Pure Bliss

 After a good period apart, this friendship

is proving to be even stronger than I thought.

Being  with you is like a timeless event,

where time is forgotten and we, together,

enjoy the pure bliss of companionship.

Just going for that long walk and chatting 

about what goes on in the world, or

preparing a delicious meal with a good 

glass of that excellent wine.  Sharing 

our views about the world we live in 

and the challenges that are faced by all, 

but especially by young people wanting 

to have a go at what we call a successful 

life and a prosperous future. Sunset

Love does offer so much more to those, 

like us, who understand the limitations 

of our individual situation. We have 

individually established lives with family 

and friends. Therefore pure bliss can only 

come to us if we demonstrate and practise 

understanding, care and respect for each other. 

We know that each day is as precious as 

the weather and natural environment gives us. 

We enjoy the sunshine, the warmth, the beautiful 

surrounds that nature offers. We love to be 

joyful, free and happy without the burdens 

that we have carried over the years 

because of a  growing family, commitment 

to our work and maintaining our marriage 

intact, sincere and in peace. Values that you 

and I have shared again, as individuals, over

the years within our separate lives.  Now

we have the freedom of choice, an appreciation 

of liberty, allowing our bucket list to be fulfilled, 

enjoying ourselves as we travel along the path 

of time. We love to see each other occasionally 

and rejoicing in our mutual company. Again, this 

last time has been for both of us Pure Bliss!

Mutual Understanding

 Reaching mutual understanding with friends 

whom you love, respect and care for their well 

being is not an easy task. Especially when

personality and experience are different 

from our own! The main element needed to do

this is to be patient... and really listen to the other's

heart beats, thoughts and likes! Being observant 

will reveal the daily culture of the other and allow 

us to look into all their characteristics. In turn 

the other person has to do the same with us.

It's a mutual obligation if we truly want to have

harmony and understanding together! The benefits 

for achieving this mutual understanding are very

many indeed! We become free to do and choose 

whatever we believe we should have. In particular 

times and as we follow our individual path in our

journey forward. We can say whatever we want.

We don't necessarily fault the other with their 

opinions and beliefs. A good relationship practises 

such a state of being and living with the company 

we keep! Being flexible in our desires and expectations

becomes the norm. Our appreciation of what we do 

together reaches new heights and allows for further 

growth in joy and happiness. It's healthy to be in

this cocoon united in purpose and activities, living 

the moment with a positive outlook and conversation. 

What more can we want from our mutual understanding? 

Well there is the real knowledge of the other's individuality 

and precious personal and intellectual make up. Their spirituality, 

emotional leanings and philosophy. These are ingredients  

that require a dose of understanding and wisdom. We live

better when we achieve 'mutual understanding' and continue

to appreciate this need if we want harmony and a lasting friendship.

We have it now. Let's keep it and share it with love in our sunset years!

At peace with myself

The sky is today a light blue with clouds 

gathered in groups with definite borders. 

There is no wind, the air is quite warm 

for this time of the year. You would expect 

birds to be chasing each other and, on the road, 

cars coming through noisily. But no, no, it is quiet, 

just like my soul today! I am at peace with myself. 

The last few years have been a whirlwind of activity, 

moving and shifting so much of my wares... yes 

they have come to rest in my new warehouse. 

All these chattels, books, clothes and furniture, 

my notes and media products, including my photos 

and footage, the project boxes, family memories 

of when my children were young! And, of course,

all this reminds me of Nella. I am surrounded 

by all these things that she bought  and kept for 

an eventual use. She was a true buyer, my Nella. 

With her moving into celestial life. I have had to 

move on, to continue my journey. One that basically 

travels along the same tracks of my choosing, but 

this time with me totally at the helm. Moving forward 

as I please without having to consider Nella's wishes 

and her needs! How strange it is to feel as if my life

is beginning again! A reminder of a time before

I met Nella when I went here and there as I 

pleased: meeting new friends, going out to dances 

and outings... and always looking for a possible partner 

to behold and love. Yes, love was there hidden in those 

days of freedom. Then it arrived. The pot of love at the bottom

of the rainbow's end. And life in two as one began 

until decades  later when cancer struck. We thought 

we could win! It wasn't to be! And Nella left a void 

in my life... I did not stop and brood. I kept going 

with Nella by my side in spirit...But as the days, months

and a couple of years went by and after settling 

and resettling the chattels which surround me now,

I have found peace in my heart! I have accepted

the inevitable end of life and the beginning of new life. 

I have always cherished memories and history.

I continue to love these but have learnt through Sunset  

Love to appreciate the Now and the transient nature of time 

in our life's journey. Happy, joyful or sad, in pain, grieving 

or overcoming these, I, you, we all must bow our head and pray 

to remain positive and try to protect our health, our way of living. 

