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"When We Get our Glow ON, we CAN Light UP our world!" ~ Bets


Give Up? Never! :) GloWomen Share what Inspires them to Keep Going:

When we choose to follow our dreams there will always be challenging times, when we feel overwhelmed and start questioning our abilities and ourselves as to whether it's ‘really worth it’.

But there’s no doubt that persistence pays off. The only way to have, do, create and be what we want is to believe in ourselves, believe in our dreams and to keep going, diligently and courageously :)

Below, some of our inspiring GloWomen share what has inspired them to keep going as they’ve pursued their dreams:

Natasha Nay Avidan: Founding Fellow and Head of Partnerships, Sponsors and Communications at Afriversity, an organisation providing training, funding and incubation for promising African entrepreneurs.
  • Have you ever felt like giving up on your dreams?
“Yes, but it has been a long time since I have thought that way. Sometimes life can throw challenges at us and everything feels hard causing us to slip into a fearful state of mind. Fear is what stops us from following our dreams. We give up because we are afraid, afraid of failure.”
  • What or who has inspired or encouraged you to keep going?
"The first thing I did was change my environment and started surrounding myself with people and projects that inspired me. I was creating my "tribe". A tribe of people that encouraged me, supported me and allowed me to grow and be myself. During this journey, I encountered people that strengthened my faith that I had taken the right path - people that inspire me with their stories, determination and altruism. Individuals that have shown me that despite taking the path less travelled, the rewards are far greater. I take all these experiences and when I have a "rainy day", I bring them to the forefront of my consciousness and re-energise my perseverance and purpose."

Shauna Bruce-Hamburger: Life-coach, teacher, inspirational speaker and author of Beyond Adversity: Into Freedom. Shauna has faced many of her own challenges in living a life with Spina Bifida and helps others overcome their obstacles to live their most fulfilling lives.



 "Yes - I have wanted to give up on my dreams or certain aspects of my business before - especially when I have not known what else to do to make something in my business be more successful.

What has always inspired me to keep going - whether it be in life or business, is remembering that I am here for a purpose.  Reconnecting with my life's purpose - and the knowing that I am here with a purpose that only I can accomplish in the way that I can accomplish it - has always kept me moving forward.  This has been true in every aspect of my life whether it be in living with spina bifida, my business or other aspects of my life.  When we know we are on this earth for a reason and we have things we were created to accomplish - that knowing can spur us on to do the great things we were meant to do - even in the midst of obstacles and challenges.  It has always been my strong sense of purpose that has been the driving force for everything in my life - even when I am in the midst of a struggle."

Jess Ainschough
: Australian-based freelance writer. Jessica was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer in 2008, and left her job as social reporter and online editor of a teen magazine, to focus on her health. She shares tips, resources, articles and nutritious recipes for natural healing and wellness on her wonderful blog, The Wellness Warrior.


"Nope, giving up has never been an option. I have had my days when I get a bit sick of everything I'm doing, but I have always been able to see the bigger picture. As bad as things can get, giving up would be so much worse.

Thinking about my future is what inspires me to keep going. I just think about all the things I have got to look forward to and reflect on all of the blessings that are coming out of my journey. This gives me the determination and patience to do what I need to do to get my health back."

Barbara and Amy Grafstrom: the mother/daughter team behind Siamese Dream Design (an awesome example of conscious business), based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Siamese Dream Design empowers local hilltribe women and provides beautiful, wearable art made from their traditional fabrics.
"No haven't wanted to give up. Its our baby, we love what we do and we love helping the tribal women provide a better lifestyle for themselves and their families while preserving their textile traditions.

Our customers inspire me, when they get their shoes or dresses and they write to tell us how excited they are. Today a customer wrote to say "she couldn't wait for sunny weather to dance in her new dress." On a day to day basis my husband always encourages me and my girls, Amy, my partner of course and the younger ones have ideas of new designs they think we should make."
- Barbara Grafstrom
"No, I have never wanted to give up on my dream. I started this business in 2005 with only my own jewelry designs and it's definitely been a long journey to get to where we are today with a full range of products. There is still a long way to go, we have big plans for Siamese Dream Design's future.

