THE YEAR THAT WAS - 2012

AROUND THE WORLD

   President Barack Obama's re-election not only pleased American citizens who voted for him, but it pleased most of the watching world. It could be said that the world wanted the fairy tale, that started when he was elected the first black US President, to continue. Everybody loves fairy tales.

   The African continent had even more reasons to delighted at Obama's second term win. This American President is the closest in blood relations(his father was born in Kenya) to the African continent. He is our man in Washington(DC).

IN SOUTH AFRICA

   Locally the story of the year for us has to be the heroics of our Olympic team at the London 2012 Olympics. Be it the swimmers(Chad Le Clos - 200m butterfly gold & 100m butterfly silver, and Cameron Van der Berg - 100m breaststroke gold), the coxless lightweight rowing team(Sizwe Ndlovu, James Thompson, Matthew Brittain and John Smith - gold), Caster Semenya(800m sprint silver), or Bridgitte Hartley(kayak single 500m bronze), all these guys made us really proud to be South Africans. These athletes flew our national flag well and high in foreign lands. 

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

   The publishing of our Feel Good Movement blog book - FEELING GOOD : The best from 
the Feel Good Movement blog - PART 1 - was a personal highlight this year. It was an achievement that made me truly believe that dreams do come true. After pulling off this goal - in only 9 months from start to finish - I now fully subscribe to every motivational speaker's mantra, "You can achieve anything if you set your mind to it". Hence my subsequent '1 Million Books Sold' target for this book's sales.

   The start to this '1 Million' target, which is now my second BIG dream, has been slow admittedly. In the past 8 months since the book's publication, I have only sold 57 books(an average of 7 books per month). But I am not discouraged. These 57 books are the first step of the fabled journey of a thousand miles. Like the book dream, this sales dream will, too, come to pass.

                                      =============================

ON THAT NOTE, MAY I WISH ALL FGM BLOG READERS A HAPPY XMAS AND A PROSPEROUS 2013.

                                         ======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU JUMP UP AND DOWN WITH JOY IN 2012?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

===============================

             

The DREAMS DO COME TRUE Tour - Part 9, Nedbank - Protea Gardens mall

   On arrival I was fortunate to find at least one staff member - Bongani - waiting outside the premises before opening time. I had then taken the initiative to make some small talk with him. This chat to a staff member - who was going to be part of the audience - helped a great deal in calming my nervousness. 

   I know that after having done 8 of such talks already, nerves should not be a factor anymore. But the reality, in my case, is that I do still get butterflies in my stomach before addressing a new group. I think these nerves before addressing a group are a form of stage fright. I have heard some performers say even after many shows they still cannot get over it.

   The motivational talk itself went well, I think. During the talk one or two staff members would nod their heads in agreement with some of my points. And this I found very reassuring. The biggest confidence booster, however, was seeing my newly found friend - Bongani - in the audience. Each time I looked in his direction he had this half-smile on his face. It was like he was saying(with this half smile):  "You are doing ok. Keep going ".

                                           Some Thank Yous   

sis Lorraine(the Manager) - For saying yes to my request.

Nedbank staff(bo-bra Robert et al) - For giving me your attention. 

                                 ==========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                   =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

                   

     

       

                             

                

The DREAMS DO COME TRUE Tour - Part 8, Old Mutual - Protea Gardens mall

   I have not done one of these talks in a longish time. And I did kind of miss being in front of a live audience. It felt good to be back.

   This talk at Old Mutual(O/M) turned out to be a lively one. Most O/M staff at this branch happened to be strongly into self-improvement stuff like yours truly. They were telling me about how they read and visualize their goals; how they use vision boards, etc. I was pleasantly surprised, needless to say.

   I was there to give a talk on goal achievement, but this encounter was close to being a round table discussion on achieving our goals. In addition to my tips, we also talked about the challenges  we each faced when using certain goal achievement techniques.

   This movement towards bettering ourselves, whose small signs I witnessed here at this O/M branch, I hope takes a big and firm root here in South Africa. Because, from my personal experience, there are a few things that can beat the feeling of achieving a big DREAM(or big goal). From here it will then be a short distance to us becoming a nation of doers.

