My big fat BIG dream.

Red IS the colour of perfection

  MY big fat BIG BIGGGGGG dream is and will always be to own an iconic 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. Only 36 Series I GTO’s were ever manufactured between 1962 and 1963. Probably one of the most highly sought after Ferraris and undoubtedly one of the most expensive cars ever having been sold, for R420 million in 2012, owning one may be a stretch.

Deconstructing My big fat BIG dream, My big fat dream would be to come within arm’s length of one just to admire the hand built car and its imperfections (like the ill fitting door panels or bonnet or misaligned windows) which to 250 GTO enthusiasts, makes this car perfect. These imperfections along with the racing pedigree its performance on the track further fuels the iconic status of the GTO. My big fat BIG dream would be to get behind the steering wheel, savour the space which is the cockpit and proceed to flick the switches on the dashboard and push Start, hearing that purpose built V12 engine roar into life; reverberating in ones ears, which I would imagine is the closest one could ever come to experiencing an aural orgasm.  And so, MY big fat BIG dream will continue to be just that, and to be very honest, happily so. Viva la Scuderia Ferrari!

Image: http://fullautohistory.ucoz.ru/Ferrari/ferrari_250_gto-series_i-5.jpg

Are you aware that someone has it worse than you do?

Unity through diversity - Join hands to help others

  Yes, I am fully aware that someone has it worse than me. I think about it daily. I think about it especially during winter. This is compounded by the fact that our media frequently report on the plight of those persons in or communities and country that has it worse that I (we) do.

Then what? Do we simply just feel sorry for that moment and then continue watch the rest of the news and or change the channel to something less emotive, just so that you can lull yourself into forgetting and pretending that the situation doesn’t exist. Yes. Because I am still guilty of doing it, and unless you’re actually doing something to help those in need, you’re as guilty, as are many South African’s. 

To be able make a change in some one less fortunate’s life, there are so many agencies who do a lot of good in communities where there is a dire need for aid e.g. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, the Gift of the Givers or even your local church, mosque, place of worship. So to be honest there is never any excuse not to be able to help and in doing so no need to feel guilty. You can help and you can start now.

Image: http://www.jasonhenley.com/.a/6a0115705b7c8d970b0120a5bb16fd970b-320pi

Conventional is a good fallback position isn’t it?

Taking a risk needn’t always be a nightmare

 Having previously worked at a very prestigious university in Cape Town some time back, I realised that the environment was very conducive to becoming exceptionally conventional, a very comfortable position to be in. Everything operated like clockwork which was heavenly, except that as I grew older heaven turned into hell as I saw my growth being stunted and my career options quickly narrowing.

I took stock of my life; concluding that as long as I worked there I would have to contend with being exceptional in a very conventional environment. I risked it all, breaking the mould, leaving my comfort zone. Plunging head first into an industry I had previously enjoyed, it quickly turned out not to be what I had expected i.e. a nightmare. As the honeymoon phase drew to a close, the deplorable working condition was eventually the straw that broke the camel’s back. I left.

The moral of the story is, rather take a risk, but don’t ever settle for being conventional. Maybe the risk doesn’t turn out the way you had hoped, but at least you ventured out of your comfort zone. In life rather experience the nightmare of disappointment (once, twice or even thrice), and have learnt from it, rather than merely achieving the conventional when you know you’re capable of more … and then have to live with it for the rest of your life.

Image: http://centerforrenewal.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/risk.jpg?w=500

What is the difference between living and existing?

Make every breath count!

  I reckon it all comes down to the fruits that one’s life bears while alive, and the extent to which those fruit sustain and give life to others.

To have existed implies a very mundane life, having breathed and then one day to have died, without making an impact. Whereas to have lived implies that during the course of the persons’ life there was value that was added to its environment, and were it to die, it would be missed. To contextualise this, a person may have all the possessions in the world, but IF he does not add value or promote a better life for the community wherein which he lives, what legacy and memory has been left? Comparing this to a homeless man, who despite having absolutely nothing materially may share a kind word or anecdote with another person; this seemingly insignificant action can be viewed as an impartation of ‘life’. Why? Because without an immediate realisation those few words could have an irrevocable effect ones perception of homeless and destitute persons. And so, it can be concluded that through living one imparts life as opposed to existing and merely just being.

Image: http://penelopesoasis.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/quotes-about-life.jpg

You cannot chase two rabbits at the same time

Houston; We have a problem!

Realistically speaking, this would be an exercise in futility, but this will never stop people from chasing an elusive dream or goal, or the infamous Holy Grail, the magical unicorn, or as it is also commonly known, Pie in the Sky.

It’s safe to say that we’ve all encountered the eternal big dreamer or big talker. They’re always aspiring to something really extravagant OR always buying the newest M3 when in fact they’re still struggling to pay off the current Mazda 323. Such folk boast about that which is often beyond their means, always chasing two rabbit at the same time. There isn’t anything wrong with dreaming BIG or aspiring toward a better life, but If you’re going to do so and speak about it, at the very least let it be realistic. Someone once taught me that it’s best to live beneath one’s means; never being brazen enough to talk about accomplishments (owning a mansion, the million rand car or the CEO’s job) until you’ve actually attained it.

Moral of the story, dream and dream BIG, but don’t lose sight of reality. Continue to plan, plan and plan some more, until you’ve devised the perfect strategy to catch those two rabbits at the same time.

