Jodene is the co-founder of:
and founder of:
Published April 5th, 2012
Every day I wake up and wish that I could change the story I share with you to one that’s a whole lot less financial stressful and emotionally trying because of the pressure that money issues always put on our lives. Yes, there are glimmers of income and we are sitting on so many exciting opportunities, that I know the stories are going to come soon, but in the midst of it, I could so easily fall back into the trap of sounding like a broken record and throwing in the blogging towel.
That’s the only throwing in that might … very slightly … have been up for option. There’s no part of me that nearly close to giving up the fight for my dreams or my business.
A few days ago I had a very big realisation about my blogging and how much I miss the part of me that shares the life’s lessons more than rambles on about the same old, same old events and trials of the day. That epiphany then sparked off another thought that took me to yet another huge change in my attitude towards my life and my dreams.
Greggie and I were chatting about my place in the Social Media community and what I set out to achieve in the world compared to where I am today. I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately and the word ‘thought leader’ has been the one thing that has been weighing on my mind most of all. Yes, I know I’m that, but I think the lines got very blurred about how I got to be that thought leader and find my place in the social media space.
I have to reflect back a few years because I get to my epiphany …
Greggie and I are great fans of Mike Dooley, who started Notes from the Universe. If you aren’t receiving a daily message in your inbox, then I’d change that fast, but in a nutshell, ‘The Universe’ a message every day, that keeps you focused, aware and conscious. When Mike was in South Africa, there was no way we were missing out on him and his seminar was amazing. I’ve learned that there’s always usually ONE thing that stands out and sticks with you forever and on that day Mike spoke about purely focusing on ‘happiness’.
Happiness means something different to everyone and sometimes we don’t even know what happiness means to us. We get fixated on plotting out our goals and making sure that we are following our dreams. All of those things are so effected by everyday life and things totally beyond our control. If we just focus on being happy and knowing that the road might be bumpy to get there, but we wouldn’t be doing anything else that could make us that happy, then everything seems so worth it.
Back to today …
What makes me happy? Teaching … sharing … inspiring … supporting … but mostly, giving people the opportunity to find what they can offer to the world that nobody else can. That’s all I do for myself, every day of my life and that’s how I became who I am in the social media space. Yes, the journey has been amazing and I’m now showing others how to find their uniqueness in their social media space … coz that’s what Lifeology does, but that’s not what made me who I am today.
Focusing on happy made me who I am today. Having faith in waking up and distinguishing between my fears and my happiness has kept me going when things have been the lowest of low. Sharing my ‘project me’ story, that in essence, is all about being conscious of ‘happy’ … that’s what people know me for. That’s what makes me a social influence. That’s where I set my compass when I was a little girl …
That’s my happy!
From as far back as I can remember, when all my friends where on their BMX’s and playing with dolls, my dolls were lined up in a row and I was telling them stories. Not reading them stories, telling them stories. I was teaching them life’s lessons … and I was happy. I hated school, but loved my school projects because I could do anything if I was just allowed to tell a story my way. That’s been the common thread through it all. The compass is set to happy as long as I’m showing just one person in the world that they have their ‘happy’ too … and all they have to do is set their compass.
You don’t even have to know what will make you happy, just know that what you want and deserve … happiness! Then know the difference between fighting on because nothing else will make you happy, even when the moment is sucky and you don’t feel like you feel happy at all. If you’re heart is set to ‘happy’ … you’ll know!
Trust me … you’ll know!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published April 19th, 2011
There is something that I am trying to figure out about my way of thinking that might be a little too unconscious at the moment. Yes, I do things like this and don’t think I can ever be faulted for thinking too much … except about the distracting things like money, which road to choose and boys. The other thinking is what creates on of Lifeology‘s greatest lessons in the mix of courage, consciousness and a sense of humour … that thing called consciousness. The silent observer of the self.
I don’t know where I would be without it because the past couple of days have been a fine line between the cup half full and the cup half empty. The only deciding factor is the consciousness to choose and I chose for it to be full. Since Sunday I have been chatting to a not-so-stranger who responded to a tweet where I was saying how very sad the word ‘settle’ is. He double checked that I meant ‘settle for’ and I agreed. Long story short … he thinks I have a refreshing attitude towards life. On some days I need those reassurances from a not-so-stranger and on other days I figure that out all by myself.
Yesterday was genuine swing between highs and lows that had that half cup swishing around like it was on the rough open seas. Extraordinary business opportunities battered around by extreme financial pressure. Unexplainable moments of creative genius smacked around by the realities of time frames.
It was the first night of the Jewish festival of passover … and this pagan girl loves the traditions but battles through the service that keeps repeating how people were slain by the mighty God. I never question what anyone believes but I just choose to believe different and expect that no one questions what I believe either.
My poor mom is horribly sick with flu, yet at the same time we were all waiting in anticipation for her cooking.
My family is magical at times like this, yet there is always the hovering of a little sibling rivalry.
The room is full with love and laughter yet it feels completely empty without the bellowing voice of my father.
