Jodene is the co-founder of:
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Published October 21st, 2011
I know Twitter. I strategise, plan and support people with their branding and the voice they want to get out into the world. I’ve got impressive numbers and all that jazz, but nothing will ever be more valuable to me about Twitter than a bunch of crazy girls.
I have plans. It has a lot to do with social media and a whole lot more to do with lots of bucks, but it will never be of more value than a bunch of loud and very giggly girlfriends.
Yes, awesome Twitter things happened yesterday and Lifeology were officially appointed as the social media strategists for Nkosi’s Haven and all I wanted to do was share it with the most supportive crowd of girls I’ve ever been blessed to know.
Last night was Twit inspired beyond belief and even though it was the 4th anniversary (I figured that out by default and am not that date obsessed … I hope ;p) I was in the happiest place I could be.
There’s this girl, you see and she fell in love with this boy. Wow, my blog has been laced with love stories of late … anyway … so this girl and this guy fell in love. My favourite part is when I tell you that they met over Twitter and last night was a surprise farewell for this very special friend.
Since the beginning of the week, the challenge has been for 8 avid Twitterers to not let the cat out the bag. 8 girls who Tweet about everything now have to shut the hell up! Um … well, we did it! We managed to hold our Tweet fingers still for a little over a week and surprise our dearest friend @pixelslave10.
Twitter is my income, my passion, my career and my leap of faith, but most of it, it’s the place where some of my most precious friendships began. That’s why I started #FollowSA!!! Because of the limitless possibility of a Tweet and the proof that one Twit (or 
can change your life.
I laughed myself silly! I felt my heart cry! I shared my happiness! I spoke my fears … with the most amazing bunch on Twits!
@Pixelslave10, @Dezy_D, @LizaSutherland, @KhanyisaKN, @Liesldb, @Leebs101, @LindseyKin85 and @SamRobinson25, no matter where Twitter takes me, it will always have brought me to you!
I had lunch with a friend of mine today because he needed some advice about life and the directions he should take. He has known me way before ‘project me’ and said he needed help making his life his own personal project. I reminded myself of the most important point today … to find something to be grateful for at the end of every single day.
Today, on top of the work beginning to flow in, key accounts heading my way and it being a week until I create a home with Mr Unexpected … I’m most grateful for my friend … a real bunch of Twits!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published October 20th, 2011
Johannesburg resident Kona Brown is a national finalist at the crowning event of Mrs United Nations Pageant on 1 – 3 December 2011.
The uniqueness and importance of the Mrs United Nations Pageant lies in the fact that it is not a beauty pageant, but rather is designed for “real” women with a passion to add value to other people’s lives with the finalists being judged on the humanitarian work that they do for the community on an on-going basis.
She is judged and selected based on her family values and established family support and love. She is a spokeswoman, role model, and a recognized leader for married women all over the country and world.
Kona Brown entered the pageant on this basis, and is thrilled to have received the confirmation that she is now through to the final round, where Mrs United Nations SA will be chosen, to go and represent the country in the worldwide competition being held in November 2012 in the USA.
The local competition is part of an international pageant series and has been running in South Africa since 2001 with previous winners including Liesel Krause-Wiid (2005) and Nadine Blom (2006), both of whom went onto represent SA in the International Pageant during their reign. In its short 9 year participation thus far, South Africa has already produced 5 international winners.
Back in 2006, Kona was no stranger to the corporate boardroom, being a successful senior business analyst in the Banking Sector. Even during that time she was involved in charity work and various corporate social investment initiatives where she donated the little time she had spare to volunteering at Mother Theresa’s Hospice in Yeoville.
Leaving the corporate world to start her family at that time, she found such fulfilment being able to make this difference in the community so desperate for help she made the decision to continue volunteering her time, on this occasion at Rays of Hope, and in 2009 start volunteering 4 mornings a week. She has since become the project manager for their Child Headed Households Project. This project focuses on assisting orphaned and vulnerable children in Child Headed Households in the Alexandra Township. (www.raysofhope.co.za)
They currently have over 30 families in the project, assisting over 100 vulnerable children who have been orphaned by AIDS and who now have to take care of themselves and their siblings – basically children raising and caring for children. Through a variety of initiatives the organisation aims to move the children out of the victim cycle and assist them in finding a more hopeful and better future.
