Friday 8 September 2017

Have you ever felt your inner self set on fire?


Have you ever felt your inner self set on fire? Or just felt that spark in you waiting to be set ablaze?

Had you asked me, say nine months ago, where I wanted my life to be today, I would have said exactly where it is now. Back then I did not know how that was going to be possible, but I knew the life I was living wasn’t ‘it’ for me. I knew and felt that I wanted more, to be more, to experience more, to do more..

As fate would have it, I have found myself squarely here. In a space where I can define a lot in my life, where I feel like I have the power to gain back a level of control I lost. But at the same time, ironically, a place of letting go of the said control. It’s almost paradoxical right? I needed to let go of some level of structure through which I had lived my life previously. I feel that I got overly caught up in planning; setting goals, strategizing… making one year, five year, ten year goals, that I embraced too much rigidity and almost forgot to live, to take risks, to just be.

I have always been a person of timelines, of written down goals, of immense structure. Whilst this is an amazing thing, there’s a fine fine line where said rigidity robs you of life, of your sparkle..

But now, I am taking time to smell the roses, living a bit more fluidly. (Okay I won’t lie, goal setting and timelines will always be a part of me..case in point, I just wrote up an Excel sheet of some goals I have for the rest of the year J). But, but, the difference is I am now doing it different, enjoying the process a whole lot more, putting myself under less pressure and just living. Breathing. Embracing. Loving. Being. And this side of life feels a whole lot better!

I am now getting back into blogging in a much different mind space then how I initially began. This is me, back at my centre, finding that zen. Being on fire, being alive. Challenging myself. Through the blog, I want to be able to broaden my perspective. I want to get out there, interact, engage, laugh while at it, grow.. That’s the stuff I crave for, that’s what makes my pulse beat faster.

Through the blog, I would like to be able to interact with and hopefully feature other like-minded people, of different ages, backgrounds, viewpoints, upbringing, culture.. My dream has always been to take part in programs around the world such as leadership programs, events, conferences and global events with people seeking to make an impact in any way, shape or form. I am slowly discovering some fantastic programs such as the University of Oxford- Said Business School’s Archbishop Tutu Fellowship Program (I've linked it here) and the Women Transforming Leadership Program (I've linked it here). 
Truthfully, these programs target mid-career individuals and it can seem out of reach for you or me to get a chance to ‘take a seat at the table’. However question is; how will change come about, if we young people do not boldly demonstrate why we have the ability to be a part of such amazing forums.. and like sponges; absorb, absorb and absorb! And equally so; contribute, challenge and contribute some more!

I hope to grow, to mature. To enjoy the process, express, be genuine, real, consistent and authentic. To confidently know and say that a year from now, I will be intrinsically the same person, but with more maturity, more body, more fire, more life, more depth, and certainly with bigger dreams. 

And I wish the same for you. J




Love and light

Monday 4 September 2017

Fiercely journeying through our 20s

Hello there!๐Ÿ˜Š

I recently read a great quote from a friend’s Twitter account which said ‘I am enough. I have enough’. I have had a lot of time to do a lot of thinking these past few weeks, and I have also reconnected with many friends, and ignited some genuinely great friendships along the way.

Throughout all this, I have had some good banter and candid conversations. Most of them begin with a catch up on how life is going and then meander into this beautiful journey we call our 20s. Lots of us 20-somethings are going through important milestones.. I’m talking life changing events such as marriage, scholarships and the pursuit of second degrees, new jobs and career changes, new relationships, new businesses, starting families, pursuing new passions.. the list is endless!

I honestly feel my heart really warm up when I see all of this. It signifies growth, maturity, progress.. which are all incredibly positive! But not all the change comes easy or comes pretty, other people are also going through painful processes such as miscarriages and difficult pregnancies, difficult marriages, retrenchment and job loss, struggling businesses, difficult family trials, death of loved ones, sickness, depression, self doubt.. And these are very trying, traumatic and daunting periods..

No one can fully understand a situation (whether good or not so good), except the individual who finds himself in it.

I am writing this post to:-
-really laud those who are flourishing in this season of life, to fully cheer them on, root for them 110%!! To that person who just managed to break a bad habit/ addiction, the person that just moved out of home, the person who just bagged a scholarship and entry into their dream school (shoutout to those starting grad school this September, yay!), to that person who just started a blog (shoutout to the fitness blog Tizi), that person who just landed their dream job, the person who just bought their first home, the one who started a new business.. and to anyone who has achieved their own personal version of success..Congratulations through and through!

-to encourage those going through a stage called being in the ‘waiting room of life’. Where things are neither here nor there. Where you are frustrated at your job or just lost that job, lost that business deal, lost a loved one, missed that promotion, started that venture that just isn’t picking up, lost money in that investment.. or you who is just going through an incredibly difficult time.. may you always be reminded that this is just a season, and it too, shall pass.

Lastly we need to take time to pray and be there for each other, intentionally and truly. Journeying our 20s and into our 30s is a bittersweet roller coaster, but, an overall amazing, wholesome and beautiful experience. I’ll leave you with another beautiful quote:


‘Surround yourself with people who add value to your life, who challenge you to be greater than you were yesterday, who sprinkle magic into your existence, just like you do to theirs. Life isn’t to be done alone. Find your tribe- and journey freely and loyally together’ Alex Elle

PS: As you may/ may not have noticed, this is my old blog and my actual blog (calibratedblossom.com) is still under construction. Literally! But I will redirect all my traffic to the main site when it is fully up and running ๐Ÿ˜ŠThank you to EVERYONE who encouraged me to get back to writing.. a heartfelt and sincere thank you! Love and light.