by - 0 comments

Waltzing with a Fickle Beast

A philosophy of life inspired by the writings of Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (1873-1954)

Life, mon ami, is a fickle beast, a sun-dappled alleyway where roses bloom and shadows twist. It’s a waltz of desires, a tango with fate, played on the rickety strings of our own hearts. We chase pleasures, butterflies flitting in the midday sun, only to find them dust on our fingers at dusk. We build castles of dreams, cobbled with hope and ambition, yet they crumble under the weight of reality’s rain.

But oh, the joy in the dance! The thrill of the chase, the brush of sunlight on our skin, the intoxicating fragrance of a dream half-lived. In the face of ephemerality, we find beauty. In the sting of loss, we savor the sweetness of what once was. For even the falling leaves paint the autumn sky in fiery hues, and the waves, though crashing, leave whispers of salt on our lips.

So, let us waltz, mes amis, with this fickle beast. Let laughter be our cloak against the chill of doubt, and tears our baptism in the river of experience. Let us wear our desires like jewels, dazzling and bold, and our scars as badges of battles fought. For in the end, it is not the grand finale that matters, but the whispers of each moment, the symphony of our being played on the stage of life. So, raise a glass to the sun and the shadows, to the waltz and the tango, to the fickle beast that makes us laugh, cry, and dance until the very last note.

© Jurgens Pieterse. All rights reserved. 2024

by - 0 comments

Galactic Emporium

Come up with a crazy business idea.

Tired of gazing at celestial real estate and wondering, “Why can’t I OWN that sparkly bauble?” Well, fret no more, space-faring friend, for Galactic Emporium is here to make your interstellar dreams a reality! Forget those puny lunar lots, we’re talking **STARS, baby, STARS!**



Imagine:

Picking your perfect celestial crib from a celestial catalogue vaster than your wildest spacefaring fantasy! Red giants hotter than your ex’s temper? Check! White dwarfs cooler than your fridge on pizza night? Done! Pulsars that’ll keep your disco parties poppin’ for eons? We got ’em!

Holding the official deed to a celestial body, signed with the smoldering ink of a supernova! Your grandkids will inherit a legacy that makes Scrooge McDuck’s vault look like a dime-store piggy bank. Think: interplanetary bragging rights for generations!

Becoming a pioneer in the burgeoning field of stellar squatting! With space travel just around the corner (courtesy of our conveniently located wormhole, natch), you’ll be the envy of the cosmos when you claim your primo real estate. Imagine the rent you can charge those pesky space tourists!

Investing in a surefire win-win! Prices are ridiculously low now, but watch them skyrocket (pun intended) once the masses discover the joys of owning a star. It’s like buying beachfront property in the Big Bang, but way, way cooler.

So, what are you waiting for? Ditch those earthly shackles and grab a piece of the final frontier! Remember, owning a star isn’t just about bragging rights, it’s about securing your family’s future. Who knows, maybe your great-great-great-grandkids will be sipping margaritas on the beach of a planet of your very own neutron star!

Galactic Emporium: We sell stars, you make constellations!

P.S. Don’t forget to ask about our exclusive “black hole insurance” package. It’s a small price to pay for eternal peace of mind (and your star, of course).

Disclaimer: Property rights on celestial bodies are not currently recognized by any terrestrial or extraterrestrial legal authority. Galactic Emporium reserves the right to sell the same star to multiple individuals. Use of wormhole for recreational travel not guaranteed. Black hole insurance may not cover acts of celestial cannibalism.

© Jurgens Pieterse. All rights reserved. 2024

by - 0 comments

Sun-kissed Asphalt and a Dragon-Tamed Brake: My Ode to the Red Bike

Describe an item you were incredibly attached to as a youth. What became of it?

~ Sun-kissed Asphalt and a Dragon-Tamed Brake: My Ode to the Red Bike ~

Sun-dappled asphalt stretched before me, an infinite canvas waiting for the brushstrokes of my tiny, wobbly wheels. Five years old, I wasn’t just learning to ride a bicycle; I was painting a masterpiece of freedom with each wobbly turn. My trusty steed wasn’t a textbook definition, but a rusty red contraption with two whispers of wheels and a heart of scratched chrome. It had training wheels, sure, but they were more like benevolent dragons I’d soon tame.

My father, a patient knight, held the reins while I learned to whisper to the pedals, my knees pistons pumping a symphony of anticipation. The wind, my ever-present bard, sang tales of victory in my ears as I conquered each uncertain wobble, each scraped knee a badge of courage, each tumble a stepping stone to mastery.

Then, one glorious day, the dragon-taming commenced. The training wheels, their scales dulled by countless battles, were shed with a triumphant clang. My red bike, now truly free, and so was I. We were a blur of red and wind, houses dissolving into a watercolor landscape, my legs pistons driving us onward.

