The Road Not Taken
1
Volksrust Recorder - Column / Rubrieke 10 Recorder 01 May 2015 Change Your Story With Jacques de Villiers The Road Not Taken For further information: Jacques de Villiers [email protected] 082 906 3693 Waarom is jy onrustig As Eskom struggles to balance constrained supply and rising demand for electricity, it is inevitable that the cost of power is going to increase adding to the financial burden on struggling South African households. Although there’s little that you can do to stop the price increases you can lessen their impact by taking steps to reduce your electricity consumption now. “There are a number of benefits including a reasonable cost saving,” explains Gavin Moir, head of marketing at Direct Axis. “By implementing a few simple steps most households can cut their electricity bill by 20%.” Gavin’s energy saving tips are: 1. Manage your geyser Heating water is hugely energy intensive. By limiting the time your geyser works to when you need hot water, rather than all day, you can save a lot of power. The most convenient way to ensure your geyser is off when you’re at work is to install a timer. Alternatively you can manually switch it off when you leave and switch it back on when you return home. You can also save by turning down the thermostat and insulating the geyser to reduce heat loss. 2. Wrap it up During winter about half the heat in your home can escape if it’s not properly insulated. Rather than crank up the heaters, make sure that gaps around doors and windows have sealant strips and that the roof is properly insulated. 3. Light with LED Replacing your light bulbs with the LED equivalent. LEDs use at least 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer, so you’ll also save money on replacing bulbs. 4. Switch off at the socket You can save up to 6% by turning off appliances at the wall. Televisions and other items with standby features still draw power even when not in use. 5. Unplug your devices Unplug cell phone and other chargers when not in use as these still use power even if your phone isn’t plugged in. It’s also not a good idea to allow phones and other devices to overcharge as this can limit the battery lifespan. 6. Be stove smart Use flat-bottomed pots and pans and make sure you’re cooking on an appropriately sized heating plate. Using a lid when you’re boiling water for eggs or vegetables will speed up cooking times and save power. According to industry experts just these tips can save up to 25% of the power used for cooking. Use your oven sparingly and remember that microwaves use a lot less power than a traditional oven. 7. Be cooling clever Many people have their fridge and freezers set too low. This wastes electricity and also increases the defrosting intervals. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines. 8. Use machines sensibly Using cold water in your washing machine will reduce electricity costs. There are a number of products which increase the efficiency of cold washes. If clothes aren’t too dirty you can skip the pre-wash cycle. If you only have one or two plates and cups, wash them by hand rather than in the dishwasher. If you do have a dishwasher make sure it’s full before switching it on. 9. Avoid heaters Heaters are huge power guzzlers. By ensuring you home is well insulated and putting on a jersey rather than firing up the heater you’ll save power. 10 Go solar If you are able to, consider solar power. It’ll help reduce your reliance on Eskom and save money. For more about household savings visit https://www .directaxis.co.za/topics-tips- tools.aspx?newsCategoryID=2 Take back the power The government is intensifying its drive to achieving 90% testing of every on in the community.HIV/AIDS is a burden in the community People are either affected or infected, When everyone test for HIV each individual knows their status WHO SHOULD TEST? Everyone should test, especially when one engages in unprotected sexual activity, Having multiple sexual partner,Use condom always. When you have been loosing weight unintentional, prolonged, unresolved sickness in spite of treatment. Frequent STI. WHERE DO I TEST? All health facilities in the local municipality offer HIV counselling and Testing. HOW MUCH DO I P A Y? It is absolutely free in all Public health facilities, The team from the clinics are by the pension/grant point every month, direct and free service is being provided. WHA T DO I DO IF I ALREADY KNOW MY ST A TUS? If you Ps. 42:12 Wat buig jy jou neer, o my siel, en wat is jy onrustig in my? Hoop op God, want ek sal Hom nog loof—die verlossing van my aangesig en my God! Die Psalmis raas met homself en vra “Hoekom is jy bekommerd? Hoekom is jy onrustig? Hoekom is jou ingewande in beroering?” Ons dink soms dit was n makliker lewe in daardie tyd en hulle het nie so baie bekommernisse gehad soos ons nie, maar ons sal verkeerd wees! 1Sam. 20:3 Maar so waar as die HERE leef en jou siel leef, daar is maar net een tree tussen my en die dood! Ps. 116:3 Bande van die dood het my omring, en angste van die doderyk het my getref; ek het benoudheid en kommer gevind. Ps. 17:9 teen die goddelose wat my geweld