Whoohoo moment ….
Today I presented a mini talk on “Going for your dreams” to a room filled with young aspiring entrepreneurs. The most humbling part was that they were all, girls on the verge of becoming young ladies. I spoke about conceiving, believing and achieving your dreams by living your purpose through passion and fun.
How I achieve my dreams and how they could achieve theirs, was also on the agenda, as well as listing some famous SA women and brilliant techno-women-inventors for some additional motivation. I ended the talk by doing a “whoohoo” which my mentor Julie Lenzer -Kirk taught me (and my peers) while visiting the USA last year.
Post my talk, the “whoohoo” took on a life of its own. I had to smile (”,).
Towards the end of the session, after the runners up as well as the winner was announced, the room erupted with a ginormous “WHOOHOO” without my prompt and this was an amazing moment.
So, to my mentor and to all the learners at the event today, thank you and well done. The “whoohoo” is about to take on an entire life of its own.
Circle of life and death…
The cliche saying “there are only two certainties in life, death and taxes” has never rang more true. A death of a loved one can arrive at anytime. Will you be ready for it when it does? Can anyone really ever prepare for death? As hard as this may seem, I think we can.
Lately I have had some heavy decisions to make which I realise now (as hard as it may seem) is the right thing for me to do. We meander through life, playing it safe, staying in our comfort zones, when all we really want to be and do, is more. Yet we settle for safety.
Undoubtedly, getting out of my comfort zone has been anything but comfortable, but looking at the alternative, I would rather go through the uncomfortable than spend the next twenty to thirty years wondering what if. I lately, I realise that life is too short and precious to waste on the drama of others, watching TV and holding a grudge :). Build a bridge and get over it!
(I’ve also been telling my mother every so often that I love her (as soppy as that may seem) as she is getting older by the day).
As morbid as my post today may be, it’s not really. What it is, is a wake-up call to myself, kicking me in the butt saying, enough now, life is moving on, people are moving on and so should I. “Go-on Shani, you can do it”, as one door is closing, may others are opening and sometimes when so many sad events are happening around us, we cannot see the light.
Open your mind and heart to opportunities in spite of adversity.
Open your mind and heart to seeing change in a positive light.
Open your mind and heart …………… that’s all.
Transformers, transforming and technology….
I love technology, no I am passionate about technology and what it allows one to accomplish! Rewind to last night, when I realize that my HTC Diamond is not compatible with my MacBook (my ADSL was down and I wanted to use my phone as a modem), but no fear, my trusty Nokia N73 was around.
So I hook up my phone and ….. shize! It rings, what are these things, button things, how do I answer this phone, where is the voice activated answer, the touch screen, where is the …. help, how do I answer this phone?
How funny is this moment?
In this moment it suddenly dawns on me that the speed at which technological advancements are progressing at, is too fast for me to keep up with, yet I love it :).
This does not mean I do not want to sample every new tech toy entering the market, “computer says ‘yes please’ “. Oh how I long for a new 42″ LED LCD TV. Sigh, if anyone wants to give me one, oh go on, send one my way :). Oh, I digress, I meant to start this post off by reviewing my latest gift which I don’t think any other girl has ever received. My Blue surprised me with the gift of ………… BumbleBee, the Transformer.
He is amazing and the Transformer is not bad either ;-).
I am amazed at how complicated it is to convert from Transformer into Camero, but I have to say, BumbleBee is awesome. He is currently in Transformer mode on my desk :). Thanks again Blue, you rock!
So, what is your point I hear you asking (”,),? Well, the link between my cell phone and my Transformer is that both require technology to be made and even though one is electronic and the other is not, when looking at the little intricate bits on each and amaze myself at the minds behind building machines which output these creatures (phone and Transformer).
So, to the tech-junkies, inventing and creating, I salute your efforts and hold my breathe to see what you come up with next.
Loving SA, why I am passionately positive about our potential and progress …
Everyday I see progress all around me, some see frustration in roadworks, I see extra lanes, some see frustration and queues at airports but I am excited at the the way the new airport is taking shape (especially considering that I think Cape Town International airport looks like the Starship Enterprise (”,) ).
But for some bizarre reason, today of all days I am feeling exceptionally patriotic toward my country and especially the city I live in. My laptop needed to be taken in for repairs and on walking to the car park, I looked up and saw the back-side (i.e. ass) of the new stadium. It is for lack of a better, more suitable word, magnificent, (”,).
