Lately throughout lockdown I have come to appreciate my little dog Lily even more than usual.

Lily gives me such wonderful unconditional love and I know I would be totally lost without her company during lockdown. I have had Lily for just under 5 years now and I would have to say she has brought me happiness beyond compare, even though at first it was challenging raising her from a puppy in my little unit.

Lily has grown into a happy, placid peaceful and affectionate little soul. She loves to show her love to me, by madly kicking my face, particularly if my face is cleansed and moistureised after my shower. She loves lying beside me, touching me in some way and is most at home sharing the couch with me.

I think I would be desperately lonely, living on my own throughout lockdown without Lily. She is unaware of any pandemic, she is just contented that Mummy is around so much. She gives me something good to focus on, and helps me spread a little positivity to the world..

I know in lockdown lots of people have become dog owners and my sincere hope is that all these dogs, continue to be loved family members, when lockdown ends. I worry that we will end up with a glut of rescue dogs, because owners no longer have the time for those dogs. A dog is a big lifetime commitment and responsibility.

Lily will always be loved by me in this life and the next. I think our loved dogs remind us, that God exists because God created these wonderful little creatures to be humankind’s best friend. Lily is definitely my little best friend and I cherish my time spent with her.

I hope all people whom own a dog can appreciate all that these canine creatures bring to our lives.

They truly are little gifts from God.

As I sit here and write this piece I have just watched a repeat episode of what has become my all time favourite television series The Recording Studio “. This very humble show produced by the ABC here in Australia, would have to be among the most heart-warming and positive shows ever made in this country.

Like many people I stumbled upon this show almost accidentally and was so enchanted by it that I watch it every time the ABC repeat it.

Featuring such luminaries of the Australian recording industry as producers Charles Fisher, Mark Opitz and others and the absolutely adorable and talented Scott Aplin as Music director the show is so definitely uplifting and yes, heart-warming to watch. The ABC has only produced one series of it so far, then covid landed on Australian shores, making producing another series of it, impossible for the time being. I live in hope and pray that some day soon it will be possible to make more episodes as that is what I believe we need at the moment. A program dedicated to ptoducing recordings of songs that are special to people to say I LOVE YOU or THANK YOU to the special people in our lives. I too, would like the opportunity to express my love and gratitude to a special friend and dream of being able to do so on this program. People whom have never recorded before given the chance to do so, with the creme de la creme of our recording industry. That is just mind blowing and so gracious all at once. Only in my very private dreams can I envision being given that sort of opportunity. This is massive.

I hope that I have sparked an interest in my readers whom have not heard of The Recording Studio to look it up on the ABC iview and start talking about it, and spread the word that maybe another series is just what jaded post covid Australia needs. A chance for everyday Australians to say I LOVE YOU or THANK YOU to the people we have come to treasure in our lives throughout this frustrating and emotionally draining pandemic. I feel blessed with one angel in my life and I know almost everyone could say that there are people that we have treasured throughout this global pandemic.

What a glorious way to mark the end of that, but with a joyous happy song as a tribute. Let’s hope we can sing it from the rooftops with the aid of the amazing talents of people like Scott Aplin and the many talented producers, engineers and musicians. Let’s make this happen and share in the goodwill it creates. .

Sounds good to me.

Whilst our world is currently butt silently desolately battling covid it can be hard to feel good.

But we must try to find a reason to smile. I live in Melbourne and we have definitely had our fair share of lockdown throughout this pandemic. It is very wearing and when I find myself feeling frustrated or fatigued with lockdown I always now try to think of myself as Lucky because there are very many people in worse circumstances than myself

I am not totally alone or isolated and I cheer myself up by sending positive messages to my loved one’s. My friends appreciate this and many have commented that I have beena ray of sunshine when lockdown has been bleak. I have a wonderful friend whom is battling cancer throughout this pandemic and she manages to be positive and generous of spirit if she can manage that then I can be a force for positivity.

I have long worked in welfare and know my life purpose is about spreading empathy, compassion and grace. Whenever I face my demons I now try to fight them, by generating goodwill. I genuinely believe in karma and believe that goodwill generates goodwill. Instead of bitching that we are in a long drawn out pandemic and blaming our leaders for the decisions they have made, we must try to find it in ourselves to be kind to our loved ones and share a little love and compassion. Yes we are struggling, but things will get better. And who knows maybe in time, we will look back at this moment in time of one where the people learned to share what we have, that this pandemic could be the end of selfishness and greed. If we learn to share and love our neighbour we also learn self love and self care.

This is what I hope will happen. I have faith that it will…..

If there is anything I have learned on my journey it is that karma exists. I was diagnosed with a mental illness at the age of 26 years old. My kind brother David told me at that time that whatever I did with my life from then on I needed to surround myself with good people. I took heed of David’s advice and was wise enough to know that if I wanted good people in my life, I needed to be good to the people who came into m y life. I did lose some friends around that time, but they were fair-weather friends, there for a good time, disappearing during more chsllenging times. I was hurt by losing those friends and it was part of my healing to be good to my true friends and bring a little positive cheer to the people who came into my life. As these good relationships grew, so did my faith in God, and I started to feel the benefits of good karma.

Sure I had some painful lessons to learn along the way, and I did have my heart broken a few times, but I did generate good karma by not being revengeful when these things happened. Instead I learned to wish these people well. I learned that everyone comes into our life for a reason, some only for a season and some forever more.

