Ten things that lift the spirits

1. Looking up and smiling. I think there is a physiological reaction to these two simple gestures that makes the heart light and the temple smooth.
2. The right music. Elizabeth Mitchell “I’m so glad I’m here…” when I question the wisdom of motherhood. Joni Mitchell “I wish I had a river…” when life is just too much. Beautifully sad melodies for when you’ve forgotten there can be beauty in sadness.
3. Trees and thinking about the oxygen they bring us. The bigger and more majestic the tree, the better. This is useful for passing exams too (as my A-level results testify).
4. Books. Some good old-fashioned escapism.
5. Honesty and frankness in thorny situations. The short term effect is often explosive, but the long-term benefits merit the upheaval.
6. Attention to small details. 5 minutes watching ants in their travails gives you illuminating perspective on your own petty burdens.
7. Chocolate. Not fancy pistachio creams or mango delights, just hearty slabs of the dark stuff.
8. A cup of tea in bed in the morning. It’s the upside of being woken at 5am by the baby when she drifts back into sleep leaving me wide-eyed and seeking recompense. About as decadent as life gets for me these days.
9. Dancing. I’m a great believer in dance therapy, silliness and breathlessness a must. Elvis, salsa, Incubus, Kate Bush… I’m a musical turncoat.
10. Finding silver linings and putting trust in them. 

Ten New Year’s Resolutions

1. Get more organised. It is unacceptable to put all mail in a big box of chaos, which is then moved to a bigger cupboard of greater chaos, and left to fester.
2. Send more things through the post. I put off the sending of the letter because it is not long, interesting or thoughtful enough, whilst knowing that it is better to receive a short missive than no missive at all.
3. Cultivate my inner calm.
4. Avoid saying things in arguments that I will later regret. 
5. I am sometimes accused of being self-righteous, which is hurtful. I dislike self-righteousness and seek to avoid it.
6. Walk the dog every single day and forgive her for smelling so appalling.
7. Stand up straighter and try not to frown so much.
8. Pay more attention to the sky and what is happening in it (helps with number 3).
9. Take more interest in and responsibility for the garden and what grows there.
10. See the good in people.