Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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The Eddybaby! Mission
Eddybaby Wellness provides expert holistic health education and professional wellness
co nsulting services to communities and organisations by guiding individuals toward true
holistic health practices and facilitated wellness interventions/solutions; to reconnect with
their innate ancestral knowledge and demonstrate practical life skills using the most efficient,
most effective and most sustainable means; while fo stering societal norms, values and
attitudes which enable individuals to connect with each other and their environment;
empowering them to active citizenship and joyfully fulfilled living.
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Think - Act - Feel - Love - Live
The Eddybaby Philosophy
In this context of wellness, one’s holistic health is seen as the whole which is comprised of
one’s mind and one’s body as the principal parts - with the spirit or soul concept, being
abstract and intangible, perceived as a construct or product of the first two parts, rather than
a clearly identifiable and distinguishable part of its own, and so, serving as an ancillary part or
adjunct to the physical – perhaps a controversial perspective to which I beg your indulgence.
So then, understanding and developing the synergy of one’s mind and body, shapes and
allows one to strengthen the resultant understanding of, and connection to, one’s spirit or
soul. One’s holistic health thus becomes greater to include a health of mind, body AND
spirit/soul, and is more truly and intimately realised. Such a rationale serves to guide a more
healthful lifestyle, free of inadequate social conditioning, and as a practically accessible
means of spiritual engagement, free of religious bias and dogma. This, I believe, will amount
to TRUE holistic health for the individual and TRUE wellness in community.
We believe that true holistic health may be attained by harnessing the power of one’s mind
and conditioning the vitality of one’s body to allow for the growth and nurturing of one’s spirit
and one’s spirituality, for, one’s spiritual enlightenment (and transcendence even… ?) are most
assuredly dependent upon one’s physical being and conscious state or mind-set. And, just
as the human physique and mind have adapted and changed through the ages, so too must
our collective beliefs and spirituality, if we are to appropriately progress and evolve.
With true holistic health, that of mind, body and spirit/soul interacting harmoniously, episodic
qualities may transmute into consistently expressed virtues – when satisfaction and peace, for
example, are achieved for oneself and with the world. In so doing, an individual is able to
appreciate the oneness of all living things, acknowledge one’s place in the world and live a life
of reverence, meaningful contribution and fulfilment!
The Eddybaby! philosophy acknowledges the vital role of lifestyle habit and social
conditioning in our lives. Thus, true holistic health depends on establishing appropriately
healthful habits while positively managing and/or adapting to one’s specific context and
conditioning. Also, we recognise that all behaviour ultimately originates within the mind of the
individual, whether innately and creatively inspired or as a response to external stimuli in their
myriad forms. The mantra empowers ANY individual to establish greater harmony and life
balance by facilitating the type of mindful and conscious decision making that is prerequisite
to a completely healthful life – and serves to recondition previously aberrant behaviour
patterns and allow for one’s successful adaptation to the daily challenges of our modern
context.
Repeatedly practising the Eddybaby! mantra (see below) and living according to the
Eddybaby! philosophy, is the first step toward and amounts to, true wellness, a wellness of
the mind, the body and the spirit or soul. By so doing then, we believe that holistically
healthy, truly well individuals, will be better equipped citizens capable of meaningful
contribution to ensuring our communities, and world, become ever better and sustainably
habitable… inspiring a collective consciousness revolution of one ‘well-human-being’ at a time!
“I think well, I act well, I feel well, I love well & I live well!”
Think
Live Act
Holistic
Health
Love Feel
This mantra embraces, makes tangible and practical, the complex interworking and
interconnectedness of one’s mind, body and spirit (one’s soul concept) and describes a
natural, cyclical pathway of progression for personal development, self-fulfilment and self-
actualisation – an upwardly spiralling projection.
The 5 principles follow on from each other and describe a succession of activity which,
when practiced repeatedly and co nsistently, help one to develop healthy lifestyle habits -
the personal development of spontaneous, sustainable and positive every-day
behaviours. It only takes, in essence, the single mindful affirmation, “I THINK WELL”.
