Author Archives: amindfullife

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About amindfullife

Passionate about living every moment as best I can. Continually emergent and a work in progress

A world of AIDS

Posted on December 1, 2012 by amindfullife

This day, for the past 24 years, has been about raising awareness around HIV and AIDS. For many of us, especially here in South Africa, this one disease has become central to our lives.  This is true for many of … Continue reading →

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Tribute to a life of courage

Posted on November 24, 2012 by amindfullife

A somewhat different post today, but an obituary in the Financial Times weekend paper touched me in a way few have in recent times.  A woman who defied the great might of bullies and organised crime of the modern era … Continue reading →

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Stuck in the Doldrums

Posted on November 23, 2012 by amindfullife

All in a hot and copper sky, The bloody Sun, at noon, ‘ Right up above the mast did stand, No bigger than the Moon. Day after day, day after day, We stuck, no breath no motion; As idle as … Continue reading →

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Paying attention to the heart

Posted on November 19, 2012 by amindfullife

“I also have one of those organs!” she said, hand over her heart, clasping with all her strength,  “A real heart!”  Eyes wide with wonder and surprise.  I had been leading a short session last week with some care workers.  … Continue reading →

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More about swimming with sharks

Posted on November 9, 2012 by amindfullife

Sitting here, at the back of the near empty class room, most of the afternoon, working on my computer, reading the paper…just sitting.  Being a needed presence to my daughter writing thus far the most difficult two exams.  Not really … Continue reading →

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Swimming with sharks

Posted on November 8, 2012 by amindfullife

This past week has felt somewhat like my last diving experience 20 years ago.  My husband and I had learnt how to dive during our time down under while living in Australia.  We took lessons, did our requisite deep dives … Continue reading →

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Life without calculation

Posted on November 2, 2012 by amindfullife

Driving on the highway last night to visit a little patient and his family I see weekly, I found myself musing about the nature of faith and hope.  I rarely travel this road but it has become a weekly ritual … Continue reading →

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Close up and intimate

Posted on October 27, 2012 by amindfullife

Being deeply loved… gives you strength, loving deeply gives you courage. Lao Tzu   Those of us who work in the field of paediatric palliative medicine often have the experience that children with terminal illness, close to death, wait for … Continue reading →

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Stepping on landmines

Posted on October 17, 2012 by amindfullife

When war ends, when a surrendering of sorts comes into effect, there is always a time of assessing, gathering, integrating, rebuilding, and finding a way to move forward, to live back into our every day lives.  Sometimes this war has … Continue reading →

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It’s not your journey

Posted on October 7, 2012 by amindfullife

The best advice I received this week was via my own therapist from her animal behaviourist, about the behaviour of her beloved pet with brain damage.  To remember it was his journey, not hers.  It reminds me of the poem … Continue reading →

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