Write-Place

Do you lie awake at night thinking of everything that’s happened that day and wondering what’s going to happen tomorrow?  Are you finding it difficult to remember things? Do you worry constantly about conversations and actions far longer than is helpful?  Do you get stuck weighing the pros and cons to the point of being unable to decide? Answering yes to even one of these questions could mean that that you are ‘overthinking'.                       Most of us do this at some point.  Some of us do it much too often.         Thinking about the things that could go wrong when going to a job interview, or an exam or a driving test.  We all know the numerous possible scenarios – you may want to talk to someone you don’t know well at an event but as soon as the thought enters your mind, you just can’t help thinking about how the situation could suddenly spiral into chaos. What if you trip up as you walk over to them and everyone else turns to look? What if they don’t like you and they’ve

The Observer She sits, motionless yet alert  Eyes wide and searching Wings folded, feathers smoothed. Relishing the remaining tastes of vole or rabbit. She waits. As wind blown leaves drift into sight Her gaze stays on the gloved hand  which she knows holds treats. Then the call and in one majestic moment, with wings spread,  talons ready to grip  She soars from her perch  Landing with open mouth to snap the morsel.  

As King Charles III assumes the role of monarch his views and opinions on 'faith' will no doubt again be discussed. From those he has voiced in the past, and most recently since the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, these views could be different enough to affect the 'established' Church of England, so could "all faiths and none" be workable in practice, within the monarchy?  A royal wedding or funeral, without doubt, reminds us that the official, established Church of England continues, with the monarch as its Supreme Governor. Since Queen Elizabeth’s death we have seen it in the ascendance of Charles, yet there are signs that the late monarch and the Church of England have recognized the need to make some adjustments.         In 2012, the then queen spoke from Lambeth Palace, the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. She said that the Church of England's role is not to defend Anglicanism to the exclusion of other religions, but

Her Majesty the Queen died yesterday afternoon at Balmoral where she had been staying since earlier this summer.                     Though we know that death is an inevitable part of life, when the time comes for a loved one, family member or friend, we are shocked and numerous emotions engulf us as the grieving process proceeds. The Queen had a special place in our hearts, not least because she was 96 years old and had reigned for 70 years.  Waiting for the official announcement of the Queen's death was a strange and unsettling feeling, for me and for many others. When it was made, the sense of shock was no less than if I had known her personally and this is what made our Queen so special. She has been a constant in our lives, during good and not so good times over the years. She has been here for the whole of my life. She has been loved as a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother and I am reminded of my own mother and grandmothers, the loss being as raw today as the day t