Inadequate

Last week I attended a conference for Public Relations and Communications practitioners. Well, didn't this little soiree leave me feeling rather inadequate!! Not in a bad way, but I was left pondering as to how I can be considered a Communications Practitioner, when I'm merely scratching the surface of what it is these practitioners do, on a daily basis.

These almighty practitioners are doing things that are rather exciting and intellectually stimulating, bringing a valuable service to their respective companies. I had no idea the King Report III or new Companies Act even existed, nevermind their importance to our profession.

This begs the question: What am I doing? Where am I going? Just when I thought I was figuring things out, along came that hunk of self-doubt and loathing, galloping down the chosen path, bumpling me into "What If?" oblivion! It drives me nuts, again having to re-evaluate my life. I'm not unhappy, don't get me wrong, a lot is happening right now, but it just feels like something is missing, something is not making sense.

Is it my job and the fact that myself, as well as the department I represent, are not taken seriously at my workplace, when others in my chosen field are clearly moving forward in leaps and bounds? All I know, is that I enjoy writing...so where to from here?

But what about that coffee shop I always dreamed of owning or the B&B? Or the novel I've always wanted to write, movie script, or the travel journalist? Huh? Confusion sometimes reigns, for all of us.

What if we could make those dreams come true? Over the weekend I just happened to browse through many a magazine and read about how individuals have taken the plunge and followed their dreams with loads of success. There are so many wonderful, amazing, successful and dynamic people out there. How do I become one of them? They all sound like they really know what they are talking about......I on the other hand, as my friend always says, am "Well-Read". Is this a compliment, is this a positive characteristic? What can i do as a "Well-Read" person?

I guess as always, it boils down to taking the risk and going after that elusive dream. Go get 'em tiger....and I'm not referring to the Wood's type of gung-ho!!!!

In the meantime, my ass belongs to the bank, what was that King Report III saying......

Signing It Away!

Eish! So I took the plunge and have invested in some property! What a daunting, expensive task!!! As much as I have desperately wanted to take this step for a while, I'm beginning to wonder why we can't miss steps like these all together??

I'm not sure if it was the same back in the day, but it does not seem you get much bang for your buck anymore. I love the place I have chosen, it is just right for me and in a building I have been eyeing for a long time. It is spacious, has fantastic views, is well kept and has a great mix of old and young residents. But when I consider what I'm going to have eventually dished out for the place, when ALL the moolah has been handed over, after 20 years....really, it's worth THAT much....yeah right, I could easily throw in the towel.

As a single-income-single-chick, I never thought this day would come......my ass officially belongs to the bank and my signature is now apparently worth a few bob. Signing your life away is not much fun, I was feeling rather queasy this morning. And then to top it off you always find out after you have checked and re-checked all the facts and figures, that there is just one more person who needs to dive into your piggy bank!!! Hello, after all the checking and re-checking, ze piggy bank is empty. I'm going to have to sell all my worldly possessions to cover this one...oh, wait, I have none. Suddenly, I realise why the lawyer is driving the lovely brand, spanking new Chrysler...Hello? And all because he chopped down half the rain forest and made me sign it!!!

And after all that number crunching it looks like this single-income- single-chick will have to rent my new baby out! Boo. So, for the next year I will still be living under the iron fist of the rentals! (Honestly, they aren't that bad:0)

It's just strange, when you sit down and really consider what is most valuable in life, is it really worth what car you drive, where you live, how much you earn? Or should we place more emphasis on the people we love and the experiences we share?

I'm leaning toward the latter!

Instant Gratification

We live in a selfish world. When we want something, we want it now and sometimes the consequences of our actions are never fully considered.

I have a rule, which drives most people nuts, but it's my rule: Does not mean because I have a cell phone I'm available 24/7. I'm not at anyone's beck and call and I'm not an instant gratification service provider. When did it all become so crazy?

Is it because of the technological advancements? This argument carries a lot of weight. Instant Messaging, MMS, SMS, email, cell phones, Facebook, Twitter, the list is endless. All have their advantages and disadvantages, but does it warrant this insatiable hunger to have everything NOW?

Listening to everyone talk about how hectic and stressful life is, is incredibly tiring in itself. When, why and how did we forget to stop and smell the roses. When did we become so busy that we don't even have time for ourselves, nevermind the few minutes it would take to dial the number of a good friend, ask how they are and really listen to their answer.

Everything seems so superficial. Nothing seems real, its all a blur. I'm not excusing myself from such behaviour. On numerous occassions I have found myself agreeing to the "Stresses Out" pshyco-babble. It's sad, really sad and so frustrating. When did we have to resort to working through the night, possibly even on weekends. Why do we have dining rooms, when most meals are consumed in front of the TV. And why do children have conversations with each other, in the same room, over Facebook or Mixit?

My friend Rach wrote of a similar topic a few weeks back and I was so relieved to know that this busyness is not limited to us loonies here in Joburg, but is an international "phenomenon".

It's November already and I'm struggling to remember where most of the year has gone. South Africa hosted an awesome World Cup and it already feels like it was moons ago.

I think its time we took it slow. Stopped and acknowledged the beauty around us, appreciated the finer things in life. Taste our food, really connect with somebody. Talk to them, look them in the eye.

I remember when we were being exposed to the rolling black outs from our exceptional electricity service provider, Eskom. Wow, secretly I actually looked forward to them. No TV, no "noise", conversation, laughter, thought provoking topics, crickets, rustling of leaves swaying in the light summer breeze.

I know, I sound seriously nostalgic, but this is how it should be.

Don't rush to wait. Wait, take a deep breath and just be!