I am sitting at my kitchen bench sipping tea and reflecting on the fortnight that was Christmas – New Year and associated shenanigans. My laundry is littered with clothing and bedding from a week of visiting my parents and camping with what I am starting to consider as my real family.

The parental visit was filled with stupid drama based on power plays and the frustration of someone whose mind and health are declining. It is a reminder that we never really know when we will reap what we sow in life. As I shake off the power plays and have rants that reflect the pain of long years of such twisted and toxic behaviour, I know I need to take stock and reflect on the way I treat others. The saying, “Be gentle with your children because they will be the ones who choose your nursing home.” looms large in my life right now.

We hugged people goodbye through the sweat and humidity that is Australia’s summer. I felt a little sad. Spending time pineapple camping beside the cool creek in the shade of callistemons has been like living in another dimension. By day we lounged in the water, chatting and being ourselves, as naked as we wanted to be, as sexual as we wanted to be, as inappropriate as we are (yes, Steve Bush, that was for you!) we were accepted and appreciated. Yesterday we went to town. It was a struggle to put on pants and shoes. I wore a loose shirt that almost covered my shorts. Because of my sunburn, I didn’t wear a bra. As I walked into the RSL for lunch, I fought the urge to remove my shirt and wander free as I had been. We enjoyed some food and said our last goodbyes.

Today I am in my house looking down the barrel of the “real world“. There are many things to do but I am feeling more focused than I was at this time last year. I haven’t made New Year’s resolutions but I have New Year’s resolve, and sunburn.

The following Hypnosis and Training Materials below are recommended training enhancements to this blog post.