Antonetta Fernandes

AF: Lady Anita I am truly excited and energised to be given such a platform to express the precious gift of life that I have been blessed with, by my creator.

AF: This question reminds me of a song from the hit 1971 film “Love Story”. The lyrics start with “Where do I begin to tell the story of how great a love can be?

In a nutshell 25th January 2022 opened a new juncture in my life.

This day impacted heavily on my son and myself. Our God gave us a new beginning.

I am a retired Business Owner, a Best-selling co-author/book promoter and Soul, Mind, Body Therapist. My LOVE STORY started with the second chance given to me by my creator. The success in the last 11 months started with facing some heart-rendering challenges and training my mind to accept everything is possible with the spirit within me. I took on a Big Bank regarding a scam investment and won; I took on Conveyancing Lawyer and won; and the crème de la crème, I walk with faith where everything is possible. So, I was born in Kenya, the eldest of 9 siblings. Although my parents struggled financially they made sure we were fully equipped with education and life tools.

In 1976, I started my married life in London; in the last 50 years’ my career has flourished thru the many sectors I was privileged to perform my services in from Banking, Telecoms, Housing Management, Events Management of a ‘Starship Enterprise’ like centre and finally into the National Health Service. Equipped with the richness of experiences I stepped into my own essence and started my own business, Fernandes Consultancy Limited (FCL) within the Health and Wellness industry where my passion grew altruistically. This industry gave me the most phenomenal outcomes and I could pass this into my clients. My zest for life took me back to nature, the benefits of natural alternative products & lifestyle. So in 2021 after the success of running my business for 10 plus year I decided to hang boots in pursuit a more fulfilling role to help the elderly, young and vulnerable members of society.

AF: A big lesson for me which came through recently which was making sure My Time Matters. In the past I spent valuable time worrying about relationships, finances, business, family, watching the News etc., and less time on giving thanks for the gift of life, forgiving others, building a relationship with our Creator, spending time with love ones and providing benevolence with Joy, Ease and Grace.

This shift started when I returned to serve my creator and took the bold step of being baptised as a Christian earlier this year; the anger, anxiety, fear, quilt, sorrow and worry that had robbed me of my happiness for so many years was gradually being replaced with compassion, joy, love, patience and peace. At first I found it difficult because every-time I failed the ugly head of guilt popped up. With the help of prayer groups, teachers and reading The Word I was replenishing my tool kit. Over time significant traits noticed by friends and family was my patience, confidence, approach to life, energy and youthfulness. I ditched the task lists and replaced it with faith and a can-do attitude because everything is possible.

AF: Well support and encouragement works both ways especially as this relationship we have with each other has many facets of life tools and lessons. It has been a joy to see the growth within you Lady Anita, over the last 9 years in terms of fine tuning your skills and having a cutting-edge razor focus. Likewise, you have helped to grow in confidence from the shyness of yester years. If I may be allowed to add Lady Anita that I would like to also thank all my colleagues, clients, teachers, leaders and family who have helped and supported me the grew. I thank God for my mother the late Carmina Fernandes and my son Gavin Mankoo for always being there to pick me up in times of need.

AF: “It is not secret what God can do” this has resonated with me. Yes, I am blessed to have my mother’s genes of youthfulness. However, it was not until a few months I noticed something had changed. My confidence has grown affluently. I am so passionate about cooking, dressing up every day, helping my elderly neighbours with advice/support and walking down the road greeting everyone I meet with a kind word or compliment. My motto is “do good and it will follow you for the rest of your life”. In the last 10 months’ I managed to shift 10 Kilos in weight effortlessly, my physical body has benefited from dancing, walking and aqua-aerobics and my health & wellness is at a peak level. At the age of 71 I embrace the word of God and work with the Holy Spirit within me to direct my words, thoughts and deeds.

AF: Communicate and influence with a heart-centred focus “do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is a biblical concept spoken by Jesus in Luke 6:31 and Matthew 7:12; it is commonly referred to as the "Golden Rule." "So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

AF: This is a cause I am drawn to. My first experience was couple of years ago when an elderly lady fell out of a bus on to the pavement. I accompanied her to the hospital and stayed with her until she was seen to and then also took her home. Since then I have had several other encounters. In trying to help the elderly I noticed one of the major problems they were having was make a telephone appointment. Many have problems with hearing and hearing aid and they get confused with all the options before they can get to speak to a human being. Some of the options such visit our website – they do not have a clue how to use a computer or a smart phone.

Apart from me directly helping them with these issues, there does not appear to be any support to tackle these issues. I recently qualified as a Peer Mentor with an organisation and approached them to offer my services as volunteer for the vulnerable, young people and elder. While I am waiting to hear from them I will continue to provide the support wherever I can. I am open to suggestions and working together with organisations that can make a difference to our global community.

AF:

AF: Despite all the flaws and imperfections “Love is all you need in all ways ALWAYS.”

AF: Thank you Lady Anita and The Powerhouse Global Community, with love, joy, ease and grace I wish you success for the future in all ways ALWAYS.

AF: I am retired – please contact via my email: antonettaferandes8@googlemail.com