Indholdsfortegnelse for Autumn 2024 #245 i Odyssey Magazine

waveλength - my story We had the honour and pleasure of connecting with Phelisa Mangcu, the previous Director and acting CEO of Johannesburg Tourism, who recently concluded her most recent tenure as CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprises. ‘An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove’ was what stood out when engaging with Phelisa. Balance and integrity, with firmness couched with outward gentleness. On today’s business stage and beyond the metaphor; communicating in a balanced manner is probably one of the most important competencies demanded of leaders of our time. Phelisa reflects a communication and mentorship style that is forthright yet palatable, without diminishing the underlying objective of the communication, truly a leader of our times. Phelisa shares her beautifully uplifting story of endurance and dogged determination to follow a…

Community This morning, I walked a winding trail inside a dense coastal forest. I am fortunate to live right here, so near to this primal natural world, to feel the wildness of nature so close at all times. This place is sacred, it is a verdant unfolding of dappled greenery nestled alongside a narrow stretch of coastline that is home to some of the last remaining primary indigenous forests of South Africa. These forests provide safe retreats for the abundant biodiversity protected by our national parks. Here, you might find the spoor of a leopard and hear stories of the rare sighting of forest elephants. The birdlife is extraordinary, almost deafening at dawn. In this wilderness, one feels the touch of primeval earth, the cradle to the heartbeat of ancient…

Why do people deal with people? And why do they stop dealing? What makes you choose this hairdresser over that one? This coffee bar? Why do you go back to this particular restaurant, or holiday destination? Why do people continue to work with companies that consistently deliver no service? Investment institutions that are losing money for them, across decades? While other investors will leave a company that is actually making money for them? I have long pondered these questions - and you should too, because it will rid you of the notion that people deal with you or with your company for the reasons you imagine. Rule one of business and of sales, is: People buy for their reasons, not yours. Many business owners never really grasp this concept and…

Tetley partner dietitian, Mbali Mapholi, says that corporate nutrition is a vital contributor to overall health. “Nutrition plays an important role in corporate wellness,” explains Mapholi. “Food choices are more than just sustenance; they impact energy levels, cognitive function and overall wellbeing. In this era of heightened awareness around holistic health, investing in good nutrition at the workplace is a catalyst for heightened productivity, job satisfaction and overall wellbeing.” In line with this, Mbali has shared four top tips to help people feel at their healthy best in the workplace. Breakfast boost The intermittent fasting craze has become popular in the corporate world, but it’s important to remember that this weight loss strategy may not be suitable for everyone in terms of sustained energy throughout the day. Research shows that…

Spiritual Living As I write this, the sting of grief has pierced my heart once more. It does not matter how much of an expert I consider myself to be in grief, the piercing of the sting hurts as much now as it would at the beginning of my journey. The pain of grief travels throughout my body tearing it apart. Only a few days ago, my wife and I lost our best friend. In fact, this woman was more than a friend, she was family. She was my greatest supporter and we enjoyed so many wonderful experiences together over many years. We were nicknamed the three musketeers and we enjoyed many adventures together in many places. We spent many Christmases together, as well as other important life events. The…

Health Jamu Juice of Essence is the merging of the alchemy of East and West. This powerful body tonic not only boosts the immune system, it is a powerful ancient remedy for inflammatory diseases. Jamu is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and antibiotic and it contains probiotic properties, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Jamu is also a vermifuge for the treatment of parasites in the body and also eradicates unwanted gastro-intestinal flora and fungi such as Candida. Jamu also improves blood circulation and lymphatic flow. The main ingredient is turmeric (curcumin) which has renowned health benefits. Make your own Jamu Juice with the recipe below. • ½ cup fresh turmeric root juice (juice from ¾ cup fresh turmeric roots) • ½ cup fresh ginger root juice (juice from ¾ cup fresh ginger…

Travel If you’ve been watching what’s happening in the dreams and aspirations of many of the younger generation, seeing what they hashtag on social media, where they are filming their videos and reels, you’ll see a move toward remote working which increases travel possibilities. It’s changed from the backpacking days of the predigital era, to become a valuable way to travel and make money, without taking away jobs from the local communities. In fact, it expands economies as money is put into living in local communities! Young adults are moving away from doing things the way their parents did. This is especially evident within the gig economy. Many are not tying themselves to location-based work environments and are shifting out of the nine-to-five office career. The digital nomad route of…

