Saturday, my Heritage [Day]

Saturday is my favorite day!

Unlike Friday with its 8 hours of work and 2 hours on the road to get to work and back [home], and those hours are conservative estimates, Saturday is like freedom day for me, with no work or commute. Travel on a Saturday will surely be for pleasure.

Sunday brings with it as slight melancholic feeling, aware that Monday is only a sleep away. Don’t be fooled for staying awake the whole night will not keep Monday away.

So yes, Saturday is the best day ever!

Grateful for work[days]

It is not that I am not grateful for the work I do have. I appreciate this blessing. I feel a lot useful at work so I, in fact, love the work I do. I love the challenge that comes with it. I find enormous joy in seeing the final results of what I do, be it the annual financial statements or my final recommendation on a possible merger and acquisition. I do not do a lot of the latter. I would be happier if I had more of financial analysis than reporting. Still, I may even be passionate about figures. I could do with a better environment and a higher level of challenge, if I can call it that. Work that involves creative writing, food and/or travel will be perfect. But I don’t think life is about perfection, otherwise, there’s not much of a point.

Heritage Day

Today is Heritage Day in South Africa. It is an official public holiday. A public holiday on a Saturday does not make a difference for me as it is already a non-working day. It would have been better if Heritage Day was yesterday.

Heritage Day Saturday – braai awaits

People are celebrating Heritage Day. Braai (barbecue) is a sure thing for most people. Braai is a South African heritage, I believe. I am South African but having only acquired my citizenship through naturalization, I don’t think I can confidently say that I have internalized being South African. I am a little lost when it comes to heritage, I suppose. I have not lived in my home country for more than half of my life. It probably isn’t even accurate to call the Philippines my home country. I have thought about this before. It still simmers in my head.

I looked up the word ‘heritage’. I know what it means but I wanted its exact definition so I consulted Merriam-Webster.

Simple Definition of heritage

• : the traditions, achievements, beliefs, etc., that are part of the history of a group or nation

Full Definition of heritage

1. 1 :  property that descends to an heir

2. 2 a :  something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor :  legacy, inheritance b :  tradition

3. 3 :  something possessed as a result of one’s natural situation or birth :  birthright <the nation’s heritage of tolerance>

I was satisfied. Heritage is something possessed as a result of one’s natural situation or birth. Heritage is birthright.

Birthright

Simple Definition of birthright

• : a right that you have because you were born into a particular position, family, place, etc., or because it is a right of all people

As this is not a vocabulary lesson, I promise it’s my last definition.

I am not crazy about the part of it that says “born into a particular position…”. It is open to division. I prefer it being the right of all people. It is easy to see why I prefer it. I don’t feel I belong to a specific country except in legal terms. Being a citizen of the world sounds better. I do understand and accept that there are laws to observe when crossing borders, though. I think that celebrating a birthright as a united people, as people of one united world, is absolutely terrific for all.

My birthright is happiness and enjoyment, peace and harmony, acceptance and tolerance, safety and security, freedom (to think, speak and act), and individuality. I am sure that you and I can think of more but for now, I think it’s an awesome list for a birthright for all of us.

Today

I used to think that weekends are for living it out there, on a road trip or weekend away, or going to the mall, shopping/window shopping, sitting around at a restaurant out in the sun watching people while having cocktails, or  being busy with activities out of the house. I am, of course, much older now. My energy level has diminished significantly although I do get the occasional energy bursts and I’m out and about.

My family actually spend quite a substantial amount of time gallivanting. Come to think of it, I am out so much that I have more experiences to write about than time to write them.

So, today, I guess I’m celebrating Heritage Day. Hubby will want to set up braai for supper but I’m happy enough having enjoyed my day without getting out of the house, relaxing with my little princess, taking random joy & gratitude pictures. More importantly, I am spending some time with my WP community. And I am writing. What more can I ask for?

Spring blossom

Looks like this one will get 2 flowers

As soon as the rains come, this will have lots of flowers

Saturday to do what I enjoy, whatever I want, within the boundaries of law, ethics, morality and my own values, is my birthright!