I’ve just finished a short session on my rebounder and I’m feeling refreshed and invigorated. I enjoy being able to work out without the need to leave home, wear special clothing or fit in with someone else’s schedule. It’s a gentle form of exercise that doesn’t overtax my muscles and joints but still provides good aerobic benefits.

I almost missed out on this valuable resource because the first time I tried one it gave me an almighty migraine headache, so I wrote it off as an unsuitable way for me to exercise. For years I believed this and put it out of my mind as being at all useful. Then I read an article that mentioned the number and placement of springs and the quality of the mat as being important in how efficiently a rebounder worked. When I saw a second-hand brand-name model for sale I thought I’d give it another go. The results were vastly different from the first time round and I realised that I had found a method of exercise which would work for me.

I still had to overcome one barrier though, and that was that it wasn’t a part of my regular routine yet. As long as it sat in the garage it was too much of an effort to remember it and drag it into the house. Placing it beside the bed in the spare room made it more accessible and it became more likely that I would use it. The last hurdle to surmount was boredom, and I tackled that one by putting on a CD of catchy music with a regular beat that encouraged me to keep up a good pace. Being able to sing along to the CD also made it less of a chore and more fun.

I found I could apply the lessons I learnt through this to any type of activity that might improve my life:

• don’t give up if something new doesn’t work; you might just need more information or a different method that suits you better
• always be alert to opportunities to grow
• a new way of thinking or acting won’t make a difference if you don’t practice it regularly; make a commitment
• take actions which make it easier to remember the new habit you want to develop
• self-development shouldn’t be a chore; find a way of making it enjoyable

What self-development projects could you look at in a new way?

How can you best support your commitment to develop healthy habits of thought and action?

Send your comments through the Contact Marian page

There aren’t many flowers in the garden at the moment so I tend to focus my attention on the few there are and concentrate on challenging myself to get a good photo in the unpredictable winter weather. A few days ago I decided to photograph the same two azaleas from a range of different angles to see which one worked best in the dim light of a murky afternoon. Contrary to my assumptions, the diffused light actually worked in my favour as there were no washed out areas and no unwanted shadows intruding. However, it also meant there was no ‘natural’ direction to take the shot from as there was no distinct source of light.

Instead I persevered and photographed them from above, below, straight on, at an angle and from every side. Sometimes I made the larger of the two the focal point, with the smaller one at the side setting it in context, and at others I gave the smaller flower greater prominence, with the larger one providing a lovely frame for it. To do this well I set aside all of my preconceptions about what a good photo should look like and simply explored the possibilities. I enjoyed the process immensely as I removed any expectations from the results and tried out different views of the same two delicate flowers with an open mind as to what the outcome would be. Surprisingly, I didn’t come up with just one good photo. There were several that really stood out and each of them was distinctly different to the others. By approaching my task lightly and leaving aside my expectations I generated a far greater range of usable options.

It made me think that this same approach is one that can be applied to looking at any situation in our life, solving a problem, or making a decision. Eliminating our assumptions, removing rigid expectations of the outcomes, and looking at the difficulty from a range of different viewpoints helps us to generate a much broader range of possibilities and solutions. Why not try it: the results may be surprising.

What unexpected results have you had from looking at a situation from differnt angles?

Share your ideas by emailing me on the Contact Marian page

I love trying out new recipes, particularly those that allow me to use the fresh produce from our extensive veggie garden. I spend ages trawling internet sites to find just the right combinations of ingredients and the optimal balance of nutrients. Over the last couple of years I’ve experimented with a range of amazing taste sensations, some of which have found their way into my regular cooking repertoire.

This week I served something different for afternoon tea at our book group. It was interesting to see the response when I said that the platter in pride of place on the dining table contained beetroot and chocolate muffins! Some adventurous types immediately picked up a plate and helped themselves, relishing the opportunity to partake of a new flavour experience. Others were seen to quietly, but resolutely step away from the table and the gorgeous goodies resplendent upon it.

I wondered afterwards what difference it would have made if I had referred to the muffins by their ‘correct’ name of Red Velvet. I’m sure there would have been a more positive reaction and a more widespread acceptance of something unfamiliar. In fact, after tasting the unusual offerings and learning of their ‘true’ nature some people would have been surprised at how much they had actually enjoyed them.

Sometimes our perception of the value and worth of experiences is affected by the words we use to categorise and describe them. The names we give to things also determines how we feel about them and whether or not we think they are worth our attention. This includes how we depict ourselves. If we refer to ourselves in derogatory terms we will act and react differently to life’s challenges than if we speak about ourselves in positive, uplifting terms that empower, inspire and motivate us.

What words do you use to define yourself and yoru life? Are they working for you? How could you tweak them to help you live with more flair and fulfilment?

Please post comments on my Contact Marian page

We often hear an abusive or deprived childhood used to explain a person’s tendency towards violence or a life of crime as an adult. New Zealand’s Most Trusted Person 2011, Sir Ray Avery, isn’t one of those people. In an interview in the Dompost earlier this week he made only passing mention of being beaten by his parents, growing up in orphanages and doing poorly at school due to glue ear, dyslexia and untreated short-sightedness. 

He didn’t refer to the fact that he ran away at the age of 12, living rough in London for eight months. Tellingly, this was the first time in his life he has said he had ever felt safe. Instead he focused on the wonderful teacher at the agricultural school he then attended, acknowledging him as ‘the first good human being’ he had come across. This man saw the good in the troubled young man and recognised his skills, urging him to use those skills and achieve his potential. What an amazing impact his acceptance and encouragement had. Another meaning of the word ‘encourage’ is ‘to give confidence’. What a wonderful gift for one human being to give to another.

Further reading turned up the fact that Sir Ray Avery is now a well-known, highly respected scientist who focuses on improving health and reducing poverty in Third World countries through his inventions and interventions. He is also a man who finds a great deal of joy and purpose in his young family. He holds no rancour when considering his former existence: rather he counts his blessings in meeting a man who turned his life around.

Self esteem is based on knowing we are worthwhile, capable people. This level of self-acceptance leads to a greater acceptance of others and a desire to contribute to their wellbeing.

Today is Self-Esteem Day ~ http://selfesteemday.com/ ~

What can you do today to increase your own self-esteem, self-worth and self-efficacy?

What can you do today to positively impact on the self-esteem and wellbeing of another person?

Please send your comments on the Contact Marian page