I wasn’t sure if I should write my blog this week. I’m in the middle of a week off work, my one and only for the year probably but writing has become such a habit that I can’t actually stop myself. Not writing is making me feel anxious and unsettled so this edition is for the benefit of my family and their enjoyment of ‘Mum on holiday’.

It’s funny how things become so ingrained in our lives that we feel incomplete without them. It’s almost 2 years to the day since I started writing once a week. The first few blogs were so hard to write and I didn’t even post them anywhere socially. I would put them on my website for accountabilities sake and that was it. Now there are people who only know me through my blog which is strange and exciting in equal measures.  

When I’m on holiday I like to read. If I had my way there would be more reading than anything else but taking the kids to the beach is still a two parent job. The kids are getting better at not drowning but we still have to be pretty attentive when they’re playing in the surf. A spa sized rock pool near a sandy knook is the perfect combination of natural landforms for our family right now - the kids can swim and I can read.

I have just finished reading “Will” by Will Smith and Mark Manson. An odd choice but I’m quite a bit fan of Mark Manson (the author of ‘The subtle art of not giving a fuck’) and do have very fond memories of driving around the Marlborough Sounds (NZ) as a kid listening to ‘Boom, Shake the Room’ on cassette. From memory it was Christmas time and we had to alternate cassettes between the kids (Fresh Prince, MC Hammer) and adults (Cliff Richard’s Christmas Album).

I had no real expectations with ‘Will’ but ended up reading it in 4 days, which is quick when you have to fit in days at the beach, the kids not going to bed till some ridiculous hour and generally being social with my family. The book is a chronological account of Will Smith’s life told by Will. I felt like Mark Manson's influence was the articulation of the larger, overarching messages and lessons that Will experienced throughout his career.

Will Smith had (has) an amazing career. I hadn’t really given his rise to ‘super movie star’ much thought, he has alway just kind of been there throughout my life. First as a musician, he was the first rapper to not swear and invite in a mainstream (white) audience which won him and DJ Jazzy Jeff the first ever Grammy for ‘Best Rap Performance’ in 1988. He starred in his own TV show “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” which was one of the highest grossing sitcoms of its time and finished on a high after 6 seasons. He then ventured into the movie world and almost every movie he was in hit a new record at the box office - Independence day, Men in Black, Ali, I am Legend…

This is all pretty common knowledge but it’s obviously the stories behind the success which made this book such an interesting read. Will is extremely passionate about everything that he does. None of it ‘just happened’. When rap was just starting to emerge in the early 80’s he was spending every waking moment writing rhymes, he filled notebook after notebook, studying what other rappers were doing and battling anyone and everyone he could. He approached ‘becoming a rapper’ like an elite athlete.

He approached all of his life’s goals with this same dedication and vigour - and sometimes to his own detriment. Being successful is just as addictive as anything else and there are many moments where he was ashamed of his behaviour. He is very honest about this, doesn’t try to sugar coat it or put a spin on it so it doesn’t sound as bad as it really was. I liked the honesty and the realisation when he knew he’d fucked up.

I think all of us can resonate with that. That strange, sinking feeling when something isn’t right. When you behave in a way that doesn’t represent your values. I do it all the time. That’s why it's important to check in with yourself regularly. Am I on the right path? Am I working towards something I actually want? What do I want? What do I need?

New Year’s is traditionally the time to reflect on where you are at in life. The start of a new year gives you the opportunity to start afresh. 2022 is a strange one. We’re lucky enough to have gotten out of our regular routine and hang out at the beach for the week. I’ve been desperately trying to avoid the news as the Covid cases rocket higher and higher every single day. While I want my goals for 2022 to be big and bold I have a feeling that next year will be another year of ‘survive’ rather than ‘thrive’.

I wish good health for my family and friends. I hope Frank can start Grade 1 and Alice can go to Kinda. I hope my work can continue to pay me a reasonable wage. I hope that TinyOffice can afford to hire someone to help Matt. I hope I can see my NZ family.

I hope you welcomed in the new year with the ones closest and dearest to you!