Bruce Springsteen’s music….

Gives me hope,

Makes me feel alive and makes me feel glad to be alive,

Gives me a sense of wonder,

Makes my heart beat faster,

Sparks my curiosity,

Makes me feel a sense of solidarity with the human race,

Tells me life is hard and the world can be tough but that I should believe in myself and my ability to navigate the right path through it,

Gives me the feeling of not being alone,

Makes me feel angry at injustice and makes me want to act to right the wronged,

Allows me to imagine another’s world and feel understanding and empathy,

Gives me a way to escape when I feel trapped,

Shows me how to live with my mistakes and those of others,

Allows me to have fun and feel free.

His songs stay with me, can pop into my head during my everyday and colour the grey or just give me something else to think about and something to look forward to.   They remind me that it’s up to each of us to find things which provide meaning in our lives.

The life is good

When you are happy

Cus of love and friend

Nothing in life

Can make you happy

Then being with people

Who make you happy and having good time with them

But the life couldn’t be better

If you have fun/great times with your friends

And love is every where

Where you go

But good life is nothing without good supporting friends

Cus without them

We couldn’t have good times.

A laugh with a friend or a long journey’s end
The warmth of a bath on a cold winter’s night
An extra hour’s sleep or good food going cheap
A difficult test and you get it all right.

The sand in your toes and your comfiest clothes
The point you can breathe at the end of a cold
A day of good hair and a soft comfy chair
The moment your naughty dog does as it’s told.

A gripping new book or the days others cook
A new episode of your favourite show
An afternoon nap and some big bubble wrap
The childish excitement at seeing fresh snow.

A comical joke where you laugh till you choke
An unforeseen text from an old long-lost friend
A hug from your spouse and a wholly clean house
The absolute joy of a stressful day’s end.

A good cup of tea or a splash in the sea
When two snack bars fall in the vending machine
A pillow’s cool side or the times scissors glide
A drive through a town where all lights are on green.

A good reminisce or a soft gentle kiss
The moment warm water hits freezing cold hands
Your favourite song and to sleep all night long
A small local concert with epic new bands.

The view of the stars or the smell of new cars
A dip in a pool on a hot summer’s day
Removing tight shoes and good things on the news
A big homemade cake from a little cafe.

The sight of sunsets or a cuddle with pets
A Saturday where you don’t have to get dressed
A freshly made bed or the smell of baked bread
The small things in life are so often the best!

When there’s no tears or upset
When the pain has gone
I’ll feel better
When the room is bouncing with positive atmosphere
& there’s laughter all around
I’ll feel better
When I’m free to express myself
& there’s no restrictions, nobody judging my actions
I’ll feel better
When I can stand on my own two feet
& can say I’ve learnt for my mistakes
I’ll feel better
When I can stand up & say
I’ve won this fight!
Nobody can hold me down.
Then, I’ll feel better.

Run my little soul

We can fall far enough to just hit the ground,

Run with the waterfall gush through river streams

We can lay in the cold or perhaps in the sun

I can tell you the stories that I once knew

You can whisper out what you soul cries out

Run my little soul, just run my little soul

Climb the ropes my little soul

You can tell me what you see from far

Climb to the mountains my pure heart

We can go to the space of the stars, hold on to the ropes

Climb the ropes my little heart

Stay in the depth of your warmth

I can swim the oceans deep enough to rise

Carefully we stay in the bed of your electric soul

You can stay in the glow of your light

Stay in the mist of night, then we can dance

It’s been a while, a good few years
Since all my laughs were turned to tears
The sneaky thief, that old black dog
Turned my creative brain to fog
It wasn’t long at all before
Joy turned to woe, thrill turned to chore
I hit rock bottom many times
So built my home in its confines
But like the dawn comes after night
The change came whilst in darkest plight
Then finally my smile came back
At last my life got back on track
My life now has a dream, a goal:
Take back the life that black dog stole
I see my future and it’s bright
I know that I can win this fight
Now looking back at darkest days
I see progress in many ways
The dark rock bottom home I made
Now lies in ruins, disarrayed
And with a smile I want to tend
To others not yet on the mend
A smile is an amazing gift
For lonely ones who need a lift
And smiling is a gift for me
It proves I’m in recovery
I feel better when I can smile
And smiling makes life so worthwhile
It’s been a while, but not quite years
Since laughs took over from the tears
And now that dog’s gone from my brain
My life is mine to live again.

