GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
Caryl here...
"Wherever MAXDOG goes, let it do good!"
One of the things that I am in awe of in my country's history, is its ability to encourage people to stop for a moment and consider other peoples' point-of-view.
We have a cultural/philosophical/ideological/ontological concept, here in South Africa, called "UBUNTU". It symbolises 'Unity in Diversity' and simply means that 'I only exist because you exist'. It speaks of reaching out and seeing the wider picture that we share - our commonality in our diverse worlds.
I could transfer this thought into the internet and particularly into my world of blogs and bloggers, authoring and writing. In this scenario, we could say,
"I only exist because of you - my blogging friends and readers!",
"This blog only exists because of YOU!"
During Maxdog's era, I became particularly aware of my need to reach out to the world. In turn, I became aware of the hearts of other bloggers who shared this need. I realised that we had a common desire to 'share, care and uplift'; that we shared emotions of compassion, understanding and the need to make a difference to our fragile world.
It was this realisation that led me to write the poem during Max's era:
‘MAXDOG’ HAS A DREAM ...
I have a dream ...
Of friends far and wide
I have a dream ...
They will be at my side ...
Where I can show my country – its bountiful delights:
The animals, the plants and so many sites!
To take in its cultures, it’s food, its sun,
To show my guests that Africa is fun!
I dream of laughter, of happiness, of care
I dream my joy in my country, which they can share.
I dream of dancing, music and good –
Of one big family ... one big brood.
They came, they saw, they shared my dream
A dream dreamt by all of us ... or so it would seem.
So THANK YOU, my guests, for just being you
My dream for Africa has just come true!
---xXx---
Amidst all this, I understood, at a very deep level that I could indeed make a 'difference'; that we all could make a difference...simply by reaching out to others. I believed strongly that the cyber-world could transform the hearts of people around the world. This is very much a theme in my book, MAXDOG and my vision:
"Wherever MAXDOG goes, let it do good!"
In choosing the winner for the 'Maxdog give-away' this week, I was searching for the heart of this notion in the entries:-
(1) Did the entrants share this dream at a basic level?
(2) Were they aware of our 'Unity in diversity'?
(3) Did they want to 'do good' by their tone of their entry?
The answer to all the entries, was a resounding YES!
Most comments/entries reflected our common patriotism and our need to reach out, across the seas, towards unity. It is always so humbling to discover this and to realise that there is so much good in the world. The 'Maxdog give-away' competition has highlighted this to me, once again.
If I could, I would send a copy of my book to each and every commentator on that blogpost. Obviously, that would be financially impractical, so I have had to whittle it down. In the end, I decided to give away not ONE, but TWO copies to highly deserving entrants. The winners will be announced on my blog 'LIVING LIFE TO THE MAX' in the next few hours. Both these entries brought me to tears. Both hit the mark perfectly. Both suggested reaching out with common cause. Although they are so different in nature and content, I cannot differentiate between them.
To back up my decision, I asked a number of 'Independant' judges to choose which entry they thought was the winner. Their feedback was unanimous - both these entries!!!
Thank you to each and every participant in this competition. Your hearts are beautiful and I am privileged to be known as your cyber-friend. Thank you for taking the time to write up such interesting comments about your beautiful countries. Each entry reflects a deep love and patriotism for your country.
With love and thanks
