The carpets of wild flowers are here once more. So are the canary yellow canola fields, interspersed with lush green farms of grain. I still live in paradise. The beauty of the Overberg never fails to impress me.

Five years ago, My Cat Therapy journey began. I have learnt many lessons, but the one that is on consistent repeat is to live one day at a time. Yes, it is such a cliche. But if you really meditate on it, it is profound. When you are fighting an illness, one moment at a time is essential, trust me. Even when you are not in crisis mode, it is still the most sensible way to approach life. Even the best laid plans can go horribly awry and your ordered life is suddenly, irrevocably chaotic. Or so it would seem.

So my reminder of one day at a time, actually one moment at a time, came into sharp focus just the other day. My veil slipped away suddenly and vulnerabiity oozed out of every pore, before I knew it. Composure vanished and there I was, in the raw. What do you know. Vulnerability is part of the human condition. It’s not something I would usually display so openly but it is a part of me. It’s a part of all of us. Not everyone around you will notice the slip. Those who do are the Earth angels. Take note of them and keep them in your heart. Special treasures do appear unexpectedly, if you are open. The trick is to stay in the moment, allow your emotions to flow into you, sit with them for a little while. Feelings are the soft lamps that lead us into ourselves. But here’s the thing. You don’t have to become what you are feeling. It flooded in and it will also flow away, unless you hold onto it. And soon enough you’ll be back inside your rational, perhaps controlled self.

So once again, I was reminded to live my life facing forward. That doesn’t meant I’ll forget everything I’ve learnt along the way. No, I did not choose many of the journeys I’ve been on. At least not consciously. But I like to think I’ve held onto the lessons, even if I need a reminder every now and again.

It’s time for me to remind you. You are so much more than you think you are. Embrace everything about yourself, including the vulnerable blindspots. Your life on this planet is incredibly important to me.

Take this as a nudge to live!