Think
Act
Feel
Love
Live
The first three (3) principles (to Think Well – to Act Well – to Feel Well) pertain to the
individual, the self, and personal development – the “I ”. To practise and demonstrate
these then leads to, and allows one to follow, practise and demonstrate, the next two (2)
principles (to Love Well – to Live Well) that pertain to one’s family, friends and
community contribution.
Further symbolism is obtained by holding the three fingers together (of Think, Act, Feel
– the ‘pinky’, ring and index fingers) and not splayed as shown above. So joined, the
fingers form the letter “ I ” (i) which symbolically represents the individual or the self as
possessing a solid/fixed core – one of strength & integrity.
The thumb and forefinger (to Love Well – to Live Well) remain with tips touching as
above, forming a ring or circle, representative of the circle of life, of community, friends
and of family – the symbol of unity & completeness.
This mantra makes the concept of realising or connecting with one’s spirit/soul, what was
once guided mainly by religion and the esoteric, a far more natural and essentially mo re
tangible and attainable construct.
Our thoughts shape us and all we do. This is the starting point of one’s behaviour and
corresponding states of being. This represents being MINDFUL, the mental act of ALL
conscious thought, particularly when making decisions / choices and is KEY.
E.g. how we view and interact with others; deciding to wake up early; contemplating one’s
nutrition / dietary choices; concentrating on one’s posture while sitting; reciting positive
affirmations; keeping things of gratitude and of appreciation in mind; meditation practise;
planning; dreaming; etc.
~ Inner Development of Self (Mind)
Thought inevitably leads to action, which is now purposefully conditioned to be well. Once a
decision has been made, the doing follows innately. Habits, by nature, are enacted quickly
and spontaneously. One’s reactions will now take form as measured responses, be just as
rapid in execution and entirely more appropriate. Tasks are done confidently and with
purpose. Being conscious and mindful makes the doing and following through easier –
wellness is your new habit! One’s behaviour, how one performs and what one does is
instinctively, habitually, well.
E.g. holding one’s posture and exercising proper technique; getting up early enough to
exercise; smiling at people; eating correctly / healthily; completing hygiene basics (brushing
hair, teeth, etc.); organising one’s home – fridge, cupboards, etc.; recycling and not littering;
conserving water & energy; getting enough rest and making time to relax…
Fortunately, you simply need to be open to recognising and appreciating the feedback that
your mind and body receive! Get in touch with one’s senses as they are awakened and
realise joyful living. Experience the sensation of being and feeling healthy and fit. This also
manifests as one’s ability to feel better about one’s life and being alive. You have used your
body and fulfilled its purpose. Time to start trusting your gut and start living more by instinct
than by inappropriate conditioning and indoctrination. This is your body’s way of providing
positive feedback so that you keep practising, keep growing and keep coming back to the
source that is… a healthy you!
E.g. appreciate the physiological benefits - a firm, shapely body; better mood; greater
energy levels and vitality; enhanced self-esteem; enjoy compliments, positivity and love from
others; feel good, be happy!
Now that you’re feeling better about yourself it’s a whole lot easier to feel better about
others! This is your time to practice affecting loved ones and one’s greater community by
radiating and sharing one’s joy! Expressing one’s inner harmony and health to influence
others positively and to serve as inspiration.
You are now able to show kindness and be true to one’s higher self, assuming a leadership
role for others to emulate. You are a role model and shining light to others by sharing your
resources and your talents. This is where you add value to the lives of others.
E.g. Share and express your positive emotions; compliment others; love your fellow man; pay
“it” forward; donate to charity; show acts of unnecessary kindness, especially to animals;
respect and care for the environment, doing for others, just as you’ve done for yourself…
Experience the joy of a complete, truly well life and maintain this healthful living standard in
all aspects of one’s life. Practise your learning by returning to the start and living one’s truth.
Achieve whatever goals you set your sights on as you attract in tune with the energy you
emit. Utilise your self-realised potential. Simple practice, experienced (lived) and made
routine (habit). Live a healthier, happier, fitter life that is ultimately more bountiful and joyful!
We ARE one!
