Dr David Molapo - Choose to Change

CHOOSE TO CHANGE

Published by Struik Christian Books

An imprint of Struik Christian Media

A division of New Holland Publishing (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd

(New Holland Publishing is a member of Avusa Ltd)

Cornelis Struik House

80 McKenzie Street

Cape Town 8001

Reg. No. 1971/009721/07

Text David Molapo 2010

First edition 2010

Second impression 2010

Third impression 2011

Fourth impression 2011

Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture quotations are taken from

The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV) 1984,

International Bible Society.

Used with permission.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Project management by Lana Coetzee

Editing by Joan Moore

DTP design by Sonja Louw

Cover design by Sonja Louw

ISBN 978-1-4153-0944-5 (Print)

ISBN 978-1-4153-1144-8 (ePub)

ISBN 978-1-4153-1145-5 (PDF

www.struikchristianmedia.co.za

My friend, David Molapo, has penned an easy-to-read, practical and challenging book. He shares his personal journey how he overcame the victim mentality and turned it into a victor mentality. He knows all about turning your scars to stars and lemons to lemonade.

Congratulations, David, on writing this valuable and practical guide.

Dr John C Maxwell

This book is dedicated to all those men and women from disadvantaged backgrounds, in informal settlements, townships and rural areas, who are making a difference in their own communities with little or no resources at all.

Your investment and commitment is inspiring. We are indeed a richer society for having you in our lives.

Dr David Molapo

A project like this requires resources, support and dedication. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my writer, Alvin Fredericks, who spent countless hours perfecting the recipes on how to turn your lemons into lemonade. All uncredited quotes in this book can be attributed to him.

To my wife, Dr Mamikie Molapo, the anchor and love of my life, who assisted me in selecting the appropriate material for this book words cannot express my appreciation of your support and encouragement.

To the I Can team who continue to inspire me with their selfless giving to the community I salute your unselfishness.

Most importantly, I want to thank my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who affirms me daily and reminds me that I CAN.

David Molapo

For last years words belong to last years language
And next years words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
TS E LIOT

There has been so much hype associated with 2010, particularly the long-awaited Soccer World Cup hosted in Africa for the first time in its history. And South Africa delivered on the worlds expectations as everyone focused on this dark continent.

In the midst of the present political and economic climate, the World Cup brought an air of expectation. People identified and created opportunities. Each passing day brought new challenges to the success of this event, but with each challenge that presented itself, there was an abundance of opportunities.

But what happens beyond 2010, beyond the magic and wizardry of the worlds talented soccer stars? Will we settle back into our comfort zone of complacency and familiarity where the promise of tomorrow is tainted by the emotions and failures of yesterday? Or will this year be known as 20-turn instead a year in which we turn our lives around by Choosing to Change; by Transforming Ourselves into people whose lives are filled with meaning and purpose? Will we move from being victims to being victors? From nursing our scars to aiming for the stars? Will we use this as an opportunity to make lemonade from lifes lemons?

When I was a youngster in school, we had to do an experiment with lemon juice. We had to write a secret message using lemon juice (as you do with invisible ink). After it had dried, we ironed the blank paper with a warm iron and like magic, the message appeared. I always thought that was so cool. I later realised that heat brought out its potential! The secret of the lemon is its juice, which is its potential and presents opportunities. Did you know that you can even send a mild electrical current through a lemon?

There is and old adage which states, If life gives you a lemon, make lemonade. Life is supposed to be an adventure, and not merely a series of days and events. We will all face challenges in this life, but our responses will determine the level of our success. When life hands you a lemon, will you keep tasting the bitter taste of the lemon or bring out your recipe books and explore the potential of the lemon? This is determined by your attitude and perspective.

However, my friend, all is not lost; use the recipes within these pages to transform your thinking, and turn your lemons into lemonade. This is a resource to assist (and challenge) you to turn from the ordinary and mundane to a life of purpose to a life that will cause you to thrive. Being alive and yet not thriving is actually stagnation and decay. As I have often said, If youre not growing, youre dying. The only difference between a grave and a rut is the depth.

The Greek Philosopher, Heraclitus said, Change is the only constant. What was true more than two thousand years ago is just as true today. We live in a world where business as usual is stagnation. New initiatives, technological improvements and staying ahead of the competition are some of the things that drive ongoing changes to the way we think and work.

You know that change needs to happen, but might not know how to bring about effective change. Where do you start? Whom do you involve? How do you see it through to the end? What resources are needed?

I read an advert that challenged my paradigm; it simply said, If everyone is thinking the same, someone isnt thinking. Does this describe your outlook to life? We are called to stand out and not just to fit in.

If you think you are beaten, you are.

If you think you dare not, you dont!

If you want to win, but think you cant,

Its almost a cinch you wont.

If you think youll lose, youre lost;

For out in the world we find

Success begins with a fellows will;

Its all in the state of the mind.

Lifes battles dont always go

To the stronger and faster man,

But sooner or later the man who wins

Is the man who thinks he can.

Walter D Wintle

While preparing the manuscript for Choose to Change, I pondered over the lessons that can be learnt from the lemon and how we can apply these lessons to our lives:

Lemons have certain therapeutic properties but many cant handle its bitter taste and acidity. As you are aware, acidity eventually causes corrosion. If the lemons that life hands you are not handled properly, it is likely that your very soul (emotions, etc.) will corrode over time, leaving you exposed to further devastation and sometimes even with a toxic attitude.