Corona finally got us. Felt like a kak flu – feeling better today. Phew. We were lucky. Many people have died from this freakin’ thing.

We have been so scared to catch corona, especially with the Bunster and all, but now we can tick it off the list. We are fully vaccinated and have been so careful but we caught it somehow. And so many people who we know have it too. The corona craziness continues.

A bigger disease in the world though has been around a lot longer and it is far more devastating. It is called greed.

I was in bed for the weekend and was thinking: is greed and selfishness the same thing … ? I looked up on Google and found this: Selfishness is when you want something just for yourself. Greed is when you want more than what you need.

I am a selfish person. But no more selfish than the next person. We live in a selfish world. But I don’t believe I am greedy, or ever have been. And sadly, so many people I have met in my life are very greedy. Doesn’t mean I don’t like them or that they are bad people. But this global greed disease is damaging the world, way more than the corona virus.

I read something on Twitter this week that really got me thinking: Money can’t make rich people happy, but it can make poor people happy.

We all need to give more. After all, the best way to receive it so give. One way to help cure this greed disease is to be more generous. Patience, love, generosity … these all used to be more evident in simpler times. That is my perception.

Do you know which is the largest country in Europe? I have a feeling you didn’t know. Go to Google and take a look. The answer is: Ukraine. Most people don’t know this, and for sure, like where I come from (South Africa) most people don’t know what or where is Ukraine.

My partner Dimitri wrote this text below – I am sharing it here. It is a good read.

Ukraine has been in the limelight a lot recently: over 20 unicorn start-ups, thriving culture and much more. Now the largest country in Europe is in the news once again, and this time it is not for a good reason. The ongoing crisis between East and West is culminating in Ukraine, where the debate is being played out politically and physically.

Now is the time to hire Ukrainian and Eastern European talent, keeping the working economy healthy. We stand with our teams and friends across Ukraine as work and life continues despite the mounting pressure on the border with Russia.

From PYGIO’s view, we are born in the cloud and remote-work native. We do not need to be in any particular space to do our work to make our clients win. We work with teams globally and are committed to helping each of them be safe where we can.

We were recently in Kharkiv (very close to the Russian border – a peaceful university city), Kyiv (the bustling capital) and Lviv (Western Ukraine) and we believe these cities will remain stable, prosperous and free.

For a succinct analysis into what is transpiring in the region, see Fareed Zakaria’s take here: https://youtu.be/bVwd7TW_v-4

For 6 reasons “Why are US and Russian tensions escalating over the Ukraine?” click here : https://youtu.be/LCK6daF9fNc

Today has a been a peaceful and soulful day. I hope the rest of the year is like this.

I saw a funny thing on the Net earlier that said “Let’s make Year Three of Covid the best one yet !!!”

Yeah, there certainly were a lot of jokes flying around in 2021. We needed to laugh – it is always the best medicine. It was not an easy year for most folk I reckon.

I closed the books last night on some stuff and those stories need to stay in the past. As my one mentor once told me “Every problem has an expiry date.” I think 2022 is going to be another challenging year for the world, and I also think the stock market bubble will finally pop during the next 12 years. Then we are going to see more craziness.

I walked a few different paths this year on the work front. The PYGIO journey, which was filled with important lessons and milestones, will continue this year and we start off this month with some exciting potential. On the film front, we are waiting to receive on offer from a distributor for our documentary “57” about violent crime in South Africa. The film turned out very good – it is an important and powerful piece of work. I hope we conclude something in the next couple of months. We have another film project just raring to go.

Happy new year. Try and remember that it is better to be kind than to be right. The world needs more kindness in 2022.

The Bunster is 11 months old today. Soon he will be one year old. Wow. Where did the time go … ?

The Bunster is pure magic.

I just got back from the gym. Sounds more serious than it is. I am not a “gym person”. I was exercising for an hour and had a proper sweat. I have been pretty good lately. Going about 5 days a week. Today at the gym I was on the bicycle machine and I did some thinking.

I can’t say I enjoy going to the gym but I do appreciate the result. A good sweat makes me sleep better and I feel physically good. Also, it keeps my weight in check.

I often “plan” on going to the gym and then for some reason it doesn’t happen that day. Everything distracts me, like work, work and more work. And most of the time it is legit, but things like admin and bill paying etc. can wait. Exercise is more important. I keep telling myself I will go later, and I then land up getting into bed that night angry with myself. And of course I tell myself, “I will go tomorrow”.

Here this is the thought I had today : if I don’t go to the gym and exercise, even for 30 minutes, then I only have myself to blame. In short, we are in control of our happiness. When you invest in yourself only you can determine the size of the investment. Either you exercise for 30 minutes or an hour day, and feel fulfilled, or you don’t. We are in total control here and so it goes for just about everything else. If there is something or someone you don’t like out there, for example, then stay away from them. Yes, this is all in our hands. Spend time on the things that are good for you, things and people that feed your soul, and stay away from the negative forces.

I know this is a rather simplistic view on life, and here’s the thing. We all over complicate life. Simplicity is what genius is about. I am more and more convinced of it. Simplicity is about happiness. I believe this to be true.

I am no genius. I need to simplify. That will be the smart thing to do. I don’t think I am dumb, so what is stopping me.

Simplification, happiness and discipline. These are my thoughts from today’s gym session. Exercising every day. This should be a simple thing to make real.

The Bun is 3 months old today. Wow, what a blur. I was told that this time will fly by, and it did. So many nights of little sleep, wondering if we are doing everything right, never quite sure what the Bun will do next, and then throw in the corona anxiety, and by now I could sleep for a week. I would not change a thing though – it has been a magical time. Bunster for Prez !!!

Here are 7 Bun pics – one for each day of the week. Everyday for the past 3 months has been Bunday.

Wishing everyone a peaceful new year. May 2021 bring some calm to the world, and more laughter. Laughter will always be the best medicine.

This has not been an easy year at all. Phew !

Thank you to anyone who is reading this and who supported me this past year … to my family and friends. And most importantly, a le chaim for the Bun’s mom, who I love to bits.