Lenasia Branch Fellow Staff, Very Young Authors, And Emails from bo-Mrs Dickson

* The way two of my fellow staff members from Lenasia branch bounced back.
I had faxed through a request for a business cheque book to released on their side. The a/c was held in Lenasia, but the cheque book was for collection at our branch - The Glen.
For some reason, though, there was a delay in releasing this cheque book. I had to phone several times to follow up on my request. On my last call I got through to the supervisor - Eulicia. After asking around she told me that my fax had not been received for apparently. From here she took charge. She asked me to fax it for her attention. And in 5 minutes( or so) the cheque book release was done.
I was impressed.
Even better, Mbali- whom I had originally sent the fax to - phoned me after this release to apologise for the initial delay. This act by Mbali blew me away. Not many people can make the effort of picking up a phone to apologise; apologise to a far away fellow staff member for that matter. It would have been easier to let the matter rest, now that it had been resolved.
'Big up' to you Mbali.

* While at it. Here is a roll call of more colleagues who made me feel
good this week:
To you Amoret: "Thanks for that FIFA 2010 World Cup ticket
reversal query."
To you Iris : "Ta for that business cheque a/c card issue this
past Saturday."
To you Londiwe :"Ngiya bonga mina, for that project of ordering
1-yr statements for a business a/c on webfolders
on Monday."


* Hearing about the youngest published author in South Africa. His name is Andy Petersen and he is only 16 years of age. His feat appeared in an article in the Sunday
Times( 01/03/09) this past weekend. His first book is called "DANIEL FOX AND THE JESTER'S LEGACY".
To be published at such a young age is awesome, I think. Andy must have worked really hard to put this book together. What with all the distractions that come with being a teenager. And to be able to write something worth publishing was no stroke of luck for him. It came from reading a lot. He was quoted as saying:

"I come from a family of keen readers, and my family and
my elder sister always encouraged me to read and often bought
me books they thought I should read."

So, from one lover of books to another: "Well done Andy, my man"


* This email that we received from Mrs Dickson:

"Hi T.P.
.....reading the Feel Good material and seeing the magnificent life being led
by T.P., I feel so blessed and privileged to know you. Any Mom would feel
proud of you. You are one of a kind. The kind that keeps silent when he does
not have anything nice to say about someone....I have seen you grow, mature
and develop into Mr Feel Good and what an experience for me. I wish you
well in all your endeavours. Thank you T.P.
Thank you Universe for this 'feel good moment'. ''

There it is, ladies and gentlemen. What more can we say.


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


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

Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:


With a Little Help
______________

With a little help.
A little help from my colleagues.
I can go far.
I can be a master of the business cheque acc mandates.
I can be a master of the business cheque book release.
With a little help from my fellow staff members.
I can master webfolders.
I can master FIFA 2010 ticket apps.
With a little help.
A little help from you Eulicia.
You Mbali.
And you Londiwe, Amoret and Iris.
I am now a master.
A master of my banking Universe.


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


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

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
====================================

Fresh Faces in our Politics, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE's Sweep at the Oscars, And Three Months of Existence

* The choosing - by COPE - of the Reverend Mvume Dandala as its presidential candidate for the forthcoming general elections. COPE's bravery in going with a relatively new face must be commended. Rev Dandala is untainted, so to speak. He has no previous association with the ANC at a high level. Nobody can claim that he is a former Mbeki man who is still licking his wounds after Polokwane .And this newness is what COPE needs if it to convince the electorate that it is indeed a new party with new ideas.
As one customer of ours - ntate 'Moruti' - commented:

"Rev Dandala is a breath of fresh air in local politics"

Awe, ntate 'Moruti'.


* The sweep by the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" at the Academy Awards this past Sunday. It was nominated in 9 categories and won 8 of them. And these 8 included the plum ones of "Best Picture" and "Best Director".
This story of a poor boy from the slums of India( Mumbai) making it big overnight, cannot have failed to move the Academy of Motion Pictures voters.
And "Slumdog" has been winning awards left, right and centre since its release. It started at the Golden Globe Awards. Then came the Directors Guild Awards .And now the Oscars. What is particularly pleasing about these wins by "Slumdog" is that this movie has a South African connection. The movie is based on the book 'Q & A', written by Vikas Swarup. Mr Swarup is none other than the deputy High Commissioner of India here in South Africa.
It may be India's pride and joy, yes, but we can claim it also. After all we have got the author of the book living right here in Mzansi.


