Musical memories

Carel has created a playlist of over 140 special songs. Find out why and where to download it.

In some ways turning 50 is pretty arbitrary – just another year. In other ways, significant – you really are getting old!

For me, every birthday is special and a wonderful opportunity to give thanks for another year of memory making opportunities with special people. After initially being stressed about 50 (it has come around so quickly!), I am back to embracing the joy of another year around the sun and all the joys – past, present and future.

I had big parties for my 21st (Blaauwklippen in Stellenbosch), 30th (top of the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg), 40th (Higher Ground at St Stithians) and always thought that I would have a massive bash for my 50th. However, as the time has come closer to this milestone – and the start of my mid-life crisis I like to say as someone who is aiming for that century! – I have realised that that is not what I want.

Instead, I am trying harder than ever to be conscious in:

Moving. Doing exercise. Being active. Appreciating my body. While I will never be a model, I love sport, fitness and activity and want to use my body. My flexibility is dreadful and so I am trying to improve that. As someone who can’t stand stretching, a challenge ….
Taking a breath. Slowing down. Giving myself the luxury of time. While I love teh breadth of my life and the many diverse happenings every day, I also want to consciously enjoy it all more deeply. Depth getting some attention alongside the breadth. And also taking time to do nothing!
Exploring more religion and spirituality in my life
Donating more of my resources to charities and organisations, especially ones focused on entrepreneurship and education (Kiva and Thandulwazi are good examples)
Reading more
Working even harder, much harder, with the amazing teams at EasyEquities (my fulltime day job), KleinBlouKlip, CN&CO, Sparky’s and Ami to realise all our dreams!
Every night thinking about what I could have done better that day. Like all of us, I make mistakes, have regrets and sometimes fall short of the expectations I have of myself. But, like all of us again, introspection and forgiveness helps us to start anew each day. Perhaps the greatest gift of all
Laughing – a lot. Especially at myself
Continuing to see the glass as overflowing and helping others to realise their glasses are also half full, not half empty.

In addition, each month of my 50th year, I am wanting to start/make something new and to share that with my special people. This month it has been to create a playlist of songs which have moved me over the past 50 years.

I started off by thinking I would have only 50 songs – but soon realised that was going to be impossible. Plus, why limit myself to 50 – more is after al more. And my maths has always been creative – the one tattoo on my leg testifies to this fact : 1+1=22. Seize more from each opportunity 🙂

All of these songs have a special meaning. A couple are very recent but most have stood the test of time. Some are fun(ny), some are sad. All are beautiful to me. Many of you will know why a particular song is important to me. Some songs are special because of one person or group. Others are deeply personal and only I know why they are important to me. I look forward to sharing all these stories with people. So take a listen and let’s chat next time we connect about the meanings they have for me and you. After all, music – like art and artists broadly – really makes the world so much better.

I’ll have a few gatherings with as many of my friends as I can – throughout 2024. Instead of that big bash, I’m aiming for a multitude of ways to engage with the people and things that have influenced my life. And to try and do so with deep gratitude, humility and a sincere belief that to whom much is given, much is expected.

Enjoy the playlist!