Welcome back and I hope that 2011 is going to be an absolutely fantastic year for you.

I will remember the past three years of my life as being years of having to make life-changing personal decisions, resulting in intense emotional distress and ultimate emotional freedom. I have been weighed and measured, and found the strength within myself to be secure and tranquil with who I am and the life that I lead.

I have realised that I have undergone the most phenomenal personal growth, met the most amazing people and been blessed and privileged to have loyal and supportive friends and family.

Life is a journey and whether you are a relationship consultant, advocate, doctor or professional mom, life happens. And it is frequently the choices that we make, and the opportunities that we take up that make the difference as to whether we will succeed.

I would like to encourage you this year to see life as a great adventure and to jump into it whole heartedly. Don't be afraid to dream big, make mistakes and grow as a person.

Here's to a year of great adventure, love, success and joy.

Ali xxx

Personal solutions

Ali Murray relationship consultancy

Looking for long term and effective relationship solutions? Whether your marriage is in trouble, you want a divorce, are searching for passion or seeking the courage to take the next step, Ali Murray creates an environment that is non-threatening and supportive where clients can overcome their problems, find practical solutions and take control of their lives and relationships.

Book a personal consultation with Ali Murray

Consultation: R350pp/ph Monday - Friday, 10am - 3pm (Sandton, JHB and Cape Town)

Corporate solutions

The corporate sector is no longer about the hardware – it’s about the heart-wear, the people within the organisation who work to make it great!

The internal complexity of a firm's staff has huge hidden costs which can depress business returns faster than anything else. This is why the wellness of individuals in the workplace is so important. In fact, it is vital to positive and creative outcomes and is critical to sustained company success.

Ali Murray presents a corporate talk about achieving this success through innovation. Progressive firms understand the value of work/life balance and know innovation is pivotal to achieving competitive advantage.

Ideal for: Wellness Programmes, Wellness Days and Workshops, Corporate Presentations, Corporate Drives, Womens’ and Secretaries' Day, Social Investment Programmes. Watch Ali in action

Special offer: Book 2 presentations for 2011 for the price of one. Just R8 000 per presentation.
A percentage of presentation fees goes to charity. More on Corporate Talks and bookings

Success lives within ourselves - we need to access and harness it.

Success starts within you - one day and one leap at a time. Times have changed. People want more. Business-based standard training commonly concentrates on process, rules, theory, structure and logic. Progressive firms acknowledge that success within the organisations relies heavily on the success of individuals. This means having well-developed ‘soft’ skills and attributes such as self-motivation, confidence, initiative, empathy and creativity.

Ali Murray's presentation takes a practical and refreshing new approach to success. By addressing softer issues in a professional, practical and inspirational way, people become motivated to succeed when they have experienced feelings of being acknowledged and supported, regardless of context.

Ideal for: Wellness days, Corporate Presentations, Year End/ New Year Motivation. Watch Ali in action

Special offer: Book 2 presentations for 2011 for the price of one. Just R8 000 per presentation.
A percentage of presentation fees goes to charity. More on Corporate Talks and bookings

Financial solutions

The very first step for you to take to create financial stability in your life is to organise your finances. Know where your money is going by keeping a record of all your spending. Ensure that you only spend what you have. In addition to this, keep a record of all your valuable belongings and their values. Know what you are worth - Money likes certainty and organisation.

'One reason why money leaks out is because we don’t tell it where to go. Your money will then look for trails of escape. Begin today by tracking your expenses and decide what you choose to spend your money on'.

A professional intermediary or business broker will act in your best interest when selling a business. They are not meant to devalue or undermine the loyal, highly-talented staff businesses develop over the years - a business broker fulfils a critical professional role in the transfer of a business.

Selling a business is a time consuming and complicated task. The broker's role is to market your company in a discreet, yet compelling manner. They are responsible for finding and presenting potential buyers; negotiating between sellers and buyers and assisting in discussions and general negotitations. Brokers are mandated by the seller and they get paid when you get paid - at the time when a successful sale is concluded. Brokers should also be registered with the Estate Agencies Board.

Want to buy or sell a business - all types and sizes: email Mara to assist you with the buyer/seller process.

It's the law

Cohabitation Agreements are of the utmost importance to parties living together in a committed relationship (also known as domestic partnership), without being married to each other in terms of South African Law. This also applies to same sex relationships.

The South African Matrimonial Law does NOT make provision for parties living in a committed relationship as in other countries. In terms of our legislation there is no such thing as a common law marriage that would entitle a party to any assets/ share in assets or benefits accrued to the other party.

