2016 has been a funny one hasn’t it?
As most of you know I generally avoid the news as it is oft bleak and never usually rounded off with the heart warming story that makes you feel that the world isn’t always bad.
So, what will I think of 2016?
Thanks to social media however there are two very big events, and a fair few other happenings, that have had everyone talking, and subsequently that I could not miss.
Brexit and Trump. Two campaigns full of lies, mud-slinging and cat-fighting by folk with opinions bordering racism, facism and sheer bigotry.
There have also been some media worthy deaths. Famous faces that we have had in our hearts and minds for a long time.
Why raise these on this eve of celebration?
I am sure that there must have been something good that I didn’t get to hear about.
I have therefore had to look closer to home for reasons to be grateful.
You’re probably thinking, ‘oh dear, that guy doesn’t always have the best outlook on life so how is he going to find reasons to be grateful?!’ It’s true, my view can be somewhat blinkered at times and I think you now know why.
Well my chums, when I started thinking about it I realised that it was YOU that I am grateful for.
You lift my spirits when I am down.
You compliment me when I see self-doubt.
You share your wisdom when I see only stupidity.
In short, YOU remind me of the generous nature that the human race can have.
So, it is with warmth in my heart that I enter 2017 knowing that I have such an uplifting, wise and generous bunch of friends.
Thank you!
*raises glass of fizzy pop*
I wish you all the best for the coming year.
John.
x
GENTLEMAN CRAFTER 
Happy New Year John. Wishing you a year of good health, happiness and a lot more crafting x
LikeLike
Happy new year John you are truly an amazing gentleman, hope 2017 brings you all your hoping for xxxx
LikeLike
Hi John,
Wishing you (and Maisie) a Happy New Year. Thurso folk are still talking about your workshops and hope we will see you again. Keep up the good work you are doing to raise awareness of mental health issues and Mind. You are a real “Gentleman” crafter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reminding me that despite the threatened changes for a possible bleak political 2017, if we stop and look around us, we all do have something to be grateful for. Simply being able to own a phone that allows me to text and follow Facebook for a start. Being able to afford the things that allow me to craft which brings such mental relaxation alone. Having family and friends to gift my made with love efforts to, all this and more has come to me after reading your post and the responses. So thank you for all you have done and continue to do, and ending on a posative note, I am certain most of us now can see through the power hungry fear mongering lies of the past year and if we stay strong together we can use people power to ensure life in the real world does not deteriorate to the nasty level politics has descended
to
Take care
Barb
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year John. A tough year for you but you’ve come through it still smiling. We are all amazed at how well your campaign for Mind is going and hopefully the awareness it is bringing to a lot of people that just saying hello to someone can make a change in their day. May you go from strength to strength in 2017 and we are all here to keep you going.
LikeLike
Inspirational, as always. Here’s wishing you and yours the very happiest, healthiest and loved 2017!! BBxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤ always
The little wierdo in your phone
Love Colin xx
LikeLike
Happy new year John hope it’s a great one xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks John for being such a gentlemen may 2017 be a happy one for you with your continued work for mind happy crafting
LikeLike
Thank you for another year of friendship and inspiration. May each day in 2017 bring you health, happiness, sunshine and smiles – Happy New Year John!
LikeLike
John this hasn’t been my best year but equally it hasn’t been my worst. Next year looks like it will be an interesting challenge as my eyesight worsens and I may well lose the sight in my other eye. I also may need an operation later in the year. However big on the list for my health is to lose weight. Come on 2017 I’m up to the challenge.
Have a great New Year and remember there are a lot of people cheering you on.
LikeLike
Hi John
Its 00:04am on 1/1/17 and the fireworks have been going off everywhere outside so I kinds feel like I’ve seen the new year in with you!
(Mr is in bed and the dog is asleep… Don’t worry, they won’t be jealous! 😉)
I think sometimes it takes another to hold up a mirror so we can see what others see.
First off I don’t think I’m the only one who has found pleasure or comfort in your blog. A safe space to talk about how our minds (to a greater or lesser extent) are not always a comfortable place live in, that we can talk about and share experiences of mental health and how craft helps that and illness of many types, it let’s all of us know we’re not alone in that. The challenge and mental health in general is mentioned daily by the presenters presenters on C & C, this is only a good thing. Yourself and others who are raising awareness be it on behalf of this challenge or on other fronts will bring about the change in attitudes that is needed and will help those who get ill in future as well as those who suffer now.
