The Story of Daisy and Lily

 This creative story was inspired around 2012. It is metaphorically based on a real friendship that was impacted by mental health issues. There are two sides to every story - this story is based on my feelings and thought processes at the time.

This is the story of two friends, Daisy & Lily. Daisy lived in a lovely house with a white verandah and white picket fence.
Sometimes her friend Lily would walk past and see Daisy sitting on her verandah. When Daisy saw Lily, she would walk down her path to her picket gate and greet Lily. They would have great chats and leave
each other’s company feeling happy.

One day, Lily walked to Daisy's house, but before she could reach the gate, Daisy walked inside. Lily knew Daisy could have days where she didn’t want to talk to people, so she kept walking that day.
The next day, the same thing happened. Lily did not know what to do, so she decided to knock on Daisy's door to see if she was ok. Daisy did not respond, so Lily continued on her way.

It seemed to Lily that Daisy was going through a rough time and did not want to talk to Lily, so Lily left notes in Daisy's mailbox to let her know she cared. Daisy did not respond.

After a few occasions of Lily walking by and not seeing Daisy, there came a day when Daisy was again sitting on her verandah. Lily saw this, and decided to walk up to the gate and say Hello. Daisy ignored Lily! So Lily continued on her way...

A few days later, Lily walked up to the gate, and Daisy was again sitting on her verandah. Again, Lily said, "Hello". This time Daisy glared at Lily, as if the friendly gesture was an offense. Lily began to find walking past Daisy's house difficult. She tried not to avoid Daisy, because they were good friends, but the rejection was becoming too much. There were times when Daisy would see Lily coming, and look towards a neighbour to begin a conversation, so as to avoid Lily completely.

Lily finally stepped aside. The constant rejection from Daisy had reached its limit. She had tried to let Daisy know she cared, but to no avail. At one point, Daisy spoke very loudly to a neighbour - as Lily was passing by - that placing notes in the mailbox was offensive and not good enough. That was the last straw for Lily. As much as she cared for Daisy, she valued her self-respect more... so she began to take a different path that did not pass Daisy's house.

Daisy had been too busy not letting others into her world, that she rejected those who cared about her. In the end, her friends felt so rejected, they could not take any more rejection. They did not allow themselves to be in situations where they could experience rejection... which made the one doing the rejecting even more angry... but that was something only one person could change.

So... even though Lily changed her route to avoid further rejection and emotional abuse, she didn’t stop caring for Daisy. She felt Daisy needed time and space to work through her issues, so gave Daisy space to do so, hoping she would be able to again walk by that gate soon. To experience an, "Hello" instead of a scowl. It took much time for the "Hello" to return... although the friendship was now fractured.

After thought:
Mental illness is very real. Please don't take your friends for granted - Their feelings and mental health are just as valued as yours. 🦋©️

Riding the Waves of Life

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6 NIV

2023... What a year already! I was recently thinking about the last 5 or so years of my life, and realised it was a season of learning to ride the many waves that came my way! 

Small waves and big waves. Waves representing character growth, family situations, shock health diagnoses and 'young' deaths... Spiritual waves of adversity and realising some waves were caused by other people who should have known better ... Waves of navigating the covid season and lockdowns. So many waves! Sometimes you don't even realise you're in the water... Then a big wave hits! You either ride it or fall. It doesn't matter which way you go, as long as you keep going. 

I've been knocked down enough times to know the only option is to get back on the board. Falling is part of leaning and growing. The water doesn't harm you if you choose to keep getting back up. Each time you fall, you can get back up, stronger and more determined to ride the next wave. You can be better prepared, and wiser. Waves stop catching you off guard when you learn the signs. 

The last few years have turned me into a strong surfer, metaphorically. I've never actually tried to surf, physically. But spiritually, I surf a LOT. Personally, getting back up has required an attitude and heart of forgiveness. So many waves have come from unexpected sources, and tested my heart. 

I would say, the 2019-2022 season especially, was a season of becoming a stronger surfer. This season brought out the worst and the best in people. It exposed true colours and attitudes of the heart. I learned, if I was going to keep riding the waves, I needed to surf alone, or carefully select who I trusted to be in my circle. Too many people wanted to push me off my board, or stop me from moving forward. I couldn't pray with people if our attitudes and prayers were not in alignment. So I learned the boundaries of my own lane, and diligently stayed there. 

