#OnTheTrain – Vision Development

Bless The Lord, Oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name! (Psalm 103:1)

It is Glorious to know that He still loves us and has a plan for our lives!

Ok, here we go!

We are on the train now, having shut the mouth of Mr (Ms) What, we need to get going with our vision.

Remember by now we already have a vision written down and know where we are headed. We therefore need to bring the dimension of development into the mix.

Ketlametswe is a beautiful lady who will help us understand this part of the journey quite well. We met at a business convention back in 2016 and we have since become good friends. She wasn’t quite sure of what she wanted to do at the time and by the end of the 3 day gathering, something hit home.

I called her a few weeks ago to find out how she was doing;

Ketlametswe, “Hey Mr Mothobi, it’s lovely to hear from you.”

Me, “Yes Ausi, I’m happy to hear your voice. How is it going that side?”

Ketlametswe, “It’s been a roller coaster ride that I have enjoyed being on sir. Wow, I tell you Ntate Mothobi, the resilience that I’ve had to cultivate and implement, has been extraordinary.”

Me, “Awesome news! Do tell, my sister.”

Ketlametswe, “The key for me was penning down my idea. Do you remember when we were listening to, uhm, that lady who sells things via dropshipping…uhm…”

Me, “Alicia?”

Ketlametswe, “Yes, thank you, Alicia Lyttle. Something about when she spoke made me think of Habakkuk chapter 2:2.”

Me, “Hm, I hear you. Write the vision down…”

Ketlametswe, “Yes Moruti, absolutely. Writing down the vision when I finally decided to go into marketing, locally made ornaments and clothing, was incredibly important. Something happened as I did it because the original thought was to market big name brands as an affiliate.”

Me, “Oh really? There is quite a difference between the two, although there are some similarities.”

Ketlametswe, “For that very reason sir, writing the vision and developing it, are different though similar.”

Me, “This is true. Please tell me more about these experiences.”

There it is. Having a vision is a pivotal step in reaching your goals in life, but we need to remember that developing it does something even more.

Ketlametswe continues on the next installment.

Next Up…

#OnTheTrain – Vision Development Part 2

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#CatchingTheTrain – SOTT – Dealing With Mr What – Conclusion

May the showers of His Glory fall upon you this day! 

Hello my dear brother and sister! It is that time again to share.

In the series, ‘Start to Finish’ we are at the stage where we are on the train, having discovered where our purpose is leading us. I hope you’ve been following the series as this would be very clear to you.

We are also dealing with Ms What who is an agent of absolute doubt in your abilities to do what you believe you can. Obstacles are many and come in varied forms, but the common denominator is the fact that they are quick to make you answer the question, “What makes you think you can make it on this journey?”

We all go through that and I would like you to know that your God given dream, ambition and plans can become a reality. Love is paramount in all this.

You need to love what you want to do and learn that you will therefore have to sacrifice something for it. Before we get there though, we must start with you. It was quite amazing for me to realize yet another thing that is important, and overlooked many times.

I want to know, “Do you love yourself?” It could be surprising to you that I ask such a question but you would be greatly surprised to find that a lot of people actually don’t. They tolerate themselves because they have grown a certain resentment to themselves based on bad decisions and other things. It’s amazing how people I have met have actually given up on themselves and are just pushing along with whatever may come, hoping to somehow find success.

I’m sure you’ve heard of this one, ‘Hope for the best, but expect the worst.’ It can be a realistic view of life, but it can also be a very strong trap for people who end up losing this hope for the best and living more in more in the worst of things.

Love yourself, focus on yourself, your gifts and dreams that you have forgotten in your more innocent years of life, remember how hopeful you were at some point, and believe in yourself again. If you are still breathing, you have a chance to live the best days of your life! I am living proof of such a decision helping to turn ones life around.

Then allow absolutely no one and nothing to stand in the way of your dream! As we continue to find and/or create ways to do this on this blog! Do we have an agreement? (Comment below, let’s interact)

Stick around, the journey continues…

Next Up…

#OnTheTrain – Vision Development

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#CatchingTheTrain – SOTT – Dealing With Mr What Part 5

The sun has risen again and what a wonderful day it is! 

Thank God I’m still alive and so are you!

I hope you’ve been following this awesome story that is, to a large degree, eye opening. This is according to some of the wonderful readers of this blog. Please don’t forget that there are people around you who may benefit from this teaching. So go ahead and share it with a friend and let’s all make a difference. Ok, let’s get right to it.

Leroy, “So I get to the table and greet that customer again. I gather that his name is Philani as Choki introduces me. I noticed that she was a little downcast and she looked despondent as she sat down. I thought it was because she was not well as she said, but soon I realized that it was about this meeting.  It looked like Philani had just walked in and she wasn’t expecting him at all that day. She clearly had other plans for me.”

