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growing children
December 2009 
Sharing and Catching up
Posted on Jun 16th, 2009
by 
HummingBird
HummingBird
Dear Gaian Friends
I haven't been posting much personal news lately so today I've decided to take a little time writing to my friends. Today is a public holiday here in South Africa, Youth Day. It feels peaceful - but I will never forget the dreadful history it arises from. I will also always remember how South Africa transitioned from being one of the worlds most oppressed backward countries to being potentially among the most progressive. Now I hope to see SA rise to it's potential.
My son Neville is starting high school next year. He won a scholarship and we are very proud of him! Can you believe how time flies! He was a little cherub with dimples and wings breaking through just the other day. Now his a gangling ‘growly boy’, into hip hop and taller than his mom.
We are going to need to move at the end of this year in order to be nearer his new school and are having to start finding a new home. I can see the circumstances which have led to this but I am not totally convinced I should be living in a landlocked city for most of my adult life...
Speaking of time flying, Gien and I are celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary in about 2 weeks - where did the year go! It feels we’ve known one another all our lives and we're still to have our first fight... lol which I just can't imagine us doing!
We’re both happily busy with many varying projects. Gien is trying to set up business\es based on his many awesome ideas and vision while he still works for his previous employer in Canada. He never ceases sprouting brilliant ideas and he implements them – I am a firm admirer!
I really feel we are not in one of those dependent relationships – but I do do more because he is in my life than I would if he were not. I am still filling my days with a range of activities such as teaching yoga, art, writing workshops, running a self help course, meditation sessions, counselling at LifeLine, building websites, connecting in Gaia, etc. We’re both also engaged with projects at the Lam Rim Buddhist Centre and absorbed by our spiritual journey.
The other thing on my mind right now, is I’m wanting to publish a self help book I wrote, Walking the Labyrinth, which I have actually designed already, also being a graphic designer specialising in book design. I already run workshops based on the book and created a website for them. The group I created here on Gaia is largely based on this book. I’m asking everyone if they know how I can go about getting it published without spending the rest of my life sending it to publishers... Having experience in publishing I could take the self publishing option – but this wouldn’t get the book out as far and wide as I’d like.
Sending love to all my friends here on Gaia
I haven't been posting much personal news lately so today I've decided to take a little time writing to my friends. Today is a public holiday here in South Africa, Youth Day. It feels peaceful - but I will never forget the dreadful history it arises from. I will also always remember how South Africa transitioned from being one of the worlds most oppressed backward countries to being potentially among the most progressive. Now I hope to see SA rise to it's potential.
My son Neville is starting high school next year. He won a scholarship and we are very proud of him! Can you believe how time flies! He was a little cherub with dimples and wings breaking through just the other day. Now his a gangling ‘growly boy’, into hip hop and taller than his mom.
We are going to need to move at the end of this year in order to be nearer his new school and are having to start finding a new home. I can see the circumstances which have led to this but I am not totally convinced I should be living in a landlocked city for most of my adult life...
Speaking of time flying, Gien and I are celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary in about 2 weeks - where did the year go! It feels we’ve known one another all our lives and we're still to have our first fight... lol which I just can't imagine us doing!
We’re both happily busy with many varying projects. Gien is trying to set up business\es based on his many awesome ideas and vision while he still works for his previous employer in Canada. He never ceases sprouting brilliant ideas and he implements them – I am a firm admirer!
I really feel we are not in one of those dependent relationships – but I do do more because he is in my life than I would if he were not. I am still filling my days with a range of activities such as teaching yoga, art, writing workshops, running a self help course, meditation sessions, counselling at LifeLine, building websites, connecting in Gaia, etc. We’re both also engaged with projects at the Lam Rim Buddhist Centre and absorbed by our spiritual journey.
