You are something magical

People come into our lives for a reason, to bring us something we must learn and we are led to those who help us most to grow and we help them in return. Well, I don't if I believe that's true, but  I know I am who I am today because I knew you......

Friendship is so powerful, a person can make such an impact on your life. The beautiful and special thing about friendships, friends are friends because they want to be, they choose each other. Friends, they always feel as though they are forever and you can't imagine them ever not being your friend or spending time together. But sadly most friendships aren't everlasting. Instead it is what it brought to your life story is to hold onto. The memories you shared and the love for one another will always be real. Even when a friendship moves on and that person is no longer in your life,always remember that there was a reason for that friendship, a reason for your meeting, for they have been a part of your life story, are now apart of your heart. Everyone comes into your lives for a reason. Sometimes that reason is just that little bit harder to find.

Stay Beautiful,

Zsofia 

      xxxx

My Friend Caragh and Myself (Twinny)

My Best Friend Abi and Myself (Wifey)

When All Hope Seems Lost...Look To The Stars

Far too often we give up on ourselves, we turn away from faith, from our friends, from all forms of positive thinking. For myself when all hope seems lost, I feel as though there is nothing that could ever possibly make the situation better. But when I look to the stars, breathe, look up to the wondrous heavens, I remember the almighty God who loves me and read this poem. Life isn't always a walk in the park on a sunny day, many days are filled with storms but the clouds can't last forever.

Next time you feel that you can't continue, take a moment to count your blessings and read this poem and maybe, just maybe the clouds will start to fade away.

Stay Beautiful,

Zsofia

xxxx

Second Home in Uganda

I may have been to Uganda four times now but each has been significantly differently and significantly special. My first year was full of excitement and emotion, it was my first time experiencing African culture and being exposed to such saddening poverty.The second year unfortunately I caught malaria and last year I began to grow in confidence. The work we were doing and projects developing focusing on women and young girls truly captured my heart.

This year the team was slightly different, compiled with families and youth workers. The atmosphere was calmer, relaxing and I never once stopped smiling. Since my first visit Uganda has felt a part of me but this year it felt as though I had come home. I felt more myself than I do in England. Children ran for miles to us, the muzungas, just to touch and see these crazy people wave.They grin, they chuckle and from an instance there is a bond. The strongest sort of bond ever created, love.

I may write in more detail about my trip another time but for now I thought I would just share a few snippets. A few pieces of writing, which I have written over the years at the end of working days in Uganda. The trip was far too short, I could have continued visiting schools forever. Continued sharing the importance of education and talking about menstruation with young girls. I would willing continue singing, dancing and playing sports with the children, as they watch their families and communities test for HIV/AIDS. Uganda has been an amazing part of my year and the people I met and friends I made will always have a part of my heart. I simply wish it could have been my whole year.

 Something so plan
Something used for a purpose
A carrying container
'Run, run, run' we say as we hop between each foot,
'Faster, faster...go now'
Produces joy from ear to ear
A moment shared is all it seems to take
A wave, a hello, or even just a water bottle
produce a smile on the surface
But who stops to listen.
Stops to hear
Stops to solve the cause of disease and poverty?
A wave can bring happiness
A wave can bring an inner warmth inside,
A condescending ear with out direction still means nothing..

 I can't think straight
My mind is overcome with thoughts
Their beautiful smiles,

Their heavenly heartfelt laughter
Why can't it always be like his for them
Why must they struggle to get water,
Why must they wear ripped and dirty clothes,
Why must they starve.

Today I danced and sang
Today I laughed and ran around
Today I wept at the happiness love can bring
and cried at their poverty.

 So proud, so welcoming
Straw for the roof
The rain can get in.
Mud on the floor
with one bed to rest in.

A food store in the corner
even though the grain won't far
You  know if you were hungry
what's theirs would became your buffet cart.

They would share
without a second thought
For they care
'what's mine is yours and what's yours is mine'

I just wish I could help them
provide for them all
Give them clothes, shelter and foods galore.
For each person, for each day, throughout their life,
So they could live in prosperity.

Who am I to say, let's change your life style?

