THE NAKED LADY TREK. A DRAKENSBERG LOVE STORY

The story of Willie Chalmers, wanderer, pacifist, artist, painter, sculptor – has many versions.  I prefer the one as told to us by our old and spirited lodge owner. We listened, huddled around a blazing fire in a mist-enshrouded log cabin, nestled in mountains called The Drakensberg. 

The mysticism of The Drakensberg is renowned the world over.  It is one of my favorite destinations to unwind, de-clutter, meditate and be in silence. 

What I love most about the many versions of Willie’s story  though, is the common thread to all – the story of his passionate energy.  His powerful connection to the open spaces, the long road, the desert and the mountains.  He said that he trekked in order to find himself. 

Having wandered around most of Southern Africa - The 1950’s saw Willie Chalmers entering the Natal National Parks region and falling in love with a wealthy farmers daughter. 

Old man farmer wanted more for his only daughter than what a poor wandering artist could offer.  Didn’t old man farmer know that if you have Love you have everything?  And so the love affair was forbidden. 

The delicious and easy 4 hour trek to visit The Naked Lady.  Loving the en route view J

High up in the Drakensberg.  She's just around that corner ...

From the moment we set foot on the mountain, James and I undertook a Vow of Silence.   Of all the conversations we had – THAT one, in silence – conveyed the most. 

Elsa’s story continues – that Willie and old farmer’s daughter stole up the mountain and found an enclave for their trysts.   There Willie produced a sculpture of his love.  Set in the mountain face – an immovable declaration of his love.  OHH! To be loved like that #rocksolid #immovable #unchangeable. 

Sitting at the feet of The Naked Lady, eating our black bread and cheese and drinking our wine out of plastic cups – James and I were infused with much of Willie and old farmer daughter’s passion.   We speak of them often because in many ways their story reflects a bit of our own. 

As Willie did through his many years of trekking – James and I  found something valuable on that one.   Alone and together. 

Few people will ever get to see The Naked Lady.  I’m so grateful that I trekked up The Drakensberg Mountain to find her because I found a bit of myself. 

COMING OUT OF THE SHADOWS ... because it's my time.

IT'S MY TIME!!!

www.dailymotion.com/.../xghvzw_fabolous-ft-jeremih...

Coming out of the Shadows

These past five years have been a phase of my life for which any expression of gratitude will always be insufficient. 

I have been – almost exclusively – a mum.   I must concur … the most rewarding job in the world MUST be that of Motherhood.   Spending the most part of everyday dedicated to the development and well-being of my children has been endearing, enriching, exquisite and also monumentally exhausting! 

Guiding their thinking and behavior patterns by creating #futureboards for their manifesting walls, magically squeezing hours into my day to attend all the cricket matches, cricket trials, swimming galas, horse-riding lessons, hockey matches and athletic events.  My daily micro-managing of homework and teaching of study techniques, even when we go away on holiday … have hugely benefitted the relationship I have with them. 

Developing meal plans and insisting on a protein-based meal when temper-tantrums demand a sugar treat instead.

I know – beyond a shadow of a doubt - that my sole purpose these five years past, of being dedicated to their development, have forever changed who they are as people.  

I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to do this. 

AND – somewhere between the cricket matches and protein-based meals – I slipped into the shadows. 

The time I used to spend manicuring my nails at a nail bar was now spent biting them watching a tense cricket over.  The cash that I would otherwise have spent on a facial or skin products was instead used to purchase another pair of Nikes to match a new cricketing uniform. 

And time in the past spent having a power nap had become hours attending invaluable classes on “How to Assist Your Child with Mathematics”.

Today, 23 July, marks a major milestone birthday!   And along with that came a fresh onslaught of often resurfacing doubts and fears that I am slowly losing my essence.   

The intensity of my personality was fading, slipping into the shadows of motherhood and housewife. 

I miss me.  I miss the me that used to go to gym at 4h30 in the morning and then rush straight to a high-powered job immediately after.   Fuelled by the adrenalin of personal achievement, I’d do another gym session after work.  Of course I kidded myself that simultaneously having my son at the gym aftercare was spending ‘quality time’ with him.

BUT … back to the matter of  me missing me. 

During the last five years – whenever these fears and doubts arose – I would have a power surge of doing my own weekly facials (at least), and have great intentions of being vigilant about training mean and eating clean.  I’d make a promise to myself to do a weekly manicure – or at least wash my hair every 2 days!!   And then … a week would pass by and I’d be doing the school run in my nightclothes.  

It’s not that I’ve become overweight or a slob or anything like that.  But I used to be a Type A personality when it came to personal achievement.   I used to be a perfectionist when it came to being run-way ready.   That’s the me I miss. 

So – today … I started afresh with my #HBRMethod bootcamp.   And I’m writing these upcoming blogs just for me.  To document my journey out of the shadows.

With my thoughts, my words, my behaviors and #myhustle!

The Law of Attraction and The Law of Love is one and the same thing ... INLOVE WITH MY BODY

The Law of Attraction and The Law of Love is the same thing.

you ONLY attract what you LOVE.  you ONLY attract that to which you give your constant attention - to which you give your words and emotions.

