4 of The Biggest lessons that I have learnt growing up in South Africa.

Photo by Mpumelelo Macu.

This Article is dedicated to my late Grandfather, Anthony ‘Spabo’ Sithebe.

Although I was born in New York, I identify completely with being South African because I was mostly raised there. And even though, my family’s heritage is not completely Southern African, I identify mostly with this culture and what it has offered me and The World. 

I will start with this, not one country is perfect because a country is made up of people and in any group of people, there is diversity. Different minds, bodies and souls that congregate together and unite. 

Although, South Africa may have some problems, I am very fortunate to have had grown up in this country. I currently live in Los Angeles, a place that I love; however, my heart will always be in Africa, no matter where I go because (this continent) leaves an impression so deep in your heart that you can never escape it once you have travelled to it. 

These are 4 of the best lessons that I learnt growing up in South Africa. 

1. Ubuntu (togetherness). 

Ubuntu is a word that is a loose translation to mean togetherness and connection. We are raised to believe that this is first before anything else. Practicing Ubuntu, reminds us that people are valuable and no money, job or house can replace the connection that you can develop with another person. Togetherness is above race, religion, ideologies and currency- it is based on humanity and what is in your heart. 

2. Forgiveness. 

Africa is a continent that is resilient. It is the most colonized continent and has had the most of its riches taken from it. But when you visit this continent, you will meet the kindest, friendliest and most genuine people that you have ever met in your life because we are raised to forgive. The rest of The World may see this as weakness; however, this mentality has taught me that if you want to take my money, my materials and steal from me, take it! You can take anything from me but my joy and my peace- the two most important things in life.

3. Strength. 

Having been born into a family of two parents who are both Scientists, one of them who was a Political Activist and wanted by The Apartheid South African government, I have seen first hand what strength and belief can do. I am so proud of my parents, who were raised in Soweto, and went on to achieve some of the most incredible things in This World. They have been examples to me of what is around you is not the end. If you believe in yourself and a dream, that belief is stronger than anything else that you might encounter along the way because once you achieve it, you will have forgotten about anything that you had to encounter along the way. 

4.  Hakuna Matata. 

You might be familiar with this phrase from The Lion King, which is an actual fable from Southern Africa. In loose translation, it means no worries ever. Which Africa (as a whole) embodies. Yes, everyone has problems but once you start listing your problems, the list can go on-and-on forever. Problems are a part of our daily lives but how we look at them and what we do with them can make them into worries. And when we worry, we are the most affected by our worries by anyone else. This saying has taught me that if you can’t do anything about something, let it go. Life is meant to be enjoyed, not stressed over

12 Ways to Protect your Light.

Image from Unsplash

When we start to raise our vibration, it is important to protect the work that you have done in becoming a higher-vibrating being. 

When I was younger, I used to think that the more light that I developed, the more light that I had to give to others. Which (in theory) sounds great but in practice can be tiring. 

I have learnt that each of us are responsible for our own light. Yes! We can be influenced but our internal work is up to us. 

Here are 12 ways to protect your light: 

1. Acknowledging and accepting your truth. 

2. Standing in your truth. 

3. Aligning your chakras. 

4. Meditation. 

5. Prayer. 

6. Saying no to things and people that suck your energy. 

7. Saying yes to things and people that elevate your existence. 

8. Rest when it is time to rest.

9. Appropriate crystals. 

10. Cleansing, internal and external. 

11. Almost-daily physical movement. 

12. Practicing gratitude, abundance and seeing the silver-lining in situations. 

I looked in the mirror and found…ME.

I looked in the mirror 

And discovered beauty. 

I looked in the mirror 

And found a story.

I looked in the mirror 

And saw magic.

I looked in the mirror

And said sorry. 

I looked in the mirror And found forgiveness.

I looked in the mirror 

And I smiled. 

I looked in the mirror

And I fell in love. 

I looked in the mirror 

And I made some promises to have boundaries. 

I looked in the mirror 

And I laughed. 

I looked in the mirror 

And I understood. 

I looked in the mirror 

And I felt complete.