Your “travelblog”, brings back so many memories of the joys and the not so joys of being on the road. I feel like I’m seeing the sights with you and Maisy and these 4 walls don’t seem as claustrophobic as they did earlier in the year as a result. I’m looking up places on “Maps” and discovering new things. Something I thought I wouldn’t bother with anymore and I really enjoy it. You’ve opened the whole country to me again (and to others) and for that I got to say thank you.
You’ve shown such kindness to your blog followers, always a caring word for those struggling on a particular day.
You are braver than you know, you’ve took on a new way of living, organised a huge challenge, which would take an almighty leap of faith for people to plunge into when they haven’t been ill so to do it when you’re still quite new to understanding life with a mental illness… Well, that takes cojones… giving up a home, wi fi and a flushing loo to bunk in with an unfamiliar housemate who has her stroppy moments and particular needs -though she has kept you safe and dry… If not always warm!
You share your craft skills and knowledge readily- where those scan n Cut owners would be without you I don’t know! You share challenges, colouring pages. A generous nature for sure.
I don’t think I’m saying anything different to what would be said by those who know you personally. My very dear late friend would quote a Harry Enfield character when talking about kind hearted people- he could do the voice to perfection. I think it was his blokey way of showing that he appreciated or recognised generosity of spirit in others. I’m sure he’s looking down on me, nodding in agreement as I now quote the same to you.
John Bloodworth, you are a thoroughly “bloody good bloke”
Last of all (and I’m sorry to go on) I dearly hope that you and all those who read this blog have as few “dark clouds” as possible in 2017 and in future years. Sending you all some of my North Sea breezes to blow those clouds away. Take care, each one of you.
Hugs all round, T x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous words from a fabulous guy.Happy, healthy and successful New Year to you and all :-) xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year John you have brought lots of pleasure to us crafters Really enjoyed Hull Scan and Cut. May 2017 be a good one for you x
LikeLike
Thank you John for your lovely words, you have been an inspiration to me all through 2016 and I hope 2017 will continue in the same way. Thank you for all you give us and your blogs that sometimes make me laugh at times when my friends think I have gone quite mad, ie in a shopping queue that is far from funny I have often tittered at one of your comments that has crossed my mind. So I raised a glass of fizzy ‘pop’ (maybe) to you and wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Much love
Jean
LikeLike
Happy New Year John. Lovely words. The News is very dome and gloom every day very depressing. I love reading your posts of where you’ve been and what you’ve been up to. I’m just sorry I can’t get to any of your tour dates. I’d love to get to one. Never mind. Hope you have a good 2017 and be happy. Jenny xx
LikeLike
Hi John happy new year to you too. I agree with gypsy541 you give so much to us as well…..we are all in this together. So with that in mind 2017 will be a continuation of chatting to friends, reading cracking posts, supporting one another with all that that entails and doing what we can to make our journey through the ups and downs as best we can. I’m planning to watch lots of crafting repeats on TV, while I recover from heat exhaustion…..it’s been a tad too hot for this old girl here in Sydney. Keep smiling. Karen x
LikeLike
John I wish you good health and good friends to laugh with for thats what life was made for and to craft of course
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww, I’ve got tears in my eyes! Thank you John. Thank you for showing us that being brave can be terrifying and exciting and life-changing in so many ways. I have told you before that you really have helped me to get back some self respect and confidence in who I am and what I do. Seeing how you have grabbed the past year by the whotsits has been an inspiration! I wish you and everyone who follows your blog the very best for the new year, with the number of days of smiles outnumbering the not so smiley ones. Xxxx
LikeLike
Like you I avoid the news as it always seem to be bad. Best to focus on the positives like you’ve been doing all this year. Your positivity has been a major thing that I’ve looked forward to hearing about on your blog. Many thanks and very best wishes for the coming year and beyond. Xxx Liz xxx
LikeLike
Also wish you a year full of contentment, good health and that you will be happy.
LikeLike
Happy new year John. Love Katy and Barclay! Xx
LikeLike
It’s been lovely having you close this year, you have cheered me up many times. I’ve loved your blogs, and hugely admire what you are doing for Mind. I almost managed to come to a workshop, but couldn’t quite convince myself I’d be ok, but that’s the nearest I’ve got for years, so I have many things to thank you for. It’s been lovely having you in the living room for the last week or so as well. Have a great 2017 xxx
LikeLike
Happy new year. Have a good one x
Sent from Samsung tablet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely words John. I wish you a New Year full of good health and contentment x
LikeLike