Help! I need somebody

Congratulations to Victoria Azarenka who dismantled Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-0 to win her first Grand Slam and become world number 1. She came back from 0-2 down in the first set to absolutely tear strips off Sharapova. I love that finally, the WTA will have a reputable number 1 player. I quite like Wozniacki but it was rediculous that she was number 1 for two years without winning a slam. The screeching was horrible but the thing that irritated me the most is that women still only have to win 2 sets not 3. The professional players have the fitness and the skill and having to win 3 sets makes for longer and more varied matches. 

My exercise plan is just all messed up. Yay, another win for planning! I did a boxing class on Friday with Mum and today I accidentally subjected myself to a horror cardio session at the gym, then stretched. 

Getting stuck in a rut is no fun. If I know anything about getting stuck in a rut, it's that the only thing harder than being in a rut is the process of trying to get out of one.

I have a buddy who has been stuck in a very serious rut for a while. He's at a cross roads in a life he's not enjoying terribly much at all. He isn't enjoying his job, he isn't enjoying his home life, he isn't enjoying his sport, he hasn't enjoyed studying a higher degree and his relationship with his girlfriend has been rocky at best. 

What I have seen from being around this buddy of mine and from other experiences closer to home, is that when you are getting little joy from any part of life, it is hard to muster the energy or the motivation to make changes to improve your own circumstances. In simpler terms, you lose hope and you're too exhausted and drained to care. It feels like your cause is a lost one and that you are not worth your own effort and energy, let alone anyone else's. You retreat to the inner most crevasses of your own mind, where the darkest thoughts reside. 

Trying to help a person in this kind of state is challenging. It is hard enough to help a friend through a breakup or a relationship issue with another friend or family member, but this person's  issues are systemic to both their lifestyle and their thinking. There are some components of my buddy's issues that I am simply not adequately qualified to deal with. There are other parts of the problems that only my buddy himself can address. 

My buddy is a really nice guy. I find him easy to get along with and friendly to be around. He has his strengths and is certainly capable of greater happiness and success than he is experiencing at the moment. 

I don't know if there is much I can do. But buddy, you've probably worked out that I'm writing about you, I'm happy to help however I can.

(this image has been included because I find it hilarious and no other reason!)