Each summer
The sea
Becomes my community

My family
My friend

I talk to the sea
It talks back
Its deep wisdom
Holds my fears
As the sun shines on its golden ripples
And there where my shadow meets my feet

I feel at home

Known for its relaxing qualities

I come here to a place to find tranquillity and healing

From preparing the soil to the joy of harvesting

All of which aids, supports, and prompts me

In my quest

To reduce the risk for obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes

This moderate activity

Makes me feel good

Makes me feel safe

Makes me think

Something I have not done in a long time

I followed others for so long

Until I stopped following

Until I slowed down, followed the path I wanted and

Reached out to a community

That existed, that quietly carried on

That welcomed me with open arms, words of advice and encouragement

They did not judge

They did not shout

Just passed me the pair of gloves

To start

I have begun to feel connected

To the soil

To the land

To the fruits of the land

I feel the soil struck in my fingernails

And I smile

It has helped me to feel less anxious

Helped me to focus

Helped me to concentrate

Helped me to breathe easy

Breathe with ease

Provided me with a focus

Concentrate with what is around me

I smile

When I see the fruits of my labour grow

I smile

When I pick the fruits of my labour

Knowing how hard the journey has been

From small seeds

From small steps

To where I am today

It is a place

I know I belong

It is a place

I feel safe

It is a place

That accepts me as I am

It is a place

That loves me unconditionally

It is a place

Where I am left alone with thoughts

It is a place

That keeps me safe

It is a place

Where I am known

It is a place

That allows me to take responsibility for myself

It is a place

Where I see me as me

It is a place

That allows me to leave my worries at the door

It is a place

I know as home

The old me

I resisted until I could resist no more

Instead of being afraid

I was told to embrace

The power of the computer

Informed it could reduce my isolation

Boost my self esteem and confidence

Boost my brain cells

Enhance my self identity

Trained to connect

Trained to understand

Trained to seek out new friends

I reconnected with people of the past

I reconnected with people from around the world

I travelled the world

Just sitting with the computer

I talk, I type, I take photos

I offer advise

I feel worthy to move forward

Embrace with what I am connected with

A poem about learning to live from the heart and listening to our intuition more

Developing well being through the Heart.

A weight off my heart
The heart Carries our Pain
A lifetime struggling to remain Sane
Yet the Sanity we seek is Hidden in our
Ability to be unique

What’s so wrong with being you
Yes it’s only achieved by the very few
A heart longing to be you
Still tortured by wearing a mask masquerading as you

The heart doesn’t need approval
But we are always seeking Praise
Lost within a maze
Till the end of our days
The heart needs love, but more than that
It needs to give love

Weighed down with the wisdom
That enough is enough
The heart has no enemies
It can never feel alone
As within it’s chambers

It’s already known
What we reep we have already sown

The heart has no concept of fear
It’s forever bathed in love
Serene, at ease
And as peaceful as a dove

The heart has no image of time
Although our eyes, tick tock, tick tock
Always
On the clock

The heart cannot hold a grudge
But , oh how we struggle with forgiveness
As the hate adds to the weight
Of the heart

It is said the colour of the heart is Red
But I think it’s Blue
Lost in the confusion , weighed down with the task
Of you being you

Some say the heart is Green
Tortured by the Envy
Of an unanswered
Dream

Others say it is White
Innocent, pure
Connected to the Soul
At our innermost Core

Skeptics say the heart doesn’t even Exist
But my belief cemented
The first time we
Kissed

The truth is the heart is Pink
Reflecting
Unconditional love
The missing Link

They say if the heart could Speak, it would speak as a prophet
And would be as wise as an Owl
Courage of a Lion
And love as it’s Growl

The heart has a memory
It’s as bright as a Star
The heart holds our loved ones
When they’re near or they’re far

The heart holds a Secret?
And it’s known by only a few
And it’s this…..
When you live from the heart <3
That’s when you are being the real you!