My mother, Barbara, my partner definitely is my number one inspiration. She is the one who gave us that extra boost to go from just jewelry to so much more. The wonderful hilltribe women that we work with to create our unique products are definitely a major source of encouragement. Watching their age old textile traditions being passed down from mother to daughter is truly amazing. And of course, our very enthusiastic customers." -
Amy Grafstrom 

Madeleine Fear: Owns and operates the Small Furry Hotel, a small animal boarding facility in the New Forest Hampshire, UK.  Madeleine was a finalist in the Business Mum Extraordinaire Hampshire Winning Women Business Awards 2010. Congrats Madeleine! :)                       



"Never! You only fail if you give up. Resilience is the key.  Don't be scared of making a mistake. Brush of the bad stuff and run with the good and success will follow.

The complete desperation to run my own life drives me on. I decide when I work, play and have family time. My own business allows me the freedom to enjoy all the things that I love. I "live" everyday. I do plan for the future but I also enjoy life now. I now think I would be mentally suffocated in an office."

Kathleen Quillinan: HRH at the Pesto Princess. About 10 years ago, Kathleen Quillinan discovered pesto for herself, and tried her hand at it with the help of a 1970's orange blender from a junk shop. She started selling to friends, small supermarkets and deli's in Cape Town, and now produces a range of pestos and exotic sauces that are available countrywide in South Africa.

Pic courtesy of www.capetownmagazine.com
"Yes, I've often wanted to give up. Following dreams can fill one's life with extremes: extreme hours, acute cash crunches, severe self-neglect,  copious worries,  colossal doubts, and fears bigger than barn doors. The triumphs are also extreme. The successes can be nothing short of stupendous.  Yet deep down, many of us long for a simple life which is much more balanced,  safe and predictable.

Pesto fans, self-appointed cheerleaders, wise mentors, husbands filled with admiration, financially needy staff with wide eyes, laughter, guaranteed personal growth, loathing of failure, expert consultants, true friends in business, supportive chefs, e-mails crammed with compliments, business coaches, loyal management teams, gratitude, delighted customers , dogged determination, sheer joy, love of creativity, freedom, unemployability, big bills needing paying, desire to do good, the taste for limitless possibility: these are some of the things that keep the Pesto Princess Palace a-pumpin'."
There'll always be challenges that test your commitment and it's not always easy to follow your heart, but if you abandon your hopes and dreams, you disconnect from your authentic self and your own happiness.

When you listen to your heart, follow your dreams and keep going :) you'll be inspired and empowered to Live your Most Joyful Life :)
Trust yourself, constantly re-commit to what's important to You, Rock your Happiness and Get Your Glow On :) 

With Love,





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Emma’s Girls Get their Glow On with Story Scarves :)

I was excited to go to Khayelitsha, to deliver the beautiful Story Scarves and share the stories with the four eldest girls I mentor at Emma's foster home.

Mama Emma is a wonderful foster Mother to 25 children, ranging in age from six months to eighteen years. She has provided a home full of Love :) and a nurturing environment for abandoned and orphaned children, most of whom have been with her since the age of one or two.

I’ve gotten to know the children over the years and it truly is one Big Happy Family at Emma’s.
It’s heart-warming to see how they all love and take care of one another.

When I arrived the girls were looking after the little ones.



We sat down with the Story Scarves and each girl knew exactly which one she wanted, straight away :)


L to R:  Ziyanda, Siyamthanda, Avril and Violet
The girls took turns to read their messages out aloud and shared the stories on the scarves with each other.

