Imagine...

I have been an obedient, well-behaved, good-Christian-girl for most of my life, and I have thus spent many... many days / hours /years attending church. I started attending church at the age of 2 (when my mother became a Christian)... and through the years I have been a member of the Full Gospel Church, various Baptist churches, a Methodist church, a Pentecostal church, a Charismatic church and a number of "non-denominational" churches (all mysteriously containing the word "Ministries" in their name).

These days, frankly, I'm all churched-out. I'm very bored and very tired of the "system" of "religion" of "love-with-conditions". I want to hang out with real, raw, open, honest people - who are as interested (as I am) in social change... and DOING something (on this planet) - instead of just huddling up in slick church buildings, indifferent to the very real struggles of the world, praying for Jesus-to-come-soon.

I'm still a bit cynical - (when it comes to all things which wear a loud label announcing: Christian!)... but, that said, I'm also on a wonderful journey with some fellow Christ-followers - and our journey looks (and is) refreshingly different to that which I've known for most of my life.

I am part of a small community called "Imagine". We meet every Sunday in coffee shops and homes. We are a very diverse group of believers - and every meeting consists of a fascinating array of stories and opinions (our meetings are very conversational - never dominated by one person alone).

Anyway - one of the things I love about the Imagineers - is their willingness to involve themselves fully in the crises facing our planet and our community. Three days ago, a couple of us had a wonderful brain-storming session at Mugg & Bean... coming up with sustainable ways of community development and upliftment. There's still a lot for us to hash through - and SO(!) many ideas - but I just love that we're being proactive in the ways that matter.

I will update you with our progress as time goes by. I'm pretty soon that the Imagine community will be launching a number of exciting projects... soon!

Here are some pics...

From left: Marcus, Nick (not my Nick), Wayne, Peter & Raymond. The empty chair is where I was sitting! :-)

My illustration: imagining Imagine... (often, the best way for me to process my thoughts is to sketch them out)

Above: Ideas - starting to take shape...

Above: Raymond's idea...

Above: Marcus did a great job of explaining himself with this sketch.

Read this book!

I read this book a couple of months ago (my sister now has it)... and it had a profound impact on me. "Half the Sky" is available in bookstores around the world (the cover artwork is different in the States).

If you are a person who is interested in BEING the change that you want to see in the world - this book will challenge and inspire you!

I encourage you to:

1) Buy the book

2) Read the book

3) Act on what you've read.

That was my mini rant of the day.

:-)

A more interesting version of the fish quote...

Everyone has heard the quote:

"Give a man a fish - and you feed him for a day

Teach him how to fish - and you feed him for a lifetime"

But the quote below resonates strongly with me - because it's true.

PS: About the photo - I shot this in Zambia in a village church just outside of Choma. It's still one of my favourite photos.

"Your Journey" speaking engagement

On Saturday, I was at Christ Church Sandton at a women's conference with the theme: "Your Journey". After a hectic day in Sasolburg on Friday (and feeling rather frazzled and worn-out because of it) - it was really great to connect with a bunch of women!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time there... and the conversations I had over coffee after my presentation. They gave me a lovely bunch of yellow roses (currently sitting on my kitchen counter) and a nice little goody bag too! :-)

For those who aren't aware, I speak at workshops & conferences for women and girls. More info on my website: www.beautifullifeproject.com

Big thanks to Levonne and the ladies at CCS for having me! x

What I'd REALLY like to say when people ask me how I am / what I do...

When people ask: "So, how's life?"... or "What are you up to these days?"... instead of giving the usual, expected answer of: "Fine thanks, you?"... or "Nothing much, you?"... I would actually like to reply like this:

I know you probably don't want to hear my story in all of its infinite details, but, you asked about my life, so here goes: I am a creative, adventurous, optimistic generator of ideas... and I have ideas about so many things, that sometimes, I find it hard to sleep at night or focus on the mundane. I have ideas on how we can eradicate poverty, empower women, educate children and build and grow sustainable initiatives that could change the world.

I am passionate about social justice, fair trade and facilitating a process whereby the poor can empower themselves (I'm a believer in Trade-instead-of-Aid... a hand-up, rather than a hand-out). As a Creative Social Entrepreneur - that's kinda what I do for a living - I invent and implement new projects, movements and initiatives - designed to tackle social problems in a creative way. This work gives me an incredible sense of fulfilment. I am especially interested in, and passionate about the empowerment, education, upliftment and emancipation of women and girls (world-wide).

