A Linden Librarian’s exciting vision make public libraries greener and more beneficial to communities has earned her international recognition.

Linden, South Africa (28 May 2025) — A Linden Librarian’s super idea to help libraries benefit communities more in the greenest way has caught and held international attention. Ms Tebello Sengora thinks that underused library spaces are gardens waiting to be created, something that could well benefit library patrons as well as encourage new members from the broader community.

Recently, Ms Sengora received an Honourable Mention at the 2025 Next Festival held in Denmark for her idea dubbed ‘The Green Shelf Network’.

An international event, the Next Library Festival takes a look at libraries in the future; inviting visionaries within library spaces across the world to share their thoughts as to how the libraries of tomorrow could and should look for the betterment of learning.

The Linden Librarian’s Green Shelf Network caught the attention of the festival. Per Joburg Libraries, the idea is to transform libraries into “modular gardens that connect communities with nature, literacy and sustainability.” How iconic is that?

Importantly, residents of Johannesburg would be hugely involved in the gardens from design to maintenance and crop-sharing in an effort to hold firm community buy-in and pride.

“This interactive experience not only beautifies library spaces and feeds communities, but also fosters a connection between nature, culture, health and even technology,” Joburg Libraries praised.

Ms Sengora was selected for the Honourable Mention as part of the 2025 Changemaker Award category which was introduced this year. The Changemaker Award honours thinkers whose focus orbits innovation.

She was one of just six out of 23 countries awarded with an honourable mention, including an Ireland representative’s idea to ‘take the library to the streets’.

Sources: Joburg Libraries 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Linden Librarian’s Super Idea for Greener Libraries  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

For the thoughtful gifters, crafty creatives and sustainable choice-makers, here are four Valentine’s Day gift ideas that we’re pretty sure will make your loved one’s day!

South Africa (12 February 2025) — There are many, if not too many, options when it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts. Seemingly, everything now has a Valentine’s Day spin on it to the point where we’d hardly be surprised if dishwashing liquid went pink or red for the month of February.

As many of us find ourselves overwhelmed by Valentine’s Day’s commerciality, the thoughtfulness that we might like to achieve when gifting can get lost.

So, for those of us who still love a personal touch, are trying to be more sustainable, or simply want to make a difference with love, here are four thoughtful Valentine’s Day gifts to consider!

A Homemade Bookmark

If you know your way around a sewing machine, this gift is an ideal option for the book lover in your life.

There are many ways to get creative when crafting a fabric bookmark. Some take a quilting-style approach, while others create book pockets to make sure you never lose your page. The great thing about this gift idea is that you can personalise it as much as you wish to—whether by forming a unique combination of your book lover’s favourite colours with scrap fabric or by using embroidery magic to mark their initials.

You can find some helpful tutorial videos here:

@shaleseatlante Scrap fabric sewing projects day 9: tea bag bookmark #sewingtiktok #sewingdiy #sewingtutorial ♬ Sunshine – WIRA

Upgrade a Glass Jar to Become a Vase

A fabulous way to reuse glass, turn your jars into vases for the flower lover!

Whether it’s a former coffee holder or a mason jar just waiting to be put to use, there are very few limits to what you can bring to life with a little glass paint or the effective use of a glue gun.

Check out these tutorials to get some inspiration!

@vitraaz Turn your empty jars into beautiful flower vases! #fypツ #tutorial #diy #viral #painting #glassjar #nescafe #nescafejar #coffee #paintingtutorial #howtopaint #lavender #flowers #flowerart #flowervase #recycle #upcycle #glassart #glasspainting #art #simplediy #craft #diycrafts #recycledart #recycledcrafts #localbusiness #ukbusiness #smallbusiness #gifts #flowerlovers ♬ Confidence (sped up version) – Ocean Alley

@cathrynlaurawood Did you know you can make your own vase from a glass coffee jar, skewers and wooden balls? I LOVE how this looks! What do you think? #homedecor #homedecordiy #homerenovation #crafttok ♬ Just a Cloud Away – Pharrell Williams

