Hustle

  
There’s a little theme going on in my blog that I’m noticing. I’ve accidentally been posting about ‘time’ without realising it.

Although this blog started as an outlet for me to voice my opinion on life – writing about anything and everything that I felt at the time. It’s quickly become ‘time’ focussed and I also found it has become somewhat a little novel about me and my journey so far. I’ve come to think of it as my little journal. A little something to leave behind for my son. Hoping one day he’ll read it.

My motivational word for 2016 is HUSTLE. 

Last year was a like a roller coaster ride for me. So much:

• learnt
• to remember
• I wish I could change
• So much… Everything!

In all of that, I learned that I didn’t do nearly as much as I should have, could have or would have – I wish I had my hustle mentality a year ago. But it’s too late for regrets now. I’ve gotta move on.

So in 2016, everyday I’m hustlin’.

We all lead busy lives. So I thought I’d share my opinion on this important topic of time.

It’s like all the quotes you’ve ever heard all rolled into one:

• Make time for what you love
• Stay positive, work hard, make it happen
• No pain, no gain
• or just #MotivationalQuotes and you’ll find one you like

So if you want it* enough, you need to work for it. And not just half-heartedly – give it all you’ve got.

*whatever “IT” means to you. e.g. health, wealth, happiness, dream job, family, possessions…

For me, IT means internal happiness. When I have that, everything else falls into place. It has a domino effect on my life.

So, to get my internal happiness, I need my mind and body in the right state. When I feel good physically, I make better choices in life. Better choices makes me happy. Happy me = happy family. Happy family means life is bliss.

So to start my internal happiness I have been getting myself back to a regular fitness schedule. Making time for it. Since Boxing Day, I’ve been tracking my exercise and over the last few days I found myself getting back into my old habits. I’d spent the last few days ‘resting’ instead of doing some form of exercise. So I told myself – “Enough’s enough!!! Just get it done Godly!!”

But it was 9:30pm on a Sunday night and it was getting late. I could have said to myself, just do it tomorrow. But I didn’t. I gave myself a quick internal pep talk and said #NoExcuses. 

I usually train with my friend once a week (at least) and more if our schedule permits. Lately we’ve been doing more due to school holidays because we’re both out of routine. She’s one of the people who inspire me to be more. When people say they have no time, you have to look at people like her who make time. She has 3 kids and still puts her health first. How can someone who has 3 kids still have time? Simple – she makes time.

Another friend told me that “you can’t help anyone else if a plane is going down without your oxygen mask on first. As a fellow mother, I can understand we feel guilty putting ourselves first but we fail to realise that it’s necessary in order to be the best mothers we can be.” Another person who inspires me to be the best mother I can be. 

I know there’s a theme here with mothers making time for the greater good of their family, but I’m certain there are others out there who don’t have kids, or animals, or any other commitments that also make time for themselves. We in the industry call it “me time”.

When you want something bad enough, you’ve gotta learn to hustle.

1. Make it number 1 on your list.
2. Set goals so that you have something to strive for.
3. Keep track so you can see how far you’ve come.

The inspiration behind today’s post was my 25 minute at-home workout. All the excuses in the world could have come out but I chose to overcome them:

1. I don’t have time – yes I do. It’s just 25 minutes.
2. I can’t be bothered going for a run, going to the gym, putting on my gym wear etc – then don’t. Stay home and do it in the comfort of your bedroom/garage/lounge room/home gym and in your undies if you want!
3. It’s late and I have work tomorrow – so what? And besides everyone has to get up for ‘something’ tomorrow. That’s not even a legitimate excuse.
4. I can’t be bothered and I’m tired – boohoo. Cry me a river.

Truly, all those excuses went through my head tonight but I still got it done.

