Watch this space

Many times in life, people ask the question why you? Too often this happens in interviews. If I could, the answer would be ‘why not?’ Ok so I would never do that because I think it’s a little checky but you can be guaranteed that I will be thinking it.

Life sure has thrown me a couple of curve balls…Here are a few obstacles I have had to overcome in the last 10 months:
* Doing my BTech has taught me to sacrifice and preserve in ways that I have not known to be possible.
* My father passing away suddenly…and learning to cope with it without resorting to drastic coping mechanisms,
* Experiencing unexpected love, the lover’s quarrels and compromise that goes along with it.
* Giving up smoking…hopefully third time lucky.
* Learning to lose weight and not doing it by smoking.
* Work stresses and career reassessments.
* Finding the balance between love, friendship, family, work, studies and life on life’s terms.

What makes me unique is who I am and the warped way I see the world. I’m ambitious, stubborn, beautiful, intelligent and an extremely determined woman. I have no doubt that I can survive, overcome and exceed expectations set by myself and others on this journey called life...Watch this space!

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

I feel that I have been moulded by society to be a corporate junkie, acting all professional and responsible every moment of the day – even when I leave the office. When in actual fact, I would like to be a kid again and be carefree.

I wouldn’t have to worry about paying the bills, check when my car needs to be serviced, ensuring I have medical aid, take out funeral policies, life policies, car insurance, saving for a rainy day and I wouldn’t need to feel guilty about procrastinating doing something important.

I would like to be 4 years old again, where the foolish things I do or say are seen as amusing rather than stupid and life was one big adventure. Where it’s not expected from me to map out my whole future in a five year plan and know where it was that I’m heading in life. Where I can wash the stink of adulthood responsibilities off and rather play with tea sets, in the park or with my Barbie dolls. Where no one asks you for your highest qualification, your strengths and weaknesses but is impressed that you can count to ten and you know your ABC.

Life would consist of playing in the sand and having the small pleasures in life, like blowing bubbles, be the best thing since sliced bread. To go back to a time where it was ok to have grass stains on the knees of my pants. Where you are able to go anywhere and do anything and the only thing you had to do was have an imagination. Not forgetting, the magical experience of holidays such as Easter and Christmas time.

At 4 you live in the disillusion that your dad is the only man you need in life, that he will never disappoint you and that he will live forever. You are sheltered from the violence, crime, poverty, hurt and pain of the world. You live in a fairy tale that your happy little family is going to live happily ever after.

I would love to go back to a time where I could eat cookies and cream or cupcakes without counting the calories. Without me obsessing the I need to lose weight…be thinner…taller…prettier…smarter…dress fashionable/ sexy/ corporate/ casual/ Christian-like – all because society expects it from me.

All that would be required from me is to play, be merry and explore my surroundings. To be young again…would be a blessing…to live in a bubble protected from life as we know it.

What motivates me?

Without getting too mushy…I would have to say the 3 L’s (love, life and laughter). I know it sounds cliché but I’m a simple girl. All the rest…like getting the biggest engagement ring or a bigger salary is of course a bonus (hint…hint).

Love for my family and friends, their friendship, kind words and encouragement in hard times is what gets me through. These relationships help to make me the kind of person I would like to be. I mailed a friend today to mention how chaotic life has suddenly become with deadlines looming all around. He in return said but a few words, ‘You have been through worse man, you will be ok’. Those words that stared at me on my computer screen and made me realise to stop whining and to get on with things.

Life…the past struggles which I have overcome is proof that anything is possible. It motivates me to persevere. My circumstances keep me grounded because there is so much to be grateful for, that others do not have.

Life can be super crazy…there’s nothing like a weekend getaway to help put things back into perspective. The outdoors is remedy for the soul, it helps to push pause on a busy world. The world is an amazing place…exploring the long open road is true bliss.

Laughter is what gets me through many painfully boring days. It takes many forms, such as a friend being clumsy, a joke email or reminiscing about younger foolish days.

Goals that are set and achieved help me to see that the way forward is not as hard as it seems…that one small goal is one step closer to the big thing. When things are going alright, the high seems like it will last forever. When it doesn’t…I chase it to feel that initial high.

Now if you are having difficulty in feeling those initial highs…you can do what I do to motivate myself…a trip to the shops can cure any mood.

If the budget is tight a good track will do. You know what I mean…that song that gets your head bobbing and singing along. It takes on various genres such as Lady Hawk, Lady Antebellum, Sade…even Amy Winehouse.

I think the most important thing that motivates me is the fact that life and time waits for no one…so give yourself 5 minutes to moan about how unfair life is then best you get on with living life.