Steaming

We’re currently in the middle of an absurdly hot spell at a time that should be spring, but actually feels like the most boiling August climate.

I am constitutionally not well adapted to hot weather (burn easily, low blood pressure, crap body thermometer) but I’m working on my relationship with it.  Firstly, climate change tells us this is here to stay and even if we stop our planet burning madness overnight, we’re still likely to get milder, wetter winters and increasingly hot and dry summers.  Secondly, I always strive for the mindset to work with what we have rather than wistfully looking backwards on something that is impossible to change.  Thirdly, I don’t want to moan about warm weather (though this is a tad strong for me) - particularly when so many are quick to slag off everything on this group of tiny islands - noting that there will be even more moaning if the weather turns cold again.  Finally, this kind of day could be enjoyed if we embrace and adjust (more on which later).

The desire to moan is a national pastime and I’ve been bristling a bit recently about the habit many Brits have of slagging us off.  Believe me, I recognise that there is much suffering and hand-wringing about how to make sure everyone feels valued and has a meaningful life.  But I get angry about the grenade-throwing attitude to politics (chuck one in and collect the spoils) - or even going abroad, encouraging others to stir up hate and division towards us - and still collecting the spoils.  The fact is, there is much to celebrate and even feel proud of (though of course that is embarrassingly un-British) - and I’ll leave politicians to list the good things; it is after all discussed with much feeling and volume on social media.  I suppose what I’m really referring to however is the good things we can  quietly acknowledge in our own lives - and perhaps we’ve forgotten how to do it. 

There has undoubtedly been a speeding up of lifestyle ‘treats’ - particularly since the millennium and of course it’s to do with the instant and repeated gratification we’ve become used to through culture shifts, smartphones and other devices.  The constant need for dopamine hits has affected our ability to stay calm, considered, and has literally affected our physical health very seriously.  This is all so well documented now that there isn’t much point in my repeating it, but it is worth having a think about what we can do individually to cope.  Although a fairly firm agnostic (if that’s not a contradiction in terms) I’m fond of the prayer ‘Lord, grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’  Take today as an example; I can do nothing about the weather and am not able to be very productive because of it.  I can however listen to lots of music in preparation for a podcast I’m doing, and what a joyous excuse it is to lie back on the sofa and listen ALL DAY.  I had forgotten about this luxury.  When I was a teenager I thought nothing about doing sod all except listening to records or reading - and in the school holidays would do so for days at a time.  No need to justify, explain or feel a prickle of guilt.  My friend confessed to spending her summers dreamily sitting under a tree in the park in her younger years, smoking and writing poetry and having a little indulgent weep at her teenage angst.  Smaller indulgences were hugely appreciated; I remember being at another friend’s house and her Dad saying ‘would you like a delicious fresh apple straight off the tree?’  It had never tasted so crisp and sweet and I remember - even at the time - knowing that it was all the more luscious for the way we had anticipated it.  These are simple pleasures, and there are of course many hundreds of others that people list; drinking a cup of tea from your favourite cup, getting up early enough to enjoy the sunrise, enjoying coffee making rituals whilst watching the birds in the garden.  “Pah!”  I hear some of you say “what a load of middle class bollocks.  Some of us haven’t got a fucking garden, or a poncey cafetière.  Lucky you with your time-rich life, you twat.”  “Fair enough” is my response to that - but I’m not telling anyone what to do with those little snatches of time that are your own - and if you have none then God bless you.  I do hope however that all of us can copy younger children, giving ourselves permission to mindfully take pleasure from the modest - and sometimes deeply impressive things - that this group of islands has to offer.  It may only take a tiny adjustment here and there, or perhaps a more effortful change of perspective.

Adjustment is undoubtedly going to be the big word for countries in a world of rapid change, and in our individual and less impactful lives it can be helpful to see this as an energising potential for adventure.  To take a current example, my Mum has recently moved into a home for senior citizens - it was entirely her own decision and once her mind was made up she moved speedily and decisively.  What could have been a sad exit from a home she loved is turning into what feels like a long holiday; she is in a pretty space with plenty of company, great food and a lovely view of the Severn Estuary.  It is an opportunity for change and stimulation - and I plan in my own small way to apply the same attitude to our changing climate;  change the pattern of the day, get up early, get work done, cool down in the afternoon whilst trying not to move much, emerge again in the evening for food and perhaps an evening walk.  In other words - copying those continental cousins who already do this.  We can keep learning from each other after all.

Uplifting music of the day: ‘St Thomas’ - Sonny Rollins.  Following his recent death, it is entirely appropriate to mention something by this collaborator of Miles (see below) wonderful saxophonist and composer.  He is perhaps most famous for this track, though actually it’s an arrangement of a folk tune that his grandmother used to sing to him.  The point about it however is that not only is it optimistic and sunny (drawing on his Caribbean roots), it is much harder than it appears; the changes flash by at speed!  So it would probably go into the ‘deceptively simple’ category.

Contemplative music of the day: ‘Miles Ahead’ - Miles Davis - I couldn’t not put something by Miles really - in this his centenary year.  They are also featuring him all week in ‘Composer of the Week’ on Radio 3.  The question is what to choose?  I have quite a lot of his albums and it could be a lifetime’s work deeply absorbing these.  However I’ve gone for the above because I love his collaborations with Gil Evans and this is just beautiful.  It is however one of those albums where you could pick anything.