by admin | 5 Sep, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Inspiration
We all want to feel that we belong. It’s one of the greatest desires of the human experience. When we feel supported, surrounded by wonderful people, and part of something, we feel unstoppable. When we don’t, life can be a struggle and a challenge. I know for me, in a loving relationship, as a member of a family, as a footballer in a team, as a part of a business group, and as a part of friendship groups, there’s nothing better than knowing that I am part of ‘one of us’.
Last Sunday afternoon, I was helping set up before our Church service. I was taking some rubbish down, and out into the back alleyway where the rubbish bins were located. As I walked out the door, I was confronted with quite a disturbing sight. The big rubbish bin had been emptied and the rubbish strewn all over the ground. I looked at it with disgust and thought, I can’t leave it that way. So, I went back upstairs to put on some rubber gloves so I could go back down and put all the rubbish back into the bin.
This, by the way, is the same venue that we feed the homeless on a Wednesday night. Often, homeless people in the area go through the bins to see if they can find anything of value for them. When I went back out to start refilling the bin, there was another guy who was picking up rubbish and putting it into the bin. He looked at me and said, I saw the disgusted look on your face when you looked at the rubbish and thought I would help. I thanked him, and together we started putting rubbish back in the bin.
At one point, I introduced myself to him. What he then said to me, inspired this blog. He said, my name is Jai, and I’m ‘one of them‘. By ‘one of them’, he meant that he was homeless and not a valuable member of society. My partner Kate was with me at the time, and both of us immediately said to him, You are definitely ‘one of us’. We are all just doing the best we can. Thank you so much for helping.
Over the next 10 minutes or so, as Jai and I put the rubbish back into the bin, we had a nice conversation. He told me about his situation and his circumstances. I was able to go and get him some food, I invited him to come to the Church service, I told him about our community dinners on a Wednesday night, and I assured him that he was a valuable human, and absolutely ‘one of us’.
This experience really affected me. It made me think about all the people out there who don’t feel accepted, valued, or that they belong. My message is a simple one, and it is for you. No matter what you might be going through, no matter what conflict may be happening in your life, no matter what struggles you might be experiencing, you are absolutely valued, loved and, without a doubt, ‘one of us’.
It is my hope that you are inspired by this blog to go out and help every person you meet feel like they are also ‘one of us’. All it takes is a smile. It only requires a word of encouragement. Just an offer to help in a small way makes all the difference. One simple and single random act of kindness can change someone’s day. All these little things are so easy to do and help people feel like they are ‘one of us’.
My two podcasts this week will definitely help you feel you are ‘one of us’, and I hope will inspire you to help other people feel the same. I speak with Emily Chidiac in a podcast called, Celebrate every step, and Rand Selig in a podcast called, Redefining success. As you look in the mirror today, I ask that you look hard to see someone who is valued, someone who has unique gifts, someone who is loved, and someone who is definitely ‘one of us’.
by admin | 29 Aug, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
Have you noticed the impact words have on your life? Have you ever felt inspired, encouraged, and empowered to take action and do something great? On the flipside, have you ever felt discouraged, anxious, angry, or hopeless? I think it would be fair to say we all experience all of these emotions, and many others. It’s these emotions that move us into action or inaction, and all emotions are triggered by words. Make no mistake about it, whether empowering or destructive, words always work.
I know this stuff, I practice this stuff, yet I’m still impacted by words. I think, as humans, all of us are, no matter how developed we are in this space and how much we think we know. Words still and will always have an impact on us. I had a recent experience that reminded me of this powerful message. I was out training the other morning. It was leg day and leg day hurts. I was doing some high step ups out of the sand down at the beach. It’s actually quite impressive, if I do say so myself.
As always, whilst training, people jog, walk, and ride past. I enjoy the social aspect of my morning exercise as I often get to say hello to some people as they pass. Every now and then someone will make a positive comment that is very encouraging. Something like, wow that’s really impressive, good on you, or you are so dedicated. Those comments, whilst they seem very simple, really help me. The leg workout is not an easy one, and any word of encouragement makes a difference and supports me to get through it.
The other morning, I did get a couple of positive and encouraging comments which were very helpful. At one point, a lady jogged past. She was not young. In fact, if I’m honest, I’d probably put her in the elderly category. In my estimation she was probably in her late 70s or early 80s, which is incredibly impressive. She ran past once, I smiled and said good morning to her. I got no recognition or response. I just kept on squatting, lunging, and stepping. About 30 minutes later, she jogged past again from the other direction. I was in the middle of doing my impressive steps out of the sand, she looked at me, no smile, and instructed, keep your back straight, and she kept running.
