What I Learned - Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

I heard a lot of people talking about this award winning book so I gave in and grabbed myself a copy!

What I Learned:

True. How many moments in your life are you transported back to when you hear a certain song? How much does your favourite album, artist or song improve your day. Daisy's song of the summer this year is George Ezra's shotgun and she literally lights up every time she hears it. What about musical movies? Moulin Rouge, Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia, The Greatest Showman, La La Land...some of the only movies I will watch over and over again and never get tired of.

How many of us do this on a daily basis. Complain because we are complacent about life? Taking every second we have for granted. Is that really the best way to live?

I've had at least one job where this happened regularly!

I love the observation in this...I've seen when someone who doesn't really care chucks loads of money behind a big showy gift that doesn't really mean much, they can afford it, no thought has gone into it and it's all for show. Yet my daughter, just this morning, went outside in the rain with a pair of scissors and picked me my traditional birthday bunch of flowers, and that means so much.

I know a fair few people who make a point of doing anything for and looking after everyone else but never ever themselves. Possibly because they don't think they matter as much as everyone else.

Seeing an opera is definitely on my bucket list.

Like most cliché's, it's a cliché because it's true. The sunshine after the rain. The blue sky after the clouds. The calm after the storm. There's always something amazing just around the corner. Things will get better.

One of the best feelings in the world when experiencing live music. My moment like this - Kelly Jones of the Stereophonics singing alone on a stage in a huge arena with an acoustic guitar. Truly an unforgettable moment.

What's the worse that could happen if you were to truly seize the moment before it is gone forever?

If we all gave this a little more thought would we live our lives differently? And if so then what are you waiting for? None of is know how long we have got so why waste it?

This can happen in a positive or a negative way. Sometimes we are brave and really step up, step out of our comfortable norm in an effort to become everything we could possibly be. And that is amazing. Other times, often tied in to "fitting in" with the people around us, we act in a way that is not true to who we really are, pretending to be something we know we're not and ultimately being someone that we don't want to be. Be mindful, take a breathe and have the courage to say no, this isn't who I am. Make the change.

How many of us are guilty of missing the "everyday" happinesses all around us because we are so bogged down in what we are doing, the treadmill of life. Stop and look around and see all the amazing things happening in the world around you every day. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Such a house-proud thing to say! This made me think of a couple of people in particular! They shall remain nameless!

In my opinion one of the most beautiful descriptions of a kiss ever written.

Been there. Frustrating. Great analogy.

I will always believe this. More and more these days I see people dissatisfied with their life, particularly because they see other people's so called "perfect lives" on social media. It's easy for people to forget that people put out there only what they want others to perceive. It's not reality. Everyone has their struggles, and chances are you know nothing about them. Don't you think sometimes the people with the most perfect online presence are often the ones who are masking the most. Remember that someone out there would give anything for the life you have right now. No matter what that looks like. You are lucky is so many ways so appreciate everything you have and how far you have come.

I just love this. Our local school, Alva Academy, have the most amazing music programme, and the area as a whole has an amazing youth music programme and it is an absolute honour to witness the "art" made by these amazingly talented kids and adults on a regular basis.