PEOPLE DON’T BELONG TO OTHER PEOPLE

Nobody owns another person. I know it sounds cheesy when people say “you are my life,” but, the truth is: nobody can become “your life”. Someone can become a part of your life or an important part of your life but not your whole life, which means you can live without them. Your life is your own, and you’re the first and most important reason for living and nobody else.

Your life must have enough life in it that pleases you and makes you happy, proud, content, even when it’s just you... Find peace within, fall in love with yourself, and pursue your dreams.

But, do give a part of yourself to other people, be it friends or family – but not the whole of you. No one deserves that, not even your partner.

Breakups can be hard, and there are many during the festive season, but never say to someone “I can’t live without you”, because you can.

I know people who’ve survived far worse hurt and scars. Some lost family members or friends in the blink of an eye, their unborn babies, some lost their jobs and others their limbs, but they are still here. That’s life. We all get hit at some point, but we live, we fight, and we soldier on, because we have enough life in us to continue to live… Against all odds.

DINEO MAKALA, BRONKHORSTSPRUIT, MPUMALANGA

THANK YOU YOUR BABY FOR A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE ALL THESE PAST YEARS... I TREASURE THIS MAGAZINE

I’ve just given birth to my second baby – a beautiful girl! A few weeks ago, my mother came from Limpopo to visit us.

I’d been cooped up for a while, so she suggested we get out a bit and go to the nearest mall for ice cream.

I must confess, as much as I wanted to get out, I was dreading going to the shops with my five-year-old son. This is because, irrespective of the mall we go to, he always tends to disappear into one of the toy shops. He sniffs them out. He refuses to leave, and we always end up fighting. This visit with Gogo was no different – he headed to the toy stores, and we got into a fight.

But then my mom reminded me that just as much as I want to shop, my boy wants to do his own “window shopping”. Sometimes you have to compromise in order for your child to develop their own unique personality.

So now every time we go to the mall, we always allow him to do his “shopping” and then we continue with our shopping after. A lot less fighting and a lot more fun!

I realised that even though I’m already a mom of two, I can still learn new things with each passing day.

Thank you, Mom, for reminding me. You’re the best.

LIVHU NDAMASE DELMAS, MPUMALANGA