Shanelle now has a smile on her face and interrupts Leroy, “Honey, let me take it from there please.” Leroy nods his head and she does just that, with a bit more enthusiasm now.

Shanelle, “So Philani basically explains to the love of my heart here that his advice on the wedding itself was innovative and saved them a lot of money. The arrangements are coming along much better and he was thankful for his help. He said he remembered that my baby told him that he is one of Choki’s designers and would need her permission for any work he is to do for or with him. So he had come to ask for her permission to make him the project manager of the entire wedding day! Not only would he be in charge of the designs of the dresses and stuff, but organize the whole thing! With only 3 months to do it all, they needed someone of his talent to head it up.”

Leroy, “The look on her face Gabe!!! You could almost hear her cursing me from head to toe in her silence. I was shocked and just looked at her. So Philani asks me, ‘Would that be something that would interest you?’ I tell him that it would be awesome but only if Choki agreed. The problem with Philani is that he was one of Choki’s biggest clients and had given her a lot of work of the years.”

Shanelle, “She calmly asks him, ‘Will you be able to do that and your responsibilities here Leroy?’”

Leroy, “The funny thing is that the responsibilities that she was referring to are adhoc and are completely controlled by her. So I didn’t even know what to say to her. As I was thinking of an answer that would not be disrespectful to her, Philani says, ‘Have you given him a job here?’ I tell him that I am volunteering to gain more experience to be a fashion designer, particularly in-house furniture.”

Shanelle, “Philani looks at Leroy in amazement and says, ‘Well Choki, let me take him off your hands for the next three months and I will pay him and you for it. I am willing to pay for his time away. What will it cost me for your volunteer to work for me?’ Haha! How do you even answer that?! The long story short, that was the last time my Leroy was in that store. He did such an amazing job Gabe that the people there wanted to know who the organizer was.”

Leroy, “God has been faithful man and it’s just been a journey to remember.”

Well, the case of Leroy in dealing with his Ms What can be summed up in two words, ‘Humility’ and ‘Patience’. 

Both these qualities are very hard to cultivate for many people, me included at one time. 

However, even more important is commitment to your dream. When (not if) you get knocked down in the ring, it takes true commitment to get back in again and grow stronger until you win.

More on this when we meet again, right here on The Writings of Gabriel!

Next Up…

#CatchingTheTrain – SOTT – Dealing With Mr What Conclusion

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#CatchingTheTrain – SOTT – Dealing With Mr What Part 4

Zdravo! 

Let me greet you today with overflowing love in my heart! 

This is yet another day I have been allowed by The Master to awaken. I’m ever thankful.

Let me quote the great Franklin D. Roosevelt. He said, ‘Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.’ Let me be very clear to you as I alluded to this in our last post, ‘If you can’t find a way, CREATE ONE!’

Let’s get back to Leroy and his wife-to-be, Shanelle as they continue their story of dealing with Ms What.

Leroy, “So she calls me on Tuesday morning to come in that afternoon after work because she wasn’t feeling well and wanted me to help her finish a project that she was working on. I agreed, even when my beautiful wifey here said I shouldn’t. You could see she was still very angry with Choki. I was at peace though and I just don’t understand it. I actually felt more pity for her than anger. On my way there, I was on the taxi and behind me I could overhear two ladies talking about a design. I understood from their conversation that they were preparing for a wedding, and one of them was the bride. She just couldn’t make up her mind about what she wanted because every design she saw was always missing something.”

Me, “Interesting.”

Shanelle, “If there is one thing about my hubby you should note, is that he is very observant and my goodness, is her a good listener.”

Me, “I see.”

Leroy, “Thanks my diamond. So I turn around for a second and tell them that I would like to help. They look at me funny like, ‘Who the heck am I and why am I listening to them in the first place.’ I ask to look at the designs she was trying to choose from and after glancing at them on her tablet, I ask her a few questions to try get to know real quick. Still amazed, she answers them and I pick out one of the designs and tell her that her designer should make specific amendments them.”

Me, “Are you for real right now?! Eh, just like that?!”

Leroy, “Yeah, I mean I realised that what she was looking for was something that would bring out her personality out of the dress as well. She asked me to message her these amendments that I was suggesting and gave me her number.”

Shanelle, “U huh…”

Leroy, “You know I only got eyes for you my diamond of elegance. I did that and that was it. Then after doing that, next to me was an old lady who asked me to help her as well. There was something powerful about her though. Like there was a lot of authority in her voice you know. She tells me that her daughter wants a design for her matric farewell dress. She shows me a number of different dresses that her daughter saw on the internet and send her as examples of what she would like. They were like 10 different dresses and the daughter wasn’t sure what she wanted as well. I asked her to show me a full body image of her daughter and to tell me a little about her. I asked if she would give me her number as well so that I can send her what I think might work.”

