RIP Steve Jobs-The Crazy One

Friday is Tie-day

Remember that game that was started by the 'Bully Brigade' in primary school, where they would run to unsuspecting little kids, grab and mercilessly yank their ties, screaming 'FRIDAY's TIE-DAY'. You don't? Okay moving right along.
Let's be honest people, like really honest: Friday is not a full work day, it just isn't. I know the nerdy, hardworker in you would have you believe otherwise but she's lying.

Whether you're a student, an employee or businessman Friday is just not a full work day. Even my retired grandma does nothing on a Friday, I heard her tell her pastor (who suggested a prayer session) on the phone yesterday, "Friday Mfundisi? hayi ses'thandaza kakhulu manje, hayi mina angeke ngikhone" (No Reverend, No i think we are praying too much nowadays, I don't think I'm going to be able to make it).

I remember times where I would go to work with the intention of completing a deadline, the first 4 hours were pretty productive, until I went out for lunch. The scent of the air would just paralyze my workaholic nerves, I would find myself extending my lunch time. And then when I came back late the boss would try to give but 'the eye', but he knows it's Friday, he can feel it too.

In varsity I don't remember ever going to a class on Friday. I would wake up a bit late, put the books in my bag, I remember going through the gate, but somewhere between the boomgate and the lecture was a distraction laid by the devil to lure me in. Either it was my friends chilling by our usual chilling place watching girls pass by and enjoying good conversation, or it was an intense strategic plan for the weekend ahead.

At work it's that fellow employee who sits right next to you who always has the best topics to discuss. The problem with these guys is they never leave you alone, even when you try to signal that you're trying to work, they just keep on talking.
They start with a question, "So did you watch the game last night?"
"No!" , you give them a short and dry answer hoping they'll get the picture: You trying to work!! But no, they carry on…
"Duuuuuude you missed out, you should've seen those Namibians, they were usuless"
And do you know how many tries we scored?"
And that is the start of the conversation that will end up making Friday a half-productive day.

For anybody who has a lecture today and would like to actually to go to it? "I say resist the devil and he will flee from you"

If you have a deadline to complete or a presentation to make, I say "You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you"
And if you have a nagging fellow employee who will not let you work in peace, I say, "My condolences."

Whoever you are, at least try to get some work done, a good and reasonable amount. As for me I'm gonna finish this proposal to the heavenly delegation, I want them to extend the weekend and make Wednesday a bit longer. I believe this will assist in cutting costs, increase productivity and boost worker morale.
It will also increase the chances of people going to church on Sunday because they will have more drinking days and thus more of an opportunity to nurse the hangover. This will in turn increase the chances of people getting born-again, and increase heaven’s membership before the end of the world on 21st of October, or May...or whenever the world ends. Call it a return on investment. Wish me luck.

And remember: Friday's Tie-day.

PURSUE YOUR PASSION (by Kirk Nugent)

(I just had to share this poem by Kirk Nugent, enjoy)


This is your life,
Your purpose on this Earth is not to please me.
Nor is it to fulfill your parents unrealized dreams.
You were not placed here to make concessions so that they could be proud,
So they could brag about their seed,
Fulfill some unfulfilled childhood emotional need
Let them be proud of their very own deeds
This is your life!

I came to shine light into the dark
And like a dog against a hydrant, I am leaving my mark!
We were not sent here to invest in someone else’s idea of what we should be
The complacent life does not stimulate me.
So forgive me if I feel no compassion
For those poor souls who live to follow the fashion.
Because if you want to live a life that’s neither limited nor ration,
Then by God you must pursue your passion.
They will tell you that it can’t be done
As though you were delivered unto this world for your song to go unsung.
Let the world scream that unattainable theme
But for you, there is no such thing as an impossible dream.

Ain’t no mystery, check the history
Examine the life of Oprah Winfrey,
Muhammad Ali, Mahatma Gandhi.
Remember what they told Walt Disney?
They said, “Young man you must be blind
You must have lost your rodent loving mind!
No one would ever pay to be entertained by a mouse
Or anything of that kind.”
Now Disney is worth more than everyone in this room…combined!
Pursue your passion!

Steven Spielberg was kicked out of the University of Southern California
Film School because his grades weren’t good enough.
Pursue your passion!

Russell Simmons refused to sign Madonna
Because he thought she had no talent.
Pursue your passion!

