I recently received an unexpected message from a journalist from the South African magazine, Rooi Rose. She was planning an article on ways to celebrate the many facets of life.

She needed a few words from me about celebrating family. Her request spoke to several of my passions.

Dewitt Jones, a National Geographic photographer

Her inspiration for the article was a video by Dewitt Jones, a National Geographic photographer – Celebrate what is right with the world.

Ten years ago, I saw my first Dewitt Jones video – There is more than one right answer. I’ve watched it probably fifty times since then and used it while facilitating strategic planning sessions for organizations. On a personal level, Dewitt was like a mentor to me, and his wisdom and insight spoke to me.

As a small boy, Dewitt Jones found inspiration from National Geographic magazines. Beautiful photos showed him the possibilities that the world has to offer. In his role as a photographer, he learned that one must use creativity and change lenses and perspectives until one sees potential in a situation. He said,

Through that lens of Celebration, I saw that there is far more right with the world than wrong with it. Always something to celebrate and be grateful for.

I share some of Dewitt’s wisdom that speaks to me.

We must learn to see possibilities and potential in situations

As humans, we tend to be quick to find fault. In addition, the media also constantly confronts us with fear, scarcity, and competition. This tendency later affects the attitude and way in which we look at the world around us.

We must choose to see possibility and potential and believe that it is there. If we believe that the right things and people will be there at the right time, we will start to notice them. Once we begin to see possibilities, it gives us the energy to find solutions and go through change.

Change creates momentum and opportunity. We cannot control change but must harness its energy to take us where we want to be.

We must find joy in our day job

It is inspirational to watch people who work with passion and joy. Some people are lucky to find work aligned with their love and interest. They get their energy from what they do.

However, many others perform a day job they took out of need rather than choice. Some people manage to carry out their day job with a positive attitude because they look through a lens of gratitude and focus on the opportunity of making a difference.

Looking at situations the right way is only possible if you start each day with the necessary energy and passion. We must, therefore, make time for those things that give us joy and energy so that they can spill over into our day job.

Opportunities and challenges dance together

The request to write something about how we celebrate our family forced me to reflect on the past four years. I have concluded that opportunities and challenges dance together. An opportunity came our way but challenged us tremendously as a family. However, if I use the right lens, I can see how the challenges have created opportunities for us as individuals and as a family. I share below my contribution to the article for the January 2023 edition of the Rooi Rose magazine.

We celebrate each other as individuals and family

An exceptional job opportunity in Switzerland crossed our path in 2019. However, opportunities and challenges dance together. Charl had to adapt to a new German-speaking work environment, and Zander had to an international school with German and Spanish as new languages. I had to leave my two eldest sons and family behind in South Africa. Jacques, a second-year student, and Christo, a matriculant, had to learn to stand on their own two feet.

Distance and challenges helped us look at each other through new lenses. With a fresh perspective, we now see inner strength and perseverance instead of shortcomings. I tell my loved ones how proud I am when I see how they use their creativity to see possibilities and use their talents to make a difference. My sons say more often, “I appreciate it. I miss Mom. I love Mom.”

I share my heart in my letters home to family and friends and enjoy the conversations, messages, photos, and music I receive in return. We got to know and appreciate each other on a deeper level. I consider the warm voice full of the love of my mom and listening to worship services of RSG with her as a privilege. The sense of humour of my sister is medicine for my soul.

Touch is my love language, and my heart rejoiced when I could hold my sons tightly against me again after the Covid period at the airport. We went to South Africa with suitcases full of gifts specially chosen for everyone. We celebrate each other by sharing precious traditions and stories and having fun together. We find joy in discovering new places and things together and thus build memories.

Family members are supporters and witnesses of our unique life journeys. We are grateful for and celebrate each other as individuals and family!

regards

Emsia