What’s past is past. What’s lost is lost. We cannot revisit or reclaim what is no longer in our present. We may look back through images or diaries or thoughts, and see those times with the rose-covering that we so easily seek as a viewer. We may want to be back there where we thought it was better, happier, more comfortable, but that cannot be unless we have a personal tardis!! Dr Who we are not, much as we’d sometimes like to be!!!

It's easy to dwell on what was and think that it was better before. The rose-coloured viewer comes into being too often as we compare our lot now with who and what we were years ago. Hands that could once turn themselves to anything now struggle. Minds that once sharpened themselves daily often appear blunted. Legs that could walk and run at length now offer complaint after little use. The spirit may be willing but the body now has a job keeping up!

Keeping up your spirits is hard, especially when the climate of depression is constantly being over-emphasised. Are we really any worse off than we were? Is this whole media-driven parade of doom and gloom really true?Cuts abound….at the moment! My cynical eye can see those cuts turn to offerings when political posturing begins before the next election. They cut and save now so that they can give give give before we cast our x!!! We've seen it all before and yet we fall for the pledges and promises that will make our lives better in the future! I will NOT go on, much as I could.

Today I am in positive mode.

My mum is in her early eighties and has an amazing spirit, one that I hope I have inherited. She lives alone, still, in her wee flat in Largs with Phoebe her cat. She keeps to a regular routine and gets out and about on her bus pass, perhaps a bit less than a few years ago, but she can still get out and about during each and every month. Her hands can still look after herself and her home and her cat. Her active mind is always up to date with current affairs through embracing the technology of her ipad. She remains independent in all respects and with a positive spirit is an inspiration to others!

When we get older we may not be able to do and be all that we used to, but if we embrace the spirit within us, we can do and be much more than we think we can!