The other thing on my mind right now, is I’m wanting to publish a self help book I wrote, Walking the Labyrinth, which I have actually designed already, also being a graphic designer specialising in book design. I already run workshops based on the book and created a website for them. The group I created here on Gaia is largely based on this book. I’m asking everyone if they know how I can go about getting it published without spending the rest of my life sending it to publishers... Having experience in publishing I could take the self publishing option – but this wouldn’t get the book out as far and wide as I’d like.
Sending love to all my friends here on Gaia
Access: Public
thanks ,. it makes me more closer to you .. all best
Lovely HummingBird… thank you so much for this beautiful update, and for the incredible gift of Walking the Labyrinth. I'm sure there'll be voices here who'll have ideas.
And for you and Gien… oh, let's make sure we celebrate in a special way on Gaia! I can't believe it's been a year, either. Your relationship is so inspiring, and has been so wonderful to witness.
What an exciting and productive life you lead, and a joyful one. I can't believe it's almost your first anniversary, and not a fight yet, that is amazing! Hugs
This is wonderful to read an update on your beautiful life in South Africa. Congratulations on so many things: your anniversary, your son growing up and starting high school and your new book. You're such a gift to so many people, Ms. Hummingbird!
Anna I am excited about your book “walking the labyrinth” I am in the process of co-developing a retreat/workshop using the labyrinth as a discovery tool to look at women's leadership. I wish I had some ideas to offer you about traditional publishing but I have become more convinced than ever that self-publishing is a better option as long as person is prepared to switch from writer to publisher and put the effort into marketing that a publisher would. Good luck with it! Terrill
Nicole,
Anna and I could consider fighting once…just for you though! :D
Siona,
I think the trick, if we can call it that, is to have love at the center of life always
and see the world from a Love-centric point of view
Just as a pendulum will always return to its center
Everything that happens in life
will always finds its way to the center of love
Any negative emotions are always referenced to that center
rather than the other way around
Centria,
As living beings
we must insist on our Life
to be beautiful everywhere and everywhen
otherwise
why are we living it?
It must be sacred in this very moment
this very place
Terill,
Anna worked so hard on this book
a true labor of love
My aspiration is that this child she birthed goes out into the world
to benefit beings
Anna, this is a very valuable update. I learned about how schoolchildren shaped the future of SA, and - not ot be facetious- your schoolkid child is now impacting yours, and also about the remarkable labyrinth that I hope gets published as you'd like it to be. And yours too, Terrill. I know Laurie's looking for a publisher too.
Dear Anna, thank you for the update. It was lovely to “hear” from you and read what is going on in your life. It sounds so exciting and yet so harmonious! And congratulatios to you and Gien on your first anniversairy!!!
Unfortunately, I don't know anything about publishig books. My dad published a book with a documentary DVD a while ago but as far as I know that was through a German publisher (that specializes on buddhism, I think; it was a book on Buddha's life) and it has only been sold in Germany, mostly advertised by my dad himself (as long as you're not with a big publisher, it's really hard to get into the big book stores, let alone chains). I could ask him about his experience some time but as I said, it's Germany-only (and it might take a while as I'm still in Sri Lanka).
Hi Anna, oh my goodness, its been a year already? I remember following yours and Gien's romance before your wedding, sigh, such a beautiful story that you shared with all of us and we are blessed to still be a part of :)
I am excited about your book! Let us know where we will be able to get a copy :)
hugs and peaches,
Sprite
Happy to be connected and wishing you continued blessings on [y]our loving path. I continue to keep an eye on progression in S.A. and other parts of Africa and feel more and more release to the required evolution, taking place. I was so pleased when that pesky Dalai Lama visa problem suddenly [?] evaporated :)
I consider you and Gien to be such great examples of what could be and you continue to help me connect the dots among my different parts lol You give me hope.