                                           Some Thank Yous 

- sis Bongi(The Manager) - for agreeing to try out our brand of motivation.

- O/M staff(bo-Jeanet, bo-Mpho et al) - for warmly hosting me.

                                   ======================== 

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                    =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

               

     

       

                              

    

"Everybody is Writing a Book These Days"

Commented a friend recently.

   She was referring to the plethora of books by local celebrities that are being published these days. In particular, she was talking about books written by people who are not writers per se. That is, people who do not earn their living from writing. 

   Indeed when one looks around it does seem as if everyone who is anybody has a book out. There is the socialite - Khanyi Mbau - with her "Bitch, please! I'am Khanyi Mbau"(ghost written by Lesley Mofokeng). Gareth Cliff - the 5FM breakfast show host and DJ - had his book( Gareth Cliff on Everything) published last year. Anele Mdoda - the 94.7 Highveld Stereo drive time show host - is featured in a series of pocket-sized books called 'The Youngsters'. Her book is entitled - "It Feels Wrong to Laugh, But...." and is edited by Mandy Wiener.  In this 'Youngsters' series there is also a book by Danny K - the singer. The latest  to have her book published is Redi Tlhabi - the 702 talk show host. Hers is called - "Endings & Beginnings: A story of Healing"          

   I told my friend that this proliferation of books by people in the public eye, even if ghost written as some are, is something good. This may just kick start a reading revolution here in Mzansi. After reading these books by people they admire, the man in the street will be tempted to try books by bona fide writers.

   This growth in the reading audience will encourage people who love to write to write more books. In fact, this growth will encourage everyone to try their hand at writing a book. I told my friend to give it a bash herself. Why ever not?

                                ================================= 

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                          =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

                            

     

       

                               

That Time of the Year Again

   This is a song we must never stop singing.         

             "We condemn violence against anyone. In even stronger terms, we condemn violence against the most vulnerable members of the society - women and children."

   Today marks the start - worldwide - of the 16 days of activism for 'No Violence Against Women and Children' campaign. This campaign is conducted from 25th November to 10th December every year. And this year's theme is entitled, "From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let's Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women".

   For our part - as men - there are two simple things we can do. Firstly, we should wear a white ribbon for the duration of this 16 days period. With this ribbon we will be telling the world that we are for peace. Peace between genders, to be precise. We will also be saying that we will never initiate violence against our partners and our children. Nor will we condone violence meted out to these members of our society.

   Secondly, we should start conversations amongst ourselves about all forms of abuse. Abuse does not only refer to the physical violent type. Intimate-partner  violence, for example, refers to "emotional, spiritual, physical, sexual and financial abuse between people who are intimate"(Mail & Guardian,22nd June 2012). And this violence, in most cases, is perpetrated by men towards their female partners.

   The more men and boys talk about the subject of intimate-partner violence, the more this scourge will receive the attention it deserves. Maybe even 365 days a year.

                                       =========================== 

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                          =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

                            

     

       

                                      

Some Vindication to Ntate Patrice Motsepe's Faith

   The soccer pundits have been predicting the firing of the coach for a while now. The fans have violently demanded it also. But it has not happened. Johan Neeskens is still the coach of Mamelodi Sundowns.

   Neeskens should have long been gone, they argue, because Sundowns has not started the 2012/2013 Premier Soccer League season very well. The team is lying at the bottom of the PSL log as we write this. And this should not be the case when one considers that Sundowns is arguably the richest club in the PSL, and that its players are some of the highest paid locally. The club is owned by mining magnate and billionaire - Patrice Motsepe. 

   But despite this seeming non-performance by the coach and the players, Motsepe has remained calm. He has kept faith in his coach to the surprise of all and sundry.

   And last night - as if to say there is method to Motsepe's madness - Sundowns made it to the final of the Telkom Cup by beating its Pretoria rival - Supersport United - by one goal to nil. Now there is a distinct possibility that the worst performing team in the PSL - on current standings - may go on to win one of the major local knockout competitions.