The hardest thing of all is control. And the hardest thing about control, is controlling our mind. When you have some control over that, you’re halfway there. The only thing left is the action. Most of us fall into the habit of letting our mind tell us things like:

• I’ll start on Monday.
• I’m too tired.
• I’d rather be doing something else.
• I’m on holidays.
• I’m just missing 1 day/workout/etc.
• [insert your own excuses here]

I try to remind myself when I start falling into the excuses trap, is to say to myself “hustle”. But do whatever mantra works for you! The Nike slogan is always a good one! The best part is that when you’ve done whatever it is that you’re making excuses about, you’ll feel so much better afterwards. You’ll be proud of yourself! Guaranteed!

After my workout was done, I was surprised when my son decided to drop and do 10 push ups. I guess he felt the need to do something himself. #Priceless

  

To learn something new

  

I just love learning something new. I love the saying “you learn something new everyday!” It’s so true.

Today, I learnt something about a product I deal with everyday and more about how to do my job better. A job I’ve been in for almost 3 years. I know what I’m doing – yet I still have so much to learn. 

Lately I’ve been learning how to swim. Yep! You read that right – how to swim. I’m 32 years old and this year, I’m learning a new life skill. This was also number 41 on my 100 Things list. There were so many reasons why I wanted to learn this skill:

1. to save my own life (I’ve had a couple of near death experiences with drowning)
2. to be able to save my son’s life (God forbid that ever happens)
3. to be able to participate in The Amazing Race TV series (number 20 on my list). I’ve applied a couple of times and they never call me. So to increase my chances, knowing how to swim might help me get a phone call. I really want to test myself in that kind of environment. How strong mentally and physically am I really? Can I really do anything I put my mind to? A show like this that would really allow me to test myself. How competitive am I really? #OneDay
4. a new activity for me to keep fit
5. a means of getting to/from work/school/home 

In December 2014, I decided to learn how to ride a bike (number 99). One beautiful, sunny day, we were buying a bike for my husband and my son was just learning how to move the pedals. I didn’t want to be left behind. I wanted to buy a little girls bike with training wheels. But the sales lady wouldn’t let me. She insisted on teaching me. It took 1 phone call to make the appointment, $140 and 2 lessons. And the rest is history. I must admit, learning was scary. Mainly because I didn’t want to fall. But now, the feeling of riding is exhilarating. I love the freedom. The solitude. And the family rides – that we are yet to have. I’m still teaching my son how to ride. It’s been about 10 months since we took his training wheels off. He’s still learning and he’s getting there. But we’re not yet 100% confident that he can stop suddenly if he needs to and ride fully independently while we’re both on our bikes too. So one day, this will happen – My dream of getting on our bikes on a Sunday arvo and just riding. #MakingItHappen

  

  
     

One thing I tell my son is that everyone needs to learn something. As a parent, teaching your kids is one of the most important things. The fact that I showed him that I too need to learn how to ride a bike, hopefully in some way motivated him too. I must admit, he doesn’t really like trying new things. But slowly, he’s learning that new things are great.

I’m learning new things everyday, every week, every month and every year. So when you see an obstacle, think of the opportunity it brings. Find the reason why it came into your life. Embrace it. Make it work for you. #RemainOptimistic

Next on my list of skills to learn…

Number 72. Learn to drive a manual car

Once I learn that, I’ll be totally ready for my journey on The Amazing Race. #WatchMeWhip

Life’s a journey. Life is meant to be lived. What are you waiting for? Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Being grateful

  
I’ve developed a new sense of appreciation this week. 

I was always grateful for my blessings but I am now more grateful than ever before.

For the last 3 days, my husband was away for work. This meant a change in my usual routine. It’s not like I’ve never done it before but I don’t recall doing it for more than one day at a time, since my son started school this year.

So the change in my routine required me to also drop my son off to school and therefore start work a little later. In essence, that’s all it really was. Everything else was still the same (i.e. prepare lunches, school pick up, work from home, make dinner, housework and quality time etc) but this one addition to my schedule actually meant so much more. And without going into the boring details, after 3 days of this, I was overwhelmed, stressed, tired but more importantly – I was grateful. For all that I have is why I am, where I am today.