I suggest you consider the E-book option which I am considering also, along with the traditional and self-publishing methods. Our World Leadership Day Visionary Elisabeth Gortschacher is producing an e-book, I believe her second, and would be happy I'm sure to give some insights to this end. The nature of publishing as is the case with media, is transforming before our eyes and frankly I think some people are 'all read-out' lol Something worthwhile and downloadable, for which you can quickly pay online, is certainly attractive to somebody like me. Just keep us posted. :D
Thanks for the update! And I wish your son a great transition into his new school and indeed the family too. Know that you'll always have a friend 'out here' in Barbados.
Best, always,
Sherrilene
Oh I am so glad I posted to my friends - so wonderful to see you all here with your hearts brimming over with well wishes and love! I feel so inspired after reading all your messages!
sea-sh-elle
it is always so good to openly share with others as we let them in and allow closeness. Thank you for your open heart.
Siona
thank you for your kind words and well wishes about Walking the Labyrinth.
It will be precious to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary with Gaia where we met. Gaia holds such a special place in my heart. Thank you for all you do.
Nicole
I've enjoyed our long friendship and getting to know you in the different chambers of Gaia. You are such a lovely friend!
Centria
Terrill
Gien
my love I so love traveling this path with you. It is as if from the moment we met a magic landscape opened up before us to explore and manifest in. I am grateful in every moment. LOL we often play at having a fight because the idea seems so funny!
Meenakshi
Jenny
How wonderful that you're visiting from Sri Lanka! Do let us know how things going there. I am happy to hear your dad published a book with a documentary DVD on Buddhas life. It sounds really lovely and must feel wonderful for you too. Thank you for your well wishes for our life and anniversary and kind offer to gather information re publishing. I'm still exploring publishing options so any information which comes my way is appreciated. However please do not go to any trouble as i'm sure things will flow as they should.
buddingspritelet
Dear Spite it's been so precious having you travel with us! Thank you for fueling the manifestation of Walking the Labyrinth as a publication with the positive energy of your words
Sherrilene
I always thoroughly enjoy our interactions. Your energy is tangible as you go about engaging whole heartedly in all you do and I am happy Gien and I have been an inspiration in return.
Love
Hummingird
hummingbird, sender of hugs, balmer of boo boos, hope for the hurting, love and light for us all,
you give so much here and i loved reading your nice update letter, so much so, that i will write one too. sounds like you are making solid decisions and enjoying life.
as for your book, may it be a great success that it deserves to be. i am so happy that i got to be a part of your lovely pod in its early days with your tender yet consistent nudging us on in our life paths and growth within.
happy early anniversary to you two gaia lovebirds!
mine and keith's 20th is in 2 weeks too. what date is yours? ours is july 2 and we are taking a little getaway to the berkshire mountains nearby, a much needed little hiatus from all the changes on the homefront and upcoming in our lives.
thanks for this sweet missive. i have not been on gaia much at all lately but have managed to blog here weekly and its time i did so again. thanks for the inspiration.
much love to you!
amry
I went thorough the entire blog,” sharing and catching up” and all the comments above. You have provided so many details within a short time. I am still happy to remain as a friend for both of you. you both helped me a lot. I will not forget you all forever. Once again Gien has provided another set of gems. I like wvery word from him. Wish you good luck and prosperity forever.
Mary our anniversary is on the 28th of June - two days after my birthday and two days before Giens :D How wonderful that you are celebrating 20 years, that is so precious! Thank you for your warm well wishes.
Dear Sanmugan you have such a special place in my heart
love
Best wishes to you and Gien on your 2nd wedding anniversary! One year passed like a gentle breeze anointed by your generous and abundant love for one another that has reverberated throughout the gaiasphere. May you both keep growing in love and sharing your beingness eith one another and all sentient beings.
Megh & I are celebrating ours on the 26th, our 25th anniversary!
Delighted about the news of your son getting a scholarship for high school. The family deserves congratulations!!! Milind has been promoted to grade 7 and we're celebrating his successful integration into his new school in the last two months. He loves school and we had never seen him so inspired and interested in learning and being with his newfound friends.
I had been quietly reading and interacting less noticeably since we moved to Canada but am always with you in spirit! Big love!