What is Positive Change?

This post may not be about activity, surfing, riding or being within or outside our Radius, but there is a point to this post and I hope it might have a positive message too. 

I listened to @theridecompanion podcast yesterday,  one I highly recommend, and they were talking about the stories behind instagram posts. Why we post essentially. Who is it for?  Is it seeking validation, to out do people, etc? I must admit sometimes I wonder myself why I post. Well here's a story behind a  photo I posted on instagram and I hope it helps people thinking about making positive change in their lives.

Five years ago I made a choice to leave another stressful job that affected my mental and physical state, it certainly wasn't healthy for my family life. I had no life. In fact whilst teaching here in Cornwall, then charity work and then finally hospitality it was mostly full of stress and mental fatigue.  After reaching a low place I decided to go back to into construction as a labourer. I have a degree, I'm a qualified post 16 teacher, I've won hundreds of thousands in funding bids for projects, led successful projects, changed lives and most of it brought me unhappiness through stress.

Since then I've learnt so many new skills, I've helped to restore old buildings, laid beautiful slate roofs, faced buildings in lovely cornish granite, I've had a proper laugh and still do. I work with some top blokes who are so unpolitically correct it's hysterical, the banter is, lets just say gross misconduct in any other business.

The work is proper tough at times,  and physically I'm not getting any younger but thanks to the lads I work with I learn every day and thats an opportunity.  

I go home and see my family, I sit and eat dinner every night with my family, I ride bikes, surf, walk, cook, watch TV, and relax when I want not when some rota or deadline allows.

But here's the real message. In  five years I have not got home with a single stressful thought. My only responsibility is to love and provide for my family. My sleep is better (although never been great), but my mind is clear and I'm creating again.

The story behind this photo is one of change. Yes I earn less money, but success is how I see it, not others.  We're having our first family holiday abroad this year  and it's going to be great.
 If I hadn't made the change, I would not have a family now, and I would not have a life.  The only person who can make posotive change is you and you'll have to make the tough decision. But I hope you have the support in your family and friends, talk to them, make some plans, and remember that change will mean a positive change for everything else you love. 
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