Finding Peace in Imperfection: A Practical Guide to Self-Love and Growth

What is one thing you would change about yourself?

I’m a work in progress, just like everyone else. I’m happy with who I am, flaws and all. Sure, I procrastinate sometimes, and I could be fitter. But when I really want something, I make it happen.


We all have limitations, and some things are harder to change than others. No amount of effort will turn someone with a broad frame into a supermodel. So, if you can’t change something, embrace it! Find the humor in it or simply make the best of it. Self-acceptance and self-care bring more joy than constant striving.


My philosophy is simple: if you want to change, set your intention, build new habits, and be patient. Change takes time and effort. If you can’t change something, accept it and find a way to turn it into a strength.


Here’s a powerful tool that works both ways: visualization. When you want to change, visualize your goal as if it’s already achieved. This will energize you and propel you forward. If you can’t change something, visualize it positively. Your imagination is limitless. Don’t dwell on what you lack; instead, focus on what you want. Visualization can shift your mindset and make it easier to accept your circumstances.

A cat visualizing the wish to be a dog, chasing after the milk delivery man by Bing image creator

So, I urge you: stop chasing after what you don’t have. Either make a plan to change or accept yourself. The key to happiness in both scenarios is the power of visualization. A cat cannot become a dog but they can visualize it!

© Jurgens Pieterse, All rights reserved. 2024

Embracing yin and yang

Are you more of a night or morning person?

Oh, mornings are so my time! Waking up late? No way—that’s missing the grand show! Sunrises painting the sky, birds belting out their greatest hits—it’s pure magic! There’s nothing like soaking in the morning sunshine, meditating, and gearing up for an epic day ahead.

But oh, when night rolls around, I just can’t let it go! Handing over the day to sleep? Tragic. Heartbreaking. There’s always one more page to read, one more thought to ponder, one last spark of creativity to chase.

So, what’s the verdict? Am I a morning or a night person? Honestly, it’s impossible to pick. I’m pulling a full-on Libra here—both have their irresistible charm! Mornings inspire, nights mesmerize, and I’m here for it all.

Life’s too precious to play favorites. Every second, every moment is a tiny miracle waiting to be savored. Sleep? Sure, it’s important—can’t function without it. But let’s not let it hog the spotlight! Day and night are my dynamic duo, yin and yang, partners in this grand adventure.


So here’s the plan: live wide awake, dream when it’s time, and embrace it all. Why choose when you can have everything?

Moderation is the key

What are your feelings about eating meat?

I’ve always advocated for moderation in meat consumption. While I understand the motivations behind vegetarianism, I’ve never felt compelled to become an activist.

Historically, humans hunted animals for survival. However, the relationship between humans and meat has dramatically changed. In the past, meat was a scarce resource, obtained through hard work and knowledge of the natural world. Today, it’s a readily available product, often disconnected from its origins. We rarely consider the animal’s life, its treatment, or the ethical implications of its production.


The pursuit of convenience and profit has overshadowed ethical considerations. This is exacerbated by overconsumption, where meat is consumed not for nourishment but to satisfy our palate.


If you choose a vegetarian lifestyle, that’s commendable. If you eat meat, do so mindfully. Consume it in moderation and prioritize ethical sourcing. By understanding the food chain and the origins of your meat, you can make informed choices that align with your values.

© Jurgens Pieterse. All rights reserved. 2024

~ Tech madness ~

What technology would you be better off without, why?

Ah, modern technology, the gift that keeps on giving… and occasionally driving us mad. Among the many so-called advancements, there’s one invention I fervently wish had never seen the light of day: automatic calling technology. You know, the one that allows soulless robots to infiltrate our phones and disrupt our peace? If ever there were an argument for rolling back progress, this would be it.


Let me paint you a picture of my pet peeve. Imagine a tireless army of pesky robots, working through database after database, hunting for phone numbers to invade your privacy. You block one number, and—like some twisted game of whack-a-mole—they call you from another. But it’s not even a human agent you can scold or pity; no, it’s a monotone voice recording, chirping lifelessly at you to press buttons. Buttons! As if solving a problem they created is now your responsibility.


Before long, my phone ends up permanently on silent mode, not to protect my ears, but to safeguard my nervous system from yet another unsolicited call. And let’s talk about the masterminds behind these wretched technologies. Relentless doesn’t even begin to describe them. I often wonder, how on earth do they sell anything with such infuriating tactics? Honestly, have you ever met someone who joyfully proclaimed, “Oh yes, I made my last big purchase because a robot told me to”? No? Me neither.


So here we are, victims of progress, silenced by our own phones. If there’s any solace, it’s knowing we’re all in this together, united in our hatred of spam calls. Perhaps one day, humanity will rise up against the tyranny of automated telemarketing. Until then, I’ll keep my phone on silent and my fingers ready to block.

~ A Love Lost to Time ~

What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make? Why?

The weight of that decision, made nearly three decades into our marriage, still presses upon me. Divorce was a concept foreign to my upbringing, a taboo. Yet, here I was, facing the stark reality of a love lost and a life irrevocably altered.


My heart ached as I witnessed my wife’s growing affection for another. The once-bright spark of our love dimmed, extinguished by the passage of time and the weight of unspoken grievances. We had married young, two souls intertwined by youthful passion, only to find ourselves drifting apart as the years unfolded.


The decision to leave was a bitter pill to swallow. I knew it was the right choice, yet it felt like a betrayal of my family’s values, a shattering of the illusion of a perfect life. The loneliness was profound, the fear of the unknown all-consuming. I carried the burden of my decision alone, a solitary figure navigating the turbulent waters of divorce.


In hindsight, I realize that I had neglected my wife, prioritizing work and personal pursuits over our relationship. I failed to nurture the connection that once bound us, and in doing so, I sowed the seeds of our eventual separation.


Though the pain of divorce lingers, I find solace in the knowledge that I made the right choice. It was a difficult path, marked by sorrow and regret, but it led me to a place of acceptance and healing.