Happy Tuesday... We are sending an early email as team SMASH are off on holidays bright and early tomorrow so wanted to send a final email before we go.

Happy PRIDE! 

Today's positive affirmation - I am grateful

How many times have you woken up in the morning and told yourself "ugh, it's gonna be a long day", "I look like rubbish today", "I really don't want to go to work"....? We are all guilty of it and the problem is that we immediately have framed the day in a negative way. So when any negative incidences occur we can tell ourselves we were right!

​This morning myself and one of the SMASH regulars, Rèka, ran almost 13 miles as part of our marathon training plan... although it's the longest she has ever run, she was the one that had to motivate and push me to keep going! I am so proud of her and proud of myself for not giving up despite feeling like I was running on empty...

Hearing how much SMASH means to you and what it has done to help in other areas of your lives really does mean the world. When we set out on this journey we said it would be worth it even if we help just one person...from the responses received we can safely assume we have completed that mission! Now the mission gets bigger....bring on Year 2! 

One year ago we excitedly launched our first ever class... and we haven't looked back since! So much thought, planning and sweat has gone in to making this first year of SMASH the success it has been - and we couldn't be prouder!

One of my flaws is that when I have a lot to do, whether it's in a good way or in an over-loaded way, things can sometimes slip my mind. This is one of the reasons writing things down helps me!! But I recognise this in myself and I accept it… and by now friends and family accept it too.

So far this month we have talked about how pride can benefit us in many ways. Today we want to touch on how some versions of pride can have a negative impact in our life...

Following from Ash's email on Saturday, how many of you made your 5-point list? Thanks to those of you who shared with us. We are so proud of you!

I  managed to jot mine down during some quiet reflection time in Scotland. One of the points on my list was that I am proud of myself for saying "yes" more... opening myself up to new experiences and broadening my comfort zone.

In Wednesday's email we asked you to tell someone close to you how proud of them you are. Did you manage to do it? If so, how did it make you feel? Hopefully you were filled with positivity from the response you got, praise can help evoke feelings of happiness, content and gratitude  With that in mind, when was the last time you were proud of yourself?