freshenUP  ‘Be bold. Be strong. Never give UP.’ Psalm 31:24 * NPC: 2011/004081/08 * 18A Tax Exempt Status     *PBO file no. 930/036/181

“Don’t stink on your daily grind.” - Bill Cosby

It’s November. The blurred lines between hollow ‘Happy-Halloween-Holidays-Christ-mas’ messages are everywhere.  In our minds, we are shutting down, but the end of year pressures of end-of-year school exams, 2014-planning, budgeting is happening amidst the holiday planning. We find our irritability-fire fuelled daily by things that normally wouldn’t bother us. It's almost like our patience-tap has run dry. It’s not uncommon to find yourself staring out the window or at people (like the picture included) with disinterest, thinking “I wish this year will end already!” Perhaps this is the reason we just need to freshenUP a bit, in order to end 2013 fittingly.

For those physically active athletes out there, you will understand the smelly effect regular wearing of your exercise gear has on the freshness-factor of your clothes. (For the not-so-active, try wearing the same socks for a week, and you'll get the idea.)  Yes, you can wash them, but somehow, they manage to retain a sense of ‘used-ness’, which manifests itself in your drawer, or on your body, a few minutes into your training session.  An innovative new product ‘PROTECT Active-wear pre-soak’ by South African Company Classique Brands, was recently launched to help rid active-wear ‘stinkyness’. Even old training gear can now benefit from a rejuvenated freshness. Perhaps we all need to be soaked in PRTOECT odour eliminating soak… We need some freshness of mind, attitude, spirit and body to help us finish 2013 with the same sense of determination and discipline that we started with.  Most of us started 2013 with some clear goals and achievements in mind. Some have managed to fulfil them, and will be naturally motivated to see the year roll towards the countdown to 2014. Others, who didn't achieve them, will be left with a sense of let-down and disappointment – whether in self or circumstance; disappointment can have a negative effect in where we find ourselves at present. In the same way that we hit the refresh button to check updated tweets, facebook updates or refresh a web browser, we need to hit ‘refresh’ on our 2013 button.  When the refresh button is clicked in any application, there is an expectation for something to happen – whether it be a new message, an @-mention, a new check-in or like, or seeing the webpage open the way you want it to – we expect something to happen.  As part of a simple refresh-click in your personal life, you can freshenUP by: -          Having a clear sense of purpose… This gives clarity to our day-to-day managing of time.  Yes, sometimes we are enslaved to the ticking arms of the work-clock and daily grind, but that should not deter us from pursuing the activities and experiences that give our lives a sense of purpose. -          Setting some goals for the remainder of the year and start of 2014… Having clearly defined goals, and plans of how to achieve them, can help you build determination and drive to achieve them.  Set short-term goals for the week, next month, interspersed with fun-goals. -          Think new – smell new… A build-up of smelly old odours is what causes active-wear (and the shoes and socks on your feet right now) to become smelly.  Similarly, the “same old issues” that you have been battling since late January 2013 might have caused your mind-set to become entrenched in thinking negatively about the situation. Getting a new perspective on it by asking someone objective for their opinion, or changing your own approach/attitude toward the issue, can help you overcome ‘the stink’. As much as clothes need weekly washing to keep them fresh, with occasional longer soaks in a PROTECT soak, we need to realise that our minds and attitude too need regular cleaning. Woody Allen (Actor) remarked: “Once you clean your spectacles, you find with relief that your eyes aren’t deteriorating as rapidly as you thought; you're merely struggling to see clearly through the dirty glasses!” -          Seeing the good Negativity is all around us.  And, the more we see it, hear it, experience it and talk about it, the more aware we become of it.  Have you noticed how, when you buy something you tend to see more of  it around?  As part of fresheningUP, it helps to focus on good things too! Have a look and listen around you and spot people #doingGOOD. "Good" comes in many forms...compliments, sunshine, a friendly smile a stranger, letting someone go through the door before you, sharing a drink with a friend, a hug from a loved one, encouraging someone, greeting someone... Seeing good and experiencing good leaves us feeling good. -          Value life It sounds corny, but it is true. Life as we know it can change in an instant.  This is the case for a 16 year old boy in one of the schools we worked in this year.  A few weeks ago, leaving school in a buoyant mood the friends went swimming in a local river. Summer was finally here, and life was good. Sadly, as he jumped into the river where they have enjoyed many fun days in previous summers, he sustained a neck injury that now left him paralysed from the neck down. Life – changed. Focus on the value of what you have.  “If we value the have’s in our lives, it leaves little room for the discontent of have-not’s.”

A notice appeared in the window of a coat store in England: “We have been established for over 100 years and have been pleasing and displeasing customers ever since.  We have made money and lost money, suffered the effects of coal nationalisation, coal rationing, governments control and bad payers. We have been cussed and discussed, messed about, life to, held up, robbed, and swindled.  The only reason why we are still in business is to see what happens next.” Develop a sense of purpose and some goals for your life – it will help you make decisions and prioritise activities.  This can help you finish 2013 with a boosted morale and enthusiasm.

“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire” – Field Marshal Ferdinand Foch

facingUP Support Services: * NPC: 2011/004081/08 * 18A Tax Exempt Status (PBO) file no. 930/036/181 PO BOX 14, HOWARD PLACE, 7450 Fax:  +27 (0)86 762 5024 Directors: Dr. SH Walsh, Mr. IS Smith, Mr. E Lombard www.facingupsa.org  /  www.lostandfoundnow.org