By Gary Molloy

This is about my journey through Bipolar illness and going from Caterpiller to butterfly

from ill health to well-being

Prison Sell

I feel better when I am living mindfully and living my life from a place of love as opposed to a place of fear

As I delve to see within your soul

The image of a butterflies wings unfold

A lifetime struggling just to get by

But now it’s time to learn to fly

As you flutterby there’s a gentle knowing

Wherever you go, loves always flowing

And as you release the confines of your outermost shell

Look to where you Stumbled not where you fell

As you Emerge , you may lose Vision and your spirit lack Insight

At times Crippled by Emotion at times tortured by fright

That’s Why your Self Imposed Prison Mimmicks my Hell

Look to where you Stumbled not where you Fell

I am Hankering for altitude, Yet my aptitude is low

Now my attitude Screams at me

‘As above, So below’

As a silent voice whispers “am I starting to Grow”

Freedom is an attribute of a peaceful, open Mind

And as a parachute only functions when open

So does the

Mind

That Shadow within your deepest self

Now nurtured, tamed and gaining health

Do you have a Soul to Sell

Look to where you stumbled, not where you fell

That Prison Sell it’s all in your Mind

There are no Locks, Walls or Guards you’ll Find

As I look out of these Illunsionary bars

Some nights I see the dirt , and some nights the stars

Now it’s time to abandon your self imposed State

Focus only on what you Love and let go of what you hate

And as you break free from this Fragile Hell

Remember , look to where you stumbled not where you fell

By Gary Molloy

We all live on a beautiful tropical island
a place where the homeless are given homes
where there is an abundance of food to eat
where there are hospitals full of doctors and nurses that want to make us well
where there are police to keep us safe
where there are charities doing everything they can
where there is recycling
where there are staff in shops who offer you an extra bag, without you asking, and then they put your stuff in the bag for you, and it wasn’t even anything you bought in their shop
where there are people that say hello
where there are people on canals that wave
where bikes ring bells to let you know they are there
where cars stop to let you go
where were allowed outside
where there are parks and flowers and squirrels and trees
where there are buses and trains
where there are people like Neil from finding mike
where there are festivals
where there is cutlery and crockery going spare
where there are people lots of different people who are all the same, brilliant, but none of them same
where there are vans that sell ice cream
where your not obliged to talk
where you can talk as much as you like
where you have a right to work
where there are bins to put your rubbish
where things can be delivered to your door
where you can be yourself
where we are free
where there’s no such thing as normal
where there’s no such thing as sane
where there’s always something or someone that makes you think life is really great
where there’s a healthy obsession with tea
where there’s muggles and wizards
where it sort of all works really in a funny kind of way
and then when it doesn’t something will happen
or someone will come along to make it better
just because they can or because they had an idea
it is lovely.  Our beautiful tropical island.
Even when it rains.

Note to self

Passion

The loss was immense

The pain unbearable

Instead

Sitting in my room

Door closed

Photo next to bed

I sit and talk

To the photo of the person

Who knows me

Who knew me

The photo cannot provide a response

But it eases my pain

It soothes the hurt

Until the next time I need to talk

The volunteer

Provided me with confidence

The volunteer entered my life

Provided a structure

Provided routines

Requested I kept a diary of my fleeting thoughts

Requested that I kept a “To do” list

Provided me with hope

Listens to me

Calms me

Reassures me

He sits with my problems

Tries to resolve them

Rather than allows me fester over them

He brings a smile to my face

That’s all I need

My notebook is a companion

A true companion

Each page is a fresh start

Each page is blank

Waiting to be written on

Waiting to be scribbled on

Waiting to be doodled on

It is how I cope

With the contents of my head

With the voices in my head

With life events

I write them all

As I experience them

Peace

After so much soul searching
After so much reflection
I have found a place
That offers me a space
That offers me a time
That offers  me no distraction
That offers me a space to think
That offers me a space to rest my head
That offers me a time alone with my thoughts
That offers me to listen to the voices in my head
Quieten down
To allow me
To close my eyes
And rest.

He greets me with a bark
He greets me with a need
To walk, to feed, to rest
He is reliant on me
Like I am reliant on him
Our bond is strong
Our needs are different but the same
When we meet
We know
We have arrived
He takes me as he finds me
I take him as the family I never had

We are close.
Bound in a loose embrace,
Our bond of bodies touching,
Our resting bed this place.

A bath of afterglow
Soaks us with its peace,
And lulls us up and lulls us down
From time we are released.

