Some days it’s easier to find peace and contentment than others. This morning, listening to the hordes of ‘starving beggars’ coming to the newly-repaired feeder, sipping coffee and just keeping still and quiet for 5 minutes, I found myself picking out the calls and songs of individual birds.

I won’t pretend to know which music belonged to which bird, I count at least 4 species, probably more as my observation and photography skills are limited in the ‘birding world’ But there it was, quiet on our street, still early but little traffic.

Try it yourself. Get outside- anywhere. Look at something in nature around you thats pleasing to you. Close your eyes, take a deep clean breath and hold that image. Take note of how you feel, what you’re feeling, even note the difference when you’re facing the sun on a nice day.

So far, today is an easy day. I’m armoring myself against those tougher ones with memories and thoughts like I’ve described.