Grateful firstly to my husband who plays a huge and important part in my life and our family. Put simply, I couldn’t live without him. No words could explain how much I underestimated his role as a father and husband. He is my rock and my everything. My homie, lover, friend!

Also grateful for my son – who despite his occasional moments of naughtiness – is independent and helps me out whenever I need him. But he also shows us everyday what life is all about – by showing us never ending love and affection. 

My friends and colleagues who are single parents. You are stronger than you realise. I thought I was doing ok – but I’m nothing compared to you! You have struggles no-one would understand until they lived in your shoes. I tried living in your shoes and I couldn’t survive 3 days! You’re an inspiration to me!

Lastly – for my employer – as a whole, as a team and as an individual. My employer allows for flexibility where some employers wouldn’t. My team have helped wherever possible to assist me during this time. And individually, my boss has been understanding of my circumstances even though he does not have a child of his own.

It’s funny that we need wake up calls or to hit rock bottom before we realise what we have. 

We may not always think we have everything we need. And we always want more. But sometimes, what we need is right in front of our eyes and we just take it for granted. 

👪 Hug the ones you love.

👏🏽 Be grateful everyday.

😃 And smile.

🌈 Life is beautiful!

The BEST Ever! Part 2

  

Godly’s Corner was born because I was confident enough to voice my opinion and beliefs to the world. We all have an opinion and we are all entitled to them. Some people will voice them, some will write them (by this I mean, comments on social media, whether on their own or on someone else’s posts) , some will only share it with their nearest & dearest, some will mutter it to themselves and some will not say anything at all. 

We were all born different for a reason. Because the world would be boring if we all agreed with each other. There wouldn’t be competition against teams, there’d be no need for politicians and laws and we would all be like robots.

Some of us were born leaders, some born to be champions, some were born as kings and queens. On the flip side, sadly some were born without the same privileges that others have, some did not live nearly long enough to experience life in its entirety and some just lived to exist. 

I believe that today is the best day to do what you want! Yesterday has been and gone. You can’t keep looking back hoping you did things differently. Tomorrow may never come. So today, you have to learn from the past to be able to move forward.

I believe that today I am the best ever version of myself. I bring my best today and everyday! It won’t be perfect. I will make mistakes and I will have regrets. But I will learn from all of those things to keep improving. Don’t get me wrong, I have bad days too (just like everyone else). I just refuse to dwell on it. 

So even though someone doesn’t agree with you, this does not make them right. Heck – it doesn’t mean you’re right either. But it shouldn’t stop you. Be more of you and express yourself. Have your say. Live your life. YOLO.

Which brings me to Floyd Mayweather.

Some people don’t agree with him. Some people do. But who cares? Why are you hating on other people? When there’s YOU to live for? 

It’s like – if you don’t like chocolate, but you don’t like people who eat it. So you hate on them. Well hello?? Someone likes chocolate! Why do you have to care if they eat it and don’t get fat? Just eat that fruit that you love and be happy! Why do you have to comment and say “I hate people who eat whatever they want but don’t gain weight – whereas I just look at it and gain 2kgs”? What purpose does that comment serve? Nothing! Your opinion is valid. But doesn’t do anything for anyone! 

Consider this… Instead just do what makes you happy and be proud! “I love mangoes. They are so refreshing!” Now that positive comment says to the listener “hmmm, maybe I should eat a mango!” Again, your opinion is valid and I ask the same question – What does that opinion do for anyone? A LOT actually. You’ve encouraged someone to make a healthy choice! To try something new! 

So today, when you’re out there living your life… Do just that! Live your life. Be the best ever version of you and you will radiate that same positive vibe to the world. Is there anything wrong with that? Nope. You get to be happy. That makes others happy.

It’s like the saying “Happy wife – Happy life.”

Perhaps we could start a new one… “I’m happy when you’re happy!”

   

To be continued…

*Broken into parts because I have a lot to say. In the interest of keeping these short… This was necessary.

