Here we are again! At the end of another year that we entered with bright-eyed anticipation not so long ago...

Like any other, 2013 held great prospects and excitement for all of us. Perhaps many of our expectations did not materialise, but each decisive action we took led us on an adventure with great opportunities for personal growth.

Looking back, I realise that I again have much to be grateful for. The past 12 months have seen me criss-cross the fairest Cape of them all, adding cheer to more celebrations than ever before. I have met many wonderful people and my clients are now my greatest ambassadors. Most of all, I am grateful for the opportunity to share so many happy occasions in the company of you, my diverse people.

The death of Tata Madiba, on the eve of my 40th birthday was a dark moment in my memory of 2013, but it has opened a unique opportunity for us to reflect on the past – and in it find hope for the future. Madiba's inspirational life story leaves us with an over-flowing fountain of lessons to learn from. Not just in what he achieved, but even more so in his resilience in the face of many setbacks.

As a young man, Tata was not aware of his greatness. Nor did he know where his life's work would take him. He was simply committed to staying true to himself and his dream. His passion and conscience guided him from there.  

Very often, things did not go our way during this year and sometimes at great cost. There are things we could have done better and opportunities we have missed. In honour of his legacy, I choose to let go of the past and enter the New Year with bright-eyed anticipation once more. I choose to keep my eye on the ball and continue to passionately pursue my dreams in 2014.

This year I wish on all of us the drive and commitment to leave our doubtful self behind, to acknowledge our vulnerabilities as an essential part of who we are and to take a leap into the unknown to discover what we are truly capable of.  Let's forgive ourselves for our failures and mistakes during 2013 and start the New Year with a clean slate of hope, optimism, and joie de vivre! For if I accept and love myself first, the odds of me exercising patience, empathy and unconditional love towards my fellow man will sky-rocket and that may just light the path on my long walk to self-actualisation.

May we all be truly free to soar above our self-imposed limitations in our bright future... that is 2014. Cheers!


PS: I composed a song in honour of Madiba's legacy. Please listen to it here. (I will appreciate your feedback.)