To win is not to beat all the rest,
Not all about the the public glory.
For some to beat their personal best
Is the sweetest form of victory.

The challenges we all overcome
Will never warrant medal or prize,
The obstacles overcome by some
Others hardly ever recognise.

Success cannot always be measured
By prizes and accolades alone.
Often the victories we treasure
To many others remain unknown.

Others we should never judge surely
It is incredibly dangerous
For us to stand as judge and jury
Says little of them but more of us.

I had a friend in Psychiatry
Who was always trying to analyse me.
All attempts to put me on a scale
Depite all my oddities did fail,
And ended up driving him crazy!

Sitting there homeless on the street
Staring at all the passing feet
You gave me time out of your day
While many choose to look away.
As many, heads bowed, rushed on by
You stopped and looked me in the eye
Offering your hand without fear
Where most won't come anywhere near.
We spoke for a while which was nice
Reminding me I had a voice
You wanted to know how I fared
I knew you genuinely cared
You gave me help, a coin or two
For that I will always thank you.
And then alas you had to go
But there is something you should know;
What you did while talking to me
Was help restore my dignity,
Making me feel I have value,
And though homeless I matter too.

Always remember....

When life is a struggle
And everything is ****,
Make like a Dung Beetle;
Just learn to roll with it!

                                          ....Life will get better!

Still waters run deep
Where under the surface sleep
Waves of emotion

A much loved member of the family
Loved by everyone in their own way
Loving each in return unconditionally,
In their own unique way.

Always a warm welcome for everyone
Bringing a smile to every ones face
Providing so much laughter and fun
Winning in all hearts a special place.

So full of love and affection always
Giving us many hours of pleasure
Characters with their own little ways
So many of us come to treasure.

Offering true friendship and loyalty
Security and companionship too
Capable of showing true empathy,
Whatever we might be going through.

Listening intently to all we say,
A non-judgemental confidant
Beside us as we work rest or play
Happy to do whatever we want.
  
Asking very little in return from us
On whom they totally depend
Only that we not betray their trust;
That man would be a dogs best friend.

On reflection I am very well off indeed
There are many worse off no doubt.
In truth I have everything I might need,
What I want, I can live without.

It's not that I'm rich or have material wealth;
These things matter little really.
I have enough to get by and am in good health
And have great friends and family.

For too long these things I did not appreciate;
Forgot what was of true value.
Thankfully I realised before it was too late,
And am richer for it, it's true.