For those of you returning to my blog, you can see I have refreshed the look and feel of the home page. I'm hoping it is a little brighter and more welcoming.
I am emerging from what has been a difficult, intense and stretching period in my work and in life generally. I'm now settling again in to a new job heading up an innovative community health partnership Health for Living based in the West Midlands.
They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and I think that might be true - certainly it makes you a lot wiser.
So next time the going gets tough, what advice would I give myself and others?
- Get out and exercise - even when it's raining and freezing and even when it is the last thing you want to do. You will always feel better afterwards and have the benefit of added smugness.
- Do something creative, emerse yourself in it. It will give your brain and heart a break.
- Plan time out for relaxation, for fun and for laughter - it will lift your spirits ready for the battles ahead.
- Remember and remind yourself regularly of your gifts, skills and achievements - don't let anyone take that from you or diminish you.
- You will learn fast who your real friends are and it will surprise you. Look after those that show themselves to be true friends - they are like precious gold.
- Kick yourself up the arse if you ever start to think/feel really sorry for yourself. Get a grip.
I have been much encouraged by a poem by my favourite writer and alround amazing woman Maya Angelou. It's called Still I Rise - you can read it in it's entirety here: http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/still-i-rise/
But I will quote just one section:
Just like the moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,Just like hopes springing high,
Still I will rise
I am back on the rise and back blogging...........
Normal rantiness will resume next week.
Anna x
