Women of Worth!

Hello Friends,

On Saturday I was very honoured to visit with a group of women in celebration of Women's Month. But this was no ordinary group. A handful of wonderful women in Delft decided to give a breakfast to those who are not normally invited to these type of events - the destitute and under priviledged. About 60 ladies attended the breakfast and we had an incredible time!

I was there mainly to support my best friend, Tessa, who was singing at the event (oh! She sings like an Angel!) but ended up being a surprise speaker. Surprise to me most of all! Fortunately I'm always game to gab so that wasn't a problem.

But I really want to share the experience with you, my friends, because it was an eye-opening experience that shook me to my core. As an author, motivational speaker and business woman, I've been quite confident of my abilities and rather proud of my achievements but on Saturday I was humbled by a group of women who really and truly deserve to be given a round of applause. In their presence I felt lazy and useless. These women spend their lives in service to their community. I met a woman who goes around to the elderly or sick to clean them in their beds, dressing their bed sores, washing their hair and giving them a little bit of dignity. She cleans up after they have passed away to save their families the trouble of having to do it. One lady decided that she was going to do something about missing children in Delft and last year alone, she and her organisation found 8 missing children and restored them safely back home. My friend Tessa has given up her well-paid corporate position to work with HIV positive families and orphans, making sure that they receive nutritious meals and take their medication.

The most astounding moment came when the MC asked the audience, "If your child has been raped and murdered, please stand up" and in a room of only 60 women, about 5 stood up. Among them was Lizania Jacobs (Chelsea Jacobs' mother). You may remember seeing quite a bit of news footage about the tragic story of a little 5-year old girl raped and bludgeoned to death with a brick, who was left for dead in the veld a short distance from her home. The little girl died shortly after she arrived at hospital and now her mother carries a very heavy burdon.

Others told stories of spousal abuse, substance abuse, illness, loss, rejection, poverty, the list is endless. In each case the women came out of their traumatic experience changed forever. We saw the power of women and our unique ability to survive in spite of all obstacles.

The speakers were warm and loving and they shared motivational words of comfort where they could. The key-note speaker was Anne Siroky, Shoprite Checkers Woman of the Year 2007. An incredible, dynamic woman who lives her life in service to others! She runs www.thefuturefactory.co.za and it is just mind-blowing what she's accomplished. She made us laugh with her antics, we cried with her compassion and her smile was beautiful and genuine. She never mentioned that she has recently won a battle with cancer. She's too busy working and living to think about things like that. What an incredible woman!

It's time that we stand together as women and support each other. It's time that we put an arm around our hurting sister and share a tear or two. But it's also time that we realise how absolutely wonderful we are! Thank you for sharing this day with me! Thank you for inspiring me to be a better person!

May God bless you always,

Love B1

Bronwyn Johnson, Anne Siroky and Latasha (Tessa) Storm

The women who made it all happen! What AWESOME women!!

Strangers become friends

Sharing her life's story

You don't stand alone any more!

Hey Babe, watch!

Hello friends,

I'd like to share my weekend A-Ha! moment with you. I've sat through one or two boring episodes of Baywatch, trying to understand the show's popularity. As you know, it's a pointless effort at the best of times. The storyline is usually a shallow tale of bubblegum intrigue that slowly plays out until that much anticipated typical "Baywatch moment" when all of a sudden - in the middle of the day - a sunset scene unfolds in the background while Pamela Anderson starts running in slow motion along the sand. Silly cones bouncing up and down as she hurdles to save some lucky guy waiting for his heavenly mouth-to-mouth. The cheesy music kicks in and once she's saved him - voila! It's back to daytime again. Aweful!

Then on Saturday I watched the game between South Africa (go Bokkies) and New Zealand. Rugby usually has as much of an attraction to me as Baywatch does - but at least it offers far better entertainment; including deeper plot and script. Saturday seemed to be the normal run-of-the mill game, until I spotted Daniel Carter! As he ran across the field - pecks flexing, I pictured a sunset scene behind him. No that's not wet grass underfoot - it's the beach! Suddenly the cheesy soundtrack played in my head and in a moment of enlightenment - I got it! It was as if Rugby was saying, "Hey Babe, watch!" He had my undivided attention for the rest of the game. And not only is he a hot, hot, hottie, but he can actually play rugby! Such a pity he's on the wrong team.

It's great to think we're beyond such things as trivial as cookie cutter romance a-la Mills & Boons, or dare I say - Baywatch. To take the intellectual high ground and look down at these silly people who believe in love at first sight is a comfortable position for most. But for one brief moment I saw what appeals to the true romantics out there. I could picture Daniel Carter bending down to give me mouth-to-mouth on a beautiful sunlit beach. I can't say what about the man appealed to me exactly. Hot strangers are a dime a dozen on the telly. Maybe it was just my mood at the time after becoming single again. Maybe it was just a brief flirt with temporary insanity. But don't worry, I'm over it.

However, I can tell you right now that I'll probably be catching more New Zealand games in future - even if for just another glimpse of that fantasy. If we had such "talent" on our team... I'd even go watch the games live!

So thanks Danny, you've shown me why the image of Pamela has men glued to their screens week after week and why some people out there, in spite of their better judgement, still believe.

Keep smiling,

Love BOne.