Conscious Parenting Primitive reflexes are the instinctive, automatic movements of the body controlled by the brain stem that promote survival during the early years of life. These early life reflexes lay down the architecture and neural networks of the brain and each reflex builds on those that have gone before. This results in the passing of control from the brain stem (primitive brain) to the prefrontal cortex. The Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR) is the key to ail other primitive reflexes. It is the first reflex to manifest. FPR is a withdrawal or ‘freeze’ response to shock and lays the groundwork for more mature coping strategies in response to stress. It is intended to develop, become integrated and fall away before birth. If the FPR does not follow the proper route…

Body, Mind, Spirit Kindness is a virtue that goes beyond cultural and societal boundaries, connecting individuals through the simple yet profound act of compassion. It serves as a powerful force that can transform not only the lives of those on the receiving end but also that of the one who extends it. However, the true power of kindness becomes even more profound when paired with the awareness of oneself. Self-awareness, the ability to understand one’s own thoughts, emotions and actions, lays the foundation for true kindness to exist and expand. So let’s have a look at the relationship between kindness and selfawareness, unravelling the incredible power they can have on individuals and the collective when they tag-team together. At its core, kindness is a universal language that doesn’t really require…

Ultimately, knowing and understanding oneself leads to a more productive life and attaining one’s goals. ‘I-Self’ ‘How do I see myself?’ Reflecting on the concept of ‘ISelf’ helps the individual to understand themselves from life’s learning experiences, including past experiences, accomplishments, mistakes, attitudes, behaviours or values. ‘Me-Self‘ ‘How do others see me?’ This aspect of the self is developed from influences and interactions with society. ‘Ideal-Self’ ‘How do I want others to see me?’ This is a projection of oneself onto others and the fulfilment of various roles in one’s life journey. The power of self-awareness is the foundation to know oneself as it is helpful in identifying personal weaknesses, accepting areas for improvement and identifying optimal choices when faced with a decision. There is also a direct link between…

Community From small gestures of compassion to acts of generosity and empathy, kindness has the remarkable ability to uplift spirits, foster connection and promote overall wellbeing and, as we navigate the complexities of our modern world, embracing kindness as a guiding principle can have profound benefits for our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. During certain times of the year, like the festive holiday season, we’re encouraged and reminded to be kind. However, kindness is not just a seasonal sentiment; it’s a timeless virtue that can be practised year-round, enriching our lives and the lives of those around us in immeasurable ways. At its core, kindness is an expression of empathy and compassion towards others. Whether it’s offering a listening ear to a friend in need, lending a helping hand to…

Community “We are made for loving. If we don’t love, we will be like plants without water. Archbishop Desmond Tutu My very earliest memories are of love. Of loving everything around me. Everything that grows, moves, breathes. Trees, animals, birds - and the bugs that would be clutched too tightly in my fouryear-old hand when I drifted off to sleep, awaking to tears when I unclenched my grip to reveal the lifeless bodies of my little friends. Being surrounded by love was a given in my very young world. My devoted parents opened my eyes to a benign world filled with awe, wonder, beauty and miracles. How fortunate to have role models like these in my formative years. What a gift to step forward excitedly, knowing that Mum, Dad and…

Body, Mind, Spirit Many women, as they approach their 40s and 50s, find themselves looking for meaning beyond the success they have carved out for themselves in spaces like their work, in a business, or in the role they play with and for their families. Many face this as their children get older and reach independence, or when they reach the pinnacle of their careers. These achievements have made them feel comfortable in so many aspects of their lives that it can come as a shock to realise: ‘But what about me? I’ve been looking after other people. I’ve been leading my business or leading in the corporate environment, serving others. I may have served myself in gaining financial freedom, but there must be more to life, and how do…

Body, Mind, Spirit • How do you create the life you want? • How do you stop feeling like a pawn being moved around on a giant chessboard and reconnect with your empowered self? • How do you spend more time being and less time doing? • How do you master yourself and your life to cocreate your own destiny? It was Women’s Day and I was due to open an exhibition of my latest sheep paintings at The Blou Donki Gallery in Clarens that evening. With time on my hands, I took myself off for a walk in the mountains. Reflecting on a life lesson taught to me by friend and mentor, Brenda, I conceived the idea for a book. Returning to the B&B, I started to write. The…