Another thing I'm really passionate about is Africa - the continent of my birth. This wasn't always the case. There was once a time when I was ready to pack up my family and relocate to a 'safer' continent... in search of that elusive thing called 'security'. But, I've come to realise that security is nothing more than smoke and mirrors - and the relentless pursuit thereof isn't healthy for my soul.

I could move to another country, only to slip on the bathroom floor and crack my skull open. Or, I could die in a car crash. Or, I could die of disease. I am not convinced that God's plans for my life are swayed by how much I strive to preserve it.

I would far rather do that which makes me come ALIVE... than do that which makes me feel 'secure'. And Africa makes me come alive - especially when I travel... especially when I meet people where they're at, in their homes, in their villages, in their churches and schools... and listen to their stories. Really, really LISTEN to their stories... their frustrations, their hurts, their dreams and aspirations.

These experiences, whether in Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Swaziland, Namibia - or here in South Africa - inject me with a deep sense of purpose and belonging... and the understand that I have a role to play (no matter how small)... that I am a part of the bigger solution.

I love the diversity, the resourcefulness and the creativity of this continent and the more I travel, the more beautiful, inspiring people that I meet - the more I am so very happy to be right here, right now.

That's not to say that I don't enjoy travelling to other parts of the world. I LOVE to travel! I love to experience the world, meet people, sample different food, experience different cultures and document my journeys through photography and film.

Although I enjoy 1st World nations, and everything they offer - my soul soars in the poorer nations... where deep relationships are forged over simple meals, in tiny homes with dirt floors.

I'm passionate about the "journey" of life... about "experiences"... about "stories"... about "the arts". As a creative creature myself, I enjoy creating experiences and telling stories using the arts as a conduit. Many of my projects incorporate these vehicles to bring about change.

At the moment, I have 5 projects on the go (this always changes - depending on the season).

• Beautiful Life Project (Empowering women & girls through self-esteem and self-discovery workshops)
• WOODO! (Women who DO! - a diverse network of women determined to BE the change they want to see in the world)
• VENT! (Giving permission and creating a platform for the invisible, the disempowered, the silent and the ignored to tell their stories to the world)
• Tapestry of Dreams (Cross pollination between the Haves and the Have-Nots for the benefit of both)
• Love, Africa (Re-branding Africa as a place of creativity, resourcefulness, diversity and inspiration - rather than a place to be pitied and feared)

Some of the projects (like WOODO) are in the very early stages of implementation. Other projects (like Beautiful Life Project) have been running for a couple of years. Some of my projects receive corporate sponsorship (VENT! & Beautiful Life Project)... other projects were launched with fellow sojourners (Roz Thomas, in the case of Tapestry of Dreams). My work on these various projects and initiatives makes me come alive! I am grateful to God... daily... that I no longer 'survive' this life, or 'get by'... (as I did, for some long, sad years).

Of course, my work is valuable and it gives me an enormous sense of purpose and fulfilment... but I wouldn't be where I am today without the love of my life, Nick. My husband has loved, supported, encouraged... from day one. And most often, he has sacrificed too!

Every day, I thank God for Nick. My children, Morgan and Joah, are the most precious gifts. My little family remain the number 1 priority in my life - and I am determined to set an example for my children that says: "Follow my lead - do what makes you come ALIVE!".

I don't want to be the parent who says: "Do as I say, not as I do"... or the mother who says: "Follow your dreams!" (whilst never following hers)... or telling a daughter, "You're beautiful!" (whilst believing that she herself is ugly and unacceptable). Those dark days of my life are over.

So... you ask about how my life is... or what I'm doing these days. Well, I'm incredibly happy and fulfilled - and I'm doing so many different things, that it's hard for me to articulate it all in a simple sentence!

My long years of sadness, self-hatred and self-abuse are distant memories... but memories that I choose not to forget. I always want to keep those experiences near - and re-visit the scars occasionally - just so that I can rejoice in my healing... and also - so I never forget how fragile I am... how fragile we all are.

I'm excited about 2011, there's so much on the go, so much has been planned (including some exciting travels both in SA and abroad). We're hoping to move to Cape Town - not because we hate Joburg (because I absolutely don't!) - but because we so love the sea and the mountains and the outdoorsy lifestyle that Cape Town offers young families (and especially families with small children).

I'm excited about my various speaking engagements for Beautiful Life Project... I can't wait to catch up with the Tearfund Inspired Individuals at the Umoja conference in Durban... I'm sooo excited to go to London and New York in March... to catch up with beautiful friends, to plot and plan and brainstorm ways that we can change the world... LOVE the world.