2022 brought waves of change. I rode many of those waves, until I realised I needed to start surfing in a different body of water. Where I'd felt alone & frustrated by the water I was in, the new body of water refreshed me and reignited my spark. I had outgrown the previous water. The waves of change carried me into a new season. 

My point is, life is full of waves. You can either use them to help you grow and overcome, or you can let the water envelope you and suck you under. The waves will come, big or small. The question is, Will you choose to surf or let life's challenges pull you down? 

I know I have faced many big waves, and at times, been briefly sucked under... But.. I choose to always pick myself back up. The big waves come, and now I meet them with new strength, wisdom and determination. The devil is a liar. There is ALWAYS a way back up/out/over/through. The waves are just a challenge for you to prove that. 

Trials will come, but God promises to stay with us and give us a reason to rejoice (1 Peter 1:6) and joy does come in the morning! (Psalm 30:5). 🦋

2023 - Change in the air

 Happy New Year! 

After a busy end to 2022, including getting sick before Christmas... and feeling extremely grateful to see my family for Christmas, the turn of the calendar page brought a sudden shift. 

On January 1st, Something in the air changed! 

I woke up feeling indifferent, then went to church. As soon as I entered that environment, my spirit quickened to a shift in the atmosphere. There was a new joy. People were happy - it felt as if the "Happiness Barometer" jumped a few new levels overnight! 

It felt as if God was up to something. Like all the challenges of 2022 were placed in a box, and He put the lid on top. Out with the old, in with the new. During the pre-service prayer time, there was an amazing sense of His presence, anticipation and expectation. I saw/sensed helium balloons all over the room, being popped. Breakthrough was beginning! It was almost overwhelming in the most beautiful way. 

I woke up feeling indifferent, and after church, my spirit was energised. Whatever this year holds, I am in anticipation of what God has planned for me, His church, corporately and individually. There is an old song -  "God is up to something good, something good, something good..."  The word I was given for this year is FRESH, and all Sunday, this word was confirmed. This is a fresh season. I am excited to see where He takes us this year! I can't remember the last time I felt excited by a new year. Each previous year, it has been about survival. Maintaining peace and hope amidst the storms and challenging times. 

How awesome it is to feel excited again! 🦋

2022 Reflections

Another year almost over. I remember last December, writing in expectation of a better year ahead. I anticipated a year of metaphorically needing to wear a seatbelt. My perceptions were right...I had no idea just how much of a rollercoaster 2022 would be! The Holy Spirit has been my "seatbelt" - my calm, security, protection, guide... So much has happened this year, but I am blessed to have stayed on the path set before me. There were many temptations to ignore my internal sense of direction. Situations, circumstances and attitudes...spiritual attacks against my peace, joy and hope. In the end, I am proud to say I listened to the Holy Spirit, that still, inner voice, and did not go where God did not send me, nor stay where His grace no longer covered me. 

One lesson I learned, was My side of the story does not need to be told. God has my back, and that is all that matters. That's not an easy lesson to embrace...so I am happy that I was able to "Let go and let God" in various circumstances. My biggest challenge was to have no regrets, and for the most part, I succeeded.

I did not at all anticipate moving on from the church family I had loved and served for 8 years. Earlier this year, God made it very clear that our season there was over. It was bittersweet - leaving friends who were like family, but also moving forward in unexpected ways. Obediently letting go of the known and embracing the unknown. 

For those who are wondering, we chose to leave quietly, with our pastors' blessing. We entered a new season at Planetshakers. It has been a refreshing change for us. A change we did not plan or expect, but God's plans are always the best, aren't they!

I continued with Jennifer Eivaz's Australian & New Zealand Prophetic Company. What an amazing group of people to know and experience life with! I'm excited to be attending the Seers and Dreamers Gathering in Sydney in the new year. I'm especially excited that I will finally meet in person some beautiful friends I've made through this online community.

2021 included many deaths of family and friends. I'd hoped 2022 would be different... But that was not the case. We lost clients to covid and others to covid-related circumstances. We lost more family members... and as the Commonwealth lost their 96 year old matriarch whom we felt would be with us forever, we lost our beloved 97 year old Nonna- whom we also felt would be with us forever. The worst part was Covid was her cause of death. This mighty, strong, Italian woman was overcome by a virus. I didn't get to visit her in the covid ward - I made plans to visit, but she passed away during the night before. I felt such an unusual sense of peace after her death. That was a huge encouragement to this intercessor who had invested countless hours in prayer for her. 