Goodwill generates goodwill. To generate some good karma for yourself, learn that you must only treat people with the best of intentions. If you treat someone badly understand that it will affect your karma, and you will receive back to you, what you have put out into the universe. Yes, it is hard to be nice to someone whom isn’t nice to you, but having only good attentions is a lot better for your well-being than being bitter and resentful.

Everything happens in God’s time and the results of good karma is not instantaneous. Be strong, have faith that days will get better. There is a lot of joy to be found in being positive and generous and it is far healthier than the negative alternative.

Good Karma generates good karma. Be kind to yourself on days that seem trying, and soon you will reap the benefits of being a kind thoughtful person. Life can be beautiful if you treat people with a little kindness.

If there is anything I have gained in this life, it is the knowing that there is always someone who is worse off than me.

I try to keep a positive outlook and see myself as a lucky person. I may not be wealthy financially, but I have good friends, support and love in abundance. I appreciate that immensely

As with a lot of people in today’s world I have lived the past 18 months in and out of lockdown. This has been challenging and when I am feeling frustrated I remember that there are literally thousands of millions of people doing it really tough in this time of covid.

My darling angel lady Susanna is battling cancer throughout these times and still faces life with a positive attitude and a smile and a witty comment. If she can still smile then I certainly can.

I have a faith in God and believe that we all can live in Gods grace by being grateful for what we have. God may give us challenges but if we can grow and see throughout these and acknowledge that we can always learn we can see God working through us. Throughout lockdown I have been watching the little self isolation videos that Sam Neill created to help those cope with the experience of lockdown. Whenever I feel a little negativity creeping in I watch these videos and find myself smiling.

I also have the company of a lovely little dog called Lily, whom is a little canine ray of sunshine. She is happy, peaceful and contented and she brightens my life in so many ways.

I may have mental health issues, but I have learned to live with it, and absolutely believe that my journey with mental health issues has lead to my life being enriched in so many ways. I live my life without regret and value all the good I have.

If ever you find yourself being negative or judgemental in your life remember God has plans for us all, and wants all to experience his grace. Try to help those less fortunate and be happy with what you have. The grace of God is abundant in our life if only we can see it.

I wish everyone happiness, peace and love and to know the Grace of God.

One day a few months after my dog Chloe had passed away I was sitting on a park bench in the local park thinking about her. My eyes had filled with tears thinking of my memories of her.

At that very instant I looked down between my legs. Instantly I was overcome with shock to see a little Maltese dog that looked exactly like Chloe sitting beneath the park bench, looking at me excitedly wagging it’s tail.

This dog had appeared out of nowhere and was definitely focused on me. In the distance I saw a lady approaching who was obviously walking this dog in the park. When the lady spoke to me she said that as soon as the little dog had entered the park, it instantly saw me and run making a beeline for me. It looked exactly like Chloe and it gave me comfort to think that little dog was letting me know that Chloe’s spirit was with me, letting me know through this little dog that she remains with me forever.

God bless all dogs for the unconditional love they have for us.

Of all the traits that a person can have I think wisdom is one of the best. Wisdom is something we gain from the experience of life on this earth. People who are wise make the best counsellors and support people, because they base their advice on lived experience. My friends all say that I am a wise person and I am flattered that they think that. I certainly know that my journey of life, particularly my journey of mental health issues has helped to shape and mould me as a person. I have been able to share my journey with others, particularly by working in the mental health field. I know that when I give advice or support, I try to put myself in the shoe’s of the people seeking my support. That is empathy for people and I believe that people who are wise, have developed empathy and know how powerful their wisdom and advice can be.

I have a friend called Barbara, whom I would describe as a wise owl. Barbara is one of the most wise ladies I have ever met. We met studying Welfare Studies, both wanting to use our experiences to help others, as a career. Barbara and I saw something in one another, and she has become my greatest supporter and champion throughout my career, and she has nursed me throughout more than one broken heart along the way.

When I think of wisdom the analogy of PEARLS OF WISDOM comes to mind. In much the same way that an oyster develops a beautiful pearl, we can develop beautiful wisdom, which is to be treasured, much like we treasure the beauty of pearls.

I wish everyone grows a beautiful string of pearls throughout their life. Wisdom is beautiful. Treasure your pearls.

One day I was visiting my friend Lani who is a hairdresser. Lani has a dog called Ruby who is a black curly haired cavoodle. As Lani is a hairdresser Ruby is quite used to lots of people visiting and is a quiet well behaved, placid dog. I was having a conversation with Lani and Ruby was sitting on the floor close by. Lani and I were having a discussion about angels, a subject we both believe in. I was saying to Lani that our dogs have angels of their own, and can in fact be angels to us owners.

At this point Ruby jumped quickly onto my lap and started madly licking my face. It was as though she totally understood what we were talking about and was having her say agreeing wholeheartedly.

Ruby licking my face made me laugh and the more I laughed the more Ruby licked me. Lani was saying that timing is everything and Ruby obviously perfectly understood what we were talking about and showing us both that she is definitely an angel, a gift from God.

If there ever was a sign that angels do exist, that was definitely it. Angels don’t have to have wings. They can have fur four legs and a tail.

Ruby you are an angel.

I firmly believe that angels come into our lives in many forms, and I firmly believe that our furbabies are angels that God has sent to earth to love and protect their humans. My own little dog Lily definitely has an angelic presence and brings me absolute joy and a love that is unconditional. Lily has come to be even more important to me during lockdown, giving me company that is peaceful and contented. I would be very lonely without Lily and if I didn’t have her in lockdown I would slowly go insane with the isolation. Lily is my little girl and I truly love her for the joy she so freely brings to my life. Thank you God for our furbabies, they are truly a gift.