A week has passed since the horrific terror attack in Paris,and when faced with what I saw on
Saturday afternoon on Facebook- I was bombarded with status updates and posts about Paris and the multiple terror attacks on the Friday night.
I clicked on one of the posts and began to read the horrific details of what unfolded on what seemed like a normal and vibing Friday night in " The City of Lights", that turned so quickly into "The City of Darkness and Terror". I continued to scroll through my newsfeed to read more about the attacks because I just couldn't believe my eyes, how could this happen?!
People all over the world had taken to Social Media, with the hashtag #PrayforParis and changing their profile pictures to the French flag as a symbol to show their solidarity and support for Paris and for the victims of the horrific attacks.
My heart was bleeding for the people who had lost loved ones in the attacks, the people of Paris and not only for the people in Paris, but for humanity, for the world.
The attacks dont affect just those living in Paris, it has an impact on EVERYONE. It's an indication of how badly we need to fight together as one, and NOT fight against one another. To put aside all our differences, and see that what is unfolding ALL over the world is a precursor to a bigger picture
I'm not sure what the answer is and I'm hoping that there will be a huge change, but it may take years or it could take one significant event and then the change will come.
In the end light will always dispel darkness. We need a whole lot of light right now. Here is hoping we find our light and shine it, as an example to others that they can too do the same.
Wednesday 18 November 2015
Tuesday 28 July 2015
In Honour of 67 Minutes
I've worked in very diverse jobs, but when I was asked to join the campaign I never imagined I would be exposed to so many moving and life changing experiences.
One such experience was when we organised activations on the 17th of July in honour of Mandela Day. At 6:30, on a freezing cold Winter morning, I made my way to one of the days activation, where I met up with The Creative Counsel's amazing activation team to give away 3000 ARK's at the Grayston and Rivonia intersection.
The TCC team was full of energy and excitement, it was contagious, and I had to get involved! The intersection was abuzz with activity and then the fun really began. We ran up to cars, jumped on to buses,stopped taxi's, giving away ARK' to the passengers. Amongst all this, I took a moment and I realised we were in the thick of peak traffic changing people's days, and I would never have thought I would be lucky enough to have that experience. An hour flew by and we realised that 3000 ARK's were finished! Activation 1, was a success!
Next stop Tshwane, where we set up shop outside the Pretoria News Agency. At first, people were very sceptical when we approached them, but once we explained the concept, people LOVED the idea and couldnt take enough! 2000 ARK's were gone in and hour and a half, and we knew that we left Tshwane a little different than before.
As we left Tshwane to return to Johannesburg, I knew that not only had the day changed me, but we got the chance to change someone's day or even course of their life. Not many people can say that, but it can really be done, I saw it and felt it.
One such experience was when we organised activations on the 17th of July in honour of Mandela Day. At 6:30, on a freezing cold Winter morning, I made my way to one of the days activation, where I met up with The Creative Counsel's amazing activation team to give away 3000 ARK's at the Grayston and Rivonia intersection.
The TCC team was full of energy and excitement, it was contagious, and I had to get involved! The intersection was abuzz with activity and then the fun really began. We ran up to cars, jumped on to buses,stopped taxi's, giving away ARK' to the passengers. Amongst all this, I took a moment and I realised we were in the thick of peak traffic changing people's days, and I would never have thought I would be lucky enough to have that experience. An hour flew by and we realised that 3000 ARK's were finished! Activation 1, was a success!
Next stop Tshwane, where we set up shop outside the Pretoria News Agency. At first, people were very sceptical when we approached them, but once we explained the concept, people LOVED the idea and couldnt take enough! 2000 ARK's were gone in and hour and a half, and we knew that we left Tshwane a little different than before.
As we left Tshwane to return to Johannesburg, I knew that not only had the day changed me, but we got the chance to change someone's day or even course of their life. Not many people can say that, but it can really be done, I saw it and felt it.
Monday 6 July 2015
A Soul Is a Soul
Working in Social Media, has it's pro's and cons, and on a daily basis we are bombarded with images and posts that are funny, and some extremely distrubing. Social Media is a space where anything goes.
Something that resonated with me was last months posts and petitions circulating on Facebook about a dog-eating festival in Yulin, China.The festival occurs during their summer solstice, and dog and cat meat is served . It is said that the dogs are farmed ,and then killed for their meat.There has been an immense outcry throughout the world, which has attracted attention from many activist organisations, trying to end this, in my opinion barbaric festival that is common practice in Yulin.
Some people will take the stance that if we can eat the meat of cow, then how can we be hypocritical to condemn something that is a tradition. I do understand that stance and there is a valid point BUT, the treatment of the dogs and sometimes cats is so immensely barbaric and cruel. They are locked up in small cages with about 5-6 dogs in a cage, covered in faeces and urine, burnt alive and beaten to death!
Some people believe that animals are without souls, but how is it that they feel our emotions when we are sad, or miss us when we go away? They are mans best friend, there has to be a reason for this. I believe in every living creature, there is a soul. A small spark that exists in everything, and every living thing should be treated with kindness whether it's human or animal.
I sit back and watch these things unfold and I am deeply affected, hoping that if we do perform more act of kindness, there will be a change in world consciousness. Until then, I'll keep fighting the good fight, and remember a soul is a soul.
Do you agree that animals have a soul, and should be treated with kindness?
Something that resonated with me was last months posts and petitions circulating on Facebook about a dog-eating festival in Yulin, China.The festival occurs during their summer solstice, and dog and cat meat is served . It is said that the dogs are farmed ,and then killed for their meat.There has been an immense outcry throughout the world, which has attracted attention from many activist organisations, trying to end this, in my opinion barbaric festival that is common practice in Yulin.
Some people will take the stance that if we can eat the meat of cow, then how can we be hypocritical to condemn something that is a tradition. I do understand that stance and there is a valid point BUT, the treatment of the dogs and sometimes cats is so immensely barbaric and cruel. They are locked up in small cages with about 5-6 dogs in a cage, covered in faeces and urine, burnt alive and beaten to death!
Some people believe that animals are without souls, but how is it that they feel our emotions when we are sad, or miss us when we go away? They are mans best friend, there has to be a reason for this. I believe in every living creature, there is a soul. A small spark that exists in everything, and every living thing should be treated with kindness whether it's human or animal.
I sit back and watch these things unfold and I am deeply affected, hoping that if we do perform more act of kindness, there will be a change in world consciousness. Until then, I'll keep fighting the good fight, and remember a soul is a soul.
Do you agree that animals have a soul, and should be treated with kindness?
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