I am a firm believer in the power of words. I believe it takes a lot of courage to say them. It requires even more to hear them; to withdraw the projection and let them stir you inwardly, to see into the bubble of the other. 

Paradoxically I am also a firm believer that some things don’t need to be said, but felt instead. Sometimes too many words can undermine the value of the message; by trying too hard or not hard enough. Then words can damage. It is not anyone’s fault, it is the power that words carry.

Between the too much and the not enough is the intuition. A subtle listening, a gentle perception: when you feel that there are words important to say, then those are the ones that need to be spoken.

And every year, I invest into my own intuition, healing the injured instinct, cleaning out the pollution in my river of past traumas, and generational hurts. What I have come to understand is that I might have the healthy impulse to speak, but we can mistake the push of fear and force with intuition and perhaps speak out of fear instead of from the place of powerful rest. 

As the years go by, I learn to take more care with what I say, to let go of what wasn’t said And where I wasn’t heard, to become more accepting of my imperfections and speak my words with grace and more fullness in my heart. 

Here are some words that my heart sings about Pod Easter in 2024, the first family edition. I write them because even though it lives in me so deeply, it is not so clear to others. It could mean something to those who have not heard them or read them in this case. Some who have been might feel that they have heard it within themselves, and there is a shared consensus.

But let these words fall into your being as an invitation.

In a rocky canyon somewhat close to a fallen spaceship in the desert, there is a saloon, and stars, and a velvet red bus with surprises.

Will you meet me there? And together we can drink a dusty dream, catch the stars in your eyes and hope into the future. 

The Place of Dreams in the dry and dusty Karoo brings people of all walks of life together:  old musicians, young artists, dancers, storytellers, hard workers and those with a little dream of their own where this place provides a space for growth and also community.

Last Easter, I was invited to do 2 talks on drama and confidence. I decided to create two themes: Transformation through facing fear and developing courage, and one about body image in a material world. I shaped it around 9 years of discovery and transformational healing, and through this process the potent value of drama can be seen throughout my life.

There were a few imaginative exercises that I took people through to create a character of their courage and their fear; and how we might possibly look at complexes that steal our confidence, our wholeness using the Greek story of Persephone, and how to embody our courage.

We did a few mirroring exercises, and danced a butterfly dance, one that is about accepting the body not for its form but for its true value in providing for us a way to move in the world; like the magic carpet, the body has many mysteries. 

How can we move into the future and give children confidence that is whole? It is a true gift for them to be exposed to drama and storytelling and I have since worked with these talks and workshopped them further.

This world is full of imperfections and when you have the responsibility of meeting children, you come to know the effect on them is immeasurable. There is a responsibility. And it is a beautiful responsibility. 

I also performed with The Psychedelic Theatre and my lovely friend and colleague Lanel van der Kolff.

You see, two bunnies had hidden easter eggs for all the children, with riddles, and games and a huge ball they created a fun tale unfolding, an adventure for all the children in the canyon, around the rocks, and in the caves.

At night two light fairies came alive, bringing colour and wonder to the music celebrations for all to enjoy.

The meeting place of sharing depth with the light and wonder of playfulness was truly a profound experience.

With the land that supported us, and the people that shared in it, it was truly meaningful.

With so many different experiences on offer, starting with the opening ceremony in connection and movement, to breath work, Jujitsu and plant medicine to various talks including Jannie, the knower of all plants and things –

– the activities I were able to do were:

Waking up at 06:00 to plunge into the icy waters (something I’ve always wanted to try). I was pleasantly surprised at how much I loved it. It felt great to give the immune system a kick start, raising energy levels and do a Bachata step before 7 o’clock in the morning, greeting the sunrise in the beautiful spot called the Pavilion. (If you didn’t want to do the ice, there was also a beautiful dam 20m away for a cold plunge.)

After this life filled start, I went to the yoga class, to move and open the body and the heart. It grounded and focussed the energy I could feel after the cold plunge.

The weekend would not have been the same without the wine Dr Dave, who deserves a special mention. He introduced us to the most extraordinary pairing with wines, where for the first time in my 34 years, I enjoyed wine.

Was it the wine? Was it the right time? Probably. But also the right company and a vast amount of experience. Thank you Dr Dave!

Into the dusk of the evening there were incredible live musicians, each with such a unique sound, followed by amazing dj’s, setting the tone for the evening – many of whom have walked a path with the growth of this dream in the dust.

In the desert of becoming, we are all wanderers. It was a community of sharing, and in the receiving of it, its purpose was fulfilled. It is quite beautiful when we can wander and share in such diverse and meaningful experiences – and this one sure is unique to its own. 

I wandered around after this wholesome and warm weekend asking for a word or two from those who attended and in that there was a blossoming : 

‘Ground in love, flowing

light air moves joy all’round us, 

and blissfull grace arrives.’

I am truly grateful for the experience, the learning, to those who listened, danced, reflected, and held space together.

A rhythm that carved inspiration into my soul.