Brandy’s teacher told her she was too ugly to be an actress.
Pursue your passion!

Bill Cosby used to shine shoes in front of Temple University.
Pursue your passion!


Michael Jordan was benched on his basketball team in High school
Pursue your passion!

Larry Bird was benched his entire freshman year of college.
Pursue your passion!

Here is proof that greatness is born out of zero doubt
In 1962 Decca Records dismissed four young musicians
Told them that groups with guitars were on their way out.
They left without a contract
But refused to walk on pins and needles
Months later they released their first album
And called themselves, “The Beatles”
Pursue your passion!

Colonel Sanders was 65 when he fried his first piece of chicken,
Made millions after he convinced us that it was finger lickin’.
Pursue your passion!

Lauren Hill was booed at the Apollo
Pursue your passion!

Luther Vandross was booed off the Apollo
Not once, not twice, but three times!
You’ve got to keep coming back ladies and gentlemen.
Forget the limitations set by your fellow man,
Because when you pursue your passion,
Provision will be provided for your plan!

Let others lead small lives, but not you.
Let others be satisfied with the crumbs, but not you.
Let others sit around and be chronic complainers, but not you.
Let others be volunteers victims, but not you!
Let others be imprisoned by their fears, but not you.
Let others use their race, their gender,
Their sexual orientation as a crutch, but not you.

Let others be concerned about what the neighbors
Might think, say or do. but this is not for you!
Leave that for the politicians, the governors,
Start caring about other people’s opinion
And you’ll become their prisoner.
This is about a lifestyle that uniquely fits.
Life is God’s gift to you,
Style is what you make out of it.
Whatever you’re passionate about, the perfection of that craft can be learned
So with the obstacles of this world be not concerned
Because if you set yourself on fire
The world will come watch you burn.
So now that you know that impossible is a word
Found in the dictionary of fools.
What are you going to do?
What are you going to do with the rest of your life?
What two things do you want said about you when you die?

I never listened to what the pessimists are telling me
Because I know that the richest place on the planet is the cemetery.
There you will find books that were never written,
Loved ones that were never forgiven,
Ideas that were smitten
And dreams that were forbidden.
Soil that was never tilled, cathedrals that were never built!
Restaurants that were never opened
Chefs that never knew they were smoking.
Paintings that were never drawn nor hung,
Songs that were neither composed nor sung
Souls that never acted on what they really wanted to do
So don’t you dare die with your greatness buried within you!

The sperm that fertilized your egg
Survived the odds of 400 million to one.
Get it? Your sperm won!
As long as you live, you will never face such dramatic odds,
Now tell me that ain’t proof you’re favored by God.

You’re greater than any obstacle that can make you hysterical
So don’t you dare leave without your miracle.
It’s all an illusion, don’t you invest in their lies
Their forecast of economic woes and financial demise.
The Universe has an infinite supply, so no need to lie when I testify
That regardless of the economy, you cannot be denied!
It matters not if they raise the terrorist threat level
To hot pink, burgundy or fuchsia
You were born to control your future!
Don’t let ‘em fool you.
You were born to win, destined to be great
Magnificence was chiseled into your heart,
When God made you he was just showing off!
Discover your divine assignment and you’ll have no reason to retreat
Discover your passion and you’ll laugh in the face of defeat.
Indifferent to the pressures felt and you do not buckle like a belt.
Declare today that you refuse to lose
Because you can either live your dreams,
Or you can live your excuse!

So even when I’m old and grey,
I’ll still be commanding the stage,
Words still be smoking off the page.
So understand…this ain’t no phase!
Because everyday I learn a new lesson,
My best poem has yet to be written
And I’m not leaving until what I came to give has been given.
99 on the mic and I’ll still be spittin’ Still be rippin’
Still be giving, Still be driven So let my tombstone read:
Here lies Kirk and he died…LIVING

Burying Past Relationships

So you're sitting with a potential girlfriend, she's great, you guys have had a few random dates enough for her to kinda get the picture that you dig her and would like a tad more than a 'Will and Grace' type of situation.
You've pulled all the necessary stunts, you've taken her to the movies and grabbed a hand, even though you weren't man enough to go for the kiss (Chicken!!!). You call her on random occasions and tell her you just thought about her and you've taken those long strolls where you gently push her with your hip, she pushes you back, and you push her and then you both push each other until one of you realizes it has to stop, cause somone might fool around and spring an ankle, even worse fall over the ledge. Then your chances will really be screwed.