   If Mamelodi Sundowns do end up winning the Telkom Cup, this win will no doubt act as a catalyst for reviving their PSL campaign. More importantly, though, the win will vindicate the owner's confidence in the coach and his players. 

   Ntate Motsepe's bahaviour is exemplary. This trait of not pressing the panic buttons, and giving coaches space and time to do their thing when the going gets tough, is what we need more of locally, even at national level. 

                                     ==============================  

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                          =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

                            

     

       

         

              

       

'A 2nd One For Obama', For Sure.

   The American people have spoken. They have said they want him at the helm for another four years. 

   We join the chorus from around the world in congratulating President Barack Obama for winning a second term in office. Obama won the USA 2012 Presidential election by defeating his Republican Party rival - Mitt Romney - in both the College Vote(332 to 206) and the popular vote(by a small margin of 74 000 votes) this past Tuesday(6th Nov).

   To say the battle for the White House for Obama was bruising is an understatement. His rival - Mitt Romney - and his party waged a war of attrition against Obama and his Democrats. Every little shortcoming of his in the past four years was magnified and multiplied for campaigning purposes. Whether it was the sluggish recovery of the US economy(and its attendant still high unemployment rate), or his less than good performance in the first Presidential debate, all of these and more were used to paint a picture of a President who is not up to it.

   In the end these negative tactics - some truly unsavoury(birth certificate issue, for one) - did not help the Tea Party Movement's cause. The majority of American citizens shouted back:

                              "We want him back all the same." 

   That Barack Obama's dream for a second term in the White House became a reality - he is only the 2nd Democratic Party President(after Bill Clinton) to retain the White House since World War II - also serves to re-inspire some of us in our personal capacity. The dreams that his first victory four years ago inspired, which may have fallen by the wayside, must now be dusted off. We must pursue these afresh, because DREAMS DO COME TRUE. 

                                       ==========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                         =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

                            

     

       
      



            

A Campaign for Men by Men

   I have a moustache already. So it is not going to be difficult for me to join the Movember Movement this month. 

   If you are a man, you are urged to grow a moustache this month. This is a plea from the Movember Movement. Movember wants all men to grow moustaches every year in November. This is in an attempt to raise awareness about two cancers - testicular and prostate - that afflict men the most.

   Movember says men should not only go for regular check ups so that such cancers can be detected early, but they want men to actively raise funds for donation towards research into these afflictions.

   Ladies - mothers, sisters, lovers, etc - are not left out of this campaign. They are asked to support and sponsor this growing of moustaches in November by the men in their lives.

   Contrary to the stereotypical view - perpetuated by men themselves also - that we have a strong biological make up and therefore do not get sick as easily, our constitutions do have inherent weaknesses. Being 'macho' about our health as men is so 20th century.

   So 'big up' to Movember.

                                       =========================      

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                         =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

                            

     

       
      

The Pleasures of Commune Living

   So you don't have sugar. No problem. Go to the family staying in the garage and they will give you some sugar. No cooking oil also? Don't sweat. Try the family living in the 'mmesonite' construction behind the house.

   These are some of the benefits of staying in a commune Protea South(my 'kasi') style. If you have run out of stuff and you are not able to buy it right away( or, frankly, you do not have the money to do so now), it is not a shame to go ask your neighbour to help you out.

   One of the main features of Protea South is the presence of 'madala' houses. These are big and old houses that were once owned by the municipality(and used to house white folks in the past). In these houses you now find 3 to 4 families sharing the house. And these 4 families (or so) are not the only ones living in the yard. There maybe one or two 'mekhukhu'(shacks) also in the same yard. 

   This set up is the best demonstration of the concept of 'ubuntu'('I am because of others'). You cannot say no to a genuine request for help, because living in such close proximity to other families means that you are bound to ask for a favour too at some stage in the future. It could be a small thing like needing someone to help you push your car if it doesn't start.

   Living like this is secure too. Not in the sense that someone is guarding you. But you can count on your yard neighbours to come to your aid when someone tries to burgle your house/room at night. And mercy to that burglar if they are ever apprehended.

