Jem Publishing

Life ain’t nothin’ but a funny kinda riddle …

Ever felt totally out of place?? Waaaayyy out of your depth, your comfort zone??

I do. Most days in fact. That is not a joke.

So the other day this country chick from Hicksville (alright, a slight exaggeration, regional Tasmania is hardly Hicksville … whatever) flew to the thriving, bustling, busy metropolis that is Melbourne.

I stayed for two days. It was a big two days.

This was no junket, I was there for a reason – to see and spend some time with the one and only Craig Anthony Harper (top Australian motivational speaker, author, health and fitness expert, life-renovation guru, asker of rather confronting questions and all-round good guy). We are working on his latest book – it’s all very exciting.

Over the two days I ran the gamut of emotions: nervousness, fear, amazement, surprise, embarrassment (that was a lot), envy, shock, optimism, apprehension, despair and irritation.

To name but a few.

But mostly, I felt like a total fish out of water. I didn’t belong there. I was awkward and clumsy, very uncool and totally self-conscious.

I realise all these emotions were totally of my own making. Except for a couple of key moments (for my own good), no-one tried to make me feel uncomfortable … I just was. 

But I learnt a lot. About myself, about others, about Craig and his team. Some things I already knew, but they were really hammered home over the two days. Here’s a snapshot.

1. I have some graphic design ability – there seemed to be a resounding positive response to my designs.

2. I have compliment-acceptance issues. There were some positive comments which I felt were said with great honesty and sincerity and I was surprised to find it confusing. In my head, I found myself justifying or qualifying (watering down) those comments.

3. Good people will bring you up, not tear you down. And postivity is contageous.

4. It’s much easier to cop criticism if it’s said in a respectful, helpful, focused way (and it was). Just put on your big-girl pants and suck it up.

5. My short-hair may be a contributer to my not feeling very feminine. Kind of a weird conversation, that one! Suffice to say: tough shit, I’m not growing it.

6. I am socially disabled! Nuf said.

7. I’m a big scaredy-pants when it comes to taking risks.

8. Craig surrounds himself with positive, vibrant, happy, interested, interesting, fun people.

9. I don’t really know what I want in my life.

10.  I am slightly distressed at the sight of Craig weight-training. It’s kind of scary. And funny. But scary.

11.  My body is probably not in as bad shape as I think.

12.  Don’t tell Melbourneans how good the property prices are in Tassie, they’ll want to buy up.

In all honesty, I had a great couple of days. It was confronting and uncomfortable, but it was also pleasantly surprising and enjoyable. Johnny and the rest of the team were very welcoming and if I wasn’t so busy feeling so incredibly nervous, I would have felt right at home.

Bugger! I have some things to work on (apart from the book) …