Moon Cards, the Mirror, and self reflection.

I like astrology.  I was very into it when I was younger and even now that I'm older I still like to check astrology stuff from time to time.

My moon sign is Capricorn and I decided to have a look at some moon card astrology! When I did have a look at what moon card I drew today, it was the Mirror and the Mirror represents self-reflection.

Now, regardless of the moon card I picked, self-reflection is a good thing to think about anyway because it helps you think upon what you are and it also helps you reflect upon the potential for what you can become.

One has to be brave to develop the mind and grow and learn from life lessons, and I have had many life lessons, a multitude of experiences and a lot of hard knocks in my life so far. Resilience is an inherent part of who I have had to become...

It is only now that I feel more confident in who I am, in what I want to do and in what I want my future to be, and I'm happier in myself now than I used to be. 

I don't need external validation to know what decision to make, and I rely on my own integrity and my own intuition to figure out what to do going forward.

I believe everyone should reflect on who they are and how they can grow but on the other hand, I can understand it's hard to come out of that bubble of what you think your personality is.  There is a certain security in being what you think you are because you know what's going to happen and it is a safe space. I don't judge others for that because what they decide to do is their own decision at the end of the day, and all I can do is advise, not force.

I just hope humankind, in general, learns to reflect for the better of all society and not what it is leaning towards aka a society akin to that shown in the movie 'Idiocracy'!

 

It is the People that work for a company that make it great.

 A previous managing director of Wahaca, Jo Fleet (2010-2017) had a good influence on me when I started working in November 2014, and when we had brief chats, she used to emphasize it is the people who work for a company great

Hiring and retaining great people. Communicating with them so everyone knows what is expected of them. Train and develop people and promote from within. Create an environment where everyone feels part of a team and create a culture where people actually want to come to work and have fun. Keep questioning how we can improve. Focus on quality openings rather than quantity and, above all else, make sure as you grow you are still as good as your first restaurant.

What do you see as key trends for the casual dining sector in the coming year? 

Customers wanting value for money. Loyalty from customers not through discounting but offering consistency, quality and, above all else, a great experience. 

(This was an incomplete entry written in 20 September 2021 that I forgot to publish. Better late then never. Plus I still believe that if one looks after and looks out for their teammates and always gives their best, then life will note it accordingly and smile back at ya!

Morgan Freeman once said in an interview 'Your work is your word. If you show up and give less than everything, you've broken that word'.

I try to stick to my word.)

Nana Korobi Ya Oki

The title of this entry is a japanese phrase that someone told me about.

It means 'Fall Seven times, Stand up Eight'.

It shows what it means to be resilient, and to bounce back from adversity.

I have had plenty of situations that have made me highly resilient in life, and it inspired me to make this poem, which I call:

'I Can Be...'

I can be happy

I won't be sad

I can feel crappy

I can be mad

As long as I remember

To always be me

To love myself

Let my mind be free...

I will be happy

I won't be sad

And life won't be crappy

And I won't be mad

I will carry on

Bounce up when I fall

I am myself

And I stand tall.