Surviving heartbreak and seizing the future!
WeekendLife
Love is such a beautiful thing…and falling in love for the very first time is just striking.
One comes out of a lonely childhood and begins to find confidence as a young adult. Secure a good job, buy your first car and experience a freedom you never felt before. That is all good, but to add cherry on top, let a beautiful girl or boy come your way…they will definitely take you to another level.
Well…bad news will always come around whether you happy in that relationship or not! Just around the corner lay the numbness of loss, the feeling of helplessness and sleepless nights as something magical just slipped away. When you guys first met, you hit it right away. The relationship was fine, burning and the partner was attractive and fun to be around. You guys laughed at the same things, and as you grew closer, stronger feelings soon developed. Falling in love was exciting, for both of you.
Great times, lots of laughs, beautiful flowers, nice chocolates, funny and yet romantic texts, long calls, chilled picnics, matching outfits, fun drives, romantic and cool music, great sex, gossips and romance…and the list goes on. Few months later, you plucked up the courage and propose. She said yes! Marriage was suddenly on the horizon. You spent all your savings on a ring, and made plans for the future. People’s generosity overwhelmed you guys as you were adorned with engagement presents.
As marriage plans are still underway, hints at secrets began to emerge. With little warning, plans crumbled. You spend night after night driving around in your car wondering what to do and how to cope. You stressed and it’s killing you softly. You cry yourself to sleep, you losing appetite and your body is deteriorating. For some reason you will never understand, your fiancée seemed to change. She became colder, and obviously you wondered if she will have feelings for other men. You tried a few times to keep the relationship going, but it didn’t work. It was a dark time of bitter recriminations and rumours. The experience somehow strengthened you.
After a difficult, long time you started developing a more positive sense that happier time could be ahead and that the future, the undiscovered country, could still hold excitement and happiness. We all have a choice to hold onto that belief or dwell in the past. Love can cause pain, but it can heal pain too…According to a lifestyle blog owned by Alan Marsden, a split often results in one person hurting more than the other. Emotions are strong and the feeling is fragile, so it’s vital to avoid anger confrontations. Alan advised that one should not try to convert the relationship into something else overnight. He said it’s key to give each other space.
He further said one should not hide away from favourite haunts. ‘’As a couple, you probably frequented some places, and you are avoiding those not to avoid the memories. Avoiding favourite places only creates conscious reminders and heightens the sense of loss. Although difficult at the start, if you enjoyed particular cafes, cinemas, or beaches, do not avoid them. Enjoy them and create new memories. Although hard in the beginning, continue walking at a nearby lake, and eventually the reminiscing shall stop.Enjoy being a solo artist, Alan said. He stressed that separation can make you aware of how much you are looking for happiness in other people. Take some time without a serious relationship and you will find yourself becoming more able to enjoy your own company.‘’As your self-confidence grows, your reliance on having a partner to enjoy good times diminishes. You get to enjoy single for a certain time, and afterward this will help in your recovery. It is better to let life unfold’’ he said. It’s true to keep the memories secure. Destroying photographs, deleting messages or burning down love letters is not the right thing to do. Things happened, and burning pictures does not change that. Sore the photos away but somewhere safe, perhaps easier in the digital age- but bear in mind that they are also easier to delete. When the time is right, go ahead and look because these were important time sin your life, and you will want to revisit them sometime.
As time passes, the hurt subsides naturally. Alan said you don’t need to do anything. No effort. No timetable. ‘’Just let nature take its course, and be sure in the knowledge that you will recover. Cry when you need to, yes, even if you are a man. Keep an honest perspective. He shared that if a relationship is not working for you, it is not working for the other person too. This realization will help you to come to terms with the situation and help you think about how the other person feels. Putting your fiancé first will help you realize she is no longer wanted you to continue, and you have to come to terms with that.Alan noted that people might judge you as you come out of a relationship. Do not let people taking sides trouble you, and don’t feel you have to correct what they think.