I looked in the mirror

And I found me.

12 Things that I would rather be other than skinny.

Image from Unsplash

We see the word ‘skinny’ everywhere: Try a pill to make you skinny, try a particular diet to make you skinny or even, try drinking some potions/teas to make you skinny. The list goes on and on. 

In our desperate effort to be skinny, we forget about the amazing things that our body is doing for us.

It has taken me many years to realize this but being skinny is not the biggest accomplishment that I want to achieve in The World. 

There are so many more things that I would rather be. Here are 12 of them: 

1. Healthy. 

2. Strong. 

3. Graceful. 

4. Grateful. 

5. Present. 

6. Kind. 

7. Brave. 

8. Courageous. 

9. Smart. 

10. Authentic. 

11. Humble. 

12. Intelligent. 

Pourquoi est-ce que je veux me pardonner?

Image de Unsplash

Parce que le résultat est que je pars avec plus que je ne suis entré dans cela.

Je me pardonne car j'ai choisi d'être optimiste et avec le bien vient le mal.

Je me pardonne parce que compter toutes mes erreurs ne fera que me rabaisser. Je choisis d'avancer avec amour et pardon.

Je me pardonne parce que le passé peut être un bagage ou une sagesse, je choisis si j'apprends ou si je reste coincé.

Je me pardonne parce que j'ai fini d'être déçu et embarrassé de choisir d'être avec quelqu'un qui pensait que l'argent pourrait acheter et conserver un effet de levier sur mon cœur.

Je me pardonne parce que le passé n'a que le pouvoir que je lui donne. Si je crois en ce moment, je choisis de laisser tomber le passé

Why do I want to forgive myself?

Image from Unsplash

Why do I want to forgive myself? 

Because the outcome is that I am leaving with more than I entered into it with. 

I forgive myself because I chose to be an optimist and with the good, comes the bad. 

I forgive myself because counting all of my mistakes will only bring me down. I choose to move forward with love and forgiveness. 

I forgive myself because the past can either be baggage or wisdom, I choose if I learn or stay stuck. 

I forgive myself because I am done being disappointed and embarrassed about choosing to be with someone who thought that money could buy and hold leverage over my heart. 

I forgive myself because the past only has as much power as I give it. If I believe in this moment, I choose to let go of the past 

What happens when you decide to live in abundance.

Image from Unsplash

Inspired by Mother Teresa, written by Hall Tsotetsi.

When you shine, people are jealous of your light. Shine anyway. 

When you are your best, people question it. 

Be your best anyway. 

When you think that you are worthy, people might tell you that you aren’t. Think you are worthy anyway. 

When you stand firm in your truth, people might be intimidated. Stand firm in your truth anyway. 

When you are authentic, people might tell you not to be. Be authentic anyway.

When you decide to be successful, people might try to stop you. Be successful anyway. 

When you discover that everything that you needed is within you, people might call you arrogant or conceited.  Be everything that you need anyway. 

Because ultimately, our lives belong to us. We cannot wait for others to recognize and see our worth, we need to see and recognize our worth first. 

7 ways to get closer to your dream life.

Image by Unsplash

Article written by Diana Athena

As kids we all have had our dreams. Someone may have wanted to become a doctor, a singer, a fireman, an actor, a designer. But what has happened to those dreams? Have we simply grown out of them? Have any of our dreams come true? Or, have they gotten lost under the pile of everyday tasks?

I don’t think dreaming is a way to distance us from reality, but a way to access the heart’s deepest longings. In the constant chase for a better life, it is easy to forget who we wanted to be when we grow up. We waste our energy stressing out about paying bills, managing our schedules while getting a decent amount of sleep. We rush, we worry, we run after our goals. But are those goals helping us to get closer to ourselves? I like to look at dreams as a way for the heart to communicate, as a way of healing and coming closer to a child inside of us.

Can we remember and stay true to our dreams?

I find these few ways being extremely helpful to silence my thoughts and to dive deeper into my heart, giving it permission to bring magic into the world around me.

