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Gaynor Kast Blog

Tag Archives: work

There’s always time to pamper yourself…

22 Thursday Dec 2016

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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Balance, gratitude, Ice-cream, Pamper, perspective, Rejuvenation, Relaxation, Rest, Richards Bay, South Africa, Summer, time, Treat, work

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Nothing beats ice-cream on a lovely, laidback summer day. Well, unless of course you are like me and love treating yourself to regular pamper sessions at a spa. Then, the ice-cream comes a close second.

Now, I’ve visited quite a few spas across the country/abroad but none come close to one that I discovered here in Richards Bay – Alexis Beauty and Wellness Spa.

Sharleen and her team are the best. They really are…

No matter what time of the day you pop in, there’s always (and I mean always) big, bright smiles and a welcoming warmth that you simply can’t miss. At the end of any treatment you always want to ask for an extra 5 minutes.

If you had to ask me whether I have any favourite treatment, I would have to say that I enjoy all. Whether it’s a deluxe facial, full body massage, mani/pedi or stress releasing Indian head massage that you are after, you won’t be disappointed.

So, the next time you are in the KZN area in search of some serious downtime, make a point of adding a spa day to your itinerary.

You can thank me later!

(Contact details: 035-789 0079, info@alexisspa.co.za or here’s a map: Link to map)

 

 

When the penny drops!

09 Monday Nov 2015

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authentic, Colleague, day, deadlines, Editing, fabulous, favoured, Flame, Job, laughter, life, passion, Passionate, Read, Realisation, Shine, talk, time, time out, work, writing

I had one of those I love my job kinda days.
It was super duper… even though it started at 4am, it just got better and better with each passing hour.

Deadlines.
Writing.
Editing.
Random bursts of laughter.

I think the one most important aspect of today was the realisation that the passion I have is like a flame that keeps burning stronger instead of diminishing with time. While speaking to a colleague, suddenly the penny dropped… no matter what happens in life, nothing and no one can extinguish the fire that resides within you. They might try but boy oh boy, someone’s going to get the short end of the stick and it’s certainly not going to be the authentic, passionate person 🙂

If you find yourself in a funk with doubts or questions, take time out or speak to someone… soon you will realise that you never really lost that flame. It was still burning, just not as intensely as when you started out.
Now go out there and shine, brighter than before.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay favoured and fabulous xxx

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Lighten up & live…

30 Sunday Aug 2015

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body, bond, brother, Cellphones, choices, deadlines, fabulous, favoured, life, Listen, Mangwanani Spa, mind, moment, Rejuvenated, Relax, siblings, Sister, spirit, thank you, time out, work

The day started out like any other. There was one exception; my brother and sister were in charge and adamant that the rules below needed to be adhered to:

* No cellphones
* No talk about work
* No time checks
* Just be in the moment

We spent the day at Mangwanani Day Spa to unwind, relax and bond like siblings should. They also told me in no uncertain terms that I’m “way too serious and need to lighten up”.

I’m glad I listened…

At the end, my body, mind and spirit were completely rejuvenated and I was a happy camper.

Every. Single. Moment. Was. Treasured.

It’s important to step away from the rat race of life and be good to yourself.

I hope you will choose to make time for YOU!

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous & favoured xxx

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My rock, my world…

05 Wednesday Aug 2015

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Contemplation, fabulous, favoured, love, Mothers, Mum, School, season, strength, thank you, thankful, Treasure, unconditional love, Wife, work, world

I should start by saying this post is brought to you compliments of Eskom (a state utility in South Africa). Not.

You see, in South Africa we are plunged into darkness every other day because of an energy crisis… Eskom is apparently addressing this challenge.

Sigh.

So here I am, listening to the sound of my neighbour’s generator, and thinking about my birthday in a few days time.

I love August.
No, not because it’s my birthday month, but it’s still winter. Although our coastal town is not subjected to sub zero temperatures or snow, we have our fair share of chilly, grey skies. And what better excuse to stay indoors and have a duvet day 🙂

Winter for me = what better season to invoke contemplation!

I’m quite excited about my birthday this year because it’s the first time in 16 years that I’ll get to spend it with my mum. About that “mysterious” number, let’s just say that I’m over the age of consent and still a few years shy of a retirement village. Apparently, I don’t look my age. That’s always like music to my ears, especially when I’m with my younger sister.

Back to my excitement.