Says Kona; “When I left the corporate world almost 5 years ago I never dreamed that I’d be able to apply any of my skills in a non-profit organization. But it has changed the way I see my country and has deepened my love for South Africa and its people. There are so many opportunities to do good.”
She continues; “Now as a finalist in the Mrs United Nation SA Competition, I hope to inspire other regular South Africans to get involved within their communities and to create greater awareness around the ever growing plight of child-headed households and orphaned and vulnerable children and the projects aimed at them.”
About Kona, courtesy of Artslink.co.za
Kona tells her project me story:
What is your definition of happiness?
Being used for a purpose
If you could have everyone say one thing to themselves every day, what would it be?
Today I will have grace with myself and others
We all need someone to believe in us. Who is that person for you and why?
My husband and kids think I’m invincible. It might have something to do with iron-fistedly running a household where I am thoroughly outnumbered by the amount of testosterone. My husband has seen me at my best and at my worst and has always been the person who brings out the best in me and spurs me on to be a better version of myself.
What quality do you believe we can never be taught because it is our birth right?
Hopefulness
Describe the moment when you realised that you could achieve anything?
The day I started believing in The One greater than I, who is able to do more than I can ever ask for, hope or imagine.
What have you always dreamed of being or doing and have you reached that dream?
I’d love to be part of a UN humanitarian outreach or relief effort, especially somewhere on the African Continent.
When life gets in the way, what do you always remind yourself of?
To live and be present in the moment.
We all have something unique to offer the world, what is yours?
My relentless pursuit to better the lives of those less fortunate and my ability to inspire others to do the same
How do you deal with the fears that could potentially hold you back?
I spit at them! Quite literally.
What do you believe we have lost sight of in the world as a whole?
That we belong to each other.
Follow Kona Brown on Twitter
Kona’s charity of choice: Rays of Hope
Imisebe Yethemba (trading as Rays of Hope) is the community based outreach arm of Rosebank Union Church. It is an independent Section-21 (non-profit) organization which manages a large number of social outreach projects with a particular focus on Alexandra Township, northern Johannesburg. Many of these projects have been initiated by Rays of Hope, but we are also actively involved in supporting activities of other NPOs, NGOs and CBOs which align with our vision and values.
We are “hands on” in Alex and have developed close relationships with community leaders, the police, High Schools, the Alexandra clinic and the Department of Social Development in order to leverage appropriate assistance where it is available. Rose-Act was started in Alexandra in 1991 in an effort to enhance education in Alexandra.
Follow Rays of Hope on Twitter
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published October 19th, 2011
It’s amazing how I’ve changed my view on so many things that go on in my world and find the reason to make it that much more significant or insignificant.
I’ve decided to make the Census 2011 very significant, even if it’s for the moment in time that I sat with the form and was part of counting all South African.
I marked ‘no’ for owning sheeps, cows or pigs but smiled at the number of people who live off the land that it’s such a significant part of the census.
There’s always a shadow side and for me that always comes in the pessimism of the people. I never have run-ins with fellow Twitterers but the occasion only ever arises when my optimism and love for this Country comes shining through. I’ve even been blamed for being heartless for loving this country because obviously crime hasn’t ruined my life enough. I have stories … many, but I also have choice.
I choose to love my country and I choose to believe that anything is possible. If I can believe it for my own life then why would I not have enough rays of hope to spread around a little.
I vote! I’ve been counted! I stay positive!
The census did something else though … something very personal and real for me. It asked the question about my relationship status and the options were clear … only one could be chosen for me: Living as though you were married. Wow … I don’t know if you will remember the days when my bio used to say, “30something single Jozi girl …” I also remember the day Greggie told me to ditch that affirmation.
