It’s the start of a new month and the start of a new phase. We still have a long journey ahead of us, but taking each step carefully brings us closer to our destination. I generally have a positive outlook on most things, and I believe that has helped to sustain me over recent months. That is not to say I don’t look at things realistically but being hopeful and planning for the future is a good thing. I will always try to look toward the horizon and think about what lies before us. Musically, my choirs have been online for many weeks now. But we have revisited familiar repertoire, begun to look at new music, worked on vocal technique, spoken about repertoire, recorded virtually, learnt new skills, chatted to each, other and kept each other going. Offline we have communicated with all of our members, albeit by email, ‘phone conversations, socially distanced visits and even the old-fashioned way of writing letters! It has been important to us to stay connected! We have even welcomed new members to the wonderful world of zoom!

There have been many initiatives which have blossomed out of necessity and have now become familiar. Our care and love for each other have become stronger and will continue to do so even when the journey is behind us. We will not go back to where we were, but will continue along this path to being kinder, more understanding and better connected.

We have also become very wary of the media. Too many leading questions; too much anger; too much posturing. Our impression of politicians around the world has become more focused and we look upon decisions taken with scepticism. But I have to believe we are all in it together, even if that is naive thinking on my part. I will not let all the things I have worked so hard to achieve simply disappear. The friendships I have made, the experiences I have had shape me as an individual and I will continue to work hard to maintain every aspect of my life. All of these things matter, and they should to all of us. Of course, there is negativity in some quarters, but with just a little more thought that glass will appear half full!