Chew On It – Harmony in Life
Harmony in Life: My Guide to Inner Peace (Without the Drama)
By Elixr Founder, Richard Chew
Harmony in life isn’t just about burning incense and meditating on a mountaintop, it’s about cultivating inner peace, maintaining good relationships, balancing life’s demands, and enhancing overall well-being. But here’s the challenge: harmony doesn’t just happen. It requires conscious effort and real commitment.
I often hear people say, “I’ll try to eat better” or “I’ll try to be more mindful.” My response? Don’t just try—commit! Trying is for sampling ice cream flavours. Building good habits takes dedication and diligence.
The Power of Positive Interactions
A key ingredient in harmony is fostering positive experiences with others. A simple question I ask myself: Am I contributing to harmony, or am I part of the problem? Too often, people blame others for tension without realising they might be the source of the problem. The good news? You always have the power to shift the energy of an interaction.
Take, for example, my trip to Service NSW. I mistakenly grabbed the wrong service token, and the staff member who served me was not impressed. She barked at me about how long it will take, and in that moment, I had two choices: match her frustration or redirect the interaction. So, I smiled and said, “It’s OK, I’m very patient.” Instantly, her demeanour softened, and she went out of her way to help me.
A little kindness goes a long way. A well-placed compliment, “That’s a great necklace” or “You have nice handwriting” can turn an unfamiliar encounter into a positive experience. There’s always something nice you can say.
As Jack Nicholson once said in a movie, “Why can’t we all just get along?” The truth is that some people are simply difficult. The solution? If you can’t make it better, at the very least don’t make it worse. And for those truly toxic few? Sometimes, the best harmony for yourself comes from keeping your distance.
Picking Your Battles (or Not)
In my younger days, I rarely backed down from a confrontation, well, except with my ex-wife, life was far better when she was right, and I am happy. But experience has taught me that conflict only breeds chaos. Now? I avoid arguments like the plague.
When a disagreement arises, it’s not about who’s right or wrong—I ask how I can resolve it quickly and peacefully. Letting emotions take over only drags out the negativity. It’s been years since I had a fiery argument because I’ve learned to keep my emotions in check and focus on solutions.
Harmony isn’t about avoiding conflict altogether, it’s about navigating life with patience, perspective, and lots of humour. So, let’s commit to making our interactions better, our reactions wiser, and our lives a little more harmonious.
Until next time, be kind, be generous, stay calm, and maybe go try some ice cream flavours.
Time of My Life: 45 Years in Fitness
This year marks an incredible 45 years in the fitness industry—yes, I’ve been around long enough to see leg warmers come in and out of fashion (twice!).
From the early days of basic aerobics, through the rise of low-impact dance inspired aerobics, and the arrival of step aerobics (thanks, Reebok!), I’ve had firsthand to it all. In fact, I was the first Australian to teach a Step class in Australia—a fun claim to fame!
In 1997, I sold Healthland Bondi Junction to a South African health club chain, then helped them expand. In 2000, they decided I wasn’t corporate enough (apparently, speaking my mind wasn’t a boardroom skill). The company collapsed later that year—it was the largest corporate collapse in South African history! Fitness First eventually bought over the clubs.
I then founded Elixr in 2002, pioneering group Reformer Pilates in health clubs. A big thank you to Katharine Millard, who introduced me to Pilates, and to Rachel Crompton and Don Peers, who have been with Elixr since day one. 23 years later, they’re still here—that’s serious dedication!
Now, it’s time for a new chapter. I’ve stepped back from management since last year to focus on life’s joys because, if there’s one big lesson I’ve learned, it’s that life is unpredictable and limited—so make the most of it!
Elixr is in great hands with my niece, Sue Anne Chew, who has been managing wonderfully for the past few years. While I’ll continue writing newsletters and overseeing special projects, like our mid-year refurbishment (don’t worry, all work happens after hours!) I’ve also taken on a new, self-appointed title:
Social Director of Elixr, with the focus on the fun side!