It amazes me that we are in the midst of a process where every South African is being counted and I’ve chosen to make it count too … because I have blessings to count,that are only possible because I chose to be born in the rainbow nation!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published October 18th, 2011I’m Libra! I don’t know if that’s the only factor that makes me a hopeless romantic, but I am one.
I watch Top Gun for the scene where he sings to her in the bar. I watch Pretty Woman for when he phones her to tell her not to answer the phone and I just watch Casablanca over and over for so many romantic ideas of love.
Romance is like saying you are rich. It means something different to every person and when Mr Unexpected hears the extent of romance that Swiss went to propose to E, well he thinks he’s not romantic at all. (Here’s the proposal blog, if you missed it!)
I know romance. I know what would make my heart skip a beat and I know what makes me feel like the richest girl in the world. It’s not going to be written into a Hollywood love story, but it’s going to be eternally engraved in my heart.
The y0ghurt he buys me for breakfast and forgets in his car overnight!
That no matter what I’m doing, when the gate opens and drop everything to meet him at the front door!
We hold hands the moment either one stirs in the morning!
The rose he pics me that slowly wilts in car as we spend the day driving!
Dancing around the kitchen while he sings horribly out of tune!
Me watching Afrikaans programs that I don’t understand and in turn he watches girlie series like Army Wives and Private Practice … holding hands!
I know romance and it might not be laced with diamonds or candle lit dinner, but it’s our romance and who could ask for anything more!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published October 17th, 2011
Every day I share my ‘project me’ story and try share with the world what it is like to stay focused, true to oneself and conquer our fears. Today, I realised that I need to get some of what I give in a few areas of my life and I’ve embarked on some personal coaching. More about that in the days that follow, because today I want to share a love story that is a reminder to me of just how powerful one’s project me story can be.
My friend E was madly in love with him the moment they set eyes on each other. It was clear as a flawless crystal ball that he felt the same way. She is your heartfelt SA girl and he is a visitor in this pretty country of ours. He is a traveling man and always made it clear to her that his heart would be wherever it landed and that attachment and marriage didn’t fall into his vocabulary.
I could see from every kiss, tear and accepting word, that she was dying inside but prepared herself to let him go whenever the time came. Some days I saw her clinging to hope with fearless abandon and other days I saw her let him go with ease and wait for the day that he packed his bags and moved on to where the wind took him. My heart broke for my friend and now that I am in love, the thought of having to let my man go if he told me he was a traveling man, well I think I would feel as though the world were coming to an end.
He did it. He dug into the depths of his being and he realised that he was a traveling man and that, no matter how much he loved her, it was time to move on. She occupied herself with her work and her home. She poured her love into her precious little dog and she respected his wishes because of her eternal love for him.
I believe that she came to peace with his leaving and I think that is the greatest lesson I received from my friend, E, living her project me story. She loved him enough to respect his wishes and she loved herself enough to move on.
Faith …
I wonder if a part of both of them knew that the separation would be the very thing that sealed their love? I wonder if it was so left field for him that he still finds himself horrified at the events that followed.
He loves her … that has been clear from the day they set eyes on each other.
He doesn’t want to live his life without her … well that he didn’t see coming. It this where the script of a Hollywood movie we would say we know the ending because it is so predictable. I think we predict it in movies, but do we see the fairytale ending in the real life stories that I friends live before our eyes?
Today I did …
Today when she wrote to me to tell me he had returned to South Africa to tell her how much he loves her.
Today, when he took her skydiving and jumped first only to be waiting on he bended knee at the bottom for her.
Today, when he had a banner made that she would see on the ground and she fell through the sky and into the arms of the man she dared love and dared let go … only to love again!
I needed this lesson today. It might not have to be about love, because I have found a very precious one. I still needed the lesson … that sometimes life is that unreal or predictable that it’s just like in the movies or novel that has a predictable happy ending.
That’s my greatest realisation of it all. If we truly are that powerful then all we need to do is have the faith to write the story that ends in … and they lived happily ever after.
