Category: Life

Grounded African is 1 year old!!!

I cannot believe that it has been a year since I took the plunge and started my blog.  Every word written has been a joy (published and unpublished).  I had a look at my stats the other day and was floored at how inactive I have been.  I will have to remedy that ASAP 🙂 I must also say thank you to all of you for your support, your encouragement and feedback.   You have made a huge impact in my world 🙂

The past year has been quite a journey.  With tons of research on blogging, SEO and the like under my belt, I feel like I am ready to take it to the next level.  This new digital world is so fascinating.  Besides,“A goal without a plan is just a wish”.  according to Antoine de Saint-Exupery.  A plan needs action to reach that goal so enough reading and planning and time to start doing.

I have also had a few queries about blogging and how to go about it so  I thought I would share some of the learnings I have had  over the past year.

Blogging is a cool place to start getting your feet wet in the world of writing.  If you are still trying to find your voice, this is a good place to start.  I have found WordPress quite easy to use but it can be quite limiting if you are not looking to spend too much money on your blog right now.  If you don’t want to be limited, then it is best to find a host and use the wordpress software to create your blog.  It does come at a price though.

Blogs are not the only place online to practice your writing.  I have enjoyed writing on Quora and Medium as well.  You can follow me on these sites as well. No matter where you write though, if you are looking to grow a following, you need to write fairly often (no less than once a week) and interact with other writers and readers on the sites.

There are lots of writers and books out there that are worth getting your hands on.  The ones i have found most useful are:

  • On Writing by Stephen King  (a great autobiography and loads of writing tips)
  • The Elements of Style by William Stunk jr (highly recommended by Stephen King)
  • You are a writer by Jeff Goins
  • Starting a successful blog by Gundi Gabrielle  A very useful book. In fact her entire beginner marketing series is full of handy tips and tricks.  She also has a proven method of achieving “number 1 seller” status as a self publisher on Amazon.  All her books have achieved that status if I am not mistaken.

There are a few more that I have read as well but I found these to be most helpful.  By the way, a lot of good books are found on Amazon.  Don’t despair if you don’t have a kindle.  You can simply download that app on your phone or tablet and read your books on there.

The most important lesson I have learned is to devise a schedule and stick to it in order to be consistent.

There is definitely loads more to learn but, like I said earlier, it’s time to start doing.   I’ll learn as I go.  Looking forward to another year of writing and sharing my world and the lessons that come with living in it.  Thanks again for your support.

“But the highest rung of what’s possible is far beyond the world you can see…” Trevor Noah

I have just been listening to Oprah’s chat with Trevor Noah during her Super Soul Sunday podcast.  For years I have been fascinated by and enjoyed the comedy of Trevor Noah.  I don’t see him as a comedian though, I see him as a storyteller whose stories make us laugh.  I never imagined though that he would climb so high that he would break the South African ceiling and ascend to the world’s stage.  I never imagined but I did hope.

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on his book when it was released in the hope of getting some insight into the life experience that gave rise to these stories and it did not disappoint. I guess as a Coloured person I saw him as one of “us”  and, technically, by the old government’s definition, he is.  His upbringing though was very different and in a lot of ways unique, so his life experience was unique.  It was as though he is born to walk straddling two worlds at a time.  I know that sounds strange so let me explain what I mean.  He is neither white nor black but grew up as a black person.  He was treated differently even within his own family because his skin was lighter.  This led to very unique experiences for him as a child.  Now he is a South African (and a proud one at that) living in New York and hosting a top-rated American show once again allowing him to experience the world from a unique point of view.  I guess we all do but this guy…eish…his experiences seem to be the stuff of legend.  Ok Ok I exaggerate but you know what I mean 🙂

I am in awe of Trevor Noah for various other reasons as well though.

  • He is authentic- He has no airs and graces.  He is always true to his roots.
  • He has integrity – when he was first called by Jon Stewart and invited to the US, he turned him down because he was in the middle of a tour and didn’t want to disappoint his fans.
  • He works hard– not just on the daily show.  on everything.  He puts 100% into everything he does.
  • He is passionate about what he does – I love his Trump rants especially..lol
  • He gives back – He has just launched the Trevor Noah foundation but that’s not all.  Before he became an international sensation, he was touring South Africa with up and coming local comedians using his notoriety to raise theirs.
  • He is wise – he views the world from a different perspective to most of us and, together with the wisdom his mom has handed to him, he has gained insight about the world that has led him to model behaviours and make decisions that have led him to where he is today.

