Luyanda is part of the SmilingOne Inmate Responsibilty Coach Team in Worcester Prison
WORKSHOP: ‘TOLERANCE’
Luyanda's Notes:
Life is so amazing because who we are is always brought to the fore by our backgrounds. And this has/is playing a major role in the manner in which we do and perceive things. This is bringing the realization that everything we do there is a meaning behind it. That is what makes life so great. Simply because one has meaning/a purpose to live for in this beautiful universe.
To reflect upon the manner in which we do things, you will find that the word tolerance we give meaning to it in different ways. How we react or act in its meaning differ as well. Nowadays you will find that we as individuals do not easily tolerate each other due to differences such as religion, race, beliefs, personalities, status, moral/values, background and how we do things in life. And this has lead to communities, organisations, companies and individuals to change their visions and their focus in life. The result is that we end up discriminating each other.
Being who you are is influenced by your values. The choices we make based upon these are the ones that determine our journey. Therefore for me to understand the meaning which I am giving the word ‘Tolerance’ is solely made possible by understanding that in life we are all unique, we are different in colours, backgrounds, religion, faith, race, morals/values and the manner in which we do things.
I take a closer look at the manner in which I personally used to do things, and the meaning I gave to the environment which I was surrounded by (and peoples circumstances also). I grew up regarding an individual which did not have the colour of my skin as one not to be trusted. Also those who did not share my belief or religion I operated away from. The same counted if we did not share the same faith. Personalities and values automatically differed. The slight possibility of me being positive, open for learning, exploring and accepting you as a beautiful being that brought light in my journey – there was no room for at all. I was ignorant, ego and pride driven, jealous and always held a grudge. Those were dominant aspects in my life.
Even on my arrival in the project called Group of Hope I experienced the same. I met guys that shared the same personalities that I had. Distrust, hatred, jealousy, ignorance and grudge. This created a situation whereby we focused on other people’s personalities instead of the groups shared vision and mission... To allow yourself to be exposed in such a situation is very much important.
Today I realize that the understanding of myself, where I come from, what I do and perceive is important for my growth. And everyone I meet with same or different belief, race, culture, religion, faith, personality and moral/values are part of the beautiful soul I am today. Because I am ONE with everyone/everything in this universe.
Lack of understanding led me to take everything very personally, to discriminate, not to trust people and to have fear of certain situations on my journey, to be one–dimensional in how I perceived/related to things in life, to cause tension wherever I was, to shift people’s minds from their goals and vision in life, to make everything about myself, not accepting/allowing people into my life...
I have truly achieved a lot just by accepting/allowing everyone and their belief, their race, their culture, their personality, their background and moral/values. I became patient with myself and with other people. I realized that being a responsible individual asked of me to have a mission and a vision in life and to always live a life by my core values which of course are the very core of my well being.
Today I make sure that whatever I do is motivated by love, compassion and caring which are some of my core values. Each decision I make is inspired by them. And this is what I encourage my fellow individuals to live by - to have a purpose in life. I seek to create a situation based on trust at all times. Because as the one in charge of my personal journey I enjoy/walk/talk responsibly and I offer a hand in guidance to others to be responsible of their journey. I love being this person that I am.
Experience is a hard teacher – she gives the test first and the lesson afterwards. This experience has helped me a lot because now I can relate to and guide with understanding of where I come from and where I am heading to in my journey. Life is a journey. Tolerance is one of the steps of learning on this journey – combined with understanding, allowance and acceptance.
With much Love & Light
LUYANDA MBONISWA
From Brian Anene's Case Study
Coach Student in Brandvlei Maximum
"...For anyone to live in prison for too long without proper rehabilitation, then there is no good and self assurance that this person will live a responsible and sustainable life out there where you wake up in the morning with lots of challenges to face. So the number one option is SELF REHABILITATION which starts with ME by knowing my own very self, what I life for and the reason for my rehabilitation. Then everything can make more sense to me. If a person remember where his mistakes started, that's where his corrections will be appreciated!"
"...I met one guy that wanted me to introduce him to this programme. I took his name for quite some time and I told him to please be patient so we can check on the space that is available. He agreed and said that he is going to be patient. When ever I saw him he looked at me and I could feel how anxious he was, wanting to join this programme. So on the 2nd of January I called him. I had THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL book and indemnity form in my hand. I looked for a cool and quite place to sit with him because I wanted to introduce him to the programme. We greeted. I asked him why he wanted to join the responsible individual programme and if someone told him about it. He said, Oh! No, I just want to join the programme coz I know it is going to help me change my life. I have seen some guys whom I know. They are busy with the programme and they are example for me. Their life has changed so much. So I have my reason to join, he said."
Stunning testimonies!!!