Body, Mind, Spirit “In addition to working well for purely physical ailments, homeopathy offers remedies for engaging directly with the subconscious mind and ameliorating embedded, existential causes of chronic illness called miasms in classical homeopathy.” As an example: CHALLENGE VS. ANXIETY Master Yunmen was asked, “What is most urgent for me?” The master answered, “The very you who is afraid that he doesn’t know.” With this answer the master points out that anxiety is rooted in fear of the unknown and that our constant challenge is its overcoming. Challenge Whether accepted or invited, the little brother of anxiety grows up into the big brother of challenge. The psychological, biological and material will to obtain mastery over anxiety is exemplified in the hunt, whose fearsome challenge functions as a staging ground…

Eco Planet The creation of a new tribe has begun. Our totem is the rhino. And we are using people-power and nuclear technology in a wholly innovative way to help us try and save this magnificent species, as well as others, into the future. Despite our shortcomings as humans, there is (thankfully) an ever-growing awareness that our very survival and wellbeing depend on a healthy and balanced natural world. Technology in and of itself is as ‘opposite’ from our natural world as you can get. Yet in all its facets, tech is increasingly becoming a lifesaver for all manner of fauna and flora, and their habitats, around the world. The definition of the word ‘save’ is defined as: To keep safe or rescue something or someone from harm or danger.…

Eco Habitats In the golden hours of dusk, Bali transforms into a realm where the ethereal beauty of sun-kissed rice terraces and timeless temples merges with an almost tangible sense of spiritual vitality. This autumn, Odyssey magazine takes you on an enlightening expedition into the core of Bali’s sustainable sanctuaries, offering a closer look at the burgeoning wellness tourism industry through the visionary lens of The Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group. Based on the mystical Island of Gods, Bali, Brett Shuttleworth, founder of The Shuttleworth Lifestyle Group, has created a haven where like-minded individuals and families can step into a Smiling Soul life and embrace a conscious lifestyle. Inclusive of personal transformation and extending to empowering lifestyle experiences as well as property investments carefully curated based on the ethos of sustainability and…

Conscious Parenting As adults, the concept and idea of child sexual abuse (CSA) is a hard and rather unpalatable topic to talk about. The less we talk about it and understand it, the more chance we give it to fester, grow and become an infected sore in our society. Our attitude of fear of broaching this subject is reflected in our society today. Child trafficking and child sexual abuse are rife, especially in South Africa, our home country. According to the World Health Organisation, one in five women and one in 13 men have experienced CSA under the age of 17 years. According to the Optimus study from The University of Cape Town 19.8 per cent of adolescents have reported being sexually abused in one form or another - 20…

Relationships With thought leader, Anne-Marie Clulow, founder of Intimacy Coach International The Japanese art of repairing shattered pottery with liquid gold or silver to return the piece to wholeness, can be your beautiful guide to healing a shattered heart too. It’s easy to stay lost in brokenness. Mainly because we are designed that way. When survival mode is triggered, adrenaline becomes the biggest narcissist in the body, takes up the most attention, won’t let you rest, keeps your mind racing, stuck in contraction, fear, anger and stress. It keeps your edges sharp, weaponised, hurting and brittle. ‘Adrenaline’s job is to keep you alive. It will isolate you, whisper in your ear that you’re not safe, keep you running on a lonely path, often into full breakdown and collapse. It will…

“ We are responsible for the choices we make and we are responsible for the consequences. To be able to live with the consequences is what responsibility is all about. Carl Rogers Inspirational pioneer, Carl R. Rogers is widely regarded as one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th-century. He was a humanistic thinker, who believed that people are fundamentally good. He is considered one of the founders of humanistic psychology and the person-centred approach. Herewith an excerpt from a 1984 interview with Odyssey Magazine. It is noteworthy that his views and teachings during his lifetime are still powerful and valid 40 years later. Odyssey: How does one go about being a real person? How does one achieve congruency? Rogers: I’d say it’s a lifetime occupation, but we can…

As a society we are consumed by our external reality - we can post pictures on social media all day about intimate details of what we are wearing, eating or doing... and to express our feelings, we have an ever-increasing bank of emojis, memes and stickers. Mental and emotional literacy levels are low because they pertain to abstract, very subjective experiences that happen behind the human eyes, relating to our inner world of thoughts, cognitive functions, feelings, values, meaning and identity. In modern day language, this inner world is the software that is not some insignificant aspect of our identity and existence, it is our very identity. And just as we regularly receive prompts that a software update is due on our phones or computers, life sends us regular reminders…

