WANDERLUST KING

I was walking a couple of mornings ago, the cold fresh morning air cut through me like ice shards and as I watched my breath appear like dragon smoke around me, I looked up to the sky to see a perfectly formed plane cloud trail; frozen still, as if it had been imprinted perfectly in the sky at that exact moment I looked up, for the exact purpose that it would begin a thought process that would last the rest of the day.

I started to think, that perhaps the world rolled out around me as I went around my business, that perhaps the moment I left a room, that room ceased to be. Except we all know this is isn't so, because for every moment that I live and breath some one else is living and breathing the same air I do, staring at the same sky and wondering the same things as I.

I've always felt an affinity to the Earth, I grew up surrounded by rolling hills, rivers and streams that flowed freely through the land, even now I live by the ocean and find perfect peace from just staring out to the far reaches of the globe from the shore, even on the grayest of days.

I began to look at the cloud trail in the sky that had already begun to dissolve into nothing, in an hours time there would be no trace it had ever even existed, except I knew it had. 

Of course that plane wasn't flying that route for my benefit, but I had witnessed it, I considered all the people aboard that plane, where they may be travelling to, or from. Just like that, it hit me as though a shard of ice had pierced right through my heart, I wanted to be on that plane, not just that plane, any plane, a boat, hell even a train, just to feel the earth moving beneath me, to be on the road.

Wanderlust had struck. I've never been one to sit still, I move a lot, I've come to feel as though the road is my true home, Malvern the place I was born will always be where I call home, but I find with each passing year that it feels like a memory from a past life. When I tread on it's concrete it feels like I'm walking through old photographs, that's more or less what every place feels like to me. 

Home tends to be where I'm living at the moment, home is my friends, my family, the things that bring me peace, comfort and excitement.

I've had more jobs than most of the people I went to college with, I've walked more steps than I care to remember and I feel as though I've lived three lifetimes or more. People call it irresponsible, a defect for having no desire to settle down, but it's in my heart, that I couldn't be in one place for all time because each passing day is all I have, there's so much to see, to experience, to learn.

After all, the countries though separated by oceans are all joined to make one planet, the people though many strangers, are joined by life force as one community, so I see the Earth as my home, the road as my compass. The sun is my breath, the moon is my spirit.

With every day, month and year that I gather in my journal, I feel like a wine that tastes sweeter with age, I feel as though I'm getting better with age, I was so unsure of the world a few years ago, I was so scared to make any real leaps into the blue, these days it's almost a hidden driving force, I have no real plans for the future, I have an idea of the things I'd like to do, but mostly I'm just going to keep dancing to the beat of my own drum.

The way I see it, what people think of me, shouldn't bother me, it shouldn't sway me, it shouldn't stop me. I'm simply a tiny ball of energy, spinning on one hell of a ball of energy that's spinning so fast it appears still, that's spinning through the solar system, that's expanding through the universe and those things are incredibly huge, and I am incredibly tiny in comparison, but no less real.

I wanted passion, so I chased it, I wanted comfort so I chased it, I want to live, so I'm chasing it.

However you look at life, whoever you have in life, I urge you to close your eyes, clear your mind and picture living, what does it look like?

If it doesn't look like what's around you when you open your eyes, then my advice would be really open your eyes to see what's around you, maybe not immediately, but what's beyond the walls, beyond the town limits, beyond the fields, hills and oceans, what makes your heart thump, what takes your breath away, what makes your spirit happy?

LOVE & PEACE

Snapshot Location // Gosport // Hampshire // England

Gosport // Hampshire Map

Steeped in Naval, Military and Nautical history, the harbour town of Gosport is situated South of the Forest of Bere, west of Portsmouth and east of Southampton. I was a teenager when I first moved to the coastal town. I returned in my mid twenties and here for the moment I call this town, home.

Residents of the town are within easy access by ferry, train, bus or automobile to reach Portsmouth whilst the hovercraft and ferry services offer passage to the ancient Isle of Wight. Southampton can be reached by land transport. From any one of the three pebble beaches there are views across the Solent to the Island, Hythe, Fawley and The New Forest.

Haslar Marina // Gosport // KG

A popular shipping lane, providing routes for the worlds cargo containers, cruise ships and sailing yachts.
Most days yachts, ferries and tankers are visible from the beaches. In the summer races, rallies and water sports take place up and down the beaches, Stokes Bay, Lee-On-Solent and Hill Head beach.

