One of Durban’s most loved keynote speakers, Kim Griffith Jones’ optimism, community work and motivation have influenced people far and wide.
Better known for her role as the co-ordinator for the Robin Hood Foundation, where she worked alongside their chair and trustees to assist women, children and the elderly in impoverished and AIDs-affected communities, Kim Griffith Jones thrives on connecting people. In her early 40s, a single mum to teenage girls Stella (16) and Tay (13), she’s exploring the power of setting intentions and accepting her calling. Kim’s taking her skills as brand ambassador, speaker, event producer, project manager, friend, daughter, sister, optimist and free spirit, and ploughing them into Connective Consulting, her own marketing events and communication consultancy, through which she is helping others on a business level, while still connecting with community organisations (including the Robin Hood Foundation) that remain close to her heart.
‘My girls are my everything, my heart on the outside and the reason I get up and never give up everyday,’ she says from her tidy, beach-inspired Hillcrest home where everything has its place. ‘For most of my life I’ve wanted to do things with purpose, and working with the Robin Hood Foundation provided the foundation for that.’
Kim speaks with passion and fondness about the people she’s worked with – like Robin Hood Foundation founder and philanthropist Cindy Norcott, the friends she’s made and the incredible things she’s seen.
‘Every experience shapes us, and our reality is really dependant on what we see and are subjected to. In this space, I began to find gratitude in everything. This was a place where we expected miracles, because we witnessed them daily in the eyes of the people we helped … something which was largely dependent on the generosity of others. Here I was, by no means wealthy, but rich in valuable experience. I got to go home to running water, a hot shower and a warm bed, after leaving people who had none of these. I was fortunate. I learned too, a kind of patience, love and acceptance in the community I would never else have known.’
‘I love people, but I also like my own space – I’m an introverted extrovert,’ laughs Kim. ‘I am realistic about the fact that life can be tough, but with hope and faith, we get up and make the most of each new day we’ve been given!’
Reflecting on some of the many happy memories of her childhood spent in the back their Kombi on surf trips and watching her dad and brother come alive on their wave skis, Kim shares her views on family values.
‘Family is the one of the most important and valuable gifts we have in life. My mom and dad are salt of the earth kind of people. They instilled integrity and loyalty which I am trying to impart to my children. Growing up, we did everything together, and it’s something I want my girls to appreciate and enjoy, which is why we got on the wave ski bandwagon about three years ago, so we could join in on the fun. It’s our quality time together.’
When the first hard lockdown was imposed, Kim found herself feeling vulnerable to the harsh realities of the future, providing for her girls and facing some really tough decisions.
‘For the first three weeks, I sat at the top of the gate because all I wanted was to see was the sunrise, something I’d gotten to enjoy more spiritually on our visits to the beach. That was one of the first times I mastered prayer meditation, something that has become a regular practice for me, and a really good way to cope with any negativity in life.’
Kim says lockdown also taught her to trust herself with decisions.
‘As I dove more into my ‘quiet’, it became more apparent how we let others’ energy or moods affect us; I learnt to afford myself time out when I needed it. I do a lot of journaling and self-work because I believe in the healing power of this approach. It doesn’t work for everybody, but it works for me.’
During quarantine, she also reflected on a cancer scare in 2019, when doctors found a 5cm growth on her uterus.
‘I needed a procedure to remove it and a biopsy. During that ominous wait I did a lot of reading on the metaphysics behind illness but also had to be realistic about preparations I had to make for ‘what if’. Fortunately the tests came back benign, but it could’ve been so different. It was a month before I turned 40. The experience changed a lot in me.’
Had it not been for this cathartic experience and her firm belief in prayer and God’s plans, Kim says she might never have given herself permission to gently let go of the work and the people she found solace and purpose with, in order to pursue her dreams to be a connector of people, to be able to focus on establishing and growing her business and helping others grow theirs.
‘With my girls getting older , I found myself needing more time and financial freedom to give them a chance at a great future, so when presented with some great opportunities to freelance, I took a leap of faith and started my business.’
As a woman of influence, Kim is a fierce advocate for cultivating self-love and boosting the confidence of women around her.
‘As women, we have been given a beautiful feminine energy for a reason. Our roles… our gentleness and strength are vital. If me talking to other women, opens a doorway for us to share, supporting one another and heal, that’s massive! Not everything can be light hearted, but if I can contribute to bringing light into someone else’s life, in some way, then I will never give up trying.’
Kim does not believe in competition as she feels there’s more than enough of everything to go around, and says that if there is anything she has learned, it is that humans are social creatures who fare better with a network of people surrounding them.
‘I am blessed to be surrounded by my besties Tracy, Adele, Kate, Ro and Des, my family and the amazing people I’ve connected with over the years. If I had to give you a list of names, we’d be here all day but they know who they are, what they mean to me and what we’ve been through together! These kinds of special people make everything doable. I think that’s my message this women’s month… the importance of surrounding yourself with those fierce friendships, people who believe in you, people who you believe in and how we can luminate each others paths. We live in a wonderful community – find your tribe!’
CREDITS:
Photograph: Penny Katz Photography, pennykatzphotography.myportfolio.com
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083 214 0692
MUAH: Kayleigh Heneke from Fancy Fiction, @fancy.fiction, fancyfiction.co.za
Kim dressed by: Willow, @willowshopsa, willowshop.co.za
