Melancholy: a Quiet, Gentle or Pensive Sadness

Those of you that follow me probably at one stage wondered why melacholymons was silent for two years. Just after I returned from France in 2014 my career took a turn and I found myself  lending my hand to content and creative control of the corporate website. To cut all long stories short, I am now back in my home town of Cape Town, South Africa (SA), having studied and qualified in what I love, I am Monique at PR.

So what inspired to me set my fingers to the keyboard on a more private rather than professional note? For those of you that do not know the story, I am going to let you in.

Since a young age I have loved to write. The natural flow and order in chaos of the English language is fascinating to me, the delightfully daunting game of my OCD in words, the right fit, focus and the right feeling.

I completed my American High School Education through correspondence course in half of the 4 years assigned and was accepted with flying colours into the University of Cape Town (UCT) to study a Bachelor of Arts (BA): English, Media and Writing. Shortly after that I discovered that I could not begin study as SA did not recognise the SATs (US American High School Diploma). The way forward was an exemption certificate from Department of Home Affairs, to which I have applied 3 times and the government of our fair land being as it was/is, I have not yet received it 14 years later. Crushed as I was I enrolled in a Secretarial course and my life took a different turn.

I tell my fellow Capetonians now that I found myself in Kwazulu Natal.. When I was living in Cape Town I didn’t know who or what I was, 10 years I was in Durban and I went through hell for heaven’s sake. Through the avenues and gutters, victories and burdens, butterflies and sorrow, love and loss I battled, a quiet Friend alongside me guiding me to finding me.

From 2012 – 2015 I was running, albeit in the right direction. Studying an average of two courses per year, I qualified in Writing for the Web (SA Writers College), Web Design (Web Design Academy), Safe Work Practices (Chevron – qualified High Risk Permit Issuer and Harmful Gas Tester), Retailer – Service Station – Operation (Chevron), and lastly Public Relations (UCT‘s online division – GetSmarter.co.za).

God brought people in and out of my life, and  few of them are in for life. Without these helpers I would not be the gift I am today.

Looking back I see the incredible power of God’s hand over my life. I have realised that if I had completed the BA I would not have been able to write like I do now. Up until last year I have not before felt the peace, closeness and constant protection and love I do when I get into that quiet place with Jesus. I am complete. What I sometimes liken it to is the feeling of being in the womb (I am guessing); complete, encompassing wholeness, peace and comfort.

I cannot wait to go home. This life is temporary, real life begin after this. But I know I have too much to do. There are too any people that need to feel this way, need to know this wholeness, this is what we are all searching for. Not religion, church, nor people, but that wholeness. If we all have this, we will all be complete, living in love, religion will be nonexistent, churches as they were supposed to be, mankind temples of the Holy Spirit, Jesus here on earth.

This is my philosophy, and this is what I have found. MELANCHOLY, the word I have felt a strange kinsman-ship to over the years. I found out why: with this love comes a deep burden of sorrow, pain of the others emptiness and wondering.

Monique means alone or wise councilor, this too is a wonderous and true introspection. I love to be alone, I love my own company. I spent so many years running, always trying to fill it with people. Yes, I still run, I have not yet arrived. I am a human being, not a godly being, and I will fall, but my peace comes from proof. The evidence is in the past. Each time I have thought there was no where to turn, His way is perfect, His plan is perfect. In little things, in big things. And to be alone with Him is a piece of paradise.

It is amazing to wake up everyday and know that you are walking in victory and you are doing what you love. The excitement is contagious. I write on a daily basis, I cook regularly for my job, just two of things God has given me that I love to do.

She made broken look beautiful, strong look invincible. She walked with the universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings – Ariana Dancu.

Jesus makes beautiful to perfection, invincible to everlasting. He makes my wings unfailing, my soul fly in the clouds – Monique van der Walt

 

 

 

 

 

Pictographic – Masevaux

From Paris we journeyed aboard a train to Mulhouse, and from there hired a car and traveled to our home for 10 days, Bourbach-le-Haut

One of the nearby towns, the perfectly picturesque Masevaux

The entire town is like a movie set, small quaint houses, shops and cobbled streets

In the town centre, is the Hostellerie Alsacienne.

Everything about the place is fabulous; from the Star of David chairs, to silver cutlery, and mouth-watering meals; fantastic enough to warrant a second visit before leaving the region

The above is the Trout Amande

And the Duo de Poisson 

The whole town is like a movie set

The silence of the midday break shattered by our touristic presence

The town hosts a variety of  activities, from flower contests and organ festivals,  to The Passion Play

The flowers are not yet in full bloom, but still breathtaking.

The midday day break is from 12:00 – 14:00 daily.

You will find all shops closed, with only restaurants welcoming customers.

We found this affected particularly the smaller towns.

The spring flowers creep from behind the wood pile

Almost everything one sees it photo-worthy

Citizens are rewarded for beautiful gardens – Concours maisons fleuries

A couple of weeks later and we would have seen even more glorious colours

But all in all, Masevaux is easily one of the prettiest towns

Adding to its appeal, is the surprising small number of tourists about town

Sunrise over Sea – Another Fantastic Durban Sunrise

 Yes, another fabulous Durban Sunrise session this  yesterday morning.

Let me clarify about the title of my last post Durban Autumn Sunrise. I know it is not yet autumn in the southern hemisphere, but the crisp chill in the mornings  gives the impression of an early autumn.