   And the negatives? Not too many to be a big deal. After all, this close living is how we are brought up in the African culture.

   Having said that, I must admit that the loud music/noise situation is uncontrollable sometimes. It becomes a 'free-for-all' kind of at times, where you have hip-hop versus shangaan music vs 'dipina tsa Basotho'. In this mix you add people who want no noise because they are watching TV or reading a book. But one cannot complain too much at such chaos. This is commune living. You take the good with the bad. 

                                  =====================================  

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

                            

     

         

         

      

Guilty As Charged Indeed

   A sense of relief.

   We are relieved that  our legal system in this instance lived up to its promise to treat everyone equally.

   We say this in the wake of the guilty verdict in the case of musician Jub Jub Maarohanye and his friend Themba Tshabalala. After a very lengthy trial - running for two and half years - these two were finally found guilty of murder on four accounts and of attempted murder on two other accounts. The case arose from an accident in 2010 in which the cars driven by the two veered off the road and  slammed into a group of students, killing four students and severely injuring two others.

   The length of time it took to finally arrive at the verdict had given rise to fears that Jub Jub might get away with murder literally, because he is a well known musician. We had feared that his money - in the form of expensive lawyers - might just allow him to escape justice.

   The trial was not about whether someone likes Jub Jub or not. It was about the facts of the matter. And the facts are that a drag race on a public road by Jub Jub and Themba - who were both under the influence of drugs and alcohol - resulted in an accident that led to four pupils losing their lives and two others being maimed. Even as a friend of Jub Jub, you cannot argue with these facts. Justice had to be done.

   The man in the street will sleep easier, knowing that the judicial system in our country is fair.  Celebrity or not, we are all equal before the law.

                                     ============================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                         =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

                            

     

         

         

The Courage a 14-Year-Old Girl

   Our hearts go out to Malala Yousufzai and her family. 

Malala is the 14-year-old school girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban Islamic militants in Pakistan . That she survived this attempt on her life is a true miracle.

   All Malala did was simply stand up for her right(and that of her fellow Paskistani girls) to an education. The Taliban militants are vehemently opposed to girls being educated. They are so opposed to education of girls that at some stage in the past - when they controlled this north western part of Pakistan where Malala lives - they burnt down schools for girls.

   The real threat to world peace is not Iran and its nuclear capabilities. Nor is it Syria with its chemical weapons. The real threat to the modern world is the Taliban and its archaic thinking towards women(who comprise half of the world's population).

   Once again we say:

                                                        SAY NO

                                                      _________

 Say 'no'.

NO.

Say 'no' to violence.

'No' to violence against women.

'No' to violence against children.

Say 'Yes'.

YES.

'Yes' to 16 days activism.

'Yes' to activism for those most vulnerable.

Stand firm.

Stand firm against domestic violence.

Stand firm against spousal abuse.

Say 'Stop'.

STOP.

Say 'Stop' to violence against anyone.

Say 'Stop' especially,

To violence against women and children.

An injury to one woman,

An injury to one child,

Is an injury to all of us.

Say 'No'.

NO.

Say 'No'.

NO.

======================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                         =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

                            

     

         

                  

An Insight Into the LGBTI Community. Thanks 'Aza'.

   Now we know who is a 'Stella McCartney' in LGBTI speak. This is someone who will steal your stuff if you ever date them.
   This past week we got to know about this term and others as used by the LGBTI(Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans-gendered & Inter-sexed)  community amongst themselves, thanks to Metro FM's  Azania 'Aza' Mosaka. For most of the week, during her 'Total Bliss' show(9am to 12 midday), 'Aza'  interviewed several prominent members of the LGBTI community here in Gauteng. She was doing these interviews in an attempt to highlight the plight of this community ahead of their Joburg Pride march(that took place yesterday - Saturday 6th).
   The Gay and Lesbian community is routinely victimized in some townships. If the lesbians are not raped in order to 'cure' them, they are murdered. Or both. All of this because they are homosexual. 
   By bringing a few members of this community on air 'Aza' was saying - in a way - that she is fully behind them. And this is a stance that should be adopted by all South Africans. Prejudice against someone because of their sexual orientation is the same as discriminating against someone because of the colour of their skin. There is not much you can do about your skin colour. Just as much as there is nothing you can do about your sexual orientation. 
   The highlight of this series of interviews was no doubt the final one(done on Friday 5th). 'Aza' interviewed the king of the LGBTIs himself - Somizi Mhlongo. In a no holds bared interview Somizi told us about his 'uku guzuka'(bruises) on this road to making people(fellow Africans in particular) accept him the way he is. Loved how he started this interview by saying, "People must not phone in and ask me why I am gay. This is 2012."