LOVING ACTION for our beautiful South Africa!
"...For anyone to live in prison for too long without proper rehabilitation, then there is no good and self assurance that this person will live a responsible and sustainable life out there where you wake up in the morning with lots of challenges to face. So the number one option is SELF REHABILITATION which starts with ME by knowing my own very self, what I life for and the reason for my rehabilitation. Then everything can make more sense to me. If a person remember where his mistakes started, that's where his corrections will be appreciated!"
"...I met one guy that wanted me to introduce him to this programme. I took his name for quite some time and I told him to please be patient so we can check on the space that is available. He agreed and said that he is going to be patient. When ever I saw him he looked at me and I could feel how anxious he was, wanting to join this programme. So on the 2nd of January I called him. I had THE RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL book and indemnity form in my hand. I looked for a cool and quite place to sit with him because I wanted to introduce him to the programme. We greeted. I asked him why he wanted to join the responsible individual programme and if someone told him about it. He said, Oh! No, I just want to join the programme coz I know it is going to help me change my life. I have seen some guys whom I know. They are busy with the programme and they are example for me. Their life has changed so much. So I have my reason to join, he said."
Stunning testimonies!!!
LOVING ACTION for our beautiful South Africa!
TRANSPARANCY
Meeghan and I had a very productive meeting today at Goodwood Medium Prison. Part of partnering with DCS in rehabilitation is to do comprehensive and clear reporting, daily, monthly and quarterly. We received all the new and updated annexures today. They are very clear and will assist us to track attendance of our programme participants. We are excited to add the new annexures to our reporting.
And we look forward to continue working hand in hand with DCS and to take LOVING ACTION for our beautiful South Africa!
And we look forward to continue working hand in hand with DCS and to take LOVING ACTION for our beautiful South Africa!
Back at Goodwood Prison
We are BACK!!! I must say that 6 weeks is a looooong time away from something you enjoy so much. Even if the holidays were wonderful it is GREAT to be back!
Meeghan and I had such inspiring sessions today. In our first 2hour session we had 14 participants (including Welcome and Louis who are in coach training) and another14 participants in our second 2hour session.
The guys were excited to start the year off diving deeper into their journeys of self discovery and to walk the change they had welcomed into their lives. What stood very clear for me today was CHOICE: each one coming today CHOSE to be there... simply because they had chosen to make themselves a priority. It was stunning to see their commitment to SELF and the process.
For myself - I feel so energized and so RICH after our sessions. Lots of windows were opened in the circles - lots of gifts for my journey of Guidance and Learning.
I look forward to update you weekly on our processes within the Goodwood Prison! Watch this space ; )
IN GRATITUDE
Karina
Meeghan and I had such inspiring sessions today. In our first 2hour session we had 14 participants (including Welcome and Louis who are in coach training) and another14 participants in our second 2hour session.
The guys were excited to start the year off diving deeper into their journeys of self discovery and to walk the change they had welcomed into their lives. What stood very clear for me today was CHOICE: each one coming today CHOSE to be there... simply because they had chosen to make themselves a priority. It was stunning to see their commitment to SELF and the process.
For myself - I feel so energized and so RICH after our sessions. Lots of windows were opened in the circles - lots of gifts for my journey of Guidance and Learning.
I look forward to update you weekly on our processes within the Goodwood Prison! Watch this space ; )
IN GRATITUDE
Karina
Inspiring Journeys
A stunning day of sharing and caring in Prison. So good to be back with our team of inmates (coaches n students). They are sooooo geared for 2011 and have a clear vision on how to take SmilingOne - The Responsible Individual to an even bigger audience inside prison this year.
I am right now reading some of the letters given to me by our coach students in Brandvlei Maximum Prison. Collin Duda shares: "The first step in my life-changing journey was the hardest and one I had to do on my own. By the Power of Sharing I was injected with a Change of Attitude and a Wave of Knowledge filled me. Since then I never look back... I keep on looking deeper into myself... and I fell IN LOVE with myself..."
♥ W O W ♥
I am in AWE of their sharing and feel so proud to walk the journey with them!
We are LOVING ACTION for our beautiful South Africa
IN GRATITUDE
Karina
I am right now reading some of the letters given to me by our coach students in Brandvlei Maximum Prison. Collin Duda shares: "The first step in my life-changing journey was the hardest and one I had to do on my own. By the Power of Sharing I was injected with a Change of Attitude and a Wave of Knowledge filled me. Since then I never look back... I keep on looking deeper into myself... and I fell IN LOVE with myself..."
♥ W O W ♥
I am in AWE of their sharing and feel so proud to walk the journey with them!
We are LOVING ACTION for our beautiful South Africa
IN GRATITUDE
Karina
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