@sunartsncrafts Diy Sunflower Lamp . . . . #art #glasspainting #sunflower #artoftheday #artistsoftiktok #trend #virals #viralreelsfb #reelsvideo #fypシ゚ #artlovers #fyp #viralvideotiktok ##artistsoninstagram #artista #sunflowerpainting #Acrylic #acrylicartwork #artwork #fyp #aesthetics #diylamp #DIY ♬ Strangers – Kenya Grace

@sewbakemake Here’s how to make these adorable personalized bookmarks. There’s still time to make them as they only use scraps and take ten minutes to make! You’ll need three 4” squares for each one, and youll need to interface all of them. Fold on in half diagonally and press. Embroider with freemotion embroidery, then take the triangle and sandwich it between the other two squares, right sides together. Pin and sew with a 1/2” seam allowance all the way around, leaving a 2” gap. Trim the seams and clip the corners, then turn right side out and poke out the corners. Fold the seam allowance at the gap to the inside, press well, then topstitch 1/16” all the way around the close it up and give it a nice finishing touch. If you have questions about the embroidery, let me know in the comments and I’ll do a more in depth video on that! #diyxmasgift #sewing #sewingtutorial ♬ Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee

Seeds for Their Own Veggie Garden

Almost everyone without allergies enjoys receiving flowers. But, for the green-thumbed love of your life, there’s a fabulous and simple way to give them the gift of getting to grow what they love: gifting them seedlings to create their own veggie garden!

Do some digging to figure out what their garden can accommodate, and figure out (subtly) their levels of expertise as not all veggies were created with equal growing simplicity.

Head off to your nursery and choose your veggie garden starter pack. Bonus points if you decide to gift them in a basket that the receiver can then use for harvesting.

Gift a Virtual Adoption

Maybe you’re in a relationship with someone who adores elephants or penguins, or perhaps you have a friend who is all about supporting good causes. Heck, you might even live with someone who wants nothing more than a dog but simply doesn’t have the space to own one.

The good news is that there is an abundance of virtual adoption options possible!

Heartlands Baby Sanctuary invites supporters to Adopt a Cot, while the Mdzananda Animal Clinic is giving dog lovers without dogs the chance to spoil a pooch in need.

As for wildlife, imagine how happy the wildlife enthusiasts in your life would be in knowing that your gift is supporting a species they adore.

You can find out more about virtual adoptions here!

Sources: GTG 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post 4 Thoughtful Valentine’s Day Gifts That Will Make Their Day appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Christmas Lunch is looming, and we’ve got all the ideas for those looking to serve everything from appetisers to desserts with a local twist:

South Africa (17 December 2024) — According to the experts, this year’s Christmas Lunch is set to be all about rich, bold flavours featuring fabulous local twists.

If you’re looking to keep the tradition of Gogo’s cherished festive season dishes but want a little modern flair, here’s how to add a gourmet touch to the good old favourites with minimum fuss, as told by Wayne Blake:

A Special Shoutout: Hot Honey is in!

Hot honey is taking the culinary world by storm, adding a “sweet heat” to anything it touches. By adding hot chilli flakes and freshly ground black pepper to the deliciously sweet honey makes for a wonderful addition to glazed gammon, drizzled over baked Camembert or roast vegetables, as a dip for phyllo pastry parcels or generously poured over chicken wings.

Appetisers Filled with Surprises

Chakalaka Hummus

Add a South African spin to traditional hummus by adding chakalaka with drained chickpeas into your electrical blender, for a deliciously spicy dip. Serve it with crunchy pita chips and fresh veggies, which will also add a refreshing and colourful start to the meal.

Pap Cakes with Spicy Tomato Chutney

For a crispy, satisfying snack, pair fried pap cakes with a tangy tomato and chilli chutney. To make pap cakes, start by using leftover cooled-down pap from your previous night’s braai, or prepare a fresh batch of “stywe” pap.

Shape the pap into a muffin tray, pressing it into the sides to form a cup with a hollow middle for the filling.

