Monday, 30 March 2015 00:00
DAY 21: If This Were Your Last Day, How Would You Spend It?
Written by Joyce Sarpong
“Look around Africa, you’ll see that new millionaires are springing up everyday. It is good to create wealth, but along with wealth-creation must come a deep sense of responsibility. Africa’s rich need to collectively deploy their resources for the good of the people around them.” ~ Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Executive Chairperson at Higher Life Foundation & Philanthropist, read more.. DAY 21: If This Were Your Last Day, How Would You Spend It? The Idea: Procrastination often creeps into our lives despite our best intentions. There are things we perpetually put off for tomorrow -- sometimes these are the things that we ultimately hold most dear. Today, on this final day of the Gratitude Challenge, take time to rearrange your priorities. Think…
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21 Day Campaign
The glory of sports comes from dedication, determination & desire. Achieving success and personal glory in athletics has less to do with wins and losses than it does with learning how to prepare yourself so that at the end of the day, whether on the track or in the office, you know that there was nothing more you could have done to reach your ultimate goal" ~ Jackie Joyner Kersee. DAY 20: Which sport stars dazzle your world? The Idea: Africa has its fair share of sporting superstars who have unfailingly dazzled us with their brilliant performances and successes over the years. Sports delights, informs and inspires us in profound ways to reach and fulfill our true potential. Today, take…
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21 Day Campaign
Friday, 27 March 2015 00:00
DAY 19: What is the most cherished gift you have received?
Written by Joyce Sarpong
"It has been said that life has treated me harshly; and sometimes I have complained in my heart because many pleasures of human experience have been withheld from me... if much has been denied me, much very much has been given me..." ~ Helen Keller was an author, speaker, and advocate of people with disabilities. DAY 19: What is the most cherished gift you have received? The Idea: Africa is a vast continent comprising of diverse and distinct ethnic groups. With this diversity comes many things that unites us such as respect for our elders, our cuisine, honoring our mothers and sense of belonging & community. These are gifts that we inherit as Africans. As you look back on your…
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21 Day Campaign
Thursday, 26 March 2015 00:00
DAY 18: What qualities about Africa are you most thankful for?
Written by Joyce Sarpong
"My gratitude for good writing is unbounded; I'm grateful for it the way I'm grateful for the ocean." ~ Anne Lamott, author of seven novels, several best-selling nonfiction books, and her notable instructional writing guide, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. DAY 18: What qualities about Africa are you most thankful for? The Idea: The media's the most powerful entity on earth." Our entire ecosystem is driven by brands and Africa is no different. There is a strong correlation between media, social media users and interest in brands. Brand Africa" is a complex amalgamation of the qualities of the continent. Africans are both the "brand" and "brand builders" which implies that internal brand building is pivotal to…
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21 Day Campaign
"Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good." ~ Maya Angelou, renowned poet and author. DAY 16: Which Artist Lights Your World? The Idea: We are surrounded by so many different forms of art. Music, theater, dance, poetry, painting ... these creative expressions are a gift. Art delights, informs and inspires us in profound ways. And each person responds to different mediums and artists uniquely. Today, take a moment to reflect on and write about the significant artist/s in your life and how they have served your journey. What do you appreciate most about their work? Remember, an artist doesn't…
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"Appreciation can make a day - even change a life. You willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary." ~ Margaret Cousins, a suffragist who established the All India Women's Conference in 1927. DAY 17: What Made You Smile Today? The Idea: As we walk through our daily lives, reasons to smile follow us around like a cloud of bright butterflies. Often we are too busy or preoccupied to notice them. But today, make a conscious effort to tune into the little moments of joy, beauty and goodness that surround you. Make time to smile, breathe and give gratitude for all the serendipitous gifts that have found you. Let your gaze dwell on the children playing on…
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21 Day Campaign
Tuesday, 24 March 2015 00:00
DAY 15: What's The Best Advice You've Received?
Written by Joyce Sarpong
"What my mother meant when she said 'you can't eat beauty,' was that you can't rely on your look to sustain you. What is fundamentally beautiful is compassion for yourself and those around you. That kind of beauty enflames the heart and enchants the soul." ~ Lupita Nyong'o DAY 15: What's The Best Advice You've Received? The Idea: Advice can be difficult, bittersweet and hard to swallow sometimes. But it also can point us towards a bridge when the gulf we are trying to cross seems impossible. Today, take a moment to recollect a piece of advice you received that helped you through a dark or challenging time. Perhaps it was a sarcastic comment from a school teacher or boss…
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Sunday, 22 March 2015 00:00
DAY 11: What Skill Do You Value Most In Yourself
Written by Joyce Sarpong
"Your success is in you, not in Europe. Intimidation made me stronger. I have put my hands down to lift up those without hope." ~ Sandra Aguebor-Ekperouh, Founder and CEO of Nigeria’s Lady Mechanic Initiative. DAY 11: What Skill Do You Value Most In Yourself? The Idea: We are each keepers of many talents and gifts, but sometimes we forget to pay attention to them. We become more focused on our places of lack. Today, take a moment to call out the skill that you most value in yourself. Remember though, that it doesn't have to be something spectacular or grand. Oftentimes it is the quiet, unassuming skills we possess that enrich our lives and those of others the most!…
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"We are all more blind to what we have than to what we have not." ~ Audre Lorde. DAY 12: What Do You Have Enough of? The Idea: Let's look at the concept of "Sufficiency". A state of being that is in touch with all the resources, both inner and outer, that we each have in any given moment. Sufficiency doesn't mean living in denial or with an absence of aspiration. It just means that you are fully aware of what is in your life and that you are not blinded by the things you don't have. Today, then, take some time to reflect on your places of sufficiency. List them down in your gratitude journal, or if you're feeling…
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21 Day Campaign
Sunday, 22 March 2015 00:00
DAY 13: When Has Nature Taken Your Breath Away?
Written by Joyce Sarpong
"It's really beautiful. It feels like God visits everywhere else but lives in Africa" ~ Will Smith DAY 13: When Has Nature Taken Your Breath Away? The Idea: Too often we get caught up in our own drama, and forget that we are part of a much bigger web. Nature is not simply a backdrop to our lives - in reality we are but minor characters in its grand and ever unfolding play. Sometimes we catch a glimpse of its mystery and infinite beauty - whether it's wearing special glasses to look up at a solar eclipse, or gazing out over the blue expanse of an ocean, or watching trees blaze forth in autumn glory. Today take a moment to…
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Sunday, 22 March 2015 00:00
DAY 14: What Barriers Have You Faced and Overcome?
Written by Joyce Sarpong
"I am thankful for the challenges early on in my life because now I have a perspective on the world and kind of know what's important." ~ America Ferrer DAY 14: What Barriers Have You Faced and Overcome? The Idea: Nearly a century on from being given the right to vote and despite the growing number of female-owned businesses, women still face barriers such as, inequality in the workplace, pay, business and in politics. For example, female safari guides are seldom seen as safari guiding is dominated by men. But life in the bush is gradually changing as women break down the barriers. Take a few moments today to appreciate Africa's female safari guide are are making it happen in…
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21 Day Campaign