Here is a decision.

Last night I wrote an update on my writing – the past four years.

I have been jotting things down for longer than that; for a reasonable period of time I ploughed my energy into writing guides, manuals and whatnot relating to older people and in particular dementia.

I haven’t done that for a while, I suspect because, when you are typing away, there is only so much you can express and also so many hours in the day.

I think the best thing I ever did was the dementia strategy for Doncaster back in… I think 2013 (still available on the web here).

Anyway, none of this is my point, nor does it relate to my decision.

You see, something I have been looking for has been more engagement; this is people saying, ‘You’re crap’ or, ‘Go Rod!’ – there are likely many reasons for this ranging from ego all the way through to lack of direction. (I appreciated the spelling/grammar corrections recently received, although would have preferred the content to have been the subject of such scrutiny!)

It is funny that I mentioned Marc Hamer’s book about moles yesterday, as my writing is very similar, to the life of a mole that is, wandering around in the dark, occasionally bumping in to worms and other creatures, at times pausing and making a hillock.

I have received much guidance from Freda – thank you; I promise to get-on with the Manor Field blogs as mentioned on the site;

Equally, I know if people bombarded me with questions or feedback, I would probably manage at first but would soon become overwhelmed; yes, this is me expressing my sense of never quite happy; maybe it is the Scotsman in me.

Last night I watched Hector and the Search for Happiness which is based on the novel of the same name by François Lelord. Simon Pegg was Hector. It isn’t a fantastic movie, the book is better, although the message of happiness as a necessity, something that doesn’t happen to you, but is our responsibility, even though it is unachievable, only a by-product of doing other things, was fair. (Like John Lennon – on the merry-go-round).

Anyway.

My point, my decision, is, that I will push myself, to provide more opinion of what I think and believe, I can’t imagine I will necessarily be more controversial as that isn’t really my style, although I will do my best to provoke.

Clearly this is tricky, as, at the end of the day, I am a doctor and I can’t just say any old thing; (i.e. not a politician) I have a code of conduct that extends beyond the workplace and one I am happy to follow – it is a fair exchange; limitations on what I can do and say for the privileged of being a doc. (I don’t think I can get arrested, for example – I am sure the GMC would frown upon that).

So, treading a line between pushing-out the boat, trying my very best to adopt the Biko, ‘I write what I like,’ yet counter-balancing this with, so long as it isn’t too rude, risqué or extreme.

Watch this space.

‘What’s that coming over the hill?’ Is to follow…