Shanelle, “Yeah, then he got off the taxi and went to see Choki. She gets there and that customer that he gave advice to who Choki was pissed off about was there. He greets them both and goes to the back to wait for Choki to come and tell him what to do. Then next thing she comes to the back and calls her out to the table where they are sitting and that customer wants to talk to him.”

Me, “Oh boy. So she wanted to embarrass you again…”

Leroy’s story continues on the next post as he somehow finds the strength to face his Ms What who seems hell bent on destroying his dreams.

Next Up…

#CatchingTheTrain – SOTT – Dealing With Mr What Part 5

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#CatchingTheTrain – SOTT – Dealing With Mr What Part 3

Lumelang Lelapa la heso Moreneng! Le kae hle?! 

I hope joy everlasting is in your heart this day in Jesus’ Name!

This day I declare, ‘The sun shall not smite thee by day nor the moon by night’ (Psalm 121:6)

Now, we have been exploring a situation here with my friends, Leroy and Shanelle dealing with Mr What. In this case it is Ms What that is taking centre stage. In their case, we will continue with her.

I have indeed come across such an entity, one who feels that what you are trying to achieve, you are not cut out for.

They show an incredible amount of pride as they have realised, at least part of, their dream. They don’t believe that you should even pursue this path that you are on. There are obviously many reasons why they would do this and at some point we will check out what is going on with Choki.

Ms What decided to make life quite difficult for young Leroy, embarrassing him pretty badly in front of her fashion designer friends. Have you experienced embarrassment in trying to reach a goal? Have you ever asked someone who you look up to for help and they looked at you like you are such a disturbance to them? Have you ever thought of giving up because those who are around you just don’t see any potential in what you want to do?

I have experienced this a lot in my life and I actually did give up, many times. I stalled my own progress due to this pain and subjected myself to jobs that made sense to my family and even friends. 

This is especially the case when you are trying to break into something no one in your family has done.

Sometimes, your Mr or Ms What is not even the person who is living your dream, they could be the very people you love the most, the people at the bank where you are trying to apply for a loan, and even your best friends. You can feel so alone while you are among people.

May I humbly suggest that trying to fit in and settling for what would be comfortable for them, will leave you frustrated most of, if not all, the time. So please don’t think you are going to be ok. YOU ARE NOT! 

You are not them, you are an individual that God placed a pioneering spirit in, gift and talents in tow, and you need to find a way to bring this out. If you can’t find a way out, create one! 

It’s in you and you are not alone. God is with you! Wherever you find your strength to get up when Mr and Ms What is pushing or pulling you down, dig deep!

If no one does, then know that I believe in you! Yes I believe in YOU and I know that The One Who took me from failure into daily joy that I find in Him, will also pick you up from internal despair into unstoppable strength.

Leroy left the matter to God as he articulated in the last post. Let’s see what happened to him on that Tuesday when his Ms What called again.

Next Up…

#CatchingTheTrain – SOTT – Dealing With Mr What Part 4

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#CatchingTheTrain – SOTT – Dealing With Mr What Part 2

Glory be to God for you! Hello there!

I hope you are awesome today my dear family member.

I bless The Lord for you as you read these blog posts. I am so humbled as I continue to meet wonderful people who tell me that these posts are helping them with their lives. It’s incredible to see what Jehovah is doing with these messages.

I will be mentioning some of these incredible people very soon. Let me talk to them first… Lol.

Alright, Leroy and Shanelle have more to tell us. Let’s do this.

Shanelle, “So on Friday night, at like 22:30, she calls my hubby and tells him to come through to help her out that Saturday because she would have a lot of work, all of a sudden. It was raining and I was quite upset because he had already worked his two weekends as per agreement with her, and we had planned a date for the day.”
Me, “Eish, she could call you that late?!”

Leroy, “She had never done that before, and that was after we spoke just two hours before, confirming that I would not be coming in. I was so pissed off, you don’t understand. I was tired because of work as well.”
Shanelle, “I was starting to learn more about my levels of anger that I never knew I had. Not to mention the incredible restraint I had to grow within me. Hai maan, she was rude and far too unreasonable. The rain pours down that morning as well, and he gets there at 08:30 as always. I know because I called him A LOT that day!”

Leroy nods his head in humble agreement.

