Time To Say Goodbye # 2

"Live in the moment or you'll never be free..."

Take 2 of 'Time To Say Goodbye' refers to the 'Tall Tales & Short Stories' series of blogs.
Seeing as the theme of the blogs is to recall past events, yet saying farewell relates to putting the past behind me, it makes perfect sense to cease writing on such matters, and to concentrate on living in the present, and looking forward to the future.

Therefore, my blogs have now come to a natural end, although maybe a change of direction or a new subject may entice me to return to the writing in the future...time will tell?
The whole essence of these blogs was also to work out a few personal demons, and exorcise a few ghosts...an aim which I feel has now been achieved.

When I first started writing my blogs I was regaling my past experiences of moving locations in my search to find a spiritual home. Now after a lengthy process I feel that I am 'home' as I feel very settled both in my home life and in my work life. The balance between a healthy and happy lifestyle, and a life at work remains an ongoing battle, as does the ensuing trauma in striving to find a simplistic way of life, whilst dealing with a complex state of mind...but as previously stated, I'm getting there!
I feel that my life has gone full circle, as I left my home county in 1997 just before my 30th birthday, and after 15 years I'm finally back and settled with one eye on a happy future, both domestically and professionally.
I remain a single lad, but this solitude doesn't neccesarily make me a lonely man; I enjoy my own company and I can wait until the time is right to share my life with that special lady when she finally comes along.

So the time comes to say goodbye once again, but may I take the opportunity to thank you all for reading my blogs, and I hope somewhere along the way I've brought some enjoyment to some of you?
I must pay special recognition to my dear friend Elona (pictured below) ~ she has proved a continual inspiration to me by her unconditional support and friendship, and it was she who encouraged me to return to writing in the first place. I hope she won't be too disappointed in my decision to quit writing, although like I say I may yet return to address other topics in the future.

May I bid you all a fond farewell, and here's wishing you all a lovely hot summer...if such a thing ever exists?

Be safe, stay happy, keep smilin'& take care.

"choose life, choose living..."

Steve M

Time To Say Goodbye

"Things come wrapped up in time, like the past in a present, or the perfect line in a song,
 They take their time, and when they're gone, they take their time with them..."

Somebody recently asked me how do I remain so upbeat and optimistic in a life apparently so far filled with setbacks and disappointments?
My simple answer was that I try to draw strength from these experiences with an unbreakable spirit, safe in the knowledge that I firmly believe that my hope isn't misplaced, as good times are just around the corner.
This is in essence the story of who I am, and the story of what makes me this way.
The story which tells the tale that through every negative I do my best to find a positive outcome, as I also truly believe that you have to experience the bad things in life, to fully appreciate the good times when they come along.

~

 "It's always a struggle to let somebody go, it's a natural desire to own your lover, I know..."

Tomorrow marks the birthday of my last true love...may my sweet Louise always rest in peace ♥
I have to finally accept that she's gone, as I have been in denial for far too long with regards to her passing away at such a tender age. I know that it's time to let go, time to say goodbye, and time to move on.
She will always live on in my heart, and the thought of her makes me want to become a better man... a man that she would've wanted me to be.

~

Due to her brave fight with cancer, Lou was the inspiration behind the charity event I organised for Cancer Research UK, which amazingly celebrates its' anniversary at the end of the month.
(please see photo bottom right, featuring the lads & myself beside Eastbourne Pier after we'd just completed the 100 miles trek along The South Downs Way).
So with this anniversary in mind, as well as Lou's birthday, it seems an appropriate time to say goodbye.

~

Part of the process of writing these blogs was to personally help me deal with the conflict between my desire to find a simplistic way of life, whilst struggling with a complex state of mind...and I'm getting there!
In the meantime, I'm going to be keeping myself-to-myself initially, although I do fully intend to move on.
The unconditional support, love and friendship that I receive from those closest to me is most gratefully appreciated, and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart ♥
I wish you all well, and I look forward to the next chapter in my life...whatever that may be?

"...And you can have it all, my empire of dirt,
 I will let you down, I will make you hurt.
 If I could start again, a million miles away,
 I would keep myself, I would find a way".

Steve M