Newsletter #15
It is slightly after 2:00am on Satur-
day, 27 November and it is appar-
ent that the nausea that engulfs my
entire body is the reason for my in-
somnia. On any other night I would
have blamed my sickly symptoms
on the Woolworths-sponsored,
prawn and chicken dish which I had
for supper earlier, but not this time.
This time my afflictions are due to a
very dark and sinister realization. A
realization which overwhelms my
body, mind and spirit to the point of
fever-symptoms, convulsions and
utter distress.
I know deep within me that to-
night was one of those nights that
will change the rest of my life: a
paradigm shift. One caused by two
words...
THE COVE
Every September on the coast of
Japan, the waters of Taiji change
colour. A colour reminiscent of the
plaque in Eqypt during the Exodus.
Yes, it’s dolphin season in Taiji, and
the Autumn marks the inauguration
of the slaughter of 23000 dolphins.
A yearly quota for the “fisherman”
of Taiji. This Academy Award
winning documentary goes un-
www.facebook.com/the.floor
COVETHE
by Eugene van Deventer
dercover to expose this brutal and
very senseless activity which occurs
every year.
The facts are that a live dolphin
is sold for $150 000, and a dead
one practically is sold per kilogram
for practically nothing. What is
even more absurd is the fact that
dolphin meat is highly poisonous.
Yet thousands of dolphins are still
slaughtered each year and sold as
‘whale-meat’. Ironic: a bloodbath to
obtain a worthless poison.
The inhumanity depicted in the foot-
age is so shocking that my body re-
acted with symptoms which I have
NEVER in my life experienced.
After the documentary, I fell to my
knees with tears in my eyes, asking
my precious Creator forgiveness.
Not for my actions or my personal
transgressions, but for mankind. I
didn’t know how else to respond.
What to do, say or think. I felt com-
pelled to react in some spotanoeas
yet futile way.
It’s now been five hours and al-
ready I have started to evaluate my
actions, my work, my life. And I
have come to realise that I have lost
November 2010
focus a bit. Not overall, but in the
small things and mostly my inten-
sions. Small things which steal my
time and energy.
The Cove has inspired me. It has
inspired me more than what money
compels me, and more than how
status and fame drives me. It has
placed a sense of responsibility on
my life to pursue this calling which
God has placed on my life. To serve
Him and not loose focus on the task
He has bestowed upon me: To in-
spire the youth of South Africa. That
is my task for now and my passion
burns even deeper.
So, here is the challenge:
Go rent and watch The Cove, and
then evaluate your life. Evaluate
that which drives you. Evaluate
the things which occupy your mind
the majority of the time. Then ask
yourself:
“Are my daily pursuits really worth
it, in retrospect?”
“Are they, REALLY?”
CHANGE