Jodene is the co-founder of:
and founder of:
Published May 8th, 2011
You know when you get a song stuck in your head and you don’t quite know how to get rid of it? Well I don’t have a song … I have 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, … I kid you not.
Since finding the ultimate venue with the ultimate sponsors to celebrate ‘project me’ day 500 with me, I can feel the countdown tick down with every heartbeat! So it went from being a little frazzled (ok, a lot frazzled) that the initial venue got canceled at the last moment, but life lesson no. 132 354 is that everything really does happen for a reason.
I’ve decided to hold back on the venue and sponsors … and the plans for the big event (that started as my idea to have a pot of soup on the stove for a couple of friends) as the countdown continues and I make plans.
Yep … every day for the next week you’re gonna know exactly what’s going on as I build up to a day that was never on my vision board, not in my affirmations and beyond my wildest dreams.
I spend my life telling Greg that “I just wanna write”. I never said what, how or where because those are the ‘hows’ … the little details that get us all caught up and tripping over the rocks instead of stepping over them along our path to happiness.
Of all the joys in the near 500 days … the people I have met have been my greatest gift. The fellow bloggers around the world, the Twitter followers who are friends without ever having met, the followers who are now truly friends (hng on, my … fell off nd my brother hs to put it bck on!) aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa … laptop sponsorship anyone?
Back to where I was … oh right, the incredible people that I am celebrating in a mere week’s time. There are so many and in the days that creep up, I will be thanking everyone. But for now … I have to thank my two bestest friends!
How lucky can one girl be?
Not one, but two totally nutty, off the wall and incredibly loving and supportive friends in one lifetime.
So I might have asked them to pose a little for the pic, but I literally had to tell these two clowns, Greggie and Hustler Girl, to repeat the faces they genuinely pull and Tweet the things that fall out of their mouth with reckless abandon.
That’s my ‘thank you’ to these two treasures in my life. I have needed a lot of encouragement and coaxing to allow my personality to flow through the blog and it has been these magical souls and my observation of how they throw themselves into the world and realised that it’s a much better place to be.
I have an odd feeling that every day is going to have the following sentence in it: “I cried today because …” and I have an even more sneaky suspicion that a box of kleenex of 7 should be scattered around the exquisite venue.
So … one incredible new ‘project me’ sponsor is soon to be announced and thanks to them, I have the ideal venue. It’s a rush but invites go out tonight and tomorrow. A little ‘project me’ exercise is to breathe and trust that invites aren’t going out too late with the venue change glitch.
The second massive ‘project me’ thing is to get over my uptight personality and let it go that I sent out a save the date to friends and the time is changing for the third time. Well, the only thing constant is change … right!
So now it’s mother’s day and I do have so much to celebrate with the special mother that I have … but she gets her own blog dedication this week. So have yourselves a beautiful Sunday wherever you are and if you are a mom, have a mom or miss a mom … my love goes out to you!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published May 6th, 2011
The other day I put on my Blackberry messenger status that the only thing constant is change. Some people have positive affirmations, other people remind themselves to breathe and I churn the reality into my head … the only thing constant is change! It’s a common saying but to let it sink in has made a lot of my life liquid is the most positive of ways … in my opinion!
I remember having coffee with a friend years ago. I had started the novel, though of the childen’s book, dabbled in social networking and still owned the Spa and recruitment agency while announcing that Greg and I were considering partnership. Instead of praising me or supporting me he told me that I sound all over the place. A huge part of ‘project me’ has been to trust my personality and not allow other people’s perception of me change me. If I did that then the change would be so out of integrity and that would be a huge ‘project me’ fail.
In the last 24 hours I’ve had to chant ‘the only thing constant is change’ and almost do a little chanting dance to convince myself that I am equipped to trust the change.
It’s been on again, off again negotiation deals with business and one thing I’ve learned is that nothing is a deal until there are all the signatures on a dotted line. My dad was a big one for the loyal handshake but I don’t think times are the same anymore and the anticipation is biting at my nature a bit. So one moment I’m all systems go and the next I’m holding back for that pen to paper moment … but for some reason I know it’s worth fighting for.
At the same time I’m trying to organise ‘project me day 500′. What started out as the thought of a little gathering has grown into a sizable event with special guests, sponsors and media. All had fallen into place so nicely, besides the fact that Greg and my little sis spent hours fighting to get the invitation layout email friendly. The fight finally ended at some ridiculous hour and we called it a night without invites going out. Thank heavens because the venue have their own changes that they need to deal with and they can’t accommodate the function. So after this post goes live a new fight begins. The fight to make this day a success and the event that I know I deserve for each and every day put into this blog and this way of choosing to live.
