A public figure who inspires me is DeWitt Jones. He was first a photographer for National Geographic and later a speaker who helps people use photography as a metaphor for life. The way we choose to look at the world determines the way we live.

Recently, one of DeWitt Jones’ TED Talks reminded me of five simple guidelines during a challenging situation.

DeWitt Jones’s wisdom

• Celebrate what’s right with the world. At National Geographic, his assignment was to seek out beauty, inspiration, and opportunity. What you focus on expands. If you search for problems, you will find them; if you look for possibilities, you will see them everywhere.
• There’s more than one right answer. A photographer captures many images before finding the perfect shot. In life, the initial idea is not always the best. Stay curious, explore options, and remain open to alternatives.
• Change your lens. A wide-angle lens provides a unique perspective compared to a macro or telephoto lens. Sometimes, altering your viewpoint can change everything. When you feel stuck, try changing your outlook, attitude, or assumptions.
• The light is always there. Skilled photographers use whatever light is available, even in challenging conditions. Even in hard times, there is always something good to work with—a glimmer of hope, strength, or possibility.
• Be open to possibilities. Release your rigid expectations. Stay open to surprises and opportunities that you may not have anticipated.

A community service accommodation challenge

In South Africa, the government requires all medical and health professionals to complete a year of community service before they can register as independent practitioners.

This process helps distribute healthcare workers nationwide, including in rural areas. While they can indicate their preferences, the number of available positions is limited, and many do not receive their preferred locations.

One late Friday afternoon, I received a worried call from my son Christo and his girlfriend, Simone. Simone had just completed her studies in speech-language therapy and had been assigned to Aliwal North, a small town located on the border of the Eastern Cape and the Free State.

Although Christo can work online, they were facing difficulties finding suitable accommodation. They had searched extensively but could not find anything appropriate.

Change your lens

That weekend, I found myself pondering how we could tackle the challenge ahead. As I gazed out the window at the steady downpour, another crisis emerged. Our youngest son, Zander, had lost his phone the previous night while rushing to catch an Uber.

I decided to shift my perspective and remain open to possibilities. Charl and Zander could hardly believe it when I suggested we search for the phone in the rain. After a lot of soggy walking, I crouched down to look under a fence. Suddenly, a glint caught my eye. It was the phone! A little wet, but it was still functioning.

Holding that phone reminded me that if we could find a lost phone in the rain, then surely there would be an accommodation solution for Aliwal North as well.

There’s more than one right answer

I don’t easily ask for help, but I know this: our moms support each other. I reached out to my circle of friends, who then contacted their own networks. Within hours, we started receiving messages. We obtained the contact information for eight different people in Aliwal North.

Christo and Simone jumped into action immediately. While searching, they obtained a clearer picture of the town and its residents. Within a few days, they found suitable accommodation for the upcoming year. These two city kids also started to understand the essence of small-town life—people come together, help one another willingly, and do so with open hearts. This experience reminded me of the lessons I learned while growing up in the mining town of Kathu.

Celebrate what’s right with the world

With a grateful heart, I decided to send a message to some of the strangers who had gone out of their way to help.

I wrote: “Thank you so much for the effort you put into helping my children find accommodation. Your support turned their spirits around, changing them from feeling discouraged to feeling excited. People like you—who offer help without even knowing those they are assisting—restore my faith in the goodness of humanity.”

One woman replied, “I hope they find the ideal place and have a wonderful year here. They must call me when they arrive, and they are welcome to spend a weekend on our farm. I go to Aliwal every Thursday; I can even look at places on their behalf if they need me to.”

The entire experience provided me with many reasons to celebrate what is right in the world.

The light is always there

This situation reminded me of similar stories from the past. A few years ago, someone in Kathu asked my mom if she would be willing to host a young dentist who was completing his community service year. She was hesitant at first, but eventually agreed. By the end of the year, she spoke about him as though he were her own child. She often cooked for him and spoiled him with rusks and biscuits. In return, he showered her with boxes of Lindt chocolate and occasionally took her out to dinner. I couldn’t help but laugh when she told me that her love for chocolate had reached new heights after discovering Swiss chocolates.

Recently, while in Switzerland, I met a young South African dentist and inquired about her own community service year. She shared that she initially stayed in an Airbnb in Petrus Steyn, in the Free State. One Sunday, after church, an older couple struck up a conversation with her, learned about her situation, and invited her to stay with them. She mentioned that she felt like a child in their home, and every evening at the dinner table felt like a small taste of family.

Be open to possibilities

When I reflect on these stories, I realise how abundant life can be when we remain open to potential and possibilities—even those we might never have imagined. Often, the best opportunities await us in the most unexpected places: a stranger’s kindness, a rainy afternoon spent searching, or the generous spirit of a small town.

May we all embrace this festive season with open hands and hopeful eyes, ready to recognise the unexpected gifts of grace and goodness that cross our paths.

Warm regards

Emsia