                                         ========================      

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                         =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

                            

     

         
                  

A Street Named Steve Biko

   As the preamble of our constitution declares - "South Africa belongs to all those who live in it..." , so it should be with the naming of our streets, our airports, our highways etc. These should named after all those who fought for the liberation of our country. And not just after those of one particular organization.
   So it was really pleasing to see the city of Cape Town renaming of one of the main streets in Gugulethu - the  NY 1 - to Steve Biko Drive. Steve Bantu Biko may not be here to see the free South Africa, but his contribution to bringing it about was immense. 
   Biko taught us to love ourselves as black people. He said if you love yourself nobody can make you feel inferior. It is also generally acknowledged that the Black Consciousness Movement(BCM) philosophy was one of the main drivers of the Soweto student uprising of 1976, an event which proved to be one of the turning points in the liberation struggle to free South Africa. The student leaders of this '76 generation were mostly members of SASO(South African Students Organization) - an organization that preached 'black consciousness' and whose first president was Steve Biko. 
   Now that the city of Cape Town has shown the way, can we hear it for my city of Johannesburg. Can we also hear it for the capital city - Pretoria. The Robert Sobukwes, the Tsietsi Mashininis are waiting.

                                      =========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                        =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

                            

     

         
      

Soweto's Third Giant Awakens

   Moroka Swallows 'The Birds' Football Club - one of the original three Soweto football heavyweights(the other two being Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs) - is back. This they announced loudly last night when they beat Supersport FC by two goals to one in the MTN 8 Final. Bennett Chenene starred for Swallows by scoring the winning goal with just 4 minutes to go before the end of the game.

   The comeback from wilderness by 'The Birds' started last season(2011/2012) under the then coach Gordon Igesund. And it seems to be continuing at full speed this season(2012/2013) under  their new coach - Zeca Marques. Last season they came agonizingly close to winning the Premier Soccer League title. The title chase - which had become a two horse race between Swallows and Orlando Pirates towards the end of the season - was won by Pirates in the very last game of the league.    

   For the lovers of the local game this rise again by Moroka Swallows is fantastic news. Now we are going to have more than one Soweto derby. In addition to the Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs   

one, there is now also going to be the Pirates vs Swallows one(the original Soweto derby, so they tell us bo - mafikizolo i.e. batho ba Chiefs), and the Chiefs vs Swallows one.

   In this excitement about the Soweto giants, we have not forgotten the two Pretoria giants - Mamelodi Sundowns and Supersport United(the defeated finalist in yesterday's MTN 8 Final). In addition to each region's derbies, sparks are going to fly whenever these five current hot teams(by our own humble assessment) play each other. Potentially there are now going to be at least 20 games( excluding cup games) which will be 'must sees' in the PSL this season(2012/2013).    

   These are exciting times indeed for local football.

                                 ============================ 

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                        =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

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Bafana Bafana Slowly Bringing Back The Joy

   It is early days, we know. After all, it is only two games into the tenure of the new national coach - Gordon Igesund. A not so bad 0-1 loss to football heavyweight - Brazil - in the Brazil's own backyard(Sao Paulo), and a 2-0 defeat of  Mozambique here at home is all we are going by.

   But it still looks like our national soccer team - Bafana Bafana - is slowly getting its groove back. Mr Igesund seems to have brought back the spark to the team that was missing in the final games under his predecessor.