For a delicious filling, whip up a quick tomato-chilli chutney by combining:

• 500g of chopped onions
• 1kg of diced tomatoes
• 5ml of crushed chilli flakes
• 2,5ml of ginger powder
• 1 tin of crushed pineapple
• 250g of sugar
• 150ml of red wine vinegar.

Simmer the mixture gently for 45 minutes, then spoon it into the pap cups. Bake the filled pap cakes until heated through and enjoy!

Festive Mains, Only Better

Grilled fish with citrus chilli caramel

Instead of gammon, opt for grilled fish, which is a cost-effective choice that’s perfect for the South African summer, especially along the coast. Drizzle with a citrus chilli caramel sauce, pairing the sweetness of the caramel with the tang of grapefruit for a refreshing main dish.

To create a zingy citrus chilli caramel sauce:

• Gently heat 100g of fine sugar in a pan until it melts and turns a golden caramel colour.
• Remove it from the heat immediately and carefully stir in the juice of two limes, it will bubble vigorously, so go slow.
• Return the pan to low heat, then mix in 2,5 ml of chilli flakes and the zest of the limes. Stir well until smooth and fragrant, and your fiery citrus caramel sauce is ready to drizzle!

Cape Bobotie Ravioli

Add some Italian inspiration to South Africa’s favourite bobotie by using it as a filling for ravioli. Serve with a coconut curry sauce that’s a perfect match for the subtly spiced bobotie. This gives an unexpected yet completely comforting taste experience.

To make a creamy coconut curry sauce:

• Start by sautéing 500g of chopped onions with 10ml of crushed garlic, 5ml of crushed ginger, and 25ml of curry paste (of your choice) until fragrant.
• Add 1 tin of chopped peeled tomatoes and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
• Blend the mixture until smooth, then return it to the pan.
• Stir in 1 tin of coconut cream and simmer gently for 10 minutes to let the flavours meld. Serve warm!

Gammon and Pineapple Chilli Salsa

For those who just can’t skip the gammon, serve with pineapple chilli salsa. It’s fun, easy to eat, and offers a hint of tropical flair.

To make a refreshing pineapple chilli salsa:

• Start by grilling pineapple rings until caramelised, then dice them into small pieces.
• Finely dice 1 red onion, chop a bunch of fresh coriander, and finely slice 2 red chillies.
• Combine the diced pineapple, onion, coriander, and chillies in a bowl, then drizzle with 50ml of honey.
• Mix everything together, and your vibrant salsa is ready to enjoy!

Decadent Desserts

Pumpkin spice milk tart

Take the classic milk tart to the next level with a hint of pumpkin spice. This will add some warmth and a subtle sweetness that’s perfect for the holidays.

To make pumpkin spice:

• Combine 20g of ground cinnamon, 5g of ground ginger, 5g of nutmeg, 2,5g of ground cloves, and 2,5 g of ground allspice in a bowl.
• Mix well to create your spice blend.
• When making milk tart, place the spice mix into a porous spice bag, or a clean muslin cloth, and steep it in the milk mixture to infuse the flavours.

 Trifle with a Tropical Twist

Instead of the usual trifle, swap the traditional canned fruit cocktail, for fresh slices of mango and layer it up with some fresh passion fruit. For added texture and flavour, swap the traditional sponge or ladyfingers with crushed vanilla or coconut biscuits (or even shortbread) and layer them at the bottom. Add melted white chocolate, whip fresh cream, and then fold the melted chocolate into the whipped cream for a smooth, indulgent topping!

For an unexpected twist, sprinkle a small amount of freshly grated ginger or a hint of chilli flakes between the layers, as it adds a unique warmth that pairs beautifully with the tropical fruits. To finish, add some toasted coconut flakes for extra crunch.

Fried Lamington & Koe’sister Donuts with Hot Honey Sauce

Transform traditional koe’sisters into doughnut-style lamingtons, deep-fried and rolled in coconut. Drizzle with hot honey sauce for a sweet, sticky indulgence that’s guaranteed to please everyone around the table!

