I have trouble sometimes allowing the ‘we’. I like to be in control of what happens. However, when I let my guard down and let others in, ‘we’ often brings fun and laughter and my serious nature takes a break. I should allow the barriers to come down more often, I know.

To the world each morning, for being alive and feeling well.

My brothers ‘new friend’. I always try not to judge and I have been thinking positive about his new friend. But because of the circumstances they met I have found it hard not to presume particular things. I will continue to focus of positives rather than negatives and have faith that she has come into his life for good.

In many moments throughout the day when I stop and look around and am grateful for what I have. But every morning I take the time to list 10 things I am grateful for and for each one I also find the meaning behind it and my heart fills with joy.

I am practising gratefulness from a new book and today I will complete the task set for me.

The feeling of not being OK sometimes. I put on a brave face, when I understand I ought to accept that it is alright to feel down sometimes and that often exploring those feelings can help alleviate them. I need to remember that I need to be there for me first and foremost, in order to be able to support others to the best of my ability.

I am able to submit to the universe and trust that things will work out. It’s difficult as fear always seems to be in the background, but love certainly does let me trust more.

To be honest any good deed that I do, I do not do it to observe the outcome. If the outcome is positive then the ripples have the possibility of being further reaching than can even be observed in any case.

The simple fact that I am here and have life to be grateful for.

I hope that I exude an aura of acceptance, a non judgemental attitude that goes towards creating a more friendly experience with those that I meet or simply pass on a day to day basis. A smile costs nothing.

By respecting it and not taking it for granted. Understanding that everything I am blessed with is sacred and being grateful for that everyday.

Perhaps not for the right reason, but my mother and my sister. When my own mental health went the wrong way it was not wishing to have the same bad mental experiences that they had, that made me swallow my pride and go to my GP. They suffered terribly in their lives and I actually lost my sister to her mental health. I was determined not to take the same route and that made me get the help I needed, or at least to start with. I feel I have a long way to go yet.

The birth of niece No.5. You would think I would be used to the arrival of nieces but when this one is the first on my baby sister’s, no way. So emotional, so proud. This was different. Such an experience, love it. Sometimes I really do not like that I live so far away but I will always respond and be there above my own life. Niece No.5 is stunning, joining 4 other stunning nieces.

Wow, how to choose? I am grateful for the fact that we have so many species to marvel over. However, if I have to pick one I would choose an Orca. Many people dislike them and often call them killer whales but they are renowned for their strong family units and I simply adore them.

Today I want to look more deeply at myself and how I intend to support my health this year, physical and mental. I will spend time to focus on how I can do this.

The innocence of my baby niece.

It would give a new perspective.

I often find it amazing what or who can change us or help us, a cat, a river, a written word. Whatever you find to make you feel safe, cling to it and respond to it. Even in the deepest of despairs I hope the smallest of things can find you and bring you through.