Gosport Snapshots // KG

It's not just the scenic beaches that are popular, Gosport is home to several large marinas. Gosport Marina, Royal Clarence Marina and Haslar Marina. All locations have seen much development in recent years, mostly boasting luxurious living spaces, a handful or brasserie and seafood restaurants as well as walk-ways around the harbour.

Photograph by Rob Nunn

With an abundance of Victorian terraced houses, 1930's semi-detached properties and refurbished buildings, there's plenty of choice for house buyers and renters within the towns proximity.
It looks similar to other English towns, but for me the ocean covering three sides of Gosport makes it feel more like an island and certainly less landlocked than my scenic hometown in the Malverns.
As you head inland you come to the large housing estates of Rowner and Bridgemary, both of which play home to many of the young families in Gosport and host the two large secondary schools. Closer to the beach is Bay House school the third secondary school within the town, that lies within walking distance of Alverstoke village.

Alverstoke Village is another beautiful location, lying between Lee-On-Solent and Haslar Marina, it's older cottages and Edwardian properties are situated between the beach and the creek, while the original village still has it's own shop, pub, tea rooms and salon which sit just behind the large church.

While it's scenic views of rows of houses and beaches are to be admired, Gosport has not been left behind by the 21st Century. With a bustling high street that holds a market and home to chain brands while there are still independent stores, coffee houses and second hand shops, that give the town centre an eclectic mix of shopping with something to suit everyone.

With large supermarkets located in the town as well as just outside of the town, there's plenty of options for buying food, necessities and basics. If you'd prefer more natural there are several garden centres located outside of Stubbington and Titchfield Villages.

Gosport // KG

People tend to share the notion that Gosport is a has-been town, that once the Naval trades moved out, it was left dilapidated, but as a non-Gosport born resident I can say that one thing this town has developed which most others seem to lack, is a community feel. Yes there is crime and yes there are properties that leave much to be desired but every town has those and to judge an entire population on the image of only a few hardly seems fair.

With it's community events, radio, studios and youth clubs Gosport has the potential to be a thriving town in the future.

Close enough to get to London and back comfortably in a day, with access to two large trade and industry cities, close to several large forests and nature reserves, bordering with five beautiful counties, Hampshire and Gosport in particular are perfectly lovely places to live and visit.

If you're visiting Gosport I'd highly recommend checking out the following destinations.

The Alverbank Hotel

The Alverbank Hotel  is a beautiful country house hotel that overlooks Stokes Bay beach. With a bar restaurant it's the perfect place to spend a few days in the Summer.
The Anglesey Hotel in Alverstoke also is a beautiful old hotel that sits on the terrace of white houses just a few minutes walk from the village. The bar has a beautiful garden for summer ciders and ales, or it's beautiful interior for keeping warm in the winter months.
The Old Lodge Hotel situated in Alverstoke Village is the third destination I would recommend staying for the duration of your visit. A short walk fro the beach and close to the church, this hotel is beautiful and luxurious.

If you'd like to learn about the Town's Marine industry check out The Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower and Gosport Diving Museum.
If you're more interested in the ancient history of the town, why not check out Little Woodham Living History Village. You can learn about ancient crafts, immerse yourself in middle ages Gosport life.

For somewhere to get lunch or coffee, try The Blue Bird cafe in Lee on Solent, Coffee #1 in Gosport High Street and for eats any of the restaurants dotted up and down Stoke Road.

Residents of Gosport have plenty of options for keeping fit, if running, skating or cycling along the seafront doesn't excite you, you could always try Gosport Leisure Centre, that boasts an impressive package of keep fit activities, from sports, to gym, pool activities and studio classes.

If further education is what you're seeking, you could attend St.Vincent College located a ten minute walk from the town centre, offering full time courses as well as adult education, there really is something to suit everybody.

If keeping fit and education aren't what your seeking from your spare time, how about checking out local arts events. From music festivals, to sporting events and theatre shows, Gosport is truly alive with the arts.

You can check out a number of the local bars that offer covers bands and tribute acts to dance to at the weekend, karaoke for the braver among you. Original live music comes in the form of Club Sandwich, a monthly gig night hosted by the directors of Quay West Studios (home of music in Gosport).

Located just outside of Gosport and the village of Titchfield is Titchfield Festival Theatre and their shows are something truly spectacular to behold!

If there's nothing you fancy in Gosport, then check out Southsea with it's abundance of music venues and theatre group, Hayling Island Station Theatre also hosts excellent performances.

