It's happened again. Out in the countryside, taking in the beautiful wild flowers in Sussex at the weekend, I heard those words.
Sometimes, I Feel Like The Tree Is Me
Sometimes, I feel like the tree is me, proudly casting a normal shadow.
Because It Will End, It Will
And today I will be creating memories and collecting images and savouring every single one of them. Like every other day, but perhaps with a little renewed vigour.
The Beauty Of Scotland In The Sunshine Is Way Beyond Subjective
However, there are some things that are beyond subjective when it comes to beauty. In fact, they are so far beyond that to even ask the question is likely to appear patronising or insulting.
Musing On The White Edge
Young yet confident, I had the feeling that she was part of a world I would never experience.
Somehow Pleasing To The Eye
And you see sheep dotted across the hillside, in fact, now you notice them, you see them everywhere. Even at the top of the steepest slopes, way above you on the other side of the valley.
Brown-Signing Is Very Much A Thing
I like those the best. Where we just do something on the spur of the moment and live with the consequences, whatever they may be.
The Glorious Sound Of A Stress-Free Sunday
For me, today, it was when I heard the sound of birdsong through the open window and the first drops of rain on the roof.
Grease To The Wheels Of Exploratory Thinking
Inspiration often appears, or so they say, quite unexpectedly. A look, a word or simply a thought and there it is. From nothing to something. Direction and purpose.
A Rarely Acknowledged But Realistic Strategy For Life
And there, in the slightly subdued world of exclusion and second best there exists, should we decide to look closely enough, a different level of beauty. A beauty accepting of its place and worth.
It's A Finite World, This Home Of Ours
We have such a beautiful home, this planet of ours, why can’t we share it and love our neighbours?
Battles Are Rarely Won Against Thoughtless Words And Careless Actions
It tells me, although I already know, that we really are all alone in this world. Alone and fighting our endless battles.
Positively Dripping With Nostalgia And Overloaded With Cliches
But if I close my eyes, I don't need words to remind me. I can still feel the warmth of the mid-May sunshine on my face and hear the polite applause as yet another stylish stroke guides the ball over the ropes for four more runs.
Nature Calls At Times Of Crisis
These are the times when I feel I should not be around people. No matter how good or inspirational or kind they may be. And these are also the times when my self-esteem sees only what it chooses to see and finds nothing but its own version of the truth.
Irrational Yet Unshakable
There is an agenda, of course. There is always a reason, even if I don't yet know what it might be, don't yet understand. I suspect, and that is enough.
20 Minute Comfort Break, Send A Postcard Home, Don't Forget A Snap By The Church, Next Stop Stonehenge
In the city there are things I badly want to share with you.
Delighted And Maybe Just A Little Bit Proud
So I was delighted and maybe just a little bit proud to be involved once again at the weekend with another wonderful and uplifting display of support and awareness for this very important subject. As before, a group of football fans decided to walk the 12 miles between their respective teams home grounds before a match between their clubs in order to raise awareness in the media of the still frankly terrifying figures of male suicide in the UK.
But Whatever You Can Find, Take It
And at times like this, I am grateful. Grateful that my place of work is located out in the countryside. And blessed that I am able to find birdsong, beauty and solitude on a deserted riverbank or a silent churchyard within minutes.
And Then I Remembered Some Recent Feedback
I quite like this photograph.
I took it at a recent gig.
And I thought, I really want to share it on my blog. But if I do, what will I write to go with it.
Permission To Relax And Breathe Again
There is something about being around water that is clearly beneficial to so many of us. It is almost as if we sub-consciously give ourselves permission to relax and breathe again when we find ourselves beside a sandy beach, lake or river.