After two years of almost no live work, it is wonderful to be back and 2022 has not disappointed. There was a little blip where cases soared and it had a bit of a negative impact on choir numbers and concerts, but overwhelmingly the audiences have been so supportive. Some have even commented that being back in the audience seats has been like a reunion!

The work has meant that I haven’t been as active on my blog as I would have liked, but sometimes you know when it is time to take a break. So many of you have said how much they had enjoyed reading them during the lockdown period and for that I am truly grateful. My words may not mean much, but they helped to keep me focused and occupied.

Music and people are never far from my creative efforts and in all areas of my working life, I have been blessed by being with, working with and being surrounded by wonderfully supportive people – all of whom enrich my life on a daily basis.

However, there are days when I feel sad at the world in which we currently live. There are some world leaders who seem to say the first thing that comes into their head; brushing aside policy or playing to the audience or simply ignoring those who advise.

For me it is simple – it is about trust and that seemingly old fashioned word integrity! I have always felt that the tone of an organisation, whatever the business relies so much on its leader and it rises or falls as a result of their approach.

I can count on one hand the number of conversations I have had or actions I have taken that I have regretted and wished that they had happened differently. But, I have reflected on them and still do to this day. In the grand scheme of things they are probably not that big a deal, but nevertheless I think about them still.

I can’t help thinking about how much our politicians at home and elsewhere reflect on their decision making or their comments and the impact they have on everyone. Perhaps, I am too simplistic in my thinking? Perhaps I don’t have the weight of running a country on my shoulders. But I have responsibilities and I take them seriously.

The political machinations that we see and hear about on a daily basis are more akin to a machiavellian plot than real life.

As many settle into a well earned half-term break, I am going to enjoy some downtime, catch up on a bit of TV, maybe read a little and enjoy my choir rehearsals without the pressure of a usually busy week. I may even set myself a goal of blogging a bit more too.

There is a little quote which pops up in my calendar every year which I like and for me resonates with the world of ‘conflict’ in which we find ourselves. We shouldn’t be burning bridges, we should be finding ways to resolve our differences and making the world better for everyone!

“Never cut what you can untie” (John Joubert (1754-1824).