Image: http://steynian.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/pie-in-sky.jpg?w=700

If you had to teach something, what would you teach?

You only have ONE life, make it count.

Having always aspired to become a teacher, and being compelled by my parents (teachers themselves) to do something else, I still wonder where I could have been today had I followed my dream and NOT my parents. If I was to ever teach someone it would be the youth and was I to teach them something it would be to follow your heart and giving into peer pressure IS overrated.

Life is simply too precious and short to follow someone else’s dream and too precious to become involved with the wrong crowd.

I can attest to the fact that living a life fuelled by worldly vices will irreparably stunt one’s pursuit of personal goals. Limited success can be achieved, but the question still remains; how much more could have been attained had one remained true to oneself and on the straight and narrow? The allure of peer pressure is no different than it was 100 years ago; and choices we make today will have an effect on one for life, whether we choose to accept this or not. So next time you’re faced with a tough decision, consult people (trustworthy family and friends), listen to their advice but do not let their aspirations for you, define or become you. Fortunately, the day I accepted Jesus into my life was also the same day that I was freed of other peoples ‘baggage’ and I could pursue the goals I believe I was destined to fulfil.  

Image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOZbq9ICYiBPD9WTT9PruYW0tLh54cYwUuBwnHXD7aYOeQNSGpyP_KdiVz_t8azLHI85rgMlO7Hj94DNGN-S0UKwW5xBUYvxgSAOzZS3boPSxkZyqjoNJ9Lcdu84yzgXQ_2LcZrkM_zw/s320/choose%20wisely.jpg

When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?

Too late for any regret

  I certainly hope not to have spoken more than I would have done. If anything I would hope to have struck a balance between the two. In as much as I am working in an environment where I am required to speak a lot, I am also required to do a lot.

Being in the employ of CPUT, it has allowed me to speak as much as I do, and even though I am a closet introvert my work requires those dormant social tendencies to come to the fore when it comes to my interaction, mediation and negotiation. In the same breath it also requires me to be sensitive, alert and aware in each of those situations to the verbal cues but also non-verbal cues of those who I am interacting with.

All in all, when it’s all said and done, I would like to be remembered as one who achieved much through being compassionate, attentive and acting in a positive and pro-active manner toward each person I may have encountered at work and in life and not as one who merely over promised and under delivered.

Image: http://coachingcommons.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/RIP-347-x-300.jpg

“Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you only have one idea” (Alain).

 

Taking over the world IS a team effort

One person hatching an idea without consultation and better yet selling it to the world is a recipe for disaster. Touting an idea, any idea (without it being thoroughly interrogated) as the silver bullet is dangerous, because it is one dimensional and exclusive which eliminates public participation and group buy in.

 

It is for that reason that brainstorming or even crowdsourcing has become so widely popular. It is inclusive manner in which to execute tasks or get to the root of a problem irrespective of the nature of the problem. It is also an opportunity to share; it is an opportunity to network and most of all an opportunity to learn. So next time, you’re thinking of having a Pinky and the Brain “Let’s take over the world” moment, STOP, consult someone or a group of people, after all, because “Many hands make light work” and no one person can take over the world on their own armed merely with their solitary idea.

Image: http://www.doomsteaddiner.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pinky_brain.jpg

Have you figured out the second head fake?

To teach is to touch a life

  Head-fake learning is a form of learning that is not obvious at first sight. The simplest way of explaining it is when students think they are learning something about Subject A, but are in fact, learning something about Subject B. This is not a new method but was popularised by author and Professor Randy Pausch.

Personally, head faking is how my mother taught me about Cape Town. She would take us kids on Sunday afternoon drives around the peninsula, teaching us about the city’s history and exposing us to its natural beauties. What we didn’t realise was that my mom was actually instilling in us a sense of geographic awareness, teaching us how to navigate using the mountain as a landmark. It may sound trivial but the long term effect and value is priceless.

One can deduce that the first head fake takes place at home (by the parents, guardians or the community) where fundamental teachings happen. The second head fake would therefore take place at school. For this to happen it is imperative that our Department of Basic Education firstly get their house in order because in some cases little learning takes place at home, making school a child’s ONLY hope. Were kids to have ANY chance at a future, our government must acknowledge that our education system is in crisis and stem the tide of its youth becoming illiterate and innumerate = unemployable.

Image: http://static-l3.blogcritics.org/10/07/17/139215/Parent-Reading-to-Child.JPG

Do you think crying is a sign of weakness or strength?

Big boys DO cry!

  I think it’s a sign of strength; the strength to admit that you’re human and that you have emotions. Now you all should know by now that I am a Chelsea FC supporter and as a supporter I have been through the ups and downs with them. Probably the biggest DOWN was the 2008 UEFA Champions League (UCL) Final in Moscow against Manchester United.

Those who follow football know that the game did not go in Chelsea’s favour (in a very dramatic fashion). That evening, as I sat in bed I quite literally broke down and sobbed. Yes, I did. I cried bitterly; maybe not on the same level were a family member to die, but it felt all the same to me.

The fact is that crying isn’t a sign of weakness, but can be turned into a bold statement of a deeper resolve and commitment (by a team) to overcome adversity. If you doubt this, cast you mind back to the team’s dismal performance earlier in the 2012 competition only to go onto win the UCL through sheer resolve.

Image: http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTxAQuF7lrxOBwQKWldL3GlQhihykpXdouW-3VF0wadLVeTzPGxmDw5QL7K