Anyway during one of these semi-romantic days someone's mouth got so big, they decided to talk about past relationships. Oh yes, the dreaded must-have ex's conversation. Of course most guys hate this conversation, at least I do, I mean why can't they just stay in the past. I do however find myself in these horrendous situations where she has talked about her ex and in an unprecedented, emotionally blackmailing kind of way I am expected to dig up scenes from my past relationship/s. We all remember the big rule right, "When a woman does something for you, you're expected to return an equal to the deed she has done" the opposite does not apply though, she is not expected to do for you what you did for her. Don't look confused, I don't set the rules, I just follow them.
Anyway, so when she has spoken about her ex, you definitely have to speak about yours. If you don't you'll seem like a bitter old hag that hasn't gotten over his ex, and that's just unmanly.
So you begin...and just like we're supposed to do, you keep it sweet enough to share that it was special, but short enough to relay that it ended, but just when you thought ya’ll can move onto the next item on the agenda, she goes back to talking about her ex. DAMN!!!!
As she carries on, you read between the oh so thin lines you and realize that this person might just not be over her ex... at least not as you would like them to be. This is not something she will tell you, but it's usually written all over her glowing eyes and the big fat ugly smile on her face when she talks about the schmuck.

To add salt to the already exposed wound is her mentioning a character trait that we all know you lack. Like ‘he was more patient, he used to cook for me, he loved children’ or the most common, "He used to buy me lots of expensive gifts".
After that scene from an all too familiar movie, we all know what just happened..."You just got compared" *sigh* *sigh* Heavy Sigh*
If this has ever happened to you, whether guy or girl, I would like to spare a moment of silence.

*silence*

Well quite honestly, this happens, very unfortunate, but it does.
It happens when someone:
1) Has not found closure from their past relationship.
2) Notices undesirable character traits in their 'potential' that they would like to change
3) Is just an ungrateful spoilt little brat that wants to have Mr./Miss Perfect when they, themselves are anything but.

The truth is when someone has not buried their past relationship, it rests as a stinking rotting corpse laying in a closet somewhere in their lives. The smell comes out in romantic settings when innocent brothers are trying to make headway, nxa.
The truth is people just need to get over their ex's, seriously. It ended for a reason. And guess what? Relationships do end, not (always) because you (or the other party) are bad people, but because sometimes that's what happens.

The process of closure is a very painful but necessary one, equatable to the 'process' of healing after an important operation. Cry, mourn, eat ice-cream, pray, listen to Tracy Chapman, and mourn some more. Just make sure that you do whatever it takes to rid yourself of the remnants of the previous person.
I've always said, that romantic relationships are a pretty strange concept. I mean one minute a person becomes part of your life, your mind, your heart, your laughter, a 'prism' through which you view this journey of life. And then suddenly you have to let them go. That takes some getting used to and many of us are tempted to keep a piece of that person with us. Some pieces bigger than others'. Some of us even bring them back for a few occasions, borrowing them from other people, other times using them to fill a void that our current partner does not fill.
I'm not going to be gentle about this. It's sick, horrible, unfair, evil, dirty, and a by-product of naivety. And if I see you doing this I'm gonna slap you.
On the serious side though, there's nothing with reminiscing, the problem comes when you dwell.
Your life's fulfilment is not dependant on one person, no matter how big a role they played you can still live happily without them.

Remember that when God takes one thing from you, He is trying to make space for the better one. So please don't stall the divine process of making you a better person, by holding on to the former things. It's tough I know, but it's better to suffer in the short-term and benefit in the long-term, than benefit in the short-term but suffer in the long-term.

Happy Loving My Peeps.

-SGM

The Least Common of Senses

I have come to realize that common sense is not the most common of senses. I mean we see it in all spheres of life.

Corrupt officials, from the top dogs we ironically call 'Ministers' and 'Commissioners' down to the lower ranking officials accepting dirty money and allowing illegal activities to permeate and find comfort on their watch.
From the pregnant little girl down the road, who is days away from her sweet sixteen allowing a drunk old, pantsula looking taxi driver to impregnate her even though she knows that he is more likely to leave her for one of the 3 girls that occupy the front office of the taxi when she's not around.

