You may be envious of jealous of the lives that you think that others have, but if you talk to anyone for long enough, they’ll show you their scars. We’re all struggling just as much as you are. Maybe if we were all open and honest about how much our lives suck, we wouldn’t all have to pretend that everything’s good all the time. And all it takes is to just look around.

In the nine months since I got an Instagram account, I’ve learnt heaps about myself, about the creative process, and about people. I’ve written things I didn’t think I could write. Seen stuff in ways I couldn’t have predicted. It’s been a conversational journey. And the ride is far from over.

It’s risky, rewriting your story. You've been living according to it. This is all you know. But the unknown is worth seeking - it is a place of someone returning, of mutual healing, of security. A place of knowing that your wounds are worth loving.

One woman's march would rattle the very foundations of the structure, it would cut through the stale air of the government building, it would cause heads to turn, it would change the world. What should have been another day at the office, was suddenly shattered. It was shattered by the click of one woman’s heels.

I have felt vulnerable to people’s criticisms for being odd and different. However, vulnerability should not be hidden since it’s a demonstration of opening up and showing our authentic selves to others. It may be hard sometimes to show our differences and even our weaknesses, but we should all feel happy and pursue the things that matter to us. After all, it is through vulnerability that deep connections are created in relationships, which generate empathy, trust, and understanding among our loved ones.

The world is filled with 7.6 billion people. 7.6 billion creative brains all unique in their own
way, even if they don’t know it yet. One soul out of the billion has now found where she
wants to be, and what she wants to do with her life. She has found one way of expressing herself. It is through blog writing.

I hope people can turn their hunger for change into being empowered to make things happen themselves. And I hope art, and imagining and dreaming the world to be different, holds a place of importance in that process. 

I'm a twenty something that is made for deep connection and embracing the messiness of life. Through words, I want to wake up others to do the same. I often think of life in seasons. Seasons of letting go, of embracing the mess that is life, of chasing after things, of rest. Seasons of being really human.

When I think of a leader, I envision someone who not only inspires people, but also uplifts others by bringing out the best in them. With vision, leadership, and drive, nothing is impossible. No matter how hard life outside of the bubble might be, everyone has a gift to share with the world.

Wellbeing is no fad, it can’t be. Not if we want to continue living a life where we are all comfortable. But what is fundamental to this conversation is painting a bigger picture. A picture that extends outside of our well-being bubbles. One that includes community and nation, one that includes everybody.

Once your head and heart align, a kind of synergy happens. Your motivation picks up because you’re living and breathing that thing. Working late nights becomes easier because you were thinking about that thing anyways. Your hard work now has fun mixed into it.

The truth is, the only thing separating these people from yourself is effort and time. If you see a problem with this place we live in, you probably can see the solution, too. As our city expands faster than ever before, we still have time to decide who we are, and who we want to be.

Kia Ora! it has been a while since I have typed out one of these blogs and as you can see its because I've had a bit on. Since my last post I have had the birth of my daughter, changed jobs and moved twice; once to Alex's parents, and second to Australia.

My name is Guillermo (Yes, I know it is difficult to pronounce!), but my friends call me William. I was born in Caracas, Venezuela and when I was eleven years old, I moved to Quito, Ecuador. Attending the Seed event “Finding Purpose in your Playground,” made me realise how much my life has changed since I left my home country.

I’m the first to admit I’m a go-getter. A big dreamer. A doer. My laptop is on 24/7, my cell phone is glued to my hand. I’m juggling a million and one things on my to-do list, and I thrive on it. And whilst I will be the first up in the morning and the last to bed at night, I also make sure I make time for self-care.

We often crave a sense of knowing “what to do next.” I’ve noticed that this week, more than ever before that I’m constantly seeking out the next step without clarity of what I want, rather than focusing on the step I’m taking now.

When I first began this blog I made some promises. I promised readers "poetry, playlists, book reviews, mindful travelogues, creative events and opportunities for the Waikato’s young writers, readers and listeners." It's been nine months since that first post (woohoo!) and I think this blog has delivered on all those promises, except one. So it's about time that #LivingLit had a travelogue post, and Seed's #wellbeingmonth is the perfect time to do it. So let's get going!

Looking back, its quite ironic that, at age 12, I decided to devote myself to a career where I would sit in a dark room all day asking the patient whether what they are looking at is better with “1, or, 2?”

Millennials are creatives. Now, you could have one of three reactions to that statement. 'YES!' or 'I wish.' or 'Heck no.' Obviously I wouldn't be writing this blog if I didn't agree with that first ecstatic expression of solidarity. Yes. I believe that creativity is in our DNA. I believe that not only are all Millennials capable of creative feats but we are one of the most creative generations yet. 

This is a blog post about blogging. Why write it? Because it's true. 

For nearly ten years I lived with this idea that I’m not Māori enough to be Māori. Not because anyone told me that, rather I joined all the Maori groups at University and then discovered the term ‘Plastic Māori’ and could never quite shake the feeling that I was one. 

I was lacking protein in my diet. Yes I know, me, someone who often eats steak for breakfast was lacking in protein, but when you take into account the amount of physical activity I do and what my body is trying to maintain it is not surprising. So what did we do about it?

Health to me comes in many aspects, the food I eat, the amount I move and the thoughts I have. Of late from listening to podcasts, reading a wide variety of articles and attending seminars with Ben Warren and Dr Libby, the importance of gut health and what affects the gut have moved further and further to the top of my consciousness.

What can we learn from street art that will help us #LiveLit? It seems that Hamilton’s own brand of street art is not only about protest. It’s about celebration. The BOON Festival can teach us to find art where we are, in the here and now. To make art out of our everyday. To be the artists we want to see in Aotearoa.

My mission is to ensure all New Zealanders can access affordable and effective government relations services. If we all get a bit better at engaging with Parliament then our political leaders will be in a position to better respond to the will of the people.

Dream big and work hard, but at the end of the day, remember that this ‘race’ that we tend to get caught up in is only against ourselves. Pace yourself, set your own goals, and you’re already on your way to better living, loving and leading.

2018 is here! And with it comes a whole new year of inspirational blogging. Seed is proud to host a space that has become home to the words of writers, creatives, adventurers, sportspeople and leaders of all kinds.  So we want our first post of the year to celebrate the incredible voices that have shared their thoughts and stories with us.