THIS SUNRISE SESSION:

In the  hazy confusion of the predawn light, my focus falters, my lens afraid of the dark

All is eerily quiet, the rays seem to be taking an eternity to break the horizon and flood the world with glory.

Finally, the beginning of the end of the hazy, uncertain pre-dawn

The break of a new day, all creation in its glory on display

Silver lining, stalks, its the birth of a new day filled with promise

The Woolly Neck Stalks and the cat are used are also out and about to watch His majesty grace this earth again, simply for us to enjoy

No matter what circumstances occur, there will always be a sunrise.

Something amazing and beautiful always emerges from even the darkest hour

Something first dark, then serene and beautiful, turns into a powerful force

The light of that power now touches everything it encounters

All fear and confusion are conquered, all things working together for good, for beauty and for a new day

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Trust. Lies. Hurt. Truth. Power. – The Human race

Isn’t strange how the people you think you know the most, end up being the ones you knew the least.

That is going to be my new original mantra.

Trust.

This is something I do way too easily. I am still learning this lesson, as recently as today.

When you first meet someone, colleague, friend, lover, its easy to let them see what you want them to see.

The depth of trust depends on how long the wolf can stay in his sheep’s outfit. 

But nothing can stay hidden forever.

Lies.

The saying, “what they don’t know won’t hurt them” is rubbish. Its generally what we do not know that gets us hurt.

Forewarned is forearmed / Prevention is better than cure, are two much more accurate sayings.

Hurt.

Hurt is a natural reaction to being fooled. Here it is important to not let the hurt be a waste.

Truth.

The saying should be “What they do know can’t hurt them.”

As soon as the wolf’s identity is clear, you will realise how many other disguises have been used in the past.

This is your only defense, your shield.

As soon as you can see the missile incoming, you have the chance to dodge it.

It is sad, in a way that you have to dodge “friendly” missiles all your life.

Power

Know your enemy. I have gone as far as to keep a detailed record of every would-be attack by frenemies.

This is where you become powerful.

I keep referring back to my list, predicting every outcome of  their strategy.

Now the trust, lies, hurt, truth and power has given you two options:

Impenetrable defense.

Stealth mode counter attack.

Such is the human race.

Loving Your Parents

An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45 years old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow perched on their window.

The Father asked his Son, “What is this?”

The Son replied “It is a crow“.

After a few minutes, the Father asked his Son the 2nd time, “What is this?”

The Son said “Father, I have just now told you “It’s a crow“.

After a little while, the old Father again asked his Son the 3rd time, What is this?”

At this time some expression of irritation was felt in the Son‘s tone when he said to his Father with a rebuff. “It’s a crow, a crow”.

A little after, the Father again asked his Son 4th time, “What is this?”

This time the Son shouted at his Father, “Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times ‘IT IS A CROW‘. Are you not able to understand this?”

A little later the Father went to his room and came back with an old tattered diary, which he had maintained since his Son was born. On opening a page, he asked his Son to read that page. When the son read it, the following words were written in the diary :-

“Today my little sonaged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window. My Son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a Crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times. I did not at all feel irritated I rather felt affection for my innocent child”.

While the little child asked him 23 times “What is this“, the Father had felt no irritation in replying to the same question all 23 times and when today the Father asked his Son the same question just 4 times, the Son felt irritated and annoyed.

So..

If your parents attain old age, do not repulse them or look at them as a burden, but speak to them a gracious word, be cool, obedient, humble and kind to them. Be considerate to your parents. From today say this aloud, “I want to see my parents happy forever. They have cared for me ever since I was a little child. They have always showered their selfless love on me.”

Say a prayer to God, “I will serve my old parents in the BEST way. I will say all good and kind words to my dear parents, no matter how they behave….

The Lord’s Prayer – Mean it When You Pray It

I cannot say…..

The Lord’s Prayer

“Our” – if I live only for myself.
“Father” – if I do not endeavor each day to act like his child.
“Who art in heaven” – if I am laying up no treasure there.
“Hallowed be thy name” – if I am not striving for holiness.
“Thy Kingdom come” – if I am not doing all in my power to hasten that wonderful event.
“Thy will be done” – if I am disobedient to his Word.
“On earth as it is in heaven” – if I do not serve him here and now.
“Give us this day our daily bread” – if I am dishonest or am seeking things by subterfuge.
“Forgive us our trespasses” – if I harbor a grudge against anyone.
“Lead us not into temptation” – if I deliberately place myself in its path.
“Deliver us from evil” – if I do not put on the whole armor of God.
“Thine is the kingdom” – if I do not give the King the loyalty due him from a faithful subject.
“The power” – if I fear what men may do.
“The glory” – if I’m seeking honor only for myself
“Forever and ever, Amen” – if the horizon of my life is completely bounded by time.

Thanks to khamneithang! What a blessed way to start the day!

Faith – Whats Happens When You Die?

When you come to the edge the light and all the end of all you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown,

Faith is knowing that one of two things will happen: 

There will be something solid to stand on

You will be taught to fly!

The First Step Leading the the Rest of your Life

Martin Luther King‘s quote is seriously inspirational.

It is often most scary and frightful to take the first step, but its always worth it! Its the same with Faith.

And lets not forget one of my favorite scriptures: Hebrews 11 verse 1 –

Faith is being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see!