A very special congrats to my friends E and Swiss for jumping into love, jumping out of their comfort zones and then jumping out of a plane to spend the rest of their lives together …
THE END
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published October 16th, 2011
A part of me has needed a profound experience to talk to a great part of my journey with my body. I don’t believe in coincidence and with my understanding and respect for my own spiritual journey, I believe in signs. That’s why it’s no coincidence that one year ago today my blog post was about the death of a friend, to a very rare form of cancer.
I have started to realise that my journey has been a little more weight focused than I realised and although I was taking something to control my sugar levels, it was still a slimming product. It was only after I stopped taking the tablets and watched myself head back to my crazy world of cravings and picking up weight at a rapid rate that I knew I had to turn to someone I felt an instant connection with a few months back.
Meet Rory Jean-Jacques: Nature Doctor, Master Herbalist, Serial Entreprenuer, Eyeologist, Medical Intuitive, Message Bringer, Shamanic Magician, Way Shower, Inspired Lover of Life!
Everyone has a different Twitter story to tell and although it has brought me great success, it has also introduced me to some incredible people, Rory Jean-Jacques being one of them.
I have had many encounters with healers and medical intuitives but I have never had an experience as profound and aligned with a time in my life as my eyeology and blood analysis with Rory.
I have dealt with so many healing practices but haven’t been as fascinated as having my eyes read and been mesmerised by the accuracy of the story they told. Not only did a whole lot of health issues arise but so did the exact time I wake up in the middle of the night and some interesting spiritual demons I fight with myself. I didn’t have to tell him why I was so in need of the natural medicine remedy because my eyes did all the talking for me.
Yep, this is my blood ... free radicals, little swimming gross things and all
After overcoming the pricking of the finger and watching my blood droplet fall onto the glass, I watched my blood appear onto a screen and Rory analysed it under a magnifying glass. There were a few moments of relief, with well oxygenated blood and a good white blood count. On the other hand there were seriously little things swimming around, signs of sugar issues and clear indications of having to work on my diet and have Rory mix me a natural remedy to assist my main issue at the moment. The sugar imbalance and insane cravings.
Of course it’s grosser than I thought but on the other hand, watching this mixture be personally mixed for me and seeing the ancient essence that I know my body respects and will heal to, it makes it all taste a whole lot sweeter. I’m also drinking a hot mixture of cinnamon, apple cider and honey and trying my best to up my water intake.
This is what I can tell you. It is vital to be supported in a journey of trying to build up a relationship with one’s body. I have set out the achieve many things in my life, but the toughest has been a constant and healthy relationship with me. Rory, his knowledge, support and truly healing energy has given me a new found confidence in my journey.
I have had a week of not eating so well, but on the other hand, I have begun craving fresh and simple foods. I want less starch and comfort food and I am feeling that it is so much less about weight and so much more about a healthy lifestyle.
Phase two is a better understanding of what is healthy food and what should be avoided.
Rory, I am beyond grateful for your support along a my project body journey and thank you for you knowledge, insight and intuition that is the light guiding me along a shadowy path back to a healthy me.
For more information, take a look at Rory’s website.
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published October 15th, 2011I can’t remember when last I wrote a blog in the heat of the moment, but here it is.
I’ve had a gorgeously chilled out Saturday that even felt like a Sunday … and so I’m thrilled for a long weekend feeling. The thing that makes it different is that long weekends when I was single were kinda crap! Long weekends now that I’m part of a loving partnership is a totally different world.
I wouldn’t be writing this if there wasn’t a BUT!
I will melt after I’ve rationalise this, but I’ve eaten alone twice today and it’s brought up something that I don’t know whether anyone might understand. It mortified me to eat alone because of one particular reason … Mr Unexpected has been home for both meals. It’s been fixing cars and skipping lunch so he was hungry and had dinner by just after 5.
It’s not the end of the world, but it’s the realisation … it’s the realisation that I know what it’s like to be single and there are certain things that I fundamentally believe a couple should do together or they may as well be single. Harsh? Maybe! I still believe it …
If you are in the same space, well then you just shouldn’t be doing certain things alone …
Eating! I was raised in a family where we made time to eat together and it’s something so important to me that I can’t quite explain. I don’t believe there is ever a reason why a family or couple can’t take a moment (when you are both under the same roof) and eat together.
