How to Avoid Being Charged by an Elephant

I recently sent out my newsletter with the email heading of 'What to do if Charged by an Elephant'.  I never realised how many jokers there were out there!  Admittedly I did send the email with the hope of a few amusing replies but the response was astounding.

"Lawyers answer: refuse to pay! Or outrun everyone else."
"What happens if I am charged by my bank manager?"
"Great advice! Before reading this if I'd been charged by an elephant I would probably just have paid him rather than standing my ground. I might have tried haggling a bit to bring the price down but I would never have thought of playing dead. Do they take credit cards or just cash?"
"I would call Jenny 'Lara Croft' Bowen from my sat phone."

The list was endless and very amusing and it brought a very large smile to my face each time I opened my e-mails up.

When you get it right, it doesn't take much to make someone smile.

And for your information, I don't carry a small mouse around in my pocket to deter charging elephants, that would just be ridiculous........

What Sense Africa Is Not...

Last night I went to a talk by a well known company that specialises in 'adventure' holidays.  I would have never gone if I had not been asked to go with a friend of mine, she thought it might be a good idea to check out the competition.  Definitely a lesson there!

It was interesting to see the demographics of the people attending (Becks and I were certainly in the younger age spectrum) as well as what was on offer.  It was a lesson in exactly NOT what Sense Africa is all about.  They said that they had small groups of 70 - 100 (!), there was considerable travel each day, purely functional accommodation, a group participation itinerary and very early morning starts - it appeared that each day you were up to see the sun rise.  I know that seeing the sunrise over the plains of Africa, the Taj Mahal and the Amazonian rain forest are sights not to be forgotten, but surely not every day. I was exhausted just looking at the itineraries and I got the feeling that a holiday would be needed after the holiday.  I know that it is not for everyone, there is a market for all tastes, needs and hobbies.

We ran out of the room in case we were stopped to be asked whether we enjoyed the talk - all 2 and a half hours of it.

Despite all this I am glad that I went as it has clarified what Sense Africa's holistic holidays are all about.  Personalised holidays which are relaxing, flexible and away from the hubbub of life's fast lane. A holiday where you can choose to go on safari or stay by the pool, to join a small (6 - 8 people) yoga session whilst watching the  elephants wander by or read your book, the choice is yours. And I would like to think that you would return home feeling refreshed, relaxed and revitalised. 

Peace for your mind, body and soul. Sense Yourself with Sense Africa.

I feel better now....

Safaris Can be Likened to Life....

Imagine that you are on safari in Africa, the sun is beating down on you and you are still holding your breath in the anticipation of seeing lion.  Sounds great?

Putting this in a different perspective, you are hot and tired, you have been bounced around in the land rover for over 2 hours (and got the bruises to prove it), you have seen nothing, your nerves are shot to pieces waiting for that elusive animal, you are thirsty, hungry and you have just lost your lens cap to your new camera.

Sometimes life is a bit like that, exasperating, exhausting and with that feeling that you are chasing your tail - or even the lion's, both in your own life and also in business.

How about an alternative?  Imagine that you are on safari, but this time you are sitting on the decking, in the shade of an acacia tree, over looking a waterhole.  There are comfortable seats for you to lounge on, a table with your book, camera (complete with lens cap), a cool drink (water is beading down the outside) and some snacks are also on the table, you are reading a book when suddenly you see movement from the corner of your eye.  The lioness and cubs stealthy approach the water, drinks their full and then quietly leave. And all you have had to do is raise your camera to your face and watch.

Don't you think that this is a lesson in life?  There is no need to manically try to fit everything in, rushing around all over the place to achieve your objectives and getting stressed in the process. Sometimes what you are trying to achieve may just come to you, so just let it happen.

Of course, on safari in a land rover can be exhilarating, I love it and it is an African experience not to be missed.  But it is your choice. And it is your choice how you approach life.

Sense Africa, restoration for the mind, body and soul.