Bad light

Don't ever let a bad day make you feel like you have a bad life

As I've probably said before I'm a sunshine girl, I like hot summer days the best (though my other half says I complain when they don't live up to my high standards - some people are never happy!). I don't know if this sun obsession is a result of being born in a heat wave, but I hate the seemingly endless grey you get at this time of year. However, it is occasional broken with sunshine and you can if your lucky get lovely rainbows in the mist. This photo was shoot near Lands End while I was on my Christmas break.

Its very easy in life to focus on the negatives and indeed to only remember the bad things that have happened, if we don't guard against this way of being. I'm very lucky in my job to get to see regularly a lovely set of people, both staff and public. Bumping into people in corridors can spark some really interesting philosophical questions (as well as the predictable request for the location of the convenience). It was during one of these accidental encounters last week that I was reminded of this quote and others like it.

I meet an older lady who was beaming with joy, because she had just found and read her teenage diaries and fearing (like I'm sure many of us would) that they would be full of anguish and despair, she had found instead them to be full of optimism and youthful freedom from the cares that we shackle ourselves with as older beings. She had not remembered the boyfriend she use to meet from the train or the walks through the meadow in the rain, even refusing a lift to remain out amongst nature. Sadly, she had only remembered the isolation of her hillside village and the strict parents she thought had quashed any sense of happiness she might have. I probably elaborate for dramatic effect - but you see what this story illustrates that our memory can play tricks on us if we let it.

Buddha teaches us that: Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most, but if I may add to greatness it is also what we remember of that day that counts. This thought elaborates on my post last week about collecting the good things that happen to us on the way.

The truth is the day I took that gloomy photo (above) was anything but, it had been full of bright crisp sunshine and I had just been given a gorgeous new ring for my wedding anniversary, by my husband from the very talented Hannah Louise Lamb. It is the exact copy of the coastline where we got engaged and where we have enjoyed many happy memories as a couple. Like anyone who has been in a significant relationship for any length of time knows its always important to remember the special times, they will help you through the harder times in life. But like the coastline we are forever changing and being reborn a new each day, so its equally important that we seek the new memories too in the now to be able to replenish our tomorrows - don't let the bad light stop play!

Hannah Louise Lamb