An interesting magazine for all things massage:

http://www.massageworld.co.uk/

My friend sent me this to me and pointed out that I am often saying ‘you just have to get your gumption out’.  It does tend to be my favourite saying and often used when the only barrier there is is fear...

Word of the Day for Wednesday, July 13, 2011 gumption \GUHMP-shuhn\, noun:

1. Initiative; aggressiveness; resourcefulness.
2. Courage; spunk; guts.

I've had the gumption to make the money, but I haven't the gumption to spend it.
-- Anthony Trollope, Dr. Thorne

You're just one of those sweet boobs without any gumption to fight back.
-- Fannie Hurst, The stories of Fannie Hurst

Gumption comes from a Scottish term, possibly deriving from the Old Norse gaumr, "attention, heed."

This is from an article in the Guardian last Saturday entitled ‘The happiness business’ that was talking about “A lack of workplace wellbeing costs the country £26bn a year, but will the government’s new measure make our offices nicer environments?”

“The absence of wellbeing in the workplace is costly.  In government’s recent Foresight Programme study on mental capital and wellbeing, it was estimated that sickness absence, presenteeism (being present at work but contributing little added vale to the business) and labour turnover cost the country about £26bn a year.  Incidences of stress-related sickness absence have also risen, replacing backache as the main source of work illness, with 40% of incapacity benefits (the biggest source) attributed to mental ill health and stress.  Indeed, the 2009 Boorman review for the NHS into health and wellbeing indicated savings of over £555m could be made from reduced sickness absence if healthier work environments were created.”

A friend sent this through to me this week as we had been talking about things only happening when we take the leap towards them.

‘Until one is committed there is hesitancy,
the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth,
the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour
all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance,
which no man could have dreamt would come his way.
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.'
 
Goethe

Goethe

I’ve been talking with some clients who are venturing into completely new territory and this resonated with me having done this myself a few years ago.

I spent 10+ years in a very different career and this formed a huge part of my identity.  Moving into my current area has been a wonderful but challenging process because you are shedding what you were and evolving into something new.

Whilst my history has led me to where I am today, where I am now is a very different place and by letting go of what used to define me is a huge part of embracing that. 

I’ve learnt not to underestimate these changes as to the impact they have and the time they take.  What has been key for me is finding things to support you and focus you will help you through.

An interesting snippet from the blog of Suzanne Scurlock-Durana . Whilst I do find this slightly ethereal I do believe that being present enables us to experience moments and face the joy and despair that life can bring.  

http://massagemag.com/massage-blog/presence-matters/2011/06/30/trusting-in-the-flow-of-lifes-energy-during-challenging-times/

Some wise words on Fascia and living in our heads from Dr Frank Lipman... 

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-2451/Why-Yoga-Works-What-Is-Fascia-Why-It-Matters.html

I was a bit hesitant to draw attention to this as I do not agree with Bucholz's view on stress and the rat race but it is worth reading this article I found today;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-13791271

I think that you should question what stress means to you and your life.  Also, we all have different motivators, careers, pressures, ambitions and so our lives and stress triggers will be different.  A certain level of stress is good for us because it provides us with drive and motivation but when it starts to affect how we function, how we feel and our physiology, particularly for a prolonged period, then it is not good for us.