God, I feel like hell tonight
Tears of rage I cannot fight
I’d be the last to help you understand
Are you strong enough to be my man, my man?
Nothing’s true and nothing’s right
So let me be alone tonight
Cause you can’t change the way I am
Are you strong enough to be my man?
Lie to me
I promise I’ll believe
Lie to me
But please don’t leave, don’t leave
I have a face I cannot show
I make the rules up as I go
Just try and love me if you can
Are you strong enough to be my man, my man?
Are you strong enough to be my man?
Are you strong enough to be my man?
Are you strong? My man.
When I’ve shown you that I just don’t care
When I’m throwing punches in the air
When I’m broken down and I can’t stand
Would you be man enough to be my man?
Lie to me
I promise I’ll believe
Lie to me
But please don’t leave
I am a girl or rather a lady who is often seen as plastic or fake because I wear make-up, have thick lips and blonde hair ( note to those reading this and who know me as: the rumours go and most believe – no I have not had Botox, my lips are real and so are my eyelashes and my hair is an ashy blonde, not a nice blonde hence the reason for my highlights, but still I am a natural blonde) besides if I had had so much done to my face I often beg the question or retort when asked it … I obviously forgot to mention to my plastic surgeon that I have a body and would have had a boob job first! I am not blessed in this department and it is the only surgery I will ever have. Anyway enough about that. After ranting about my looks: this is the whole reason I found this article so interesting and quite honestly touching…
Where are the men like this? I guess what people perceive me as, is partially judged and deduced by Facebook and or Instagram pics and hence those times that when I do go to a party or event ( rarely these days ) I do dress up… The honest truth is that during the week and 90% of the time I am in jeans and a tank top or t-shirt, slops or sneakers and my hair is in a really not so cool looking messy ponytail – my make-up is limited to a bit of mascara and blusher and that is the real me. My family and friends think this is when I look beautiful ( me not so much ). Hence why this article rang so true. Society has convinced us that being done up is what we need to do in order to be beautiful, when in fact it is just a fake perception of non reality ie no one looks like a million dollars when they wake up in the morning barefaced and hair standing up in every which direction.
Me – makeup and hair done
Me – mascara & blush .. hair not even brushed
But maybe just maybe there are men out there and one man ( my fairytale boy ) who will look at me lying on the pillow sans make-up and hair fanned out … not so glamoursly – and at that moment I will take his breath away as he sees the beauty in my heart and soul and I guess as attraction is important … In my face too. Is it so wrong to want him to think I am the most beautiful girl he has ever seen because he loves me and not because I look (and I don’t ) like Heidi Klum … But because I look, naturally, like me.
Here it is: to the ladies let’s try get back to this, and to the men – Marry a girl whose beauty takes your breath away when you glance at her sitting drinking her morning coffee not a showgirl who takes your friends and an audiences’ breath away when she arrives at a party sans half her dress after 20 subbed sessions. Maybe she will love you for you then, and not the size of your wallet which can only contribute to her grooming ritual and wardrobe and instead, love your for your intelligence, humour and I guess just because you are you.
The Actual Difference Between Women Who Are Hot And Women Who Are Beautiful
Women. We’re curvy, skinny, hood, pretty, cute, ethnic, bad, dime pieces, unicorns, babes, pieces of tail, juicy, fine, sexy, foxes, sultry, voluptuous… The list goes on.
When was the last time you heard a man describe a woman with an adjective that isn’t dripping in sexual innuendos and defaming premises? When was the last time you heard a man describe a woman by something that compliments her soul and her inherent elegance? When was the last time you heard a man describe a woman as beautiful?
There’s been a loss of respect when it comes to admiring women, shifting towards describing us as objects, rather than people. Men look at women as pieces of tail, “things” to be conquered, rather than appreciating women for their individuality.
A large portion of today’s men are momentarily allured by hair extensions, large chests, big bottoms and stilettos. They think sexuality comes in the form of bronzed skin, bikini waxes and fake eyelashes. They’ve been programmed to believe that any woman with a sculpted body and perky breasts is attractive.
What about the women who don’t want to indulge in the male fantasy? What about the women who just want to wear comfortable sweaters and flats? What about the women who don’t dress to impress the opposite sex, but instead, to just feel good in their own skin? Isn’t there attractiveness in that? Isn’t there an appeal to that sense of confidence?
When did women become forced to acquiesce to this standard, or otherwise get lost in the crowd? When did getting a man mean painting on layers of makeup and investing in mini skirts?
There is a certain type of man that continually defames women, judging them solely on sex appeal, failing to see the actual grandeur of women. These are the men who don’t understand the concept of natural beauty and uniqueness in flaws.