* The Feel Good Movement blog/website being three months old this week. It went live on 28th November 2008. Every week, since then, I have put out a post of my 'feel good moments'. And it has been a real pleasure putting these posts together.
Yes, at times it has been a challenge  finding something of universal appeal. Not to mention finding the 3 hours( or so) that it takes me to write up each post on week nights because one is sometimes tired after a full day at work. It takes me this long to write it up because I am a member of the one-finger typing brigade.
A big 'thank you' to all the regular readers of this blog, namely:

"Dorcas, my sister, are you listening?",

"Linda, love your feedback.",

and

"Ruben, mey authi, are you there?"

Thank you guys. And thank you, too, to all those that I didn't mention by name.
The FEEL GOOD REVOLUTION is just starting.


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

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

Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:

In COPE We Trust
______________

We had no hope.
Until COPE came along.
In COPE we trust.
In COPE we have placed our dreams.
Our dreams for a new tomorrow.
Our dreams for a moral regeneration.
With COPE we can.
We can move mountains.
Make way for COPE, ladies and gentlemen.
Rev D and the leadership.
Please do not dash our hopes.
Our faith is in you.
We trust in you, COPE.

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


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

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
====================================

Feedback from Hirohito, Soweto's Joel Makitla, And the Start of the Real Thing

* One of 'our' graduates - Hirohito - giving us a detailed and thorough analysis of the Feel Good Movement blog.
'Our' graduates - as we call them here at work - are this select group of employees with degrees,  who are on this special programme that fast tracks them to managerial positions. They are visiting our '1 and done' branch to help migrate customer traffic from the tellers department inside the branch, to the new Automated Deposit Machines outside.
But I digress. Back to Hirohito's scholarly feedback. In his own words:

"I generally liked the layout of the website and the ''cause" that you are
trying to promote. It is a noble one, one that most of us are either indifferent
to or willfully ignorant of .I do, however, think that the website could be
more interactive....(Also) with more effort  ,you could include more articles
that are both interesting and relevant to your "cause".
P.S.
On the whole, a worthy, noble and relevant "cause"! Good work!! Keep it up!!!"

Spoken like a true graduate indeed.
'Hiro' took me back to my school days. This is how our English teachers used to dissect our essays. This memory felt wonderful.


* An article in the Sunday Times( 15/02/09) supplement( "It's My Business") that greatly inspired me. It was about how this gentleman - Joel Makitla - got be on the brink of opening Soweto's first motorbike dealership. I particularly loved his early ventures into the business world. Joel related how he did without a lot of things when he started, things that people his age considered a must. This was while he saved up for his first business venture. He was working at a bank then. For example, he says he wore the same shoes to work every day. He did not have a cellphone, no TV or music system. While his friends laughed at him, he was busy putting away R500 every month.This grew to R21 000 in 18 months. And he used this money to start his first small business. From this small start he never looked back.
How many of us can withstand peer pressure like Joel did in order to work on our dreams?
And to those friends of his who laughed, " Who is THE MAN now?"


* The FIFA 2010 World Cup (S A) buzz starting in earnest. The tickets go on sale from tomorrow worldwide. Here in S A they will be sold exclusively at FNB branches. This festival of soccer will run from June 11 to July 11, next year.
Some of us cannot wait.It has been a long wait since we were awarded the World Cup. I still remember the outpouring of joy throughout the whole country when we got the nod. The mood was like we had actually won the football tournament itself.
That picture of FIFA President - Sebb Blatter-holding an envelope, and going:

"The FIFA 2010 WORLD CUP will be hosted in South Africa."

will stay with me forever.
Now let us all - as South Africans - make this the best World Cup ever.
As USA President Obama once put it:"This is our time."


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

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

Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:

Our Graduates
____________

These graduates of ours.
Landed out of nowhere.
And created a buzz.

These graduates of ours.
Genuine articles.
Real varsity degrees, ladies and gents.

Our graduates.
The ladies stirring things up.
Us guys tripping ourselves.
Wanting to get close.
Buyi, Wassima and Liz, you beauties.

Our graduates.
Doing well in life also,
'Ditransi' all round.
Nice cars too.

I want to be a graduate,
I think.
But I am a graduate.
We all are graduates.
We are graduates from the University of life.

'Ta' Liz, Buyi, Wassima, Thema, Hiro, and Gee
'Ta' for passing this way.


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


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

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
=====================================

'Quantum' Rides, Emails from bo-Reuben, And Pearls of Wisdom

* Having what I call a perfect morning trip to work on Tuesday. I got to ride in the new Toyota Quantum (15 seater) taxi in both my routes to work.It was, first, in the route from Protea North to Baragwanath, then from Bara to The Glen mall.