Mostly Gosport is a cosmopolitan town with a good community group that provide the town with arts, sports and education. It's a quiet town with beautiful ocean views and well worth a visit in 2015.
If you live in or around Gosport, why not subscribe to LBWC blog as I frequently cover local events, things to see and do as well as all local music coverage over at LBW.
Simply leave your email address in the box located in the sidebar and you'll receive an update for my blog features.

KG

LITTLEBEARWOLFCOVE

A man named Mike

They ran so far so fast that when they hit the finish line it wasn't enough, they had trained, hungered, pushed themselves to their limit for what, a photograph in the news and a trophy to gather dust.

Wasn't running alone and enjoying it enough? Did it need to be coated in gold and covered on every newspaper from here to the North? As Mike tied up his trainer he warmed up ready for his early morning run. The air had a stiff chill to it, the ground was covered in patches of ice, he had to be careful not to slip in these conditions or it could bring his dreams crashing to the ground with him.

Mike didn't run for a job, he didn't even want to run for a living, he wanted to run because when he did he felt an immense amount of freedom, a way to let go and to enjoy the few scarce moments of his day that he got to himself. 

People wondered why he didn't enter marathons or train for the Olympics, hell knows he was good enough, but Mike would shrug it off uttering that it would take the heart out of it, if it became something necessary, something that must be done. Something to be achieved to a certain level for glory or praise.

Mike worked hard at his job in the city, he gave to charity, he had good friends and a pet dog. He wasn't a millionaire and he didn't take more than his share from life, he simply lived and loved. People couldn't understand that need to run, even in the ice, they thought it must be working towards something because otherwise why bother.

Mike's dream wasn't to be an athlete, it was to run his own company. He wasn't worried about slipping in ice resulting in a knee injury rendering him unable to run, he was worried about slipping in the ice for fear an injury may stop him from being fit enough to work, meaning he would lose precious time starting and growing his business. He wasn't a workaholic, he was just a man who had found what he wanted to spend his time doing, he wasn't going to let a fear of falling stop him from doing the other things he loved. 

It's easy in life to let the things we want to do stop us from doing the smaller things, for fear they may stop the big thing happening. To live in fear is to not live at all. If anything life is uncertain, sometimes it throws us a life jacket and others a straitjacket. 

There are times when we feel we cannot push forward but we must, it is in those times of trial that we grow ever more resilient and strong. Allow yourself to understand patience for you will need it, be compassionate and understand that your view may not be that of another, it doesn't make one of you wrong, it just means you have differing opinions. Things do not stay the same forever, people, the world and the universe are changing every moment of every day. 

As soon as we are born we are growing yet dying at the same time, we are creatures of comfort and of adventure, we crave variation yet rely on routine. We are the race of irony. 

So don't worry what others are up to, or that you don't really know what you want to do, we are each different and each feel happiness in our own way. 

I don't pretend to understand the world around me, I just try to make sure that each day I am doing something and seeing someone that brings a smile to my face, so that when I look back, the moments of joy are the ones I see. They may be little in size but victory is victory and the smallest can have the largest of reactions.

She's back & she's bringing hell

Imagine a bustling market street, there are stalls lined with colourful vegetables, cakes, a man stands behind a stall of pic'n'mix olives; the street is alive with the sound of chatter, people milling in sections up and down the street, discussing the day, the weather. Notice a girl, she's wearing a trench coat, holding an umbrella up as the rain gently trickles down from the clouds. As people gather under the stalls for cover, she continues to walk through the street, she's got a curious look on her face, as if she's pondering something much deeper than the direction in which she's travelling. She looks smart, her attire is in good condition, her hair is clean and styled, she looks as though she's had a healthy life, she's wearing sparkly jewellery and a lipstick that's bright. As her eye catches yours upon passing, you notice this scene is not what it seems.

Her eyes, they sparkled in the light, but there was a melancholy to them, a story, one you'll probably not be invited to hear, but it's the story that reads out continuously to her.

It threatened to destroy Fantasia, 'the nothing' takes many forms, for this story, we'll call her D.

The girl in the market is me, or at least the character I'm going to become to tell you my story.

I'm filled with uncertainty as I tell you this tale, the fear of not telling it, means certain victory for D.

So here I stand, rain is pouring down and I notice I'm no longer stood in the bustling street, but in the vast expanse of the valley, it's dark, the only light comes from the thousand strong torches that march ever on towards me. The drops of rain splatter onto my armor, there's a cold chill in the air and I grasp my bow, arrow held at the ready. I'm going to die tonight is all I can think, but I have the weapons, all I need do is fight.

