4 minute read
From the EDITOR
CEO & Editor-in-Chief
JASMINA SIDEROVSKI
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2021…We are alive and made it through the challenges we all faced in the Year of the Ox, as we prepare for the Year of the Tiger. COVID-19 created turmoil throughout Earth. It shook humanity to oblivion. Our world turned upside down, inside out and life as we once knew it - now a distant memory. Fortunately, the lessons learned in 2020 helped shape the path for a stronger and united world.
For me personally, 2021 was a year to step back and take time to reflect on life as I knew it. How I fit in the myriad of changes and adapt to a diversified pandemic culture at home, socially and professionally. GROWTH … became an essential part of my personal life routine and transition from past to present and future. A mother of two young adults who are about to turn 18 and 21 in early 2022 – two major milestones in the Siderovski household, I couldn’t help but feel so much gratitude for the positive journey in this chaos. The past (almost) two years have given me the chance to STOP and bond with my young adults. I couldn’t help but think how different our path could have been in this fast-paced world if it wasn’t for the locked-down period and the opportunity to see what’s Infront of me - my home, my husband, and my children and not necessarily in that order. Sounds crazy, but true,
It made me realise how much I took for granted, as unintentional as it may have been, it helped me remain grounded and re-focus on the beauty, life really has on offer. While we all complained to our politicians, how we could have done things better, how we should have learned from the trial and error of 2020 suddenly we all became experts on how life should be. The reality of it all is that we can never truly be prepared enough given the consistency of uncertainties this Pandemic has proven. However, one thing for sure is that we are more equipped with research and the knowledge to set a precedence on perfecting and adapting to the new norm.
In line with the shock of being stationed in our abodes, we quickly learned just how materialism became a faded trend. Retail therapy although conveniently at the click of a button was redirected to feel-good purchases for our health and well-being. I am now a proud recovering shoe-cholic and have resisted the temptation for expanding my red bottoms. I am chuffed. Socialising became an event with our children, and if we were lucky enough, we shared a wine or two on zoom with our friends and family. Social media was our virtual lifeline as we remained in touch with our human counterparts and shared daily our emotional rollercoaster.
We even sacrificed our freedom for travel and to experience new adventures as we eagerly wait to tick off that bucket list in the name of being safe and keeping our loved ones alive - a new discipline that has taught us resilience and an understanding of just how precious life is. Especially, for the elderly and young, as well as the immunocompromised. Most importantly, the key component that became the focus word for 2021 was ‘KINDNESS!”
Random acts of kindness are so important and change the lives of many who are doing it tough, Simple, baby gestures that help us all remain grounded and appreciate the little things in life – to LIVE, LAUGH, and PAY IT FORWARD always. We can all create a positive impact in any environment and strengthen the core for self-awareness, our motivation levels, appreciating empathy and our social skills. Our EQ is undoubtedly a valuable tool to utilise in adversity and enhances not only our leadership abilities and teamwork effectiveness but also our resilience. As humans, we are social and wired for connection. The more we can build positive relationships and develop cooperative connections, the more enriched our lives are.
Our purpose is to celebrate the joy others bring in our life and appreciate the steppingstones along the way for a better today. No matter what we are going through and how tough the challenges we face, KINDNESS MATTERS!
Remember to take time out to yourself and be grateful. We need to accept that we can’t always be in control and that life has its path. Remain positive and don’t let fear and uncertainty become your master. You hold the key to your well-being and it’s up to us to make life magical for all of us.
I am grateful to my family, friends and the eYs Team for making 2021 magical for me. We end the year with the 14th edition of eYs Magazine and thank all the individuals featured for being the special, caring people they are and the change we all wish to see,
Our cover features Katerina Stojanovska Deskovska who is a humanitarian and television host and producer from Skopje, R of Macedonia. Clare Erasmus treats our readers to an interview with Kim Chan and Marsha Casper Cook talks to two amazing women about their triumphs with Breast Cancer. This edition is filled with heartfelt and inspiring stories of bravery and the gift of giving,
Merry Christmas to all and Season’s Greetings!
Jasmina Siderovski
CEO and Editor-in-Chief eYs Magazine
