This season is allowing me to reflect more than normal and I am enjoying it immensely. I am also listening to the interesting things people are saying and posting. Some people are bored while others are panicking and feeling hopeless and some are optimistic that this too shall pass.

Some are worried about their next meal, the house rent, the car or house they just bought or a business.

One of the terms we are hearing often in “we are all in the same boat”. I believe we are in the same storm but in different ships or boats and the winds and waves affect us differently. Your ship may ride the waves better because of the way it was constructed and material used.

It can be difficult but I believe is very important to see beyond what is in front of us. One of the things most of us are recognising the value of the simple things.

Like Raquel and I stopping at OMG to enjoy a cone while on our masks distribution mission. We sat in the vehicle and totally enjoyed that cone with the ordinary cone cups because we don’t need the extra sugar from the waffle cups. We are both sweet enough anyway lol. It is healthy to laugh in this season even if we have to laugh at ourselves. My granddaughter Payton Elizabeth tried to kiss me through the screen on the phone a few days ago and it made me laugh while realising that this may be our reality for a while. I miss all the movie dates with my grandson Jaidyn. The last movie we saw at Giftland was Sonics The Hedgehog and we had already decided what was next on the list. As an entrepreneur, we can get consumed by business and have less time for the things that bring us the most joy.
I have learnt some lessons in the past year and I am intentional about using them to make me a better person. My brother Sherwin who passed away last year was planning to value the things and people he took for granted but unfortunately never got the chance.
One essay I never get tired of reading is the one that was reportedly written by Steve Jobs in the last days of his life. It forces me to value what we call “the small stuff” that gives us big joy.

“I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In others’ eyes, my life is an epitome of success. However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to. At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realise that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death. In the darkness, I look at the green lights from the life-supporting machines and hear the humming mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of the god of death drawing closer …Now I know, when we have accumulated sufficient wealth to last our lifetime, we should pursue other matters that are unrelated to wealth …

Should be something that is more important:
Perhaps relationships, perhaps art, perhaps a dream from younger days
Non-stop pursuing of wealth will only turn a person into a twisted being, just like me.
God gave us the senses to let us feel the love in everyone’s heart, not the illusions brought about by wealth.

The wealth I have won in my life I cannot bring with me. What I can bring is only the memories precipitated by love.

That’s the true riches which will follow you, accompany you, giving you strength and light to go on.

Love can travel a thousand miles. Life has no limit. Go where you want to go. Reach the height you want to reach. It is all in your heart and in your hands.
What is the most expensive bed in the world?

Sick bed …
You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone to bear the sickness for you.
Material things lost can be found. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost — Life.

When a person goes into the operating room, he will realise that there is one book that he has yet to finish reading — Book of Healthy Life.
Whichever stage in life we are at right now, with time, we will face the day when the curtain comes down.

Treasure Love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends. Treat yourself well. Cherish others.”

I am sure many of you read these words before and it has impacted you.
Notice he never mentioned, “I should have created another apple product or purchased another jet”. It was the simple things he craved in the end.

Those things we take for granted most of the time are priceless and provide the most happiness. I am questioning my ‘why’ more these days and I know I am not alone.
I would love my readers to interact with me more in this season.

Email beyondtherunway1@gmail.com and sharing
one lesson you have learnt during this crisis as we celebrate this journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.