Despite not participating in any active religion (with the full support of all of my Gods) the Christmas/New Year festive season always gives me cause & opportunity to reflect on what has been & what might be.

The year behind me has delivered its normal challenges and then some ! It has been a year where I have continued to deal with my demons and work harder to be the person that I smile at in the mirror rather than stare at as an enemy within, the person that is trusted & liked by some truly special people who have made their way through my prodigious defence mechanisms.

I continue to work hard to be true to the promise I made to myself that I will live the second half of my life with an open mind, true heart & wicked smile.

I take a lot of comfort from a recent encounter with someone who will always hold a very special place in my life. We parted ways a couple of years ago when she justifiably fired me as a friend - I was in the midst of depression that I hadn’t acknowledged & was inflicting my caustic humour on those close to me. She was undergoing a challenging change in her life & didn’t want such negativity around her.

We met again last week in the sunshine & the conversation & pleasure of being in each other’s company was great. Being able to talk openly to her about the changes I have made, my view of why I behaved so badly and the journey I have been on was an important part of my healing process. Even better that we’ll meet again soon to talk & share our thoughts & emotions.

Looking at the paths that are currently obvious to me I have no fear of my age, my emotional strength nor doubt the depth of my emotional maturity. Nor do I hold any fears for my ability to deal with the good & bad that life’s journey can surprise me with when I least expect it.

Even better that I’m expecting to be blessed with a brief visit from favourite dragon - yet another test of my behaviour & approach to life.

The year in front of me - hopefully a mystery full of challenges to test my character & resolve A year like all others to deepen existing friendships and establish new ones, time to remember those no longer with us and those who have moved on to other places/personal situations.

Here’s to a year during which I will continue to learn to be worthy to look the world in the eye and demonstrate my ability to contribute.

May your Gods bless and watch over all of you. Be safe, happy and well one & all.

Voyager