What about that nigga who knows very well that his mother's trying her best to get him through school and still chooses to experiment with drugs and crime, even though he has seen the Special Assignment documentaries and the News. Even in the movies most of the bad guys either get shot or die. Except for Oceans Eleven but they're gonna get caught one day, either by Will Smith and Martin Lawrence from Bad Boys, or Bruce Willis and Danny Glover from Lethal Weapon...just watch and see, don't say I didn't warn you.

But why oh why, do we human beings fall into the same traps that are conspicuous in their placements? We, Human beings are so dumb that even if a trap was placed in front of us, with a sign that read, "TRAP" and another one that says, "DANGER, GEVAAR, INGOZI" we would still go into it.
And when we get caught we either call it, a mistake or my personal favourite, "A POLITICAL CONSPIRACY". I swear these days when people are asked in court, "How do you plead?" They reply, "Political Conspiracy!"

It's funny how these 'mistakes' or 'political conspiracies' often contain passionate or material benefit that we seem to enjoy, even if the joy is fleeting.
I don't know about you, but I think it ceases to be a mistake when I actually help you take my clothes off and hide the picture of my mate.
And it ceases to be a political conspiracy when I took the money, bought a flashy 7-series, that I still have in my possession.

It's funny how creative we have become in trying to cover up our blatant wrong doing.

This is the reason I was praying last night, for myself and for a few of my friends. That God give us 3 basic qualities:

1) The ability to clearly distinguish between right and wrong;
2) The boldness to choose the right, and
3) The patience and persistence to bear the results of choosing that which is right.

That even when the passion cries out from the pit of our pants, or the emotions are raging like a fierce summer storm, even when the right decision threatens our economic or physical security, we will be able to stand for that which is right.

I think it is in this profound yet simple wisdom that God will be able to trust us with much more than we have now.

-SGM

Doctor's Emotional Order

I went to my doctor yesterday, for my yearly check up. It was supposed to be very simple I go in, he runs a couple of tests and tells me I'm in good shape. Thereafter he was supposed to quote some verses from the doctors bible. Nobody knows what's in the doctors bible because, well...it's horribly written, the only people who can read the doctors bible are doctors, witchdoctors, pharmacists and witchpharmacists. Anyway some of the main commandments in there are (and I quote my doctor):

"-Thou shall stop running away from veggies.
-Thou shall love exercise as thyself.
-Thou shall not consume an abundance of hot-wings on the Sabbath.
Thou shall lay off the red liquid from the holy communion"

To which I contend, 'But I have to have more of the blood of Jesus doctor?'

He did, however, say something out-of-character for a bachelor-doctor that drives an M3, and owns a lofty pad. 'You should share your emotions more man',
I was shocked, is this a Pharisee-doctor?

'What are emotions doctor?' I enquired.

And then he went on some long scientific and psychological explanation, enough to help me understand that they are very immusculating things men carry, usually locked up in some prison. Apparently it's part of the reason why some men get heart attacks, and strokes because they keep these 'emotion' thingies locked up.
The more he explained this the more I realized that the only way we men have emotions is because they're pretty contagious. We contracted them from spending to much time with ladies, running after them and consuming large amounts of their.....*clears throat*

That's why we keep these 'emotion' thingies locked up, because we don't know how to handle them. Women are used to handling them, they cry, vent, buy teddy bears, watch Oprah, hire psychologists, talk and talk and cry some more.

So in case you are wondering why I wrote this piece, I just want you to know that it is an order from the doctor, and I follow doctors orders.

I just watched on television how married women, cheat on their husbands...and vice versa. It angered me particularly because I've been thinking alot about this whole love-process that we apparently all have to go through. I have seen over my life some of my good friends blatantly hurting people that they loved, and I have seen my innocent friends being hurt by people that they loved and cherished.
You see I can cope with mistakes, I would be a fool not to think that in this emotion-induced drunkenss people are not bound to hurt each other here and there. But the problem with some of these situations is that some people just do it on purpose, they intentionally cheat on you, and then want to rub on you tomorrow morning as if they didn't just go and exchange passionate gestures with somebody else. Sies Maan. Sies.

Okay this is getting hectic, let me gather myself, we'll finish this tomorrow.

Guys and Journals?

