As we lean in towards the end of the year I can’t help but cross my fingers for a smoother ride for the last few months. Do you ever have those times when one thing after another goes wrong? I seem to have had months of upheavals, difficult diagnoses and losses – and on a wider scale of course the whole world seems to be in turmoil.

After this year’s events I’ve felt a profound sense of sorrow as for the first time I reflected on my own mortality and the fragility of life – a form of grief often referred to as existential sorrow.

I could be forgiven for writing 2023 off as a ‘bad year’. But actually, between the clouds, there have been lovely glimmers of hope, sparkles of joy and great big belly laughs which really balance out the sadness.

Supporting a very dear friend through her cancer journey has brought moments of tears and terror, but it has also been an honour – with heartfelt conversations in hospital waiting rooms and a deep sense of pride in witnessing her incredible resilience.

Fred Rogers said, “In times of trouble, look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” And so it’s been. When my Dad died my lovely neighbours immediately came round with flowers and sympathetic hugs, cards arrived through the letterbox from friends old and new and messages of support poured in on the day of his funeral.

Helping others can often make you feel better when you’re feeling low – a concept known as the “helper’s high” or the “warm glow effect.”

Since the beginning of the year I’ve been volunteering for a fabulous charity called SisterWood, a forest school for girls, based in the Teign Valley. They work with young people who are experiencing anxiety, stress, or depression. I’ve learnt a lot alongside the girls as they try healthy ways to support themselves, such as breathwork and meditation. It’s clear to see the young people’s sense of achievement and confidence grow as they become competent splitting wood, whittling, building fires and cooking food together and it’s lovely to be part of something so positive.

When my lovely, kind partner Stuart was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease earlier this year, his first thought was to help others and he quickly started training for the London Marathon to raise money for Cure Parkinson’s – hoping that soon no one else will have suffer.

Happiness comes when you savour the small, everyday moments that bring you joy. I know that to feel happy I need to appreciate life’s simple pleasures. If I spend my life waiting for a big lottery win or a dream holiday I won’t be happy very much of the time. Now more than ever it’s important to notice the colours of the autumn trees, a bee visiting a flower you’ve grown or those glistening cobwebs along your path on your tranquil morning stroll.

I’ve found that writing a gratitude journal has helped me focus on the positive aspects of life, and often when I’m out for a walk I’ll stop at a particular viewpoint and shout out my thanks to the universe for such a beautiful day, gorgeous vista, wonderful nature… or anything else that springs to mind! Apologies to any passers-by who have taken a longer route home to avoid the batty old woman with her face and outstretched arms to the sky!

Given the current world events, it’s hard not to feel grateful – and very lucky – when you climb into a warm bed in a safe house. My mantra this month is, ‘Enjoy the here and now and love what you already have.’

So, let’s scatter kindness like confetti, as the saying goes. Even a simple grin at a stranger can brighten their day. As F. Scott Fitzgerald so eloquently said, “It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living.”

There’s more info about the fabulous SisterWood here : http://SisterWood.org

And you can support Stuart and Cure Parkinsons UK here : https://bit.ly/3rRJol7