To make the hot honey sauce:

• Combine 1 cup (250ml) of honey, 10ml of chilli flakes, and 10ml of apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan.
• Gently heat the mixture, stirring until well combined, then let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavours to meld.

For the koe’sister dough, prepare your favourite recipe (a sweet, spiced dough typically made with flour, sugar, yeast, and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg).

Once the dough has risen, shape it into small donut-shaped pieces or form it into the classic lamington shape, which is typically rectangular or square.

Next, heat oil in a deep fryer or large pan to 180°C. Fry the dough until golden and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside. Once fried, remove the dough from the oil and immediately coat each piece with the hot honey sauce. Then, roll each donut in desiccated coconut (dry shredded coconut) until fully coated.

Serve the warm fried lamington and koe’sister donuts for a delightful combination of sweet, spicy, and coconutty goodness! Take care when handling the hot honey sauce and oil.

Sources: Supplied 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Must-Try Christmas Lunch Ideas with a Local Twist appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Yesterday was World Random Acts of Kindness Day, a day pretty significant for the GTG team. If you don’t know where to get involved or what to do, start by looking at the kindness all around you:

Global (18 February 2024)— Yesterday was World Random Acts of Kindness Day, and as always, it got the Good Things Guy team hoping even more kindness would be sparked in our country.

Humanity is little without kindness. When we are kind, we are choosing to be bigger than every reason life has shown us not to be that way. We are choosing someone else’s joy and, in turn, playing our small part in contributing to the joy of the world. Because joy and gratitude have chain-reaction effects. When someone makes your day, you’re more likely to consider doing the same for someone else. And you never know quite how far that domino effect can reach.

Well actually, we’ll give you a pretty good idea of how far it can reach. In case you didn’t know, Good Things Guy wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for a random act of kindness by none other than Brent Lindeque. Our platform’s genesis was his random act of kindness that very well could’ve just stayed another neknomination but instead went much, much further than a hangover:

My job at Good Things Guy is to tell the good news stories that happen all around us, all the time, writes GTG’s Ashleigh Nefdt. Sometimes, these stories are very big moments that have inspired and uplifted us as an entire country. Sometimes, they are little moments that mean just as much to the one or few they impact.

Like the rest of the Good Things Guy team, my eyes are always peeled for the good things, so I happen to take note of them wherever I go—even if they don’t end up becoming a fully-fledged story. For this RAK Day, I thought I’d share a few moments that stuck with me, and might inspire you:

A few Recent Random Acts of Kindness That Made My Heart Warm

• The lady who quietly left a bag of groceries where the homeless man sits near our neighbourhood. We smiled at each other because we both knew it would make his day.
• The begging man who gave me directions when I was very lost. I had nothing to give you at the time, but despite that, you went out of your way to help me.
• The young boys who helped a woman coming out of the gym when her car stopped randomly in the road. I have no idea if they knew what they were doing, but they were so eager just to help.
• The petrol attendant who helped with the petrol for the car before me (don’t worry, we paid it forward for him).
• The employees at my local corner shop who always, always offer to walk me to my next stop so I don’t feel unsafe if I’m walking alone.
• The ladies at another table at a painting cafe who went out of their way to tell everyone how nice their artworks were.
• The friend who paid for his group’s table in secret because he could see his one friend was stressed about money and didn’t want to single him out by paying just for him.
• The local helping a random tourist with their struggling Afrikaans pronunciation so they could impress their friends.

These are a few of so, so many. But making personal lists like these are so important, and I encourage you to start with one of your own. When you see good, you want to do good. And you might just be inspired to help someone with their petrol, pronunciation or a much-needed meal.

To quote an iconic line from a great film:

“If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around.”

And what is kindness if not the softest form of love?

Sources: GTG

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Random Acts of Kindness Make the World Go Round appeared first on Good Things Guy.

If you have kids and enough paper bags from the grocery store to build a small house, this South African Mom’s viral upcycling hack was meant to find you!

