Month: October 2018

On October 29, 2018

You deserve a TIME OUT

Whether you think you don’t, believe me you deserve a TIME OUT. No matter how small that time out is. Remember the saying “you can’t pour from an empty cup”. Well, that’s where I’m finding myself. So two weekends ago, Dude decided we need a time out. Off we went to Cape Town.

Normally, we would stay with family but this time we found a holiday apartment at the beach 🙂 This is where we found Dudie most of the time…

Take a TIME OUT already

With life being so busy and getting even busier at times, everyone can do with a little break. We don’t normally do holiday getaways with the masses during peak season but rather prefer an “off season” frequent break every now and then. Due to budget constraints we can’t do this as often as we would like but we manage to squeeze them in. Also, it’s tricky to coordinate schedules so many times we just wing and make prior arrangements to catch up on school/work once we get back.

We also had birthday celebrations in between. My MIL turned 70 years and I turned 35 years old the day after her birth day. Dude and Dudie made a lavish breakfast with all the bells and whistles. Even non-alcoholic champers so that Dudie could toast with us 😜 Troll used his water cup to join in on the toast.

Cut yourself some slack

You really need to cut yourself some slack. You give the best of you but do you recharge YOU? Yes, I’m talking to myself here BUT I know that most of you can relate. You give and give, and give some more. When do you cut yourself some slack? Personally, this is extremely difficult as I feel that if I loosen the reigns things will fall apart. It’s OK to loosen the reigns a bit. My new motto; if it’s not going to harm anyone it will be OK.

As family, we needed to do “nothing”. We needed to let go of the routine and just wing it. We were busy but we needed the busyness of doing nothing. It was good for our souls.

The nothingness also became a big something as we said our final goodbyes to a family member. So in the midst of taking a time out, it was perfectly planned that we were in close proximity to be with family in a desperate time of need.

Dude has a belief that if you do something with a pure heart and good intentions, it’ll work out the way it’s suppose too.

The time out was perfectly planned. It’s rekindled my flame to Enjoy the small things. The things that often get taken for granted.

Happy Monday!

Spirited Mama

x

If you are new to my series find the previous posts below:

Week 10 – BELIEVE in yourself

Week 9 – TRUST

Week 11 – Find GOOD Friends

Week 12 – Enjoy the small things… F*ck balance

Week 13 – Be KIND

Week 14 – Be PATIENT

Week 15 – ARM yourself

michael_jackson_history_tour_summer_south_africa_dantanio_showtime_australia

Michael Jackson History Show returns to South Africa this Summer

On October 25, 2018

In Entertainment, Lifestyle

WORLD-FAMOUS KING OF POP TRIBUTE EXTRAVAGANZA, MICHAEL JACKSON HISTORY SHOW, RETURNS TO CELEBRATE SUMMER IN SOUTH AFRICA

Presented by Showtime Australia

It’s official! The upcoming SA summer season is set to heat up as one of the world’s most-loved tribute shows pays homage to the legendary Michael Jackson in, Michael Jackson HIStory Show, from 14 December 2018 until 10 February 2019 across the country.

Michael Jackson HIStory Show, a two-hour musical experience, takes audiences on a musical journey back to MJ’s days as a member of the Jackson 5, his ground-breaking theatrics in the 80s and his continued reign as the King of Pop into the 21st century.

The SA tour kicks off in Durban at Sibaya Casino on 14 December 2018, including a special New Year’s Eve performance, and runs through to 6 January 2019. The show then travels to Carnival City’s Big Top Arena in Boksburg for a special one-night only showcase on 11 January, before returning to Cape Town (for the first time since January 2017) at The Artscape Theatre from 17 January until 10 February 2019.

Michael Jackson HIStory Show, which showcases all of MJ’s greatest and most popular hits performed live on stage, features 40 different customized costumes – 20 of which are for the MJ character alone. This time around fans will experience updated MJ costumes as well as new production elements incorporated into the show.

Dantanio in his tribute to Michael Jackson History tour

The main star of Michael Jackson HIStory Show is Johannesburg-born singer, Dantanio. He will be accompanied on stage by a live six-piece band, four backup dancers and a phenomenal lighting and effects team – which makes use of 160+ moving lights and over 2 000 lighting cues – that will celebrate the memory of The King of Pop live on stage.

In 2014, Dantanio was scouted by the show’s director, Johnny Van Grinsven, to take on this challenging role.

“I can’t wait to entertain the South African audiences this summer. I am the ultimate MJ fan so to be able to perform every night on stage and share my passion for The King of Pop – along with other South African fans – is a real dream come true for me,” says Dantanio.

Ultimate MJ fans can expect to dance and sing along to hits such as Billie Jean, Thriller, Smooth Criminal, Man in the Mirror, Black or White, Bad, ABC, Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough, Human Nature, Ben and many more hits.

Visit www.mjhistoryshow.com for ticketing and further information. Tickets for this spectacular show can also be purchased via Computicket at either www.computicket.com or via Checkers and Shoprite retail stores, countrywide, and range between R150 and R390 each.

