Last week I headed across town to see a gig up at the Union Chapel – super cool venue if you haven’t been, plus they can’t sell alcohol on site so stops you overdoing it on the booze!
Anyhow, the gent I was there to see is called Tom Baxter, and his new album is called The Uncarved Block. I hadn’t really given much thought to the title or lyrics, but during the gig he explained a bit more about it.
Won’t bore you too much with the details but the basic gist (taken from the Chinese philosophy of Taoism) is that we are all born as an uncarved block of wood, then as we go through life different things chip away and shape us. Relationships, experiences, events and so on.
The concept of being a chunk of wood appealed to me.
The way I see it, everything that happens in life happens for a reason, and makes us the person that we are. More than that, it also means that we can continue to shape and change who we are by picking the relationships and experiences which will get us closer to who we want to be.
Bit deep I know.
I guess what I’m saying is to make sure you’re spending your time in the right way, on the right things and with the right people. If you want to be a more positive and content person, surround yourself with people who either are that way themselves, or encourage you to be that way.
Likewise if you want to feel better about yourself, be more confident and content, then spend time on achieving that every day. Move more, eat well and your body will thank you for it, and you’ll chip away at your block.
Day after day, small changes add up and over time amount to big changes. So this weekend, get your hammer and chisel out and start to chip away the bits you don’t need. The negative people, the food you crave then almost immediately regret.
Instead focus on positive things, get outside and go for a run or long walk with your family, spend a little more time planning and cooking a really nice, healthy meal. Meet with good friends for a glass of wine.
By Monday, your block will look a little bit different, and as a result so will you. And that is just the start.
If you feel like you need some help, I’m a regular pro with the chisel. Get in touch and we can put together a plan to get you where you want to be.
Ian “Geppetto” Male
Ps. I’ve put the song below, get your lug ‘oles around it and let me know what you think.
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Greenwich Training
Personal Training & Group Fitness in Greenwich, Blackheath and South East London.