I don't remember when I first met D, I'm sure hidden away in a buried deep memory that moment exists, but right now I've no recollection of it. Too many stories, chapters, characters, events and plots have played out for me to be able to place that one for now.

I remember only this, she came in the dark of night, she held my hand when I was alone, she was a faceless whisper that began to haunt my dreams.

Her digs and comments were at first brushed off my smartly worn clothes, she began to eat through the fabrics until her venom burnt my skin. 

I was afraid by this point, but who could I tell, I would only be judged, ridiculed, misunderstood.

So I let her stay, there in the shadow she fed, she grew, until one day as I looked in the mirror, I no longer recognized the girl looking back at me. She was harsher, worn by life, she looked sad and lacking in confidence, passion and spirit. As she stared me down, I felt as though I'd been lost, for years in the wilderness, and by some strange moment of fate, I'd stumbled across my own reflection. Realizing that if I couldn't wake from this dream, it might hold me forever captive.

I came to the horrendous conclusion D was not a faceless whisper, I was her, I was D.

Except I wasn't D, for she is the true temptress, the devil in disguise.

She had cast her enchantment and I had been ensnared by it.

She looked like me, but she wasn't me.

The chill in the air grew stronger and as the army of snarling orcs moved in toward us, I held strong and pulled my arm back, as I released the arrow it shot through the air, graceful like a ballerina but steady like a bullet and caught him or it right between the eyes, he fell to the ground, the few around him moved back a step. 

The howls of the fear reaper's shrieked across the battlefield, I dug my feet down in position and pulled forward my sword.

They're but demons and I am the wizard, the elf, the king whoever I dream of being I am, for I am truly the shape-shifter. I will not be killed here tonight by these demons.

The sound of the street was like an orchestra of noise, stall men yelled their daily offers, old ladies chatter about the spitting rain clung to my ears like the very drops of rain on my favourite trench coat, I was making my way swiftly through market street headed for home, home I wondered, where even is that. Is it the town in which I was born? Is it the city in which I studied? Is it the town in which I live with the man I love? Or perhaps it's the far off shores where my dreams stay blissfully moored while I struggle in the maelstrom to reach them.

I caught my reflection in a window, I am truly lost.

My armor was splattered with blood, only some of my own, I could hear my breaths shorten as I wheezed, the pain in my chest where the Orcish dagger had pierced my armor began to sting as the rain began to clear. The stench of death clung to the air, as I lay there motionless I knew I was victorious. She'd taken her true form as a fear reaper but D was gone, not destroyed but wounded enough for now to keep her back in the territories outside of my immediate kingdom. 

I may not have been able to protect my allies but I had made it through the night, as the sun dawned on the East, I took my last shallow breath.

I rushed into the coffee house out of the pouring rain, my breaths short from running the length of the street, as I closed my umbrella and took off my coat, the barista brought me a cinnamon latte. I'd never much liked Cinnamon as a child but these days I found it to be a particular favourite, along with hazelnut, ginger and pumpkin. I glazed around me, the strangers drinking their coffees and chatting away had no idea who I was, most of them seemed so involved in their moments that they wouldn't have known I even existed. Except I did and I do. 

While I may not always have sunshine's and rainbows, I have the weapons I need to fight. Sometimes we are knocked back by our demons, but with a fell swoop of our swords we are able to knock them back too. 

I don't know if I will ever truly rid D from my life but tonight with the help from my allies, I was able to fight in battle. The war may not be over but tonight I will drink to my friends, my passions and my life, for it may not be glorious or the tale you tell your children, but it is my tale and mine alone to tell.

I find the comfort of loved ones, the study of interests and the comforts of restoration become my weapons for battle when I am weak, when D threatens to consume me. Lately those studies have come to include fighting off the triggers that awaken D. Deep thought, dreams and my compass to navigate this globe of life often bring me dangerously close to awakening her slumber, but facing the fear-reapers I hope is the way to defeat them for good.

I am a word-smith at heart and my words are the blows from my weapons I will unleash to keep the fear-reapers at bay.

Sweet Dreams, 

Aces Kage

Word-smith, Story Weaver, Dragonborn, Hell bringer.

THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, TODAY #1

THE FUTURE IS NOW.

From lightsabres and hologram messages to hover boards and flying Delorians. How the movies perception of the future in a galaxy far far away was not too far off our own reality.

2015 is tomorrow (or now depending on when you've clicked the link on your smartphone, tablet or laptop) it's the furthest year in time that The Doc and Marty travel in Back To The Future; while our skies aren't filled with flying cars, the realities are not to dissimilar from one another.