aandoen, my doodsvyande wat my omring. Wat is dit wat vir u en my laat voel dat doodsbande ons omring? Ons voel ook dalk dat slegte omstandighede ons soos n vyand agtervolg. Ons kan dalk meevoel met die Psalmis dat die dood gedurig op ons hakke is. DAN kom die antwoord, “Hoop op God”. Ons benoudheid oor ons land, ons finansies, ons familie, gesondheid ens. moet ons maar net aanspoor om na die Here God te vlug. Ons moet ons vertroue in Hom alleen stel. HOOP OP GOD! Ps. 146:5 Welgeluksalig is hy wat die God van Jakob het as sy hulp, wie se hoop is op die HERE sy God. 2Kron. 20:9 As daar oor ons onheil kom—swaard, straf of pes of hongersnood—sal ons voor hierdie huis en voor u aangesig gaan staan; want u Naam is in hierdie huis; en ons sal U aanroep uit ons benoudheid, dat U kan hoor en verlos. Dit is so maklik om ons hoop in mense te stel en om ook die blaam op mense te plaas in plaas daarvan om op God te hoop. Ps. 118:8, 9 Dit is beter om by die HERE te skuil as om op mense te vertrou. Dit is beter om by die HERE te skuil as om op edeles te vertrou. Jer. 17:7 Geseënd is die man wat op die HERE vertrou, en wie se vertroue die HERE is. Wat of wie is daar wat groter as God is? NIKS! Wanneer jy die Here jou skuilplek gemaak het, wat het jy dan om onrustig/ bang oor te wees? NIKS! Die antwoord is baie duidelik! Hoop op God. Maak Hom u skuilplek in hierdie dae! Groete in Sy dierbare Naam. Ds. Jan Keyser are HIV positive and not yet on treatment, You need to check your CD4 level every 6month to check if you eligible for treatment; ARV. When your CD4 is 500 and below you should be on treatment. Use condom regularly with your partner. Encourage your partner to test and disclose your status to a trusted family or friend for moral support. Report to the clinic if you have any health problem. Let us collectively join hands together to have an HIV /AIDS free community, Prevention is better and cheaper than cure HOW DO I PREVENT HIV? Abstain from early sexual activity. Be faithful to your partner, do not sleep around. Use condom always, you do not know the latest status of your partner. If you are HIV positive and pregnant, the earlier you book at the clinic the better. On booking ,you will be given ARV to prevent transmission of HIV to your unborn baby. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CLINICS AND HOSPITAL FOR HIV COUNSELLING AND TESTING DR PIXLEY KA ISAKA SEME LOCAL MUNICIPALITY HIV COUNSELLING AND TESTING “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less travelled by, and that made all the difference”. This quote out of Robert Frost’s, The Road Not Taken is one of my favourites. And it’s coupled to a quote that has directed my own life for the past 17 years – “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them,” Henry David Thoreau. I know that to some I probably sound melodramatic when I say that Thoreau’s words left me terrified. The truth of it was that I didn’t want to die a nobody. I didn’t want to leave this world without having played my song and lived my passion. I wanted to be somebody that made a mark. Of course, ‘making my mark’ was pure ego coupled with deep vanity. It’s an illusion. Time will erase all vanity. Seriously, who’ll remember Plato, Aristotle and Jan van Riebeeck?? In a thousand years? I would guess that even recent history is dimmed for most of us. Indulge me and answer these questions (without having to Google them). Who was the first prime minister of South Africa? Who was the first person to find gold in Johannesburg? Who invented television? Who was your first teacher? Who invented the Internet? These people fundamentally impacted us. Yet, I’d hazard a guess that most of us wouldn’t be able to name them with any certainty. So, leaving a mark and making a difference is a whimsical idea that cannot stand the test of time. So if leaving your mark is off the table, what does one do? The only thing one can do. Play your song. Find that thing that makes your heart sing and do it. I made that call 17 years ago. My song was to write. And, write is what I did. I’ve penned millions of words in that time. Are they any good? I don’t know. Are they going to be remembered? I doubt it. Do I care? No. Because I’m doing what I really want to do and it makes me happy. And, when I’m happy, everyone around me is happy. Thoreau’s words don’t leave me in terror anymore. Of course, following one’s passion is never easy. Because most of us don’t take the road less travelled and follow our bliss. It is easier to go with the flow. It is easier to bow to our parents’ dreams for us and take on a career that they want for us, rather than following our own path. It is easier to fit in than stand out and sing our own song. My view is that we have such a short time to play the song that sits in our heart. Whilst it’s not easy to take a different road, a road less travelled, it must be a whole lot better to sing the song you want to than to lead a life of quiet desperation. 'The truth of it was that I didn’t want to die a nobody. I didn’t want to leave this world without having played my song and lived my passion. I wanted to be somebody that made a mark."
