2011, Wow! If this year was a man, I wouldn't know whether I wanna kiss him or slap him.
Over the last 4 years this has become a bit of a tradition. At the end of each year I sit down, reflect and really evaluate what the year has meant to me.
This year, I'd say was definitely a year of surprises. When it started I decided (as so did half the world) that it was 2000 & Elevate. I was going to go to new heights, in any and every way.
But the interesting thing is, the year on it's own accord, elevated me in ways I never could have chosen for myself. To new levels of achievement, of surprise, of pain, of spirituality, of love, of excellence, of failure and of me.
Starting with 2010, that year was the bomb! I bought a house, the convertible, got engaged, learnt to live without *****, it was Wow!
So, in terms of material things, and things that the outside world deems important, I started the year on a good note.
But then all hell broke loose, literally. In the first 6 months, my engagement went down the drain, I got into major debt, my sister died, I went back to *****, toothache, I broke up with a very good (female) friend, (not particularly in that order, yet all equally devastating!).
Death, I would say was a central theme in 2011. Firstly my sister and then my girl Lindiwe. With both of them I was shocked by the emotions that came with the loss. They were there, and whilst they were there I didn't give much thought to how much they meant to me, but when they were not there, I suddenly realised how much I loved/needed/enjoyed having them in my life.
The other theme was on the 'God-tip'. In 2011, God did not whisper he spoke clearly, and sometimes too clearly. I'll leave it there, for fear of seeming well... weird or crazy. But in 2011 God revealed himself to me as an artist.
The mysterious ***** is a big one. I called it Operation Shiy' Iscefe. Having finally achieved it, I am grateful but the battle was long and hard. This year I read Sun Tzu's Art of War, self-mastery is essential for any leader.
That leads me to the next key realisation of 2011. This is the year (for the first time in my life) I spent my own money on education. Firstly with the GIBS course on Leadership and then UNISA on African Leadership. So, this year I decided, I'm a leader. My behaviour, my attitude and my legacy all need to reflect that. Both courses were incredible, I learnt and grew in so many ways. The most amazing part was the affirmation of what I'd already learnt in the 26 years I've lived.
Then there was East Africa. 3 reasons I took the trip: 1) I needed a way to spend the wedding money after breaking off the engagement, (2) I had unfinished business with Ethiopia & (3) I love Mother Africa. The trip was worth more than all the learning I got from 3 years of university! I learnt so much about people, about the meaning of life and mostly about me, and where I fit in to the bigger scheme of things.
I'm smiling as I think of the next point. Each year of my life, people come in and out of my life. This year I met the craziest, most intelligent, happiest, most innocent person ever! My dear house-mate is by far one of the biggest highlights of my year. 6/10 LOL's I've had in 2011 were due to him. He taught me to play the piano, is constantly reminding me of who I am and was there to bear witness to my existence. I am blessed,
Every year I learn something new about family. When my sister passed, I realised the various dynamics within my family. The changing role I have amongst my siblings, at the funeral I was the youngest but they insisted I should speak on behalf of them, I found that intriguing. My other sister and I, how we've bonded as the year has gone by, my brother getting married and how amazing that was, it's all fascinating.
I didn't think I'd be mentioning the next point, but in 2011 I came across Judas. I got to befriend hm, understand him and accept the role he has to play in my life.
My relationship with my mother is always an interesting one, this year we started relating woman-to-woman, it was all quite weird at first but so rich and fulfilling at the end. My mom called me her best-friend this year, that is officially the best compliment I've ever received in my entire life.
My engagement, that's a tough one to discuss I must admit. From the beginning I never felt like I was in charge, so even now I feel like it's all part of a 'master-plan' that's bigger than me.But in everything I'm thankful and grateful for the love that was, and still is...
One of the biggest surprises for me in 2011 was starting my own company, I never would've thought I'd be a director and shareholder at 26, but God has been faithful.
In 2011, various people have come in and out of my life. Those who'd always been there have taken on new roles and in all honesty, I'm blessed that they have. I see the love, the growth, the elevation and I'm in awe of God's artistic hand on my life. I wouldn't change a single thing about how 2011 has panned out.
I have deliberately left out a significant part of my reflections on 2011, to the person that this relates to... No-homo.
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