1. Finding time to relax.

Busy schedules are demanding.Life is flowing and the clock is ticking. And, there are still so many things to be done! Somehow the fastest way sometimes is to go slower, to step back and get yourself together first, before you start putting together everything else. That simply may look like 5 minutes in your car before you get on the road, or an extra stop on the way home to take in whispering of the trees.

2. Meditating.

Meditation is a great way to tune out your thoughts and into your heart. Creating space for yourself to be simple and free without anything else to do, without anywhere else to be. Just. Simply. Be. You.

3. Being in nature.

Big cities contain a lot of pollution; not just environmental, but also energetic. Which, in turn, results in heavy layers of protection around your softer Self. It is important to take short trips/walks somewhere, where the nature sounds are louder than the city noises.

4. Writing.

Writing can be used as a therapeutic tool to access deeper consciousness. The mind can spin one thought over, and over , and over again, but once you make a choice to write it down the mind has to focus on forming it into words, which breaks the spinning pattern. Don’t just believe me? Try it! Write it down first, and then add some spiciness by providing a description!

5. Giving yourself permission to enjoy life.

If the first thing which came to mind is going out with some friends on a Friday night (nothing’s wrong with that), scratch it out! Look within yourself! What do you actually want to do? What activity could possibly bring a smile to your face? Be creative! Explore your interests! And don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Come up with the things you want to try, instead of searching among the things you already have.

6. Acknowledging your victories.

The change doesn’t have to happen as a storm breaking everything along the way. It can start by simply finding awareness that you are not in the place you want to be at. Don’t beat yourself up for that! Instead start making small baby-steps towards your desirable outcome. And don’t forget to give yourself some credit for your hard work! The goal is to enjoy life! Remember? And not to set up more goals, just yet.

7. Creating new dreams.

Find gratitude, as your dreams slowly start blossoming into your life. Welcome and celebrate them. Notice how it feels like to have your wishes come true. But remember to keep on dreaming!

You do not have to run through deserts and cross deep seas to meet your heart’s desires. You just have to believe that you deserve the life you want and that the dreams are meant to come true!

The magic is just beginning!

Diana is a full time yoga teacher and a writer based in New York. 

Diana has started practicing yoga in 2012 and has been teaching since 2016. Yoga practice has taught her to connect more deeply with her body and to discover the depth of her breath. It has taught her to be more aware of her habits and choices, both inside of the yoga studio and outside in the real world. Stepping onto the mat time and time again has given her an opportunity to get to know herself better and to find inspiration and courage to follow her heart. 

Diana has started to develop interest towards writing as a teenager, writing poems and short stories. After moving to New York from Russia when she was 19 years old, Diana has rediscovered her passion for using the art of words to express herself and has started exploring  writing in English. After performing one of her poems as her monologue in an acting class and receiving positive feedback from her acting coach, Diana knew that writing was her calling. Diana is currently working on her poetry book and is using a net of well chosen words to share her views and to inspire.

12 Things that I will no longer let stand in my way.

Image by Unsplash

I am a firm-believer that everything happens for a reason. I also believe that obstacles and problems are lessons, as long as we stay open to what we can learn from them. 

Sometimes it takes having obstacles in our way, removing them and moving forward to realize what was in our way. 

Here are 12 things that will no longer stand in my way: 

1. Someone else’s ideals. 

2. Game-players. 

3. Fake friends. 

4. Manipulative people. 

5. Insecurities. 

6. The past. 

7. What other’s think of me. 

8. Lies. 

9. Haters. 

10. How my finances ‘should’ be. 

11. Betrayal. 

12. Negativity. 

12 cosas en las que creeré sin importar qué.

Imagen de Unsplash 

Soy un firme creyente de que lo que hablas en este mundo se manifiesta en la existencia. Por eso la creencia es tan importante, porque lo que crees a menudo se manifiesta a través de acciones y palabras.

Es fácil creer en nuestro futuro y positividad cuando las cosas van bien; sin embargo, creer en ellos cuando las cosas no nos han ido es aún más importante para que podamos ser claros en el camino por el que nos dirigimos.