And then little boys arrive with face painting pens and I remember why we are on this rocky ocean of life in the first place. A sedar table turned into human canvasses where everyone turned into giggling children as we were scribbled on with a unique picture from each precious little twin. Not bad drawing for a 5 year old … or is that just a super proud aunty?
I could say my day was crappy, but I could also say it was one of the most inspiring days I have had in years. I could look at the mess that a little boy created all over my skin or I could say that I was painted with a masterpiece.
I don’t believe that life ever goes without trials and tribulations. I don’t believe that we will ever have the power to protect ourselves from hurt or pain. I don’t believe that we will ever hit a plateau of happiness.
But I do believe that we will always have the power to colour it beautiful …
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published February 19th, 2011
In creating my own reality, I choose what to believe and it always becomes my truth. I spend my life saying ‘I am that powerful’, ‘you are the powerful’, and ‘we are that powerful’. One of my realities is that everything has its duality. Light has dark, love has hate, happiness has sadness.
I had one of those days filled with perfect duality. I use the word ‘perfect’ very loosely because I wasn’t feeling much perfection while weeping into a towel because tissues weren’t capable of absorbing the tears.
I woke up to the drained feeling that has been filling my days but found the determination to go to gym with pride and enthusiasm. I went from bouncing excitement that I am constantly going to gym to almost having to hold onto the rail for the last lap around the track because my body was that exhausted.
On the way home I had a long chat with myself and the encouraging speech got me fired up to get a lot off my to-do list. Sadly, I walked into the dual feeling of a destructive speech in one of those conversations that starts with ‘don’t say aything, but …’. I hate those conversations because I live in utter truth. YES … I do live in utter truth. I can’t even lie if the tea is too cold and I don’t appreciate other’s not being able to speak their truth to me.
Calm moved to rage and pride moved to shattered esteem.
I decided not to drain my business partner with the duality of my emotion because he’s on a roll and I didn’t feel it fair. Instead, from feeling engulfed with support I felt alone in the world, but that duality served a purpose too. I worked my little butt off … not out of spite and to ‘show them’ (all those who think I am failing or going to fail), but because I am a surviver and I believe enough in myself and my dreams.
My post starts with a beautiful picture and saying that a friend made just because she wanted to remind me of how much she loves and appreciates me. I stared into my own eyes and loved the light and joy that I shine into the world.
However, just a few moments prior my can opener broke and I had enough rage in those very eyes to take a knife to the can and literally stab and tear it open. If there were the need I might even have used me teeth.
One man let my down by ignoring me because I hurt him with my truth and another made my day by sending me a message that said “Keep it up girl, and never stop believing in yourself.”
One friend praised me for what I do and another said she can’t associate her business with my venture of empowering women through my Organic Orgasm talks.
I was the closest to having the most visits on my site in a day and then the furthest away when my hosting company failed me again and my site went down.
I cried with absolute self pity and then laughed with absolute self pride.
Yet, through it all I did some things I never thought I would do … I never forgot the beauty of it all. I honoured every emotion and every thought. I didn’t shy away from the hatred or anger and I didn’t try deny that I am perfect in my eyes. And when my friend sent me that beautiful gesture and perfect saying and I stared at the can I had just mutilated … I smiled at my truth that everything is (as always) exactly as it should be.
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published July 31st, 2010
Nominate project me for the cosmo blog awards
Published July 20th, 2010I have just deleted all that I had planned to blog about and find myself with a blank canvas and a heading that I have no intention of changing. I had started to reminisce and list all of the events that have filled up the precious moments of ‘project me’ and even went as far as to link certain events for further reminiscing, but then I realised that I know my story well enough and so do my loyal followers. Continue reading
blog, friends, happiness, healing, heart, life, love, organic orgasm, Project Me, teaching, truth | 
4 CommentsPublished July 7th, 2010Sportsy is about to arrive at Greggie’s for yet another game of the 2010 world cup soccer (yes, I say it that way for googley purposes) and the whole day I’ve had one little thought tingling the back of my mind … dinner!
I adore cooking and always use the freshest ingredient. Not to boast, but dinner consists of Buttered brown rice with roasted slithered almonds, steamed green vegetables and spinach that will both be tossed with a hint of garlic and black pepper and chicken. Not just any chicken, Continue reading
Published July 5th, 2010Thank you to She’s the Geek for the acknowledgement of my contribution to empowering women in technology. This is the interview that marks a very proud moment in ‘project me’:
Published June 28th, 2010Waking up to a blog filled with comments about happiness and excitement about my ‘wow’ moment made me think … wow (a different kind of wow!) I’m one lucky girl because I really have the most beautiful friends. Continue reading
Published June 17th, 2010Published May 29th, 2010While innocently preparing for Greggie’s birthday party, there has definitely been a cloud of gloom, confusion and trepidation that both of us have been feeling about our own personal lives. It’s very seldom that both of us feel flat and apprehensive at the same time and even more unusual that we can’t shake the feeling within a few days. But wait … there’s more … friends all around us have also been feeling more unsettled than usual. A lot are beginning discover issues around their health, their relationships and their life’s choices. It’s never more visible than the Facebook status’s that are all a little more fiery and desperate!
OMG … dare I say that even the tone my usually chilled out blog has an air of … um … well … Continue reading
