Digging for God 13 September 2013

Digging for God         10 September 2013

This time of year, most of us get the ‘green fingers’ inspiration.  To nurture seeds or seedlings, see them grow and eventually be rewarded with flowers or fruit/vegetables, is certainly worth-while.  My mother is a gardening specialist/fanatic.  She spends every possible moment in the garden. At almost 78, she injures herself all the time, as she chooses to ignore her physical limitations! Growing up, she was almost an absent parent, as she landscaped a barren Highveld property into a virtual park.  Today I understand that she found refuge in her garden, in difficult times. Twenty years or so later, they moved to the Bushveld, where she has systematically created another paradise.  Plants are moved and grouped and re-planted and moved again.  Compost heaps are created and the vegetable garden is always in full production.  Gardening, for her, is a therapy as well as a spiritual experience, where she communes with God.  My father, having given up understanding this ‘addiction to gardening’ says my mother is not happy unless she is standing head down with her fingers in the soil. I have heard it referred to as: “digging for God”.  Nature facilitates and enhances the closeness to all creation.  Some people find it on long walks in the mountains or on the beach, but this is not easily accessible here on the Highveld. When last did you take of your shoes and feel the grass under your feet?  When last did you dig into the soil with your bare hands? Try lying down in your garden on a blanket and just look at the clouds changing in the sky. Make time - even if it means sitting under a tree…..listening…..closing your eyes for a few seconds…… take a deep breath…..it is relaxing, de-stressing, and energizing!

Karin Engman    072 1896951     thehummingbird@vodamail.co.za

Laleli Motivational Speaking and Life Coach    www.karin-engman.blogspot.com3

Faith and Trust 20 September 2013

Faith and Trust   20^th September 2013

What a special day this is – my mother turns 77 today – and what is even more amazing, is that my husband’s mother also turns 77 today!  They say there is no such thing as a coincidence……………..  What I so admire about my mother, is that she lives in absolute Faith and Trust.  First to do what you need to do and can do, then hand over the rest to God. This is truly a valuable gift that will stay with me forever.  God bless you on your birthday Ma!  Like the story of a pastor who bought a beautifully embroidered table cloth at a street market, to hide some rain damage in his church. He meets an old lady, who just missed her bus and since it was snowing, he offers that she waits for the next bus in the church. As he opens up the table cloth the old lady recognizes it, and confirms it by the initials she embroidered in the corner. She made this table cloth before the second world war.  She tells the pastor that her husband was arrested and taken away during the war, and that she never saw him again.  The pastor offers the table cloth to her, but she declines.  He drives her home as a token of appreciation.  At a service a few weeks later, an old man approaches the pastor after the service and asks him where he found the table cloth, as it looks just like something his wife made.  Confirming this by the initials, he talks about how he has not managed to find his wife after the war….. this is a true story! Coincidence or guided by the Grace of God?   “So when the road you’re travelling, seems difficult at best – do your part as best you can and God will do the rest”.

Karin Engman    072 1896951    thehummingbird@vodamail.co.za

Laleli Motivational speaking and Life Coach    www.karin-engman.blogspot.com

The frolicking Elephant 6 September 2013

The frolicking Elephant

A video post on Facebook caught my attention this week. An animal sanctuary, located near a beach somewhere in Africa, took a baby elephant for his first encounter with the ocean.  The why and the how we’ll set aside for now.  The little elephant hesitantly walks closer to the gentle breaking waves and takes a few careful steps into the water before turning around and walking onto the beach again. Then, as though he makes a decision, he turns, RUNS and launches himself into the surf – stands up and then ‘dives down ‘ - again and again and again – then rolls around in the waves with only his trunk sticking out.  The pure abandonment of pleasure was clear to see!  He stands  up and throws himself down again into the wave as though he was trying to body surf. At the end he was getting rather daring, diving in head first and intended or not – making a “head stand”!  I laughed out loud – it was simply delightful!                                                                                                                       It encouraged me to look at my challenging situation, as though seeing it for the first time. Abandoning the fear of the unknown and simply playing in the surf! Sometimes we get overwhelmed with fear of the “what if” and “what will the people say”.  By stepping out of the fear of imagined future possible scenarios – let us rather summons our bravery and frolic in the waves.  It is infectious – it is revitalizing – it is re-energizing! With fresh courage and a new ZEST for life – we may just do the impossible!

Karin Engman              Laleli Motivational Speaking and Life Coach          072 1896951

thehummingbird@vodamail.co.za       www.karin-engman.blogspot.com

Butterflies 31 August 2013



Butterflies    August 2013

Everyday life – doing the same thing day after day – especially at this time of year , can be like living in a cocoon.   With the promise of Spring, fresh green leaves shooting all around, it seems like a good time to revitalize the spirit.  Make some changes, renew your efforts to make life better. Many creatures in nature hibernate in the winter – as should we, take quiet time – reflection time.  With the change of season and the hope of Spring in the air, it is time to rise and shine!  We need to open our awareness, and with fresh intention look at ourselves and at the world around us.  Do something a little bit different today,  break the routine of same old same old! Look at things from a different perspective. Be willing to consider a different point of view.  Just like the butterfly emerging from the cocoon, step into your world, with all your God given splendour - with new hope – and feel the joire de vivre!  The joy of Life – die huppel in jou stap!