Let's use the timeline of our favourite time travelers adventures in the space time continuum as an example. If you took a person from 1955 and showed them 2015, they'd think the future was now. Imagine the skyline in London post war, compared to today's ever growing skyscrapers and apartment blocks.

Get them to use their dial telephone to make a land line call, then show them the possibilities, of not only wireless land lines with more than one phone in a property, show them your smartphone, the device that allows you to carry all your important documents, contacts and social life around in your pocket.

If that wasn't enough to blow their mind, show them your Face time, video calling, and Facebook messenger calling. 'What's Facebook?' 'Oh it's our social network, our place in the future where everyone has an online profile that allows them to interact with people the world over for free.'

Now imagine going back to the earliest time period they travel to in the final movie and show all the above technology to a person in 1885...

In less than 150 years look how the world has evolved. If that wasn't an eye opener for you, now imagine what 150 years is to the Earth. Bet you don't feel so ancient now!

I used Encarta at school for digital learning. I remember when my high school first got a classroom of computers formerly having just the one in the entire school! My 18 year old friends don't remember that, they've never used Encarta or had the need for CD-Rom learning.

While I joke with my parents for the way they learnt at school, kids today see my education as prehistoric.

On the topic of dinosaurs, did you know that there is more time between the life periods of the Stegosaurus and the Tyrannosaurus Rex, than between the T-Rex and an Iphone. What's really scary is that in just under 70 years, humans went from taking flight to landing on the moon.

With technology ever evolving and the world becoming ever more connected, you have to wonder what the future in 150 years will look like. Sadly none of us will be around to tell, but perhaps your grandchildren will.

I'm glad I was alive to see the time before the millennium, before the birth of the smartphone, before the creation of Google... that's right kiddies, KG was roaming the Earth before your one stop answer to everything. A time when if you didn't know something you could look it up in a dictionary or phone a friend!

I'm excited to see what the future holds, I used to want to be an astronaut, a Jedi (still do actually NASA if you're reading) so in an age when people are attempting skydives from the edge of the Earth's atmosphere and commercial flights to space are more than just an idea, I find myself interested as to where mankind will focus their evolution of technology next.

If you really find the concept of space travel interesting, watch the trailer located here for Virgin Galactic. I've taken a Virgin Cross-Country in my time and never had a problem, but maybe I'll wait a decade or two for Galactic journeys.

It's not just the gadgets we use, the internet and the way we use technology that has evolved. Movies are now filmed in 3D and viewed at regular cinemas, when I was a kid you'd need to find an Imax theatre.

Our whole way we use technology has evolved from something unheard of to something accessible to all, that we use in everything from socializing, to work to personal fitness and learning.

If anything were ever truer today, it's that the future is possibility, nothing is impossible.

LOVE & PEACE

KG

LITTLEBEARWOLFCOVE

MAKING CHANGES

It's the night before the night before Christmas and the wind is howling outside my newly acquired apartment; I am in a contemplative mood. For Rob and I moved out almost a month ago now, him from a shared place and me from hotel mum and dad. 

Don't get me wrong, I loved living at home, I just, well like many people in their mid-twenties I just really needed a space of my own. 

There's been some advantages (me-space, staying up and doing what I like) and disadvantages (I've never cleaned so much, washed up so much stuff) and some entirely new experiences (I never thought I'd care if the rug was slightly as quiff!) Generally I feel happy, I feel peaceful. It has got me thinking about my lifestyle in general. At college I lived with what I had, at uni I spent lots a lot of the time, now I live to my means, which are by no means great or vast. 

I get by.

Recently I've found pleasures in making things, recycling things and being generally more eco-friendly.

No this is isn't a rant of a post, I'm not going to tell you how you should live. This is just me personally. I've never been one for wanting of riches, mansions and expensive cars. I'd rather live in a tree house and watch the stars every night, eating wild berries and wander round barefoot.

Maybe one day I will.

Generally running water, heating and somewhere to keep food fresh are also important on my living needs; so we found ourselves a beautiful two bedroom apartment. It's perfect for the two of us and seeing as that's how we intend our lives to stay for a while (at least) it feels like the perfect little home. 

I wanted a first floor place as I like to feel close to the stars. Rob wanted a garden to spend time in, in the summer. If you'd told me two months ago we'd have found our perfect place with both of those things checked, I'd not have believed you.

It's close to the near town and only a ferry trip from the nearest city. 

