“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.” — Confucius
As I reflect on 2025, I’ve been thinking about the parts of the year that shaped me most. Here are the four things I’m proudest of:
1. I showed up at Breath of Life — and raised over R50 000. I visited often, I stayed present, and I did the work from the heart. This remains one of the most meaningful parts of my year.
2. I significantly reduced my sugar intake. Last year I had a KitKat almost every day; this year I was eating veggies for breakfast. A small change that made a big difference in how I feel.
3. I created more balance in my life. In 2024 I was consumed by “impact at all costs.” This year, I learned you can still serve with intensity and go to the beach more. That balance is growth.
4. I finally made it to Italy and Spain. I saw the Colosseum, the Vatican, and so many beautiful places — a dream made possible by my family who funded the trip. I’m still grateful
“The great danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” –Michelangelo
Today is New Year’s Day and with that comes new hopes, new opportunities and new goals. Check out my life’s purpose and 2025 Goals below:
My Life’s Purposes
Fill the world with kindness and love
Make a difference – level the playing field for people who were born with the cards stacked against them
Change perceptions about differently-abled people
2025 Goals
Continue to be kind, honest, generous, grateful, loyal and filled with wonderment
Every day be the best SuperSidekick to Superhero Catherine Constantinides (she’s the best, most hardworking real-life Superhero I’ve ever met she totally deserves me forever and no matter what else I’m doing in life I will always be here for her)
Maintain and strengthen my deep friendship with Michelle Rielly
Raise at least R34 000 for Breath of Life
Become financially independent – earn more than enough to pay for my own medical aid and groceries
Have more fun – maybe take up art of some kind or simply going to the beach more often
Focus on wellness – pray every day, have good diet, exercise, good sleep, gratitude and get more sun
See Michelle Rielly in real-life again – I miss her lots
Choose people who choose me – no more chasing people
Visit Paternoster
Visit Europe – go to Paris and Rome – and go paragliding in Switzerland
Go whale-watching with Southern Cross Cruises in October (saw whales with Southern Cross Cruises on October 11th – it was awesome)
Stay at Crawfords Beach Lodge
Read 24-48 books
Do 34 or more good deeds – one of the deeds must be having one or more trees planted (Visions of Change helped me plant 5 trees)
(Note: Goals are subject to change with time and that’s ok because I will change with time)
“Make measurable progress in reasonable time.” – Jim Rohn
As we near the end of 2024 it is again time to review the goals I set at the beginning of the year
My 2024 Life Purposes and Goals in Review
My Life’s Purposes
Fill the world with kindness and love [did my best]
Make a difference – level the playing field for people who were born with the cards stacked against them [did my best]
Change perceptions about differently-abled people [did my best]
2024 Goals in Review
Continue to be kind, honest, generous, grateful, loyal and filled with wonderment
Every day be the best SuperSidekick to Superhero Catherine Constantinides (she’s the best, most hardworking real-life Superhero I’ve ever met she totally deserves me forever and no matter what else I’m doing in life I will always be here for her)
Maintain and strengthen my deep friendship with Michelle Rielly
Raise at least R33 000 for Breath of Life and request that the government create a third category for baby havens so we can increase our numbers without anxiety (Breath of Life is a place of safety for vulnerable babies here in my city I JUST LOVE THEIR WORK) [ Update: raised the amount and more – changing the law was unnecessary]
Take a classroom of kids to the movies for the first time [Update: Didn’t get to it]
Build a strong relationship with Abigail Boshoff [no comment]
Have more fun – maybe take up painting, or pottery or simply going to the beach more often
Focus on wellness – pray every day, have good diet, exercise, good sleep, gratitude and get more sun [Update: Need to work on the sleep and exercise]
Go on a boat cruise here in East London with Southern Cross Cruises -hopefully see whales or dolphins
Paraglide in Interlaken, Switzerland [Update: Didn’t get to it]
Practice Patience [Update: Started working on it in the last 12 days of the year]
Become financially free [Update: Failed]
Teach kids and adults worldwide that Different Is COOL
Continue to raise awareness about the Western Sahara conflict – the Western Sahara has been illegally occupied by Morocco since 1975 due to the fact that it’s rich in natural and though the UN promised a referendum in 1991 it has yet to come to pass meanwhile half of the Saharawi People have been living in the refugee camps in Algeria since 1975
Choose people who choose me [Update: I’m trying]
Read 24-48 books [Update: Read 14 books so far]
Plant 1-5 trees [Update: Had 2 trees planted at my sister’s new house]
“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead
Last night my Nisha 67 Campaign benefitting Breath of Life ended with a net amount of R47 943 (I think I will only know the final amount by Monday but I’m approximately correct)(the gross amount is R51 559). A HUGE HUGE THANK YOU to my family, friends and even strangers who came together to make this happen.
