After sharing in a Chocolate and Coffee Break at the Wellness Lifestyle Conference in South Africa, Stephan asked me for an Interview.
The experience of a Chocolate and Coffee Break
It’s time to plan Chocolate and Coffee Day – Who will you share your chocolate with?
How to share Chocolate and Coffee Breaks
Melissa Griffiths
Imagine being stared out and whispered about everywhere you go, this is the life of someone who is transgender. Melissa Griffiths is a Transgender and Gender Equality Authority and Advocate, Speaker and Media Commentator. She shares with us her story of being transgender and opens our eyes to some of the struggles that sh has to face everyday.
Sarifa Altono Younes
Sarifa Altona Younes shares her stories of being an immigrant and a Muslim in Australia. As she wears a head scarf, her faith is on view for all to see. How does this effect the way she is treated?
Dipak Saha
In this episode I speak with Dipak Saha. I was reminded that Prejudice and intolerance crosses boarders beyond race, colour and culture. It is also evident in any areas of difference, such as mental health. An important reminder that all people from all walks of life need to be treated with love and acceptance.
Oksana Samkova
The Spirit of Chocolate and Coffee Breaks is all about being able to see the other as equal and treating them as such. Oksana Samkova has had a life time of experience of doing this and benefiting from the richness of life this has brought her way. She has lived on 4 continents and found herself is some really diverse cultures. In this podcast Oksana shares with else her stories of a true world citizen.
Dilhara Silvalingam
Dilhara Silvalingam had an upbringing that spanned 3 continents. This has given her an unique experience of the world and how we treat each other. Her stories and questioning style will open your mind and your hearts to how we respond to those who may appear to be different to us.
Grab yourself a chocolate and coffee and enjoy this episode.
Fence-sitting
I am proud to be a fence-sitter.
When I was a little girl, I loved to climb the fence and peer into the neighbours back yard. It was a whole different world. The backyard was covered in concrete, except for the veggie patch where strange and unusual things were growing. There was strange aromas coming from the kitchen that I had never smelt before and from the huge brick garage really weird smells. I could hear the voices, but I couldn’t understand a word they were saying. This was the beginning of my fence-sitting life.
So many will tell you to get off the fence. Make a decision, choose a side. But I don’t. Why should I choose one side over the other. I can’t do that. I see you both. I see both sides to the story by sitting on the fence.
If there is a fence in the way, I cannot see you, I cannot see your story, I cannot feel your delight and your pain. I have no frame of reference. I am blind to what you see.
When I can see over the fence, I can see you. I can see who you are, what is important to you. I can feel what you are feeling. I can see what you can see.
From my view point on the fence, I can also see the other person. I can see their story, their delight and pain. I can understand who they are too. What is important to them. Just as much as I can see you and what is important to you.
A fence is just the way we block ourselves from seeing the other side, from enjoying the view, from opening up to a new way, a new experience. It stops us from understanding and feeling compassion. It stops us from walking in their shoes.
Who is on the other side of your fence? Can you see them? Can you feel them? Climb up and take a look. Sit on the fence for a while and see the view of someone else’s story, someone else’s life.
I discovered the joy of fence-sitting as a little girl. It brought me to a different world. I was just interested in playing with the children I could hear on the other side. It didn’t matter that they couldn’t speak English, dressed differently than me or ate different food than me. For we were little girls and we saw past all of that and opened up a new world for each other.
Take a look over the fence. It might look strange at first, however one day you will look back and see those strange and wonderful foods appearing everyday on your own plate.