Happiness HELPS Ambassador
Helping others, Exercise, Learn, Play, Spiritual growth
On 22April, I had an opportunity to give a motivational talk to the Vista board of trustees and had the privilege of meeting Dr Peter Landless, chairman of the board.
After the talk, Dr Landless presented me with a certificate and a badge, and congratulated me. Vista rewarded me for practicing the Happiness HELPS factors on a daily basis. Dr Jerry Bezuidenhout, my psychiatrist, pinned a smaller badge on my Vista cycling vest. At first I didn’t know what was happening, so I just kept on thanking everyone and smiled when the photos were taken.
For a long while after I left the meeting, I wandered around trying to figure out what just happened. I stopped and looked at the certificate and the badge, but had no idea what it meant. After a while I went to Nicolene, the marketing officer, and asked. After she explained to me and it sunk in, I realised that all the hours training was being rewarded! My dream about making a difference in the world isn’t a dream anymore, but a reality. The award is hard evidence of it. The only way that I can describe the feeling that came up in me is to liken it to a student being presented with a diploma!
What’s the next step?
In the gospels, we read how Jesus took five loaves of bread and two fishes, gave thanks for it, broke it and gave it to the crowed. In a sense I see myself in Jesus’ shoes. I was given knowledge and wisdom through my sport about life as a whole, but it is too much for one man and so I want to break it up into pieces and give it to all. Furthermore, I will continue with training, finish all the races that I set out to do and grow in my faith.
By Deon Labuschagne
Vista Clinic Happiness HELPS Ambassador