South African society is uniquely positioned within the global context as we have established
first world social constructs, characteristics and capacities while operating within the confines
of a third world and developing nation reality. Despite the first world ascribing a mostly
positive influence on our developing nation, the current societal structure is neither serving the
best interests of the majority of our peoples nor is it meeting their need for sustainable growth
and development. Instead of adapting to the modern world context, by using what has been
shared and learning what we can from the developed first world, we are blindly following along
established paths, so well-trodden that they are eroding beneath our feet, leaving a wasteland
of poverty, misery and suffering where there should be wealth, happiness and prosperity.
While the virtues and vices of first world living are varied and many. To further contemplate
these, I believe, will serve only to distract and deter us from finding solutions. I herein propose
a solution to our most fundamental of South African, African and indeed, even global
challenges, by drawing on learning from the first world and applying this learning to our uniquely
specific circumstance, one which is grounded in ancestral/indigenous and natural knowledge
systems.
First and most importantly is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (see below) which serves as a well-
constructed and widely accepted template for human development, individual self-actualisation
and has served as a cornerstone in many fields of endeavour, from education and business
practices to personal development. Considered from an individual perspective and context
one may comfortably appreciate the logic portrayed in the model, namely, how meeting one’s
needs on any particular level will allow one to focus on and grow into attainment of the next.
So, attainment leads to further opportunity, growth and reward, particulalry with regard for
continued progression and access to ever greater opportunities and correspondingly higher
levels of satisfaction, fulfilment and ultimately then, self actualisation.
It is a failing of cultures and societies around the world, which allow only a few to progress,
attain self-fulfilment and ultimately transcend our beastly yet beautiful ancestry, while the
majority are left in a state of struggle – an unrelenting struggle for survival, a survival that is
pitted against the odds! Perhaps the most concerning realisation in all of this is that the
struggle to survive is not due to environmental resistance or natural selective pressures, but
rather, due to man’s self-imposed pressures. The stress and strain of modern living, societal
imbalances, conflict between and within nations and our instinctively insatiable hunger for more,
all serve as stark reminders of our naïve global dominion. We want more than we need and we
share too little of what we have.
We are grossly unappreciative, wasteful and destructive, despite having overcome and
achieved so much. We find ourselves wholly immersed in these deleterious societal constructs
and, in so doing, we become increasingly well adapted to surviving within them, in spite of their
abberations and anomalies. One such abberation centres around money, and its value
concept as it exists within greater society - that it serves our needs and wants, and is the
primary means of ensuring our physiological need for food, water and so on is met, is obvious.
Money is the currency for all exchange and few see their way to survival without it. This
currency creates a false sense of achievement and sense of well-being among the affluent, a
misconception of one’s degree or level of success or self-actualisation.
Changing this perception is crucial if we are to affect mass change and social development, a
social self-actualisation, if you will. Our collective societal goal should be to facilitate individual
development by raising awareness, understanding and mindfulness to guide and help people
make appropriate choices, within their very specific real-world contexts. This will empower an
appreciation for resources and their respectful and considered usage by all. Fulfilling basic
needs will allow individual creativity and instinctive opportunism for working roles, constructive
endeavour and active citizenship. Simply put, basic needs and a true sense of community
means that people will make their own work and find their way to a life worth living.
That there are alternatives to this technologically and commercially based lifestyle is, to me,
the ONLY viable solution. The affluent must set the standard for widespread awakening
and the realisation that we are more than capable of living fulfilled lives, whatever one’s social
standing, class or status. Wealth and technologies should be shared, and certainly not
flaunted, as is all too often the case. The current consumerist economy has shown its frailties
and, in the process, caused more harm than good for the whole planet. The existing structures
drive separation and degradation rather than cooperation and progression. It is imperative
that alternative living strategies become practically and sustainably possible for tho se on
BOTH fringes of society.
There is a surplus of human potential in South Africa which is largely unproductive, creating
problems for, rather than solving problems with, each other. A mentality exists in which one can
only progress or rise to fulfilment by rising above, or if that fails, by keeping others back,
retarding their ascent in the false belief that there is not enough for us all, that only a select
few can, and do, make it. So, we struggle to overcome our competitors and, in so doing, become
highly skilled, highly adapted to the role. Thus, we use our versatility and adaptability to
survive in and come to terms with a failing societal structure. This is manifest in Westernised
cultures throughout Africa, where the poor, homeless and destitute, eek out and sometimes
excel at finding a way to survive on inner city and suburban streets. Such a competitive
environment breeds conflict as needs remain unfulfilled, especially when a scarcity mentality
prevails, rather than one of abundance. It is time to use our resourcefulness to survive outside
of the existing system or, at very least, with greater humanity and dignity within it.