DATE	LOCATION	VENUE	TICKETING
14 Dec 2018 – 6 Jan 2019	Durban	Sibaya Casino	Computicket
11 Jan 2019	Boksburg	Carnival City – Big Top Arena	Computicket
17 Jan – 10 Feb 2019	Cape Town	Artscape Theatre	Computicket

A tour NOT to be missed!

Spirited Mama

x

52 lessons for 52 weeks: Week 15 – ARM yourself

On October 17, 2018

Do you ARM yourself?

And no, I don’t mean with weapons or ammunition. Are you ready to face the world and whatever life gives you? I’ve come up with this acronym for myself, ARM.

A – Allow

R – Reward

M – Manage

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not ready every.single.day BUT I have found that with these three words, allow, reward & manage, I do a whole lot better on the days that I’m NOT ready.

Allow yourself…

Allow yourself some freedom to give yourself a break every now and then. Whether it be a physical break from the norm or just cutting yourself some slack and NOT being so hard on yourself sometimes. No one is as critical of me as I am of myself. I’m sure many of you can relate. I allow myself to be human. I make mistakes but I really try to come back from those. I am a repeat offender in some instances BUT it’s a work in progress. Allow yourself to be YOU. Only you know what you are capable of so don’t push yourself to breaking point!

Reward yourself…

Life itself is challenging AF. Reward yourself with whatever pleases you. Be it a holiday, a new pair of shoes or even just your favourite chocolate 🙂 Recognise your achievements, no matter how small they may seem and REWARD yourself. You did good! You deserve it.

Manage yourself…

Just manage yourself. In all walks of life, we are quick to say person X needs to change xyz and they’ll be sorted. Why are you concerned with person x? Their business is none of your business. Manage yourself and make sure that you stick to YOUR straight and narrow.

Just as you manage your family life/job/etc, take note that you need to manage yourself. You are the captain of your ship, so manage it!

Not everyone has your best interests in mind, in fact some people thrive when others stumble. Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s OK. You will always have those *insert whichever word you deem appropriate her*… but only YOU can LIVE your life. As you navigate your life, you will learn to manage those stumbles.

Go on, manage your life. And you’ll soon be rewarding yourself for it 🙂

Spirited Mama

x

If you are new to my series find the previous posts below:

Week 10 – BELIEVE in yourself

Week 9 – TRUST

Week 11 – Find GOOD Friends

Week 12 – Enjoy the small things… F*ck balance

Week 13 – Be KIND

Week 14 – Be PATIENT

Queen_Giles_Taylor_Itsakindamagic_queentribute_showtime_australia

Celebrating the iconic Freddie Mercury and QUEEN – Tribute show returns to Johannesburg

On October 15, 2018

In Entertainment, Lifestyle

The world’s ultimate QUEEN Tribute Show returns to Johannesburg this festive season.

Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic @ Emperors Palace in November and December 2018

Presented by Showtime Australia and back by popular demand! Johannesburg audiences are in for a musical treat when Emperors Palace hosts the world’s premier Freddie Mercury and Queen tribute show, Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic, for a four-week run over the Christmas period.

Performing in the Theatre of Marcellus from Friday 30 November until Monday 31 December 2018, including a rock-star worthy New Year’s Eve performance to ring in 2019, Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic is set to recreate Queen’s historically famous 1986 World Tour concert on stage in SA.

The two-hour theatrical rock concert, which will showcase for the first time at Emperors Palace after previously enjoying a performance run at The Joburg Theatre in 2016, features all of the band’s greatest hits performed live including hits such as ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘We Are the Champions’ and ‘Fat-Bottomed Girls’.

Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic

Set to be yet another smash hit for promoters, Showtime Australia, who continue to wow South African crowds with stellar crowd favourite shows such as The Greatest Love of All – The Whitney Houston Show, Tina: Simply The Best, as well as Beatlemania On Tour – all of which showcased at Emperors Palace earlier this year.

Director Johnny Van Grinsven attributes the show’s continued global success to the attention-to-detail in this mind-blowing and energetic stage show includes the costumes, instruments and even the lighting cues have been designed to replicate those seen in real Queen concerts.

Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic also attracted the attention, endorsement and eventual involvement of Freddie Mercury’s best friend, neighbour, biographer and personal assistant for 12 years: Peter Freestone.

After reviewing the show while in Singapore in 2007, Freestone contacted promoter Van Grinsven with his compliments and support for the production. A friendship ensued between these two, upon which Freestone has since toured with QIAKM globally, working as a production consultant for the show.

“I have not seen another show in the world do it better.” – Peter Freestone

Multi-talented English musician, Giles Taylor, yet again reprises the role of Freddie Mercury and is the only tribute performer in the world who sings and plays both piano and guitar live on stage.

Giles Taylor

“Freddie was known for his powerful voice and vocal range, and had a very distinct character in general, so emulating him is quite a challenge, but those details need to be just right for a show of this magnitude. True Queen fans will appreciate the attention to detail,” says Taylor.

