Love And The Sweetness Of Doing Nothing - A Journey Of Cape Malay Heritage

Cariema Isaacs reflects on love and Dolce Far Niente while in Maastricht, Netherlands.

EAT PRAY LOVE

I’m going to start with LOVE, and the meaning it’s been holding for me of late.

For decades women have gone in search of love. For decades the love that they have sought was, more often than not, found in another person. I’m not sure if it’s our inability to be alone when we are younger that makes us believe that love is only felt and meaningful when it’s with someone.

I sat on a train yesterday, for about three hours on my way from Rotterdam to Maastricht in the Netherlands. In fact, I missed a few stops because I sat in deep thought as I observed mothers moving their strollers around on the train. Moms trying to settle their little ones and taking out snacks and food to feed them. This resonated with me, as I bid my youngest goodbye, a flood of memories seem to engulf me of the days when my boys were younger.

If someone described to me in detail what my role as a mother and wife would be, and I mean describe all the graphic details, I might have paused slightly before leaping. It’s two of the hardest roles I’ve ever had to do in my life… and am still doing it.

I am starting to realise that to love yourself, you’ve got to love with intent. What I mean by this is, be intentional with how much you want yourself to be healthy and well. Be intentional about who you surround yourself with and what meaning they hold for you. Be intentional with the protection you provide for yourself, to never be harmed by anyone.

Here’s the gold, the pearls of wisdom and stuff that every girl and boy should know. To understand how to love yourself will aid you in who you let into your life later on.

To love yourself is not selfish, it’s selfless. It means you’ll be a whole human for yourself and everyone else around you.

I walked in the rain this morning and I could only think of how utterly fortunate I am to love my own company. Me, myself and I, hopelessly devoted to me.

Harness your strength. Know your power and then step right into your life with love. Living on love and fresh air today    

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Embracing Dolce Far Niente - The Sweetness of Doing Nothing

As the clouds gave way and the rain stopped, I found myself captivated by the art of doing nothing. I settled on a quaint bench, a front-row seat to the bustling world around me. Time seemed to slow down, allowing me to savour every passing moment without any obligations or distractions.

For an hour, I became an observer of life’s vibrant tapestry, as people hurriedly made their way, immersed in their own journeys. And there I sat, content in the simplicity of just being.

Later, the call of nourishment could be ignored and I ventured into a nearby coffee shop.

In the pursuit of doing nothing, there lies a hidden treasure - the art of surrendering to the pleasures that life has to offer.

It is in these moments of indulgence that we truly appreciate the richness of existence, allowing ourselves to be swept away by the sheer joy of just, being alive.

Read more about my journey to self-discovery next week.