Last Thursday in my home town of Preston, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia we reached a notable breakthrough. It was 200 days we have been in Lockdown since the start of the pandemic, number six in fact with short breaks in between. You could let this take you on a deep ride of despair or contemplate what your new future will be after the light has returned..

So how do you find strength in hard times It is these losses that make us stronger and eventually move us toward future opportunities for growth and happiness. here are some thoughts to get through this stage:

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 part of growing.
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 yourself from your problems.
7. Don’t make a problem bigger than it is.
8. View every 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’s better to be hurt by the 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 small steps 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 others in when you’re in a dark place.
29. If you ask negative questions, you will get negative answers.
30. The end is a new beginning.

As Lockdown is a relatively new term in our vocabulary comments made on it come from our current time, but there are people who have come up with some classics, let’s have a look:

1.Dolly is like a walking quotesayer.

2. Each day is what you make of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qupH9aLF4hA

3. Especially written for our friends during Lockdown.

4.Where we hangout these days: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Eo9M4-BrJA

5. Not the thoughts of a certain premier in our country, Go you good thing Gladys B.

6. And each day there are COVID reports from all around the country: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ity-l7be1z0

7. Ellen Burstyn is an American actress. Known for her portrayal of complicated women in dramas, Burstyn is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two Prime-time Emmy awards, and a Tony Award, one of the few performers to achieve the “Triple Crown of Acting”.

8. A bit over the top but relevant in it’s meaning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKdknYaSHgE

9. How much would we all love a hug and kiss!!!

10. And actually watch the air stewardesses do their routine:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr7SgQewSEc

11. You can never go back to whence you where.

12. A question often asked on social media:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7TarriXFME

13. We have several of these signs in our neighborhood.

14. And for the anti-vaxxers reading this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDktBZzQIiU

15. And we finish with a quote by the famous Ms. Unknown.

Spend your time wisely today and pause long enough to appreciate it. Every moment you get is a gift. Don’t waste time by dwelling on the past. Spend it on things that move you in the direction of your future.

Today’s playlist contains 4 gods and queens of Rock.We begin with Lou Reed and Pavarotti, a mighty combination. Then the first of two Covid parodies, Coronavirus Rhapsody. Joe Cocker is next then followed by our next duet John Denver and Cass Elliot. Plane Music flies away next. The penultimate tune is the second parody by Ariana Grande and we complete with Johnny Cash: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJlQ3F9bKYrt3Nm36QtzpKaeQy7e89nwm

With the world covered by lock-downs I sense that the world need my ethos: Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included and my two Facebook groups that spread it around the world Interculturalism: https://www.facebook.com/groups/183421768519278 and Thriving People – People who wish to make a difference to humanity: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1126100227764949, you are invited to join our merry band. Till next time, my dear friends.