Wellbeing notes: Quietly appreciating what we’re good at

02/04/2025 at 6:06 pm | Posted in Nature, Wellbeing, Wellbeing notes | Leave a comment
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Last spring a visitor fell totally in love with our local bluebell woods. Through her, I realised how privileged we are that these fragrant flower drifts are such a familiar part of our neighbourhood. 

According to Kew Gardens, over half the world’s population of bluebells, or Hyacinthoides non-scripta, grow in the UK. They’re native to Britain and other parts of Western Europe. But Britain is their citadel, and we protect them through legislation. Bluebells are often found in woodland that is over 400 years old, so a bluebell-rich landscape is a healthy landscape that encourages all sorts of native wildlife. Some of my favourite spring moments include seeing roe deer meandering along flowery banks in dappled sunlight. Our bluebell citadel is definitely something to appreciate. 

Now, as it happens, the visitor who enjoyed our local woodland is not so great at appreciating her own, personal attributes. She is a kindly person, who is quick to help others. However, she doesn’t value these things about herself. Compliments embarrass her. And yet in her own way she is a citadel for a practical form of kindness.

I wonder how many of us are not very good at appreciating the special things about ourselves. Each one of us can be said to be a citadel for a unique blend of skills, talents and other qualities that enhance the lives of others around us. So my question to you is: what will you appreciate about yourself today?

Wellbeing notes: Wishing you a mindful festive season

01/12/2024 at 10:44 am | Posted in Happiness, Inspiration, Wellbeing, Wellbeing notes | Leave a comment
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Two women were talking in the library. “I have to confess,” said one, “that Christmas is not my favourite time of year.”  “Same!” said the other. “It’s just too busy, isn’t it? I’ll be worn out by the 25th.”

Since I happen to be one of the many who try a bit too hard to get everything ‘right’ in the run-up to Christmas, this year I’m choosing to be less stressed and more mindful, with the following gentle strategies.

Use your senses

Warming aromas of orange and cinnamon. The crackle of paper as you wrap your gifts. Experiencing the world through your senses is the best way to inhabit each moment of your life. Everything you do in this state of sensory awareness is enhanced. A gift prepared mindfully can bring the recipient a sense of calm which can be at least as important as any monetary value. 

Practise gratitude

Savour the segments of a tangerine and truly take in nature’s abundance. Look around you at the next social gathering, whatever it may be, and enjoy the miracle of other beings. Each person is special when viewed through non-judgemental eyes. When you receive a present, appreciate above all the love behind it.

Choose simplicity

In a nutshell, give yourself ample time to do a little less. An uncomplicated meal of natural ingredients can taste nicer than complex dishes. And a few branches brought in and decorated simply can bring you and your loved ones that elusive thing: a childlike pleasure in Christmas. 

Wellbeing notes: tiny plant, giant teachings

03/05/2021 at 10:12 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments
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One regular walk takes me over the old canal bridge. I passed over it not so long ago and took a photo of a tiny clump of moss that grows there. Small details from nature such as moss make for excellent meditation subjects. You can give yourself a few minutes of quiet, close your eyes and imagine the tiny plant in sensory detail: the green, textured cushion; the slender stalks supporting spore capsules no bigger than a grain of rice. 

When you notice that your mind has wandered, you simply remind yourself that you are here to meditate, and you focus again on your chosen subject – in this case, the moss.

We meditate in this way to pause the relentless chatter of our thoughts. It’s impossible to empty the mind completely; focusing on one subject is the next best thing. Doing this regularly can help us become calmer and less stressed. We can become more self-aware and may enjoy physical benefits, such as better sleep and decreased blood pressure. 

Yesterday I returned to the bridge. I was taking a longer walk than usual and although I did pause to take in the view, I hurried on towards my destination. It wasn’t until I got home that I realised I hadn’t even noticed the moss that grows on the bridge. And I realised a simple truth: what we focus on is what we see.

My invitation to you is to choose mindfully what you focus on today. 

Wellbeing notes: nature’s message of hope

01/01/2021 at 3:07 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
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There’s something so uplifting about the first, tiny snowdrops of the year – a reminder of balmier weather to come. One summer I lost someone I was close to. Grief was ever present. There was no respite from the sadness. The following January, I saw the first snowdrops emerge from black earth. And for the first time in many months, I felt uplifted. It was as if the dots of tiny white flowers spelt out the word ‘hope’ in a dark landscape. Since that time I have especially treasured snowdrops, planting them in small drifts around my garden, bringing in a few blooms for the kitchen table. 

Hope is an excellent quality to cultivate in 2021. Hope reminds us that the potential for happiness is a core part of every human being. When we focus on our potential, when we visualise it as though it is already present, wellbeing enters. We become uplifted. And in that state of openness, we become receptive to the loving kindness that, I believe, always surrounds us. 

One simple exercise is to write the word ‘Hope’ on a square of canvas or paper. Enjoy choosing the placement of the four characters. You might write them large and plain or add illustrations that are meaningful to you. Then display your finished work in a place where you will often see it. Let its beneficial message spill into your life.

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