Wellness Travel “The concept of total wellness recognises that our every thought, word and behaviour affects our greater health and well-being. And we, in turn, are affected not only emotionally but also physically and spiritually. Greg Anderson Wellness tourism is voluntary travel to worldwide destinations for the purpose of promoting health and wellbeing through the nurturing of body, mind and spirit. It refers to travelling for health and wellbeing reasons. The wellness tourism economy includes all expenditures that tourists make during a trip to improve or maintain their wellbeing. The wellness tourism industry has been revolutionised due to a global surge in interest in fitness, health, wellbeing, and increased consumer disposable income post-Covid. Leading players in the hospitality sector are capitalising on this trend by catering to conscious consumers. There…

Body, Mind, Spirit As an international career coach I see way too many people, particularly women, who, on paper, have it all - degree(s), a good salary and the promise of yet another promotion, yet they feel trapped and frustrated in a job they don’t love. Many women and many men - are not getting any fulfilment in their daily lives and undertakings, nor do they have a healthy work-life balance. Most days they simply return home feeling exhausted and empty. In my practice and in this article I focus on women and those who identify as female. Step 1: Get to know yourself. When you don’t know who you are, what natural skills and talents you have and what gives you energy, you are like a ship that has…

Community “Thank you for the great talk, Colleen, ”my client said, walking me to my car. This successful entrepreneur (also in her 20s) designed bespoke corporate clothing for executive women. I’d just delivered an inspirational talk for her client function. “It’s my pleasure,” I smiled. My first car, a very old white Ford Escort, looked like a ’spot the difference’ game in a parking lot packed with shiny and new. “I knew you were the right person for the job, Colleen,” she added, looking intently at my Ford. “Thank you, that’s kind.” “You’re the real deal, a true spiritual teacher - I mean, look at your humble car. I’m glad I hired you,” she said. “Uh... thanks,” I replied, watching her leave as I stood with my humble spiritual car.…

Spiritual Living Liquid Love I am Kuthumi, I come forward upon the rays of Love and Wisdom to greet and gift thee a divine blessing of expansion. It is with great joy and pleasure that we gather, as we hold you firmly within the Heart of Christ and securely upon the Hands of God. Beloveds, you are indeed in a time of liquid love! This energy invites you to be flexible enough to integrate the diamond codes as etheric liquid crystalline frequencies. Everything initiates as a ‘fluid-like’ state of movement and, when the formation decides on its projected outcome, it takes on form. These specks of coded light have been bestowed upon your planet for years, more intensely since 2012. We suggest you integrate these ‘consciously’, which over time will…

Health Let’s define hibernation: It is the natural process of slowing down, preparing for and entering, a time of rest, replenishment, regrowth and renewal. The whole of nature does it and human beings are a part of nature! So sit up, breathe deeply and prepare... Some animals and plants spend the winter in a dormant state. Grizzly bears, for example, gorge themselves on food to prepare for hibernation, or a deep state of sleep. It is characterised by minimal activity and a metabolic slump undergone by some animal species. It is identified by low body temperature, slow breathing and heart rate and low metabolic rate. Humans have veered far away from this natural process, but we can still apply some healthy body, mind and soul self-care habits to include some…

Eco Planet A unique, groundbreaking NGO has launched in Southern Africa, which promises to disrupt the conservation landscape by delivering results where many other NGOs merely talk. WeWild Africa, a dynamic force in wildlife conservation, officially launches its groundbreaking initiatives in Africa in January 2024 (the world’s largest vulture translocation and the Ndumo Game Reserve emergency elephant intervention are a few projects under way) but the organisation has been operational in the region since 2019. In a short space of time, the organisation has become one of the most active and successful NGOs in conservation in Africa, focusing on rewilding of captive-born animals and protecting large tracts of habitat for endangered species. WeWild Africa has perfected the art of emergency responses. Where other NGOs may take days or weeks to…

Green Living is a practice that comes from living in harmony with the earth. One such way to do so is to practise natural building. Natural building materials are considered abundantly available in local environments; they are also often reused, renewable or recycled. Examples of common natural building materials include sand, clay, wood, earth, straw, bamboo and stone. Natural building materials have been around since the creation of the earth itself. On the whole, natural materials require less energy for their production. The use of locally abundant materials results in the least disruption to one’s natural surroundings. Adobe (clay, sand and water) has good thermal mass, keeping it cool in summer and warm in winter. Other sustainable building techniques are also usually applied when constructing natural homes to ensure adequate…