Getting two 'Qs' in a row was a treat. The Toyota Quantum( 15 seater) taxi is an excellent people-mover. It is spacious inside, and its seats are very comfortable. With things like air-con and headrests for every passenger, this Toyota is true luxury. And for those of us who like to read on the go, its smooth ride is just perfect.
Whenever I am in a 'Q' I always wish the trip was longer.
Toyota have really outdone themselves on this one.


* This contribution-via email-from Ruben( Rubza). The power of the mind made
Rubza feel good this week. In his email entitled 'The Mind' he says:

"....the the mind is the most powerful weapon of
them all. U can use it to destroy, or to do good. For
example, if u hate snakes, u end up fearing them.
So by acting positive all the time (i.e. having no fear)
we can conquer fear, be free and live healthy lives."

Indeed the mind is very powerful. And we are not even using its full capacity. It was Einstein who once said that we are only using 10% of our mind's capacity.
Thanks Rubza for your 'feel good moment'.


* Finding some nuggets of wisdom on how to become a good entrepreneur in
our CEO(Michael Jordaan)'s weekly newsletter(On Michael J's Mind,06/02/09). This top 10 list was originally put forward by Mr Paul Harris at some 'do'.
It is entitled "Ten Observations of Successful Entrepreneurs":

1.Entrepreneurs are intrigued and obsessed with a business idea or concept, but are not obsessed with money.
2.Good entrepreneurs know everything about something and something about
everything.
3.Follow sound business practices from the beginning.
4.THINK BIG but are prepared to start small.
5.Build your business, not your ego.
6.Trust others; empower people.
7.Use diversity as a competitive advantage.
8.Manage your values and corporate culture.
9.Your reputation is your most valuable asset.
10.Work hard.

Sure, Mr Jordaan.


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


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

Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:

Toyota, Let Me Ride
________________

Let me ride now.
Let me ride in your Quantum.
Let me experience the sumptuousness.
Experience an airplane's 'mantofotofo'.
Let me ride, Toyota.
Let me experience the smoothest of rides.
Let me not feel the road bumps.
Let me ride the people's favourite.
The passenger's first love.
The taxi driver's first love.
Let me ride your bestseller, Toyota.
Let me ride.
Please.


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

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

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
=====================================

Champion Sisters, Secrets to Happiness, And Beautiful TV Presenters

* Serena Williams winning the Australian Open. In the process becoming not only the World No 1 women's tennis player, but she also became the biggest prize money winner in the history women's sport.
Serena and her sister -Venus-just keep winning.
Don't you just love how they can walk away from tennis to dabble in other things like fashion design, or hanging out with bo-Common, and yet still come back to win the big ones. Like they have never been away.
I remember how people used to snigger when their father hyped their talent. At one stage he predicted that his two daughters will contest the final of a major tournament. It did not happen at this particular major. But later it did happen,at another major. With this latest win by Serena it would seem the old man had seen the future.
Thanks bo-mysister for the inspiration.
* An article that I read in the ROOTS magazine(January/February 2009)
on how to be happy. In this article it was reported that scientists had found proof
- through some studies - that the secret to a happy and healthy life was to simply
laugh more often .Laughing reduces body stress, we are told here.
Scientific studies are well and good, but these scientists should have asked us in the F-G Movement.We have long known that laughter-which is the ultimate tool in making one 'feel good'-is the alpha and omega of a happy life.


Just take a look at the photo of yours truly above.Don't I just look blissful?

* The SELIMANTHUNZI programme ( SABC 1 on Saturdays at 6pm) these days. I think the lady presenter - Zizo Beda - is simply gorgeous. She is a natural beauty. And she looks just right with short hair. The fancy hairdos like bo-'dibraids', di-'singles' or 'extensions' seem to detract from her beauty.
Her presenting skills are also not bad . She asks the right questions. With her engaging smile our local young and happening 'celebs' seem to just open up to her .Her appearance on 'SELI' has made me a convert. I would not miss 'SELI' for anything.
Will gladly follow you anywhere Ms Beda.


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

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

Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:

Bo-Mysister
__________

Yo sisters!
Made tennis world sit up.
So self-assured.
Bordering on arrogance.
Yo sisters!
Your athleticism, raising the bar.
Fellow ladies, where is your beef?
Yo sisters!
Mr Williams methods.
Unorthodox.
But oh so effective.
Mr Williams:
The original cocky 'darkie'
Yo sisters!
Made some serious cash too.
Way to go, bo-mysister.


