Hello Gang,

Below is a studly e-mail i received from a mate of mine and i thought it would be criminal for me to deprive you the opportunity to share in its word. Hope it lightens your load.

Later

Yaw
____________________________________________________________
A philosophy professor stood before his
class and had some items in front of him.
When class began, wordlessly he picked
up a large empty mayonnaise jar and
proceeded to fill it with rocks right to the
top, rocks about 2" in diameter.


He then asked the students if the jar as full? They
agreed that it was. So the professor then
picked up a box of pebbles and poured
them in to t he jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles,of course, rolled into the open
areas between the rocks. The students
laughed. He asked his students again if the
jar was full? They agreed that yes, it was.
The professor then picked up a box of sand
and poured it into the jar. Of course, the
sand filled up every-thing else.

"Now," said the professor, "I want you to
recognize that this is your life. The rocks
are the important things - your family, your
partner, your health, your children - anything
that is so important to you that if it were
lost, you would be nearly destroyed. The pebbles
are the other things in life that matter, but on a
smaller scale. The pebbles represent things like
your job, house, or car. The sand is everything
else, the small stuff."

"If you put the sand or the pebbles into the jar
first, there is no room for the rocks. The same
goes for your life. If you spend all your energy
and time on the small stuff, material things, you
will never have room for the things that are truly
most important."

Pay attention to the things that are critical in
your life. Play with your children. Take time to
get medical checkups. Take your partner out
dancing. There will always be time to go to work,
clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the
disposal. Take care of the rocks first - the things
that really matter. Set your priorities, the rest is
just pebbles and sand. May there always be work
for your hands to do; May your purse always
hold a coin or two; May the sun always shine on
your windowpane; May a rainbow be certain to
follow each rain; May the hand of a friend always
be near; May God fill your heart with gladness to
cheer you.

My, my my my music hits me so hard, makes me say oh my Lord, thank you, for blessing me with a mind to rhyme and a.... remember that? Old school jammin at its semi-best.

How u all this mornin, must say i am a broken man, thursday to saturday, late nites are us.

Anyway as usual new addition Nasrin, Nana and Stephanie, if u want to be removed drop me a line and if u want to pass any comments, either to me (reply to my mail box) or to everyone else (using the site http://mondaymail.blogspot.com).

Before I go on, must make it clear that this is not intended to be a cheap shot at anyone. We had our year end function on friday, I had this lovely las organised for the event, I was gonna be the man. But at the last hour, i got dropped like a bad habbit, she had her reasons i guess, a man was dissapointed, it was too late to even try and organise another las, just too much of a mission. . So a brother hooked up his brother from another mother, Rudi. At least the night would be full of laughter if nothing at all. Anyway we got there, my attitude was negative i was thinkin eish i should have just stayed at home. Anyway the nite began and so too the jokes, meeting new people...I must say that man from Tennesse, uncle Jack, had a big role to play. Friday nite was arguably one of the best nites I have had this year. It was just a ripper, brother even got down and dirty on the dance floor, not something u c too often.

There are 2 points i wanna highlight from this, and i have mentioned them both plenty times before.
1) After every cloudy day, there is a brighter day to follow, except if u live in England, cos after every cloudy day there is another, or if u r a bok on the Nov 2002 European tour. Things may seem bad at the time, but more often than not some good will come of it, so dont dispair, the big guy has always got your back!
2) In my eyes, there is no subsitute for friends or family, other than a friend, who will understand and still laugh with u about it, after being left at a bar to go pay a visit to a las, cos she called ur ?ss.

Anyway enuff of that

I have beed this morning, like most other mornings, but anyway. Tell me what the kcuf is going on in this country called South Africa? Cos this stuff is really of concern to me. The past few weeks, making news is the attack on tourists. There was a british tourist killed, then there was a tourist that had to endure a 14hr rape ordeal at the hands of group of idiots, then today i read that 2 German tourists are hijacked and another is killed for R1000.

I dont understand what goes through some peoples minds, other than air. Tourism in SA is one of its hugest revenue generators not to mention employment creation. If u keep killing or attacking tourists, thats definately gonna kill the industry, resulting in more job losses, weakining the economy, after it has shown some positive signs in the past few weeks. I think the solution is education, gotta educate people about the consequences of their actions, they might make R1000 rand now, but it will only take u so far, then what?? Government really has to step in and protect the industry, before the issue gets out of hand. The UK has already started issuin statements that SA is not safe for tourists.