   With the Africa Nations Cup(Afcon) just around the corner (in January 2013), and us due to host this tournament, it is starting to feel like those days back in 1996 when Clive Barker was the national coach. The days when Bafana Bafana annexed the Afcon for us for the first time, during our hosting of it. The days of bo-'Shoes' Moshoeu, Mark Williams, Eric Tinkler and Mark Fish. The days when we worshiped the ground on which Bafana walked.

   There is still be some way to go however, with more friendly games to be played, before we can start dreaming about an Afcon win. The coach himself - though happy with Bafana's performance in his first two games in charge - has acknowledged that this Bafana team is not a finished product yet. But the new attitude from the players, plus the fresh faces in the team, have given us great hope ahead of the Afcon tournament next year.

   We can win this thing, guys.

                                          =====================

    

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                        =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

                            
     

"There You Are Ms Terry Pheto, At Last"

   "For a second, we thought we were never going to ever see you on our TV screens. It had been a while since you left these shores to go to Los Angeles(USA) to make your mark. You departed sometime last year, I think.

   But we should not have despaired, as your countrymen and fans. Because this past Tuesday(4th September) you finally appeared on our TV screens. You made your debut on 'The Bold & The Beautiful' soap opera. And in this episode, in which you appeared on 'B & B' for the first time, you came across very well my sister. You carried the Dr Malaika Maponya(heart surgeon from South Africa) character admirably. And I have no doubt this episode of your debut was watched by millions of fellow South Africans, including  non-soapie people like us.

   Needless to say, this Tuesday of your first appearance on 'B & B' was a milestone in the South African acting industry. Your fairy tale acting story continues at full speed, it seems. It was just the other day when you and fellow 'TSOTSI' film actors won an Oscar(for Best Foreign Film). Today here you are in the esteemed company of bo-Ridge and Stephanie Forrester, bo-Brooke Logan et al, in the 'B & B'.

   Who would have imagined that a girl from Soweto could reach such heights in the international acting world. But you probably did picture something similar about your acting career. Otherwise you would have not embarked on this acting journey. It is all about having BIG DREAMS after all.

   One last thing. The accent you are using, is it supposed to be that of a black South African? It sounded very strange even to our South African ears. I could not actually hear what you were saying in places. I mean I have spoken to you before( you probably don't remember, it was way back before you started making waves) and you don't speak English like that. I know TV producers tend to assign accents based on the actor's ethnicity.

   In the final analysis though, you represented Mzansi well, ausi."

                                      =========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                        =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

                            

Pastor Mosa Sono In Fine Form This Past Sunday

   Arguably one of the best sermons I have ever heard him deliver since I started attending Grace Bible Church. This past Sunday Pastor Sono was in his element during the 9.00am service.

   The subject of the sermon was about staying on to finish the race, even when your fellow runners have long tired of running. Pastor Sono implored us to stay and finish the course in the service of the Lord. If we do, we will be richly rewarded.

   He gave an example of the well known evangelist - Billy Graham. When Billy Graham started in the ministry there were two other preachers who were also starting out. These two gentlemen, it was generally agreed at the time, were going to make a big impact in the evangelical field. They were considered future superstars.

   But along the way these two future stars fizzled out. Because of one reason or another these two contemporaries of Billy Graham could not stay the course. In the end, of the three preachers who started out together, Billy Graham was the the only man left standing. He had shown true commitment to the cause of evangelism. And this is probably why today we are more aware of Billy Graham and his work, than we are aware of the two other gentlemen who started with him.

   The delivery and the content of this sermon were from the top drawer. Not to mention the Pastor's singing(on occasion). This was inspiration at its finest.

                                  =============================          

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                        =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

            




                        

Oscar 'Wa Rona' Is Going To The London Olympics

Our wish has been granted, ladies and gentlemen.

   Oscar 'Blade Runner' Pristorius has been included in the South African team of athletes going to the London Olympics.