So - be careful what you say and more importantly, what you FEEL.

Because it is what you FEEL that provides the fuel and the energy to your thoughts and words.  

The beauty of it is - we control what we FEEL.  It is an area which is under our complete control.  Even if we don't realise it.  Even if we don't make a concerted effort to control the feelings we have ... it is so.  And it is these feelings which is the magnetic force attracting people, circumstances and events into our lives and our experience.  And it is so for EVERYONE.  No-one is exempt from this Law.   What we FEEL about, we bring about.  

It's exactly like the Law of Gravity.  it doesn't only work for some people and not for others.   For good people, beautiful people, intelligent people, strong people.   NOPE - it works for everyone.

Take care to manage your feelings.  Turn them around when you're feeling down.   Write in your gratitude journal every single day.   Try to start your day off with this practice.   I PROMISE you that it works.   This energy of gratitude is the same essence as the energy of love.  The energy of your gratitude will generate a stream of loving energy that will magnetise more and more of what you're grateful for.   Write of all the things you LOVE in your life.  Write them every single day and see how the Law of Love - brings you more of what it is that you write about, more of that for which you're grateful.  

This is a trick which I used for the area of my health and my body shape.   I started FEELING really happy and grateful for my awesome body.  Even when what I saw reflected in the mirror was an image I wanted to change.  And I was grateful especially on those days after a hectic binge session of eating and drinking.  I focused on how great my body was FEELING.  My awesome sex-on-legs body.  My ABS growing and growing.  And slowly, slowly - with determined and relentless focus on how I felt about my body and gratitude for what I loved about my body ... I experienced more and more reasons for loving my body.  Perfect circumstances arose where the perfect people spoke to me at the perfect time when I was ready to listen to the perfect message about what it is that I need to do to change my health and my body.  I attracted the perfect personal coach into my life.  One who understood me and one who developed the perfect training program and eating plan.   That's how it works.  I totally believe that it started with my feeling great about my body ... and not the other way around!   I had to love my body first ... before I attracted the perfect circumstances and people at the perfect time.

I LOVE THESE CHEAT MEAL TIPS FOR THE WEEKEND!!

These life-long ‘cheat’ ideas from Marissa Lippert – author of The Cheater’s Diet – works so well for me on a daily basis … it is a MUST share

Eat treats

"Allow for two mouth-watering, indulgent sweets each week," Lippert says. “And focus on quality—a scoop of really great real ice cream, a rich cookie or coffee drink.” Budget about 200 to 300 calories for each.

Dine out

Give yourself two nice “splurge” meals a week. “This is your time to have the non-diet foods you thought were completely off limits—such as slices at your favorite pizzeria, or a filet with mashed potatoes,” she says. The only caveat: Use portion control. Limit yourself to two small slices of pizza with a side salad, order small cuts of meat, and eat just half of creamy, cheesy sides.

Give yourself cocktail tickets

You can still enjoy wine, beer, or a Cosmopolitan—but you’ll need to cut back if you’re trying to lose a pound or two a week. Figure out your weekly average, and cut that by one-fourth; that’s your maximum number of drinks each week.

Savor some chocolate

You can enjoy some every single day: Have two or three tasting squares—about 75 calories worth of chocolate. And buy the really good stuff (explore some brands to try at www.chocosphere.com). “Choose great-tasting chocolate, and you’ll be able to eat smaller amounts and be satisfied,” Lippert says.

Go ahead—add on to your salad

With all the extra toppings, restaurant salads can easily add up to 700, 800, even 900 calories. But who wants a bowl of naked lettuce? Instead, load a plate (not a bowl) with dark greens, some protein to fill you, and whatever fresh fruit and veggies you like. Cheat by adding two or three one-tablespoon servings of the fattening stuff (dried fruit, nuts, seeds, cheese, bacon crumbles, croutons, fried tortilla strips, or avocado). Dress your salad with one tablespoon of a real vinaigrette or oil and vinegar—fat helps satisfy you and unlocks some nutrients in your salad. Now, dig in.

Reach for the breadbasket

If bread is your weakness, eat the best: If the basket on the table is filled with stale, cold slices or squishy sandwich-style stuff, you’ve got a good reason to ask the waiter to take it away: That bread won’t make you happy. But when you’re offered a hearty, artisan loaf with a dense texture and crisp crust, treat yourself to a small slice, says Lippert. Gild it with a teaspoon of olive oil or butter and enjoy every wonderful bite.

Party with a plan

No need to camp out by the crudités during a party. Scan the buffet, making note of your favorite hors d’oeuvres. Go back, and choose only two or three higher-calorie appetizers. (Want chips and dip? Count out seven chips, and dip—don’t scoop—into the guacamole.) Fill up on veggies and fresh fruit, and save room for one sweet treat at the end. You deserve it!

MY MAMA SAID THAT THERE'LL BE DAYS LIKE THIS! KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!!

some days are really goddamn awful.  like today ... when I've just spent two hours writing a blog post and now I've gone and lost it!  My shitty techno skills!!

