Stepping out of the Box is not a club or an organisation, nor is it a registered NGO or a charity. We are a group of ordinary women who were initially drawn to each other because of a love for dancing. As we spent more time together, we discovered that we have a lot more than dancing in common. We are all independent, intelligent, accomplished, single women who have lived our lives differently.
The idea of ‘Stepping out of the Box’ came about in a conversation we had at the start of the New Year. Reluctant to make resolutions, which most people inevitably forget about as the year progresses, we committed to really make 2010 an exciting year. However, we knew that, if we wanted an exciting 2010, we would have to do things differently. This would require that we commit ourselves to bringing about change in our own lives and that we would have to do this by stepping out of our comfort zone. We then decided that, individually and as a group, we would commit ourselves to doing something every month, as an individual. It could be something that we have always wanted to do or thought about doing, but never had the courage or time or readiness to actually do it. We would be accountable to each other by meeting on a monthly basis and reporting on our progress. This is also where we would decide on a group goal.
The premise is that it is easy and safe to stay within the confines of the boundaries or limitations we create for ourselves, but growth, development and/or change will not take place in a static situation. We would only be able to make 2010 an exciting year if we test the boundaries and limitations we set up ourselves. To quote Sir Isaac Newton, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” There are no limits to our abilities or to what we can achieve; we limit ourselves, mostly out of fear.
We accomplished our first challenge as a group when we performed a dance routine to a song from the hit musical “Chicago” in front of an audience. After weeks of practicing, anxiety about our ability to remember the routine and agreements and disagreements about the wardrobe, we very bravely put ourselves out there. This was an amazing bonding experience, but more than that, it confirmed that we were on the right track. We felt a great sense of accomplishment and the experience was definitely a confidence booster. We now knew that we are able to do and achieve much more than we think we can. And with that in mind we set out on planning something even bigger as a group goal, and that is to plan a charity event. And this brings us to the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children.
Because of this process that we are engaging in, we know that we have the ability and the skills to be able successfully plan and organise a charity event. We have not done anything like this before and, individually, we may never even have thought about it. But now, by tapping in on our collective strengths, we can do something for ourselves and at the same time also contribute to our community. We can extend on what we have learnt and experienced by helping other women and sharing our experience with them.
Therefore, our next challenge as a group is a fund-raising event, the proceeds of which will go to the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children. We deliberately decided to host this event on 28 August 2010. It is an event organised by women for women in the month of August when the focus is on women’s issues.
This shelter is doing amazing work to assist women in becoming strong and independent, and giving them the skills to overcome the hardship they had to endure. You can read more about this centre at the following address:
www.saartjiebaartmancentre.org.za
We would like to appeal to you, especially the ladies, to help us accomplish our goal and contribute to making this event a success. We are looking to hearing from you.
The idea of ‘Stepping out of the Box’ came about in a conversation we had at the start of the New Year. Reluctant to make resolutions, which most people inevitably forget about as the year progresses, we committed to really make 2010 an exciting year. However, we knew that, if we wanted an exciting 2010, we would have to do things differently. This would require that we commit ourselves to bringing about change in our own lives and that we would have to do this by stepping out of our comfort zone. We then decided that, individually and as a group, we would commit ourselves to doing something every month, as an individual. It could be something that we have always wanted to do or thought about doing, but never had the courage or time or readiness to actually do it. We would be accountable to each other by meeting on a monthly basis and reporting on our progress. This is also where we would decide on a group goal.
The premise is that it is easy and safe to stay within the confines of the boundaries or limitations we create for ourselves, but growth, development and/or change will not take place in a static situation. We would only be able to make 2010 an exciting year if we test the boundaries and limitations we set up ourselves. To quote Sir Isaac Newton, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” There are no limits to our abilities or to what we can achieve; we limit ourselves, mostly out of fear.
We accomplished our first challenge as a group when we performed a dance routine to a song from the hit musical “Chicago” in front of an audience. After weeks of practicing, anxiety about our ability to remember the routine and agreements and disagreements about the wardrobe, we very bravely put ourselves out there. This was an amazing bonding experience, but more than that, it confirmed that we were on the right track. We felt a great sense of accomplishment and the experience was definitely a confidence booster. We now knew that we are able to do and achieve much more than we think we can. And with that in mind we set out on planning something even bigger as a group goal, and that is to plan a charity event. And this brings us to the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children.
Because of this process that we are engaging in, we know that we have the ability and the skills to be able successfully plan and organise a charity event. We have not done anything like this before and, individually, we may never even have thought about it. But now, by tapping in on our collective strengths, we can do something for ourselves and at the same time also contribute to our community. We can extend on what we have learnt and experienced by helping other women and sharing our experience with them.
Therefore, our next challenge as a group is a fund-raising event, the proceeds of which will go to the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children. We deliberately decided to host this event on 28 August 2010. It is an event organised by women for women in the month of August when the focus is on women’s issues.
This shelter is doing amazing work to assist women in becoming strong and independent, and giving them the skills to overcome the hardship they had to endure. You can read more about this centre at the following address:
www.saartjiebaartmancentre.org.za
We would like to appeal to you, especially the ladies, to help us accomplish our goal and contribute to making this event a success. We are looking to hearing from you.
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