AGNOSTICS AND ATHEISTS PRAY TOO [BLOG]

I don't know quite what to say about 2015, other than for me it felt like a rite of passage. For the first time in many years, I genuinely have no idea what the New Year will bring for me - only it will bring change, and I must now for better or worse, learn to embrace a new way of life. I won't lie, it's fairly daunting. I don't believe in God according to any religion, but would nonetheless ask Him or Her if they're listening to please hear my prayer for 2016.

Agnostics and atheists pray too.

For myself.... I would ask they please grant me the strength to meet my new challenges and find new purpose with positivity and humility, and to leave demons in the past where they belong. To beloved friends I've lost touch with and only see in the odd survey of a newsfeed or exchange of comments, I hope to catch up with some of you in 2016. Friendship truly means more to me now than it ever has, even if I don't know quite how to show it. There are many people I'd like to speak to, but don't know where to begin. First and foremost, I wish health and happiness for my two beautiful girls Lucy & Poppy, who are truly more wonderful and vibrant than anything this grumpy old soul ever deserved.

For the world.... my prayer is for reason, equality & humanity to emerge victorious over all the hate, greed, prejudice and injustice we see around us - in every walk of life. "Do unto others as you would have them do to you". If everyone even vaguely tried to live by that rule, regardless of opinion or preconception, regardless of their religion, wealth, position or class, what a place it could be.

The world can alter in a heartbeat, as quickly as our own lives change. I think it's important to take stock of coming changes before they've been made, not once the damage is done - tomorrow may be too late. Don't bury your head in the sand. More than anything else, each one of us has a responsibility to the next generation of people living on this planet, whether we have children or not. If you see things grossly wrong with the world that's being left for them, stand up to it, any way you can - no matter how thankless or lonely it may often be. Don't let them break you.

Happy New Year everyone. Here's to new beginnings.