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Transcript of The Road Not Taken
Volksrust Recorder - Column / Rubrieke10 Recorder 01 May 2015
ChangeYourStory
With Jacques de Villiers
The Road Not Taken
For further information: Jacques deVilliers [email protected] 906 3693
Waarom is jy onrustig
As Eskom struggles to balance constrained supply and rising demand for electricity, it isinevitable that the cost of power is going to increase adding to the financial burden onstruggling South African households.Although there’s little that you can do to stop the price increases you can lessen theirimpact by taking steps to reduce your electricity consumption now.
“There are a number of benefits including a reasonable cost saving,” explains Gavin Moir,head of marketing at Direct Axis. “By implementing a few simple steps most households cancut their electricity bill by 20%.”Gavin’s energy saving tips are:1. Manage your geyserHeating water is hugely energy intensive. By limiting the time your geyser works to whenyou need hot water, rather than all day, you can save a lot of power. The most convenientway to ensure your geyser is off when you’re at work is to install a timer. Alternatively youcan manually switch it off when you leave and switch it back on when you return home. Youcan also save by turning down the thermostat and insulating the geyser to reduce heat loss.2. Wrap it upDuring winter about half the heat in your home can escape if it’s not properly insulated.Rather than crank up the heaters, make sure that gaps around doors and windows havesealant strips and that the roof is properly insulated.3. Light with LEDReplacing your light bulbs with the LED equivalent. LEDs use at least 75% less energy andlast up to 25 times longer, so you’ll also save money on replacing bulbs.4. Switch off at the socketYou can save up to 6% by turning off appliances at the wall. Televisions and other items withstandby features still draw power even when not in use.5. Unplug your devicesUnplug cell phone and other chargers when not in use as these still use power even if yourphone isn’t plugged in. It’s also not a good idea to allow phones and other devices toovercharge as this can limit the battery lifespan.6. Be stove smartUse flat-bottomed pots and pans and make sure you’re cooking on an appropriately sizedheating plate. Using a lid when you’re boiling water for eggs or vegetables will speed upcooking times and save power. According to industry experts just these tips can save up to25% of the power used for cooking. Use your oven sparingly and remember that microwavesuse a lot less power than a traditional oven.7. Be cooling cleverMany people have their fridge and freezers set too low. This wastes electricity and alsoincreases the defrosting intervals. Check the manufacturer’s guidelines.8. Use machines sensiblyUsing cold water in your washing machine will reduce electricity costs. There are a numberof products which increase the efficiency of cold washes. If clothes aren’t too dirty you canskip the pre-wash cycle. If you only have one or two plates and cups, wash them by handrather than in the dishwasher. If you do have a dishwasher make sure it’s full before switchingit on.9. Avoid heatersHeaters are huge power guzzlers. By ensuring you home is well insulated and putting on ajersey rather than firing up the heater you’ll save power.10 Go solarIf you are able to, consider solar power. It’ll help reduce your reliance on Eskom and savemoney.For more about household savings visit https://www.directaxis.co.za/topics-tips-tools.aspx?newsCategoryID=2
Take back the power
The government is intensifying its driveto achieving 90% testing of every on in thecommunity.HIV/AIDS is a burden in thecommunity People are either affected orinfected, When everyone test for HIV eachindividual knows their statusWHO SHOULD TEST? Everyone shouldtest, especially when one engages inunprotected sexual activity, Havingmultiple sexual partner,Use condom always.When you have been loosing weightunintentional, prolonged, unresolvedsickness in spite of treatment. Frequent STI.WHERE DO I TEST? All health facilitiesin the local municipality offer HIVcounselling and Testing.HOW MUCH DO I PAY? It is absolutelyfree in all Public health facilities, The teamfrom the clinics are by the pension/grantpoint every month, direct and free serviceis being provided.WHAT DO I DO IF IALREADY KNOW MY STATUS? If you
Ps. 42:12 Wat buig jy jou neer, o my siel, enwat is jy onrustig in my? Hoop op God, wantek sal Hom nog loof—die verlossing vanmy aangesig en my God!Die Psalmis raas met homself en vra“Hoekom is jy bekommerd? Hoekom is jyonrustig? Hoekom is jou ingewande inberoering?” Ons dink soms dit was nmakliker lewe in daardie tyd en hulle het nieso baie bekommernisse gehad soos ons nie,maar ons sal verkeerd wees! 1Sam. 20:3Maar so waar as die HERE leef en jou sielleef, daar is maar net een tree tussen my endie dood! Ps. 116:3 Bande van die doodhet my omring, en angste van die doderykhet my getref; ek het benoudheid en kommergevind. Ps. 17:9 teen die goddelose wat mygeweld aandoen, my doodsvyande wat myomring.Wat is dit wat vir u en my laat voel datdoodsbande ons omring? Ons voel ook dalkdat slegte omstandighede ons soos n vyandagtervolg. Ons kan dalk meevoel met diePsalmis dat die dood gedurig op ons hakkeis. DAN kom die antwoord, “Hoop op God”.Ons benoudheid oor ons land, onsfinansies, ons familie, gesondheid ens. moetons maar net aanspoor om na die Here God