A special mention must also go to Tom & Tori Horse and Heart Stables who did a 22 km horse ride on my behalf in aid of Breath of Life on September 16th- thank you soooooooooooo much.
BackABuddy will transfer the money to Breath of Life on October 14th and Breath of Life will use the money for baby care essentials as well as to cover the operating expenses of the house – electricity, water, salaries, etc.
Mia Le Roux (L) is crowned by 2023 Miss South Africa Natasha Joubert (R) on stage at the 2024 Miss South Africa final at SunBet Arena in Pretoria. (MARCO LONGARI / AFP)
Mia le Roux makes history as first hearing-impaired Miss South Africa
The 28-year-old model and marketing manager who was representing the Western Cape is the first Miss South Africa who is hard of hearing. According to her profile on the Miss South Africa website, Le Roux, who was born in Sasolburg in the Free State, was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one.
The part-time B Com Marketing student describes herself as resilient, dedicated, graceful and kind.
An Open Letter to Mia le Roux
Dear Mia,
Congratulations on becoming Miss South Africa 2024. Thank you for having the courage to put yourself out there and because you did you now have the chance to make the world inclusive for all of us who are different. Congratulations, I’m so proud of you…for the first time in my life I feel represented in the mainstream media
The sizzling fifth season of MasterChef South Africa moves into the show’s new home on S3 (formerly SABC3) on Saturday, 13 July at 19:30, with repeat broadcasts on SABC2 on Sundays at 18:30 and another chance to catch up on all the reality show cooking action on S3 on Wednesdays at 18:00.
MasterChef South Africa Season 5 features 20 amateur chefs from across Mzansi with diverse backgrounds and different food dreams.
Among these cooks are seven strong contenders, ready to slice and dice, bake and butter up the judges with their delicious meals.
One of this year’s TOP 20 MasterChef Contestants is the effervescent, Ella Bella Constantinides-Leite, she holds a Master’s degree in Dramatic Arts and Education from the University of the Witwatersrand, is of Greek descent, married the Portuguese love of her life and chose beautiful Sesotho and isiZulu names for her two children. She is the director of the Miss Earth South Africa Leadership and Empowerment Programme, which celebrates their 21st year of sustainability and greening. She is a teacher, environmentalist, philanthropist and a foodie ready to take the MasterChef kitchen by storm.
This colourful home cook from Bedfordview is also a dynamic environmentalist who teaches in all corners of the country as part of the Miss Earth SA initiative; educating children and adults about biodiversity, recycling and preserving our national heritage and cleaver ways to upcycle and reuse their waste.
As such, she initiates projects ranging from planting trees and creating sustainable vegetable gardens to recycling projects, cleaning rivers and beaches, and feeding people in different communities weekly through the Merchants of Light, NGO that her and her sister, Catherine Constantinides started during COVID when the need for food was so desperate in communities.
With these bits of Ella Bella’s background, it makes perfect sense that she describes herself as the kitchen queen of leftovers.
“My food style is Mediterranean with a splash of South African fusion, like Baklava with Rooibos infused syrup- it’s delish”, she adds, “and I have mastered sneaking veggies into all kinds of experimental dishes for the good of my family’s health and wellbeing.”
It brings her immense joy to host large dinner parties targeting the diverse taste buds of the mix of cultures and ages of her multitude of friends and Portu-Greek relatives. She speaks a little isiZulu, Xhosa and can say hello, goodbye, my name is, thank you and a I love you in about 5 more languages.