Aquí hay 12 cosas en las que creo, sin importar qué:

1. En el amor.

2. En mi mismo.

3. En el poder del conocimiento.

4. En el poder del yo.

5. Que todo estará bien.

6. En la humanidad.

7. En la conservación del Medio Ambiente.

8. En el cuadro más grande.

9. En la fuerza interior.

10. Que todo lo que he estado buscando está dentro.

11. Al volver a empezar, no importa la edad que tenga y lo que cueste.

12. En el perdón.

10 quotes to help spark change in The Environment.

Image by Unsplash

It is clear that we need to improve the state of our environment. So that we can restore what we have destroyed, for ourselves and the later generations. 

Here are 10 quotes to help inspire this change: 

1. ‘I only get angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things we could use.’- Mother Teresa. 

2. ‘We don’t have a society if we destroy the environment.’- Margaret Mead. 

3. ‘Nature is a miracle we depend on.’ -ANON. 

4. ‘If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.’ Van Gogh. 

5. ‘Be a part of the solution; not the pollution.’ - ANON. 

6. ‘We make the world we live in and shape our own environment.’- Orison Swett Marden. 

7. ‘Take care of The Earth and she will take care of you.’- ANON. 

8. The future will either be green or not green at all.’ - Bob Brown 

9. ‘The only way forward, if we are going to improve the quality of the environment, is to get everybody on board.’- Richard Rogers. 

10. ‘What we are doing to the forests of The World is but a reflection of what we are doing to each other and ourselves.’- Chris Maser. 

A Playlist for new beginnings and moving on from heartache.

Image by Unsplash

There is nothing like music to invigorate your body, mind and soul- particularly during difficult circumstances. There is a lot of power in hearing lyrics matched with composition to express that we are all here for each other. 

This is my playlist for starting a new life after heartache: 

1. Wide awake- Katy Perry. 

2. Out of Reach- Gabrielle.

3. Time flies- Lykke Li.

4. I wanted you to feel the same- The Radio Dept. 

5. So This is Goodbye- Will Fitzsimmons. 

6. Part of me- Katy Perry. 

7. Sweet Disposition- The Temper Trap. 

8. Nostarè- Bebe.

9. Closer- Goapele.

10. Off I go- Greg Laswell. 

12 Things that I will always believe in, no matter what!

Image from Unsplash

I am a firm-believer that what you speak into this World, manifests itself into existence. That is why belief is so important, because what you believe often manifests itself through actions and words. 

It’s easy to believe in our future and positivity when things are going right; however, believing in them when things haven’t gone our way is even more important so that we can be clear abut the path that we are headed in. 

Here are 12 things I believe in, no matter what: 

1. In love. 

2. In myself. 

3. In the power of knowledge. 

4. In the power of self. 

5. That everything will be okay. 

6. In humanity. 

7. In the conservation of The Environment. 

8. In the bigger picture. 

9. In inner strength.

10. That everything I have ever been looking for is within. 

11. In starting over again, no matter how old I am and what it takes. 

12. In forgiveness.

6 More things I wish I knew before my first break-up.

Image by Unsplash

A break-up can catapult you into one of the biggest changes of your life. And like with other things that change, it is our choice how we use the cards that are given to us during these transitional periods. 

We can make ourselves victims or victors, it is up to us. 

Here are six more things that I wish I’d known before my first break-up: 

1. Everything is going to be okay. 

You might be crying and it might be hard to get out of bed and have hope but there is always light. Whether the light appears in a day, a week, a month, a year or many years- one day it will be better. When that day comes, you will be grateful that you held on. 

2. If you believe in your future, make choices that align that way. 

We can say that we believe that we will be okay but how are you manifesting into your life? Our lives are made up of choices and if you are making choices that take you back, how can you shift that to make choices that lead to forward to where you want to be? The great thing about choices is that only we can make them. So, we need make them wisely. 

3. You are not alone.

I know that it feels isolating and you are wondering how you can go on. However, I guarantee you that you can. You can because there is someone else going through exactly what you are going through, if not worse. Heartbreak and pain is felt by every single person alive. If they can get through it, so can you. 