They don’t recognize that “hotness” doesn’t last past midnight, when the makeup has smudged onto the pillow and the hair extensions have been taken out. It doesn’t last when the spray tans have washed away and the tight dresses have come off.
It’s not real; it’s an illusion that’s been forcing women to conform to unhealthy habits for too many years.
It’s time these men are reminded of the difference between hot and beautiful. It’s time men realize that women have more to offer than just a body.
Women are stunning creatures, with assets and traits both unique and enchanting to each one of us, and it’s time we started showcasing our individuality and stop giving in to the illusion of sexy created by man. Because beauty isn’t about wanting to f*ck her; it’s about wanting to be with her.
Hot is admired from afar; beauty is to be held.
Hot is perception; beauty is appreciation.
Hot is smokey-eyed; beautiful is bare-faced.
Hot is an appearance; beautiful is more than skin deep.
Hot is the way she moans; beautiful is the way she speaks.
Hot is a strong appeal; beautiful is strong mind.
Hot is youthful; beautiful is ageless.
Hot is conventional; beauty is unique.
Hot is a one-night stand; beautiful is sleepless nights.
Hot is a state of being; beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Hot is devious; beautiful is innocent.
Hot is bending her over; beautiful is baking her blueberry pancakes.
Hot is sultry; beautiful is wholesome.
Hot is her curves; beauty is her nerves.
Hot is a text message; beautiful is a love letter.
Little did I know that going with a friend to a Charity day -organised and sponsored by the company he works for – would change my life and heart forever. Being a gentle person by nature I have always felt sorry for the very less fortunate – from car guards to domestic workers – who always have a smile on their faces yet earn a tenth of what the people I socialise with do. Then I met the children, teachers and people who run the Lesedi Children’s Pre-school and my eyes were opened to a world where feeling sorry for people is not enough. Where teachers earn less then you or I do in a day (approx R 600/month) and work from 5 am to 7 pm. Where children are born blind, deaf, autistic or paralysed and their parents are unable to feed them for days or weeks at a time. Where parents have to leave a family at 5am to get to work at 7am via our South African public transport systems, only to return home at 7pm each night, earning not even enough to put food in their families mouths, candles for light, clothing for warmth and water for cleaning. As I watched these children with tears welling in my eyes I realised that my day had to be shared – even if it means I am able to touch only one other person who is willing to help just one of these children or teachers. I arrived at the Elf restaurant in Chartwell on a day when I was not feeling very happy with what I had: my life, my looks and my lack of being “loved” or being in love. In this state of mind I walked through the restaurant and gazed upon a sight that would haunt me that night and possibly forever. In my selfishness I honestly thought I had it bad…. until I glanced at one child and her smile turned my world upside down. Little did I know that she was blind, a spastic quadriplegic and has cerebal palsy and could only sense me standing next to her… this was enough to make her beam and giggle. My Refilwe, my little angel. Being the person I am, not one to stand aside, I walked right into the midst of about 80 children between the ages of 3 months and 6 years and began to interact with them and start a journey which changed my mindset and hopefully yours as you read this. 80 children where playing on a trampoline, wandering in and out of old cars and train tracks and playing games with teachers and assistants who had arranged little groups to play everything from ring a rosies to clambering over obstacle courses. These children were not screaming or crying for the food and sweets set aside on a table within their reach (they had been told to wait) they were not begging for an ipad to entertain them: they were happy to be in a new place where playing on a trampoline, in an obstacle course and venturing through an old volkswagen beetle meant the best things in life had come to them -makes you think how “wealthier” children would have behaved. I sat down on a blanket with one teacher who had the largest smile in the world, she introduced me to her new baby girl and told me she was so happy. Happy? earning nothing and battling through life? Yes happy because she was fulfilled from within, not through material or superficial items – her soul was happy. And that’s when Refilwe caught my eye again. I reached over to her as she lay on the blanket, alone, no mother tending to her or comforting her and i gently tickled her tummy which resulted in a gleeful giggle. I then sang to her quietly and again she emitted these little squeals of delight. At this stage Bronwen walked up to me introduced herself and told me that Refilwe was born blind and spastic (we have since had her properly diagnosed). Her mother walked out on the family and her aunt, who now looks after this little treasure, has three other children and cannot afford to look after them even though she works 3 days a month. Refilwe, my little angle, was happy just because she was given attention and love. Again how selfish am I to think that I have it bad because I don’t drive a Range Rover and I ‘only” have a family to go home to anytime I need, for comfort, love and monetary support. Refilwe thank you – you gave me back a piece of me that had become superficial. For that I am in your debt always.
