This Tuesday blog is very late … late because I am readjusting to some whopping curve balls.  Firstly, we were so so excited to be flying to England this week and to be with our family.   All of our careful and special plans have been well and truly thwarted!  The other curve ball that has resulted in a late letter is due to a “boxing match” that I am having with Covid!

There is a school in South Africa that awards annually the prestigious “Boxer Scholarship” to a pupil.  It is called this because of the virtues associated with boxing, and I am listing them here because they are useful to remember in our every day lives.  

BOXERS:

Respect those around them, especially their opponents;

Keep agile;

Pay heed to their supporting team;

Plays by the rules;

Get up when down;

Keep trying and keep going, even when circumstances are not in their favour;

Adapt and adjust to varying circumstances;

Are curious and pleased to find ways of maintaining excellent health;

Seek advice and take wise advice;

Move on from the difficult times and focus forward;

Change behaviours that are not serving them well;

I know that when you are in ‘the ring’ it can feel nothing but pain and frustration, but please know that these times pass.  They really do.  Just keep going – even in the very smallest of ways.  Reach out to a friend or somebody in your community.  And there is somebody.  Also, reach out yourself to somebody who might need to talk.  These curve balls are often so bewildering and make one feel so alone, but they pass – and there are people around you who really really care.  You can always WhatsApp me too – 0027 82 337 0867.

(And I recommend following Charlie Mackesy on Instagram – his drawings just says it all).