Bonita Botha

"Don’t waste your time with explanations; people only hear what they want to hear.” Paulo Coelho

Life is more fun when you stop explaining yourself and just do what works for you.

When working in a healthy environment, people value relationships. This is shown through their willingness to communicate respectfully, to actively listen, and by understanding each other so that they can resolve differences in a positive way.

This type of environment helps people to stay motivated to deliver their best as they are feeling valued and safe to share their thoughts and feelings freely.
It is built based on:
“Let's not do it your way or my way; let's do it the best way”.- Greg Anderson

However, when working in a toxic environment,
“Most people don't listen with the intent to understand, they listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen R. Covey

In such environments, even if you think you are winning, you are actually losing!

When you were made a leader, you werent given a crown, you were given the responsibility to bring out the best in others.

Jack Welch

We make time for the things we love, and excuses for the things we don't.

Mark Anthony

Lets not wait for a special occasion; to burn the best candles on ordinary days. Or for the house to be clean, fill it with people who understand that even dust is Sacred.
dont wait for everyone to understand you It’s just not their task!!
Your children will never be perfect, your children have their own names that burn as brightly as any star.
stop waiting for the other shoe to drop; It already did, and you survived.
no more waiting for the time to be right; the time is always now.
and no more waiting for the mate who will complete me; I am grateful to be so warmly, tenderly held.
stop waiting for a quiet moment; my heart can be stilled whenever it is called.
lets no longer wait for the world to be at peace; unclench your grasp and breathe peace in and out.

I am no longer waiting to do something great; being awake to carry my grain of sand is enough. or to be recognized; I know that I dance in a holy circle.

I am no longer waiting for Forgiveness.

I did then what i knew how to do. Now that i know better, I do better.

Maya Angelou

A smooth sea does not make a skilled sailor.

I counted my years and found that I have less time to live from here on than I have lived up to now.
I feel like that child who won a packet of sweets: he ate the first with pleasure, but when he realized that there were few left, he began to enjoy them intensely.
I no longer have time for endless meetings where statuses, rules, procedures and internal regulations are discussed, knowing that nothing will be achieved.
I no longer have time to support the absurd people who, despite their chronological age, haven't grown up.
My time is too short:
I want the essence,
my soul is in a hurry.
I don't have many sweets
in the package anymore.
I want to live next to human people,
very human,
who know how to laugh at their mistakes,
and who are not inflated by their triumphs,
and who take on their responsibilities.
Thus human dignity is defended and we move towards truth and honesty
It is the essential that makes life worth living.
I want to surround myself with people who know how to touch hearts, people who have been taught by the hard blows of life to grow with gentle touches of the soul.
Yes, I'm in a hurry, I'm in a hurry to live with the intensity that only maturity can give.
I don't intend to waste any of the leftover sweets.
I am sure they will be delicious, much more than what I have eaten so far.
My goal is to reach the end satisfied
and at peace with my loved ones
and my conscience.
We have two lives.
And the second begins when you realize you only have one.”~

~Mário Raul de Morais Andrade
(Oct 9, 1893 – Feb 25, 1945)
Brazilian poet, novelist, musicologist, art historian and critic, photographer

Turn your wounds into wisdom - Oprah Winfrey

Some people feel the rain, others get wet.

Good news:

We refer to the Government Gazette 50418, published 28 March 2024 regarding the de-declaration of the Gauteng e-Toll routes on 11 April 2024 at 23:59:59.

Your Fleet Management account will no longer be billed for e-Toll gantry transactions that occur after this date and time.

Your e-Tags can continue to be used as a toll payment method at most conventional toll plazas.

As the implementing authority, Sanral has not received any information regarding the refunding of e-Toll transactions.

Once an instruction has been received in this regard from its political principle, Sanral will inform Standard Bank.

The gantry lights and cameras will remain on as the infrastructure will be used for various other road safety initiatives

We rise by lifting others .

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding

“But better to get hurt by the truth than comforted
with a lie.”

If you live everyday as if it’s your last, one day you will be right.

Respect and trust are the foundation of any successful team or organization. When employees feel valued and appreciated, they become more loyal and confident. As a leader, it's important to extend a Circle of Safety to every member of your team, rejecting all forms of discrimination, bullying, and gossiping. This creates a positive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Not only does this benefit the team, but it also leads to a more influential and profitable organization. Let's all strive to treat each other with courtesy and kindness, and build a workplace culture based on respect and trust.

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any healthy and happy relationship. But even the strongest partnerships can face challenges in communication from time to time.
When communication breaks down, misunderstandings, conflicts, and emotional distance can arise. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to enhance communication and strengthen a bond.
Active listening is one of the most important aspects of effective communication; it involves giving your full attention to your partner and taking the time to understand their perspective.
All too often, we are quick to jump in with our own thoughts or opinions, and we fail to truly hear what our partner is saying. To practice active listening, maintain eye contact, display nonverbal cues that show you’re engaged, and don’t interrupt your partner.
Along with active listening, empathy can transform communication. Empathy lets you put yourself in your partner's shoes and better understand their feelings and experiences. When your partner shares something, try to genuinely understand their emotions and validate their perspective.
Like active listening, mindful communication involves being present and intentional during conversations with your partner. Strive to focus on the present moment and avoid distractions like your phone or other responsibilities.
Effectively communicating your needs aligns expectations. Do it as early as possible in any new relationship to avoid misunderstanding or confusion of where each other is at.

When a leader values input from team members, it enriches the decision-making process and fosters a culture of inclusivity. Utilizing diverse perspectives ensures that multiple angles of a situation are considered, reducing blind spots. The leader should be a discussion facilitator, guiding the team toward a shared goal while allowing room for independent thought.

Being in a position of authority does not mean having all the answers; it means knowing how to gather and utilize resources, including human intellect, effectively. It's not about making unilateral decisions but rather synthesizing collective insights to navigate challenges effectively. This type of leadership creates a collaborative environment where each individual feels valued and invested in the outcome, thereby increasing overall team performance and job satisfaction.

If we feel we are being disrespected or uncomfortable, leaving may be a reasonable option. Protecting one's dignity and boundaries is critical to an individual's mental health and well-being.
Respect is an important part of interpersonal interactions and involves being considerate of each other, listening and respecting each other's perspectives and feelings. If we feel disrespected when interacting with another person, we can take appropriate action, such as expressing our feelings and needs clearly, or choosing to leave the situation.