– Godly –
12 July 2015

The BEST Ever! Part 1

  

Let me take you to the beginning for a moment. Not when I was a baby, that’s too far back! I mean just where I’ve been until now…

I spent my childhood in a place where dreams were not everyone’s cup of tea. A suburb in Western Sydney that people now call ‘Struggle Street’.

Let me paint you a little picture… In the U.S.A., you may call it the Bronx (like J-Lo’s song Jenny from the Block), Michelle Pfeiffer made a movie called ‘Dangerous Minds’ which I could relate to, kids in my school were pregnant at 16, when you say you’re from Mt Druitt people say ‘really?’ because they have this stereotype of people from this neck of the woods and overall this area gets a bad name. Hence the recent SBS documentary, cleverly titled ‘Struggle Street’. 

I started working from the Australian legal age of 14 & 9 months at a local Chicken Shop to pay for cigarettes, alcohol, petrol and my Nissan Pulsar ’84. After finishing high school in 2001, I decided to move in with my boyfriend (now husband) and his family and get straight into the workforce. 

I went to school purely to finish my Higher School Certificate and had no intention of going to Uni or studying further. I had no interest in anything in particular back then (except my boyfriend.)

This basic education limited my ability to get a real job because of my lack of any qualification. The only thing I had was my strong work ethic.

This meant I chopped and changed jobs about 12 times. The shortest job was 8 hours. The longest was 6 years. I went from any job known to man that didn’t need a qualification; from the local take away chicken shop, food truck, cafe, retail shopkeeper, receptionist, IT, child care, insurance, debt collection, back to insurance and now a team assistant. Now this is the result of someone who didn’t take their education seriously. [Take note school kids].

But this also made me the person I am today by the jobs I’ve had, experiences in these jobs and more importantly, the people I’ve worked with who helped shape the person I am today! My colleagues and my bosses (who were not always the most supportive) have been my mentors and taught me a lot about life and myself. My colleagues and many are now life long friends were the ones who I shared my thoughts with, who I vent to, share lunches with and we always went shopping together. There weren’t always good people influencing me. Sometimes, I came across people who were no good and even managers and these people made me stronger. I believe that people cross your path for a reason. There is always a reason! Make sure you pay attention to that reason.

That’s my life in a nutshell. My life, my journey, my future will all be revealed in my blog.

Now this brings me to today.

I have strong beliefs and I will voice them if I feel the need. My friends and family, won’t always agree and will set me straight too. If they weren’t my real friends, they would shut their mouth in front of me and laugh behind my back.

Only recently have I discovered my purpose in life and my path. I am now well on my way. I am happier everyday. Appreciating all the blessings in my life.

As you now know, I haven’t always been blessed. I have had some really tough experiences in my life and those will make their way to my blog in time. I’ve got as long as I have left to live, to share with you all. If my time comes too soon – then so be it – but I will die happy.

Recently the world saw the much anticipated fight of the century between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao on the 2nd May 2015. I had no real interest in boxing until this point for 2 reasons:

1. I like Floyd. [More on this in Part 2]
2. Manny is Filipino and so am I. Although I like to call myself Aussie.

I jumped on the bandwagon and watched the fight because it was gonna be a good fight! 

The reason I was on TMT that day is because of my beliefs. Despite what people said to me before that fight, that day at the pub and to this day as I wear Floyd’s victory jumper; despite all that, I will hold my head up high and stand up for my beliefs.

  
For without that, I wouldn’t be true to myself. I would be hiding under a shell pretending to be something I’m not – and I ain’t doing that! I will take the good with the bad. And this is why I chose Godly’s Corner as my blog name (also thanks to my husband for the suggestion). I chose it because of the boxing analogy. This is me in my blue corner. You (the world) are in the red corner.

Hit me with your best shot!

To be continued…

*Broken into parts because I have a lot to say. In the interest of keeping these short… This was necessary.

– Godly –
1 July 2015