But first, just in case you’re not familiar with W E B Du Bois.

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was a noted American scholar, historian, author and editor. He made significant contributions to debates about race, politics, and history in the United States in the first half of the 20th century, primarily through his writing and impassioned speaking on human rights.

He understood what change meant, how to bring it about and the challenges making changes may bring.

Here’s his famous quote; 

“The most important thing to remember is this:
To be ready at any moment to give up what you are
For what you might become.”

This simply means that we should not fear making changes in our lives – we should be ready to take hold of any opportunity for change to enhance our lives, as this change may make us a better person, a healthier person, a more positive person, one who embraces all of life.

We are all constantly going through periods of change even though we don’t realise it.

Unfortunately, most of us don’t relate to change or transformation very well. We run from it, even when that change or transformation is good for us. Well known Wellness Coach Wayne Pickstone, who is one of my mentors, talks about some of the things to consider when you are facing change or trying to decide whether or not to take that firststep:

1. You need conviction and commitment to make change. Make up your mind to change and make those changes.

2. You should be honest with yourself about what needs to be changed and reflect on how you are going to react to that change.

3. You have to realize that you are the only person who can bring about change in your life. No one else can do it for you. They can be supportive, but you have to do the work. You have to take action.

4. You can always benefit from having a strong support network around you. Being with people who understand what you are going through will help immensely.

If we take the easy way and don’t face up to our challenges, we’re going to find disappointment. With our 20/20 hindsight, we’ll wish we could go back in time and do a better job, try a little harder. But then sometimes it’s too late! You can never go back – life is always changing and the next phase is always just about to begin.

And that brings us to your health. How you treat your body today, affects your future! You can’t wait until you have diabetes, a stroke, a heart attack, or some other serious health problem and wish that you could go back in time to make the changes in your lifestyle that were available to you. When the opportunity arises to create the healthy, happy, and lengthy life you want, start making those changes today, so you don’t have regrets tomorrow!

So my “proposal” to you is to write down all that you don’t like about your health. Now you have a starting place because as they change you’ll be able to cross them off your list. Remember from the four dot points above, you need commitment, honesty, action and support. The first 3 are all about you and the last point is where our Centre can help enormously.

Also throughout future blogs you’ll be given advice that will help you to create the health that you have longed for, but like anything knowledge is useless unless it’s put into ACTION.

Wishing you the best of health

Wesley

The main causes of stress according to the report which surveyed 1,382 people aged 18 and over were said to be difficulties at work and financial stress. So presumably if we could afford to have more holidays we'd all feel much better! Talking of holidays, I'm sure you have experienced the same increased sense of peace and clarity of mind that comes from a relaxing holiday as I have. Problems that seemed insurmountable before you go away suddenly have obvious solutions. Projects you have been putting off for a while now get completed. You laugh and smile more, life is more fun. Why does this happen?

The short answer: because it makes you feel good… at least temporarily, and that’s reason enough to keep smoking if you, like 15% of Australian Adults, are a smoker. If choosing to smoke was logical decision nobody would do it, but feeling good never has had much to do with logic!

The crucial thing that's so often not understood and why quitting often doesn’t work is...