Supporting Taylor on stage throughout this two-hour rock concert are: Australians Richie Baker, as Brian May on guitar, and Kyle Thompson, as Roger Taylor on drums, and South Africa’s very own Steven Dennett as John Deacon on bass guitar.

Tickets for this spectacular show can also be purchased via Computicket at either www.computicket.com or via Checkers and Shoprite retail stores, countrywide, and are priced between R180 and R250 each.

For further details about the show, visit: www.facebook.com/queenitsakindamagic as well as the show’s official website atwww.queenitsakindamagic.com.

Spirited Mama

x

52 lessons for 52 weeks: Week 14 – Be PATIENT

On October 5, 2018

Why YOU need to be patient

Anything and everything in life requires patience. You need to be patient.

Even if you think it didn’t require your patience, if you think back to how or where it all started…perhaps it was an idea that you had but did it happen immediately?

Have you ever rushed to get something done and then realised that if you had just been patient, things would’ve turned out better? There is a reason there is a saying …good things come to those who wait… Granted, not all situations can be waited on. Sometimes you need to go after what you want.

Be patient with yourself

Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience ~ Ralph W. Emerson

This is my ultimate goal. The more patient I am with myself, the more patience I have for other people. Ultimately, you are a beautiful masterpiece in progress. You need to be worked, reworked and reworked to create YOUR masterpiece.

If I think back to just a year ago, I would have handled certain situations differently as to what I would handle them now. Growth much?

This series is causing great introspection ALL.THE.TIME. I’m both elated and freaked out about where this series takes me. It uncovers some raw emotions that I have successfully managed to cover up under a blanket of pretence. This has taken years to build and will most likely take years to lift off too. But I’m learning to be patient with myself.

Having patience is a valuable quality

It’s not just about having patience. It’s about how you deal with the waiting. How’s your attitude when you need to be patient? Patience does not come naturally to everyone. Some are fortunate to learn this skill, others not so much. Having patience is a valuable quality. In this busy world we seem to be rushing and racing to get whatever it is that we need. I’m part of this busy world, so I’m well aware of the “rat race”. We want instant gratification rather than to wait for things to come together.

There is nothing that grates my insides more than having to deal with an impatient person. This is when I stop, breathe and remind myself that THAT person needs MY patience more so now than ever. I don’t always get it right though. Everyone has limits…

With all that said, just know that some things take a little more time to come together. Everything has a way of working out, you just need to be patient.

Are you a patient person?

Happy Friday!

Spirited Mama

x

If you are new to my series find the previous posts below:

Week 10 – BELIEVE in yourself

Week 9 – TRUST

Week 11 – Find GOOD Friends

Week 12 – Enjoy the small things… F*ck balance

Week 13 – Be KIND

52 lessons for 52 weeks: Week 13 – Be KIND

On October 2, 2018

Are you KIND?

As a child we are taught to be kind. Well, at least I was 🙂 and I’m trying my level best to teach the boys to be kind too. To be kind to people and animals BUT also your environment. Apparently, people who do not take kindly to animals are also the people who do not take kindly to other humans. I can’t say that this is or is not the case as I’ve met people who definitely do not take kindly to animals but have a rather peculiar way with other humans. They are not unkind but they are not the most kind people I have ever met either. On the environment, we know that we are only given one body and one life to live but what about your environment? I’m not going to preach to you about recycling, going green and what you can do to be kind to your environment. I just want to leave the thought with you… Are you kind to your environment?

What does it take for you to be kind?

We all have our “off” days when things just don’t seem to go the way we want them to. In these difficult times, it is then that you need need to TRY HARDER to be kind. Do we not attract energy? So on those off days, do we attract unkind people?

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle…Socrates

This rings to true for me every.single.time. The world does not revolve around me. In fact, everyone has something that they are dealing with. Some choose to display this publicly and others, including myself, choose to deal with it discreetly in a private manner.

Do you need for someone to be kind to you before you return the kindness?

I’d like to think that I’m kind to everyone I meet. And I base my decision of the person after a few interactions. However, some people have a way of creeping into your heart immediately. Just as with me, you might be having an “off” day the first time we meet. My Dude has a never ending rope of forgiveness and second chances. He believes that anyone and everyone deserves as many chances as he can possibly give them whilst he is still alive! Amazing right. He has a heart of gold overflowing with love. And what are the chances that he is an animal lover too 🙂 What a role model my boys have…

We know about the laws of attraction, so why not give what you want to receive? If nothing else, I bet you’ll feel better just by spreading a little kindness to someone in desperate need. In that same way, you are spreading kindness to yourself. Sometimes we need to be a little kinder to ourselves too. In a world where life gets so buy we need to remember to spread some kindness. It need not be anything major and it definitely need not be anything for the world to see. A simple smile might be all it takes to spread some kindness today.

Are you KIND?

Spirited Mama

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If you are new to my series find the previous posts below: