achieving goals

receiving awards

sense of belonging

words of healing

creative writing

arts and crafts

painting rainbows

thats what makes me feel better

I feel better when I believe in me.

It’s all about the story I decide to be.

When I’ve defrosted out of ice and snow.

When the grey ceiling is not so low.

I don’t know what causes it, I don’t know the trigger.

But sometimes the good things start to get bigger.

I can feel the sun and hear my friends.

Motivation and action lead to ends.

Things begin to work in the way that they wouldn’t.

I want to do things I used to feel like I shouldn’t.

The story you tell yourself is understood.

If you delude yourself make it something good.

Belonging

What am I but a mere visitor

To here

Of Portland’s such as these

Algarcerias, Castellar de La Frontera, A Coruña, Aberdeen

No matter where both feet wander

Whatever given trodden path

Surprisingly it all becomes more apparent

That, at times, my belonging appears false

A stranger amongst people

A stranger threading water in ones own gene pool

Occasionally happening upon a glimmer or a flicker

Of self knowing in others

Quickly fading into the abyss

A solitary moment of short lived peace

Dissipates

Surrounded by and sitting in a golden shaft of soft setting sunlight

In a wondrous Andalusian autumnal garden

Gazing through a brilliant blaze

To watch it crackle and spit various flamed tongues from the heaped up stack of dried detritus

My ears attune to a grazing melody of cattle bells

Tinkling pleasure notes soothing unease

Fist sized birds roosting

Chattering and chirping their flock’s tale

Curious dogs bark a lizard into hiding

A pack of three

Excitedly sniffing and whining an ancient hunter’s cry

Whilst a sister and brother

Breath together

An aged old practice

A whisper

Sleeping siesta

I breath

A belonging

I feel better when I am..

Standing in my power

Sharing my

Eating vegetables

Walking in nature

I feel better When I Am

racing to meet you at the café,
to share hot chocolate and soufflé,

a gold medallist in the ten thousand,
the singer in the latest boy band.

at home with my mother and father
or even my annoying sister and brother.

dancing on the dance floor
or climbing the highest sky walker.

reading all the Harry Potter books again,
queuing for the best ice cream,

jumping on my big brass bed,
doing arithmetic in my head.

looking forward to the next day,
remembering fondly yesterday

jumping out with my first parachute,
what a laugh, what a hoot.

building sand castles in the air,
playing with the curls of your hair,

holding you close when you’re afraid
giving you a gift that I have made.

hanging out with my best friends
swopping downloads just for lends.

drawing smilies in my copy book
just to get you to take a look

or texting you a good night’s kiss
wishing you a life like this

Hands Poem

Your marshmallow hands,
squishy talcum powder hands.
Your closed crab claw hands,
your tiny ten times smaller
pink hands saucered in my palm.
Smooth young unscratched,
unblemished skin, fingers curled,
hanging on hands.

Your dinky pinkies, your gooey
jelly baby hands, cotton wool
balls of hands, fluffy rabbit paws,
soft cream, ice cream hands,
clasping ,clutching, cosseted, closed
in mine, warm as dumplings hands.
Teeny weeny huggy bear hands,
precious to us both hands..

Gifts from The Group

You have given me;

Stars on a cloudy night

By which to find my way.

A gentle breeze upon slackened sails

During my personal doldrums.

You have given me;

The excruciating pain of shared laughter

Vibrating against a shattered rib cage.

Flash floods generated by healing tears,

by love, compassion and by friendship –

All falling too fast for my parched soul.

You have painted a rainbow

On my frozen desert skies.

Put air into my aching lungs

And placed Hope on the far horizon –

Some one hold me tight please,

Tell me it’s not a mirage.

Ali Heard

There is Another Land

There is another land where the waters run clear and deep,

Where the air vibrates- brushing everything clean.

This land is carved from hugs, from warmth and smiles,

From our hopes and our joys.

This land is made for living, for sharing and giving,

For sensual touch and for love.

This land draws forth strength, compassion and vitality,

Draws forth our laughter and our sighs.

This land pulsates with life, with emotions and feelings,

Pulsates with you and with me.

This land reflects in the still waters, in our faces and in our hearts,

Reflects in the night sky and in our eyes.

It is a land where we can all belong,

For it is born out of the wholeness of a friendship true.

      Ali Heard

Do you remember that summer?

Together in Corsica

We drove the winding roads

Through the coral sunbeat mountains

To the coast of Cargèse.

I’ll never forget the beach

Where we laughed together for hours

On that peaceful afternoon.

We were the only ones

Lying there

You, me, mam and pap

And oh how we laughed at her – a mummy

Wrapped like that, in her cream pashmina

Hiding from grains that danced with the wind

And at him

For, well… just being him

In those shorts and with that hat

Do you remember?

Running on the warm sand with me

To where the little boats lay tired and thirsty

We sat on their edge

Drawing stars in the sand with our toes

And we left them there

As a thank you note for the night sky

For always being there to wish upon

So when I need to, I go back there

Back to Corsica

With you

Between the mountains and the sea

Dancing on those little boats

Where all that mattered was just to be

I feel better when I am… me…

And shout it from rooftops in a decree

Ahoy over there – I’m just me!

I’m peaceful and happy and oh so calm

Especially on a beach under a palm.

Smell the sea air and hear the soft waves

To be in the sun is what my heart craves.

On UK soil I do love it still

Standing on top of big Hampstead Hill

Or taking a walk round London’s Soho

What an adventure watching people rush to and fro.

Sipping my latte, mocha or tea;

There’s nothing like feeling that my heart is free.

Free to explore the wold that is mine

And knowing my place in this world is of my design

I feel better when I am… (an eagle).

An eagle does not belong in a cage and it’s not for me,

Let me out of the 9-5, that’s my plea!

To soar above the trees and the hills;

Without the care of green dollar bills.

To strike at a target with power, focus and fervour

Not to be just the grey office server…

of tea and coffee, “ one lump or two?”

It’s a waste of my talent, they haven’t a clue!

It’s up to me to release my chains,

…to show the world, that I too have brains!

It’s my fault really, I’ve stayed for too long!

I’ve stifled the call of my bird song.

That’s now behind and the future beckons,

No longer do I accept any sloppy seconds.

I now live life with hope, wonder and a dream;

All of this with a love supreme,

…to take a great photo and make money too,

But most of all to make my heart true,

True to the eagle and pioneer

To push on through ‘cos my dream is clear.

I will try hard to…

Say ‘No’ to others

Not get involved in other peoples or ‘the worlds’ dilemmas and situations

I will be the watcher

I will let it happen at a distance

I will continue to construct ‘my’ very own safe space!

I feel better when I can

So here’s the plan…

I will try hard to…”

Start a new Chapter.

I will accept what has happened

I will not waste precious life energy worrying, predicting the ‘now’

Or putting right the past!

I will not think, say

I am stupid, worthless, mad, a loony or not worthy of others medical time and support-or even a nuisance!

I feel better when I can

So here’s the plan…

I Will try hard to…”

Bring complete attention, acceptance and trust to the present experience,

Be accepting of how it is now, on a moment-to-moment basis

BUT this is not always easy in my world

I can’t always agree to this!

I WILL feel better when I can

Gather up my shattered, scattered dreams

I will put together a life I truly love!

I will not feel guilty but continue to learn how to be kind to myself.

This is a much better use of my time and breath…

Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction,

Even a tip toe if it helps,

Will end up being the

BIGGEST, MOST HONEST and IMPORTANT

Step of your life…

But take that step!!

I did!

So here’s my plan…

If I hadn’t taken that tiny step or chosen to ‘tell all’, trust a very dedicated professional and very special individual…

A person I have been able to cry buckets in front of

Told things I am not proud of

BUT learned to laugh a lot along the way with to J

Someone who knew how to nurture and re programme me

Even if has taken ‘ANOTHER’ week longer

When I say ‘how’ again!!!!! Or what’s the plan..?

He has given me the tools and tool box to go it alone,

If I hadn’t had access to him then you wouldn’t be reading this now,

The start of my fourth chance at LIFE!

I will stand again

I’ll  feel better when I can

A calm sea breeze

When the waves brush the sand

A smile from a stranger

A friend’s helping hand

A sky sewn with stars

On a clear winter’s evening

A walk along an open road

A letter full of meaning

A pocket firmly lined with dreams

When things are getting tough

A dose of great music

To smooth out all the rough

A view from the mountain top

When the climb’s been steep

All happy moments

Forever yours to keep

As the rain falls down the windows

A thousand fragile tears

Slipping uncontrollably

Painting a tangible picture

With their familiar words

I look out to sea

The sun sits faintly on the horizon

It’s nature’s way of telling me

That it will all be ok

She comes tap-tapping at my door
And oh how my heart does soar
As when I approach to let her in
Her tail lifts in grateful greeting.

Then in she pads, so full of grace,
Meowing until I lift her to my face
And plant a kiss upon her head
When she’ll start to purr instead.

Gently I place her back down
And now she wants to play the clown,
Rolling over and weaving around my legs
– Come on, give me more fuss, she begs.

Eventually she settles on my knee,
Vibrating away contentedly;
I talk to her softly about my troubles,
Them drifting off in paw shaped bubbles.

I will try hard to…

Say ‘No’ to others

Not get involved in other peoples or ‘the worlds’ dilemmas and situations

I will be the watcher

I will let it happen at a distance

I will continue to construct ‘my’ very own safe space!

I feel better when I can

So here’s the plan…

I will try hard to…”

Start a new Chapter.

I will accept what has happened

I will not waste precious life energy worrying, predicting the ‘now’

Or putting right the past!

I will not think, say

I am stupid, worthless, mad, a loony or not worthy of others medical time and support-or even a nuisance!

I feel better when I can

So here’s the plan…

I Will try hard to…”

Bring complete attention, acceptance and trust to the present experience,

Be accepting of how it is now, on a moment-to-moment basis

BUT this is not always easy in my world

I can’t always agree to this!

I WILL feel better when I can

Gather up my shattered, scattered dreams

I will put together a life I truly love!

I will not feel guilty but continue to learn how to be kind to myself.

This is a much better use of my time and breath…

Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction,

Even a tip toe if it helps,

Will end up being the

BIGGEST, MOST HONEST and IMPORTANT

Step of your life…

But take that step!!

I did!

So here’s my plan…

If I hadn’t taken that tiny step or chosen to ‘tell all’, trust a very dedicated professional and very special individual…

A person I have been able to cry buckets in front of

Told things I am not proud of

BUT learned to laugh a lot along the way with to J

Someone who knew how to nurture and re programme me

Even if has taken ‘ANOTHER’ week longer

When I say ‘how’ again!!!!! Or what’s the plan..?

He has given me the tools and tool box to go it alone,

If I hadn’t had access to him then you wouldn’t be reading this now,

The start of my fourth chance at LIFE!

I will stand again

I feel better when I can

Where Ever Your Life Takes You

Whatever path you take in LiFe, Where Ever you have been,
Whatever you have done, May you Know, that it was you that was here;
That Lived those days,
That cried those tears,
That, in your own way, you did what you had to,
To LiVe, To Dream,
To Survive and Fulfil your Needs,
Your Goals, Your Wishes.

May you look back and Live with Empathy and also Understanding,
Towards yourself and hopefully others,
That the time you have spent here had meaning, at least to you,
That the days that have passed were sometimes good,
And somehow sometimes made up for all the bad,
That in the end, you know who you were, at least within Heart and yourself,
And that the choices you made, were made because of where you were then,
And because of who you were becoming.

So, Where Ever your LiFe takes you,
Where ever you path does lead;
Let it be you,
Let it be you who really decides which cross-roads to turn,
And if you have no choice,
At least then, Let it be you who lives within your Heart,
Smiles those smiles, cry’s those tears,
And then, at least;

Within Your Own Mind;

Knows you You Are.

The Beautiful Pain

You Felt, you Cried, you Embraced the Pain of the World.
You saw, how others felt and struggled, lived and died;
Then in your Heart, a Glow did Spark,
The Pain was so much, too much to bare.

Deep, deep connection to the Suffering of Life,
And in a magical moment something magnificent happened.
A Great Cry was Heard, No More No More,
And with that pain, you Transformed it into something so Beautiful,
Something so Real, something so Heartfelt and Profound.

You took that Pain, and by God did you feel it,
Yet, you did not turn it upon others,
You did not force others to feel this pain that you so felt.
Yet, instead, you Transformed it,
Condensed it together and turned it into Love. Higher love.

This Pain became a Rage, and the rage became a Devotion,
A longing, a commitment, a Whole Soul Felt decision to no longer be part,
To no longer create or spread this hurt any further,
To no longer be part of this pain-giving World.

So instead, you sawt to be a vessel, a vehicle of Love, of Kindness,
Compassion and Understanding,
So, you could not be part of a messed up human world and society,
So you would not add and contribute to all the suffering and fierce hurt,
That Life does so often bring.
So you could spread the Light of Kindness into the Hearts of All you came across.

And Why?
Because you saw, you felt, you knew, you Understood,

Their, your own, this Worlds;
Beautiful Pain.

Lightwood`s fire

In the height of summer

I sat under the mighty beech

with a warm breeze

stroking the lush ferns

and dispensing light relief

from the walk up.

Sitting on the stone surrounding the fire

I remind myself

of the age of the place

and my inconsequential nature

that feeling you get

when you are pleased to be alive

and take no living thing for granted.

My Buxton friends say this is a place

for wild camping; I trust them for their word.

The bridge in need of repair as it falls into the stream

the derelict old pump outhouse deeper into the valley.

A reservoir as once was, a place to escape the bustle now.

These images are for sketches, I have only words.

I fell for this place, though didn’t make it to the peak,

for the next trip for sure.

John Yates August 2014

Across the Leam from Mill Gardens

The clock drips from the parish church.

As I cross the bridge

to Jephson Gardens

it is early February

and the pigeons remain unfed by council decree.

“Mind your head”

the entrance to the underpass reads

the only piece of graffiti left in this oh so heavenly place.

Mothers walk their babies

this as every morning in Royal Leamington Spa.

Operatives tend the grounds

to ill- afford the prices in this town so high.

“A Lady with dirty petticoats” alongside Edinburgh

once described, a fairytale town with Cinderella absent,

a beauty with a mole or two.

But, did Victoria with all her majesty foresee

that behind all the façades and the remnants of imperial glory

lingers young people robbing the well-heeled for the next hit?

Leamington, my home, that saved me a spiral downwards……

Now I rise ever mindful of the pitfalls, ever mindful of knowing my position

in the order of things.

John Yates 2014

Imagine
If I were different
If I were better
If I were mended

Imagine
If I were stable
Able
To cope
All the time

Imagine that

Imaginary friends
Defriended

Image Consciousness
Gone and unashamed

Imagined Voices
Silenced

Imagine that

I’d hardly be me though, would I?
I’m me.
I’m who I want to be.
I’m trying.
I’m asking for help when I need it.
And I’m … (dare I say it)… happy with that.

Reaching you is like nectar,

inky shade quenches my tired skin.

Eyes adjust beneath your shelter.

Am I outside looking to

pink sun-drenched horizons?

Or maybe inside breathing roots –

finding power from your darkness

strength from your fruit.

Knowing as I lean, you’ll take the strain,

whispering prayers to the sky.

As I emerge, you remain

a silhouette, a sigh.

Your shelter always waiting

the scent of shade like liquorice,

or homemade lemonade.

I’m sure I’ve missed a few

Off the list of things I turn to

That help me through the blue days

(Which I’m slowly getting used to)

My list is to assist me

In steering to my cheery place

In case I have forgotten

That there are common thing that often…

Make me smile

Reliably

Just knowing they’re there makes life a little better

Just knowing that I could always get a:

Cuppa Tea, Beach Boys CD, Long Hot Bath, Bangers and Mash,

Crisp Clean Sheets, Coronation Street, Daffodils and Chocolate Milk.

Which would reliably

Make me smile

Mileage my vary from mine for you

But it’s fine to make your own one too

An inventory of respite and distraction

That in spite of your mood might provoke a reaction

A catalogue could help to

Subdue your mood and tell you

In case you had forgotten

That there are common thing that often…

Make you smile

Reliably

Just knowing they’re there makes life a little better

Just knowing that you could always get a:

Cappuccino, Tarantino Flick, A Quick Sudoku or Crossword To Go Through

Duvet Day, Lemon Sorbet, Parma Violets or Moments of Quietness.

Which would reliably

Make you smile

A list of things that all have a knack

Of asking nothing back

So I can take ‘em

Or I can leave ‘em

Ignore ‘em

Or ask for ‘em

Just knowing they’re there makes life a little better

Just knowing that I could always get a

Smile

The life is good

When you are happy

Because of love and friends

Nothing in life

Can make you happy

Then being with people

Who loves you and cares about you 

Who can make you happy and having good time with them

But the life couldn’t be better 

If you wont have fun and great time with your friends

Without worries and sad times

An love is everywhere

Where you go

But good life is nothing without supporting friends

Because then we couldn’t get through in hard times  

But life is life 

And everyone have to fight for they happiness

No matter what 

But friends will help you 

So be happy no matter what when you friends are around you

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