Reality check #1

Within minutes, she whipped my eyebrows into shape and had me walking out feeling on top of the world.

Last night, was equally impressive. Not only did I give the taxi driver who was down on his luck a $200 tip, which made me smile from ear to ear to see someone so appreciative about something that was so simple for me to do, but I also caught up with a good friend Sami. We use to travel the world getting up to mischief and after reliving some of our funniest stories, we both agreed that life is good and we are very fortunate to be able to have so many good friends and amazing experiences. Her career has been hugely successful and mine hasn't been so bad either. On top of that, we are both in good health and life really is our oyster.

I would have to say to get through yesterday and actually look back at my life as an entrepreneur and a friend, made me really happy. Being kind isn't hard, and having a go is admirable no matter which way you put it. I love seeing friends put themselves in uncomfortable positions and take a risk - some paying off, some not.

Here's my reality check:

1. Life isn't as bad as we think: if you have good health, good family and friends - you don't need too much.
2. No amount of pain you may go through in business or life, is worth you falling over. Get back up, dust yourself off and reach for the stars.
3. Good friends will be there no matter what. 'Fair-weather friends won't' as an old friend of mine once said.
4. You need to look at business and life objectively. If you don't, you will find that you get stuck on the things that really don't matter and you will miss the things that do.
5. Never let people with 'bad behavior' get away with it. If you let people who are not kind, considerate or are just plain nasty get away with it, you are rewarding them. 

My New Years' Resolution theme was "kindness" and I have to say, every single day of this year, I have followed it through. Isn't that enough to make you smile?