Missing the 2010 world cup spirit #smed12

2010 the awesome year of the Soccer World Cup. The countdown for South Africa as the host city. The incredible opportunity to show the world we can do it as a country and stand together as a nation. It was surely the best 32 days as a Capetonian and as a proudly South African citizen.

Everything was different during the world cup. The unity and the spirit of the people. A incredible fan walk presenting the different cultures and people all over Cape Town. Green and yellow Bafana Bafana t-shirts all over the city, not forgetting the vuvuzela’s blowing every 2 minutes. People singing and dancing to the World Cup song memorizing the lyrics of Waka Waka. We were proud of Freshly Ground for representing our country globally.

A fantastic public transport system, low crime rate with a major boost for the infrastructure and the economy of our cities. Children playing soccer in the townships, ready to show the world our passion for the sport.

All South Africans united, irrespective of their age, race or culture. For 32 days we became a loving nation.If only we could have kept that spirit alive.

If i were the boss #smed12

Why is the boss always the most feared person in an organisation? It reminds me of Meryl Streep's character in the movie “the devil wears prada”. Her favourite saying “the tales of your incompetence do not interest me”. Not my idea of an ideal boss.

If I were the boss I would make it my priority to be a good leader as well as a successful business woman. This is a very important characteristic that helps you drive the employees in your company. I would be a mentor for my staff while giving them an opportunity to develop their skills. I believe you should invest in proper resources for your staff to do their job. This will increase productivity.

As a boss I would make sure all staff receive the recognition they deserve by implementing proper incentive structures. Those who work hard in my company will reap the rewards.

I would have an open door policy, be a good listener to ensure my workers are happy by involving them in key decision making processes. I would initiate regular brain storming sessions while I encourage staff to be innovative and creative.

If only I were the boss, the business world would be a better place (time to wake up!)



Soap Opera addict #smed12

It’s so nice watching television. The best part is when I watch soapies. We get so carried away that it becomes difficult to differentiate between reality and TV. I watch 7de Laan, Isidingo and Generations and I proclaim that I’m no soapie addict. I mostly watch it when i'm bored and it feels great knowing I support local talent.

Some people rush home every night to watch their favourite soapies. They watch it during the week and the omnibus over weekends. I can’t really understand why people do that. It’s scary how we can let our whole life evolve around a television programme. We have conversations and speak about Gita Mc Gregor, Brook Logan and Barker Heins as if we were on school together simply because we are intrigued by them. Soapie stars always look perfect, they are fun and it’s like you've become friends from your own living room.

We get upset with the storyline, the director and most of all the characters. We have supper in the TV room, and buy the TV Plus to read soapie forecasts. Lately people have a television in the kitchen in order to watch their soapies while they cook. Do we enjoy the drama of the programmes that much? Or only because it makes us feel better about our own lives? Can we honestly tell the difference between reality and TV?

We are living in an era where we allow television and reality TV to take control. Remember to always live your own life without doing it through the characters of a soap opera.

 

Two People came out of a building and into story #smed12

 

It’s a cold winter’s day in Stellenbosch. Luckily I had the pleasure of spending it at the health and wellness spa. It was a mid year treat, pure bliss being pampered and looked after for a whole day. For one day I could forget about my busy life and studies.

As I waited outside for my lift, sitting in those lovely chairs thinking of the spectacular day I had. I met this young lady in her mid twenties named Anne-Marie. She was one of the spa staff. I started chatting to her as she looked extremely tired. She was very friendly even though she was yawning every 2 minutes. She asked if I had a good day, and I could not contain my excitement about the lovely treatments I received at the spa.

She told me about her having a bad day. I could not believe it because that seemed like the most relaxing place to work for. She explained how difficult the customers were that day with regards to their treatments, the complaints, and how they demand things in a certain way even though they never booked it accordingly. She said with a sad look on her face “it was a difficult day but I always stay polite and make sure the customer is happy”. 

That made me realise we often go around acting inappropriately and we conveniently use the saying the customer is always right. What happened to treating people with dignity and respect? Just because you paying for something does not mean you can get away with being rude! 

I’ve learned to always be kind to the next person as we all have struggles in life. Your smile could just brighten their day. Be more considerate to other’s feelings while treating them with respect and dignity.

Whitney Fan #smed12

It’s Sunday morning 12 February 2012. I just woke up switched on my phone to check my messages and facebook. Then I read the most devastating news about Whitney Houston’s death. I was still in bed, could not believe what I was reading. I just shouted “Oh my word Whitney is dead, this can’t be.” At first I thought it was just a sick joke. I was so shocked and emotional as if I knew her personally. Yes, we have never met but I was a Whitney fan.......

This pop star and Diva has reached out to so many people with her incredible music and tunes. Growing up and listening to Whitney’s music was so much fun. I memorised the lyrics of her songs at such a young age even though the words had no meaning to me, I was too young to know what it was really about. That didn’t matter though I just loved Whitney’s music. The best was completing my songbook with the Whitney lyrics and playing my mom’s Whitney cassettes. That made the sing along so much better. Singing I’m every woman with a brush in my hand while I’m dancing in the lounge.  :) Not forgetting how I made my hair frizzy to look like Whitney did in her music videos. She was truly a remarkable vocalist therefore her death came as such a shock to the world.

At every karaoke someone always sings a Whitney song. All the young artists always start off with Whitney Houston impersonations. Whether it’s at a talent show or idols. That’s the level of inspiration she had on young singers. 

Currently there are so many negative remarks about her death and the reasons for her death. Is this really the right time to make all these negative remarks about her or the choices she made? She didn't have a perfect lifestyle. But should that even matter right now? While we should be remembering her talent and music? Can’t we just remember Whitney for the remarkable contribution she made to the music industry? Everyone has made wrong choices in life, no one is perfect.

Whitney has made many mistakes but she kept going trying to turn her life around. She worked hard to release her remarkable album I look to you in 2009. She was truly telling her story with this album. After her death I listened to the words of I didn’t know my own strength. It was sad to hear how she was trying:

“Survived my darkest hour, my faith kept me alive

I picked myself back up, hold my head up high

I was not built to break

I didn’t know my own strength."

So who are we to judge?

You will always be remembered Whitney may your soul rest in peace.

#smed12 How difficult is it to follow instructions?

How difficult is it to follow instructions?

Instructions are not difficult to follow we make it difficult simply because we don’t like being told what to do. Society has this unwritten rule which allows people to ignore instructions even though it is there to create order. We are always the first to complain when things go wrong but we don’t like following instructions.

We switch off at the thought of being told what to do. Example: We drive 120 km in an 80 zone, but the minute you get a speeding fine you change your behavior and follow instructions instead. So why do we do this? To prove a point or to see what the consequences of our actions will be? Surely the idea of being restricted is not perceived as having fun.

So many people read signs and instructions and at the same time they do the opposite of what it says. Why is it that the simple instructions are yet the easiest to ignore or to follow? Example: At the mall entrance I often see the instruction “automatic door do not push”, and there is always someone pushing the door. Several signs in the train saying “all doors should be closed while the train is in operation” but we still have people hanging out of the train. At the bank “no cellular phones” and you often see people having long conversations while they standing in the line. We park on parking spaces where the instruction clearly says “no parking” or loading zone.

We choose to not follow instructions because it’s convenient not difficult. Therefore the instruction is not the problem but the attitude of the people.