Are you a Starter or a Finisher?

Some people find it hard to start something, others find it difficult to finish... and then there are those that are cursed with finding it difficult to do both. I'm a Combination Chow Mien on this one - depending on approximately 32,873 circumstances. 

This time last year, I was in New York city embarking on my first ever marathon. My 11-month training program was plagued by injury and illness - not to mention that my financial situation and visions of losing half my bodyweight to reveal the body of a praying mantis, were equally plagued.

As I climbed into the 6am shuttle bus to the Staten Island start village, I noticed that my feelings were reminiscent to those of my first day at school. I was surrounded by Adonis and Artemis-like athletic deities, yet I resembled Miss Piggy wearing a tutu made out of Kermit's vomit (it was actually a thermal merino wool top that I converted into a skirt to hide the shame of my XL compression leggings). 

"What am I doing here?" I recall asking myself about 3,256 times. I didn't know it then, but I was there to have a breakthrough [cue: start video below].

Are you someone who finds it difficult to start things because you don't know how it will end? If so, why not challenge yourself and start something you have no idea where or how it will go.

Until next time, be mindful of choosing a sustainable hairstyle that'll weather all conditions.

- Grace xo

How to Set Yourself Free

Have you ever had one of those magical days where things just fell into place and by bedtime it became an amazing story that could not have been scripted any better?

Well, yesterday was one of those days...

It was my 42nd birthday and I awoke at 4am with feelings of promise in the air. Instead of tossing and turning in a restless attempt to return to slumber, I decided to tip toe out of the room and type out my homework for a short course I'm currently undertaking.

This is what I wrote:

Homework for Day 3: 2min talk about what I’m passionate about

"Set yourself free"

• Do you ever feel trapped?

• Have you ever felt like you’re living your life to please someone else?

• Do you measure the success of your life based on what is expected of you?

• Don’t you think it’s time to set yourself free?

• So how do you do that

• First: AWARENESS

• Being aware takes you from being on ‘automatic pilot’ – to taking control of the steering wheel

• It shifts you from living subconsciously (in some cases ‘unconsciously’) to living consciously

• Second:  ACTION - ALTER THE STORIES WE TELL OURSELVES

• It’s the stories we tell ourselves that ultimately shapes our lives

• It’s the “I can’t, it’s not possible” (etc.) stories that traps us (don’t believe the hype)

• So what frees us?

• It’s knowing that we (fuelled by our thoughts) are the authors of our story – and our feelings and emotions are the audience

• We write the script

• The pen is in our hands

• It’s knowing that we hold the pen that frees us

• It doesn’t matter what obstacles are in the way – there are ways of overcoming them

• Look for those ways

• Be creative

• Create a NEW story

• But how?

• We know we have the pen in our hand, but how can we write ourselves out of a tragic drama?

• What is the key that can turn a tribulation into triumph?

• The key that can single handedly alter the course of our story is: Perspective

• Take a walk around the obstacle. Look at it from all sides

• Take a glance at it from someone else’s point of view

• Give it context

• By altering our view, we have the power to reinterpret what is before us – and choose an interpretation that serves us (imagine that)

• The way we interact with our world is dictated by the way we respond to our interpretation of what is occurring

• Know that we inherited the way we interpret our world from those before us – our parents, grandparents, teachers and piers

• It is a learned behavior – it is a habit

• Now is the time to create your own interpretation.

• Use your measuring stick for judging your interpretation of success, and you have the power to transform your life

• So now that you know you are holding the pen, and I have told you the secret about the key how now will you set yourself free?

I returned to bed and fell into a deep sleep. When I awoke at a more appropriate hour, I had little memory of what I 'd written. I was quick to review my homework by reading it out loud to Patrick (I tend to be over enthusiastic most mornings, much to Pat's discomfort - but seeing it was my birthday he patiently listened). 

When I got to the end, I had tears welling. Wow! It felt like it was written THROUGH me as opposed to BY me. I felt a weird sense of disconnection.

Fast forward a few hours and I was standing with Patrick at the counter of a store made famous by Audrey Hepburn's breakfast. After trying on a few designs, one felt 'just right' and the delightful attendant exclaimed "Happy Birthday!" Soon after handing me the celeste bag I said, "It is a happy birthday. Today I am double 21," to which she replied, "Then your gift is perfect for you". 

At that point it all came together; 21, the key, my homework, my passion: Set Yourself Free.

So today the adventure starts and I invite you to join me as we go about setting OURSELVES free - however that may be!

Until tomorrow, may you find your key to unlock thee.

- Grace xo