2022... Another year of holding on to unfulfilled promises. A year of trusting in the unknown. A year of change... of rest and growth. 

Another year of Covid-fatigue and uncomfortable PPE. I won't go into this - just know healthcare workers still have to work under strict Covid guidelines and regulations. Covid is real. We're still tired. 2022 added the dimensions of tragic loss & grief into my workplace.

Much more has happened on this rollercoaster of 2022. This year brought much change, but also many blessings. It was a year of changing my foundations while remaining grounded. It was a challenging year. I choose to focus on the happy moments, and look forward to seeing where this path continues into 2023, with a personal theme word: FRESH. 

Happy New Year! 🦋

(The photo is of our feijoa tree 😀).

New season, new shoes

I recently resumed catching the train to work, after almost a year of driving. I missed the exercise, but discovered my "walking" work shoes were well past their expiry date. So, I replaced them, and the new pair are sooooo much more supportive (& clean!). 

Seeing my 2 pairs of shoes together, I was reminded of the changing seasons in life- we have begun a new season, and it is clear the old season was "well worn". It was full of good things - growth, struggles, joys. Good friendships and investing our gifts to our church. But, like the shoes, the season had an expiry point. These old shoes are well-worn. They have scratches & holes that let the water in when it rains. Their support has worn, meaning I could inflame an old achilles injury, with continued use. They are no longer useful for the current season. We need new "tools" for a fresh purpose. 

The new shoes not only look better, but feel better. They are well-suited for the current season. We would be silly to try to carry last season's "tools" into the new season. Sometimes we just need a small confirmation of the new in our lives. New shoes mean new purpose, a new journey. Moving forward, progressing, and not falling down or returning to the past- seriously, who would want to wear old shoes when you have new ones? 

I would love to wear prettier shoes to work, but I am blessed with a practical job, and these shoes are "fit for purpose". 

The old, worn shoes represent a good, full and active season. They fulfilled their purpose. It's now time to leave them behind and enjoy this new journey! 🦋

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" ~Isaiah 43:18‭-‬19a NIV

Blessings everywhere!

This morning while in church, God gave me the sudden realisation that even though I've been feeling in the middle of a slow whirlwind, surviving, coping, choosing joy, standing... SO MANY good things have been happening too. I was reminded of the bible verse, Amos 9:13: 

“Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills..." Amos 9:13 MSG. (Emphasis mine).

People have been prophesying this during the year, but I didn't realise this new season has brought this kind of action to my life! 

I didn't relate to not being able to keep up. Suddenly, things are changing, happening, moving! We have moved. We didn't expect, or plan this new season to begin in a new church family. However, this one act of obedience triggered the beginning of the breakthroughs. Things are happening fast! The whirlwind is receding. New joys are coming, my heart is refreshed. Warfare has picked up, but that makes sense! We are in a joyful, new season. 

I also had a dream last night that really surprised me! Previously, I've talked about doors to friendships that God has locked. I still trust Him with the keys. I dreamed that one door is no longer locked. I'll be honest, the door was locked about 20 years ago, and I was led into an inner healing journey- which changed my life in amazing ways. But that door needed to be locked. I learned about soul ties. The person on the other side did try to initiate communication various times, and my mentors in their wise, motherly wisdom, strongly reminded me the door needed to stay closed. It was tough. That person would not know how hard it was for me to not engage, to not open the door even just a crack... it took strength & courage to trust God with that door. They probably thought I was heartless & uncaring, which is hard not to be able to defend. The truth is, I did care- which was why it was initially so hard to trust the door to stay locked. Yes, that person deeply hurt me, but I forgave them long ago. I won't go out of my way to open the door, but knowing it is no longer locked is a strange feeling. I did not see this coming! 

My heart is in anticipation for what is coming. Doors have closed, but new doors have opened! 2022 has not been the year we expected, but now we are running with this new season of blessings! 🦋

Changing seasons

Sometimes in life, you find yourself in a place that doesn't really make sense... everything leading up to that point was good, yet you find yourself at the end of a path you didn't see coming. 