As I said earlier, I totally understand this space. I understand the power of words, and I also understand that other people‘s opinion shouldn’t affect me. However, her words stung a little bit. Even though, I’m sure, in her mind she was trying to help me, the tone of her voice and the dismissive manner in which she spoke to me was actually quite abrupt, and if I’m being truthful and a little vulnerable, it was a bit hurtful. I pondered on it for a while and thankfully got over it quite quickly.
What it did reinforce, was the power of words. They always work. They work to lift, heal, encourage, and empower. They also work to hurt, harm, discourage, and destroy. Many people who speak to themselves, or others, don’t really think about the impact of their words. A throw-away comment to yourself like, I’m such an idiot or to someone else such as, you always get it wrong. Will have a very destructive impact on yourself, and the person you’re speaking to. Words always work.
On the flipside, when you lift yourself and speak highly of yourself, you will empower yourself to great things. When you can support, encourage, and compliment other people you help them have the courage to initiate positive action. Again, I want to say this so that you hear it, words always work. I know you will remember a time, even many years ago, when words had a powerful impact on and in your life. In fact, those words may still be affecting your life today, in a great way or a devastating way. I have spoken about the teachers who said to me as a child, over 50 years ago, I wish you were more like your brother. Thisaffected my life and how I felt about myself for decades. I also remember, very clearly, the words my parents said to me as a child, that I could do anything I wanted in life.
All I want to ask of you this week is to monitor the words you say to yourself and to other people. They are working to build or to destroy. If you catch yourself being critical, insulting, abusive, or discouraging, please stop, reflect, and recalibrate. You know how words have been and are working in your life, so now is the time to make sure they are working to build, encourage, and empower yourself and others. Don’t miss my wonderful podcast this week with Lisa Johnson, called Getting you back. Her words are impactful, your words are impactful, so never forget that words always work.
by admin | 23 Aug, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Inspiration
Have you ever heard the saying, there’s not enough darkness in the whole world to extinguish the light of one small candle? It’s a beautiful proverb, and it gives hope to every single person who may be going through challenging times. So, if you are dealing with some adversity at the moment, I want to let you know that there is light in the darkness.
I recently found myself with a very dark mindset. I may have mentioned in a recent blog that I had my phone stolen whilst volunteering to feed homeless people on a Wednesday night a few weeks back. At the time, I was able to handle the situation with a healthy perspective, or so I thought. My attitude was, it’s only a phone, and whilst I may have left the building without a phone, the person who took it left without a home to go to. So, with this mindset, I’ve been able to be quite forgiving about the situation.
Well, a couple of days ago, it all went a bit pear-shaped. I was out doing my regular morning training. I got to my location by the water, I took off my warm-up top, folded it up with my towel, and put it in what I thought was a safe place. After I finished my training, I went to pick up my top and towel to head home, and it was gone. It had been stolen. The fact was, it was only an old training top, and an old towel, and really had no value at all. However, the fact that I had something else stolen triggered me and I spiraled into a dark place.
I was angry. If the person who stole it had just told me they need a warm top, I would’ve happily given it to them. The fact that they had stolen it, made me mad. All of a sudden, a dark film spread across and covered my eyes and heart, and as I walked home, everything seemed bad. I imagined meeting the person who stole my things and what I would say to him or her. I noticed all the rubbish on the ground and wondered why people couldn’t make the effort to put it in the bin. I thought about all the people who had been ghosting me and got angry that they didn’t have the decency to return my messages and calls. Then, I even got angry with myself for things I hadn’t done and should’ve done. Needless to say, I was in a dark place and nothing seemed good.
However, there was good news; there is not enough darkness in the world to extinguish the light from the smallest of candles. As I was explaining the situation and my mental state to my partner Kate, she sparked the light. She asked me, Andrew what are you grateful for? It was easy for me to offer a whole list of things I was grateful for, and I started feeling better. Then, she asked me, what is it about God you are grateful for? Again, I reeled off a whole list of things and felt even better. It didn’t take too long before the light from my gratitude had erased that dark film from my eyes and suddenly I could see the light and feel the joy again.
I’m not sure what it is you’re going through right now. I’m not sure what is causing that dark film to envelop your eyes. All I know is that there is something there in your life right now that can start to shine a very small light into the darkness. Take the time to think about what you’re grateful for. Invest some effort to ponder on the great things you already have in your life. Who are the people that you love and are there to support you? What are the things you’ve already done that you’re proud of? What are the things that you’ve overcome already in your life? This focus will give you confidence to know that you can get through anything. Can you see there is actually light everywhere, and that light will destroy the darkness in your life?
