Country music is enjoying an upsurge. Whether it be Dolly Parton, whose fame only continues to grow in her 70s, or younger stars such as Taylor Swift and Beyonce, whose Texas Hold-‘Em recently became a record-breaking hit, country is winning over more fans than ever. Why is this? Streaming is known to have widened musicalContinue reading “Up Country”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Nature’s Soundscape
Hearing sounds of the natural world can become everyday and something I take for granted. Wind rustling through tree leaves, a blackbird singing, bees buzzing, water trickling over stones. There are apps now to identify pretty well any natural sound. In some ways they make us listen out more, then learn what’s in our midst.Continue reading “Nature’s Soundscape”
Overlooked
Outside my window as I write this is a small patch of grass – maybe 2 metres by 1 – where I have let the grass grow longer to see what else might appear. There’s some dove’s foot cranesbill with its little purple flowers, there are some daisies and dandelions, and a few Timothy andContinue reading “Overlooked”
Space For Solitude
When I hear the word “solitude”, I picture a quiet room with sunlight streaming through the windows and with a chair, and table covered with art materials and a notebook and pen. Everyone’s ideal of a place to spend some time in solitude will be different – but each one will be a space whereContinue reading “Space For Solitude”
Forest Of Flowers
Recently I saw a photo of wild flowers blooming in the middle of a busy city, part of the Forest Of Flowers initiative. I remembered the photo in part because I like the name: Forest Of Flowers. It conjures up a mental image of flowers growing in profusion, carpeting the ground, an expanse of colourContinue reading “Forest Of Flowers”
Music For Every Mood
Is there truly music for every mood? With a vast array of music now only a tap or a click away, there surely has to be. The choice of musical genre, rhythm, beat, tempo, duration and performer has become endless and can feel overpowering or overwhelming. But with such choice now everyday, are there commonContinue reading “Music For Every Mood”
Nature On My Mind
When you think about nature helping mental health, what picture comes to your mind? Would it be time spent in a garden, or time photographing or drawing something in nature? A walk on a sunny day, looking out for wild flowers and trees? Or perhaps enjoying sport outdoors, like cricket or windsurfing? Back in 2016Continue reading “Nature On My Mind”
Time For Art
Making space for art in your daily life has to be one of the most positive, creative and practical small things you can do to change your routine. When something is known to have so beneficial an impact on wellbeing, it makes sense to weave it in to your day to day living. And toContinue reading “Time For Art”
Fuller Lives
Art, music and all arts enrich life, and they’ve become tools we can all use for wellbeing – to lift mood and ease mental health issues. They open up fuller lives. March is Women’s History Month, and opening up fuller lives is just what women have fought to do for themselves. The arts can beContinue reading “Fuller Lives”
Slowing Down
Mindfulness, relaxation, calm: the need to step back has become more and more common, as people react to the pace of life. Everything now moves at speed. With communication easier than ever, it feels like responses should be immediate, and the 24/7 news stream never shuts down. This has to contribute to nature’s importance inContinue reading “Slowing Down”
Medley 