My last fight is a difficult one to explain to the world unless you have ever had one of those friendships. One of those friendships that sometimes does you the most harm and isn’t fighting for at all and then the same friend emerges with a retaliation filled with patience, admittance of miscommunication and the willingness to give it their all. It’s like table tennis with The Jock and myself and friends can insert an eye roll here. But after the ‘fight’ last week, which he doesn’t consider a fight at all and after not pulling through for me in the way I think a friend should … he didn’t see it as a fight at all, but rather what friends go through. I can’t even say I had a leg to stand on because in reverse, this is what Twinkletoes and I went though. I was telling him that friends fight and then they say sorry and it’s acceptable so why don’t the same rules apply to The Jock? Maybe they do! Maybe they don’t … but an hour and a half phone call and truth and I’m sorry’s and I want to fight for this (on both sides) is something I believe in.
So boxing gloves on … then boxing gloves … and boxing gloves on again … because the only thing constant is change!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published February 18th, 2011
Nothing …
I miss teaching terribly. I realised last night, after my self discovery group with a few old students, that I’m going crazy without teaching. I’ve blamed money for my frustration for a while now but the realisation is that I’m not being me and it’s chewing away at my self esteem.
So this is it … I’m slipping into my mode of greatest existence and I’m sharing a lesson with you that I have been reminding myself of a lot over the past few days.
Do you know that there is a difference between self worth and self esteem?
Imagine a tree with its roots planted firmly in the ground. The greater the need for stability according to the environment that the tree has to endure, the greater the root.
Firm within the earth the roots grow until they know that nothing will pull it from the ground, which is directly related to our self worth. It is the deep knowing of who we are. It is the unwavering strength, courage, self love, fearlessness and determination to survive. He all have it and that is what makes us all that powerful.
Above the ground is the trunk, branches and leaves of that very firmly planted tree. The storms, winds and beating sun may cause extreme chaos for the parts of the tree that are above the earth. Storms may be so bad that branches are ripped from the tree like limbs and winds may strip the tree of all its beauty, but the tree still stands firm. That which takes the beating of life is your self esteem. You get knocked down, beaten at every turn and scared into spaces of wanting to surrender, but your roots won’t allow you.
I am not the greatest fan of the perception of positive thinking and affirmations because of the world’s idea that saying anything negative could uproot them. The most fundamental gift that we can give ourselves as to speak the truth and many times that is laced with the reality that we are slowly being poisoned by not allowing the natural cycle of life to mold us. Without rain the tree would not be fed and it would die. Without the change of seasons and having to survive the harsh winters or the sweltering summers then the tree would stagnate and eventually die too, but it doesn’t fear the harshness of life because it knows its roots.
People expect that because of what I teach and my career choice that I should be positive all of the time. I was once asked where my rich lifestyle is if I teach manifestation. I have been asked how come I haven’t managed to manifest a boyfriend if I believe in the laws of attraction and where the masses are if I know I am that powerful. For a long time I thought I was getting it so very wrong. I even spent yesterday questioning the very things I believe in myself without a shadow of a doubt. My self esteem has been pounded over the past few days and I have had to weather a horrid storm that might not have completely passed, yet through it all I worked with pride. I created a new concept, set up meetings that take me out of my comfort zone and make me braver and I had the courage to initiate meeting a man.
I might be battered and bruised but today I am a little more aware of the strength, courage, determination and power of who I am. Maybe it’s my life choice but I wasn’t born with a simple knowing of my greatness. For whatever my soul reasoning is, I am choosing to learn it through storms and blizzards that test every fiber of my self esteem and that is what makes me more of the person I am determined to be.
I will have it all and the power of manifestation, the laws of attraction and positive thinking are real and truly that powerful. However, those are the roots and if you allow them to be uprooted whenever there is a storm then you don’t realise how very powerful you are.
If I needed all this hardship, fear and chaos to get me to my point of realisation that I am at today then I am truly living the laws of attraction. When I find the man that I know I can love unconditionally it will have been because of the rising of a battered self esteem that has endured many failing love affairs and when the abundance of money washes over me it will be my friend because of the hard works and respects we have worked on as a united team.
We all have those roots of self worth that hold us firm and remind us that no matter what life throws at us, we are unwavering. Your gift is to allow yourself to weather the storm in truth and look at the cuts, bruises and tears but the watch your power to heal the too and wait for the flowers to blossom … until the torturous rains return to feed you right down to your very deepest root.
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published February 16th, 2011
I have heard it said before that there’s something in the water, but for this blogging/writing/speaking girl, it’s in the tea.