Not sure when it was, but i read something that just confirmed that uncle Bob has totally lost it. He has passed a law that forbids anyone for passing derogatory comments when his motorcade passes. The law states that no words should be uttered when the motorcade passes and citizens should stop whatever they are doing and I am not sure if it is look at the procession or look down at the ground. I mean what the kcuf?? SA has spent 43 billion on arms and a mercedes benz jeep, i think its about time they tested some of their arsenal on our neighbour

Haphazzard, long and all over the show this email was. Appologies.

U all have a peach of a week, got plenty interviews this week, so hows about u spare a brother a thought, need to get out of auditing, its killing the spirit.

Maximum respek to all the masses, and Cape Town, c u all in like 2 weeks or less, heee heee heee heee

Quotes

Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief. Marcus Tullius Cicero

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow grow, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation. George Washington

My message is the practice of compassion, love and kindness. Compassion can be put into practice if one recognizes the fact that every human being is a member of humanity and the human family regardless of differences in religion, culture, color and creed. Deep down there is no difference. Dalai Lama

Consider this an early edition, writers block seems to have been lifted...I was half asleep and i had a moment, couldnt lose it, but before i proceed, a welcome to Tommie, please do contribute in whatever way u deem worthy, to our little community, should you on the other hand wish to be removed from this list please do inform me and your wish shall be my command.

Week not yet over but plenty of drama, though a bit of positive news, but i'll wait till its concrete before i divulge, but i was called egotistical, typical joburger materialistic and wanting to be seen with the who's who of show bus, volatile and something else, 'hmmm' that was me sighing...but my question is, i have known a lot of u for most of my adult life, y have u never mentioned this to me??

You know, in south africa and this most probably applies to your part of the world as well. But i have been thinking and I have come to the conclusion that education can go a long way in aleviating alot of the worlds problems, but as we well know to every rule is an exception, ie Robert Mugabe, possibly one of the most educated leaders in the world, but i digress.

Lets start with the disease that is claiming the lives of so many of our people, who is dying the most, i am no expert on the situation, but i assume people who are not aware or are ignorant to the consequences of having unprotected sex or having sex indiscriminantly. Yes educated people are dying or have died, but the people fueling the exponential growth/spread of the virus are those that havent been thaught or dont fully grasp the consequences of their actions.

Empowerment, for empowerment to really work in this country, those being empowered need to be educated and trained in the field they are entering, that education is true empowerment, dont take a person merely cos they are black,use them as window dressing, set them up to fail, so everyone thinks u see how useless these blacks are?? Empowerment has to start at school or through some form of training. Same goes for unemployment, ya possiblyt the uninons have a large roll to play in the level of unemployment in this country, because companies will see the cost of labour as excessive in comparison to the cost of say capital goods ie machinery, but the main reason is the lack of skills posessed by the man on the street. now why does she/he not have the skills, education, training, perhaps not their fault, but that doesnt change the fact that skills are lacking, what is the solution education, just so simple....

Tell me how many of us would be where we are was it not for education, having parents who stressed the importance thereof, or some teacher that pushed us to realise our full potential through education. That takes me to another point, the world is losing focus, i know i am. Y am i not a teacher, cos the cash aint right, simple as pi r squared... There was a time and i was born during those times, when being a teacher or a priest or a positive contributer was the thing to be, maximum respect, and i honestly think that is how it should be, now being a CA, corporate financier, tax consultant, CEO etc, thats the real bus, but answer me this without your education and good teachers where would u be now, yes there are your bill gates' etc that made it without formal tertiary education, but they all had initial primary education which enhanced or developed their ability to think.

Right about now i think i am waffling, if i do think of anything else do believe i will write. But bottom line, education is the key, get good well trained teachers and promote education, so many problems will be aleviated as a result.

And another thing which is so totally off the topic, remember the world owes u nothing, if u r sitting at a pc reading this email, u have been given every opportunity available, what you do with it, the consequences you must live with

And I am out!

Have yourselves a pleasant thursday,and please feel free to comment on http://mondaymail.blogspot.com

Maximum respek to all the masses and please if you have any character analysis of me, please do forward them good or bad in all honesty, its all about learning.

Much love

Y

In the begining there was the start...

Hello to all u happy people on this scorching monday mornin, well scorching here in Jozi, assume overcast, wet and dark in London...ya i know 15.5:1, but i say whatever....

