Lotz of thoughts

It all started with an innocent mistake. Dimitri, while preparing for his English test, confidently declared that “together” is a verb. I giggled at the time, gently correcting him, explaining it is actually an adverb. But later, as the moment lingered in my mind, I realized something deeper: Dimitri wasn’t entirely wrong. Maybe, in its truest sense, together is a verb. Think about it. Together is not just a state of being—it is an action. It is something we do. To come together, to work together, to support one another—all of these require effort, intention, and commitment. Togetherness does not happen passively; it is a practice, a choice we make daily, in every interaction. In a world that often celebrates individual achievements and self-reliance, the act of together can sometimes feel radical. It asks us to pause, listen, compromise, and empower others even when it might be easier to go it alone. Whether it is in families, friendships, workplaces, or communities, togethernes...

Eighteen years... That’s how long it’s been since I first landed in South Africa, wide-eyed and full of curiosity, ready for what was supposed to be a two-year adventure. Back then, I was a young Greek student chasing academic dreams, imagining I would pack up and return home once the ink dried on my degree. Little did I know that two years would stretch into something far bigger—a life. Eighteen years is significant, isn’t it? It’s the age when we celebrate adulthood, when we are considered grown up and ready to take on the world. And as I reflect on this milestone, I can’t help but feel that my life here has gone through its own kind of coming of age. When I first arrived, South Africa was an exciting whirlwind of contrasts. The sounds, the colours, the languages, the stories—a world, unlike anything I had known. I struggled with the small things, like adjusting to unfamiliar rhythms of life (sleeping times ...hmm...), but I also fell in love with the big things: the warmth of the pe...

I have given up on making resolutions. I have failed at keeping them so many times that I don’t even bother anymore. Instead, I choose a word for the year—a single guiding idea to keep me grounded. I can’t even claim credit for this clever approach; I must have stumbled upon it somewhere because it feels far too creative to be mine. This year, my word is choice . Where am I planning to apply this word? Everywhere, really. In my personal life, it is about choosing where to spend my energy—on people, activities, and myself. Am I showing up for the things that truly matter? In my professional life, it is about being intentional with my projects and commitments. Not every opportunity needs a “yes,” and that is okay.  But the first week of this shiny new year triggered a deeper, slightly uncomfortable thought. If I am going to embrace choice as my mantra, I need to give others the freedom to make their choices, too. This is where it gets tricky—because the most challenging “other...