Who am I to say let's urbanise your world?

Why should they listen to me?

I don't hold these answers,

but what I can do right now, 

in this moment,

is to talk and listen and hold them close.

Create a smile that lasts forever

embedded in their memories

And never let go!

            For  we are all equal,

Blind, deaf or colour of skin.

We are the same,

We can laugh together, cry together, care for one another.

And I will always remember these days.

Jessica (above) and so many others are now my friends. I hope they never forget the day when I was one of the muzungas that didn't just drive by but stayed to play.
As always I will be thinking of those who have touched my heart and praying for their health and happiness.

All my love always,
Stay Beautiful
     Zsofia xxxx

Girls having received panties and pads

The Art of Loneliness

We all have moments of loneliness, times when we feel as though nobody can possibly understand. There is no one there who one can rely on. No one around to emphasise with us in times when we can't truly understand ourselves. It's easy to say one feels alone, but in the true light of things are we ever actually completely alone?

People surround us in everyday life. The world is heavily populated after all you know. People are forever talking, the sounds of the rushing world past by. When are we free to be on our own, actually alone in body and soul. While we sleep? I suppose though my parents are only in the opposite room. When we are asleep we are peaceful and tranquil, when we awaken do even remember the feeling? The dreams we dreamt drift away as our eyelids awaken to a new day. With it the sense of alone has passed and it is as if we were never truly alone at all

Still we can all feel lonely. I can be in a sea of chatter and inside it is as though nobody notices I am even there. Crowds don't nessesarily mean you are with people, or noticed. I would say that in the most part the times I feel most lonesome are when surrounded by people. With people I can hide myself and be alone. But I am never actually on my own. Lonely in soul but submerged in a  crowded world.

I do however believe that many people are truly alone. In the sense of family and friendships. It breaks my heart to say this but there are people who have nobody. No one to talk to, share the day with, nobody to love them. Nobody in their hearts. That must be what true loneliness is, having nobody in your heart, friends, family. Without some form of love, you are empty and alone.

I may feel lonely somedays but my heart is always full of love from my parents, family and friends. Even when my body is on it's own, my heart is never left without love. I am so grateful for this and truly aware that many in this world don't have people to care for them. And I wish I could change this, I wish I could tell all the people in the world that I love them. 

May I use this time to say, that all I want, more than anything is for everybody to feel loved and cared for. Whoever I meet in my life, tomorrow or in many years to come, I hope they know how much I care. I love those I meet years ago and I love those whom I am yet to meet. We all need to be cared for, we all need love.

In a few days I fly to Uganda to work with the charity Teams4U. This is my fourth time in the town of Kumi. In this area there are so many with nothing in the way of materialistic objects or money  but some have a loving community, a real sense of togetherness. Then again far too many have no one, no family. While I am there I hope that they all know they have a place in my heart, maybe I can find a place in theirs. 

I will be thinking of them forever, and I will be thinking of you too. I pray that you never have to feel true loneliness, for remember, you will be in my heart always.

Stay Beautiful,

         Zsofia xxxx

Even this little cute chick needs to know it is loved!

Friends on the go...

At the moment I am spending a lot of my time travelling between cities on the train. I have always loved the train, finding it peaceful to sit and watch the world wizz past from the comfort of my little red seat. I never become bored, admiring the world through the glass window of the train. Often I make conversation with my fellow passengers. Simply asking if they have had a nice day and where they are going.
I remember on one clear occasion when I was travelling from Exeter to Coventry I was sat next to this elderly lady. I was tired and not in the best of moods but as soon as she begun to talk I felt calmer and my day didn't seem that bad at all. She listened to me moan about my worries at university and gave me advice without judgement. She then continued to tell me all about the reasons for her journey. She was on the way to meet her friend in Bristol. They reunite once a year for a long lunch, catching up on the past year and reminiscing on their times together at university. I can't help but smile when I think of friendships which have so much history and have simply lasted a whole life time. I hope one day I will have friends who I have had the pleasure of knowing my whole life, friends whom I love and care for, friends which make me laugh and smile; friends who actually love me for being myself.