B4 we proceed another addition to our community. Refilwe, welcome cous, if u have beef with this e-mail, drop me a line to get it off your chest, we even have a site where u can post comments should u feel the need(http://mondaymail.blogspot.com). On the other hand if u feel this is cloggin up your inbox, drop me a line and i'll remove u, if u so wish.

I sit here today feelin like a friggin fraud. U know how i am always on that help your brother in need tip, well yesterday i let myself down in a big way. I was leavin my parents house and there was this elderly man with a bag or 2. All the man wanted was a lift to the station, i saw him lumbering up the road, assuming he was lookin for cash, i reached into the ashtray and gave him all the coins i had there, but all he wanted was a lift. The station was out my way abit and i was rushing. so i just smiled, said take care and off i drove. As i drove off i just thought, f**k men, its not like it is going to be a crisis if u r late for touch rugby, the station is only like 5 min in the opposite direction, thought about all this, and do u think i turned around to go fetch the man. Hell no!!!

How often do we find it just so much easier to choose the easiest option for ourselves, instead of chosing the right option that would mean getting your hands a tad dirty, yet be more beneficial. Anyway feel like a bit of a tosser, and the fact that it was boiling hot doesnt help matters much. Guess another imperfection to be worked on..

I was reading this article the other day...thank God for the web, anyway it had in it 4 truths about life that you should accept and work through or towards:
1) Suffering exists,
2) Suffering arises from attachment to desires
3) Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases
4) Freedom from suffering is possible through: being positive in mind, not lying, speakin a good game and delivering a springbok performance, not stealing, destroying life, earn a living in a way that harms no other, resolve and strive to prevent evil qualities from arising in oneself, abandon any evil qualities one posseses, be observant, strenuous, alert, contemplative, free of desire and free of sorrow...the last 2 r pretty hard, cos emotions tend to be out of ur control, but focus on thine mind and all is possible

Anyway nothing else this week

Birthdays
22/11 Sanguita - happy b-day girl

All da boys and girls writing board II on friday, give it stick, i am sure u all do fine, got my fingers crossed.

Quotes
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.Anatole France

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. Mother Theresa of Calcuta

Sheesh at the end of this mail i have just realised i am getting pretty serious with these e-mails, there hasnt been much humour in the past few e-mails, there is just no way in hell i could be growing up, please no!! I think i'll put it down to el nino, there we go.

Fellas, Ladies, maximum respek and much love

Y

Another week, half done, what a pleasure. I trust you guys are all doin fantastically well.

The reason i havent written till now, is cos i just dont have anything to write about. The only thing on my mind right now, other than being on holiday, is the standoff between Iraq and the UN.

I am sure you are all aware that the resolution sent to Iraq was rejected, even though not formally by Saddam Hussein, it seems that a millitary strike is on the cards. I am not sure where i stand on this issue though. My reasons are there are other countries that have more nuclear and other arsenal than that which Iraq has, but will the UN send them resolutions....hell no, y cos they are the US' best friends. Take whats going on in the middle east for example, to be consistent with their past record of military action, something should have been done there years ago, but noooooo.

Anyway, whatever.... U know life is just so simple, it really is. Just be nice to people, it honestly is so much easier to have a smile on your face and say hi to someone than to have to always need to remember that u r angry with mr/miz X so everytime i c that person i must put on a straight face and ignore them. Help your fellow man if u can, c someone beggin and u can help em out, hows about u get them a loaf of bread or sumtin, hell its only R4 or whatever, nothing to u but a world of difference to another.

Simple philosophy, do unto others as u'd like them to do unto u, even better, just do good expecting nothing in return.

Anyway, very arb mail i know, but seems i have writers block, so u all be good

Birthdays

11/11 Rachel, trust it was a good nite. we drink this weekend, perhaps even tomorrow.