If you have been following my blog for a while you might recall that in December my brother bought the wrong tea. The totally wrong tea. If you’ve been following you also know that I say I never complain, but I do! So I sucked it up and slogged my way through the other brand for nearly two month. Yep, if it were MY brand I would have drunk far more but I’m not one to waste stuff and everyone else in this house drinks coffee … sigh!
Then it happened. It was time to buy more tea. My brand! My tea! My Joko!!
I’m only a brand queen about two things … My Dolce & Gabbana and my Joko.
I kid you not, it’s only been a day or two but I swear something has changed. Or is it that something has returned? Last night Greggie, mom and I were talking about how I handled everything at my little sis’s wedding. I have also been on a mission to do more things with my career opportunities over the past few days. I’m ready to tackle fixing my back in a big way and I’m about to get bolder with a boy … it hit me all of a sudden that one very distinct thing had change. I had a hot cup of Joko tea in my hand.
Bring it on world! That’s how I feel today!
I am making plans to get my public speaking going in a big way. “Project Me” is about to be spoken about in the four corners of the world … although it might start in the local community hall down the road 
I have things to say, people to see, places to go and a lot more ‘project me’ things to do … but I will never be without my tea again.
We all have something that comforts us and I get asked so often what the difference between passion and addiction is? I have also been spending some time with someone who has so bravely overcome addiction in their life and although we all joke about my addiction to tea … not just any tea … I am beginning to have the smallest glimmer into the life of someone where addiction consumed their every waking moment. We are all addicts in some way and some of us don’t even know it.
I don’t know whether it’s worse to live with one that you know or have to try and figure out what is consuming you so much. I remember when I admitted my addiction to food and I know the first time I saw myself in the mirror and though ‘when did I become this?’
Between the long hours of talking to someone who has braved it yet still fears it and hearing many great words of praise for ‘project me’ as I live it and blog about it, I have been pushed to do something more. Trust me … I’m shit scared!
This morning I woke up ready to get out there and speak. Ready to tell my story because of how a story has inspired me, because we all have a story to tell.
So, if you are in the Johannesburg area and you have a venue you would like to promote or would like to sponsor a ‘project me’ talk, then contact me jodene@lifeology.biz or post a comment here and let’s get out there and grow together.
I also woke up today and realised that so many people have their ‘project me’ story to tell and I’m about to launch ‘YOUR STORY’ where you get to share your gratitude to anyone or any thing that has helped you nearly as much as my tea has helped me (This is a world-wide deal so get ready to share with the world because you never know whose life could change because of you).
Now that’s a funky way to start a day Tea anyone?
PS … this is my best Joko ad and I just had to share it with the world
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published February 10th, 2011
Don’t think I’m not in a complete state of eeeekkness. I’ve been dark before, actually the blonde was the difference. There’s something more though … I know that change does something and I’m kinda holding my breath at what this change might bring about.
It’s screaming boldness and for a long time I have been talking about living within my full potential of my personality. Well, it’s been so bad that I am beginning to think that is what has been getting me down. Greggie deserves a medal for enduring a day with me yesterday. I was horridly suckinly miserable. Part of it was because I wanted to talk about it but didn’t want to burst out crying into my calamari. Well, I think that’s part of it. I might just have been wallowing for a while and I don’t have to make an excuse.
A twitter friend commented on how bold I am from one of my posts. Twinkletoes sent a similar indication of my boldness while we were chatting and I think I kinda asked a stranger (well a special friend gave him my number and we have been chatting for a while … don’t ask me why I didn’t tell you sooner) anyway … I think I kinda asked him to my sister’s wedding. Whether he comes or not is besides the point. It’s the mere fact that it came all natural to me until my ego got in the way and I freaked out. That’s when Greggie reminded me of my boldness too.
It’s not like I didn’t fall apart yesterday and eat horrid concoctions of pure fat food. Although I did throw a healthy bowl of all bran flakes into the mix. But it passed within a few hundred (ok, maybe thousand) calories and I was back to normal.
Change should freak us out … no matter how big or how small. I think boldness freaks me out too … so I’m entitled to my little freak-out!
Anyway … today is a two part blog and the second part shall be posted when I’m all bright and bold … so say bye bye to the blonde in the meantime and I’ll see you on the other side of colour, rinse, cut and blow!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published January 12th, 2011
Another Tuesday evening spent with the two people who are also on the path of telling themselves the truth. Another night of feeling haunted by my own realisations because I know they are about to signal in more change. Another dose of truth and delving into the reason that I have learned this particular thing about myself at this very moment in time. It’s not easy and it’s not fun, but a good night’s sleep and I wake up with a whole new understanding about the night before.
