By Bernie Bell

Last week was  Mental Health Awareness Week, and, to me, it looks like the focus/emphasis was on the negative, so, I’m attempting to send an antidote.  If anyone accuses me of lacking sympathy – I have sympathy, in fact, I have empathy, as I live it, and, how I get through it, is by focussing on the positive.  Sometimes, I think my relentless optimism and positive approach, annoys people – too bad – it’s how I get through, by focusing on the positive – watching ducks splashing on the pond, eating toast and strawberry jam.  https://theorkneynews.scot/2019/04/13/the-pit-the-wasteland/

It’s how I get through it, and it could be a way for others to try.  One thing’s for sure – negativity, feeds negativity. It’s one thing to be aware and to share, it’s another, to focus on the negative. That’s not mental health awareness, that just ……………negative.

So, here’s a possible antidote……………..

What a Wonderful World

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world

The colours of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They’re really saying I love you

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more than I’ll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world

Songwriters: George Weiss / Robert Thiele

What a Wonderful World lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Concord Music Publishing LLC, Carlin America Inc

The other thing which gets me through, is a  sense of humour……………………

Resumé

   Razors pain you;

   Rivers are damp;

   Acids stain you;

   And drugs cause cramp.

   Guns aren’t lawful;

   Nooses give;

   Gas smells awful;

   You might as well live.

By Dorothy Parker

And, it has to be said, not being right in the heed, can produce wonders.

“Say it loud, I’m weird and I’m proud.”

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Ed’s note