It is always wonderful to enter into a loving warm relationship and to share life with a partner in a committed relationship. The next step is generally to share a life and a home without the wedding and to avoid divorce litigation. BUT dissolution of such a relationship could be more costly and detrimental to your financial future if the rules are not contained in written form. More on Cohabitation Agreements and contact details...

Wellness

As we enter 2011, most of us have some resolution of ‘losing weight’. One of the easiest ways to do this is to enjoy a variety of food – contrary to public belief, the more varied the diet the more likely you are to have a healthy weight. Any diet suggesting the exclusion of food groups is not healthy nor sustainable, so for 2011:

Some people age better than others. So what causes skin to age? Age is an unstoppable process and as the body ages, so our skin changes. Age, hormones, sun exposure and smoking all have a part to play in causing fine lines and wrinkles, gravity is also at work pulling at the skin and causing it to sag.

Help is at hand, to reduce the signs of ageing. Non surgical aesthetic treatment offer simple gentle treatments that work immediately on smoothing facial lines.

Radiance 4 You, Medical Aethetics Clinic offers a range of treatments that visibly reduce the signs of ageing:
Botox * Dermal Fillers* Mesotherapy* Facial Muscle Toning* Microdermal abrasion

For more info, call 011 728 1826 or 083 517 5958. Radiance 4 You is at No 58 Bompas Road, Rosebank, JHB

Events

Uncover the secrets every woman should know. Build self-confidence, gain practical knowledge and vital information on how to give your man a fever.

This not-to-be-missed evening is loads of fun and an unforgettable experience! Shy or bold? Here’s - the 'what to do' and 'how to pull it off', even the 'why to do it'.

Ideal for women who wish to take their relationships to a fun and sensational level.

Cost: R 199pp
Venue: The Gym on 11th, Parkmore, Johannesburg
Time: 7pm – 10pm
Attire: Nurse

More on booking a Naughty Night out

Women on the go

Profile: Natasha Black
Job: Marine Navigator, De Beers offshore mining rig

I am 27 years old and employed by De Beers Marine South Africa as a 2nd Navigational Officer onboard the vessel ‘Peace in Africa.’ It’s a very productive and interesting atmosphere onboard as it is operating 24 hours a day 365 days a year, extracting diamonds from the ocean. Before joining De Beers, I served my cadetship and sailed as a junior navigational officer on foreign going container and tanker vessels.

Working at sea has put my life ‘on the go’ and taught me a great deal of invaluable life lessons. I am a different person now compared to when I started my career at 21. I am proud of the person I have become and especially the job I do and have experienced a full range of emotions about my experiences, while trying to learn from the mistakes I have made.

My mother passed away before I started my career at sea and though I wonder if she'd be proud of me today, my heart tells me she would be. I rely on the unswerving support of my father, who has never abandoned me for a minute, despite being thousands of miles apart. I also rely on my brother for a frequent sanity check - not always an easy task!

The crawler vessel I work on is amazing - it is home to more than 100 people of various backgrounds and professions ranging from stewards, boilermakers, fitters, storemen, engineers, catering staff, production staff, plant hands, surveyors, geologists and deck officers, to name a few. Of all these people, there are six females that work on the ship, and not even at the same time. Currently there are two of us onboard so you can imagine it is a very male orientated field - are are all careers in the marine world.

The fact that it is so male dominated does make everyday life rather challenging as many men believe women should not be at sea and have no problem making us aware of their emotional hang ups regarding our choice of profession. I often get asked whether men actually listen to me. Well from my experience it can become a very daunting task to give instruction and organise something.

I have had my problems but it only happens once in a while and then my womanly wrath comes out and the offence is rarely repeated ;) I must say though there are still gentlemen out there who will respect the fact you have worked hard to get where you are and that you have the same qualification or in most cases a higher qualification and rank so they will give you a chance. More about Natasha in February's newsletter.

Thoughts to inspire

For couples who are feeling frazzled, stressed and exhausted - it's time to book a late afternoon Spa treatment for two at the Fairway Spa, Guvon Hotel, Randpark. If you're always on the go, why not indulge in a late afternoon of decadent treatments with experienced and professional beauty therapists.

I highly recommend the full body massage in the couples room with a private jacuzzi en suite. You could try a float, hand in hand, in the floatation tank or playful couples can enjoy unwinding together in the Steam and Rain room. After a hectic day at the office, take the time to reconnect and relax, refresh and unwind together. You'll be so glad you did.

View the new spa treatment list and book now on www.thefairway.co.za

Tel 011 478 8020/ spainfo@thefairway.co.za

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