I truly hope that he is working on part two of his book.  I don’t know about you but I am dying to know how he went from becoming a stand-up comedian to the host of The Daily Show.  He has done a ton of travelling in between so I can only imagine the stories he has to tell.  I can’t wait.  (Please release the next episode sooner rather than  later Trevor!)

There is no way Trevor Noah has reached the top rung of his ladder yet.  There is definitely more beyond the world that he can currently see.  May he continue to rise.

What I love most about Trevor’s story though is that it is a reminder that anything is possible if you work hard.  It’s a reminder that you don’t have to come from a rich family to achieve.  It’s a reminder that we are all capable of greatness. We just have to believe while we work at it. It’s not gonna happen overnight, but it can and will happen.  Don’t give up.  Keep on rising.

I’ll leave with another of Trevor’s pearls of wisdom…

“Progression, in my opinion, is often identifying shortcomings – whether it’s views or the things you’re doing in your life, your relationships – and trying to find the places where you improve on those.” ~ Trevor Noah

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5 life lessons to keep me moving forward

At the beginning of this year I promised myself that I would make some changes so that I could move closer to achieving the goals that I set for myself. You see, I had made a conscious decision to put my plans on hold over the last 2 years for various reasons. I have no regrets but I have also learned a few valuable lessons through the experience.

Lesson #1: Pay yourself first

The financial gurus always tell you this and, as a woman and as a mother especially, I find it hard to do so. It’s like we are preprogrammed to give of ourselves and never take. I have learned that I need to pay myself first not only financially but also physically because poor health doesn’t help me or anyone else. Of course I have to pay myself emotionally because being a woman requires an inner strength of note. It’s easier and quicker to replenish that strength before it is depleted and not after. Lastly, I have to keep my spiritual self in balance as well. Life is so much easier when you know you have a higher power on your side. This is a tough one but a lesson I had to learn. It’s not selfish, it’s as necessary as living and breathing.

Lesson #2: Not everything you do will be appreciated. Do it anyway

Those people who know me well, know that I like to give of myself and of the little that I have. I love to see the delight on people’s faces especially when you surprise them with an unexpected little gift or compliment or act. Sometimes all it takes is a smile to light up someone’s day. This helps me replenish my spiritual and emotional self. My only expectation has always been that you either pay it forward or that you help yourself move forward. It breaks my heart when that doesn’t happen but I have learned that I should do it with no expectations of the recipient. Of course I also won’t do it indefinitely if I see that you are merely abusing my kindness. That would just be stupid on my part. I will continue to do it anyway though because I don’t know what the knock on effect could be. It might not be visible to me right now but I am a firm believer in everything happening for a reason.

Lesson #3: I do things differently and that’s ok.

I have spent my whole life lambasting myself for not fitting in. There are very few people in this world that “get me” and accept me as I am. You know what…that’s ok. I view the world differently. I am a “deep” thinker and not a “quick” thinker. Don’t tell me a story now and ask for my opinion. I will probably stare at you blankly. I often need time to process what I have taken in and when I do give you an answer, it will be worth the wait. I am an introvert. I actually love that I am. I love that I don’t have to be part of the hustle and bustle of life 24/7. I don’t have to be on social media constantly (although I do admit to a mild addiction to Twitter in particular 😜) I am different and that’s ok. It actually feels like I have taken a load off every time I write that. Wait gotta do it again…I am different and that’s ok. 😁

Lesson #4: I am enough

This one stems from lesson #3. It’s not enough to just accept that I am different. I am also enough as I am. I don’t need to be better than everyone else at everything. I just need to work at getting better at things that I need for everyday and for the future. At work we set “stretching” goals for ourselves every year in different areas so that we are continuously growing ourselves as people, our skills and ultimately the business. That’s all I need to do in life to keep myself challenged, moving forward and growing as a person. I am enough as I am but God has given me the capacity to keep growing so who am I to say no.

Lesson #5: Travel is a gift to yourself. Give it.

I love traveling to new places and doing different things. I especially love exposing my son to new places and people and then watch him grow because of the experiences he has had. This is one of the items that was put on hold over the last two years that I need to get back on track. My trips overseas this year reminded me of what an exciting experience it is. The exposure to new cultures helps me look at the world through different eyes. Even a trip within the country is enough to get perk the brain up😁. I am so excited just thinking about it! I can’t wait for us to go on our first trip!

As always, I leave you with an African proverb to ponder on…

#Africanproveb #Life #lifelessons #groundedafrican

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