Me, “Jah neh.”
Shanelle, “That woman rocks up there at 10:15 while we were busy whatsapping and greets him like nothing happened. Then she orders him to create a design with a few unbelievably vague instructions from a customer of hers. She doesn’t answer his questions about the specifics and she sommer invites her four designer friends to chill with her!!! She didn’t have a single client that day! She made him do this design in an hour on paper. She told her friends that she had given him a whole week to come up with that design!”

Me, “Ekse! Serious?! What did you do bro?!”
Leroy, “Nothing.”
Shanelle, “I mean I’m glad hubby only told me like a whole day afterwards because nje…”
Leroy, “I know her. She embarrassed me so much that day. She told them that I had a dream to become a designer and I can’t even survive simple tasks under her tutelage. They laughed at me and then she says to me, ‘Dude, you can’t make it in this kind of industry. It’s cut throat and tough and you don’t have the balls for it. I will give you just one more chance next week, and maybe I may keep you under my wing. Mara hai, a ke bone. Shame, you can go home now.”

I could see Shanelle was heaving with fury so I asked her this, “Tell me Shanelle, what do you think of the way he handled the situation?”

Shanelle, “This woman showed so much pride, as if she hadn’t started from the ground up and my baby just calmly walked out and kept mum about it. He went home and prayed about it, asking God to hold him tight because he believes in his dream and knows what He has planned for him. He is a wise man Gabriel and I truly respect him for that.” Me, “Nice one Leroy. I hear you Shanelle and I fully agree with you. Did you ever see her again though?”
Leroy, “Oh yes I did sir! She called on the Tuesday following that weekend.”
Me, “Really?!”

Let’s take a quick pause here and talk a little bit about Leroy’s Mr (Ms) What on the next post. 

Stick around…

Next Up…

#CatchingTheTrain – SOTT – Dealing With Mr What Part 3

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#CatchingTheTrain – SOTT – Dealing With Mr What Part 1

Blessed Family! Heita Daarso! Howzit ekse?! 

I hope you guys are fantastic! Please feel free to connect with me, leave a comment below and subscribe so that you don’t miss a single post!

Let’s get on with it.

In our last post, we got onto the train of our choice and came across Mr What. We had hardly warmed up the seat upon our arrival and he was already asking us deep questions. Read them again to refresh your memory.

As this is experienced by all of us when we try to bring dreams and purpose to reality, I decided to ask Leroy if he remembers dealing with Mr What.

On this follow up interview, he decided to bring along his woman, and man oh man, was he right! The girl is HOT!

Me, “Hey guys, how are you doing today?”

Leroy just burst out laughing when he saw what was happening to me when I saw her.

Leroy, “Sup Gabe, I’m glad I can once again prove my point to her. She is freak’n hot neh?! Her name is Shanelle. Shanelle, this is my friend, mentor and coach, Gabriel. He is also a motivational speaker and writer and a lot of other things.”

Shanelle from behind her blushes says, “Hello Mr Gabriel, we finally meet. Hubby here has told me a lot about you.”

Me, “The honor is all mine Ms Shanelle. So much that he has told me about you is spot on. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me.”

Leroy, “You got it bro! Anytime. What’s on the agenda today?”

Me, “Well, I want to take you back to when you decided to start with the curtain designing business when you had registered your company and all that stuff. I would like to know what kind of obstacles you came across those days and maybe what you are still dealing with today.”

Leroy takes a deep breath as he looks at Shanelle and as he is about to start speaking, she stops him by engaging.

Shanelle, “When my baby started out, he told me about what happened at that local designer that he volunteered his time at. He told me about how Choki was excited to have him there in the first week, helping her out with the business. I mean he was free labour right?” she continues with a giggle.

Me, “Oh yes of course. Why not huh?”

Shanelle, “He told me how one day as he was about to get into the shop, that a customers of Choki’s asked him for some advice on a wedding that was coming up. I mean, it took my love like 5 minutes to give an idea to this person that got them so excited that they insisted on him giving them his number. By the way, none of the stuff he said was advised by Choki who saw the number giving exchange happening. That customer had come to see Choki three days prior to this. So you can imagine how that looked to her.”

Leroy, “Yoh! She was livid bru! She was like, ‘Who do you think you are talking to my customers and giving them your numbers?! I worked hard to build my customer base and you are NOT going to mess with that!!! Do you hear me?!!! I told her that I advised the people that I was one of your designers and that you would have to give permission for me to work with them; precisely because they are your customers. The look on her face was priceless, but she was still adamant I shouldn’t speak to them.”

Shanelle, “The very following Saturday, Choki shocked us both with what she did and said when her friends came to visit her shop, while my baby was there, listening to them.”

To be continued…

Stick Around…

Next Up…

#CatchingTheTrain – SOTT – Dealing With Mr What Part 2

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Jehovah Rocks!
The Messenger