I wrote this when I was Chief Executive of a local council back in the early 90s and was fast losing the will to live with such duplicitous behaviour and self and political service rather than public service.

It was also when my depressive bouts started - age 38...I am now 60 and still susceptible.

I put my life on hold

As the air around grew cold,

I went inside to hide

But I lost my peace and pride.

I lost my way in life

As I dealt with stressful strife,

Other people's problems not mine

Plus a porous and poisonous grapevine.

I went in search of spirit

But there was no breath left in it,

It was my direction I had to find

To leave this pain so far behind.

Someone has to make a stand

And get back to those shaking hands,

This sign of trust and honesty

For a culture which will save the day.

No paper signed in triplicate

No contract clause to squeeze and fit,

No doing you down immorally

We need to find integrity.

So when my blackness then befell

I mostly could then always tell,

That it would touch me from inside

Of how we live in a world with pride.

So if you wish sustainable success

It's not about the push and press,

But trusting in yourself and staff

And making sure you have a laugh.

Only then will all your friends and foes

Clearly see the way to go,

Is open and honest with respect

It is only then you can 'collect'.

The happiness you search inside

The one that's never found outside,

The one we never clearly see

Until you find what's inside 'me'.

We I believe need to 'inscape' (inward journey) more (individuals, organisations and communities) and 'escape' (outward distraction) less.

Les

A Moodscope member.