te vlug. Ons moet ons vertroue in Homalleen stel. HOOP OP GOD! Ps. 146:5Welgeluksalig is hy wat die God van Jakobhet as sy hulp, wie se hoop is op die HEREsy God. 2Kron. 20:9 As daar oor ons onheilkom—swaard, straf of pes ofhongersnood—sal ons voor hierdie huis envoor u aangesig gaan staan; want u Naamis in hierdie huis; en ons sal U aanroep uitons benoudheid, dat U kan hoor en verlos.Dit is so maklik om ons hoop in mense testel en om ook die blaam op mense te plaasin plaas daarvan om op God te hoop. Ps.118:8, 9 Dit is beter om by die HERE te skuilas om op mense te vertrou. Dit is beter omby die HERE te skuil as om op edeles tevertrou. Jer. 17:7 Geseënd is die man wat opdie HERE vertrou, en wie se vertroue dieHERE is.Wat of wie is daar wat groter as God is?NIKS! Wanneer jy die Here jou skuilplekgemaak het, wat het jy dan om onrustig/bang oor te wees? NIKS! Die antwoord isbaie duidelik! Hoop op God. Maak Hom uskuilplek in hierdie dae!Groete in Sy dierbare Naam.Ds. Jan Keyser
are HIV positive and not yet on treatment,You need to check your CD4 level every6month to check if you eligible fortreatment; ARV.When your CD4 is 500 and below youshould be on treatment.Use condom regularly with your partner.Encourage your partner to test and discloseyour status to a trusted family or friend formoral support.Report to the clinic if you have any healthproblem.Let us collectively join hands together tohave an HIV /AIDS free community,Prevention is better and cheaper than cureHOW DO I PREVENT HIV?Abstain from early sexual activity.Be faithful to your partner, do not sleeparound.Use condom always, you do not know thelatest status of your partner.If you are HIV positive and pregnant, theearlier you book at the clinic the better. Onbooking ,you will be given ARV to preventtransmission of HIV to your unborn baby.CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CLINICS ANDHOSPITAL FOR HIV COUNSELLINGAND TESTING
DR PIXLEY KA ISAKASEME LOCALMUNICIPALITY HIVCOUNSELLING ANDTESTING
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – Itook the one less travelled by, and that madeall the difference”.This quote out of Robert Frost’s, The RoadNot Taken is one of my favourites.And it’s coupled to a quote that has directedmy own life for the past 17 years – “Mostmen lead lives of quiet desperation and go tothe grave with the song still in them,” HenryDavid Thoreau.I know that to some I probably soundmelodramatic when I say that Thoreau’swords left me terrified.The truth of it was that I didn’t want to die anobody. I didn’t want to leave this worldwithout having played my song and lived mypassion. I wanted to be somebody that madea mark.Of course, ‘making my mark’ was pure egocoupled with deep vanity. It’s an illusion. Timewill erase all vanity. Seriously, who’ll rememberPlato, Aristotle and Jan van Riebeeck?? In athousand years? I would guess that evenrecent history is dimmed for most of us.Indulge me and answer these questions(without having to Google them). Who wasthe first prime minister of South Africa? Whowas the first person to find gold in
Johannesburg? Who invented television?Who was your first teacher? Who inventedthe Internet?These people fundamentally impacted us. Yet,I’d hazard a guess that most of us wouldn’tbe able to name them with any certainty.So, leaving a mark and making a difference isa whimsical idea that cannot stand the test oftime.So if leaving your mark is off the table, whatdoes one do?The only thing one can do. Play your song.Find that thing that makes your heart singand do it. I made that call 17 years ago. Mysong was to write. And, write is what I did.I’ve penned millions of words in that time.Are they any good? I don’t know. Are theygoing to be remembered? I doubt it. Do I care?No. Because I’m doing what I really want todo and it makes me happy. And, when I’mhappy, everyone around me is happy.Thoreau’s words don’t leave me in terroranymore.Of course, following one’s passion is nevereasy. Because most of us don’t take the roadless travelled and follow our bliss. It is easierto go with the flow. It is easier to bow to ourparents’ dreams for us and take on a careerthat they want for us, rather than followingour own path. It is easier to fit in than standout and sing our own song.My view is that we have such a short time toplay the song that sits in our heart. Whilst it’snot easy to take a different road, a road lesstravelled, it must be a whole lot better to singthe song you want to than to lead a life ofquiet desperation.
'The truth of it was that Ididn’t want to die a nobody.I didn’t want to leave thisworld without having playedmy song and lived mypassion. I wanted to besomebody that made amark."
