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Quack, Quack:
By: Vanessa von Mollendorf
“Duck love is recognizable in any language.”
- Edmond Manning
Contrary to popular opinion, lions do not roam the streets in South Africa, but ducks do. We received a notification via our neighborhood WhatsApp group early this morning which read:
"Hi Doringkloof Residents,
We have a duck with ducklings wandering the streets. If you see her, please do not attempt to catch her or her ducklings. We know there are other people driving through Doringkloof, but as a resident please drive with caution as we have numerous bird families all over our neighborhood."
Yes, we are a caring bunch, which unfortunately seems like a dying breed in today’s technological society. Every year the ducks visit the various swimming pools and have a grand old time paddling about. We have even installed little ramps for the ducklings to have easy access. We watch out for them, ensuring that they are never separated. If one wanders off, a kind soul is likely to pick him or her up and return them safely to the spruit (a small watercourse, typically dry except during the rainy season). If the hen notices, said kind soul is scolded loudly for his trouble. No good deed ever goes unpunished they say.
All of this has me wondering why so few people care. The problem is twofold, I guess. Firstly, there is an inordinate amount of pressure to appear invulnerable and secondly there is the real fear of being taken advantage of or being seen as weak. As a society, we have grown so used to getting things done quickly and being constantly in the moment that we no longer feel the need to engage in meaningful activities.
I am throwing a challenge out there, well perhaps it’s a lifebuoy- Take a walk in your neighborhood every day. Search out the beauty that surrounds you, yes even in the concrete jungle.
Reach out to people, they don’t normally bite except on Wednesdays.
Replace apathy with empathy.
Enrich your life with simple activities. Do cartwheels if it makes you happy.
Express your feelings (loudly works for me).
Cultivate meaningful relationships.
Put the cellphone, computer, iPad etc. away and talk to one another. South Africa is rife with
loadshedding (a way to distribute demand for electrical power) at the moment which has forced a lot of families to communicate for the first time in years.
Be mindful of your actions.
This is me, signing off and trying to see the ducklings. Wish me luck and take care until we meet again by newsletter.
Ephesians 4:32
"Be kind and compassionate to one another.
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