On Being called A Femininst

The Sunday Observer Magazine did a review of 2013 called " Eyewitness 2013. This year's most compelling stories by those who saw it first-hand"

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/dec/29/review-of-2013-eva-wiseman

One of the thoughts that Eva Wiseman ( the Observer commissioning editor) pondered about was " That we should stop asking women of they're feminists"

Another quote "A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men."

That set me thinking is the idea of being a feminist in 2013 obsolete. Have we fought and  won basic women's right; yes maybe. There are women over the years who have fought for our rights. And we as women in the world today enjoy these rights.

Though in reality according to a survive done by RapeCrisis UK ( 2013).

• Approximately 85,000 women are raped on average in England and Wales every year
• Over 400,000 women are sexually assaulted each year
• 1 in 5 women (aged 16 - 59) has experienced some form of sexual violence since the age of 16.

"Women's Aid" statistics for the UK reveal that each year there 1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime – many of these on a number of occasions. One incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute. On average, 2 women a week are killed by a current or former male partner. Statistics like the above are regularly quoted. But they do not make headlines any more unless there is an incident so big that it cannot be ignored.Statistics suggest that there are mainly a feature story in a Sunday Magazine

 So have we won our battles really?  It's worth a thought;a moment to ponder and pause to reflect.

In reality we are still struggling, fighting and trying so very hard to be heard in a world  of white noise.

On Reflecting And Pausing

On Christmas Day one of the events is the Queen's Speech, broadcast in the afternoon.

This year it was on taking time to pause and reflect:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/10536980/Watch-the-Queens-Christmas-Day-message-2013-in-full.html

Life is so busy; well there's the television, internet and gaming to fill in the spaces that we may have when we are not working, ticking of items from our things to do list, running for a train or just trying to keep on top of things.So where is the time to pause and reflect; the things to do list we have is always long and never ending ( well at least in our head). How do we pause and reflect? Is looking back reflecting? Or is it taking stock of where we are just now?Does it make us feel good? Maybe, or Hmm maybe not.

In my world its good to take time out and just stop, pause it does not mean look behind it means be in the now and see where you are at that moment in time and space. The thought should be " I am here, is this where I want to be? Am I content where I am? "  Must remember the thought must be based in the NOW!!. The results could surprise you , many of us are scared of the idea that we could pause and reflect, and the reasons why are many. Varied .. never the same.

In the last week of 2013, maybe it is time to find time to reflect and understand the most important person in our life which is " US". Reflection will help us connect again with "US"

Confucius said:

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."

Confucius

Enjoy the last few days in 2013.

Happiness is a habit - `Today I am thankful'

“Happiness is a habit – cultivate it.” ~  Elbert Hubbard

Happiness is one aspiration all people share. No one wants to be sad and depressed.

We have all seen people who are always happy – even amidst agonizing life trials. I’m not saying happy people don’t feel grief, sorrow or sadness;they just don’t let it overtake their life. That's right you can feel greatly sad but don't let it overwhelm you.

The following are 10 things happy people make a habit of doing:


1. Appreciate Life
Be thankful that you woke up alive each morning. Develop a childlike sense of wonder towards life.Focus on the beauty of every living thing. Make the most of each day. Don’t take anything for granted. Don’t sweat the small stuff. The fact that you are alive makes each day special

2. Choose Friends Wisely
Surround yourself with happy, positive people who share your values and goals. Friends that have the same ethics as you will encourage you to achieve your dreams. They help you to feel good about yourself. They are there to lend a helping hand when needed.

3. Be Considerate
Accept others for who they are as well as where they are in life. Appreciate them for who they are,Respect them for who they are.Touch them with a kind and generous spirit. Help when you are able, without trying to change the other person. Try to brighten the day of everyone you come into contact with.

4. Learn Continuously
Keep up to date with the latest news regarding your career and hobbies. Try new and daring things
that has sparked your interest – such as dancing, skiing, surfing or sky-diving.

5. Creative Problem Solving
Don’t wallow in self-pity. As soon as you face a challenge get busy finding a solution. Don’t let the
set backs affect your mood, instead see each new obstacle you face as an opportunity to make a
positive change. Learn to trust your gut instincts – it’s almost always right.

6. Do What They Love
Some statistics show that 80% of people dislike their jobs! No wonder there’s so many unhappy
people running around. We spend a great deal of our life working. Choose a career that you enjoy. Get up every morning and be happy that you are a part of the larger working world.

7. Enjoy  Life
Take the time to see the beauty around you. There’s more to life than work. Take time to smell the roses, watch a sunset or sunrise with a loved one, take a walk along the seashore, hike in the
woods. The sunlight filtering through the trees is different each day, you just have to notice.Learn to live in the present moment and cherish it. Don’t live in the past or the future. The Now is important

8.Laugh
Don’t take yourself – or life to seriously. You can find humor in just about any situation. Laugh at yourself – no one’s perfect. When appropriate laugh and make light of the circumstances.

9. Forgive
Holding a grudge will hurt no one but you. Forgive others for your own peace of mind. When you
make a mistake – own up to it – learn from it – and FORGIVE yourself. That is really important you too can make mistakes and guess what it is okay when you do.


10. Gratitude

Develop an attitude of gratitude. Count your blessings; All of them – even the things that seem
trivial. Be grateful for your home, your work and most importantly your family and friends. Take the
time to tell them that you are happy they are in your life.

Remembering Nelson Mandela

South Africa hosted the cricket world cup in 2003 and I was a part of the television crew that covered it for ESPN.
It gave me the opportunity to see the change that Nelson Mandela had on a nation. He did unite a nation and made them move forward in a single motion.

I also visited his home in Soweto and it was overwhelming. The house was living and breathing memory if the man who lived there.Anyone you spoke to in South Africa felt they knew Nelson Mendala and loved him for what he did for the Nation.They may not have been born during that time but they still felt the affect he had on them

I also visited the prison in Robben Island, our guide was an ex-prisoner and he showed us Nelson Mendela's cell.So small that if you stretched out your arms out it would touch the walls on either side. A single window, to look out from. A single mat to sleep on. He was special because he will always be the only one. He spent 27 years there and had no resentment or anger against his captors. That is inner strength.

Nelson Mandela will always be a inspiration to future generations. And never be forgotten.
"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."

Nelson Mandela