Our love lovemaking, our beautiful act
A communion of wholly souls,
Our calming heart, our smile, our love,
For Nic and me all grows.

by Andy Wild

On the other side,
they think I’m better
when
I’m medicated,
and I’m on a
hospital
ward,

but every brick
of that wall
has helped put me here.

I feel better when the newspapers
report boring headlines.
And Twitter is trending
about real stories,
not myth or
mystery.
I feel better with my lover when
we sail along the river.
And I tremble at the
thought I have
succeeded along
the way with
her help.

And I feel fine, when
I am walking through the streets,
and the street is not walking
through me, because
everybody knows
I am an actor not simply
a spectator of life, and
there is no wall
to pin me in.

I’m always on the other
side of that wall,
no matter
what they
think and I’m
fine because I have more than
the wings of a prayer.
And no barrier is
high enough
for me.

Tickety, boom, boom, boom

It’s such a wonderful life

TIckety, boom, boom, boom, I love my life

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

It’s such a wonderful life,

And I love life.

There’s a wonderful magic in all of us

We are the creation of mankind

Our human race, is so magnificent

And yeah, yeah, I’m feeling fine.

Tickety, boom, boom, boom

It’s such a wonderful life

TIckety, boom, boom, boom, I love my life

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

It’s such a wonderful life,

And I love life.

My friends are Kindred spirits

They bring comfort to my soul

They make me feel so human

They make me feel so whole

Tickety, boom, boom, boom

It’s such a wonderful life

tIckety, boom, boom, boom, I love my life

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

Such a wonderful life,

And I love life

Our bond is like no other

I Respect them, we respect, each other

And, all I want to do is say

Is Yeah, Yeah, yeah have a wonderful day

Tickety, boom, boom, boom

It’s such a wonderful life

tIckety, boom, boom, boom, I love my life

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

Such a wonderful life,

And I love life

Go make yourself great memories

Follow your chosen path

But remember, don’t take life to seriously

As It’s better off to laugh

And when the years have passed you by

Don’t worry about, past strife

Cause I know, you’ll make it work for you

As it’s such a wonderful life

Tickety, boom, boom, boom

It’s such a wonderful life

TIckety, boom, boom, boom, I love my life

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

It’s such a wonderful life,

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

It’s such a wonderful life.

Midnight caller

I dial the number
Wait
For familiarity
Wait
For a response
I ask for her
The nurse that knows me
The nurse that talks to me
The nurse that calms me
She soothes my thoughts
Enquiries if I have enough to eat
Enquiries if I have been taking my medication
Enquires if the bills have been paid
She knows me
She knows my vulnerabilities
She cares for me
From a distance
She knows me
She nursed me a few years ago
I no longer see her
I just talk to her

Hugs and strength coming your way,

here’s hoping tomorrow’s a better day,

don’t give up and don’t give in,

you’ll be surprised of the power within,

…

“WISE”

I feel better when I am more myself when I discard this false disguise

I’m aware I’m finally getting there at long last

It’s so helpful that my loved ones care a comfort just to know their there

My minds set free from struggles in the past

No one said that life is easy I found that out to my cost

I was lonely isolated I felt life was over rated

But most of all I felt that I was lost

Recovery is spasmodic one step forwards two steps back

I struggled to find new ways to help me cope

But this journeys finally taught me that positivitys the golden key

Being mindful not to lose sight of precious hope

I feel better when I am more like me and proud of who I am

I won’t hide behind a mask or a disguise

I look forwards to the future armed with the lessons that I’ve learned

What’s biggest? being positive is WISE

Ends

“Living In The Now”

I feel better when I’m confident and my positive minds in gear

My feelings adapt accordingly my mind feels free and clear

I feel better when I am upbeat I love sitting by the sea

Waves softly lapping on the shore enjoying being me

I’m not a slave to negativity designed to bring me down

I’m tenacious I’m determined I refuse to wear a frown

I feel better when I’m positive my thoughts running high not low

I can focus on my future and all the places I can go

I think about my family and the friends who have been there

Supporting me by night and day proving that they care

I feel better when I’m positive no more dwelling on the past

I’m living in the here and now acceptance reigns at last

I must be mindful of what I’m thinking keep negativity at bay

I’ll be grateful for this life I live I will welcome each new day

There’s far more questions than there’s answers the whys the where’s the hows

The key lies in POSITIVITY and LIVING IN THE NOW!!!!

