Miller Time: Such a Pity!

Miller Time: Such a Pity!: We all like to moan - me included about the state of things from time to time.  But how many of us are actually in a position to do somethin...

Such a Pity!

We all like to moan - me included about the state of things from time to time.  But how many of us are actually in a position to do something about the state of things around us, whether in business or in our daily lives.  I guess as I sit to write this, that the only way to do something about it is ... to do something in what ever manner we can.  There is no doubt that there is a terrible lack of production in our country, the economy is so depressed at the moment and the ability of small business to impact the market and really shine is becoming severely and negatively influenced by government and social pressures.  At first I wanted to have a pity party for the segment that I too operate in, only to find that it is far more widespread when you begin to talk to others across the nation.  There is little incentive or assistance for small business owners and yet this country is made up of some of the most dynamic entrepreneurs in the world.  Surely this is something to nurture and grow.  But unfortunately, whether it is due to lack of interest or just an apathy that has crept in, we find ourselves floundering under the weight of ridiculous policies like BEE, strikes, corruption, including large blue chip companies, racism and fiscal requirements, which simply only have a negative impact.  I am one for having rules and standards, but they have got to be implemented or sustainable at least.  The tax, labour and social bureaucracy in this country currently is pathetic and the fact that no one is honestly implementing the rules, makes this a minefield which has resulted in many people simply giving up, or slowing down.  Some of the best skilled people have become selfish and have stopped trying to grow the system... and nothing is being done about it.  Government is too busy rectifying corruption with more commissions of enquiry and focusing on expropriation and tearing down mining and resources to bother about the middle class man on the street that really can add value to the country.  Shame on those with such little vision, but long may small business try to make a difference, because without solid and creative middle class people, this country and its terrible culture of lack of service, production and poor implementation will only go backwards further.  Stay Small but Stay Strong!

Miller Time: Dream On!

Miller Time: Dream On!: Have you ever had a dream so real that it feels like it you are living it, only to find that you wake to the fact that it was actually just ...

Dream On!

Have you ever had a dream so real that it feels like it you are living it, only to find that you wake to the fact that it was actually just a part of your imagination. The dream seems to be so perfect and yet in the midst of every perfect dream, there is always a few things which, when recounting the dream, we wonder why the heck that was in the dream.  Little snatches which don't seem to be part of the main story of the dream.  I have always wished I could identify the meaning of those items in the dream, as they fascinate me, as to where they fall in our reality and what they are meant to tell us.  Awake again, I realise that dreams are much like our lives - the goals we want to achieve are still infiltrated with little realities that prevent us from really getting to the end of the dream.  These little realities have the ability to just distract us enough, that we leave the big picture for a short while and sometimes we don't realise that the road has gone steeply left, while we are travelling slightly right to consider a small distraction.  I am not sure if we place our own distractions on our path or whether they are divinely positioned to test our resolve, but the important thing is to identify them as soon as possible and to combat their effect on our lives.  We can only do this if we truly recognise the big goal we are chasing and stay away from the smaller distractions ahead and which may be in our lives at present.  It reminds me of setting a course to a new destination, using a navigation App.  The person telling you the directions also tells you of distractions like a car on the shoulder of the road, changes in speed and alternative routes, but if you really want to get there then the only way is to listen or look at where the final destination is.  We cannot always ignore all the distractions but we can learn to wash them from our system as quickly as possible and get back to the dream we so earnestly desire.  This is why it is so important to set the main goal we pursue so clearly and to hold onto it, because it matters.  The small distractions in life will ultimately just be there to make achieving that goal that much more satisfying.  Live your goals, embrace your distractions and turn your night time dreams in today's reality.

Taking our Muti!

Have you ever had a nagging cough - at the back of your throat - just enough to bother you but not enough to make you really ill.  It is a bit like your conscience when dealing with matters that are affecting your life and which bother your peace.  They are not enough to really get you down fully, but they are constantly there to keep attracting your attention.  They are the little poisons and the very things that we need to get rid of as soon as possible.  It is liberating to have no little cough and to just focus on the opportunities and blessing that life provides every day - you may need some vitamins to get you through like a positive word, an exciting opportunity, encouragement and affection and most of all some respect and appreciation for the way you deal with daily situations.  Just that little bit of encouragement goes a long way and gives you the hope for more to come.  One by one we need to rid ourselves of these nagging irritations and to do so effectively requires an attitude to success.  Being direct, honest and spontaneous is food for the soul. No one promised an easy life and no one escapes the nagging niggles, but we do have a choice to respond in our own way.  Not the way we feel expected to, or the way society tells us, but in the manner that counteracts the nagging cough - regularly and consistently being positive about our circumstances.  It does not matter how you get there but the fact that you are willing to be yourself daily and never give up on your faith, your dreams and those that love you - this is the cure to the common cold.  Very soon that nagging cough will die down and be replaced by deep breaths and long exhales - just remember though to never stop breathing - it is worth it!

Miller Time: "Great Expectations"

Miller Time: "Great Expectations": Perhaps like me you are a little nauseous and tired of the expectations that people have when it comes to their own selfish demands an...

"Great Expectations"

Perhaps like me you are a little nauseous and tired of the expectations that people have when it comes to their own selfish demands and desires - being a genuine victim is one thing, but having expectations to meet your own selfish agenda is frankly rather despicable.  An expectation is nothing more than an assumption or conjecture, or to some people an expected value!!  Shakespeare said that Expectation is the root of all heartache! I suppose I am now from the older generation, but I am aghast at the manner in which people of today think, that because they come from favoured backgrounds or frankly wealthier homes, they can expect or feel that they deserve to continue the process of wanting and receiving, as though it is some sort of right.  These are challenging times and the divide between the haves and have "nots" is increasing by the day, due to amongst other things, this habit which has crept in that people of today can use and manipulate others into getting what they believe is their dues.  Some demand from the perspective that they have been hurt and deserve justice for themselves, some think that because they were given everything to begin with that they are simply entitled to have this continue unabated in their lives without doing their share of the work and others live with the belief that the world and the society owes them because they were disenfranchised, uneducated or part of quotas and  poor societal regimes (you know the A word??) the reality is however that this world offers nothing except that which we put in.  We need to work hard and remain steadfast in our faith, but we are not owed a good and easy life.  There is too much sensitivity and not enough honest effort.  There are such double standards, but no champions of truth and justice.  There is so much wealth (whether honestly acquired or through corruption and deceit) but also so much poverty.  You don't have the right to be privileged or blessed, it is to be appreciated and shared with good heart and intent, but when you live with expectation and greed then there is a chance that the world may spit you out and remove your rights and show you, that you are merely a servant and not of nobility - long live the workers and men and women that are willing to put an honest days work in!