My mind is flooding over with ideas and beautiful experiences... the store-front opportunity in the newly re-vamped Braamfontein... the women's sewing collective on de Korte street... the TV show opportunity with some celeb friends... the Tapestry of Dreams auction in the US... the Amahoro conference in Mombasa... my son's 3rd birthday party... my 6th wedding anniversary... my high school reunion... my life is brimming, blessed and beautiful.

I haven't wanted to say that out loud - because I have feared sounding arrogant... vain... smug.

As Marianne Williamson says: "We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be talented, gorgeous, fabulous?'. Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people don't feel insecure around you. We were all meant to shine, as children do. And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others".

The time has come for me to let my life shine... and it was the best decision that I ever made, to finally step out of the shadows and say: "I'm here!"

So, that's how I am. Fine... MORE than fine. Thanks for asking! How are YOU?

VENT! poster & branding

Here's our VENT! poster that I designed for the Sasolburg community. These were stuck up all over town, flyers were handed out... and I spent 2 days last week, being interviewed on two of the local radio stations (telling the community about our project has been a BIG job!)

Watch the ETHOS doccie

This doccie made me uncomfortable... and sparked loads of discussion and debate amongst my friends. If you're up for a bit of thought-provoking viewing... and a bit of debate... you can watch the full version here.

More than ever, I believe that we're living in The Matrix.

Blue Pill... or Red Pill?... anyone?

The time has come to VENT!

On Friday, I was in Sasolburg at the Etienne Roussouw Theatre to present my "VENT!" project to the youth of the greater Sasolburg community.

VENT! - for those of you who don't know - is a creative arts project, which gives permission and creates a platform for the marginalised, the disempowered, the 'invisible' - to express their stories in a raw, real way - to purge - to VENT! (in a way that does not harm themselves or others).

The theatre filling up (we eventually had 275 youth attending)

Sasol (corporate giant in fuel & chemicals) is sponsoring the project.

Everything ran smoothly... initially. Almost 300 kids from the local community showed up to hear what VENT! was all about. I played our video, some slides and explained the concept of the project.

Just as we were wrapping up (and I was heaving a sigh of relief that everything went so smoothly) - the "problems" began.

"QUESTIONS!!!" yelled an angry voice from the back of the theatre, "WHEN DO WE GET TO ASK OUR QUESTIONS!!!!".

Sasol - for those who weren't aware - haven't had a very... uh... warm and fuzzy relationship with their community. There's some ugly history there. History which involves politics, an ugly situation in 1987, and lots of (understandable) anger and hard feelings from the Zamdela community. I had been told of a 'militant element' in the Zamdela youth... youngsters who were loud and vocal in their belief that Sasol "owes" them... a group of young men who had previously made death threats against Sasol staff when they had turned down a long list of demands ranging from cell phones to cushy jobs (it's a long story).

Anyway - I may have underestimated the animosity between the Zamdela youth and Sasol. The speaker - a young man in a red jacket (whom I later learned went by the name of Stix) stood up and gestured angrily.

"We demand to know why Sasol did not consult us about this project! We demand to know why Sasol has brought in these people from Johannesburg to teach us. How would these people from Johannesburg know anything about us, anything about what it's like to live in these townships? We demand to know why Sasol hasn't sponsored any of our projects - or given us the money that we have requested! We demand to know...."

On and on he went... joined by a chorus of vehemently applauding, nodding friends. Other youngsters shook their heads in irritation and stood up to leave. Eventually, most of the youth had left the theatre - except for about 20 of the hard-core guys. Angry. Vocal. Accusing.

Their outburst gave me a lot to chew on, and they had many valid questions. I have some valid responses to their questions, but due to the situation (lots of shouting, yelling and not much actual discussion) - I never had a real chance to address their concerns, as I would have liked (or, at least, from my perspective as VENT! project manager... I obviously can't speak on behalf of Sasol).

Doing my little speech - surrounded by Sasol branding...

Nutshell? I think that it's going to be somewhat of a journey... somewhat of a process... and I think that the VENT! project is definitely going to have it's challenges. I'm not expecting this to be an easy, fluffy ride.

Still... I stand by my belief in this project, and my belief in The Arts... my belief in Storytelling... my belief in creative collaboration.... my belief in cross pollination between the Haves and the Have-Nots - for the benefit of both.

I guess... there's only one thing I can say about the project right now - even at it's earliest stages... we are certainly VENTING! Them... me... all of us... VENTING!

Now, let's bring in the Arts as a mediator and conduit for development... upliftment... and healing.