Addicts This, Loafers That!

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Okay, I'm a person who gets irritated by people with no ambition, with no passion for life whatsoever. People who hang around street corners from the AM to PM. Who'd rather smoke away their lives. They just get to me.

It upsets me to see how people conform to just about any habit society throws at them. And what frustrates me even more is their lack of interest to deviate from the norm. Because that's what it is these days, nyaope is the norm - along with self-pity, settling for just about anything, caucuses on street corners discussing the demise of Sipho. That's the norm for people with normal mindsets. Kasi mentality if I may call it that, because that's where I'm from and where I witness such. I can only speak for myself, but I'm quite certain that many will nod in agreement.



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 But that's all we do, complain about it. Everyday we go on and on about loafers and smokers and addicts and dealers and this and that. A mighty few of us (me excluded) have actually taken the time to talk to nyaope or wunga addicts - or any addict for that matter - and try to reach out to them. Instead we look at them with side eyes and curse them under our breaths every time we come across one. Yes they can be a nuisance at times but they are only human. Truth is, we are just like them - instead of smoking our issues away, we try to complain them away. That doesn't help much now does it?

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So what then Smarty Pants? What do you suggest we do?

Honestly, I don't think anyone has the ability to save the world but Jesus. But there is something we can do. Talk to these people, listen to what they have to say. Establish the logic behind their actions, analyse their reasoning, refer them to institutions, do something.

I'm a complainer - self-confessed and noted by many - but I've realised that if you can't change a situation don't complain about it, and if you can, do something. In this case, the latter is very much attainable.

These people need encouragement just as much as you did when things were falling apart at school, at home, at work, etc. Surely their lives aren't all peaches and cream if they have to resort to such measures. These are people's spouses, siblings, offspring - as I mentioned, they are only human.

Think about it. And while you do, here is a list of rehabilitation centres from a province of your choice: http://www.tnt.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=91&Itemid=128

Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in trying to find free rehabilitation centres but if you know of any feel free to post it as a comment.

The list in the link above was provided by TNT | The Naked Truth, a highly informative website. If you are affected in any way by substance abuse I recommend that you visit this website at http://www.tnt.org.za/.

Do the right  thing.

Listen Hear

I was having a conversation about hearing with my cousin the other day. How do you enhance hearing? Which vegetable does one consume for that - since carrots enhance eyesight? Is there some chemical, vitamin exercise routine, activity, anything really, that can deal with hearing loss? Because I, for one, don't want to to lose my hearing as I age. I don't want to be the "huh?" grandma, I refuse.

So what then? How can I possibly prevent losing my hearing? All my cousin could say was "Uhm, that's probably the section I failed in Med school". So, I resorted to one of my many mottos in life: Google before you speak.

Earphones can be detrimental to your ears.

You, who constantly listen to music through earphones. You, who feel the need to play music at a remarkably loud volume even when you are alone in the house or car - all day everyday. You, who insist on always travelling in deafening taxi's (this day and age). This is for you.

Let's not fool ourselves and think that we live in an era where we are invincible and immune to this, this and that. Reality is, hearing loss comes with the territory of ageing. For some it's inevitable, but, for others it can be prevented. Turns out, hearing can be enhanced after all.

So I took to Google and came across a blog by John Goldmann, 5 Ways to Improve Your Hearing, which I found particularly interesting and relevant. Three of Goldmann's five points really stood out for me.

1) Maintenance:
This is for those who prey on loud music. Try to avoid that as well as plug-in earphones - rather go for those that nestle around your ear.

2) EENT check-ups:
Regularly checking your eyes, ears, nose and throat (EENT) can improve not only your hearing but can help maintain all your senses as well.

3) Vitamins and Medication
Don't we all just hate this section?! Well if your hearing is failing you this might be just what you need. Goldamm mentions 4 vitamins that can bring a bit of volume to your ears: Acetyl-carnitine (150mg a day), alpha-lipoic acid (150 mg a day), glutathione (50 mg a day), and coenzyme Q10 (60 mg a day). I've never heard of these but judging by their names, they probably do a good job. And lucky for some, I linked them to definitions and explanations.

These are just some of the ways you can improve your hearing. It is imperative to make use of the necessary precautions now while you still can, than spend the rest of your life being a "huh?" statistic. It might be too late to help your grandparents out but u may still have a chance. This, or live with hearing-aid devices for the rest of your old life.

For a variety of info visit:
http://www.google.co.za/search?q=supplements+that+improve+hearing&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a.

A Spectator of Life.

I spent most of my life procrastinating and secretly hoping for a miracle to happen. As though if I put my dreams off long enough they would be more attainable - crazy as it may seem. Uhm.... that didn't work out quite well. Actually, it didn't work out at all. Nonetheless, I've learnt something from this tendency - if I don't get up and claim my dream, someone else will.

Spectator's Look is one of many of these dreams - a window through which my experiences and perceptions are projected. Not only from an aspiring journalist's point of view but also from a spectator of life. A documentary of my thoughts. With this blog, I hope to inspire, inform, enlighten and entertain.

WARNING: This blog may insult some people, it's not my intention. It might cause a warm sensation in your heart; make you laugh, breathless, speechless; make you want to share it (highly recommended); may encourage you in some way - mission accomplished.

Feel free to join me on this journey. If it's not your thing, no problem - I can't possibly please everyone.

Welcome aboard.