Hi Pogue,

Just a short note this morning really as it’s late on Sunday and I’ve had a hectic weekend. But it’s nice to get a letter especially if it’s intended to encourage☺️

I was driving in the week and an old M People song came on. I remember it from a very well made TV advert based around the chorus which asked: “What have you done today to make yourself feel proud?”.

The advert showed, amongst other things, a fireman emerging from a burning building carrying a puppy and a person rushing in front of a lorry to save a child. Acts of huge personal courage we will agree. And as the year goes by I’m sure we can look back and remember remarkable acts and feats, things we are sure would have left people feeling a real sense of achievement and thus proud of what they had done.

But we don’t have to realise such large things or do feats of bravery to allow ourselves to feel pride. No, seemingly small things can allow us to experience pride if we would allow it. Maybe not eating the wrong things, turning down fast food in favour of a home cooked meal. Or putting on our training shoes and going for a jog instead spending more time on social media. Perhaps lending a few minutes to help someone. There are so many small things that we can feel good about if we would but allow ourselves.

Have pride in how far you have come. Have faith in how far you can go

Kristen Bishope

Small steps taken consciously. Little achievements that you allow yourself to witness. Me, I’m back running and the first few outings were short trips. But I set realistic targets, took a sensible pace and ran there and back. I didn’t ask to much of myself so that I risk failure. And I felt good. A month later and I’m running up hills. But again, keeping to realistic targets.

Of course there are some real challenges out there too overcome if we choose to commit. But there’s plenty in our every days to find pride in.

Yours, feeling good this Monday morning,

Wic