THE STORM THAT YOU'RE IN

The storm that you’re in will toss you around.

It will throw your life out of kilter.

It will leave you discombobulated.

It will distract you from what is good in the world.

It will make everything seem out of control.

It will mess up your hair.

It will block the sun.

And thankfully, it will end.

When it does, you will be stronger.

More resilient.

Better prepared for the next storm.

The storm that you’re in is an incredible inconvenience.

And an amazing teacher.

Don’t lose sight of that.

It's been 2 weeks since my mother passed, and I find many people whom are close to me asking me how I am doing, how I am feeling and if I am coping, and though I often find myself responding: "Yes I am fine" or "Yes, I am hanging in there" or "Yes, I am trying to keep it together", the truth is I am not, I actually don't know what I am feeling, I cannot translate it into words I cannot compare it to anything, I feel like I have lost Everything and life just really seems and feels so irrelevant and meaningless you really cannot relate unless you are going through the same thing or have been through the same thing. I often find myself wondering how I will ever get out of this space, how I will ever view life the way I used to? A friend who has experienced exactly what I am going through now mailed me this piece which I believe is from the Better Life Coaching Blog by Darren Poke and the first 7 lines are a direct translation of how I feel and what I am going through, but what I absolutely love about it, is the assurance and promise that it gives that it will end, and that when it does you'll be a completely new or better person, that it will get better, and that is exactly why I decided to share it with you all.

P.S: Stay in Peace. Not in Pieces - Iyanla Vanzant

Love & Light

NICKI MINAJ PINKPRINT TOUR SOUTH AFRICA

YES SHE CAME, WE SAW AND WE WERE TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY!!
Last week Friday,18th March,I attended Day 2 of the Nicki Minaj PinkPrint Tour at the TicketPro Dome in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In this photo: Nicki Minaj holding it down in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In this photo: Nicki Minaj's performance outfit.

She sang ALL of my favorite jam, even went as far as singing her hook on "Bedrock" remember that Jam that was when she actually broke put into the industry and I have followed her career since then (a true fan),and it was so Fun being able to sing along to EVERY single song at one point I was even out of breath, the energy at the venue was spectacular, at this point I can't even single out any of her performances as my favorite the whole show was just amazing Nicki kept slaying and slaying and slaying but I will single out her performance on "All Eyes On Me" where she had pictures of her and Meek Mill displayed in the background *Beautiful*, we just couldn't get enough, at the end of her show we chanted for MORE and that's what she gave us MORE. A true artist & a truly magical experience. A bit dissapointed though that she didn't perform "Trini Dem Girls" and "Itty Bitty Piggy" but I have So Much MORE Love and Respect for Nicki, she is out of this world!!

.@NICKIMINAJ performing "Anaconda" live at #ThePinkprintTOUR in #Johannesburg. pic.twitter.com/fLpyfzZlSi

— Mundo Nicki Minaj (@MUND0NICKIMINAJ) March 18, 2016

In this clip: Nicki performing Anaconda Live at The PinkPrint Tour.

In this photo: Nicki signing off.That's a wrap.

Thank you for an epic performance she is Stunning. This was my moment for Life!!Oh yes and a BIG ShoutOut to my brother Musa Jiyane for getting me tickets to the show cause he certainly knows that I'm a die hard fan like Bruce Willis!! God Bless You!! #PinkPrintTour #Johannesburg #SouthAfrica #NickiMinajSA

26 THINGS I’VE LEARNED ABOUT LIFE AT 26

So it was my birthday 2 weeks ago and I turned 26, this post is a bit delayed but here it is

[pause for cheering]

I realized that as I've grown older,the birthday excitement has kinda died out I don't get as excited as I used to for it, it's totally weird LOL however, while I certainly appreciate the extra love on Facebook from family and friends all over the world that I haven’t seen or heard from in decades, Calls, Text Messages, Whatsapp and Tweets *hides* I still do believe that it is a special day and I always believe that your birthday should be different from any other day in the year, it is YOUR DAY!!
So here I am, just a 26-year-old woman, sitting in front of a screen, hoping that you won’t make the same mistakes that I made. But if you did, guess what? Everything ends up working out just fine.

What I Know:

1. Gratitude is happiness. There is tremendous power in positive thinking.

2. No matter how bad you screw up, you are capable of changing your course. You can create the life you want. Never give up.

3. Friends come and go, and that’s okay. Cherish the real ones.

4. Time and Money are expensive and sometimes irreplaceable.

5. Material things are only temporarily satisfying. Friendship, Family and Love, are worth so much more than fancy possessions.

6. Always be honest. Trust is easily broken.

7. Carpe Diem (Live in the moment)as cliche as it sounds, life really does fly by and memories fade When I was younger , I spent so much time wishing I was older. Now that I am officially old, I realize how important it is to breathe and stay in the moment.

8. Cherish every moment with your loved ones. Never take your family for granted. They can be gone, or become ill, in an instant.

9. What the mind of man can conceive and believe it can achieve. (my philosophy)

10. Never compare yourself to anyone, you don't know how they go there and what they did to get there. We all have our own special journey. You are exactly where you’re supposed to be.

11. Always be persistent in your pursuits. Consistency shows value in whatever you're after.

12. Take A Chance Say yes. Jump out of that plane. Take that trip. Take a chance.

13. Wake Up. Get Up. And Show Up translated in Zulu as Vuka. Ugeze. Ubangene

14. Your struggles and fears can help another person. Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your story. Life is never black and white and however much you may have an opinion on something, unless you have been there yourself, you really can’t judge anything anyone does.

