the best part - that extra 1.5GB is yours for free but only if used between 12am and 5am.  A brilliant deal, right? If you don't sleep between those hours, yes! After all that is when most people are at their most productive (said tongue-in-cheek). I consider myself to be an intelligent consumer so how in the love of David did I willing allow myself to be led to the alter like this.  And it does get better...I lose connectivity with such regularity that my 'way cool bargain' has seen me clocking up more couch time at my psyche guru than my medical aid can keep up with. So next time you're tempted to sign on the dotted line when that 'too good to be true' offer presents itself, keep one thing in mind - IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!

Have you figured out the second head fake?

Did you figure out the second head fake? Do any of us really?  Rather, I think most come up with life plans that are defined as dreams and goals.  Then the mission becomes about actively seeking to realise those dreams, sometimes with such drive and haste that little thought is placed on savouring the gifts that life presents along the way.  The gifts of time, family, relationships, love, health, and nature to name a few. Having twice come close to losing the most precious gift of all, life itself, I strive to live my life to the fullest - as though each day were my very last.  So that when I put head to pillow at night, I can close my eyes in contentment and satisfaction knowing that I did all that I set out to do in a way that felt right. I try not to get caught up in the hurly burly of life and to live simply and meaningfully. To embrace the beauty, joy, laughter, energy, good people, fabulous moments, and even those curve balls that sometimes come my way.  For life is not as complex as we sometimes make it.  And we do not have to come to the end of our lives to realise that.  We do not have to experience the pain of losing a dear one to know that our lives are not a dress rehearsal, that we need to live it well, that we do not have a second chance to make it better. As Randy Pausch, popular computer-science professor at Carnegie Mellon University who succumbed to pancreatic cancer, stated at his 'last lecture' "...its not about how to achieve your dreams. It's about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way ... the dreams will come to you. Did you figure out the second head fake?..." A phenomenal parting gift, at least to those wise enough to heed the lesson. Read more: http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1826574,00.html#ixzz1Tt6Kzspt