South Africa (28 January 2024) — A South African mom (who also happens to be award-winning broadcaster Lebang Kgosana) has made upcycling go viral after she gave grocery store paper bags a second chance at life in the most practical way.

Many South Africans know ‘the drawer’—AKA, the home of all the bags you say you’ll reuse but almost always forget to. Whether they’re material or paper, these bags often build up to the point where it wouldn’t be unreasonable to build a small house from them.

Beyond the discipline that is the art of reusing these bags lies another great idea: upcycling!

This is exactly what Lebang did when wrapping her children’s books for the school year, and with over 6.1 million views on TikTok, it’s safe to say that her idea caught the internet’s attention.

Taking bags that have made many a local smile in times of hunger before, mama Lebang gave the full run down on how to wrap the books neatly, while serving the purpose of reusable paper bags.

@lebangkgosana My online grocery shopping bags being recycled as we cover some school books!! #BackToSchool #fyp ♬ original sound – #LifeWithLebang

While some users had reservations surrounding how ‘aesthetic’ the books looked, others defended it, noting that there is a lesson covering those pages: being resourceful and mindful of materials that are meant to be re-used.

Some even nodded that they’d take the tip for their university notebooks, while teachers also agreed that the idea was one that needed to go further.

Even if you don’t have notebooks that need covering, a mindset that sees one product as potential for another is something makes a shift in our efforts for the Earth.

Meanwhile, if you know a South African sustainable thinker like this creator, you can nominate them for these upcoming sustainability awards! 

Sources: TikTok

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post South African Mom’s Clever Way to Upcycle Paper Bags Goes Viral  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

This is your reminder to stay true to quitting whatever you promised you’d leave in 2023. It’s also a heads-up on what you need to know if you still need to commit to the big quit. Here’s to saying goodbye to the habits that no longer serve us:

Global (09 January 2024) — Beating a ‘bad habit’ is a lot like going to a party you’re only going to out of obligation. There’s a lot of motivating yourself involved. You’re going to want to turn around and go home, a lot. And when you are almost at the door, you might just ditch every effort you’ve made to come this far in exchange for your comfort.

Here’s the thing: it might just be the best social extravaganza of your life. Or the place where you meet the love of your life. At the very least, you might just dance a lot and feel twenty-one again.

That’s what the other side of a bad habit is supposed to feel like. It’s also why all the people who love you turn into David Goggins and try with every motivational speech possible to help you kick that habit to the curb.

You won’t know it when you’re on your way to the destination that is the other side of the habit (unless what you’re trying to kick is predicting the future like it’s your day job), but what’s on the other side is probably a big part of what you need to unlock a you that can do even more ‘impossible things’.

Whether it’s vaping, being a slave to social media, coffee controlling your life or sugar’s chokehold on you, here are 5 ways to leave that habit in 2023:

1. Make Sure You Have a Road Map

The party that is the other side of what you’re trying to kick does require some effort beyond just stopping and hoping for the best. Like any journey that you don’t want to be difficult, you need a roadmap.

A little research and a bit of time can go a long way when it comes to parting ways with a bad decision that’s gone on too long. As such, your roadmap should have all the landmarks present:

• What to expect for certain milestones (ie: withdrawals or cravings)
• When to reward yourself
• When you might need extra support
• When you need to dig deeper for motivation

2. Expectations are Everything

Having an idea of where you’re going is one thing. Making sure you know what to expect along the way is another.

When it comes to expectations, it’s your responsibility to manage them. This means not being delulu (delusional) and thinking all it’ll take to quit vaping is one day. Or thinking you won’t be impacted by triggers.

Managing your expectations will help you make peace with the hard parts so that when you get there, you at least won’t have to deal with any stressful surprises from your body or mind.

3. Let Your Loved Ones Know Your Habit No Longer Lives Here

You need to tell the people you care about (and chat with frequently) what your grand plan is. Firstly, it holds you accountable to people you respect. Secondly, they can only support you if they know where you need support. Last, but very much not least, they need to know why your mood is going to change and why you might not be the best person to be around (especially for the nicotine fiends).

