Reasons To Be Cheerful in September 2019

I've  had a very quiet month so I haven't many events or outing to add to my list this time. Despite this there are still plenty of reasons to be cheerful during September. 

At the start of the month I chose to focus on the 'little things' for my daily joyful activity by which I mean taking the time to enjoy simple pleasures, being in the moment and not experience it through a camera lens or with half my mind on something else. Here are my daily joyful activities for September:

1. Taking the time on an early morning walk to stop and listen to the bird song
2. Watching the butterflies on the buddleia
3. Standing by the river in Bradford on Avon watching the kingfisher
4. Walking through town and enjoying the flower displays
5. Relaxing in a bubble bath
6. Chasing raindrops down the window with a friend's grandchild
7. Spending the morning with friends who share the same interests (at band)
8. Looking back through photo albums
9. Appreciating the benefits of routine as I resume the private music lessons after the summer break
10. Benefitting from a good laugh after watching repeats of 'Would I Lie To You'
11. Enjoying the laughter of the children playing brass instruments for the first time
12. Relaxing in a bubble bath
13. A walk along the canal towpath
14. Appreciating the acoustics when band practice was held in the church
15. A mindfulness interlude in the garden
16. Celebrating one child's achievement when she pitched a high (for her) note that she's been struggling to play for a long time
17. Meeting and chatting with the children I used to teach. Then in year 1, they are now year 3 and attended the brass workshops today. Lots of fun!
18. Running a brass workshops with a class of adorable year 3s. They were full of fun but really well behaved and it was a pleasure to be with them.
19. Chatting with friends via Skype
20. Enjoying 10 minutes of mindfulness
21. An early morning walk
22. A quiet day, reading and relaxing
23. Another brass workshop with a mixed yr3/yr4 class who were delighted when their teacher joined in and tried to play.
24. Appreciating the pleasure of a warming bath after getting soaked to the skin
25. Sitting on a bench in town, people watching.
26. Finding an old photo I thought had been lost or destroyed
27. Chatting with A
28. Meeting the three keen, and very lively, new starters at band
29. Listening to the church bells
30. Reading in bed

*****

Finding a new affordable daytime event - a afternoon film club showing recently released films. This month it was Fishermen's Friends, it only cost £4.50 for entry which included tea/coffee and cake before the film started and again during the interval. Everyone was very friendly and I enjoyed the film.

*****

The holidays are over and weekly band rehearsals have started. It was lovely to see everyone after the long summer break and to get back to playing my tenor horn.

*****

Visiting local primary schools to run brass workshops on behalf of the band in the hope that we get some new learners. Although we didn't get many new players, the workshops were tremendous fun and I loved working with all the children.

*****

I enjoyed a surprise visit from friends who also treated me to an Indian takeaway meal. We had time for a long chat and to catch up on everyone's news. I like these sort of friendships where, no matter how long since we last saw each other, we just pick up where we left off. We've known each other for 45 years.

*****

A spur of the moment visit to a nearby National Trust property, enjoying an art exhibition displayed in the garden. The first time for ages that I spent time with my camera, photographing whatever caught my eye.

*****

Taking the decision to start drinking coffee again! Mornings are much more enjoyable when I start the day with a mug of coffee!