The World According To Leo

A long long time ago, in a kingdom far far away, once lived a girl called Cinderella. We’ve all heard her story. She grew up at the hand of her Stepmother and her two ugly stepsisters… but one magical night, after all the ladies in the land received an invite to the Prince’s ball, her fairy godmother did a bit of magic with her wand. A dash of fairy dust, some glitter and shazam, off to the ball went Cindy. Like most things in life, there are always some T’s & C’s to whatever we do, and so did Cinderella’s night out on the town. Shortly before the clock struck 12 midnight, Cinderella remembered what the Fairy Godmother told her and realised that her coach was about to turn back into a pumpkin… Lucky for me, my life is slightly the opposite of that and tonight, when the clock strikes 12:00, it will be a new year, a new page and a new chapter to this book we’re all writing called “Life”. Tonight at 12:00, we can all finally lay this “Annus Horribillus” called 2012 to rest. A y...

Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy. ~ Jacques Maritain

As we celebrate Christmas eve tonight and spend the day with loved ones tomorrow, i want to take a moment to reflect on our lives and think of those who are less fortunate than us, those who are alone during this time and those who are no longer with us. It’s times like these when we should cherish our families, count our blessings and show love to friends who make our lives special and also remember the true meaning behind these festivities. From the bottom of my heart, i would like to wish you a Merry Christmas. Leo xx A Merry Christmas - Leo G. Smit 2012

Arts and crafts with the kids today. An original Leo G. Smit - “Love and Light”. To everyone out there… LSx

Little things like these hit home… But I’m so thankful for all the strangers who became friends! Thank you, thank you, thanks you!

With my parents living overseas, a few days ago, one of my best friends told me about this story that he had read by Bob Perks in “Chicken soup for the grieving soul”. It resonated so strongly with me - having had my fair share of goodbyes - and i thought I’d share it with you… At an airport I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her plane’s departure and standing near the door, he said to his daughter, “I love you, I wish you enough.” She said, “Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy.” They kissed good-bye and she left. He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?” “Yes, I have,” I replied. Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appr...

As the year comes to an end, I’ve been spending some time reflecting upon everything that has happened over the last 12 months. And while reflecting on 2012, I quote Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and on how 2012 “is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasures. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an “Annus Horribilis. I suspect that I am not alone in thinking it so.” Speaking of her own experience of two decades earlier, that line was so profound to this year that I have had. I am sure that I am not alone in thinking so either. For many it was hard. This year has proven to be one the toughest and most challenging years that I’ve experienced in my 30-years on earth – yet, it was filled with lessons in life, love and everything in between. And therefor I’m grateful. I look back with great sadness at the loss of a friend who came into my life for a season yet I value the special moments that I took from that friendsh...

Yesterday, I had a great lunch with Mr. WM. Good food, good company and great conversation… and we started discussing personal growth and how I’ve taken this experience of mine and turned it into, not only a lesson in self-discovery, but also into an act of empowerment to share my lesson and knowledge gained through this experience, with others. WM then told me about his personal experience with life and love and everything in between, and told me about a book called “The Fifth Agreement” by Don Miguel Ruiz and Don Jose Ruiz. A follow-up on the New York Times bestseller “The Four Agreements”, the book reveals how the process of our “domestication” can make us forget the wisdom we’re born with. On the back-page it says “Throughout our lives, we make many agreements that go against ourselves and create needless suffering. The Four Agreements help us to break these self-limiting agreements and replace them with agreements that can bring us personal freedom, happiness and love”. The three ...

One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye. Le Petit Prince/The Little Prince (1943) - Antoine de Saint Exupéry

Welcome to the theme park of life. People of all ages, races and genders welcome. To our left, we have what’s probably the biggest ride of your life – The Emotional Roller-Coaster! This is the ride that everyone will ride at least ONCE in his or her lives. It’s a great one, believe me! Some will ride it more often than others. And I’m riding it now. I entered the theme park of life 30 years ago… This blue-eyed baby boy had no idea what fun rides the park had install for him… and eagerly made his way to the ticket office. As he received his ticket, he turned it around, and on the back, life had written him a little message: “Dear little me: Life is going to be a beautifully messy ride. You will be loved and hated. Told the truth, and lied to. Have your heart broken and break hearts. So go ahead and cry your tears. Laugh from your belly. And remember… YOU decided what you’re worth – not them. I love you, Me” And as the gates to the roller coaster opened, he leaped at t...

I published my last post only a few hours ago, and i feel like i went on a bit… A bit too long… Was i saying things i should’ve left unsaid? Jumping to conclusions, making possible false accusations…? Who knows…and who cares… All i know is that whatever it is i’m experiencing, fucking hurts like hell… And i’m dealing with my emotions… Yes the last two months have been tough on me. On every single level possibly imaginable. But one of the things that made me realise i am not alone, was the random acts of kindness from strangers. The messages of encouragement from fellow tweeters, phone calls of support from old friends, and one or two people who i have never met who came up to me in public and shared words of wisdom with me… Out of the blue. Its these sort of things that restore my faith in humanity again. The fact that strangers care… The fact that strangers care more about my wellbeing than what you care… A couple of months back, i decided to start giving back more to others. Not nece...

Something has changed within me. Something is not the same. I’m through with playing by the rules of someone else’s game. Too late for second-guessing. Too late to go back to sleep. It’s time to trust my instincts. Close my eyes: and leap! It’s time to try defying gravity. I think I’ll try defying gravity. Kiss me goodbye I am defying gravity. And you wont bring me down! I’m through accepting limits ”cause someone says they’re so. Some things I cannot change but till I try, I’ll never know! Too long I’ve been afraid of Losing love I guess I’ve lost Well, if that’s love, It comes at much too high a cost! I’d sooner buy defying gravity. Kiss me goodbye I’m defying gravity. I think I’ll try defying gravity. And you wont bring me down!