High as a Kite!

Feeling as High as a kite after the last weeks activities! (And not a drug or a drink in sight!) 
I know that if someone gives us a gift we get some very nice "feelgood" chemicals in our brain, of course we do, it is nice to think someone has thought of us and gone to a lot of trouble to please us, But I also know that if we GIVE something we get substantially more of those feelgood chemicals, it seems silly not to have them! Free chemicals! And no "come down" no hangover! The person receiving from us feels good, we feel good and those around us feel good just by witnessing that kind act. It is a win win situation! 
Last weekend I was not well enough to stay for the Humanist conference, but I did manage to hear  AC Grayling talk about the philosophy of "friendship" so uplifting, so inspirational (and not a god in sight!)
Then I was teaching some truly lovely people, working in the most difficult circumstances in prison and drug services (and not an ego in sight!) 
But the highlight of my week has GOT to be going up to Edinburgh to speak at the launch of the brilliant initiative "AID AND ABET" !!!! I still haven't come down!

THE most amazing people "Cons and Cops" (their words!) working together and saving lives! It was a privilege  to be a part of it and to be SO well looked after by these altruistic people. So professional. so compassionate so honourable and

SO humble, I did NOT want to get back on that plane!This has given me a new lease!, but actually what it did was remind me how being around recovery and altruism feels! It is so easy to get a little jaded or complacent when you have "been 
around" as long as I have.These lovely recovery friends, and their equally lovely police colleagues reminded me what it is all about!

Their optimism and joy was infectious, their determination mind blowing,  breaking down barriers, getting rid of  "Us and Them" and creating partnerships that are making a real difference. 
I came away with enough of those "feel-good chemicals" to last a month! But I don't mind admitting that I want MORE! And I  know exactly where to get them! 

 I don't always remember, because I am human, I need reminding!  But when I do it feels great!
And then to top it all they sent me beautiful flowers!!! It was a bit like getting a big box of chocolates and then being rewarded for eating them! What a week!