One Christmas build-up tradition however has totally bypassed me - that of going up to town and 'doing a show.'

Christmas gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the important things around us - a time when we can look back on the year that has passed and prepare for the year ahead.

Now that I am sixty I see why the idea of elder wisdom has passed from currency.

My youth passed at the time of the country's reconstruction from the ruins and ashes of the war in which my nation never bowed to the enemy paying the highest price in the struggle.

God has been pleased to save us during the years of war that have already passed. We pray that He may be pleased to save us to the end. But we must do our part.

I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.

Reclaiming the word 'fat' was the most empowering step in my progress. I stopped using it for insult or degradation and instead replaced it with truth because the truth is that I am fat and that's ok. So now when someone calls me fat I agree whereas before I would get embarrassed and emotional.

Gossip needn't be false to be evil - there's a lot of truth that shouldn't be passed around.

Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through Not one returns to tell us of the road Which to discover we must travel too.

A lot of people would be embarrassed to admit that they were on 'Barney' but I embrace the fact. I just had such a wonderful time doing that show. I learned what a camera and prop is and all that. I learned my manners too so I guess that's a good thing!