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Hi @Appleblossom

Good to read your son is holding up well - yes, young people make mistakes but it gives peace of mind to know they are doing okay. Then we can relax and get on with our lives (even though they are a big part of it). That's how I am with my daughter who just moved out up the road with a friend. We seem to be closer now that we do not live together. She appreciates us more and so far things are looking up 😊

Those peaceful days where we can relax and do creative things that we derive so much joy from are the best aren't they. Can you give an example of the early music you did? You are one talented lady @Appleblossom. I did do some writing on my story the other night - at least I have pieced something together and I did have fun with it (although it can overstimulate me and then sleep evades me until the early hours). I haven't written much in the way of fiction before, so it is all new and a learning curve for me.

How has your day been? Have a relaxing evening 💕

Thanks @Former-Member @Bunniekins

I am so glad your situation with your daughter has settled @Former-Member

My son;s situation will drag on for a while but is largely out of my hands for a while too.

Today I volunteered at the zoo. It was a lovely day.

We sang magnificats and English and Italian secular works preparing for 2 concerts in November.

I just need to keep active and busy or I will go off my tree.

I was upset reading an msn artucle deliberately stigmatising those on welfare.

I try and keep away from bad journalism.

@Appleblossom I agree I try and stay away from negative people at all times and if something is being said about me or my children I just let it slide ... life is to short to worry about what people are saying about you. You know the true you and worth of your beautiful children.

Stigmatizing welfare is such an easy target ... what about those multi national companies which pay no tax at all ??? Makes me so angry the wealthy get away with it? Nothing to be done short of a revolution.... and that wont be happening any time soon.

@Former-Member Hi Enigma how are you going? Always good to see you on the board. Love your words too so apt and to the point.

Hello to darling @Shaz51 of course and nice to meet you @Former-Member

Thank you @Bunniekins I am not doing too bad today. Just returned home from my volunteer work and feel exhausted, but in a good way. I like the sense of fulfilment 😊 I also love seeing your cute green pea pop up around the forums - always makes me smile as does your beautiful nature. How is the uni study going - or are you having a break from it for now?

How is everything going with you @Former-Member, and with Mr Darcy? I have been thinking of you.

Hi @Appleblossom

Negative journalism is depressing. There is always a hidden political agenda (brainwashing) behind it, and if that agenda is to cut welfare there will be bad press creating stigma about it. And this can have devastating consequences on countless thousands and who are already living on the edge. It's unethical.

This truly upsets me greatly as I see in my volunteer work how people genuinely struggle, and most our legitimately in financial distress - mostly through no fault of their own. There will always be the odd one who takes advantage but they are in low minority. Such should never be allowed to turn a nation inhumanely against the genuine needy - which most are. What I have learned is that so many who are struggling are "too proud" to ask for help and being in such a position is demoralising for them. The stigma with bad journalism can cause them untold distress.

When a nation cannot offer full employment to all and a roof over everyone's heads the priority should always be to look after the poor - not on how many tax cuts it can give to the rich. What many don't realise also is that welfare also keeps the crime rate down and a nation safer. Desperation can lead to actions that normally one would never contemplate. It's never black or white. Sorry, I feel so deeply about this.

I totally relate to keeping active of mind and body lest distress takes over. It does help - if I sit alone with my thoughts too long or with dire situation at hand and dwell on it, it never ends well. Glad to see you are keeping busy. It makes for a happier life I find too. That sense of achievement feels really good and makes me feel less alone too.

What a wonderful place to volunteer - at the zoo! That would be an instant pick me up being among the animals for me. I love that atmosphere. Do you work directly with the animals?

Hope you are having a relaxing evening 🤗xx

Hi @Former-MemberI always feel great admiration for people who do volunteer work. So many organizations just wouldn't be here without people like you giving your time and effort Thank you I love the forums they have helped me out at a very difficult stage in my life ... still at uni doing it long distance which suits me and have another course starting in December. I love my uni ... I am an average student but that is okay, my psychiatrist wants me to do it to rein in my mind otherwise I am off with the pixies so to speak

My role at the zoo is visitor engagement, and aiding in learning experiences, so I do not do hands on with animals. I can tell you there were some randy rammy teenage tortoises playing chasy, head?? butting, climbing all over each other and 5 of them lining up ... in my area today.

Thanks for understanding about the negative journalism @Former-Member

@Bunniekinsglad you like study. I do, and do not think I will ever stop.

It is not too bad an evening. Thank you.

Lol, you cracked me up with the teenage ninja turtles scenario 🐢 😉. I can just see you in that role as visitor engagement - would be a great way to interact with others. How did you come across this volunteer work? Glad to read you are feeling better x

I was inspired to look for a position by another forum member. @oceangirl

So that was a great form of peer support. I had always known it was there but until recently felt I had to be responsible and run a business and get students, but it has been very good having a break from teaching and allow me to be a whole person.

I can always go back to it if someone wants lessons, but it was changing my sense of self in a big way towards self care rather than only providing care to another.

I dont think @ocean girl realises how grateful to her I am. It was a little side effect she was just posting about her day, but had a good effect.

I am less worried today about my son as he had a good visit with his father and both of them are maturing. For the father it is a bit late. He probably has an emotional age of 30 at 70 years of age but any improvement is helpful in the general situation. The father was projecting and sounding like a 10 yo talking about his son in trouble. I had to remind him how similar he was when I MET HIM.

My son phoned me today and is finally coming through this episode. I guess it his 2nd and we have to face that fact. There is no escaping it in the situation he is in, now. When I started this thread my anxiety for my son was at an extreme high. I was worried I might lose him too.

So keeping an eye and an ear out for good sounds and good views helps me carry the heavier loads.

Thanks for being there and noticing @Former-Member i KNOW YOU KNOW.