Respect is earned, not given. Get it?

Growing up, I was never surrounded by strong women. Instead they were too caught up in their misery. They allowed their problems overcome them so they became a mere shell of themselves. They, not once, thought about seeing the better side of things, nor did they seek to better themselves, their lives or skill set. To be in their company became (and still is) intolerable. They were the ones who wanted someone to swoop in and save them, to make their lives better.

No. Things do not work that way. Everyone is responsible for the choices they make.

“Never be a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of you future. You will never be the same,” wrote Robin S. Sharma in The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams and reaching Your Destiny.

Luckily, I have managed to find many strong women in my life as I got older. I admire them for their perseverance, their can-do attitude and their infallible resilience. I admire them for making me want to become a better person, to strive to do more and achieve more. From housewives, to singles, a few mothers, and even career women, there is something in all of them that screams bravery and courage. Yes, they come in all forms, and roles.

I feel privileged to have these women in my life to depend upon, and form a secure support structure. They are always there to lend a helping hand or simply answer any sort of query and share their infinite wisdom.

To these strong women who help mold me every single day, I salute you.

Yes

Image: PostSecret

At least I am not the only one. 

People can be so damn nice

Unexpected compliments and acts of kindness always leave a warm and fuzzy after effect. I noticed strangers have been rather kind lately and when I think about it, it leaves me with a lingering smile.

Incident 1:

I walked through a popular street lined with cafes and restaurant in Greenside, Johannesburg during lunch one day. A lady ran up to me and said she is studying at Carlton Hair and wondered if I would model my pixie hair cut for them. I smiled, declined, and told her I am too shy. But I did thank her and I passed on the story to my hairdresser. She is the magician behind making my thick, curly hair viable for a short pixie cut. 

Incident 2:

The S.O* ran a race in Benoni and I went to pick him up thereafter. Amidst the crowd, I walked around the finish line a few times hoping to spot him.

"You're dressed so nice!" A lady yelled at me as I walked pass. I hollered back a thank you. 

All I had on was a floral dress, plum woolly panty hose, and red boots. 

Incident 3:

I was at Checkers buying a few urgent groceries. After I picked out the tomatoes I wanted, I handed it to the guy at the scale so he could weigh it. 

"You have a very nice haircut," he said. I told him thanks, despite thinking I needed to desperately wash it. I was glad it did not look as bad as I thought it did.

This is another anecdote I need to pass on to my hairdresser when I see her again.

*S.O - Significant Other