In my podcast this week called ‘The snowball effect’ I speak with Trea Cotton. It’s a powerful conversation about the impact of small decisions and tiny actions that will bring light into any dark space and start a snowball effect of Joy. The next time you come across a challenging period in your life, don’t forget to immediately think about what can bring even the tiniest flicker of light into the darkness.
by admin | 15 Aug, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
There are times in my life when I have felt incredibly stuck. Times, when I was in a situation and I wanted to get out, but I just didn’t know how. In business, financially, in relationships, and in many other areas. I just felt stuck. What I didn’t realise at the time was that the actual escape vehicle was already there to take me to freedom.
I’m sure you’ve heard this story before, but it’s worth repeating. Because the message is valuable, and I hope it prompts you to realise the fact that your escape vehicle is already there, waiting for you to get on.
The story is about the guy who was stuck on his roof as storm waters were rising. He was a Christian man, and as he sat on the roof, the rain waters rising, he prayed to God to be saved. He had total faith his God would rescue him. The water kept rising and rising, and as it was touching his feet, a boat came past. The guy in the boat said to him, quickly, jump in and I’ll save you. The man on the roof said, no thank you, it’s okay I know my God will save me.
The rain kept coming, the water kept rising, and as it was climbing past his belly and up to his chest a helicopter flew and hovered just above him. The door opened, a rope ladder dropped, and instructions came to jump on to be lifted out. Again, the man said, no thank you, my God will save me. He refused to climb the ladder, so the helicopter flew off to save other people. The water kept rising eventually reaching his neck, then rose over his head, and the man drowned.
He went up to Heaven, and he was cranky. He started knock knock knocking on Heaven‘s door, and when he entered, he found God to confront him. He said, I waited and waited for you to save me, and you didn’t come, and now I’m dead. God replied, I sent you a boat and a helicopter, what else did you want?
As I said, it’s an oldie but a goodie, and it has a very valid and important message I encourage you to ponder on. Are there any areas of your life where you feel stuck, yet the escape vehicle is right in front of your nose? It may not be as obvious as the boat and the helicopter, but it is there nevertheless, as long as you open your eyes and look for it.
It’s a little bit like a term that I know as domestic blindness. I have it! I look in the fridge and ask, where is the yoghurt? I look and I look but just can’t see it. However, if someone else opens the fridge they’ll see it sitting right there. It was right in front of my nose, but for some reason I missed it. Maybe because it was so obvious. What are you missing because maybe it’s too obvious?
What if the answer to you getting unstuck and free from your health concerns is just opening the front door and going out for a walk? What if the escape from your financial challenges is waiting for you to open your mind to other options that you can do outside your normal work hours? What if the solution to your relationship issues is simply having an open and honest conversation with your partner?
Have you ever been offered something by someone and, without really considering it, said no? What if that was an escape option? Have you ever said to yourself, you need to start doing something or stop doing something, and then talk yourself out of it? What if that was the escape option? What if changing your life was as simple as opening your heart and your mind, and getting out of your own way, to take advantage of the amazing people, resources, and options that are available to you right now?
Honestly, it’s that simple. Just open your eyes and see what’s all around you. I promise, the solution to help you escape and get unstuck is right in front of your nose. To help with this journey, my two podcasts this week are awesome. I speak with Laura Bratton in a podcast called, Grief, grit, and gratitude. I also speak with Michael Hession in a podcast called The two superpowers.
We make life way more complicated than it needs to be. We get so caught up in our challenges, problems, and stresses, that we are blinded to and miss the obvious answers and solutions that are right there waiting for us. This week, please look up, look around, and you’ll see that your escape vehicle is already there waiting for you.
by admin | 9 Aug, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Mindset
Let me tell you what is you. You are incredible. You are good enough. You have amazing potential. You have endless capacity. You have an abundance of love to give. You are incredibly loveable. You are capable. You are resilient. You are passionate. You have been created for greatness. Whatever you believe in conflict with any of these things, is not you.
I have some fantastic people in my life who I love dearly. I’m so grateful to have all of them in my life. I’m sure you feel the same as me, when I say, I wish some of them believed about themselves the same way I believe about them. In the same way, I know, at times, I may be lacking in self-belief, when I know other people have incredible belief in me. At times, more than I have in myself. With all the things I could focus on, and all the things you could focus on, why do we choose to focus on the things that are really not us?
The other day I was sitting with an incredibly important person in my life who is going through a serious health challenge. Whilst the condition was having a significant impact on her physical health, I knew as we spoke, it was her mindset and belief system that needed most attention. I’ve quoted many times from Craig Groeschel’s book, The Power to Change. In it he says, you do what you do because of what you think of you. This is such a powerful concept, playing out in every single person’s life, and the outcomes experienced depend on one thing. That is, what you think of you.
As I was talking to this beautiful human, I could hear the fear in her voice, the doubt about herself, lack of self-worth, anger towards her family and even God. As the words were coming out of her mouth, all I could say to her is, ‘this is not you’. I know this person to be a positive, passionate, empathetic, loving, compassionate, holistic, healthy, and very spiritual human. However, with everything happening in her life, she had been overcome by negative thoughts, damaging self-talk, and lies.