I decided that this little space, it's perfect for a variety of reasons. It's small so I don't feel lost in a huge space I'll never use. It's affordable for living and heating and it doesn't take me an entire day to clean it. (Despite the fact I've developed a need to constantly clean.)

I wanted to go further than not having too much space, than keeping utilities low (ish), I wanted to create a cosy, comfortable, welcoming home whilst remaining economically friendly.

I've taken to recycling glass jars and using them for flower pots, candle holders, potpourri holders, utensil holders and general storage of foods.

We've been lucky to be given pre-loved blankets, pillows, cushions and throws, it's only awakened the pleasure of treasure hunting in thrift/charity stores. 

I've decided for 2015 I'm going to post about my DIY/ Recycling moments, my treasure hunts and my little home. It's my way of actively pursuing a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Since we've been  recycling goods, we've used less rubbish, we've not bought much stuff at all and it feels like the start of a wonderful adventure. 

One of my resolutions for 2015 is to purchase only things of need new, everything else shall be pre-loved, recycled, thrifted or handmade. I aim to support local business', independent business' and create as much myself as I can.

I'm also on the lookout for ideas and inspiration, do you live to only your means? Do you have great tips for recycling, thrifting or even creating things for you and your home? Perhaps you know of a blogger or someone who does; feel free to leave a comment with their or your link. I'm certainly keen to chat more about this with like minded people. 

LOVE & PEACE

KG

LITTLEBEARWOLFCOVE

LIFE THOUGHTS ONE

If you make something your everything you stand to lose everything, if you make nothing your everything, you'll never experience it either. It is better to have loved and lost than to have never have loved at all. When you reach the end of your journey, it won't be the things you did do, you will regret, it will only be the ones you didn't.

You've probably heard sentiments similar to those before, maybe people have even said them to you. It doesn't automatically change your mind, your feelings towards that thing or make you feel better. We live in a world where it's on one hand never been easier to succeed at your dreams, on the other hand, it's never been such a struggle. 

There are more people on the Earth than there ever were before. For every thing you think, do or feel there are 10,000 people at least, thinking, doing and wondering the same thing. Yet we are all still completely different, completely independent of one another. Despite the fact that at the end of the day, we are all made of the same thing, regardless of gender, age, class, race and size.

Isn't that amazing?

I've learnt a lot about myself this year, I've learnt a great deal about people, yet what is 365 days of life compared to the utter billions this world has already endured. Oddly enough, that provides me with comfort. I feel like a wizard of knowledge compared to when I was 16, yet imagine the things I will have seen and learnt in another decade. I feel like a good wine, I don't worry about getting old, I embrace it. In fact I'd even go as far to say I'm getting better with age. (Put down those pitchforks, I'm not being arrogant, I don't mean look at me, I mean from me looking out at the world.)

I've never been as old as I am right now, I'll never be this young again. Time is all I have so I may as well use it as best I can. The only time I have is now.

I've learnt that friendship is tangible. Even the longest of friendships can sink in a single storm. Some friendships will ride out into the eye of the storm by your side. 

I've mourned broken friendships in the past, you should not mourn the development of yourself or others. People grow, physically and spiritually and that is not something we can control. Whether on your part or another, there will be times, when people move from your life as you do theirs, I now try to face those moments with dignity, grace and understanding.

If you judge people you have no time to love them. 

All that you have to do, is decide what to do with the time that has been given to you.
Not all those who wander are lost.

I've learnt a lot in a short amount of time, yet I still have much to learn. There are times I feel strong enough to hold up the world and others when I seek strength from it.

As I look to the dawn of 2015, I know these things - I am stronger now than I was a year ago. I feel fear, love, sadness, happiness, the same as others, I can't always control those feelings, I do have a choice on how I may react to them, to life. 

Living is hard, life is ongoing. There are no happy ever after's and though we are all banded here together, we all walk alone. Even those we feel the closest of affinities too, we drift from at times. 

That should not be a sad thought, being alone used to terrify me. I've spent much time alone in recent years and although I value the companionship of others, in fact go as far to say it is necessary for not slipping completely out of touch with life, I also relish my own time. Taking steps on my own, spending time on my own, being in the company of only myself, no longer terrifies me. 

While there is not a moment to lose, sometimes admiring the journey thus far, is the only way to move forward in life. 

The next year is full of up's and downs, new friends, old friends, new places, familiar places, it's one part of the next chapter in the never ending story of life.

LOVE & PEACE

KG

LITTLEBEARWOLFCOVE