Um … I kinda love that concept for cooking and cleaning up too!
Crying … If I have to hide from the person I love and cry alone then I most definitely may as well be alone. Of course I’m lucky that Mr Unexpected gets that I cry often … very often! Some of it is dramatic and I take responsibility for that … but I never cry alone!
I’m Libra … granted, but I believe couples should go to bed together at least … um … well I like going to bed at the same time as my man and I’m lucky that we do!!
I have friends who’s boyfriends I have never met and then there is mine who gets invited to girl’s night out! He’s always let off the ballet and of course we both have our separate lives but when you have to go on your own … well, you know my thoughts on that!
And lastly …
Orgasm … if you’re doing that on your own and your partner’s near enough to reach out and touch … well!!
So, our meals got all screwed up today and for whatever dramatic reason, it mortified me … it also made me reassess what makes me know that I have no reason under the sun to be single!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published October 14th, 2011It’s one of those days when I’m too tired to blog and think that I’m the craziest person in the world to have committed to doing this every day of my life.
I’m counting my lucky stars that I still get people telling me they enjoy my blog because on days like today, I could so shut it all down and dig my head in the sand. It’s because I’m tired but far from done with this journey.
Anyway … all I really wanted to do was give myself a high 5 and not pretend to be humble about it. That’s what project me is, isn’t it … telling my truth and my truth is that today I’m proud as punch …
I should wake up tomorrow to 17 000 twitter followers … chuffed, so very chuffed!
On a super exciting note, an article was released about the tops Twitter people in Africa and I made it onto the LIST!
I’m stoked with myself and every fibre of my being knows that I have ‘project me’ and living with courage, consciousness and a sense of humour has carried me through. It’s also proof that setting goals isn’t nearly as important as living with purpose, because this wasn’t in my plan at all but it’s exactly how I imagined I would feel at a moment like this 
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published October 13th, 2011Does anyone think that sounds as crazy as I do?
Where did the year go? I know we say this every time, but for some reason this year seems to have flown by faster than any other. Wait, I think I felt this way when I was in high school and after school and when I studied and started my own business. Today seemed to be filled with talk of next year, which didn’t mean much until I realised that it would be two years of blogging every single day of my life.
More than that, it would be two years of using the power of being the storyteller, to hear myself thing and therefore live consciously. The second year of growing into my own best friend before the eyes of thousands of readers and another year of telling the truth, no matter how real or raw.
I remember getting into this space at almost the same time last year. Then I was deciding whether to close the blog down or not and now I’m focusing on breathing new angles and possibilities into it. Either way, my blog is on my mind a lot and I’m focusing on the successes, gifts and priceless moments that will help me keep this blog alive for yet another year.
Greggie and I were with a friend a few months back and she was saying how the 3 year mark symbolises something very important for a professional such as a doctor. It kinda means they are going to make it. That has stuck with me from the very day we discussed it and without falling into the trap of heading out for a definite goal … I can’t believe I will be counting down to 3 years of blogging! But … that will have to wait until next year!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published October 12th, 2011I had an incredible meeting tonight. We’ve decided to call it ‘the circle’. It started with one Twit (fellow Twitter person) and myself. Thereafter I invited someone and so did my co-twit. From there, those people invited and so we ended up with the company we had tonight.
On Sunday I will be launching a new partner to ‘project body’ and ‘project me’ and introducing you to a person who is fast becoming a mentor and friend.
Tonight he shed some light one where I need to shift my focus as a social media expert and a blogger and it got me thinking …
Would you like to see blog posts that give you tips, support and a better understanding of ‘how’ I live ‘project me’ every day?
Would a blog post on the process of telling yourself the truth or on how to take the steps to never have to tell a lie (not even a white one, serve you well?
On the other hand, does the daily journey of my life and the story I tell give you enough confidence and understanding to live your own ‘project me’ story?
PS … my stats show many readers of this blog, but my comments tell a different story. A great place to start you ‘project me’ is to ask for what you want … and if it’s help in any area of your life, I would love to know and to blog about it for you!!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