4. Find a Replacement Fix

It’s going to be very tempting to go cold turkey. But the reality is, as much as it takes time to form a habit, it also takes time to release it. Having a replacement ‘fix’ is not essential, but it goes a long way.

For some, this could mean switching to non-caffeinated beverages in the morning at the exact time they’d have their daily ‘cuppa. For others, it might mean looking to healthy sugars (found in fruits and veggies) instead of giving in to candy cravings.

It’s not going to be the same, and you’re probably going to feel disappointed every time you don’t get the dopamine kick or sugar high you’re used to. But, after enough time, you won’t even remember what your ex habit felt like.

5. Be Kind to Yourself, But Not Enabling

Being kind and loving yourself is why you’re quitting in the first place! So, in the challenging moments, you need to remember that what you’re doing is not a punishment, but an act of deep, self-love.

Enabling yourself looks like giving into a quick fix. Being kind to yourself is sticking out the long run because you know there’s a big party on the other side and there are a pair of liberated dancing shoes with your name on them.

Sources: GTG

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Five Ways to Beat a Habit You Need to Leave in 2023! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The Good Things Jar is one of the easiest ways to keep your gratitude grounded and spread joy from you to future you! Here’s what it’s all about:

Global (09 January 2024) — Whether your focus has been on resolutions, intentions, desperate attempts to stay away from old habits or simply going with the flow unapologetically, here is something that doesn’t require any restrictions nor pushing yourself to any limits, but will help you spread something really important throughout your year—joy. This is the Good Things Jar!

While we are not the original creative minds behind this treat of an idea, we couldn’t help but share it. After all, what is a good year if not a culmination of many good moments?

The problem with good moments is that we tend to forget them among the noise of hard and challenging moments. And if we don’t forget them, we tend to lessen their worth.

The Good Things Jar then, swoops in as a visual, tangible antidote to all the times we’ve left the hard times supersede the good. Here’s how it works:

• Choose Your Jar

There really are no rules to what kind of jar you need. As long as it has a lid and can contain post-it notes or paper bits and bobs, you’re good.

• Write Down the Good Things Like It’s Your Job

While it might be our job to share all the good things with you, we unfortunately can’t write down all the good things that happen in your life specifically. So, you’re going to take a leaf from our book!

You’re going to be so diligent with this, you’ll practically have a degree in gratitude by the end of 2024. Simply put, every week you need to write down the good things that happened that week in your life. These can go on separate notes/post-its, or you can jot the entire week’s worth onto one piece of paper. You can be as neat or messy as you want. You can write long essays or text-ready sentences. They can be big things or small things. Whatever floats your boat (or in this case, jar).

Look for whatever brings you honest joy, and not what you think you should be joyful about. Ie: if seeing your dog ecstatic on a walk brought you more joy than something else you thought would make you happy, that’s your winner.

But the important thing is to be consistent. Set reminders on your phone every Sunday. Sometimes, you’ll have a lot to write about. Sometimes, you’ll have to dig deep. No matter what, write down just one thing at minimum, even if the week was worlds apart from what you wanted it to be.

• Check In on Your Jar’s Growth

Every new month, check in on the good things notes from the month before, like a treat to starting your month. While the consistency and writing part of the jar makes an attitude of gratitude a habit in your life, reading them helps put anything you’re going through into a more balanced perspective.

But, the biggest treat will come at the end of December. Then, you will sit back, light a candle and pour all the wine to relish in all the good things that made up your 2024—like a bunch of love letters to yourself.

Some will be things you forgot made you smile as much as they did. Others will be etched in your heart forever. But reading them all at once will remind you of one unequivocal point: good things happen to us, and all around us, all the time.

Sources: GTG

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post The Good Things Jar: The Joy Only You Can Spread appeared first on Good Things Guy.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, we know not everyone can spoil their mom as much as they’d like to as the price of air and everything else continues to rise.

So, we’ve compiled a list of inexpensive ways to celebrate the mother figure in your life!