Food is indeed a gift in Ella Bella’s eyes, and if she wins the competition, you might just see The Ella Bella Food Trucks on their way to the empty bellies in many communities to give a little hope, love and light to those in need.
“Gratitude is the antidote to fear. And a gateway practice into prosperity.” – Robin Sharma, The Wealth Money Can’t Buy: The 8 Hidden Habits to Live Your Richest Life
Yesterday I finished reading The Wealth Money Can’t Buy: The 8 Hidden Habits to Live Your Richest Lifeby Robin Sharma and by the last page I wanted to cry because I felt like I was saying goodbye to a friend who reminded that I was already wealthy in many ways (I was already doing most of the things mentioned in the book i just doing most of the things mentioned in the book I just didn’t know they were habits of wealth the world told me the were habits of the naive but apparently not). Below I’ve listed some of my favorite lessons from The Wealth Money Can’t Buy: The 8 Hidden Habits to Live Your Richest Life by Robin Sharma:
11 Lessons from The Wealth Money Can’t Buy: The 8 Hidden Habits to Live Your Richest Life by Robin Sharma
1. When you’re with people treat it like the last time you might see them (because it just might be life is fragile)
2.Your life reflects you – in other words, your other life is a reflection of the inner work you’ve done on your mind, heart, health and spirit
3.BE GRATEFUL – send thank you notes and gifts in abundance
4. Be kind and generous
5. Be humble – even the old tree bows as it ages. Are you prouder than a 150 year old tree?
6. Put your last days first – fast forward to your deathbed think about what contribution you would like to make then rewind to present day and do – I wrote my future obituary years ago and it helps me to remember how to live
7. Be a perfect moment creator – make breakfast with family, watch the sunset, eat great food.. anything just create moments intentionally
8. A great work ethic without a great rest ethic is not sustainable – doing something is not better than doing something they are just two different things
9. Bless your money as you send it out and ask it to come to you a hundred fold
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” – Berthold Auerbach
This morning I heard “Lights Down Low” by Aston Wylie (ft. Michael Reed) and I loved the song so much I thought it would be a great idea to share it…great song Aston.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Today Christians enter the 40-day Lenten period and while it’s traditional to give up foods and vices during Lent today I woke up and prayed that God make me pure of heart and I committed to intentionally practicing The Fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control . I know I won’t be perfect in the next 40 days but I will be trying.
“The great danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” –Michelangelo
Today is New Year’s Day and with that comes new hopes, new opportunities and new goals. Check out my life’s purpose and 2024 Goals below:
My Life’s Purposes
Fill the world with kindness and love
Make a difference – level the playing field for people who were born with the cards stacked against them
Change perceptions about differently-abled people
2024 Goals
Continue to be kind, honest, generous, grateful, loyal and filled with wonderment
Every day be the best SuperSidekick to Superhero Catherine Constantinides (she’s the best, most hardworking real-life Superhero I’ve ever met she totally deserves me forever and no matter what else I’m doing in life I will always be here for her)
Maintain and strengthen my deep friendship with Michelle Rielly
Raise at least R33 000 for Breath of Life and request that the government create a third category for baby havens so we can increase our numbers without anxiety (Breath of Life is a place of safety for vulnerable babies here in my city I JUST LOVE THEIR WORK)
Take a classroom of kids to the movies for the first time
Build a strong relationship with Abigail Boshoff
Have more fun – maybe take up painting, or pottery or simply going to the beach more often
Focus on wellness – pray every day, have good diet, exercise, good sleep, gratitude and get more sun
Go on a boat cruise here in East London with Southern Cross Cruises -hopefully see whales or dolphins
Paraglide in Interlaken, Switzerland
Practice Patience
Become financially free
Teach kids and adults worldwide that Different Is COOL
Continue to raise awareness about the Western Sahara conflict – the Western Sahara has been illegally occupied by Morocco since 1975 due to the fact that it’s rich in natural and though the UN promised a referendum in 1991 it has yet to come to pass meanwhile half of the Saharawi People have been living in the refugee camps in Algeria since 1975
Choose people who choose me
Read 24-48 books
Plant 1-5 trees
Do 33+ good deeds
(Note: Goals are subject to change with time and that’s ok because I will change with time)
