Whanganui Chronicle
  • Whanganui Chronicle home
  • Latest news
  • Sport
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
  • Death notices
  • Classifieds

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • On The Up
  • Sport
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Residential property listings
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology

Locations

  • Taranaki
  • National Park
  • Whakapapa
  • Ohakune
  • Raetihi
  • Taihape
  • Marton
  • Feilding
  • Palmerston North

Media

  • Video
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-Editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

Weather

  • New Plymouth
  • Whanganui
  • Palmertson North
  • Levin

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Whanganui Chronicle

What does it take to flourish?

By Kathy Cunningham
Wanganui Midweek·
4 Oct, 2017 09:08 PM3 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Kathy Cunningham
Kathy Cunningham

Kathy Cunningham

Fail or flourish. Why are we made to make this choice? Doesn't one lead to the other?
I recently posted a video of a young student trying to jump over a high solid hurdle to land on soft mats on the other side. After three attempts of just barely touching the top, he looked defeated with his head bowed low.

Suddenly, a large group of classmates surrounds him like a halftime huddle to offer support and words to help him on his way. Their cheers gave this little guy, I believe, the courage to flourish since he knew that this group was there for him. This young man then vaulted over the hurdle like a pro!

What does it take to flourish?
I believe if you are not failing that you are not trying hard enough. For example, Rob and I are taking the te reo Maori class at Te Wananga o Aotearoa and I can assure you that when I mispronounce a word or use a past tense for the future, I am told by the kaiko (teacher).

However, rather than chastising me for getting it wrong (again), the kaiko guides me down the correct path in a safe and friendly environment. The values, or kawa, of Te Wananga o Aotearoa are to learn in a safe and enjoyable environment.

What does it take to flourish? From personal experience and from years of research, I have learned that to flourish takes focus, a curiosity, sense of joy, purpose, heaps of support, and embracing that you may fail. Let me explain.
When I made the decision to move to Auckland 25 years ago, I was in a really good space in Manhattan in terms of friends, family and profession. But, I was curious about what it would be like to try to live in a place that was far away and foreign. And a place where I knew two people and had only visited for 10 days. It just felt right - still does, but there's more.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

I was curious about New Zealand and this part of the world. I experienced joy at every corner with new sights, sounds, ways of working and being. I was focused on finding my place and my purpose was - and still is - to use the skills I have developed over decades to help others tell their stories via public relations and events.

After several attempts, like the young man jumping over the hurdle, I started my own company which exists today. I'd love to say it's only been smooth sailing, but reality shows that it has been difficult at times. I've failed and therefore learned and flourished because of it. And, for this, I am thankful.

Moving to Whanganui has also presented opportunities to flourish and the chance to fail. I have been bullied, which is never acceptable and have felt isolated at times. But, I am here today to tell you that because of my focus, curiosity, sense of joy, purpose and the support I have from many, I am in a flourishing phase.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

I recommend to you: if you feel you have to choose between flourish or fail, choose both! Life is full of surprises, opportunities and challenges.
Choose to savour the joys of hard work and celebrate the fact that we can all overcome adversity.

So, ask yourself, how can you support others embrace failure as learning to flourish?

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Whanganui Chronicle

Whanganui Chronicle

Taihape books return to premier final

07 Jul 05:01 PM
Premium
Opinion

Kevin Page: Semi-retired life and the quest for dry shoes

07 Jul 05:00 PM
Whanganui Chronicle

Kaierau end Border’s reign, secure finals spot

07 Jul 05:00 PM

From early mornings to easy living

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Recommended for you
10 dead in Kenya protests as rights group accuses police of collusion
World

10 dead in Kenya protests as rights group accuses police of collusion

07 Jul 07:43 PM
Inside Julian McMahon's life: Career, fortune and private struggle
Entertainment

Inside Julian McMahon's life: Career, fortune and private struggle

07 Jul 07:35 PM
What we now know about Erin Patterson after murder conviction
World

What we now know about Erin Patterson after murder conviction

07 Jul 07:23 PM
Active shooter killed in exchange of gunfire at Border Patrol facility in Texas
World

Active shooter killed in exchange of gunfire at Border Patrol facility in Texas

07 Jul 07:19 PM
For Netanyahu and Trump, a vision of ‘peace’ belies Gaza reality
Analysis

For Netanyahu and Trump, a vision of ‘peace’ belies Gaza reality

07 Jul 07:10 PM

Latest from Whanganui Chronicle

Taihape books return to premier final

Taihape books return to premier final

07 Jul 05:01 PM

Cooks Gardens hosts Saturday's finals day.

Kaierau end Border’s reign, secure finals spot

Kaierau end Border’s reign, secure finals spot

07 Jul 05:00 PM
Premium
Kevin Page: Semi-retired life and the quest for dry shoes

Kevin Page: Semi-retired life and the quest for dry shoes

07 Jul 05:00 PM
Council funding critical to continue Masters Games

Council funding critical to continue Masters Games

07 Jul 05:00 PM
Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • Whanganui Chronicle e-edition
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Subscribe to the Whanganui Chronicle
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • NZME Events
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP
search by queryly Advanced Search