Your HEALTH is your WEALTH

31 Dec Your HEALTH is your WEALTH

Acquiring wealth is a goal for many. I was never one to be like everyone else so wealth is not high on my list of priorities. Work to live, not live to work is a huge motto of mine. Anyone who knows my lifestyle knows that I am all about experiencing life – from the moment I wake up, I am grateful for everything I can see, smell, hear, touch and taste. Be that sunshine, rain clouds, cold temperatures, decaying leaves, it’s all part of life. I take pleasure from many simple things in my day as if you don’t, then you are forgetting to experience your surroundings. Stopping to smell the roses is a very real thing.

Physical Health & Well being

Mum visiting me at work onboard Seabourn Encore, in Milford Sound, New Zealand

I have been blessed to have been able to spend 3 months this year with my Mum in Hong Kong – to learn of her past and how she came to meet my Dad. I love hearing stories of my Dad. I love even more to hear stories from my Mum – because she is still here to talk with and ask questions and interact with. From this recent 3-month journey with my Mum, I realise that she has aged from our last big adventure together. I remember a time we did a 2-month trip through Europe and we walked. Everyday. Long distances. Stairs. Climbed snow-capped mountains. On this particular trip to Hong Kong, in the intense heat of Summer, after a full day of walking, my Mum is now tired. She still gives everything a good go….but she is definitely tired.

First time kayaking together in Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand

I’ve now had the privilege to have Mum with me while working on the ship – Seabourn Encore – cruising together from Sydney to Auckland. This is Mum’s first visit to New Zealand and she had quite a few “firsts” on this trip 🙂 She is such a good sport about me pushing her out of her comfort zone…. Despite the ice cold torrential rain at Milford Sound, she still came out on my zodiac to get up close to the hundreds of waterfalls channelling down the walls of this incredible fiord. She also did her first kayak with me in Queen Charlotte Sound on the north end of the South Island. Seeing the other guests onboard the Encore, with an average age of 76 years, I can see how tired many of the guests are in their golden years and it reminds me that life is finite, so we must make the most of it. And I am continually inspired by those who remain super active and push me to walk up those hills and hold my planks in the gym 30 seconds longer!

Spotting a seal in Kaikoura, New Zealand

Physical health is connected to mental health. By doing physical activity, endorphins that make you feel good, are released into your body – giving you that happy feeling most of us seek. Choose an activity you enjoy: yoga, swimming, running, kayaking, kite surfing, outrigging, mountain biking, simply walking – and the good mental health will follow….

Mental Health & Well being

Talk. Talking is a hugely therapeutic thing. Not many people are very good at it, but it’s an essential thing. Listening is also important. I do think it’s hard to find another person who is a willing and active listener, so when you find someone like that, make sure you utilise them. It’s surprising how many of your own internal dilemmas of bad decisions or bad feelings can be cleared up through the simple act of talking. If you don’t have anyone like that in your life, then reach out to a professional. But remember, just because they are a professional does not mean they will automatically be a good person for you to talk with either. They are human too, and if you don’t find a connection with that professional, seek another. Until you find one that suits your personality to talk with. And never let anyone make you feel inferior. Eliminate all negative, judgemental people out of your life as they will bring you nothing good. Finding a person you can talk with freely and know you can say all your thoughts and feelings can offer you such clarity in how you see yourself as a person and how you want to be.

I just finished watching a series called “13 Reasons Why”. It is a powerful series that showcases a lot of issues that are never discussed. And although these issues were shot in the realm of being a teenager, many of what is portrayed can be applied to all aspects of our lives – as a teen or an adult. For me, it confirmed the importance of having self-love of who you are as a person. And to know that you can NOT control what others think or say about you. So, you must remember that and know that there are others out there that think the world of you and will support you through anything and love you for who you are. They just might not be able to convey it in words or appropriate actions. Likewise, if you do appreciate someone in your life, it is VERY important that you make that clear to that person – don’t hide it or be afraid to tell them. If more people could communicate openly and honestly with each other, there would be so much less confusion, self-doubt and misunderstandings in this world.

Don’t take people in your life for granted.

THE Great Wall of China with some Great People in my life – my sister & my Mum XO

My goals are also to surround myself with genuine, positive people who actually care about me as a person. And if people can’t take the time to see me for who I really am and appreciate me for all that, then they can stay far far away from me. Life is too short on this planet, so ensure you are internally HAPPY with your life and who you are as a person. If there is something that makes you unhappy, make a change. YOUR life, is in your hands, and although this sounds cheesy – be the change you want to see in the world!

Health affects us ALL

For the past week, I have been suffering from an impact injury I suffered onboard where I have potentially damaged my intercostal muscles between my ribs. Not to be a Drama Queen, but do you know how much you utilise these muscles every day? Every cough, sneeze, belly laugh, simply opening doors, lifting a back pack, rolling over in bed, even tying my shoe laces – all cause me pain right now. I can’t even enjoy snorkelling – that’s how much this hurts! The moral of the story?

Don’t take your health for granted.

Can’t have rainbows without the rain! At Milford Sound, New Zealand. Enjoy every moment that you can – take nothing for granted!

We ALL have times in our life when it feels like everything is out of our control and the world is against us. But try to wake each day and spend 2 mins thinking about what you DO have instead of what you don’t have. There is always something you can be grateful for. Simple things. Like being able to breath. Being able to feel your toes. Being able to see the sky. Practice the art of GRATITUDE every day. And then before going to sleep at night reflect on the “3 Best Things” of your day. And again, they don’t have to be huge moments in your day. Simple things. Like a butterfly flew in front of my face. Eating chocolate. Seeing the sunset. Smile about these moments and have sweet dreams.

Aim for the furtherest stars & the tallest tree tops!

At the end of the day, our health, be it mental or physical, can’t be bought. It is truly the only thing people of all economic backgrounds have in common because you are not untouchable from ill health no matter how much money you have. It’s a humbling thought really. So, take care of your health. Make good decisions regarding your diet, your exercise regime and most importantly, how you approach life. Life is unpredictable, so be adaptable. Whatever hand is dealt to you, remember to be grateful for what you have, be positive and love yourself for who you are, flaws and all.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us – Joseph Campbell

Snorkeling photo credit: Aliscia Young – find her at www.galaxiid.com or facebook.com/galaxiid or Insta: galaxiid_creative