15. Endorphins are real. Make fitness a priority.

16. The world will disappoint you. Your heart will break. But know this: No feeling is final.

17. Live your best life possible.

18. Imperfection is beautiful.

19. Just Do It. Do it Now, Not tomorrow, Not in the next minute, Not in the Next hour, the Next Day, Week, Month, or Year .Procrastination is a great way to move backwards.

20. Don’t waste your time feeling bad for yourself. If you’re experiencing self-pity, snap the hell out of it. For the most part, you are in control of your own happiness. If you’re in a deep depression, seek out help.

21. Success is Contagious. You need to surround yourself with successful people in order to learn & grow from them to aid your success.

22. You never get a second chance at making a first impression. You have to start and finish with a bang.

23. Life doesn't give you what you want but what you deserve. If it is meant for you, it is up to you.

24. Waking up early is always a good idea. The snooze button is always a bad idea - this is sooo true.

25. Whatever you believe about yourself on the inside is what will manifest on the outside.

26. Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters & Time heals all.

I know that what I know changes all the time and I can go from thinking I know a lot to realising I don’t know much at all. At this point in my life, I have been through such a learning curve so I guess what I know right now is that you are never too old to learn something new as I am learning something new every single day!In life you pay school fees and that is for your experience.

Merci Beaucoup!! One Love Always❤️

BECOME A GARNIER PURE ACTIVE AMBASSADOR!

Garnier is looking for a Pure Active Brand Ambassador and you can totally enter!

If you are chosen, you will have the opportunity to write monthly reviews for the Garnier Facebook page, get featured in their advertorials, and talk about your skin journey at events and in magazines.
It’s a pretty awesome way to make a name for yourself in the beauty biz and to help other people through your experience.

How to enter
Buy any products in the Garnier Pure Active Range, complete the Entry Form and email it to: admin@9lives.co.za

To download the Pure Active Ambassador Entry Form visit: http://www.9lives.co.za/garnier-pure-active-ambassador/

All The Best Wishes!

Source: Liezel Fourie @9Lives
www.9lives.co.za

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT WEDNESDAYS FEATURES LOWENA WARIES

In todays' Women Empowerment Wednesday the spotlight is on M-Net Local Entertainment’s youngest Marketing Manager Lowena Waries,the creative force behind the scenes on M-Net’s youth and music channels.

Lowena Waries (28) was recently appointed as M-Net’s new Marketing Manager for the youth and music channels (M-Net Local Entertainment). She’s the youngest person to have filled this role. Here she shares how her journey has been so far.

How did your career start?
I was fortunate enough to land my first job at M-Net right after I graduated from UCT and I’ve been here for nearly seven years. I have a great passion for music and the arts so being able to work for a company like M-Net has been absolutely amazing. I’ve worked as an EGP editor, a brand manager and now a marketing manager. My love for the arts goes way back and now I get to work on the coolest brand on the planet. I’m not complaining!

What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned?
It’s all about earning your stripes. This job consists of everything: putting up branding at events, working late nights, writing briefs until the early hours of the morning, sitting in on pitches and being a creative on set at 5am. The important thing is to also take everything in its stride and pay attention to detail.

What would you tell your 20-year-old self?
I’d say look at careers people haven’t told you about. Growing up, you know about the lawyers and doctors, and going to university – you’re told which careers to follow. So I’d tell my 20-year-old self that you can be whatever you want to be. Also, stop being too conformist about what you’re meant to do and having a “9-5”. Be a bit more out of the box about what you want to become.

What’s your creative process like?
I believe in brainstorming. I love having a thought to begin with – one simple idea – and building on it. I like taking that idea and sharing it with agencies or my direct team and asking them: “What are your thoughts on this and can it go further?” A lot of the time brand and marketing managers take on the perspective of their brands. It’s always interesting to step outside your role and put yourself in the shoes of the consumer. Ask yourself: “What is an 18-year-old thinking right now? Am I still relevant?” Those kinds of discussions, the brainstorming, etc… they’re important in the creative process. I’m 28 and although I think I’m cool, I don’t know if what I think is cool is the same as what’s out there.

What was it like being part of the Vuzu Amp launch?
It was fun, scary and challenging – all in one. Not only did it launch in SA, but we also launched it to the rest of Africa. There was a lot of pressure from the business, as it was another premium offering. Working on a premium channel is a very important focus for the Multichoice brand and although the pressure was high, it was eventually very rewarding.

What dreams or vision do you have for Vuzu Amp, Channel O and Mzansi Magic Music?
I definitely want us to keep the stamp of authority, especially with our music channels, like Channel O. I want Channel O to be a brand that pushes local music, but also celebrates a global way of thinking. Whether you’re in the heart of Soweto or in the Cape Flats, Channel O should speak to you and give you an aspirational feeling. Vuzu Amp has always been the trendsetter, i.e. with celebrities, reality shows etc. We always say that we speak to the psycho-graphic of being young at heart. Mzansi Music speaks to nostalgia, being reminiscent. So for me, I want all three channels to be number one in their target markets.

Source: Roxanne Francis @DestinyConnect

WORLD CANCER DAY 2016

To Supporting The Fighters.
Admiring The Survivors.
Honoring The Taken & Never Giving Up Hope!!

KIM K & AMBER ROSE THE SELFIE THAT BROKE THE INTERNET

Yesterday, Kim Kardashian set social media alight when she posted a shot of herself and Amber Rose, alongside the caption: "Tea anyone?" despite their tumultuous relationship over the years.

In the snap: the pair look like good friends as they pose next to each while pouting.