What if you had to accept that your life isn't like a mountain
Started from the bottom
and climbed steadily upwards
each level representing a year
an event
a progression
With the view from the top getting steadily higher
'better'?
With the option of up, down or stuck on the same spot
What if your life was like a garden
With bits that grow with care
parts that fall way despite love
and unexpected blooms where you least expect them
and some parts that while planted with intention
get swiftly dug up once they grow roots
Measuring not by looking up or down but by wandering around
Less like looking at the view and more like
​smelling the roses.

What if all the little annoying,
troublesome,
irksome things you have in your life 
were just there
because you think you
​are preparing yourself for
an inevitable big pain?

And what if the little gratitudes 
and thanks
and wishes
were just there
because you don't think you deserve 
the really big big big joy?

Sometimes it can be tempting to
think that someone
who is on a similar journey
but hasn't come as far as we have
is a bit slow.
While it's satisfying to roll our eyes
and try to get them to hurry up
Perhaps we should
Just wave
so they know we are there for them
But let them walk the path at their own rate
Sure, they may have to
climb a few more hills without
our advice
But that way they'll get to see ALL the
views.

Forgiveness is not all about setting another person free from what they have done.
It's also about setting yourself free.

In the last 12 months I have seen some amazing exercise businesses and professionals grow and some fantastic success stories from exercise professionals.
I've also seen a whole lot more marketing from people running 'fitness' businesses that rely on second hand advice and misguided messages.  Their 'success' is different but they are talking louder and getting more traction than many who know what they are doing through qualifications, experience and ongoing education..
So as an addition to this for 2016 I would suggest that celebrity 'experts' and fast food restaurants don't seem to be backward in shouting out how amazing they are. If we want to change lives perhaps we have to be louder than them.
Start here:
http://www.exerciseindustryawards.co.nz

From 2015....
​Just think of me as your exercise industry awards PT or group fitness instructor
you talk exercise, I talk entering

When your client say exercising is too hard
You say it's worth it
When you say entering is too hard,
I say it's worth it

When your client says if I don't succeed everyone will laugh at me
You say everyone supports your journey
When you say if I don't succeed everyone will laugh at me
I say everyone supports your journey

When your client says I'm not the type of person to do this sort of thing
You say give it a go, you might enjoy it
When you say I'm not the type of person to do this sort of thing
I say give it a go, you might enjoy it

When your client says they'd be embarrassed if they aren't as good as the others
You say that it's about reaching your personal goals, not everyone elses
When you say you'll  be embarrassed if you aren't as good as the others
I say that it's about reaching your personal goals, not everyone elses

And when your client does what you say and achieve something they didn't think they could 
You say I knew you could
And when you do what I say and achieve something you didn't think you could 
I'll say I knew you could

I guess what I am saying is that we can all be prone to feeling not good enough, thinking it's too hard, being scared of exposing ourself to others. Whether it's entering an award or starting an exercise programme.
As exercise industry professionals everyday we expect our clients to step up.
Let's show them we can too?

You have a two options
when you are in a bit of a spot of bother.

You can look around you 
and see how bad things are for you
It feels like the world is on your shoulders
too much
the struggle is real
and you see lots of people around you and they have it EASIER!
and you think 'why me' and 'what did I do to deserve this place compared to them?'

OR You can look around you 
and see how bad things are for you
It feels like the world is on your shoulders
too much
the struggle is real
and you see lots of people around you and they have it HARDER!
and you think 'why me' and 'what did I do to deserve this place compared to them?'

When shit goes down you are in the same place whether you choose to be jealous of those who have it better or empathy for those who have it a lot worse. It's the view that changes.

What if it's just a phase?
Or a set of phases
All strung together
end to end

Kids
Jobs
careers
hairstyles
relationships
Exercise
Food

What if we don't have to start at one end of life
and keep moving forward towards the other end?

​Wouldn't that be fantastic?

The way we get smart, enjoy personal growth, learn our lessons is by not knowing,
then learning,
then knowing
then repeating.

Before condemning people who don't hold your knowledge, who make mistakes, or do it wrong
Understand that that's how they grow.
Like you did.

40%?
Less than half, not worth worrying about or almost half and a problem.....

A story of a person being treated unfairly.....
An isolated incident or an indication of an epidemic?

The contents of someone's supermarket trolley with junk food in it.....
An example of what they eat everyday or that they are having a once a year break form eating well for their birthday?

An overweight person puffing along the street.....
An example of the problem of obesity problem, or an example of someone doing something about it?

A parent at the park with their kid and their head in a cellphone.....
An example of neglectful parenting or someone who is juggling working and being a parent?

No matter where you look there are examples of what you believe
That are also examples of the exact opposite.

It's a truly wonderful thing,
when you put off doing something
​as it will take too long
and then complete it in a moment
As another, more procrastination worthy task comes along.