4. There is a reason for it. 

It took me two years to understand why my five- year relationship didn’t work out. And, during that process, I found myself judging myself. I had to remind myself that healing is a process, however long it takes is okay. Only now do I understand why it ended. With that being said, once you have experienced a break-up, it may not be clear why it happened. But, i promise the reason will reveal itself. Let God reveal the reason when it is time. 

5. Greatness is on the way. 

I am a firm-believer that everything happens for a reason, whether we agree at that moment or don’t. Beyond every challenge is a breakthrough but it does require working through it to get to greatness.

6. Forgiveness is power. 

We can spend our lives counting the wrong that someone has done to us and find ourselves dwelling in negativity, thinking about the other person. When the person is living their best life. Hate is heavy and is only truly felt by the person who thinks hateful thoughts. The only power that can set us free is forgiveness. So, try to forgive. Even it is painful and revealing. Better to work through pain than to project it into yourself and others. 

12 Things you should do everyday if you want to be a kind person.

Image from Unsplash 

Maya Angelou had a quote that said, ‘If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.’ 

Which seems contradictory to so many things going on in The World right now. We have been bought the idea that success equals money, status and sexy bodies. But chasing after those things will not make you happier or kinder.  If we want to make true change, it starts with us, including kindness. We won’t always get it right. However, trying is half the battle. 

Here are 12 things you should do to be a kind person: 

1. Be grateful to have each day. 

2. Be grateful to have a body. 

3. Smile most of your day.

4. Focus on the positivities of life. 

5. Greet people who are of service to you. 

6. Say thank you to people who are of service to you. 

7. Limit your cellphone use in front of others. 

8. Look people in the eye when speaking to them. 

9. Be considerate of those around you. 

10. Speak from a place of compassion. 

11. Speak from a place of humility. 

12. Let go of the need to be right.

Letters to my unborn child.

Image from Unsplash

Dear child,

You are beautiful. Regardless of what you wear or how you look on any day, you are beautiful because you are you. You have been created with your beautiful skin, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, legs, arms, fingers, toes and hands. They are beautiful because they will help you create actions that will allow you to live in this world with a purpose.

Some people may call you beautiful because of how you look but, please don't believe them! Don't believe people that compliment you because of what you look like. You are and always will be unique and, that is beautiful. 

10 izingcaphuno eziphefumulayo mayelana nokuthula.

Isitombe se- Unsplash 

Intengo yokuthula inganqunywa. Asikwazi ukwenza lutho ngaphandle kokucaca nokuthula ngoba indlela engcono kakhulu yokuzilawula thina, kwabanye nokunye okumele kube nokuthula.



Ngomoya wokuthula, nakhu izingcaphuno eziyishumi ezikhuthazayo mayelana nokuthula:



1. 'Iqhawe langempela yilowo owanqoba inzondo nentukuthelo yakhe.' - I-14 Dalai Lama.



2. 'Ukuzimisela kwakho ukubheka ubumnyama bakho yilokho okukunika amandla okushintsha .'- U-Iyanla Vanzant.



3. 'Uma ungathandi into ethile, yishintshe. Uma ungeke ukwazi ukuwuguqula, shintsha isimo sakho sengqondo - uMaya Angelou.



4. 'Masixolelane. Khona-ke sizokuthola ukuthula. "Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy.



5. 'Akukho mkhuba. Kukhona ukuthula nothando kuphela. "- Oprah Winfrey.



6. 'Ukuthula kungumphumela wokuhlaziya ingqondo yakho ukucubungula ukuphila ngendlela, kunokuba ucabange ukuthi kufanele kube njani .'- UDkt. Wayne Dyer.



7. 'Ngeke senze ukuthula ezweni langaphandle kuze kube yilapho senza ukuthula nathi.' I-14 Dalai Lama.



8. 'Uma ufuna ukujabulela ukuphila kwakho, kufanele ube nokuthula nawe kuqala .'- UJoel Osteen.



9. 'Ukuphila kugcwele ukuthula. Uma uzohlala ngokuthula, kufanele ubeke imingcele futhi ungawavumeli. '- UJoel Osteen.