Quote

Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people. - Jawaharlal Nehru

Have a great afternoon and enjoy the rest of the week

L8r

Y

If u have seen this before, appologies, but it all makes sense, so i thought i'd send it to u all, thanks Sharpie


Life is a Theatre...Invite Your Audience Carefully.
Not everyone is healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in our lives that need to be loved from a DISTANCE.
It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go of or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not going anywhere relationships or friendships.
Observe the relationships around you. Pay close attention. Which ones lift and which ones lean? Which ones encourage and which ones discourage?
Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill?
When you leave certain people do you feel better or feel worse? Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know or appreciate you?
The more you seek Quality, Respect, Growth, Peace of mind, Love and Truth around you...the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.
Remember that the people we hang with will have an impact on both our lives and our income. And so we must be careful to choose the people we hang out with, as well as the information with which we feed our minds. We should not share our dreams with negative people, nor feed them with negative thoughts.
So, I ask the question....Who's in your front row?

take care

Y

Boyz and girlz, ladies and gents,

Before i go on, lemme just say, 'life is a rollercoaster, u just gotta ride it...' have had that song by Ronan Keaten stuck in my head for about a week now, such a feel good song.

Anyway how u all this foine monday mornin, Jo'burg is another bright sunshiny day, after a rather overcast weekend.

Briefly about me...just for a sec or 2, last week was a pretty 'cuffening week for moi'. On monday i think it was my boss gave me a letter, informing me of my promotion to management...yes that is right, negro with some power, watch the f**k out, and to top it all off they offered me what in afrikaans is termed a 'kakhuis vol geld', translated, even though it loses a huge part of its aggression, (a shaitehouse full of money). Then on tuesday, the Gods smiled down on us again and we got tickets to the winex from one of our bosses, so a semi big pissup, there was some other stuff inbetween, but i forget, I think it was on thursday a mate of mine from Cape Town, dropped in, to tune howzit, very welcome visit, then also on thursday, I got and offer from SCMB into their corporate banking division, as u can imagine thursday nite was pretty ugly, plenty consumed, oh what fun it is to be young and irresponsible (i guess semi irresponsible)...again. My laptop got struck by lightening which was a huge blessing, no disguse needed, cos that meant on friday a negro could do no work, so i went into the office, handed in my laptop and chilled the whole day. Today got a call from RMB about an interview for the 'class of programme' so we see how that pans out.

Enuff about me, and happiness and blah, now back to the usual story, yes thats right Magill and Lambley, biatchin and moaning...On my way to work, i was listening to 5fm, and Mark Gillman, the DJ at the time, was running like a survey, askin folk to call in and say who is more racist, the minister of sport(who recently made an outburst that has been splattered all over the media. Basically he was up in arms cos the cricket board has decided to scrap quotas, without consulting him etc,. The person he was up against was a man called the 'Wit Wolf' his name is Barend Strydom, his claim to fame/infamity(if such word exists) was he one day got into a car, bus whatever, got out, pulled out his gun and mowed down 9 negros, i think it was.

And the results of the poll 10 callers and all 10 say the minister is more racist!!

Am i crazy, am i missing the plot, i mean what the f**k!!! Something is definately amis in this society. Lets start with Mr Strydom shall we, the man wakes up in the morning with a plan and he sets out to fulfil this plan, he had plenty opportunity to think his actions through, yet he didnt change his mind

Now minister of sport, no defence is going to be offered, but i do understand where he was comin from, cos i also want to see some players of colour being given a chance, what he said was wrong, but how many of us in a rage have said things we wouldnt have ordinarily thought to be true for one, or said?? I know we have all been guilty of such. Anyway whatever the case might be, what he said shouldnt have been said, but for 10/10 callers to say the mand is more racist than a cold blooded murderer of people of a different race, i just dont know anymore...

But other than that life is great, except for the bomb blasts in Soweto, but that is for another day when the facts are clearer, other than there is an extremist right wing trying to throw this country into some sort of anarchy!

I think now might be a good time to sign off, but before i do go a few happy b-days:

1 Nov - Zara, sorry i missed it, but hope it was great none theless.
6 Nov - Dear sis, looks like stuff is fallin into place for ya, all thats missin, for me, is my little neice or nephew that i can parade at the malls to get some adoring female fans. Anyway happy happy and hope the Gods keep smiling on u, they gave u me as a brother so they definately are smilin on u still...
10 Nov - Shan, u beaut, looks like things also feel into place for u, glad to hear, hope your good fortune follows u into your new year.

If i missed yours ooops, but hope its fun!!

Quotes
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.
- Helen Keller

You must be the change you wish to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi

We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen. Every day, God gives us the sun-and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy. Every day, we try to pretend that we haven't perceived that moment, that it doesn't exist, that today is the same as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow. - Paulo Coelho

Remember the site for all comments, that are for public consumption http://mondaymail.blogspot.com.

And to all an eventfull week be-eth my wish to u.

Later

Y