Did you know that Johannesburg houses one of the largest man-made forests in the world? And what's even more awesome, is the fact that this "forest" not only contains green trees but also purple trees which create a gorgeous kaleidoscope effect.
During my university days I pretty much hated this time of the year. Our lecturers used to remind us that the moment we see the "purple flowers blooming", we would need to start studying. So obviously I didn't appreciate the Jacaranda season.
In fact, the whole season would pass by with me cooped up in my room, my eyes focused on my books. It wasn't until my aunt came from overseas and couldn't stop gushing about the "beautiful purple trees" that I truly started taking note of the beauty that surrounded me.
Our high school entrance was decorated by a good few Jacaranda trees and unfortunately, I never really appreciated it in school. In fact, I barely noticed it at all - not until two years ago when my husband drove me around in search of Jacaranda trees so that I could take Instagram worthy photos (most of us have done this, let's not judge! *wink*)
A few years ago, when I was sent to Pretoria on a work assignment, I convinced the team to take a break and we ended up spending the afternoon at the Union Buildings. The only reason I wanted to go there was that so I could enjoy the Jacaranda views. And it was totally worth it!
And then last year, my sisters, friends and I went out for brunch and then decided to drive around the area. We drove through Greenside and Melville and we were met by streets framed by the vibrant trees. It was going pretty well until some creep drove past us slowly. You know how it is.
Last week, we drove through Houghton and I couldn't stop gushing over the Jacaranda trees. They were beautiful and picture perfect. How did I miss these beauties growing up?!?
My next stop is Northcliff Hill. Everyone is always gushing about the beautiful views that meet your eyes when you're there. I can't believe that I still haven't been there to enjoy the city views!
Share your favourite places to view Jacaranda trees in and around the city of Johannesburg!
1. Read a book at least once a year.
2. Prioritize your life and pay attention to the most important aspects of your life.
3. Be kind.
4. Invest in great skincare.
5. Use sunscreen every day.
6. Write a letter to yourself and read it in a couple of years (futureme.org)
7. Speak the truth.
8. Stay calm in stressful situations.
9. Spoil yourself, even if it just means taking a ten minute break during the day.
10. Love more and hate less.
11. Forgive people for your own good.
12. Take a few deep breaths every day.
1. Get a special perfume for a special occasion (like your wedding day), so every time you smell this scent, the feeling of nostalgia will overcome you and take you back to that special day.
2. Take out an hour of your day for yourself. Self love is more important than you may think.
3. Invest more time in your relationships rather than your career.
4. Have a night time routine so that your mind and body can automatically begin to rest as you get ready for bed.
5. Use an under eye cream.
6. Drink a lot of water.
7. Live in the moment. You don't always need to document every moment of your life. If you're too busy snapping pictures, you might just miss the moments completely.
8. If you’re not happy with a product or a service, complain in a respectful manner. If you drop your hard earned cash on a product or service, you deserve exceptional quality.
9. Stretch every morning when you get up.
10. Be happy for other people's happiness.
11. Dress up for yourself - even if you're just going to be at home all day.
12. Don't post every detail of your life on social media. Some details should be kept private.
13. Compliment others.
14. Don't allow negativity to take over your life.
15. Never go to bed with makeup on.
16. Spend time with people who really matter to you.
17. Want to gift a close family member or friend without spending too much money? Over the course of a year, create an email address/folder/private site for them and write them letters and share pictures with them. This will be a great way to relive old memories.
18. Learn basic self defense and keep pepper spray on hand
19. Smile more than you frown.
20. Never give up!
Every time I scroll through social media, I see girl on girl hate.
Funny thing is, it’s usually grown women who are bashing each other in the efforts to tear the other person down.
It’s quite shocking. Instead of seeing women empower each other and build each other up, we see them tearing each other down.
Women are not vultures. Our factory setting is not ‘attack’ and yet, we find some sort of solace in attacking another woman. Why do we stoop so low though? The answer is simple. We are too consumed by what we see on social media that we end up searching for faults in others and pointing it out just so that we can feel remotely better about ourselves.
But that’s our fatal flaw. Life is not a competition. No matter what you do and what path you take, you will always walk the road that you were destined to.
So hurling insults and hate is not going to make you any better and it’s not going to make you feel any better.
Start building each other up.
Stop breaking each other down.
Life is too short to allow hatred to settle into your heart.