Of course, I shouldn't be saying this either because when you #sayit - you're in the creation process.  And i'm so screwed if my techno skills get any worse!

Based on my #lifeplan (see pic) ... i am a techno genius.  but today is challenging.  Today I'm struggling to #keepthefaith

Fortunately I have Sarah and #mycrew in #HBRmethod!!  

I am reminded that on a day like today I have to go back to basics and #getgrateful.  And I have so many things for which to be grateful.  James, my business, my home, my great body, my kids are healthy and super intelligent, I have powerful thoughts and I have a great lawyer ... the list is endless.

#trusttheprocess - so I KNOW - even though I have to suspend my thinking for a bit ... and just trust that the frustration I'm feeling today ... hell ... these past 3 weeks - is just part of the process.

My admin and techno skills have been an area of HUGE inattention.  I have paperwork in places where there should be none.  I've only JUST made an effort to get a much needed business tool ... INSTAGRAM!!  (cue my 13yr old son).   What took me an entire Saturday to NOT figure out - he did in a few seconds!  OMG! how did I let myself go like this?

BUT ... HBRmethod teaches to not beat myself up over this tardiness.  the only thing that matters is what i'm doing NOW.  I'm taking action now!!

so - as I would advise a client who is eg: trying to shed a good few kilos:

* don't beat yourself up.  dont be embarrassed by the extra kilos and that you've let yourself go.  Celebrate that you've finally woken from your coma and that you're taking action.

* keep the end goal in sight no matter what (for me: keep seeing my colourful files all in a neat row.  my orderly life on display)

* prepare all your meals beforehand. so that you don't fall off the tracks when you're hungry and grab junk food for convenience (for me: draw up a finely tuned 'to do list' so that when the shit hits the fan with kids, gym, dogs and life in general ... I can always consult my 'to do list' to determine how well i'm progressing OR NOT!!)

* eat five small meals every day so that you're never starving and will not need a quick fix sugar rush to assuage your flagging willpower (for me: this means taking small intervals in my busy day to deal with emails, immediate filing ... and like NOW rewriting my lost blog update and posting immediately)

* even on bad days ie: the all to common fat days ... just keep on keeping on.  get back up and continue.   it's not 'starting' over!!   fat days are just part of the journey - NOT THE END OF IT.   and when you know that ... getting up is easier (for me: when my husband craps all over me because i've missed a bill payment and now the electricity's cut or i've not put everything back in his well ordered kitchen ... then it's just part of my journey.  And right now ... I'll pay those bills and pack the coffee with the coffee and not with the dishwashing liquid).

* some days you're not going to want to train and eat healthily.   do it anyway.  just dig deep and DO IT! (for me: it's deciding that 'today I'll fasten my ass to this chair and get this shit off my desk').


*Know that these days are merely a test from the Universe and that she (and she is a SHE) wants to see how much you're prepared to #hustle in order to change your life, change yourself, manifest your dream.

even on days like today when it feels like the Universe is taking a looooonnngg nap and leaving everything up to me --- i just have to BELIEVE that she's watching my every move and feeling so proud.

even on days like today when i want to shout out 'WTF - I thought that you said you'd have my back!!!!'   ... I must #trusttheprocess and #trusther

BUT on days like today - I wish that she'd wake from her nap!

because I'm running on empty ...

Throwing spaghetti at the wall and farting against thunder ...

This is what #thehustle feels like on a good day!!!  

Do it anyway.

Day after day, month after month - #thehustle will feel like everything you're doing is to no avail.  If you're looking for that amazing job and you're sending out job application after job application after job application, and all you're getting in return are rejection letters!   Keep doing THAT!

If you're looking for Mr Right and keep going on date after date after date, bringing your A game, and all you're getting in return are toads!  Keep doing THAT!

One day ... when you're at the end of your tether and STILL doing, never giving up - the Universe will honour your efforts and that's when MAGIC happens.

But ... you have to #Hustle and #nevergiveup.  keep on throwing spaghetti and farting against thunder.

The Universe has your back when you keep #thehustle strong!!  

Law of Attraction with a twist - #ManifestingMagic

I meditate because I breathe because I meditate because I breathe ...

One morning - not long after I started the #HBR bootcamp, I was doing my morning meditation when I had this powerful thought about how I could manifest the coolest thing on my #FutureBoard.  The picture of Adriana Lima boxing! 

In the past I'd contributed to articles in various magazines ... and I had the fabulous idea of contacting Fight Club SA and suggesting a mutually beneficial agreement.  Wild horses couldn't have stopped me from writing an email to Fight Club immediately!  This is what Sarah Centrella calls #TheHustle. The action we have to take to make things happen.  

I had already decided that I'll be documenting this journey for publication in magazines and, through this process of achieving my goals from my #FutureBoard, I'd be representing the phenomenal results from doing a boxing bootcamp too.  To my incredible surprise Rudi at Fight Club SA said 'yes' to my proposal.  

So this week has been powerful beyond measure!!  #TheHustle is hard.  Taking action to make our dreams a reality IS HARD!!  Creating a dream life is not for sissies.  

My #hustle this week ...