10. 'Yeka ukuthi ulungile. Esikhundleni salokho kukhulisa ukuthula, ukuvumelana, uthando, nokuhleka okuvela enhliziyweni yakho .''- uDeepak Chopra.

10 inspirational quotes about peace.

Picture by Wesley Eland

The price of peace is underestimated. We cannot do anything well without clarity and peace because the best way to be in control of ourselves, of others and of something is to be at peace. 

In the spirit of peace, here are 10 inspiring quotes about peace: 

1.  ‘The true hero is the one who conquers their own hatred and anger.’ - The 14th Dalai Lama.

2. ‘Your willingness to look at your darkness is what empowers you to change.’- Iyanla Vanzant. 

3. ‘ If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.’- Maya Angelou. 

4. ‘Let us forgive each other. Only then will we find peace.’ Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy. 

5. ‘There is no feud. There is only peace and love.’- Oprah Winfrey. 

6. ‘Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than how you think it should be.’- Dr. Wayne Dyer. 

7. ‘We can never make peace on the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.’ The 14th Dalai Lama.

8. ‘If you want to truly enjoy your life, you must be at peace with yourself first.’- Joel Osteen. 

9. ‘Life is full of peace-stealers. If you’re going to live in peace, you have to put some boundaries up and not allow them in.’ - Joel Osteen. 

10. ‘Give up being right. Instead radiate peace, harmony, love, and laughter from your heart.’ -Deepak Chopra. 

12 maneras de ser un consumidor consciente

Imagen de Unsplash 

Todos podemos predicar, pero la práctica requiere fuerza, disciplina y apertura. Literalmente con casi cualquier cosa, tenemos que ser persistentes y practicar lo que predicamos; De lo contrario, solo estamos creando lo contrario de lo que queremos hacer.

Algo que me apasiona es ser más amable con el Medio Ambiente. Y, como mencioné, puedo predicar, pero hasta que practique, no tiene sentido. No siempre lo haremos bien, pero vale la pena intentarlo

, aquí hay 12 formas en las que practico el consumismo consciente:

1. Al limitar la cantidad de carne y pescado que como.

2. Tomando el transporte público tanto como pueda.

3. Tomando duchas cortas.

4. Utilizando una botella de agua reutilizable.

5. Al optar por las bebidas heladas de los cafés tanto como sea posible.

6. Reciclando lo más posible.

7. Comprando y usando jabones de barra y envases de vidrio.

8. Al reutilizar el plástico que he comprado tanto como sea posible.

9. Al practicar yoga en pantalones cortos, contienen menos micro-plástico que las polainas.

10. Al comprar productos orgánicos, es mejor para el suelo porque los agricultores orgánicos no usan pesticidas.

11. Por compras vintage cuando puedo.

12. Al apoyar a las empresas que se esfuerzan por ser diversas, no relacionadas con el medio ambiente, pero la diversidad es importante en todos los campos.

12 Ways to be a conscious consumer.

Image by Unsplash 

We can all preach but practice requires strength, discipline and being open. Literally with almost anything, we have to be persistent and practice what we preach; otherwise we are only creating the opposite of what we want to do. 

Something that I am passionate about is being kinder to The Environment. And, just like I mentioned, I can preach but until I practice, there is no point. We won’t always get it right but it is worth trying. 

So, here are 12 ways that I practice conscious consumerism: 

1. By limiting how much meat and fish I eat. 

2. By taking public transport as much as I can. 

3. By taking short showers.

4. By using a reusable water bottle. 

5. By opting out of iced drinks from cafés as much as possible. 

6. By recycling as much as possible. 

7. By buying and using bar soaps and glass containers.

8. By reusing plastic that I have bought as much as possible. 

9. By practicing yoga in shorts- they contain less micro-plastic than leggings. 

10. By buying organic produce- it’s better for the soil because organic farmers don’t use pesticides. 

11. By vintage shopping when I can. 

12. By supporting companies that make an effort to be diverse- not environment related but diversity is important in every field.