And stand up tall. Watching the amazing swimmer Léon Marchand two evenings ago, I was amazed by the way his supporters timed their shouts with his breathing. Every time his head rose up they shouted ‘Léon!’. So we aren’t Olympian swimmers but just think about the number of people who root for you every day. Close your eyes and imagine their cheers.

I need to get back to this but in the past when I got into the garage at the end of a cycle I used to congratulate myself. Now I pass people on my trike and a few of them voice their praise. Always take praise because it can fuel you for the rest of your day.

Think carefully about how you speak to people on your way. Criticism can weigh the recipient down for a long time. It seems to push a person down for a lot longer than praise does.

I love encouraging other people, especially my children. The rewards are immeasurable. No-one is stopped dead by a positive word. Say it and watch them fly. So often in life cruel words stick to others and weigh them down. Don’t ever entertain the words ‘it’s for their own good’. Nothing good comes out of discouragement.

So dive under the surface, lift your head and hear the affirmations spoken by the people who love you. Whatever battle you are fighting, know that people are standing by you. And even if you don’t feel it, the God of the universe is always by your side.