In my life my experiences have taught me it is not wise to tell strangers everything about oneself. They may use what you may disclose to further their own aims, and/or to cause harm or mischief to you. I found to my cost I was too trusting of people and so now I try to be careful with my information. I dislike that this is so, but there we are, life does things to us and shapes us.

You don't really need to know who I am, not my real name, nor my birthplace, my gender or my race. I am not of any great significance, I have garnered no fame or notoriety and no-one in my family has come to any public attention, and I prefer to keep that so if possible.

But, I belong amongst you; I have an affinity here, believe you me.

Over the past few years I have sat quietly and listened to the conversations you have had. I have heard the stories you have told. I have absorbed your pain and marvelled at your resilience. I have laughed and cried, with you and for you and for myself, and I have read and reread your blogs and responses.

I have learnt from you: from your triumphs and mistakes, from your differing ideologies, ways of living, coping strategies, alternative theories and treatments and remedies. I have taken nurture from you and you have given me strength to better accept all that I am.

I am the better for having stepped through your doors.

I have offered, and will offer, my own comments, empathy and (hopefully) advice; for I have a lifetime of my own experiences and from them perhaps something useful can be learned.

Is it time to try a blog or two . . .?

Ach

A Moodscope member.