Working away from home for all that time was good while it lasted. However, there comes a time when one realises what matters the most. As i write this, I’m so thankful that my mum has her health and wits about her; that she doesn’t miss a beat to tell me when I’m wrong or give me one of her “I told you so looks”.

The fact that I’m starting to sound just like her scares and excites me; I’m sure the ladies reading this will understand. But, my favourite thing (and this I treasure the older I get) is coming home from work after a hectic day and smelling her perfume as I open the door. The scent offers me a sense of peace and security that comes from the unconditional love and support that only a mum brings. It also transports me back to my primary school days (long, long ago) when I’d get home and she’d be there.

My rock. My strength. My world.

We’ve had our fair share of disagreements and ugly-cry moments but I wouldn’t want my life’s script to play out any other way. If I could be half the wife or mother that she’s been then I’d consider myself blessed.

P.S every single time I see St Joseph’s Lilies, I am reminded of the wonderful woman I get to call mum.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous & favoured xxx

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Live on purpose…

20 Friday Mar 2015

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blessings, deadlines, fabulous, favoured, highs and lows, intent, life, live on purpose, purpose, thank you, twists and turns, work

Happy Friday!

It’s been a while since I’ve written and not because I have nothing to share.

I’ve got loads to say.

Work has been keeping me so busy it’s actually not even a joke anymore 😉
Yes, yes, I can hear the peanut gallery chirp “life is about prioritising and making time”.
I try.
I really do.

So this morning my precious cousin Nadine sent a message “I’ve noticed you haven’t blogged in a while”.
Guilty.
I know, I replied… and thought I must set a few minutes aside.

And so here I am… I’ve pressed pause on work.

Today, I’d like to share something that seems to be resonating with my spirit a lot lately.
“Be thankful for everything and know that all things work together for good”.

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard this or encouraged someone with this line, I’d be a millionaire.
If you take the time to unpack it, it offers so much perspective and is so true.

Life is not without its twists and turns but through it all, things eventually work out for the best when you know where your hope and trust lies. (Romans 8:28).

And so before I dash off to tackle another deadline, I’d like to encourage you to be thankful for the:
Low lows
High highs
Lessons
Blessings

This is what makes your journey so unique.
Live on purpose, live with intent to contribute to the greater good of the Kingdom.

The sooner you make peace with the fact that it’s not about you but the purpose YOU have to fulfill, the more joy will flood your heart.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay favoured and fabulous x

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Perspective is *everything*

25 Sunday Jan 2015

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coffee, fabulous, lessons, revelations, work

So much has happened since my last post – some amazing revelations and others a tad unpleasant.

The hamster wheel (work) is moving so fast I have to schedule a coffee break for myself.

I hope to be back to share more soon.

Till then…

Stay fabulous & favoured x
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Standards are everything…

09 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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action, attitude, choices, deadlines, entitlement, friend, standards, time, work, work ethic, world

I loathe bad attitudes… and especially when it’s linked to an individual who has a sense of entitlement. We all know that person who walks around like the world owes them something.

I loathe lazy people who take no pride in their work… and especially when it’s linked to an individual who has a sense of entitlement. We all know that person who walks around like there’s not enough hours in the day.

As you’ve probably guessed by the tone of this post I’m a tad annoyed. Highly irritated.

Why?

Because it irks me when someone chooses not to take responsibility for their (in)actions.
When they produce shoddy work.
Miss deadlines.
Then cry victim when confronted.

I have no time.
No patience.

I’ve just had a very long chat with a dear friend around a work ethic.

Why does it (work ethic) come naturally for some and for others we have to dig pretty deep… and in some cases we are still digging.

Sigh!

Having a standard is everything.
Having a work ethic is everything.
I’m glad I have both and make no apology for expecting the same from those around me.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay favoured & fabulous x

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It is what it is…

15 Monday Dec 2014

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deadlines, encourage, family, Friends, God, grace, introspection, kids, laughter, love, perspective, relationships, share, society, tears, time, work

With days to go before I get to see my immediate and extended family, I’m more excited than usual. This year it’s going to be different.

I’m waiting for them to throw their caustic comments under the guise of concern. I usually laugh it off or walk away. Not this year. This year they are going to get an earful;  whether it’s my aunts, cousins or long time family friends.

You see, at this time of the year the same script plays out. It’s so predictable that I know which are reserved for after dessert and which will come flying after someone has had too many glasses of G&T.

The comments are all the same and go along these lines:

Aunt 1: “Gaynor, have you met anyone yet? You are not getting any younger you know!”

