About 100% YOU!

Hi everyone, I’m John Sherry and this blog is dedicated to YOU!

To living, breathing, enjoying and being YOU.

I was once very far away from that. Completely lost as who I was and about to take my life.

As New Year chimed on Millenia’s Eve 1999 I held a knife over my wrist to commit suicide.

I’d had enough. I believed life felt the same about me. A never ending series of tough events including my father dying suddenly, my mum diagnosed with cancer, I was suspected of having the same as my health slumped, I lost my prized job in sport (which I adored more than anything) ,and my girlfriend leaving came one after the other.

I was also out of money and empty all over. My life had just about ended. My suicide would confirm that.

I thought my work had been my ID and when it went, so did I. I never allowed myself to enjoy the simple things I loved and the everyday people who cared so much about me. I lost touch with ‘me’!

Luckily I put down the knife when I realised I had only seen all my problems and pain and none of the opportunities and love that was most certainly there. And none of the daily interests  that I used to ensure I kept involved with. Ones I had given up though I was certain they had deserted me.

I vowed to start again. To begin making simple changes and re-connect to hobbies, pastimes, people, and daily treats that made me feel good inside. Ones that would make me the happy, healthy, sometimes bonkers, normally different, always me. One I wouldn’t change for the world.

It worked – today I’ve never been happier. Every day is a smile for me!

Here are some basic principles I chose to live by that took me from despair to walking on air:

1. Simple Pleasures

Life is chocced full of simple pleasures that get forgotten or taken for granted.  I adore the sun shining, laughter, hugs, sending a geeting card with a loving message for no reason, playing with children, eating meals together as a family or couple, the seaside, weekends away, walks in the park and chats over coffee are some of the simple delights I don’t let pass by without enjoying them fully.

2. Personality

I got to know myself…fully! I accepted all the bits of my personality. The great and funny ones everyone loves plus those personal foibles and annoying traits that we all have. They are all part of being John so I said a big ‘Yes’ to having a relationship with the 100% Me!

3. Grounding

I got carried away with work, being in professional sport, and a sense of over self-importance. It was time to go back to the drawing board to ground myself. I connected back to the people who knew me most, and the places familiar with the person I really was. I kept my feet on the groun, took everything less seriously and stayed in touch with the ‘real’ John.

4. Contribution

The past was all about me – being a someone, being recognised, doing something monumental and climbing the career and social ladder. Not any more. I chose to do work that helped me contribute some of myself to the world in some way. And to feel happy that that was enough. I did it because I wanted to and I enjoyed it and left the world to make of it what it would. My joy was contributing in the first place.

These became my life savers.

They turned my life around so that today is always the best day I have ever known. On this blog you will find lots of tips, help and stories that reflect these so maybe you too can get a taste of Simpleness Living.

So come and join me and be a The 100% YOU full of energy with a carefree attitude who revels in all the best that life has to offer. Expect positivity here. And with it a good dose of simple wisdom, easy ways to approach life and humour too.

It’s time to be YOU - let me help YOU, let me guide YOU, let me bring YOU back again. Because YOU matter to YOU!

If you have any questions about the blog or want some more info on The 100% YOU you can e-mail me on JohnBoySherry (at) Gmail(dot) com.

(This e-mail allows me to be mobile and get the most out of life, people, and places. That way wherever I am I can now always keep in contact with everyone who matters, and you of course!!).

I hope you enjoy the blog and being 100% YOU.

John