Hard to believe.......

I decided to include some beautiful pictures of Spring in this post, given that we have just passed the Spring equinox, the evenings are getting longer and the sun definitely has some warmth in it these days. And right now, I’d say we all need a bit of colour to cheer us up a bit.

Who could have imagined that I’d be writing this under an effective ‘health curfew’ as the Covid-19 virus seeks to destroy both our health system and our economy simultaneously? It all feels a bit surreal doesn’t it?

I’d always planned for this second blog entry to be something of a celebration. A celebration of the fact that my website was up and running at long last, that I was getting a real sense of excitement about the developing music and arts scene in the area and my joy at the connections and links I was making with some amazing artists, promoters, venues and just genuinely lovely people.

And despite the bizarre and even disturbing situation we find ourselves in, I still feel a great sense of what the possibilities are for the future, but right now, it’s all about getting through the present.

I like to think of myself as a stoic. Stoicism will certainly be a quality we will all need some of in the coming months. For even when the biological threat has diminished, the economic damage caused could last decades. But you don’t come here to be depressed right, so let’s lighten the mood?

One of my favourite quotes (I don’t know if it’s for real , but I like to think it could be!) is from Bruce Lee. “Do not wish for an easy life, wish for the strength to endure a difficult one". Like it or not, most of us are going to face some difficulties in the next few months, either financial, emotional or god forbid healthwise. But the good news, is that despite all of the doom and gloom of the media, regular people are finding the strength and compassion to do amazing things to help their families, friends, neighbours and local communities.

Throughout life, I have always retained my faith in human nature. Most people, all over the world, are pretty decent. Sure I’ve been disappointed once or twice and of course there are bad people, but expecting the best of people has proved to be a pretty reliable policy through my adult life (of which there has been quite a lot!). And besides, you can usually spot a wrong ‘un a mile off!

One thing we can all be grateful for in times like these is music. I’m not a religious person, but even I can believe that music truly is a gift from a higher power. It has the capacity to move us and motivate us in amazing ways. And on that note, I’ll offer a piece of music that has been my inspiration in many difficult times and is a tribute to the amazing things that people can achieve when they work together in times of adversity. The opening line gets me every time……..

“Ain’t it true when people get together, there’s no mountain they can’t move away, no obstacle too big to conquer…….someday”. (And check out those suits!!).

Stay safe and well everyone. I’ll do my bit to try and get you through these tough times and when we’re through, my god, we are going to PARTY!!! Take care. P.G. xx