We all have our own path to follow in life. For some the path to be taken is obvious from an early age, for others it comes via their career path and through job opportunities. Some people ‘like me’ take a while longer to work out where they need to be. No matter how we come to realise our chosen path, it takes courage to be successful because successful people recognise their own strengths, gifts and abilities as well as weaknesses, opportunities challenges to overcome.
Attitude is a key factor in achieving our own goal in life. If you think you’ll fail, you probably will, those who believe in who they are and what they do, will succeed eventually. Maybe not the first time and it may take many more times of trying but they’ll believe in themselves and strive for success.
My work within social housing and adult education, together with my voluntary work has been a solid foundation for me finding my personal and professional path. In turn this has helped me lead and take HEALS (Help Empowerment And Local Support) over the last two and a half years to the next level. It’s meant facing all kinds of personal and professional challenges, all of which have tested my belief in the organisation, my personal resilience and has at times meant rethinking the goals. However, giving up has never been an option because what HEALS does and the effect and impact it has on people’s lives, is far too important
HEALS started as an idea and from a recognised missing need. Over time, through events, talking and listening to those who come to us for help, encouragement and support and through our developing and increasing partnerships, we’ve developed projects that are unique and innovative.
It’s not been all plain sailing, nothing ever is, there have been those who for their own reasons have not supported or seen the benefits of what HEALS does and at the start I used to find this difficult to cope with but not anymore.
As we approach a New Year, we each have the chance to write a new chapter; the future is what we choose to write. We can begin positively or in doubt, it’s our choice. I’ll be starting 2014 on a positive note and attitude. Who knows where it will lead? One thing’s for sure it can only lead to success for everyone but most importantly for those who are helped, encouraged and supported.
I now realise that when people become negative about something that delivers positive results, it says much more about their attitude and self belief because “When you dance to your own rhythm, people may not understand you; they may even hate you but mostly they’ll wish they had the courage to do the same!”
alisoncrossjones 