As the apex predator of planet Earth, masters of survival, with powers of adaptability beyond
compare, we are unconstrained and free, limited only by ourselves. All around us are
testaments to our collective power - to what we can manifest and create. Were we to co -
ordinate and motivate our millions of unproductive/unemployed peoples and direct their
energy into constructive endeavour, I believe we’d overcome any challenge, solve any problem.
However, we can only do this by uplifting our society as a whole, by unifying our intention and
action, as elucidated herein. Communities need support to access the necessary resources,
knowledge and education for our collective progression and practically sustainable survival.
Educating communities of people to meet their basic/physiological needs through their own
application and ingenuity, with a minimum wage or income, will nurture a truly sustainable
developing economy – a subsistence economy. By growing a vegetable garden, cleaning up
litter, planting trees and ‘greening’ our poorer suburbs we can and have started achieving this
end. Now, we must maximise our strength in numbers and ensure that these pioneering
initiatives are sustainable and widely propagated and, vitally, that these basic service needs,
are obtained by all. With resources shared, the knowledge must be spread to educate our
most-needy on how best to serve and meet their most basic, most important needs, so that we
all may be fulfilled and self-actualised, for a structure based on a solid foundation of
subsistence will most assuredly speed our collective progression.
So, it is firstly within the reality of our existing context that we must perform. I suggest practical
life skills education, subsistence training and work opportunities that are not limited by the
formal schooling system and bureaucratic legislation and control. The neglected squatter
camps and disadvantaged “township” suburbs are where we need to apply ourselves.
Societal fulfillment! Such a wonderful ideal is not easily attained considering the disparity in
wealth and opportunity that exists among us. We, urgently and collectively, need to address
societal inequalities, the imbalance of which has promoted disharmony and an inability to
connect, progress sustainably, and evolve/transcend in unity. Our ideals, intentions and
aspirations must merge to form a single unified mindset, recognising and enhancing our
collective consciousness, just as a rainbow of colour composites a ray of brilliant light. This, I
believe, is our most pragmatic solution to prevent us from continuing on our downward spiral,
to the stagnation of our development.
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Think - Act - Feel - Love - Live
Eddybaby! – The Education & Consultancy Service
- the practise of providing a third party with expertise on a matter in exchange for a fee. The
service may involve either advisory or implementation services. For the consultant, taking an
independent and unbiased stance on an issue is central to his/her role.
Taking all of the above to heart, it must be shared that there is, to date, no professional
qualification for one to assume the title of wellness consultant, for service in this newly
emerging and vital field of endeavour. As such, Eddybaby! aims to deliver and improve upon
its services, in line with those expected of any and all other professional spheres.
In addition to holding degrees in the Biological and Life Sciences (B.Sc.) and Physical
Education /Human Movement Studies (B.Phys.Ed) Eddybaby! maintains a finger on the
pulse of the latest scientific research and trends in wellness, especially in the areas of
nutrition (body) and psychology (mind). This practise ensures that the most accurate and
relevant information guides all of what Eddybaby! clients receive and share.
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”
- Albert Einstein -
The Global Wellnes Institute recognises that “ Wellness is an individual pursuit — we have
self-responsibility for our own choices, behaviors and lifestyles — but it is also significantly
influenced by the physical, social and cultural environments in which we live.”
With particular cognisance of this, Eddybaby! serves within three spheres, namely:
The Eddybaby! philosophy translates into a model of functioning that is wonderful in its
simplicity - the fundamental service afforded an individual remains fixed and reliably scaleable
to serve the needs of both Corporate and Social spheres. After all, people are people, and
our commonality ensures that our wellness needs remain consistent irrespective of the
tremendous diversity of individual contexts.
All of the aformentioned combine to shape the Eddybaby! service proposition and strategy,
ensuring efficient, effective, practical, sustainable and enjoyable outcomes!
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Think - Act - Feel - Love - Live