Since I was first self-aware of myself, my relationship with the world, and my need for God, sometime around the age of 9 or 10, I felt secure in my world view.

The events of the past four months however have opened up a chasm-like split in how I view the ways of the world and the ways of God.

I believe in the power of love, of forgiveness, of realising ones own fragility and vulnerability, of acknowledging weakness and failings, above all noting that no-one is perfect in this mortal life, but we keep must keep trying to maintain relationships. Something in the above words echoes the call to love one another, and thus love God, for me.

However society has now decreed the cult of the individual, where one person can claim to be a victim and the other person becomes the powerful evil aggressor who is offered no opportunity other than in adversarial conflict to put ones viewpoint.

As a Christian not wishing to cause distress I chose not to participate in adversarial conflict, and I have taken to heart the call of Jesus to turn the other cheek. I have chosen the moral high ground to act justly and morally. I have been true to myself and my values

In this paradoxical situation 'twixt Christian values and modern societies 'cult of the individual', I have found myself at peace, with a deepened faith and a greater love. Ever conscious of my failings, I also know all that is good within me.

The words of Les Miserables echo continually in my mind and heart and soul: "To love another person is to see the face of God." True love wishes the best for the other, even when one is left bereft and broken-hearted. I may be an incurable romantic, but it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

I have taken the path of patience, goodwill, and acceptance. Life is short and truly I have found love leads to suffering.

We live only once and the joys and woes of life truly are the stuff of reality not dreams!