South Africa (12 May, 2023)—Mother’s Day might be a commercial heyday, but it’s also an awesome excuse to spoil the mother figure in your life a little more than usual.

As much as many would love to give the world to the mother figures in our lives (biological or anyone who stepped into that role) times are tough for a lot of South Africans.

Between the cost of food that raises our collective eyebrows constantly and the price of electricity that doesn’t even show up most of the time, we’ve all had to reel in our expenses.

But, celebration and appreciation don’t have to be costly. So, we’ve compiled 10 ways for you to celebrate the mother figure in your life that

For the Foodie

This is an obvious but never under-appreciated one. The foodie mother figure in your life’s day will be made if you buckle down in the kitchen and make them a Michelin star attempt at dinner.

You probably already have a good idea of which cuisines your foodie prefers, so diving into FoodTok (Food TikTok) can easily give you some of the best and easiest recipes around the world to make the magic happen.

Even if you’re not a chef, the food for thought counts the most. You can also pick the ingredients that are affordable for your budget.

For the Boss

The mother figure in your life that’s always in charge (whether it’s at work, her own business or as a community leader) really needs some motivation to wind down.

Boss figures often take the world on their shoulders, and so ensuring that some of the weight is taken off could be something they haven’t experienced in a long time.

Organise a self-care day where you watch their favourite movie, spend some time in nature if the weather allows, learn a massage technique for those stressed-out shoulders or meditate together.

For the Person who Never Has Time

Offer an act of service as your love language for the day, and take care of all the things that keep elapsing their to-do list. Organise their desktop, closet or whatever needs organising. Opt to wash their car or simply run any errands they need to get done, even if it’s only next week. Give them the best gift people who never have time can get— time to themselves!

For the Adventure Lover

Take a walk on the wild side and gear up for something outdoors like a hike or nature walk. You can find one nearly anywhere in South Africa, from Lion’s Head to The Wilds, and it’ll be an awesome bonding moment for you both.

Many natural adventures are free or low-cost. And, if you can’t hike or the weather doesn’t permit, opt to commit to an adventure moment voucher that’ll serve as your promise to adventure with them soon.

For the Animal Lover

Organise a trip to somewhere where you can see animals like the Hennops Zebra trail in Pretoria, the Two Oceans Aquarium or Boulders Beach, SANCCOB in Cape Town, or even adopt a HERD elephant and choose how much you’d like to contribute toward their journey depending on your budget.

You can also arrange a visit to various animal shelters if they’re open on the day, for the animal lover who’d like to volunteer or learn more about it.

PS: If you can, the Johannesburg SPCA is also hosting a Mother’s Day-inspired sponsorship!

For the Eco Hero

Plant a Fynbos Tree in her honour with GreenPop to be part of the eco-hero mother figure’s most important goal: saving the planet. Contact GreenPop on 083 412 8006 to find out more. The cost is R150, but if that’s too steep there are other awesome ways you can make the day a little kinder to the planet.

For the sustainable superstar, opt to help her go through clothes that can be upcycled or donated in your area.

You can even sift through plastic to share with organisations like Re.Bag.Re.Use.

Or, have a thrifting day if it’s in your budget!

7 For the Art Adorer

Many galleries are free to enter and enjoy, and the art-loving mother figure in your life will be more than thrilled about this kind of adventure.

Venture here to find new exhibitions in your area.

The Knowledge Hunter

Compile a little library of talks/articles and podcasts on their topics of interest so that they can spend as much time as they want learning more about what fascinates them most.

The Music Lover

People might not gift mixtapes anymore, but we can all get behind playlists! Create a playlist of their favourite songs or new songs they might love because what could be more thoughtful for the music lover?

For the Fitness Queen

Sign them and yourself up for a running challenge and train for it together! Whether it’s a Park Run in your area or something for a good cause like the SPAR Women’s Challenges, you two can pick your pace.

Source: Good Things Guy

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post 10 Thoughtful and Inexpensive Ways to Celebrate the Mother Figure in Your Life  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Because reusing Woolies bags will only take you so far!