The brake, a temperamental beast with a mind of its own, was a constant negotiation. Gentle nudges, pleading whispers, and sometimes, a firm foot-stomp were the only languages it understood. But oh, the joy of mastering that beast! Each controlled stop was a victory dance, each near-miss a thrilling tale whispered to the wind.

My red bike wasn’t just metal and rubber. It was a passport to independence. I was no longer a toddler confined to the sidewalk; I was a knight, my domain the entire block of houses, my red steed my trusty chariot. I crisscrossed the asphalt kingdom, ruler of the wind in my hair, lord of the sun-warmed handlebars.

But, as with all epic tales, there came a shadow. One day, the yard stood empty, the usual symphony of laughter replaced by a chilling silence. My red bike, my loyal dragon, had been stolen. The emptiness echoed louder than any dragon’s roar, leaving a hollowness in my five-year-old heart.

But even in the face of loss, hope bloomed. Soon, a new steed arrived, a BIG red bike that dwarfed its predecessor. With it, I reclaimed the kingdom, pedaling from one end of town to the other, a testament to the enduring spirit of the first red bike.

That spirit lives on in every vehicle I’ve owned since, a whisper of wind in my hair, a reminder of scraped knees and dragon-taming brakes, of the sun-kissed asphalt and the boundless freedom of a five-year-old heart on a red bike.

© Jurgens Pieterse. All rights reserved. 2024

by - 0 comments

My life’s Compass

What is your mission?

~ My life’s Compass ~



My life’s compass has been forged by a lifetime of challenges, each etching its mark upon my soul. Unseen threads, woven from serendipity’s hand, have guided my path: a worn book whispering forgotten wisdom, a friend’s words lighting a spark, or a quiet moment of insight blooming in the garden of my mind.

My mission, etched in the fire of these experiences, is to be a beacon of hope and upliftment, radiating a net-positive impact on all I encounter. Every interaction is a chance to leave someone feeling more whole, more empowered. This is not a solitary pursuit; it is an act of multiplication.

On the individual level, I wear the cloak of compassion. It knows no exceptions. I step not as a dictator, but as a guide, offering the knowledge and lessons gleaned from my own battles. I become a teacher, not by force, but by recognizing need and offering the tools I possess.

But my gaze extends beyond the individual. I yearn to weave a society where justice and fairness dance hand in hand, a democracy that celebrates the unique threads of each life while fostering a vibrancy of collective unity. This is the social agility that fuels our collective growth and unlocks our boundless creativity.

This, then, is my mission: to be a net-positive force, a weaver of wholeness, a champion of diversity, and a spark igniting the flame of collective creation. This is the compass that guides me, the fire that burns within. It is not a passive endeavor, but an active pursuit, a daily dance with the world around me.

© Jurgens Pieterse, All rights reserved, 2024

by - 0 comments

Just enjoy life a bit more!

What could you do differently?

I don’t need to do anything differently, but I can do more of the things I truly enjoy in life;


The simple act of being is a joy. Deep breaths, the cool touch of water – these are the tiny treasures woven into the fabric of life. But beyond the quiet satisfaction of survival, my heart sings for three things: creativity, learning, and sharing.

Creativity is my canvas, a space where I splash colors of expression. Whether it’s weaving words into poems or blog entries, painting landscapes of the mind, or carving runes onto stones, the act of creation hums with an electric thrill. Sure, my poems might not hang in museums, my paintings not rival Van Gogh’s, but the joy lies in the dance of creation itself, in the act of bringing something new into the world. It’s an embrace of beauty, an ode to elegance in any form.

Learning is my siren song, a siren that lures me to uncharted seas of knowledge. I dive deep, seeking nuggets of wisdom, treasures to synthesize into my own personal expression of self. The thrill of unearthing insights, of discovering new meanings, sends shivers of excitement down my spine. There’s always the whisper of the unknown, the possibility of stumbling upon something unexpected, or even rediscovering an old truth in a fresh light.

Sharing is the echo of my learning, a ripple that expands outward. Whether it’s a casual conversation, a formal presentation, or the quiet act of teaching, the joy lies in the impact it has on others. Seeing knowledge find fertile ground, witnessing its practical application in another’s life, that’s the true reward. I don’t seek the pedestal of a teacher or guru, but rather the camaraderie of a fellow traveler, pointing out marvels and insights along the way.

Perhaps the greatest joy lies at the intersection of these three. Creativity giving tacit and practical hours, learning expanding cognitive and mental joys and sharing social and empathetic connections.

When the spark of creation ignites, when the flame of learning illuminates, and the opportunity to share those embers arises, then my heart truly sings. It’s in that moment, the confluence of creation, learning, and sharing, that I find my truest happiness.

© Jurgens Pieterse. All rights reserved, 2024.