Chapter 41

Hello there, hope you are well. I am ok. Hope you like the image. I am a sponsor of

the RSPCA. I also am involved with cancer research and dogs trust. These charities are very close to my heart. My mother died of cancer. She was only 54. I just try to put a bit back. I hope and know that research will give others a chance. I have always liked animals. I believe in there welfare. They deserve a voice and protection. I hope others feel the same. I know they do. Till next time, take care.

Chapter 40

Hello there, hope you are well. I am ok. I have just been to a cafe with a couple of friends. I just had a can of pop. Before that I went to the museum and had some oatcakes.

I went to the gym yesterday. I went on the treadmill, I have not done that for a while. It went well. I went to see my cousin last night. His wife did me a nice dinner. On Sunday I went to see my aunt and uncle. I had pastis a donut and tea. I then went to see another aunt and had fruit cake and tea. After this I visited my sister and family. I really enjoyed it. She gave me a can of cider which went down well. I am going to have a look around town in a bit. Then tonight I am meeting up with friends. I am looking forward to the football on telly tomorrow. I maybe going on a day out on the train soon, depending on the weather. Anyway I am going to try and stay positive. Till next time, take care.

Chapter 39

Hello there, hope you are well. I am doing ok. I have been for a meal today and a pint. I enjoyed it. I am meeting up with some friends later. I am getting out when I can. I am still enjoying the gym. I get a bit lonely sometimes though. I have learned to cope with this. I read, listen to music, watch tv or do some chores. I stay positive, if things do worry me or get me down I rationalize. I look for solutions and I keep a smile on my face. Exercise always helps. After 10-20 minutes in the gym I feel fine. I have got my beliefs too that keep me strong. I am trying to work on my confidence levels too. Im getting there. I am making an effort to eat more fruit and veg too. Hopefully Im on the way up. Im going to live life the best I can and make the most of every day. I have been trough a lot in my life, it has made me strong and if I can help others I will. Believe in yourself. Till next time take care.

Chapter 38

Hello hope you are well. Im feeling really well. I have done a few comments today. I am hopeful of the future. I had a good day yesterday. I am trying to fill my days with as much as I can. Im getting back into doing a bit of cooking. I had a lovely pizza last week. Im training as much as I can . I am getting out as much as possible. Hope the weather can be nice. I might get the train somewhere if it is nice. I am making friends as I go along. Still keeping in touch with family. Till next time, take care.

Chapter 37

Just a quick blog. I am in the library now. Im ok. I have had a rest this morning. I am going to have a pint in a bit. My friend is visiting tonight. I am having fish and chips again. I am still feeling positve. Take care. Till next time.

Chapter 36

Hello there, hope you are well. I am still doing the same. The training is going very well. I had a review last week with the gym instructor. He gave me some useful advice. I went for a meal last week with a good friend. It was nice. I am still keeping in touch with friends and family. Myself and a couple of friends watched football on tv. I went to see my aunt and uncle on Saturday. I am seeing some friends tonight. I am feeling more relaxed at the moment. This is because of the gym work I do. I am also enjoying a glass of wine at night. I am working on replacing negative thoughts with positive actions. I put some music on to inspire me. It really helps. I just hope I can keep on improving in all areas of my life. I have been doing a bit of reading lately. It has made me think in a more positive way. I have also had a chat with a couple of good friends and this has helped. Till next time, take care.

Chapter 35

Hello there, hope you are well. I am ok. I had a bad shoulder last week. I got better though in a couple of days. I did not let it affect me. I still went to the gym, I worked around it. I found that if I kept active I was healing myself. I did a bit of drawing last night, I found it very relaxing. I have done my washing this morning. I try to keep on top of my chores. I have got to get a bit of shopping later. These things have to be done. It is better than being ill though and not being able to do these tasks. Everyday I wake up and feel well is a bonus. I am looking forward to meeting up with some friends later. I am going to watch a bit of telly later to. It has been a bit cold and wet just lately. You dont have to let it get you down though. Just keep yourself wrapped up. Anyway till next time take care.