Now I’ll tell you a true story

About a man, who, once lost his mind

He was dealt a wrong hand

A fate too unkind

We met up in a coffee house,

In Old Leicester Square

It become a physical attraction

A friendship we begun to share

He’d say; Pretty girl be kind to me

Sunrays and moonbeams entwine with me

Let the stars shine down on me

You’ve set my tangled mind, free

The summer rays, shone down on us

As we strolled hand in hand, through London town

Big Ben chimed loudly

He fooled around, acting the clown

He said, with you, I hear birds sing

I feel the sunbeams on my skin

This world is a now a brighter place

Girl you’ve such a pretty face

He said girl, come dance with me

And the truth as it be

I fell in love with him

He fell in love with me

He whispered, let’s build a little house

It’ll be our Buckingham Palace

I’ll be your Christopher Robin

You’ll be my breathtaking Alice

We stay strong through our misty days

Life’s recovered in many ways

It was meant to be, some how

Our journeys, forever now

So life is about true love

For oneself and for others

We all need love

And we became lovers

Years on were still together

He loves me, just the same

He now calls himself Tarzan

And me Lady Jane

So now the true story ends

Giving hope and inspiration to you

You could be me

And he could be you

He said; Pretty girl, be kind to me

Sunrays and moonbeams entwine with me

Thanks for the stars that shine down on me

My tangled mind set free

In eager anticipation I wait.

My once a week allowance

for which I will never, ever, be late.

I stand

and bubble with joy

a smile inside and out.

I stand

eager eyes on the dividing door

waiting for the rout.

It moves!

I beam

as skipping, jumping, bouncing ball of energy

runs into my arms.

I beam

as book bag, lunch bag and things she’s made

are trusted to my hands.

We move

hot hands pull urgently

to the swings that cannot wait.

We move

push with laughter, screams with joy

a bond with in us make.

We share

our stories our secrets,

the cheeky things we do.

We share

our time to play

just me and wonderful you.

You are in my life long daily

with you around, all glows.

I am

you are

we be

and I hope that always shows.

by Andy Wild

When I am, 

I am here… Looking carefully.

When I am,

I am here…Looking wondrously.

Around,

and within…

Without anxiety.

It is better to wait.  It is better to trust.  It is better to risk living.

Even in the darkness.

It is better to ask.  It is better to feel.  Better this,

than to live in hiding.

Better this,

than before, when I shut life out.

Life has opened. It continues to open. It opens again.  Everlasting flower.

Welcomes; It continues to welcome.

Calls, and continues to call.

Soft, silent petals

Shown in a moment, in

meditation of one still second.

Tiny, but certain.  It’s peace-stalk is green against grey.

Grey fading into past

becomes a memory.

I feel better when moving.

I can fall forward,

I can fall back.

When I am, 

I am here…Looking carefully.

When I am,

I am here….Looking wondrously.

Around,

and within,

without anxiety.

A meditation.

Thank you.

Jenny Meehan

Examine the painting, examine the patient

I stopped
I started
I pondered
I reflected
I sketched
Until I was able to
Tune out the distraction
Live in the moment
Connect to others
Connect to myself
The painting allowed me to
Express unreleased anger
Express frustration
That had been hidden
That was only beginning to be overspill
Onto the canvas
It allowed me to focus
Momentarily
Until
I saw what I had created
Until
I saw my own potential

I no longer take on jobs I do not want to do

I no longer compare myself to others

I no longer think so negatively

I no longer isolate myself

I no longer disconnect myself from the world

I no longer keep myself up all night with loud music

I no longer dwell on event and incidents I have no control over

I no longer surround myself with false friends

I am learning to be assertive

I am learning to like myself

I am learning to like me

When I am,

I am here… looking carefully.

When I am

I am here… looking wondrously.

Around,

and within,

without anxiety.

It is better to wait.  It is better to trust.  It is better to risk living.

Even in the darkness.

It is better to ask.  It is better to feel.  Better this

than to live in hiding.

Better this, than before

When I shut life out.

Life has opened; It continues to open.

Welcomes; It continues to welcome.

Calls, and continues to call…

I feel better when moving

forwards.

I can fall forward

I can fall back

When I am,

I am here, looking carefully

When I am

I am here, looking wondrously

Around

and within,

without anxiety.

Jenny Meehan