It's like you were walking along a mountain path, faithfully following that path up/around the mountain. Suddenly you find yourself on a platform. The path has ended and it's time to stop and look at the view- how far you have walked along this path. Who you travelled with, who is still travelling with you... Then you look up and ask, "Where do I go now? I thought there was much more of this path to travel? What about the promises and opportunities?" 

The clear answer is, "You have walked as far as I had intended for you. It's time to rest before I reveal the new path. The promises were never for THIS path. The journey was necessary, but the promises are for the next season. You couldn't travel this new season without first travelling the path that has now ended".

It's a new season. The path was amazing, yet had an expiry point. There is no joy in remaining in a season, or on a path you no longer have the grace for. Life is full of surprises. There comes a time where staying in a comfort zone brings little comfort. You need to move on. Let go of your expectations of that season and travel the new path in faith. 

Facing a new season can be daunting, but your heart knows it's time. In order to enjoy the future, you must let go of the past. 🦋

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland". ~Isaiah 43:19 NIV

Beside Still Waters

 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters, He refreshes my soul. Psalms 23:1‭-‬3 (Emphasis mine).

Have you ever noticed how difficult it is for modern society to "be still"? People are so busy with life, it feels like a challenge to take a break or rest. Sometimes we even skull our tea or coffee, instead of savouring it for a few minutes.

Have you also noticed how it's difficult for many Christians to stop and "be still" in God's presence? (Psalm 46:10). We all have our busy schedules, To-Do Lists, distractions and honestly, simple disobedience that compete for our attention. It's not that we don't want to... it's just much easier to give in to the distractions, isn't it? 

I love watching water... It's so relaxing and refreshing. To hear the trickling stream, or waves lapping the shore. How many of us, in our busy days yearn for the quiet, despite not feeling able to find it? 

Although I love watching the waves, I'm not a beach lover... Like Anakin Skywalker, "I don't like sand..." But send me to a river, or a fountain, and I'm in my happy place. 

Most of the time I am not able to be near a physical river, but the river comes to me! Sometimes the river is in my car. I can sit quietly in God's presence, soaking in worship, preparing for the day ahead. Or my lounge, streaming music from my tv or device. There have been many times where this kind of river experience has been my biggest weapon. When it feels like the waves are crashing around me, threatening to overcome me, wherever I am becomes my still water. Sometimes music stills my heart, and gives me the strength to face the day. I'm certain, if I did not spend these quiet times at the river, I would have lost a good portion of my joy. However, I know without a doubt where my joy comes from, and there is an everlasting flow. It's free and available to anybody who asks.

Many of us are feeling the need for refreshment in this season. We've been in battles, good battles, but are now needing that rest that only comes from God. He wants to give us that rest. He wants to refresh us and prepare us for our next season. What I am currently learning, is rests are part of the Battle Plan. While we sit beside the water, we are not idle. There is such purpose in this kind of rest. The enemy may try to taunt us and tell us otherwise, but he is a liar and very afraid of what is beyond this season of rest and preparation! 

I sense God challenging us all, "Will you sit with me beside the water?"  

Bridges of Relationships

I'm sure many who are reading this have been feeling the effects of the transitional season we are in. Things are different. There is a sense of both loss and new beginnings. What I am personally experiencing, is a realignment, even shifting of relationships.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens... Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV).

I can't say it is necessarily a nice, or enjoyable experience, but in the big picture, I trust it is good. 

I have been thinking about BRIDGES regarding relationships. People often say things like, "Build bridges, don't burn them", "Be careful not to burn that bridge!" or even, "How can we rebuild this bridge?" 

Many bridges of communication or connection are burned through, among other things,  hurt, unforgiveness, misunderstandings, or simply dislike. It is so easy to burn a bridge, and much harder to rebuild, once burned. My constant prayer has been to maintain a clean, forgiving heart with no regrets.  My challenge is to actively maintain bridges of communication, even if the other party does not reciprocate. "Why?", you may ask... Because I don't want any regrets, or any hints of unforgiveness in my heart.

Although I actively choose to maintain bridges, there are some bridges in my heart that remain closed. I did not burn those bridges, nor did I close them. In order to protect my heart and help me heal from traumas, God placed a locked gate on my end of those bridges. I hold NO unforgiveness in my heart towards these people (the locked gates helped me work towards this), but God placed a lock on those gates, and I trust Him fully to maintain those gates. One day He may unlock the gates, but that is out of my hands. He holds the key. I have no intention of trying to unlock those gates myself.

