Clickety click sixty six! Ken Dodd (UK Comedian) used to warn people "One day you'll wake up, and everything will just click! Your knees, your neck, your elbows, etc. Well today is my 66th birthday and last night I was feeling out of sorts with my aches and pains (I'm sure you don't need an organ recital). Not only that but one of my crowned teeth fell out. What a way to greet what is my retirement birthday! You old codger! 

Today after visiting the dentist and the doctors, I saw many personal messages and more than a hundred "Happy Birthday " comments, thank you all so much for these! Having missed "The One Show" last night, this afternoon I got to watch it all about The Beatles final single, and then heard the song on the playback of the Scott Mills radio show, he even played The Beatles song "Birthday" as he was reading the texts sent to the show.

"Now And Then" The Beatles new release is helping me to reflect back over my life. John Lennon first met Paul McCartney a few short months before I was born. The Quarrymen soon had a new member, as did my family; I showed up three weeks late (and some would have you believe I've been late for everything ever since). I was born by C Section and to be fair my life has been plain sailing apart from one or two blips.

So what of "That was then, but this is now!" I'm taking my 66th birthday and my retirement as both the end, and the beginning. Over the past couple of months I've been on a whirlwind trip, that changed everything. Two months ago I had almost doubled my contract hours at work to cover for a colleague who has had a hip replacement, which meant I could go on a retreat without taking any of my annual leave.

On that retreat, I did many things for the first time in my life. When I returned I had injured myself on the last day and was unable to do my support work. When I called my boss to explain my absence, I told her that as a result of the things I'd considered on retreat, I had decided to retire 2nd November (today), my 66th birthday, not as I previously stated my 70th birthday. She told me I had enough annual leave to not return to work.

So having retired early from my day job, a couple of weeks ago I attended a 40 hour online course called "Create Your Destiny" where I realised this is a time for new beginnings. The course is run by the William Whitecloud organisation, and has inspired me to start over. So, I am no longer going to appear on Facebook as Andrew Paul Smith, today I have created a new page called Barnabas England and from now that's where you'll find me.

Many years ago now I was asked what name I would give to myself, after all Andrew Paul Smith is a name my parents gave me. I thought of the Kevin Costner movie "Dances With Wolves" where the character he plays was given that name by the Native Americans because they saw him literally dancing with wolves. Barnabas literally means "Son Of Encouragement" and I've been one who encourages others all my life.

Barney Rubble on The Flintstones was Fred's best buddy who stood by him through thick and thin. Barnabas in the New Testament was Paul's companion. So, to identify myself as neither the American one, or the Bible one, I choose England as my second name, because after all it is the country of my origin. I describe myself as a "Confidence Companion" and as Barnabas England it is my intention to be that for many.

I am being pulled by something greater than me and although I can't see the path ahead, I'm confident that as I follow the voice in my heart, that step by step THE WAY will be made clear. After being on the "Create Your Destiny" course I have become fully aware of my genius, my magic, and the creator within me. I'd love you to follow me at my new Facebook home: https://www.facebook.com/barnabas.england.2023

Written 2nd November 2023