For a country that has a young democracy, for a country that is still seen as third world and for a country with as much diversity as we have, I think we are doing pretty okay. Not only am I feeling positively hopeful that the World Cup will take our cuntry to a new level, I feel equally passionate about the people and skills we have right here.
My message for the day, realize that to progress, one must have patience. I do not expect new lanes and roads and stadiums to be built in a day, Rome was not, so how can we expect things to be different? All we can do is exercise a little patience and tolerance and support those in need and ……. each other.
Oh and if you see a crazy person in peak hour traffic bopping their head in a strange way, it’s probably me and I am actually dancing, since I figure if I am going to be stuck in traffic, I may as well have fun doing so. Go on, give it a bash, you may just find yourself having fun on the way to work … for a change (”,).
Lessons from a thai reflexology session….
A surprise visit to a Thai Massage parlor from (courtesy of my significant other, Blue) spurred my latest inspirational post. The thoughts racing through my mind during the session felt worthy of being shared.
On entering this Thai Massage Parlor, we were courteously motioned to a seat where our foot reflexology was about to begin. We start off with a foot cleansing after which we are escorted into the massage rooms.
Blue and I are asked to wear these special “massive - as in wide” pants for the proceedings. We obey then take our seats. The session starts at the feet and ends at the top of the head. I have a lovely little Thai lady attending to me and I think “okay, this will be easy“, (since this would be my first reflexology experience).
Oh boy, was I wrong…… (”,).
From the moment she started the reflexology session, I sensed a power in her hands which was oh so unexpected. This started my “mind blog” going since I had subconsciously placed her in a “little-lady-who-can’t-be-that-strong” box. This lead to another thought, how often do I subconsciously put people into their invisible boxes. Personally I hate being put into the proverbial “box“, which is why my surprise at her strength bothered me so much.
Apart from this thought, I had many others racing through my mind. Most of them were through the painful bits. Some of them involved work, some of them involved play but the most important one follows.
Through the painful bits, I could have asked her to stop or apply a lighter pressure, but I did not. I could have spoken up but I did not. All I kept thinking about was that I must endure the pain to feel the benefits even though they may not be immediately apparent. Even at the end, when my body was being contorted into all ungodly shapes, I kept silent.
This is the lesson. Sometimes in life we go through uncomfortable, challenging or painful events. These events test our character and make us stronger. These events as “challenging” as they are are very much needed to help us grow.
This was the case today (through the pain) as I remembered that there were many benefits in having foot reflexology done.
The Benefits of Foot Reflexology Massage
1. It can relieve pain and stiffness caused by too much exercising or using muscle for too long.
2. It can help prevent and cure many symptoms such as headache, stress, asthma, constipation, sinusitis and migraine.
3. The blood circulation system will be boosted.
4. The body’s function will be naturally turned into its homeostasis.
So, I endured the pain and guess what, the pain intensified as I returned home. I knew this would pass, all I needed was a little patience and I knew I would be feeling the benefits before long. Some time went by and I started feeling much better. Happiness returned as I started feeling better.
So, always remember that in life we must go through challenging painful times to reap the rewards after. All we need is a little faith sprinkled with some patience and voila, happiness will be on its way (”,).
Shana’s honesty blog disclaimer:
—– Please read the following disclaimer before continuing with any further reading ——
Dear reader,
A recent post of mine (which I have since removed) seems to have caused quite a stir among strangers and family members. I hereby officially (and sincerely) apologize if I have offended anyone, this was certainly not my intention.
I have since decided to add the following disclaimers:
- this is my personal blog, it is always written from personal experience and own opinion and am in no way directing them at anyone in specific
- I am opinionated and blog about everything and anything, if you are sensitive to certain subjects, don’t read my blog
- If you think I am writing about you, I am not, its not about you, even if you think it is, it’s not
- I blog about my experiences in business and life, which I share in the hope others will be inspired or merely see a different view
- I blog because I enjoy the writing process and allows me to express myself
- My blog is positive as I am but sometimes things happen which are not, and I share them too.
So dear readers, I do appreciate the following and hope that you enjoy my posts, but keep in mind that I mayl not always blog about things you enjoy reading about. If you are okay with this, then please carry on and enjoy reading my blog (”,).
Shana
Biscuit …milling on a Saturday afternoon..
Recovering from bronchitis I have been home bound all week and am still not feeling 100% better. My best friend calls me up and invites me to lunch at the Biscuit Mill in lower Main Road and I accept on the basis that I need to face the world sometime or other. 12.30pm arrives and I make my way to the Biscuit Mill to meet up with my friends.