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I then took a walk to an older boy sitting quietly by himself watching the children play. I tried to initiate a conversation or ask him if he wanted to join in the games – this boy I later learned was to old for the pre-school but at 16 he is a quadriplegic, has never been taught to read or write and was often left alone in his family shack as his parents have to work – in winter this meant he was left with a fire burning in the shack for heating, it gives me chills to think what he would have experienced had something in the shack caught alight – think about that for a minute. No way to run, no way to shout, no way out…. Lesedi now looks after him. Bronwen then introduced me to the boy who has taken over from his mom, Maria, who started the Pre-school from her shack with one child. Mamma Maria sadly passed away in October of last year she did however leave an amazing legacy. Look what she built? A safe-haven and educational facility for children, I am sure she is looking down and smiling right now, in a happy place blessed beyond measure for her good works. Her son, at 21, instead of running away from this responsibility has embraced it and taken over all obligations to do with the Lesedi creche. How can we help him? Perhaps a bursary or sponsorship to study part time. After this I mingled with the kids, I jumped on the trampoline with a curly haired child, wide beautiful innocent eyes, I leant down as her shoelace appeared untied and realised that her sneakers were broken, the laces tied together in knots, the soles loose and glued together – how many pairs of shoes do you own… the number in my cupboard, not worn for months or even years, haunted me in an instant? I then decided to take on the obstacle course and ring a rosies. Wow this is when the teachers impressed me further. They give these kids there all. They love them, entertain them, teach them manners, teach them right from wrong, teach them how to have fun with the little they have and most of all they do this without a hint of bitterness or sadness – they smile and laugh more then I see in ten lunches with friends… they earn R 600 a month and work 12 hour days. Why am I telling you this story? Well so you to can support one of these children or perhaps a teacher so we can increase their salaries. Looking after one of these children, our future, inclusive of meals and medical bills, costs less then you or I could spend at a petrol station buying coldrinks and magazines. It costs less then a round of drinks at a bar for two people, it costs less then downloading your email for a week. It costs R 160 a month… Bronwen runs Lesedi and is amazing. Read below to find out all the legalise and information on this Pre-School and how you can help. Then please contact me jbayvel@yahoo.com so I can get you in touch with her and you to can begin a journey to happiness from within whilst you make a child smile instead of crying from hunger, whilst you educate a child and in doing so build hope for our future in South Africa. Please also ‘Like’ our page on Facebook here Lesedi Pre-school I am in teh process of building our website where one will be able to give donations online. A note from Bronwen:
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Lesedi is a registered non-profit organisation based near Lanseria airport. There is no running water or electricity and it is the only creche servicing Malatjie township. We have 120 children aged 3 months to 6 years and all live in extreme poverty. In the year and a half that I’ve been involved at Lesedi I have raised funds to expand the creche by building 2 classrooms, a kitchen, store-room, 2 long drop toilets and a jungle gym. In February we start building 2 more classrooms. We opened a special needs project at Lesedi and have 5 children with various disabilities ranging from autism to blindness and cerebral palsy. This year we have started a library where each child takes a book home every week. We have a group of volunteers who go up on alternate Wendesday mornings to do arts and crafts with the older children and textural play with the younger children. The children now enjoy an annual outing – in 2012 we took them to the Lory Park Zoo and in 2013 to the Lonehill Fire Station. We also host a Christmas party and other events occasionally during the year. We have also started a sponsorship programme where the poorest families receive payment relief for school fees – this is where you come in. The sponsorship programme runs from Jan – Dec and for 2014 will be R160 per month. The child receives a sponsorship certificate specifying the sponsor’s name and the duration. A photo is taken of the child with their certificate and sent to the sponsor. The sponsorship will then be re-assessed in November to determine whether you would like to continue or if your child has graduated etc. Payment can be a lump sum into the Lesedi bank account or a monthly direct debit. All bank details will be sent to you along with a picture of your child. The reference on your payment will be the child’s name. Please find a few pics of the project above. The first pic shows the neighbours shack we bought in Dec 2012 and the next 2 pics are of the new classrooms & jungle gym built mid 2013. Also a pic from our outing to the fire station and of 2 of our special needs children. Lastly I’ve included one of a sponsored child with their certificate so you know what to expect on my next mail. There is a Facebook page – Lesedi Creche – if anyone is keen to join. With warm regards Bronwen
As part of my passion and that thing that keeps food on the table. Digital Marketing fascinates me. How some thing go viral in a matter of minutes is beyond comprehension.