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

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

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
=====================================

Great Cricket Teams, A Touching 'Thank You', And Robert's 'Dikota'

* The heroics of our national cricket team - the Proteas - Down Under. Even non-cricket followers like us were moved by the Proteas 2nd series win in Australia this week. They won the One Day International series 3 - 1 (out of 5 games). Late( in December) last year the Proteas had clinched a memorable Test series 2 - 0 (out of 3 games). With this week's win they completed a double over the Aussies in their own backyard. Apparently this was the Proteas first ever win in both the Test series and the One Day International series over the Aussies in Autralia.
The Proteas made history.
To further put these wins into perspective, Ali Bacher - the former cricket administrator and former captain - was quoted( THE TIMES, 27 /01/09 ) as having said:
"The Proteas double in Australia is the finest sporting achievement for South Africa in a long, long time."

Go Proteas! Go!


* An expression of 'thanks' by a customer that blew me away.
This gentleman walked into the branch just before we closed for business. He had come to get a new PIN. By the time we were done the doors we locked for customers. He was led out by our security guard .However, about 2 minutes after walking out - having tried the PIN at the ATM, he came back to the branch doors. He indicated that he wanted to speak to me. I thought that there was a problem with the PIN that I have just issued to him. I then told our security guy to allow him back in. But as 'my' customer approached my desk he was all smiles. When he got to me he extended his hand to give me a handshake, saying:"Thank you very much."
Needless to say, I was highly touched .And pleased at the same time.
For this customer to make the effort to come back inside just to say 'thank you' was a totally out there experience for me.

* Sampling a 'kota'(a 'bunny chow' of sorts) from Robert's spaza in my 'kasi'( Protea North) this past weekend. This 'kota' was its usual best. Without any shadow of doubt, Robert makes the best 'kotas' in world. I say so myself.
Firstly ,the ingredients he uses are of quality. Be it the bread, the viennas or even the burger, they are all good grade. Secondly, unlike most 'kotas', he always puts in some 'green' in the form of lettuce inside. The whole mix makes for a truly delicious 'bunny chow'. My personal favourite is the full-house one that sells for R12 .
And 'our' man behind the counter - Ruben(or Mr Illuminati) - makes the buying experience a pleasure too, with his friendliness.


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

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

Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:

Trust Our Proteas
______________

Trust our Proteas to do it.
Trust our Proteas to do it well.
Trust them to do a double over the Aussies.
Do a double in Aussieland, 'nogal'.
Trust this rainbow team to represent.Trust our captain( Smith) to die for the team.
And when he is dead,
Trust Johan Botha to ably run with it.
Trust our Proteas.
Trust them to do it.
Do a double over the No 1 cricket team in the world.
Trust them.


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

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


FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com====================================

'First Blacks', Good South African Books, And Goodwill Payments

* Barack Obama's inauguration as the 'first black' president of the USA this week. Like everyone,  I was moved by the historical significance of this occasion. To be able to tell my kids,  one day, that I was there when it happened is quite something. Besides the history bit, I admire Obama's oratory skills. He is like a motivational speaker. Listening to him speak lifts one's spirits. With his "YES ,WE CAN" slogans, he was pure inspiration.
Whether we want to become presidents, or climb Mount Everest, or even fly to the moon, now we know "WE CAN". Barack Obama has shown us the way.


* My finally getting to read the book - DON'T PANIC - by Allan Knott-Craig( the MD of Iburst). I had heard so much about this book. Of how this one email sent by Allan to his staff, highlighting the good and positives about SA, had triggered an avalanche of more reasons why SA 'rocks' from the general public.
And indeed in this book South Africans of all shades do sing the praises of our country. They write about the beautiful weather, the thriving and stable economy, the wonderful landscapes etc,  etc. At the same time everyone admits that we do have our challenges. For example, things like crime. On this issue we all need to chip in as citizens to help our police force, most of the the contributors in the book seem to be saying.
I was particularly heartened by how most of my white countrymen love this country. They are staying, and some are coming back from foreign lands.
DON'T PANIC is a must read for all South Africans.


* A surprise cash injection in our salaries this month. Our company's management at my work place gave us a once off R1000 this month. This extra cash was something called a 'goodwill payment'. And frankly, we had not seen it coming. It surprised and pleased us. We welcomed it with open arms. It came during one of the traditionally tough months of the year financially. There is the Christmas spending hangover, school fees , you name it.
'TA' to group management for - for a lack of a better explanation - rewarding us for being good employees.



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

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

Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:


'First Blacks' United
________________

Congratulations Mr Obama.
'First Black' prez of the US.
And to all other recent trailblazers of colour.
To you Mr Nelson Mandela.
'First Black' president of SA.
To you Mr Patrice Motsepe.
'First Black' SA billionaire.
To you Mr Tiger Woods.
'First Black' world No 1 golfer.
And to you Mr Lewis Hamilton.
'First Black' F1 winner.
So many 'first blacks'.
An African century this?


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

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

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
=====================================