 'It's often said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those, who help us most to grow, if we let them...I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you!' 

  I also recall another train journey, again travelling back from Exeter to Coventry. I was sat at a table seat alongside 4 other individuals. An elderly lady who had non stop fits of giggles, this business man who could talk for England and then a chemistry student. I sadly don't remember what we spoke about but I do remember being told off my other carriage members to keep quiet as we were having far to much fun. Not all journeys are entertaining or full of enchanting people. Unfortunately most of the time it is just me and my notebook and pen, with my music playing in my ears gazing at the world around me. Over time I have become accustomed  to my own company, a tranquil state of mind, being by myself as I move around towns.

But it does sadden me that in general we are all so busy immersed in our own little lives we don't think to chat to the person next to us at a bus stop, or ask the lady on the train if she is having a nice day. If someone was to ask us a question I wonder how often we walk past with out stopping to listen. We are in a rush, only thinking about getting from A to B. Maybe if we were more open to making friends in less conventional places we would have more happy moments in our days and more friends to smile and share laughter with? Maybe if we made a conscious effort to think of others before ourselves we would  converse with those around us, stopping to help give directions on the street or listening to someone off load their concerns.

Let's all  make the time to be friendly to the people around us who we may not normally give our attention too. I believe in you!

Stay Beautiful,

    Zsofia
          xxxx

Simply be...Kind!

'Carry out a random act of kindness with the same hope that one day someone might do the same thing for you' Princess Diana

Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate. An act, something which we can all achieve on an everyday basis and most of the time it is part of our everyday nature. We don't have to specifically try to be considerate or show affection as it is is part of our human nature to be kind. Sometimes however we can be so busy we may not be as polite or thoughtful as we should be or would have liked to have been.

 Each day  I try to be conscious of my decisions especially those that affect others around me. I often think 'oh  I should have done this then' or smiled more at the lady. We so easily get wrapped up in our personal world and forget the impact we can have on a persons day. If  I am feeling sad and somebody smiles at me or holds the door open for me I instantly feel brighter. So I have come up with a few ways we can all try that bit harder to be kind to those around us. And hopefully light a sunshine in people's hearts. 

1. Simply smile as you walk around town, smile at the people you pass by on the way to work. Maybe even say 'hello' or 'good morning' to the person waiting at the bus stop with you.
2. Take a minute to stop and give someone directions even though you may be in a rush.
3. Write a note for someone at work to brighten their day. Why not try, 'Never forget how beautiful you are'.
4. Help a mother with her pram up and down stairs or someone with their suitcase.
5. Say please and thank you and truly mean it.
6. Hold the door for someone and stay there until everyone has come trough without moaning that you aren't a door stop.
7. Offer your time to a friend or neighbour for babysitting.
8. Buy a stranger a coffee.
9. Give a shop assistant a home made treat so they know how much you appreciate their help.
10. On crowded public transport offer your seat to anybody who looks like they need to sit down.

These are simply a few examples, there are endless amount of ways to bring kindness and love to those around us.  I like to write thank you notes for people; to wish them a nice day and to always make sure I ask people how they are and  actively listen to their response.Putting others before yourself can be challenging, especially in our fast paced lifestyles but give it a try!

The world is full of magically wonderful people like yourself so share your happiness with them.

Stay Beautiful,

          Zsofia xxxx 

Wondering Wonderstruck

 

Flowers are one of my favourite parts of this beautiful world and they're special to me. Every human being, those who are my friends and those who I haven't yet had the pleasure to meet; all have a place in my heart.

 

 

Fields of green surround me

Shades of evergreens and limes

Mystifying my eyes into an a bliss of wonder.

 

The scent of fresh grass sprinkled

with a blanket of daisies

I shall tip toe between ever flower

spinning in the sunlight.

 

If every flower was a person

living in fear or poverty around the world

I would sweep them up

and hold them so close to my chest.

 

Isn't it funny how daises are perfectly equal,

 just as we are.

And just as we can be they are fragile,

 needing love and care.

 

We wouldn't trample on the flowers

so let's not trample on the hearts of others.

Let us all be free like the flowers.