Currently, I find myself in the middle of relationship changes. I don't know what caused the changes, but I do know the bridges are vulnerable. So, I have accepted that communication may possibly cease from the other end, but I have no intention of closing off my end of the bridge. Of course, this will involve continued forgiveness, and not treating others the way they treat me... but I've been travelling this mental/emotional path for some time now...so I guess I can say this bumpy path has only made me stronger and wiser. Of course it saddens me when communication breaks down, but sometimes it's best to let things go. So, I'm letting go. If I can't bring these relationships into my future, then I'm not going to waste my time and energy on something I have no control over. 

Some bridges have an Expiry, or Best Before date. Personally, I feel some bridges have reached their Best Before date, so naturally they won't be as good as they originally were. The lesson here is, as Ecclesiastes says, "There is a time for everything". That sometimes you need to simply take a 'stocktake' of your life and keep moving forward. This may involve leaving things behind that can't, or won't travel with you into the future. And that's okay. We don't need to know what the future holds. Just what is our responsibility and what isn't. So I choose to keep moving. Accept my losses, forgive those who hurt me- intentionally and unintentionally - and keep walking forward, not looking back.

If you are reading this, it's likely our bridge is ok. 

If you don't know me, my prayer is that my words encourage you.

If you are one of those who has hit my locked gates, I want you to know you are 100% forgiven. I won't open those gates, but if God ever does, I will be on the other side.  

This is a new season. Time to let go of the old and embrace the new. To fix our eyes on what is good for our souls. To follow God's will for our lives, and not compare. We all have a purpose and calling. Let's embrace this, and cheer each other on!🦋

Exiting the Cocoon

Many people have been wondering where I've been, and if I'm ok. 

I am great, and haven't gone away.

I have been in a short season of rest. I had been living and breathing in an heightened  warfare mode for so long, I didn't realise just how intense the battle was - until I was called out.

Suddenly, God took me out of the battle and said, "It's time to rest". 

So that's where I've been. In a new cocoon. There is always warfare, but not every battle needs to be fought. 

I have loved this cocoon, but the purpose of a cocoon is to prepare. You can't stay in a cocoon and expect to become a butterfly! So, I have been in preparation of a new season. My wings have been strengthened and expanded. I don't know what this season will bring, but I know I am not the same person who went into the cocoon. 

If God didn't call me out of the battle, I would still be in it. It was my normal. I would have obediently continued fighting. But now I have been on the sidelines, I know there is a new battle. To everything there is a season (Ecclesiastes 3). 

I'm grateful for this cocoon season, but now my heart knows it's time to push out and spread my wings again.

I don't know what this new year holds... I have expectations, but ultimately I am in the hands of my creator. If He is not in it, I don't want it. I look forward to seeing where He sends these new wings. 🦋

2021 - Part 2 - Personal Bessings

2021 - Part 1 - General Reflections

Wow...what a year, hey! When people were excitedly declaring the end of 2020, I was thinking, "Things don't just get better because the clock ticks past midnight". I was praying for a better 2021, but didn't expect the first day to magically remove the dramas of 2020. 

For me, 2021 began with a season of loss and grief. In March, we were informed our friend was in the ICU after 2 big strokes. She was only 44, and one of the healthiest people we knew. I struggled to know what to pray...for healing? For a peaceful departure? I just put her in God's hands. Nobody wanted to lose her, but neither did we wish a life of suffering or loss of independence on her. In the end, God took her home. Her departure shook us deeply...and also brought people together. I know she would have loved that... People connecting, and re-connecting in shared mourning, reminding each other of their importance to each other. I also have no doubt she would have heard those precious words, "Well done, good and faithful servant".

This was also the time we were informed my father-in-law had terminal cancer... God took him home only a few months later...in May. We were so blessed to be able to travel to NSW to see him before he left us. The borders were closed a few weeks later! His passing meant I had lost both my parents-in-law. We no longer had family living in NSW. It was a huge, unexpected loss. So many "small" things stopped. No more skype calls, text messages, sending gifts & cards via Express Post... and the death of dreams that won't come to pass... You often don't realise how important and valued these "small" things are until they stop. 