That, or I wake up still a little frustrated and then I pull a muscle in the middle of my ribcage, while trying to jump into my jeans, and wind myself for the rest of the day. Trying to remember how to breathe is a great way to remember the gratitude and pause (while gasping for air) to think about what you are grateful for … just in case you die!
Okay, so I didn’t die … and I’m here to live yet another day of ‘project me’, but last night did bring about something that I can no longer hide.
For about a week and a bit I have been dealing with the nagging in my head and the nagging of my best friend, who have both been pointing out that ‘project me’ is about living to the full potential of my personality. Isn’t that how we are all supposed to live? Considering that I end each day reflecting back to ensure that I have lived my truth, within my integrity and in my highest esteem and I battle like hell to live within that full potential, I sometimes need to reflect back on how far I have come. No time to reflect back now though … it’s in this very moment that my attention is focused.
You see, looking back or dreaming forward is a brilliant distraction for a girl who is slowly realising that I have a very larger personality (I’m still trying to meet myself, so give me a moment before I introduce me to you), lives within my integrity, speaks the truth and has nothing at all, under the entire sun, that I am ashamed or hide from the world. Radical right? Well, can’t you see why I hide my personality then.
Things have been agitating me. I haven’t wanted to go places, see people or deal with issues. I feel the need to slip away from the world, but at the same time I can also feel that I am finally being true to myself.
Within just a few days of speaking my truth, knowing my worth and trusting my decisions, I have been hit with tests from all angles.
So I spoke my truth and got questions. I expressed my worth and got challenged on my strength of that very discovery. I made my decision and was confronted as to the esteem with which I made it … trust me, I know my foundation and I know the esteem ways high!
I worry that people might think I am arrogant … now wait, I used to worry about that. The truth is that that has also changed. I don’t worry about what people thing anymore. In the good way of not worrying, because I trust myself enough to know that the intention with which I communicate anything is pure and with love. I can’t worry about what people do with it though.
This means not playing into other’s lies, dramas or chaos. This means saying what I mean when asked to say something. This means rattling cages if they don’t like the truth and standing firm in my beliefs when I am challenged.
A very dear friend of mine roped me into a lie because they are battling to speak their truth. I let it slide … but only long enough to have my say. I have no need to lie about anything … that is a far cry from who I was. I used to lie about everything because I was afraid of consequence and I was riddled with shame, but I’ve changed and I’m changing still. Before I learned not to lie to others but now I realise that lying for others is just as out of the integrity of all the work I have done to become who I am today.
Join me … what’s the worst that can happen right?
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published October 7th, 2010It’s not only me freaking out about this questions. Can you believe that it’s been googled 53 million times. I kid you not … here’s proof: When is it going to rain?
Facebook and Twitter statuses have been teasing and taunting me all freaking day and the worst part is that some people in different parts of Joburg were boasting about dancing in the rain. I’m the dancing in the rain girl. Continue reading
Published August 1st, 2010
My family home and business was destroyed in this fire
Today is my brother’s birthday. It’s also the anniversary of the day my family home burned down 6 years ago. To make it even more interesting, the day spa that Baba and I owned was in that family home. For the cherry on the cake, the friend I called to come to while I watched the house burn, was also my housemate. She arrived so high on drugs and had to leave because she needed to sort out her crashing need for another fix.
Clearly that day changed my life. Continue reading
Published July 14th, 2010I love updating my Facebook status. Don’t really care who reads it or what anyone thinks of me because of them. I just care that there’s a place to splash out a thought, a moment and a reflection of who I am on a daily basis. My Facebook is riddled with friends and family and if I really cared I think I would sensor it a little more. But I’ve learned that being me is so much more fun that pretending to be someone else.
So I lost a day of the ‘project me’ blog and as I realised I tossed a status out there: ‘Lost a day!’ … Continue reading
Published May 7th, 2010When I decided to blog every day for the whole of this year there were a lot of people who either thought I was crazy or I wouldn’t follow through. I knew it was one hell of an undertaking, but the whole time it was always more about the reason why I was blogging.
“Project me” is all about putting myself first, telling myself the truth, having fun and being less driven by goals while feeling purposeful and filled with self worth and love. It seems so much easier said than done and considering I’ve been doing my half hearted attempt at ‘project me’ for the past 6 years, I can vouch for the fact that it’s harder than it sounds. Continue reading
archetypes, blogging, change, fun, lifeology, Project Me, self love, self worth, soul, teaching, truth, workaholic, writer | 
6 Comments