All I could do was remind her of the amazing person she is, the love and support she has around her, and a God who loves her and can heal. She knows this stuff, however, she had let the lies start to take over her thinking, and her life. Don’t we all do that at times? Don’t we all spiral into doubt, fear, and insecurity at times? I know I certainly do. What I now know is, whenever I’m thinking poorly of myself, doubting myself, or questioning whether I’m good enough, I know enough to stop myself. I know that’s not me.
What is me, is a loving, caring, empathetic, compassionate, resilient, resourceful, creative, purposeful, and passionate human being. I am a child of God, and I am loved beyond measure. That is my truth and all the stuff that contradicts that is 100% lies. I know that now. I know who I am, and I know who I am not, and I choose to focus on who I am. I encourage you to do the same.
Remember, you do what you do because of what you think of you. That means, if you think you’re good enough, think you’re worthy, think you are created for great things, then you will do what you need to do to create an incredible life for yourself and others. However, the flipside is also true. If you doubt yourself, if you think you’re not good enough, if you think you can’t do it, or that people won’t accept you or love you for who you are, then you will act in a way that supports those lies. The result of this is a life that you’ll end up regretting. That’s not what you want, that’s not what I want, so focus on who you are and know when to say, that’s not me.
In my podcasts this week, I have amazing conversations with two wonderful humans. I speak with Nate Turner in a podcast called Lawnmower, rake, and shovel. I also talk with Jodi Gonzales in a podcast called Creativity is your Compass. Both will help you focus on who you really are; someone who is wonderful, worthy, and always welcome. This week, I urge you to spend some time reflecting on what actually is you, and what definitely isn’t?
by admin | 2 Aug, 2025 | Andrew's Blog, Inspiration
Every human being has a dream in their heart. For you, it may be buried deeply, it may have been forgotten about, or it may be clear, strong and in your face. No matter what, every one of us has a dream for a better life, to achieve something, to become someone, or to live with joy. The tragedy is, whilst we all have a dream or dreams, many people never realise them. The reason, I believe, is because they don’t really know what dreams are made of.
Eurythmics sing a song called Sweet Dreams. The lyrics may actually give us some hint of what dreams are truly made of. The chorus goes like this;
‘Sweet dreams are made of these.
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world and the seven seas.
Everybody’s looking for something.
Some of them want to use you.
Some of them want to get used by you?
Some of them want to abuse you.
Some of them want to be abused.’
They are actually worth reflecting on. I believe the biggest challenge most people have, and the reason why they don’t achieve their dreams, is because they don’t really know what dreams are actually made of. They believe dreams are made of luck, of talent, of intellect, of education, of ideal circumstances, of ease, of knowing the right people, and of many other things that seem normal and natural to achieve any dream. The reality is, it’s just not true.
Go back and have a look at that second verse above from the Eurythmics and you’ll get some idea of what dreams are really made of.
One of my dreams was to play professional football. As a 17-year-old I was knocked unconscious, carried off on a stretcher, and taken to hospital. My career was almost over before it started. As an 18-year-old, after playing my first senior game of football, I had to endure 20 months of rejection, missed selection, ridicule, frustration, and significant personal growth before I played my second senior game. When I had finally made it as a regular senior player, and my dream was being realised, I discovered that my dream was definitely not made of luck, natural ability, or any of the things that most people think.
My dream was made of pain, frustration, persistence, rejection, resilience, lessons, self-growth, trust, and most of all, patience.
Your dream, like mine, is made of adversity, mistakes, failures, lessons, personal growth, frustration, persistence, trust, and just like me, patience. Every dream is made up of these things. You will never achieve anything amazing in your life without going through trials and tribulations. So, when you are ready to aspire to something great, get excited when challenges come because that is what your dream is made of. The people who seem the luckiest, the smartest, the most intelligent, the happiest, and living the way you would love to live, knew what their dreams were made of and were willing to go through the challenges to get to where they wanted to go.
If you have a dream to create optimal well-being, just know it’s made of discomfort, sacrifice, and patience. If you have a dream to be successful in business, just know it’s made of frustration, rejection, poor choices, and personal growth. If you have a dream to have a blissful relationship, just know it’s made of honesty, disagreement, frustration, and compromise. Any and every dream you have is made of things that will help you become the person you need to become to receive, achieve, and enjoy your dream.
Don’t miss my podcast this week with Deanna Cooney called ‘Trust is a must’. As you work towards achieving your dream, trust will be a big part of what that dream is made of. I want you to believe in your heart you can achieve anything you want in your world. All you have to know and accept is what your dream is truly made of.