Early in 2021, after the many Lockdowns of 2020, Melbourne successfully eradicated covid! We were beginning to experience a sense of our "new normal". People were beginning to socialise and enjoy exploring their surroundings again. We were venturing out, beyond restrictions we had become used to. We were seeing our families again. Churches were open, no longer solely online. Coffee catch ups were back. Complacency slowly crept in... "Don't worry, nobody has covid!" But many were still aware that could change. There was no guarantee. Some people predicted a coming "worse wave". It FELT unrealistic, but we were still on guard, in a sense.

Then...it happened. After all the suffering & hard work of Melbourne and Victoria to eradicate the virus... Outsiders with no understanding of how much we'd endured, recklessly brought it across the border. "Recklessly" may sound harsh, but at the time, Melbourne felt abused. There was little remorse from those who deliberately ignored our proven Covid-safe rules. The honeymoon was over! Those predictions of "worse" came to pass... Melbourne was no longer the "World's Most Livable City". We gained a new title, "World's Most Locked Down City". 

2021 has been a rollercoaster year. People reached their limits. Covid-fatigue became the normal. EVERYBODY was tired. Everybody was fed up with not being able to see their families and friends. Birthdays were spent in Lockdown- isolated from loved ones. Significant birthday parties were rescheduled, rescheduled...then cancelled. Weddings were up in the air again.

We needed Work Permits to go to work... PPE was ramped up. Not only were staff/carers Covid-fatigued, but our vulnerable clients displayed signs and symptoms. They coped much better during 2020. But the resilience some showed in 2021 was just beautiful. It was a challenging year, giving so much of ourselves mentally and physically. Trying to help people have a good day, despite the many restrictions and Covid-safe practices. It was a blessing to go to work, although by the end of the year, we were ALL utterly exhausted! The Christmas break couldn't come fast enough.

If 2021 were a cupcake, the vaccine was like adding choc chips made of mud. During 2020, people prayed for a vaccine. In 2021 they were threatened by the very thing they prayed for. There were so many variables, facts vs myths, etc... And minds that ran wild with whatever information they read or saw, without first checking the facts. Fear-mongering and division became very evident. People became divided. Many made the decision to have the vaccine, after doing their research, weighing up the pros and cons, and much prayer. Many chose against it. What I've found, is Christians I know who felt to have it, felt God's Peace. Many, like me, were hesitant. But God's Peace is EVERYTHING. Many who chose against it, also have that same Peace. It's those who have little to no peace who seem to be caught up in the confusion. Nobody WANTED to have the vaccine. Most recipients felt they needed to protect those they love, the front-liners, community, and themselves. For those who have peace about the vax, the benefits far outweighed the risks. Plus, we have faith in God's protection. Without that, we wouldn't have His peace. 

Unfortunately, the vaccine mandate was enforced. We lost some great colleagues. It was a very unsettling time. I made the decision a week before the mandate was announced, so feel very blessed that I was NOT forced. It took many months for me to feel that peace. But when it came, it never left. It took faith...and now for myself, and many others who have crossed that bridge, there is no turning back. 

If you are still unsure of the vaccine, I challenge you to stop listening to ALL voices for a day or so, then only listen to a few voices you trust- who will give you honest and factual information. Because, any voice with a biased agenda will just steal your peace and feed your confusion. Then make your decision, either way, WHEN you feel peace. You are responsible for YOUR decision, nobody else's. Also, don't forget to love those who have chosen differently. 

I love a quote I recently heard, 

"It takes faith to HAVE the vaccine,

and it takes faith NOT to have the vaccine".

 

Now that the new variant is out there, it looks like we won't enjoy the feeling of living in a "Covid-free" state again, or at least not in the near future. But we also won't experience the same kinds of Lockdowns we've endured during the last 2 years. I honestly think lockdowns won't be as effective, as many Covid-fatigued people have reached their limit, and blatantly ignore the rules. To healthcare workers like me, it's disrespectful and selfish, but clearly evident that Covid-fatigue is real and people are greatly impacted. 

It feels that 2022 will need to be a year of LOVE. People are worn out... We need to positively reconnect as a community. Forget the bad and focus on the good. Melbourne should be proud- we DID IT! We suffered. We endured. We didn't give up, although it would have been easy. The majority of people did the right thing, and now we're all reaping the rewards of freedom and reconnection. Let's not forget how hard we fought for this.

We don't know what 2022 holds, but I feel more hopeful and expectant than I did on 31st December 2020. 

Thanks for enduring the rollercoaster! Here's to a happier, more connected 2022! 🦋