Chapter 34

Hello again, hope you are well. I was a bit rough last week. I got over it though. I have been to the museum today. I went to the cafe and had two oatcakes and a tea. On Sunday I went to subway and had a coffee. Little treats like this cheer me up. As well as going to the gym I have been getting out in the fresh air and having a nice walk. It really lifted my spirits. I went for a meal last week with a good friend. It was very enjoyable. Today I have had a little walk around Hanley. It was nice. I am getting up earlier in the morning now. I think it is because it is brighter. Thing is I am going to bed later. It means I have got at least 2-3 hours a day more to enjoy. I watch dvds I borrow, mtv music, I listen to cds, radio. I read.

I am generally enjoying life more. When I went for a walk on Sunday it was nice to hear the birds singing. It is like when the sun shines it makes you feel better. Simple pleasures we should not take for granted. Till next time take care.

Chapter 33

Hello again, hope you are well. The image you see is of people running. We are all running through life. Sometimes fast sometimes slow. What you have got to do is savour the moment. Make the most of every situation you find yourself in. Notice how a couple of the runners have smiles on their faces. Life can and does get you down. Thats the time to run slow or walk and consider your options. As soon as you can though get up and make the most of the day.

Be happy and people will respond to you in a positive way. Dont worry though if you are down. Friends and family will understand. Get talking to other people to and you will realize that a lot of people care and can empathise. Myself when I feel rough I try to rationalize and see a positive solution. I get a bit anxious sometimes like we all do. As you know though I go to the gym. This gets me up and running again and the positive endorphins going. Till next time take care.

Chapter 32

Just a short blog today. I am still doing the positive things in my life to keep me at my optium health. The gym work is going really well. Im seeing friends and family regular, watching tv etc and doing my chores. I have made a few comments today. Hope you are well, take care till next time.

Chapter 31

Hello hope you are well. Hope you like the image. Chasing freedom is what I have being doing for years. With mental ill health you somewhat feel trapped. You cannot do everything you wish to do. So what I do now is concentrate on what I am comfortable with. I have learnt to be happy in my life. I have got no big plans. Just getting up in the morning feeling ok is good. That first cup of tea is lovely. Then I get on with the day. I keep myself occupied. I go the gym, get my shopping in. I go to cafes sometimes. I do my chores. I watch tv, listen to music, read and do other things such as seeing friends and family. You see this chasing freedom to me now is just being free of ill health. I am achieving this now. Dont get me wrong, I still have rough times but I know how to cope now. My mental ill health over the years has been a burden and often too much too bear. I have kept strong though and now feel free. Thanks to a lot of people who have helped me along the way, thank you. Your kindness, friendship and caring is really appreciated.

Chapter 30

Hello hope you are well. I am ok, I have been watching a few dvds lately what I have borrowed from friends. I have really enjoyed them. I have seen the Pirates of the Caribbean, Apocalypto, Something about Mary and School of Rock. All of these are different but enjoyable films. The image is the name of a band that I like. I have got there greatest hits cd. My favourite track is Whisky in the Jar. It reminds me of my dad, some of the lyrics being-wait for my daddio, wait for my daddio theres whisky in the jar. I hope to see my mum and dad again one day. I have got my beliefs and these keep me strong. I also hope to see other friends and relatives I have lost. I believe though that you have got to get on with life. My mum and dad would be really proud of me now. I have had some rough times like we all do, but I have come through it and made some good friends along the way. I always try to be positive now and keep myself well. I have got my hobbies and interest which distract me if I feel low. Anyway take care till next time.

Chapter 29

Hello again, hope you are well. Do you like the picture. I had a dog like him for nearly 13 years. He loved going out especially to the park or the hills close to us. He was a real character. He was a happy dog, he used to bark at people as though he was trying to talk to them. He made a fuss of anyone who came to visit but he did not like the postman. He was a good eater with all the walks he got. He was good with my nephew but would pinch his food if he dropped it. He was good with other dogs most of the time but would sometimes fallout. On the whole though he was a good dog. He was a good friend. I still miss him now.Till next time take care.

Chapter 28

Hello, hope you are well. Myself I am doing ok. Very well really. I managed to cook a nice roast beef dinner for my friends over the holiday. This for me was an achievement. Then I was out and I saw an art set. I thought that would make a nice hobby. I have done a bit of painting and found it very relaxing. I am still reading regularly. Im enjoying listening to music and watching tv. I am going to the gym. I am seeing friends and family. My New years resolution is to keep as active as possible, this in turn will I believe keep me well. The picture you see is of a bear in the mountains. We all have mountains to climb whether big or small. Good luck in climbing your mountain and best wishes.