# 5

 

Louw Breytenbach

 

Let me start this story by asking you first – what makes you feel alive? Did you ever think of something that can turn out to be the "it" factor in your life that will make you happy and live your life to what you believe is its fullest? This same question is a statement which Louw Breytenbach also asked himself and is moving strongly to his answer.

 

So …Louw Breytenbach? Let us ask rather what he is instead of who? Imagine a human graph composed of main body parts. He is the voice of ‘Die Reviewer', The soul and mind of Content Capital, an assisting hand in Kyknet NOU'S ChatNOU, the "head" of the Performing Arts Department at the Benhale Christian Academy, and everything else he is the Live Arts Little Theatre (LALT)!

 

This graph started to form in grade 6, where Louw's burning ambition to become an actor spread like a gossip story in a retirement home. Taking up acting lessons and performing in theatre productions in South Africa, to competing internationally, Louw excelled year after year and achieved awards and gained exposure till the day he could finally pass on his wisdom of success to others in the exciting form of LALT.

 

This journey might sound fast paced and relatively easy but it was everything except that for Louw. He lived in a period where it was difficult for him to realize that he was good enough. Difficult to understand that everything will be okay and difficult to overcome problems on his own. This period led to a dark time which caused him to experience no other place than rock bottom. But the best part of hitting that bottom is that there is honestly no other way than up.

 

Louw describes himself as someone who has always been a bit different and weird compared to other individuals, and it is with those characteristics which he realized is one of his best strengths! He used those strengths whilst acting as a means to make new friends and overcome his tendencies to be shy and scared of conversing with others. By owning those strengths, Louw was able to accept his flaws, embrace his mistakes and finally changed his attitude and mindset which allowed him to work his way out of that dark pit and into a life that he can describe as entirely hopeful, loving and exciting.

 

 

It is easy to relate to the overall picture of a person's struggle, but hard to understand why it came to be and the blows that had to be endured to fight it. It isn't easy going through such a period never mind going through it alone, but Louw was blessed with amazing support from his parents and the courage to embrace his achievements which still to this day motivates him to overcome a fear or to live through and survive in uncharted territories and unknown situations. It is joyful to say that another person overcame and prevailed a dark time in their lives.

 

 

Even though he sometimes enjoy the quiet lifestyle of an introvert with an occasional book, movie and a strong cup of joe, or even just being his own conversationalist which I believe most exciting people are as well, Louw also ventures into the world filled with diversity in his career and social life to help him understand people better and adapt to social situations much better. His ability to be diverse, allowed him to start many opportunities as mentioned and also helped set paths for future projects, one being the exciting extension of LALT in the form of LALT Academy. Louw describes this major project as a schooling opportunity for many individuals, young and old, to partake in classes concerning public speaking and of course learning to be more in tune with themselves and exploring their own strengths and capabilities.

 

 

Not only is Louw eager to open the LALT Academy, as mentioned he recently launched Content Capital who is the sister company of the 20 000 readership blog Die Reviewer. He is also starting in his new position as head of the Arts Department at the Benhale Christian Academy and being busier than the Duracell Bunny, we can expect him to be part of another show or two (his subtle words, not mine).

 

 

Ending his tale, Louw reminded me of one important lesson that we should never forget – do not take life seriously. People believe to have life figured it out where in actual fact, no one knows actually what the "right way" is to live. No handbook is written to prepare you for what lies ahead and it can get dark sometimes as it did for Louw, but by only being your own hero, you can learn to live what you believe is the right way to live and hopefully touch as many possible lives as you can.

 

 

I end this story by Louw's favorite phrase: "Start wherever you are…Start with fear, start with doubt, start that passion, start with whatever you have…but just start. You are not a tree, if you are unhappy, start moving."

 

Cheers for this week

WA