South Africa (9 April, 2023) — Amid April Fool’s jokes, Easter Eggs and Ramadan’s discipline, April is celebrated for another reason around the world. It’s Earth Month, a time when people come together to suss out where they can do better for the planet, one choice at a time.

Think of it as a trailer for what the world could look like if everyone did their part. And, you don’t need to be an eco-warrior or a Twitter-famous vegan to leave a greener footprint.

Here are 10 cost-effective ways to be a touch greener this Earth Month:

1. Turn your Plastic into Someone’s Next Favourite Accessory

At places like Cape Town’s Re.Bag.Re.Use, you can drop off plastic bags, torn retail bags, or fruit and veggie packets to make ‘crochet’ handbags, hats and other accessories to make plastic a little less drastic.

2. Bee Mindful

From household items like clingwrap to baby products, local innovators like Simply Bee offer savvy switches for items that last a lot longer, and help conserve bees in the process.

3. Turn Your Food Waste into a Compost Haven for Others

If you don’t have space for your own compost garden, join the Feed The Soil Programme! It’s a community initiative that helps you turn waste into grounds for nutrition in no time.

4. If You’re Already Recycling, Try Upcycling

From cardboard that just isn’t cutting it to forgotten fabrics, one person’s trash is another person’s passion project. Dive onto TikTok and learn how to make your junk incredible, or, stay tuned for local upcycling workshops to learn from the best.

5. Make Eco-Conversations a Daily Routine

If you want to learn more about eco-living but don’t have easy access to these conversations regularly, stay tuned to these podcasts:

• Green Dreamer
• TED Climate
• The Conscious Style Podcast
• Outrage + Optimism

6. Volunteer Like it’s Your Side Hustle

From beaches to sidewalks and all the parks in between, there’s always a place where many hands make light work. Join a community clean-up group like Plastics|SA or Cape Town Beach Cleanup, and watch your favourite places become that much more beautiful.

7. Turn Self-Love into Earth Love with Sustainable Beauty

From Eco-Diva to Plaain cosmetics, you can get all your self-love in while leaving some for the planet. Making the switch to brands whose products and packaging are environmentally conscious is better for your body, and animals, and they last longer.

Source: Various (Linked Above) 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post 7 Cost-Friendly Ways to be a Touch Greener this Earth Month appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Kids were left in tears after listening to each other’s “baggage” during teacher’s new kindness project.

Global (28 April 2022) – A teacher is going viral after sharing a “kindness project” that allowed kids to share their baggage… helping them understand that we are all dealing with things we don’t talk about.

Karen Wunderlich Loewe shared the idea and people around the globe are loving it!

This starts my 22nd year of teaching middle school. Yesterday was quite possibly one of the most impactful days I have ever had.

I tried a new activity called “The Baggage Activity”. I asked the kids what it meant to have baggage, and they mostly said it was hurtful stuff you carry around on your shoulders.

I asked them to write down on a piece of paper what was bothering them, what was heavy on their heart, what was hurting them, etc. No names were to be on a paper. They wadded the paper up and threw it across the room.

They picked up a piece of paper and took turns reading out loud what their classmate wrote. After a student read a paper, I asked who wrote that and if they cared to share.

I’m here to tell you that I have never been so moved to tears as what these kids opened up and about and shared with the class.

Things like suicide, parents in prison, drugs in their family, being left by their parents, death, cancer, losing pets (one said their gerbil died cause it was fat, we giggled) and on and on.

The kids who read the papers would cry because what they were reading was tough. The person who shared (if they chose to tell us it was them) would sometimes cry too. It was an emotionally draining day, but I firmly believe my kids will judge a little less, love a little more, and forgive a little faster.

This bag hangs by my door to remind them that we all have baggage. We will leave it at the door. As they left, I told them they are not alone, they are loved, and we have each other’s back.

I am honoured to be their teacher.

Sources: Karen Wunderlich Loewe

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes that there’s good news all around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post We All Have Baggage – Teacher Shares Incredible Kindness Project! appeared first on Good Things Guy.