I have been pondering for quite some time whether I should write this post!
Today, after voicing aloud to my HIV compatriot that I had of late, slowed down on sharing HIV & AIDS educational and awareness content on my social media sites, decided to go ahead and write what has been simmering away for a few months.
I had become somewhat embarrassed by several of my HIV ‘activist’ associates having these massive ego’s and ‘look at me’ ‘why am I not being applauded for my contribution’ attitudes.
Seeing that we are all in the same boat and connected via social media, was concerned that I would be perceived to be that way inclined as well. I certainly hope not!
So, to the detriment of sharing information and educating on HIV & AIDS, chose to back off to some extent, and consequently feel I have failed the public.
My intent has always been to share and show, without the rah-rah approach.
By this I mean to demonstrate, over and above sharing information to consistently create awareness, that one can, by living a spirited, productive, healthy and activity filled life, achieve anything you set your mind to.
The plan is to forge ahead now that I have come to terms with the fact that I am NOT them and that there is still a lot to share around HIV & AIDS.
Lifestyle Skills Management which include:
‘Own Your Challenges’
There are potentially numerous issues that could create setbacks in a person’s personal life which can also carry over to their work life.
It can be detrimental to their well-being, if not addressed.
By addressing a setback and collaborating with management and employees, a positive change can be made, which will lead to behavioural change, and safeguard against loss of revenue and absenteeism.
>Becoming
resilient.
>How to motivate
themselves.
>When and why to
terminate a troublesome project.
>Explore alternative
options of accountability.
>How to cope with
failing.
Take back your Balance & Bounce!
Success isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire. – Arnold Glasgow-
Plodding along in the hope that everything will turn out just fine, is not an option.
If you are faced with challenges, whether physical or emotional, will affect your mental state and jeopardise your ability to function normally.
Facing your challenges or fears is the only way to make practical choices in order to change your circumstances. The question is; how do you do that?
Not everyone has a personality type to cope with challenges on their own so acquiring the valuable and experienced counselling/guidance is paramount to get you through tough times.
If you have been through a traumatic event or face issues at work, or even in your personal life, the best way to approach it is head-on and as soon as humanly possible.
Over and above my health issues, many years ago I was on holiday and my then husband had my 18 month son in a backpack carrier and decided to get a view of a mountain from a closer viewpoint. He stood up on a low wall overlooking a sheer drop. I freaked, lost the plot and screeched for him to get off the wall. Prior to that I had no issue with heights, little realising how that one incident would affect me for over thirty years.
Once I decided to own and face my fear of heights, I firstly went on a 1,5km Zipline Tour in Ballito, KZN. After a leisurely nature walk to the top of the cliff I was introduced to the “1st in the world” – all new “Parazip” proceeding to slide on a 400m cable from the top of the mountain. That was around 2014.
I then decided, in 2018 that zip-lining was for sissies, so on World AIDS Day, I proceeded to tandem paraglide off Signal Hill. What a blast and I can honestly say I would do it again.
My life, my choices!
Don’t be ashamed of what you’ve been through or what you’re dealing with.
What are your challenges and what are you doing to defeat them?
There are ways to overcome each and every obstacle; you just need the right tools!
About Cindy: In 2004, Cindy was diagnosed with HIV & AIDS. By 2008 she was subjected to Cancer (stage 3b) and TB Meningitis. Cindy had two Strokes and Shingles, four times in one year. And a hefty bout of Pneumonia… all that in a space of four years. In March 2018 Cindy had a massive heart attack leading to a double bypass.
‘Take Responsibility – Take Action’
Do YOU Support this initiative? – What can YOU do?
Companies and individuals lend your name to creating awareness!
‘HIVenture-Tour de Life’ aims to spread the word not the virus by promoting change in the lifestyle of South Africans to rapidly decrease the rate of infections.
The disease is still spreading with 1000 new infection daily in South Africa.
HIV and AIDS awareness has been neglected in the media over the past months adding to the decline of in-house awareness within the South African workplace.
Access to information for employers and employees is inadequate.
Focus will be on the corporate as well as public sector to increase information and dispel misconceptions by give personal testimony and mentorship.
“To mobilise and empower the South African business sector as well as the population at large to take effective action on HIV and AIDS”.
•Create an understanding of how HIV is transmitted in an attempt to curb the ongoing spread of the disease.
•Educate through experience and personal testimony of living with HIV and AIDS.
•Create awareness on how HIV and AIDS affects us all as a global community, infected or affected.
•Promote the view that those living with HIV and AIDS require understanding and consideration rather than judgment with a stigma attached to it as no one ‘deserves’ this disease.
Having counselled individuals and facilitated support groups living with HIV & AIDS, Cindy realises that more needs to be done to eradicate the stigma still attached to the virus.
This issue is preventing individuals from ‘coming out’ about their status and securing essential treatment and support.
The planned tour route.