Not to be attached too much to earthly possessions and value 

our spiritual and emotional  human condition. To love, share, 

being generous and kind are ingredients that will lead each 

one of us to be 'in peace with ourselves!'

Our Federal Election and Eurovision Final 2019

 What a combination for this Saturday Night and early 

Sunday morning of the 16th of May 2019! Two events 

that will provide a result with which I will be talking 

about on my community radio segments, soon after 

and in the medium to long term! This Federal Election 

campaign has become polarized and given all voters 

a clear choice for the laws of the near future. Shall it 

be more of the same under the current Government 

led by the Liberals, or shall we have a Whitlam style

new broom that will change the status quo and move us 

in directions that we may or may not like. I like the saying:

"Soup is never eaten as hot as it is served !" This applies 

to all Governments and Oppositions when they are elected

to govern for change. I have written in the past that it is 

wise for a people living in a Democracy to show those who

govern who is the real boss! This can only be done sometimes 

by a shock treatment: sending home those who have ruled.

I prefer that they stay there for a couple of terms and no

more! So that the Opposition can check what has been 

done and then move on to a different tune in favour 

of those sections of society that have missed out! 

Economic and social changes are hard to implement 

at the best of times. It requires real leadership and good 

management to achieve what have been elected promises.

After a while in government, this group of Parties or Party 

in Government needs to be moved on. The cycle will continue 

to ensure transparency and honesty by the people who govern 

for the period of their elected mandate. I look forward to this change 

on Saturday. It's time for Labor again, it's time for Shorten! 

And it's time for Australia to win the Eurovision Song Contest.

Probably not this time to both!

Tesoro Mio

Non sempre fra gli umani trovi 

un tesoro quando lo vuoi. Dopo 

una perdita e tu senti ancora 

che la vita ti chiama, trovare 

un'anima gemella, una persona 

cara che ti fa sentire ad agio,

e' questo un gran tesoro! Lo hai 

trovato cosi' senza cercarlo. E' 

arrivato di colpo come un fulmine 

in ungiorno dove regnava la calma.

Quella calma che ti cullava nel nulla 

e tu sei arrivata ed hai mosso l'aria 

che respiravo.  Mi hai dato nuova energia. 

Ho cominciato dinuovo a muovermi 

come facevo nella mia prima gioventu'. 

Le esperienze insieme dopo i primi 

incontri sono poi diventate piu' frequenti.

Ci siamo riconosciuti come se il tempo

e' rimasto nostro amico e compagno di vita.

Non c'e' voluto molto per trovare sotto 

quell'arcobaleno un tesoro di gioia 

che si tramuta e si rinnova quando 

noi due usciamo insieme. Tutto va 

come quel venticello marino che ci 

accarezza e ci fa sentire felici.

Il tuo sorriso, gli occhi scintillanti 

ed il tuo modo di fare trovano in me

un forte legame di amicizia e cura

reciproca per la nostra salute interiore. 

Si potrebbe dire vero amore in questo

nostro periodo di vita al tramonto, 

dopo quei sogni giovanili ormai realizzati. 

Adesso e' per noi  un giorno alla volta 

ma vogliamo che questo giornosi rinnovi 

per molti anni anncora. Accettiamo 

quel che l'Universo e Dio ci donano 

e sappiamo che la notte piena di stelle 

illumina il nostro cammino in quel viaggio

che ognuno di noi un giorno affronteremo! 

Nel frattempo, tu sei per me'Tesoro Mio'

oh Silvana del mio 'Sunset Love'!

Habits

We all have our individual habits!!!

Let no-one tell you that your habits are wrong. 

They are in fact different from the other person's 

habits! Beware thought that habits can be bad! 

So give yourself time to review your own habits!

Distance

The tyranny of distance in a relationship 

can be a trial of our own emotions... for love, 

companionship, friendship needs a time together. 

Otherwise distance drives a cold chisel in the middle

of our very being! we, humans, need to feel

the warmth of a hug, the touch of a hand, the seal 

of a kiss and all that presence gives to each other. 

So when love wanes because of distance, what can 

we do to remedy neglect? Writing a letter or card, a poem 

or note the many times together? Memories lived, moments 

of happiness, the joy of being together doing something 

that we both love. Appreciating the absence for whatever 

reason can be an antidote, but distance is like a small poison 

portion that drives each party apart. To live without the other, 

not to see or talk to each other often: to be one's own best friend 

becomes the normal habit. The new habitat in which there is only 

room for newcomers or solitude! "Is another love the answer? " 

You asked or rather you said this to test my reaction, adding: "maybe 

you need someone closer!" Geography, you know! Ah, distance!

Written by Tom Padula Sunday 02 June - Friday 14 June 2019