Driving down the Main Road, one does not expect that just a few more meters ahead, there would be hoards of cars seeking parking legally and illegally. My parking angel finds me a prime parking spot in the parking lot at the school across the road and I head in.
It seems sureal as I walk through the entrance into masses of people, shopping, drinking and eating all sorts of delicacies. I make a left turn in search of my friends and an ATM. I find the ATM and grab a spot in the ever growing queue and silently listen to the sounds surrounding me. People from all over the world are there as I hear foreign English accents as well as foreign languages being spoken.
Cash withdrawn, I meander through the tent of tricks and treats and see if anything grabs my attention. Hmm, nothing yet.
I decide to head to the food market next, and oh my, what an experience this is. Imagine droves of people sitting outside on chairs, bags, even the floor, tucking into yummy treats and basking in the sun (it happens to be a glorious sunshine Cape Town day).
“To the left, to the left“, I start my tour on the left hand side. Organic food, vegetables, breads, teas, meat fill the hall. The aromas are overwhelming and one feels nearly “mad” with “hunger” on sighting these amazingly presented dishes. My friends have not arrived yet, and I take the opportunity to wonder at the available eats and treats and all I can say is, geesh louise, how many choices are here?
Indian food, Greek, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, German, Dutch, you name it, it was there. And what an experience for us vegetarians. It was veggie-heaven. Eventually my friends and I caught up and we ended up doing Falafel, Chicken Scharma, Curry and Wraps for lunch, followed by some bubbly, Mohito’s and Nutella-banana crepes for dessert.
Yummy!
We should have arrived slightly earlier though since the vendor packup starts around 2pm, but we had a blast. Still feeling a bit sick, I decided to part ways early and headed back home.
So, if you are looking for a unique breakfast or lunch experience on a Saturday morning, the Biscuit Mill should be given a bash, who knows, you may just become a regular.
Oh how I love thee, social networking…
I spend lots of time online, Tweeting, blogging, updating and connecting with my Facebook friends but I also spend time offline. The aspect I love the most about connecting online with others, is the ability to connect with like-minded individuals and anytime, day or night.
Freedom of expression is personified when we enter the social networking world and this I value most above everything else. Personally I feel that the society could learn a few great lessons from social networks in terms of how people relate to each other. It also allows people who would not have met in conventional arenas to meet and form connections and even friendships.
The online meeting often facilitates an offline meeting which can be quite exciting (yet caution should always be taken). It also allows me to feel a sense of belonging. This is quite important, especially if one usually feels a lack thereof. So, social networks I salute you in all that you have done in connecting us and in all that is to come.
Rock on!
Marriage, a symbol of love or an institution of society …
Anyone who knows me, knows how anti-marriage I am, mainly because everyone I know, including my parents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends have been through one or more divorces. But does this mean there is a flaw in the system or that these marriages have merely not meant to be. And why marry anyway? I have been told many times that when the “right” man comes along, I will change my tune. We will see ;-0.
Doing some research - the following was found:
“marriage means stabilized patterns of norms and roles associated with the mutual relationship between husband and wife.
It joins together a man (or men) and a woman (or women) in a special kind of social and legal arrangement that serves several purposes for a society. (Source: family.jrank.org). ”
Different types of marriages also exist:
” .… monogamous marriage. There are other types of marriage, which include more than one husband or wife at the same time (plural marriage or polygamy), several husbands and wives (group marriage), or ones that are not contracted on the basis of the state’s rules and regulations specified earlier (common-law marriage). (Source: family.jrank.org).
Now, not all these types of marriages are legally recognised, but they do exist. People mainly marry due to religious beliefs as all religions enforce this tradition as “moral, right and good“. I would like to challenge that. Does society still believe in marriage as much today as it may have been decades ago? Do we as the younger generation believe in following traditions and societal norms or are we a generation of setting new traditions?
I would like to think the latter applies.
I think 80% of people who belief in marriage only do so because it is expected by society, families, cultures and traditions. The other 20% realise that when two people fall in love and make a commitment to one another, that a piece of paper is not going to make the difference in how they relate with each other.
This way of thinking is in the minority though, since going against any societal, family or religious norms is not a pleasant experience. Any challenges in normality are frowned on. I often ask the question, “who made that rule“, (disclaimer: this question does not relating to any legal or tax issues :)), since I cannot follow these statements blindly, it’s just not me.
Personally, I am not sure how I feel about the whole “marriage” concept. What I do believe in is the unwaivering connection and commitment between two people in love, which no piece of paper can stengthen, or does it?