Cousin1: “And so… is there anything you’d like to share?”

Family friend: “Gaynor, don’t you think you are being selfish… why would you deprive your mother of grandkids?”

This year there will be no flustered face. This year I will look them square in the face and respond; something I should have done a long time ago.

Rewind…

After matric (many, many moons ago) it looked like I was well on course with my plan. Take note, my plan. All the boxes were being ticked off one by one. Things really couldn’t get any better. Or, so I thought.

Working 18hour days, chasing the next big story, deadline or flying off somewhere was all part of an adrenaline rush I couldn’t live without. With each passing day the passion for my work intensified and nothing else mattered.

I had it all…. a wonderful job, loving and supportive family and friends. It was all I needed. My attempt at relationships fluctuated between total bliss and the possibility of a happy ever after but that was all until the grueling work schedule got in the way.

With hindsight, it was naïve of me to think that any man would want to take second place after a career. At the time I couldn’t see the missing link – work-life balance. So, one broken off engagement later and a serious bout of introspection, I’ve pondered: “Was it all worth it?”

***drum-roll***

Yes; because when all is said and done it’s really a matter of perspective.

So, what if I’ve missed all the “normal deadlines” that society imposes on us women? My appointed time to take the proverbial plunge and tie the knot and start a family is just a tad “delayed”. And I for one am not complaining.

My life’s journey and the lessons bagged along the way are incomparable. I’ve had my fair share of laughs, tears, heartache and a lot of other insane wobblies that made me feel like my heart would stop but you know what, I’m still standing (thanks to His grace) and all the more stronger if you ask me.

Every encounter, every interaction has been chalked down to experience and part of my character building. At times it felt like I was being panel-beated into shape but that’s the way my story was written and I’ve made a mental note to embrace it.

There were days I wished this journey was set on cruise control. It wasn’t. That’s not life. We stumble. We fall. We hibernate. We rise. We get up hopeful that the sun will rise and new possibilities lay ahead because God is the Pilot of our lives.

Let me encourage someone… if you’ve been one of those people caught up in what, when, where and how the world says you must live then I got news for you. You are uniquely designed and have your own spec so don’t allow society to dictate the pace at which your story unfolds. More importantly, drop all the different masks and just be your authentic self. The people that matter will accept you and love you for you. Even if, like me, you have a bout of OCD and can’t stop yourself from tidying tables in a restaurant 🙂

Live. Love. Laugh. But most of all never cease to be grateful for the path you walk.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay fabulous and favoured x

One of those days…

21 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by Gaynor Kast in Uncategorized

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choose, coping, emotional intelligence, moment, praise, work

I have found the perfect coping mechanism to deal with the ever increasing speed of the hamster wheel at work.

Yesterday, probably rates as one of the most exhausting days of my working life. But, I’m still standing. And… even more important is the fact that I choose to take only the positives from that experience.

In the thick of it all, I realised just how crucial emotional intelligence is, especially in the workplace. In fact, I believe that a lack of EQ has far more consequences than some overinflated ego. In a perfect world we wouldn’t have to waste a precious moment on either. Just imagine… total bliss.

Back to my coping mechanism…

A few deep breaths… okay, maybe more than just a few.

Grab the best of Bebe and Cece Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams on full blast and get your praise on. It worked. In no time I felt a sense of peace again.

If you need a bit of inspiration… I hope this helps: http://youtu.be/odaF0NDlgWI

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay favoured and fabulous x

I love the sound of…

14 Friday Nov 2014

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coffee, copious amounts, deadlines, Douglas Adams, news, work, writing

It’s no secret that I’m a news junkie. Even though I left the world of newspapers and copious amounts of coffee some time back, I still get my fair dose of deadline fixes in my current role.

Friday’s are meant to be chilled out and many are usually starting to zone out in preparation for the weekend ahead. Not on my side.

It’s go-go-go from the moment my alarm clock sounds until my day ends; and that time varies.

What is it about deadlines that keep me wanting more?

Douglas Adams said it best: “I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.”

For me, each deadline is like starting a race. Ready. Steady. Go… Some of my best work has been produced during those adrenaline pumping times.

Those who know me know that one of my pet peeves is missing a deadline. Granted, there will be instances where a deadline is missed, and we should leave way for a degree of flexibility, but for the most part if you’ve committed to something then get your game plan together and get moving.

A missed deadline = an exception and not the norm.

And on that note, let me prepare for my next deadline.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Stay favoured and fabulous x

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