So this week I read a Destiny Man article by leadership expert and (author of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari) Robin Sharma and in it he suggested that we should keep Journals.
Journals??
-Yes Journals?
For men?
-Yes for men!!!
Aren't Journals for...STOP RIGHT THERE!!!

I use to keep a journal, in it I documented some of the major events in my life. I started writing it in 2005 (when I was in Grade11) and stopped around 2007 during my 1st year at varsity.
Those years were a bit rough for me, I was under pressure to perform well in school, felt a bit like the Israelites in the wilderness, didn't know what career path to choose, struggled with some of my most important subjects, I had just kicked off my motivational speaking and of course there was a little romance happening in my life.
So the journal was a place where I could engage myself on a one-on-one basis, I could spell out my goals for my life 5-10 years on and follow up on them on a day-to-day basis.

When my results came out I would have an accountability session with myself detailing why I didn't make it and instill implementation strategies for the new term ahead. At times I was hard on myself, sometimes shouting (and even swearing) at myself for not performing according to my full potential.
It was a also a sanctuary for my emotions, a place where I could come out and express some of the deepest concerns of my family, friends and the little romance that I had in my life. I never had anybody to get emotional with, and not the 'emotional' where men frown and express anger just to hide their genuine emotion, but the 'emotional' where you are honest with the bruises that may have been leveled on the strong-you, by even the weakest of people.

You see the secret is out, men do get emotional, those who pretend not to, spend their lives building hard exteriors that not only self-destruct in the future but cause those around them perpetual harm and despondency, leaving bitter tastes in the mouths of their wives and children (reference: Oprah Show).

Further than it being an emotional one, it can be space that you spend in engaging yourself, writing down your yearly business visions and goals, tracking them week to week. Write down your spiritual desires and weaknesses suggest ways in which to overcome them. The accountability part of it is also quite crucial, you can question yourself on:
-why you have put on so much weight with no consideration?
- Why you still put-off pursuing that part-time course at the business school answer the tough questions like why you have been using business profits on females that do you no good.

You can even ask more long term questions like, should you take that Job Offer in Cape Town, or stay in Witbank, look at the cost implications, the growth and exposure implications.

One can even engage themselves on the options between a potential romance brewing up, is this the person for you? Do they contain the qualities you look for or Is it just a lustful desire? If it is a lustful desire is it worth pursuing, and if so what are costs and the benefits?

The truth of the matter is that most of us roam around the earth with unanswered questions in our lives, confusions of sorts. When we are unsure we tend to ask other people of their opinions of the situations in our lives, when in fact the answers are right in the inside of us. The trick is we don't spend enough time with ourselves to 'unearth'the answers.

Men, Real Men are those that can spend time engaging and deliberating with themselves, those that are brutally honest with their weaknesses and also build on their strengths. Men who cannot be honest with themselves are less likely to be honest with other people (REAL TALK).
I could conclude by telling you that Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, Steve Biko had journals...and because these great men had journals you should have one too, but that would be me trying to be a salesperson. I am being honest with you now, man to man...the benefit of getting a journal far out weighs the costs.
The cost is that you may seem a bit feminine to both yourself and those around you, this is especially true in SA's deep rooted african patriarchal culture.
The benefit is that you get in touch with you, the real you...and are able to afford finer nights of rest.
Gosh, this is hectic, let me go put it in my journal #running.

2 tips To Make Keeping A Journal Easier
Tip #1:
One of the wonderful things about this technologically advanced world of ours is that we have all these wonderful devices that can make 'Journaling' a lot easier. Carrying a small book will probably have people suspecting you for a journalist or a private investigator, but you can use cool things like a note-pad in your phone. These cool functions give you the ability to document in even the most awkward of places, when time avails itself. You can journal on your blackberry while you wait in a line in the bank, you can find a quiet place while they wash the car or even when you are waiting for your girlfriend to 'FINISH UP' *Frown*.
Just make sure you look over your shoulder for those funny people in line that make it a habit of not minding their own business.

Tip#2:
You don't have to Journal everyday, you can do it every second day, or every third day depending on your comfortability. But make sure that you don't use your journal for emotional frustrations only, but let it be a wholistic experience with self.

Try it, if it doesn't work I will allow all men to make me stand trial for 'Crimes Against Manhood'. If it works, tell a friend.