They wrote down how they felt when they received the scarves and shared their hopes and dreams.
“I feel very happy to get the scarf because it is beautiful.
My hope and dream is to work for my Mother (Emma) and to have my own house.”
~ Siyamthanda Wallaby


Siyamthanda chose Pam's scarf  - "Seeds Grow from Darkness"
“I feel happy and excited about my scarf.
My hope and dream is to have a hair salon and do all my family’s hair.”
~ Ziyanda Wallaby


Ziyanda chose Bennii's Scarf - "Remember your Gratitude"


“It felt great, ecstatic, lots of joy.
My hope and dream is to be able to have more achievements, to have my own house and to help Emma.” ~ Violet Tshandu


Violet chose Nicole's scarf - "The Four Elements"
“I felt happy when I received my scarf and excited and glowing. I think it motivates me even more so I can face each day with a glow and smile.
My hope and dream is to be a television reporter and one day have my own television show.” ~ Avril Dilenti
Avril chose my GloWoman scarf - "Keep love & sunshine in your heart and Get Your Glow On :)
Love and Gratitude to the generous GloWomen – Stacey from Story Scarves, Pam, Nicole and Bennii, for the beautiful scarves and inspiring stories they shared with the girls.

They are delighted with their scarves and encouraged for a bright future :)

If You’d like to Spread the Glow with Story Scarves please visit the website for more info www.storyscarves.org

If You’d like to Spread the Glow at Emma’s Home please contact me bets@GloWoman.org
Donations of clothing, food and toys are very welcome :)

With Love,
 
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Spreading the Glow with Story Scarves :)

Part of my mission on my GloWoman journey is to connect and align with conscious, loving people in order to amplify our Power for Good and Spread the Glow :)

The Twitterverse offered me a fantastic opportunity to create more wonderful relationships when I was invited to my first tweet-up, by Stacey Rozen, founder of Story Scarves.

Story Scarves is a global goodwill movement connecting girls through stories sewn into scarves. The scarves are gifted to girls in Africa – "creating hope-fueled friendships through arts-in-action".

I had no idea what to expect at the tweet-up. To be honest, I thought I was going to be meeting my new Twitter friends for brekkie and a chat.
As it turned out, Stacey had brought along her bags of fabric, buttons and beads and we were going to be making Story Scarves.

At this point, I have to admit :) my excitement turned to anxiety. ‘Needlework’ had never been my strong point and I’d always hated it! Just the sight of all that fabric and thread on the table had me feeling more dread by the minute.
This was not going to be a leisurely breakfast and getting to know some of my Twitter friends.
This most definitely looked like hard work!

GloWoman was out of her comfort zone and had temporarily gone AWOL and Woe-Woman had taken her place in my seat, with upper-lip anxiety perspiration and decidedly sweaty hands :)
I was right back at school, aged 8 or 9 and about to be told off in needlework class, because the fabric I was working on always ended up looking like a damp, crushed rag.

And not one to do things quietly, I was proclaiming my 'uselessness' to the world :)
Unconsciously back in my old pattern, Stacey thankfully made aware of it when she actually told me to stop my negative self-talk! :) :)

That’s when I started to laugh! Suddenly I realised I wasn’t in Grade 3, the teacher wasn’t going to reprimand me, and I was actually there to enJOY myself! :)


Busy Bets hard at work! :)
So what if the other women were confidently cutting and threading needles and making fabulous-looking items, I would just do my best and have fun!
Everyone was kind and really helpful :) and it was great getting to know the wonderful women who Stacey had brought together on South Africa’s Human Right’s Day; to tell their stories, sew their scarves and share their love.

I chose to sew on my beautiful GloWoman logo which I LOVE :) and my friend, the bright, happy Sun :) All the exact colours of my logo that I needed were there in the pile, including a red heart that someone had previously cut out and left  :)


Stacey had kindly suggested that the recipients of these Story Scarves would be the girls I mentor, at Emma’s Home in Khayelitsha township, Cape Town.
Each of us was asked to include a written message for the girls.


And in the end, I was quite proud of my Story Scarf and it didn’t end up looking like the dog’s breakfast I thought it would :)  – even though I stitched one side on backwards!
It’s unique and made by me, with Love :)

Below are my Twitter friends @pamsykes, @nekocarnival and @bohoparadox with their gorgeous Story Scarves:
Pam - www.pamsykes.com
Bennii - http://bohoparadox.blogspot.com/

Nicole -  www.nekocarnival.com


























The next step in the Story Scarves journey will be to present them to the girls at Emma’s Home.
I’m looking forward to sharing their stories :)

For more info on the wonderful Story Scarves project:  www.storyscarves.org

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