Like no-one’s watching. Earlier today I was walking unsteadily and hoping stupidly that no-one was watching me. After that I sat down at the piano for the first time in a year and hoped that no-one was listening.

Of course, nobody was paying attention and even if they were, what difference would that make?!

I spend so much time worrying about what people would think. Not daring to do anything that might make a fool out of me. That is not a good way to live is it?

Is there anything you would love to try but you’re scared of someone else seeing? And what’s the worst that could happen? In all my years of walking with trekking poles in residential areas and wearing trainers day in day out, no-one has ever laughed at me. People don’t even stare.

If I lived like no-one’s watching I would play pieces I’d never played, I would walk to places I’d never tried before and I would dance the only way I can these days.

With abandon.

Don’t be afraid of laughter or mistakes. Everyone wishes they had the courage to try new things. Maybe you need to lead the way. Maybe you need to embrace foolishness and make mistakes so they are free to do the same.