There will always be people who judge, but judgements only hurt if you judge yourself in response. Instead of dwelling on what other people think, focus on finding peace within yourself and you will become stronger and more positive as a result. Forgiving and forgetting also does wonders, Alan claims. Never hold grudges or judge your ex-partner harshly if they were at fault. Nobody makes perfect decisions. It will be easier to forgive if you try to empathize with their situation. Most importantly though, when it comes to forgiving, start with yourself. Beating yourself up slows down your recovery. Show compassion for yourself and you will definitely heal.
Look into the future. Alan highlighted that one should think of all the possibilities that still await-new steps in your career, new friends and experiences in life to enjoy. You often hear advice about focusing on the present moment. This is good advice, but during a relationship break-up, know that the present moment will pass. Move on and make a fresh start. Years later, you will meet a truly wonderful person, a soul mate, a friend and a loyal partner. This will put everything into perspective and more years later, you will still be madly in love.
You see, the end of one relationship might just mean moving closer to the beginning of a new one, and the right one. You never know when love strikes, so if you have lost love recently, don’t give up, believe in yourself, and take each day one at a time. Your soul mate is out there looking for you right now…good luck!
WeekendLife
Thabiso Maretlwaneng certified Master in filmmaking
“IT’S TIME FOR US TO ARCHIVE BOTSWANA HISTORY INTO BIOPICS FILMS”
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Dr Lame Pusetso comes to writer’s rescue
Multi award winning author of fifteen (15) books, Dr Lame Pusetso has put together a platform to empower local writers. Dr Pusetso is a President and Chairperson of the Executive Board of Kasapa Society.
She is also the Managing Director of Poeticblood Publishers and an owner of an online bookstore dubbed Mind and Soul Bookstores. Dr Pusetso has reiterated her commitment to helping upcoming authors, writers and poets in establishing their crafts and capitalizing on them.
In an exclusive interview this week, she said that she has put together a platform dubbed Botswana Literature Awards, which have fourteen categories.
When quizzed on what the awards stand for, Dr Pusetso said “writing as a form of art in Botswana is a skill that many have and have always been exploring. As a publisher, I have met different writers from all walks of life and some indicating that there isn’t enough motivation to keep going.”
In Botswana and according to the writer, there has been a limited representation of appreciation of authors. This is despite their efforts year in year out.
The whole intention of these awards really is to honor and recognize the hard work that local authors put in, when doing what they know best (writing).
“This is a way of appreciating their creativity and we will be doing this across all genres. The awards also act as a motivational tool to young writers who still have dreams of becoming best selling authors. Quite frankly, their works are of great importance and we cannot afford to let that slide like that.”
Dr Pusetso emphasized that all the winners will walk away with an award, a certificate and complimentary gifts to take home. “The two winners of Best Overall Author and Best Young Author will in addition receive book publication deals which includes book distribution and marketing for a year.
She gave a clearer picture of how authors can be a part of the literature awards.
“The awards are open to every author from the age of 7, must be a Motswana, and their book should have been published before or by 2022. For authors with more than one book, they are allowed to compete with only one book for one category, and different books for different categories.”
The young writer pinned hope on institutional collaborations, in order to stage the second edition of the awards next year, saying “We believe with these awards, the different institutions and stakeholders will show interest in helping nurture the literature scenario in Botswana.”
“It will also give authors hope and light to keep writing and penning down their stories for the benefit of all. We anticipate to host the next edition in 2024 with assistance from all interested parties.”
THE LITERATURE AWARDS CATEGORIES
Dr Pusetso stressed that there are fourteen (14) categories, and they are: Religious or Faith Based Book, Poetry Book, Children’s Book, Multi-lingual Writer, Best Collaboration, Setswana Novel, English Novel, Motivational Book, Best Young Author (7-13), Overall Best Author, Best Theory, Best Online Writer, Best Media Writer (Honor Award) and Honor Award (Long Serving Best Author).
EXPLAINING SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Media and Honor Award, Dr Pusetso said are not based on submissions but nomination by the committee. “For Honor Award, we want to appreciate the individual who has inspired the Botswana writing scenario over the years and even assisted numerous authors as both a writer and a community leader.”