   In our post last year about Oscar - ''Oscar 'The Blade Runner' Making It At Last"(a post that is also in our book - FEELING GOOD) - we had been happy for him  when he finally managed to run an Olympic qualifying time(of sub-45.30 secs) in a 400m race meet. We had then expressed our wish for him to make the South African Olympic team (by being able to run a second sub-45.30 secs time in another 400m race meet, as it was required by our athletic sports authorities). We felt that as someone trying to make history by being the first disabled athlete to take part in the able-bodied Olympics, Oscar needed all the support he can get. 

   As it later turned out, however, Oscar was never able to run another sub-45.30 secs time in a 400m race. He had tried really hard to run this sub-45.30 secs time again in  several meets leading up to London, but without success. In his last failed attempt, Oscar himself had admitted 

defeat( The Citizen, 5th July 2012).

   It was a pleasant surprise, therefore, to hear that our athletic sports bodies(Athletics South Africa and Sascoc) had included Oscar in the SA team, despite him not qualifying for inclusion in the strict sense of the word. 

   We see Oscars's inclusion in the SA Olympic team as a form of reward by the SA athletic sports authorities for his brave attempts to qualify for the able-bodied athletes Olympics. We think this inclusion is also a reward from God and the Universe. One's hard work and sacrifices in trying to achieve a dream are never in vain. The payoff can come in unexpected ways.

                                 =============================          

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                        =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

========             

The DREAMS DO COME TRUE(DDCT) Tour - Part 7, Pick'n Pay(Protea North)

   This was the first time I had ventured into the supermarket worker territory. This industry is heavily unionized. For example, from the beginning to the finish of arranging this DDCT talk, I only dealt with union(saccawu) shop stewards, as opposed to management like it was the case with the other places I have given motivational talks at. After I had finalized the talk date with the shop stewards, it was only then that management was informed of my coming to the premises to give a talk.        

   The DDCT Talk was not going to stand by itself. I had to give this talk during a general workers' meeting. Work issues came first in such an arrangement. The visiting speaker comes in at the end of the meeting if there is still time. As it happened, on my first visit to this Pick'n Pay store the DDCT Talk never took place as per plan. Then I had arrived nice and early(7.30am) and was ready to do my thing, but only to discover that for this meeting there were just too many work issues to be discussed. We had to reschedule my motivational talk for another day.

   And that day was this week. Even this week the meeting was still choc-a-block with issues. I was fortunate to be squizzed in. It was still under tight conditions though. From the 20 minutes (or so) I  

was prepared for, I ended up getting only 3 minutes. I gave it my best shot.

   After my brief motivational talk, we closed the meeting the only way comrades do. We closed it by singing the national anthem - 'Nkosi Sikelela'. And here I must admit, with shame, that 18 years after democracy here in South Africa, I am still not well versed with the Afrikaans lyrics of our national anthem. This is something that needs to be urgently rectified.

                                            SOME THANK YOU's   

Tebogo & Sipho(my union contacts) - for helping me put this gig together.

Kayi - for your enthusiasm for my positive thinking message.

sis Thandi - for promising to support us by buying our FGM blog book.

sis Annie Hlongwane - for okaying this Talk.

Pick'n Pay staff(comrades) - for you time.                                                                           

                                        ======================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                        =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

=====================================    

                      

The DREAMS DO COME TRUE(DDCT) Tour - Part 6, FNB - Bankcity branch

On this second trip to the Johannesburg CBD for a DDCT gig I was on time. I left Soweto earlier and I used a different route to town. I was not going to mess up my second chance to give a good impression.

   The talk itself went relatively well. I am starting to know my DDCT Talk material better. But I did still experience one or two moments of 'blankness'(moments of not remembering what comes next) during my presentation. From this, I am learning that recalling something by re-writing it down is different compared doing so by reciting it. In the former instance it is much, much easier to recall. In the latter case - i.e. in front of a live audience - the pressure is intense. Here one has no time to stop and remember because your audience will quickly notice this. So it all boils down to having a really good grasp of one's material. You need to know the material so well that when you do stand in front of that live audience eventually, your only worry is how much applause you will get at the end.

