Weeds are tough, resilient, popping up anywhere with their own beauty and individuality. I don’t have to be a beautiful, sweet-smelling rose planted in a border, I can be a dandelion, poking through a crack in the pavement.

I love Evelyn Glennie and have been privileged to hear her perform live in Leeds. We take ‘listening’ for granted as something we do naturally, without having to think about it, but Evelyn’s makes us realise that perhaps we need to put in more effort and be ‘taught’ how to listen – and the earlier the better. I love the suggestions on her blog about getting children to listen. Listening without expectation takes practice; I’ll it try today.

Listened to the stream in the woods today, watching the sunlight come through the trees, being reflected by the water and shimmering through the leaves- beautiful.

The sun is shining and the sky is a clear blue. There is a gentle breeze rustling the foliage in my garden – shades of green, orange, yellow, red and brown in the foliage in my garden. The water in the pond is sparkling, the newts and swimming and the birds are singing. I’m enjoying this moment.

It is always good to come back to the breath, the this moment, and to know that I am connected to all living things.

Peace, love, good physical and mental health, tolerance and lack of judgement

My living room: the sleet battering against at the window outside, but inside all is quiet save for the ticking of the clock on my mantelpiece. I’m fascinated by the colours and movement of a new lava lamp my husband has bought. I’m amazed at the freshness, textures and colours of the vase of flowers given to me today by a friend. All is peaceful and calm.

This helps me not to take my ‘normal day’ for granted, but to see new possibilities and be grateful for them. At the moment I am savouring my ability to enjoy , at leisure, my flat white coffee. It’s freezing outside, but the sun is shining brightly.

I appreciate how fortunate I am compared to others who may be ill, disabled, enduring or poverty. I take for granted the ‘normal’ things that sometimes I resent doing, but actually they are a privilege .