Own Your Happiness

Passion and ambition fall into two different categories in life. It’s easy to tell them apart but difficult to marry the two. As a student you are allowed to follow, focus on and work towards your passion and when you have ambition, you can go far. There also comes a time when you have to take a step back, where you have to pay the bills, find a flat and unfortunately ‘grow up’. This is not the case for everyone, the lucky few struggle for a while and succeed, but the rest have to count on ambition alone to get us through the month.

One thing that you should never lose is your dream to do and be exactly what you were born to, whatever it may be. It’s that passion for which you will gladly work a 12 hour day and still be happy to bring the work home with you because it, in some way, defines you. It makes you smile when you think of it, you’d eat, breath and sleep it, given the chance. Never stop trying! Dreams only die when you let them!

Take time to reflect. Sit alone and meditate on what is important to you. Somewhat thinking of what makes you happy. It’s always easy to dream but, we have responsibilities in life that we can’t just let go of at a moment’s notice.  So come up with a plan on how you think you can survive and chase your dreams. Whether you do it part time or on the weekend, start building the brand that is you.

Don’t be one-dimensional. Don’t be afraid to take chances and try different things. You never know you like something until you try it. Whether it be a different sport, another style of writing, specialising in a different field of medicine or finance, don’t box yourself in, liberate, educate and facilitate your growth as an individual and a professional.

Market yourself. Be the person you want to become. Embody the passion, perseverance and ambition of a successful person in your chosen field then show it to everyone. We all have talents, we just need to show them to the world and make sure that we are recognised for them. It’s difficult at first, so don’t let a couple of “No’s” get you down, rather focus on presenting yourself in a manner in which you would be difficult to say no to.

Stay positive. There is always a way out, always a second chance and always a light at the end of the tunnel. It all depends at the angle in which you choose to look at it. We all have off days or weeks. It’s all about getting back on the horse that defines you, not how you fell off it. So look forward and dare to dream, your willingness to succeed is something no one can ever take away from you so, in the words of Maya Angelou- “...life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and do it with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style.”

“Every morning you have two choices:

continue to sleep with your dreams

or wake up and CHASE THEM” - unknown

            Images: www.hireology.com/inspirably.com/

The 'Lighter' side of Load Shedding

As some of us sit in the dark completely depressed about the current power situation in the country, or as we anticipate being victims of the dark or never-ending traffic jams, we forget to think that on some level Eskom is doing us a favour!

Have you ever sat back and thought of how privileged we are in modern day society to have electricity. The luxuries and convenience that come with it are endless. We like to take the pessimistic root and, think that we’re entitled to everything but have you ever thought of how it would be to live in a world without electricity, that will be a reality if load shedding doesn’t happen.

So while you’re sitting at the office, at home or in the dark grab a pen and paper, your ipad or phone and make a list of things that you can do while the power is out. You don’t have to mope and complain, rather make the best of a bad situation.

Go offline. We work too much, see our friends and family too little and we need time to catch up with that special person in your life, Eskom is actually here to help. Get off your mobile device and go see them! Have an actual interaction with someone, whether you meet at the bar up the road or across town, take some time to physically reconnect. Social media and chatting is impersonal enough, so do yourself a favour and give that friend a call.

Take the time to read. As people we tend to buy things which sit on shelves and on tables gathering dust, waiting for the time you decide that you have a few minutes to page through it, never really taking enough time to enjoy it. Now, you have a few hours. Whether it be the magazine you bought last month or the book you lent last year, find a comfortable spot, a candle of two, a glass of wine and entertain your brain. After all, it’s not often you get the chance to get lost in someone else's world.

Spoil yourself a little. We’re always tired, the week is always too long and we never have enough energy to get us through the day. Guess what, here is your chance. Eskom is giving you the opportunity to light those candles, have a long bath and then get to bed early. You deserve it, and they have noticed, so here you go.

Be spontaneous. There is always a certain restaurant you’ve been dying to try, or go back to, why not now? This is the perfect opportunity and the perfect excuse to do just that. Enjoy the finer things in life once in a while, even if it's during the week, don’t wait for someone else to put a smile on your face.

Be romantic. If the dark isn’t a perfect time to be romantic, I don’t know when will be. Candles and chocolates are not just for valentines day, giving someone a well deserved massage or foot rub will get you into their good books or if you’re single, you don't have to be alone. Muster the courage to ask our office crush out for a drink, or that boy at the gym. It’s better than being alone in the dark, be your own hero and write your own fairytale.

Then again, don’t let me dictate it all to you. Be creative and find the fun when everyone else can only see the dark side. So make that list and be prepared. Go onto the Eskom website and plan your time around the load shedding schedule. Remember: Eskom is doing you a favour ;)