   The Bankcity branch staff taking well to my 'intro'(the 'TP' bit), I thought. But they received our last 'feel good' exercise even better. The enthusiasm with which this exercise was done bowled me over. It was like each staff member had found a long lost friend in the colleague they embraced. Really lovely to witness this.

                                             SOME THANK YOU's

Branch management and staff - for taking time to hear me out.

                                        =======================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                        =======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

=====================================    

           

  

     

The DREAMS DO COME TRUE(DDCT) Tour - Part 5 (FNB, Johannesburg Branch)

Sometimes things don't go according to plan.
   My plan was to arrive on time for this DDCT Tour speaking gig at the Johannesburg branch of FNB. This time was 8.15am. But I didn't make it on time like I had wished. I was late. Not by 5 minutes(or 10 minutes), but by a whole 25 minutes.
   I take full responsibility for this cock-up. My estimation of how long it was going to take me to get to the Johannesburg CBD travelling by taxi was incorrect. I have not had to travel to the CBD in the mornings during the rush hour in a long time. In more than 3 years possibly. Three years ago it used to take me about 30 minutes(or so) to get to the JHB CBD from my 'kasi'(Protea North in Soweto) by taxi. On this particular morning of my DDCT Talk it took us 1 hour 15 minutes to arrive in the CBD. When I got off the taxi in Commissioner street the time was 8.40am. Our taxi having left Protea North around 7.15am.
   When I arrived at the branch I had decided already that the Talk was not going to take place because I had failed to arrive in time. If management and the staff chase me away, I was going to to understand. All I now wanted to do was to offer my sincere apologies and then go back home. 
This was least I could do.
   I did get a tongue lashing from management alright. But they were generous enough to still allow me to address the staff, which I found really humbling.  
   I did my best to condense my usually 25 minute long Talk into just 10 minutes.This was all that  was left of the original 30 minutes that I was allocated. This shorter version I hope still went some way towards motivating and inspiring the Jhb branch staff. As I left the branch we agreed with management that I will need to come back again to give a fuller version of my Talk.
   One thing I am taking from the Johannesburg branch though - in addition to their generosity - is to start my day with a prayer. Loved,loved,loved how the branch staff start their working day by saying the Lord's Prayer.

                                                  SOME THANK YOUs

Ausi Winnie(the branch manager) - For your understanding.
Bongani(Sales and Service Manager) - For pulling all the right strings to make this DDCT Talk happen.                         
The branch staff - for 'forgiving us our trespasses'.
Nomsa,Sammy & Thomas - for an interesting 'after Talk' discussion on poetry and places to go to for poetry sessions.                               
                                               =====================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                              ======================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

=====================================    

It's Official. Optimists Live Longer.

The researchers on aging should tell us something new.

   Here in the FGM we have known it all along. The reason why we are into making ourselves feel good every week is because we want to feel good, yes, but we also do it because we want to become centenarians. We want to live to a 100 years old and beyond. We kind of knew this intuitively, if you know what we mean.

   Science has provided us with the empirical evidence at last. The results from a study of people who live long(reaching 100 years and more) has found that most of these people owe their longevity to a positive attitude towards life. This survey was conducted by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine's Institute for Aging. It took a sample of 500 Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe who have a history of long life. Most of the study's subjects exhibited what the researchers called a "sunny disposition towards life."(MailOnline, 27th May, 2012). They focused  

more on positive things in life, in other words.

   The researchers did acknowledge that the genes of this group of Jews - which were similar - had something to do with them having long lives to a certain degree. But the biggest contributor to their longevity was no doubt the way they approached life. Most of them were optimists.

   So, if the Ashkenazi Jews have joined the movement(i.e the Feel Good Movement), what is the rest of the world waiting for, we ask.

   From one group of 'the glass is half-full' people(and future centenarians) to another(current centenarians), we say keep the spirit of 'happy, positive & uplifting thoughts always' alive                  

on your side. We will do our damnedest this side of 100.

                                                         ===========================

THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.

                                                          ===========================

SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU FEEL

GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com

=====================================

Learn the Exact Formula

To Achieve Any Financial Goal 

With Mathematical Certainty 

From the gurus featured in "The Secret"

=====================================