Well, we are nearly there, the end of 2020, some say the worst year we,as a species have gone through. For me, it meant a visit to the Melbourne Clinic, a beautiful relationship with Amy, a period of time alone, English tutoring weekly,then when COVID went away in our state of Victoria, Australia the opportunity to dance again, one of my favourite things to do.

So, as always, things ended. Some I wanted too , and others I didn’t. I was a prat and I learnt some good things. Looking up the meaning of prat I confess I did not know of the second:

1. an incompetent or stupid person; an idiot.
2. a person’s buttocks.

I was referring to the former in my use of the word, some may say I behaved in the manner of the second at times.

So what has society said about things ending over the centuries, let’s have a look:

1. Conrad Potter Aiken was an American writer and poet, honored with a Pulitzer Prize, a National Book Award, and was U.S. Poet Laureate from 1950 to 1952. I like his comment on aging.

2. Do you let go when your heart feels like letting go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7frF7Ir2oA

3. Stand by your she/her or he/him..

4. A or B, which describes your life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FMGYycBAMU

5. This happens, send me an email and ask.

6. Or cease or speed up the inevitable due to behaviors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ga62NUGZjk

7. Laura Beatrice Marling (born 1 February 1990) is a British folk singer-songwriter. She won the Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist at the 2011 Brit Awards and was nominated for the same award at the 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018 Brit Awards. Great insight, Laura.

8. I love stories, reading them and writing them, do you?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h64s0U1IarQ

9. And you were unforgettable and unique!!!

10. Poignant image of the verse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u3TiRrh7jQ

11. Dark or Light, which is your favourite role?

12.Oops, failed this one badly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uelHwf8o7_U&list=PLR8zgCuNIFtG0XSj73-VNzpCzAk1bp1n2&index=3

13. It’s was just a perfect day, I’m glad I spent it with you.

14. Proof that not only babies and dogs dribble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9PD7J2XfUY

15. The latter becomes for the former.

Nobody gets through life with out losing someone they love, someone they need, or something they thought was meant to be. But it is these losses that make us stronger and eventually move us towards future opportunities for growth and happiness. Over the past 6 and a half decades, I’ve had my share of painful losses. When my time of mourning was over in each circumstance, I pressed forward, stronger and with a greater under standing and respect for life. Here are a few lessons I learnt on the way:

1. You are not what happened to you in the past.
2. Focus on what you have, not on what you don’t.
3. Struggling with problems is a natural way of growth.
4. It’s OK to fall apart for a little while.
5. Life is fragile, sudden, and shorter than it often seems.
6. Emotionally separate from your problems.
7. Don’t make a problem bigger than it is.
8. View each challenge as an educational assignment.
9. Things change, but the sun always rises the next day.
10. Giving up and moving on are two different things.
11. Perfect relationships don’t exist.
12. You must love yourself too.
13. Don’t let others make decisions for you.
14. Resentment hurts you, not them.
15. Consciously nurture your inner hope.
16. It is better to be hurt by a truth than comforted by a lie.
17. Not getting what you want can be a blessing.
18. Laughter is the best medicine for stress.
19. Worrying is literally a waste of energy.
20. Even when it’s hard to move, take a small step forward.
21. You are better off without some people you thought you needed.
22. You are only competing against yourself.
23. Life is not Easy.
24. Your future is unwritten.
25. You are not trapped, you just need to relearn a few things.
26. Everything in life is two-sided.
27. You always have a choice.
28. Let other’s on when you are in a dark place.
29. If you ask negative questions, you will get negative answers.
30. The end is a new beginning.

Today’s play list visit the seventies quite a bit, no Spotify playlists unfortunately, but one long live version of the classic ending song. We begin with Sir Paul McCartney, then move on to the Doors and finish the 70s with Eric Clapton. Two great Australian talents for our overseas listeners in Marie Hoy and Murray Kyle. We complete with two of my faves Eminem and Rhianna as the penultimate number finishing with Maroon 5. enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJlQ3F9bKYrtMgN6Th9fo7YNZ-6cq7kPA

Would there be less ending if we lived from my world ethic, Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included. I think so, I have even created a Facebook group for 1,000,000 people to sign on board: It is called Thriving People – People who wish ot make a difference to Humanity. Here is the link if you would like to be one of them: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1126100227764949 . Until we meet again my dear friends.