I research and read about the tech and digital world every night via subscriptions, searches and those ‘by luck i came across this amazing link’ articles which help so much! This article is amazing and I had to share it. Thank you Hubspot for publishing it and Grégory Pouy for creating it!
Here it is.
“Do you want to break the internet?”
That’s what Grégory Pouy, founder of French digital consulting firm La Mercatique, poses in his latest SlideShare in which he breaks down the best digital campaigns of 2013.
The answer is of course (or at least presumably), “yes.” The problem is that the formula for acquiring that kind of exposure remains largely secretive.
Or at least it feels that way.
Pouy presents a peek behind that break-the-internet curtain of success with this SlideShare, sharing the most relevant campaigns of 2013 from across the globe.
For this list, Pouy sought out a mix of innovation, creativity, and differentiation in campaigns. And while he isn’t giving away the exact formula, he is sharing some of the secret ingredients these campaigns used to become so compelling.
Take a look at his selections below. While some of the content is translated, I think learning about innovative approaches to challenging campaigns — especially ones you might not have seen otherwise, given his global sample set — is the more important focus of this content. Pay particular attention to his breakdown of the challenges each campaign faced, and how they got over them:
Don’t rely on your brand name or logo to get people interested — your content should beintrinsically interesting.
Start off with an emotional bang — joy and surprise will hook a viewer from the get-go.
Keep them hooked — switch between tension and relief to generate suspense.
Create stories that are shareable — make it easy for others to tell your story for you.
Balance shock with surprise — it’s critical you understand your audience to nail this tricky balance.
What do you think of Pouy’s campaign selections? Which campaigns had the most difficult challenges to overcome and tackled those challenges in the most innovative ways? Share your opinions below.
Sorry ladies if this offends you or if you feel it is chauvinistic – in my ‘books’ this was the way marriage used to be and those couples loved and survived despite or inspite of difficult times and situations. Role reversal and fanatical feminism or even a man who is far to metro sexual has caused confusion and created marriages and relationships where the role of male and female is so undefined that confusion occurs and I believe this is a large contributing factor to our high divorce rate. So read on and think about it …
I was thinking, the most BEAUTIFUL women are the ones that are selfless. I think that submissive, caring, driven women are so sexy! I love it when I look at a woman’s page (on social media) and it’s nice and sweet. No club pics, no pictures of her in the mirror, no vulgar, drama filled updates… just her. I realized that most women draw their cues from other women. They look at big butts, huge breasts, hairstyles, and lifestyles of other women and try to imitate it thinking that it’s what men want. Well, its NOT. Yes, we give those women attention, yes those women get flown places, yes they get taken shopping, but at the end of the day (to us) they are simply something to do. (Typically something to sex). The treatment that they get is part of a contract. That is, spend a little money and a little time and her legs will always be open for you. (Dudes do just enough to keep them interested.)
What men, GOOD MEN, REALLY want is a GOOD woman! PERIOD. Give a man your (undivided) attention, time and affection and he will give you love and respect. If you cater to him, nurture him, mend his wounds and encourage his dreams he will lay down his life for you!
A man, a REAL MAN, takes pride in being a man! He will sacrifice EVERYTHING if it will put one smile on his woman’s face. No mountian will be too high to climb and no ocean too deep to swim. A man will go to the ends of the Earth to provide for the RIGHT woman.
Ladies, take pride in being a WOMAN. Take pride in the fact that you are the backbone of mankind. The power, majesty and beauty of civilization comes from your womb! We (men) recognize that. We long for the woman that understands that as well.
Allow us to take the lead. Not to control you, but to protect you. Let us clear the path so that your walk will be made easy.
Submit to us. Not for us to stand over you, but so that we can extend our hand to lift you up, over our heads.
Ladies, in our eyes (a REAL man’s eyes), there is NOTHING more precious than a woman. NOTHING.
One thing that I have realized about relationships is that people are continuously responding to the actions of others. What that means is, the best way to be happy, the best way to have a healthy, meaningful relationship is to give what you expect to get. If you want to be cherished, respected and valued, give us those things!
The treatment that a man gives to his woman starts and ends with her. Consider us, our feelings, our expectations, and the fact that we want to be treated EXACTLY how you want to be treated and watch as the world opens up to you.
Ladies, we love you, we need you, and we want you to understand that the way you treat us (and YOURSELF) dictates the way that we treat you.
Lastly, understand that your beauty and value ARE NOT defined by how you look or what you own. Your beauty and value is defined by your heart and it’s ability to give and RECEIVE love.
I’m done being sappy.
Read E.mackeys’ response to criticism on his post here
An Ordinary Girl On An Extraordinary Journey Through Life 