The Best Media Writer award is meant to appreciate a journalist who is actively taking part in appreciating and helping authors in marketing, advertising and affording them a platform to showcase their works through their writing skills.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Literature Awards will be held on the 29th April and they are partially sponsored through the literacy grant. This is a grant under the Botswana National Library Services which falls under the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture.
WeekendLife
Women’s Awards hit the ground running
The second edition of the much-anticipated Women’s Awards Botswana will be going down on the 27th May 2023 in Gaborone at Travel Lodge. The organizers of the prestigious awards have announced finalists, with three nominees per category.
Women’s Awards Botswana is established to empower women and celebrate them from all walks of life and across sectors. The awards raise awareness for women to be granted equal participation, particularly in decision-making positions, as one way of breaking the gender bias.
They also seek to celebrate the outstanding achievements of women from diverse industries in Botswana. Taking a closer look at the categories, He for She award celebrates and shines a light on men who stand and support women.
These are men who advocate for inclusion of women, men who stand against GBV and men who promote any service that can better women life. Her Abilities award looks into women who have shown determination to keep moving and achieve any goal they have set for themselves, regardless of their disability.
Other awards are self-explanatory. They celebrate women in arts, culture and entertainment, agriculture, creativity, innovation and technology, tourism and hospitality, community impact as well as organization supporting women.
ORGANIZER SPEAKS ON CRITERIA USED
When speaking in an interview, Founder and Director of Women’s Awards Botswana, Bofelo Zebe, said in their first edition, they had fifteen categories, which was enough for a piloting project.
“But we left out many industries or lines of work. After the event, we received reviews and suggestions, and there was an intensive evaluation that led to us increasing the categories to eighteen for this second edition.”
He said the nominees were voted in by the public, adding that the finalists were judged by a panel with the support of votes from their supporters.
When shedding light on what winners take home, Zebe indicated that there is an award trophy, certificate and goodie bags for all categories but “we are working to have financial sponsors jump on board so that winners and nominees can receive monetary incentives. We are also busy at work trying to retain our previous sponsors.”
THE 2023 WOMEN’S AWARDS BOTSWANA NOMINEES
HE FOR SHE AWARD
Desmond Lunga, Tlhabo Kgosiemang and Christopher Seagateng
BEST WOMAN IN ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT
Ditshupo Mosoboloko, Thanolo Keutlwile and Seneo Mabengano
HER ABILITIES AWARD
Koketso Seleke, Goabo Kgasa and Mumsie Odirile
SPORTS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Naledi Marape, Ouname Mhotsha and Keamogetse Kenosi
WOMAN FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Montle Rantatana, Lesedi Matlapeng and Trudy Bakwena
BEST WOMAN IN AGRICULTURE
Nomathemba Masuku, Basadi Molelekeng and Keolebogile Keabetswe
BEST WOMAN IN CREATIVITY, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Marang Mbaakanyi, Didintle Moreki and Thandeka Palai
BEST WOMAN IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Masego Keleadile, Wapula Matshambane and Tshepo Phokoje
YOUNG WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Bridget Gothaang, Waone Makobo and Kimberly Matheakgomo
WOMAN OWNED SME BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Suits Africa, Nomlu Nail Bar and Sunflower Desserts
BEST WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS
Prezlin Clothing and Dawn Bell Academy
FEMALE MUSIC ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Mpho Sebina, Dato Seiko and Priscilla K
BEST ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING WOMEN
Sekao Foundation, The Fighters Support Group and Single Mothers Living with HIV
BEST WOMAN WITH COMMUNITY IMPACT
Lebopo Bulayani, Nanzelela Chaitezvi and Kebadile Wasenda
MEDIA WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Poppy Sello, Keikantse Shumba and Kedi Lezozo
FAVOURITE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Marang Selolwane, Palesa Molefe and Masi Sithole
BEST WOMAN IN LEADERSHIP
Naseem Lahri, Neo Bogatsu and Lily Rakorong