It’s there if you want it

Dear all,

As is now customary, I have caught up with my thoughts and reading over the break. I wanted to share my thoughts about the notion that we miss out on so much through not concentrating, and that some of the best things in life are still free.

In a week when Chris Packham, the renowned naturalist and bird lover, released his latest book on Bird Watching, it got me thinking about the bird life we have right here at Brentwood School. With a trained eye and better listening, the children can see and hear a plethora of birds right in the heart of our community.

Some are among the most common species including thrushes, robins, blackbirds and the ubiquitous magpies with their very recognisable squawk. However, with a bit more investigation and concentration, the children will see and hear cuckoos, woodpeckers and jays. Little do they know but we also have a tawny owl that hunts in around our wooded area, and a magnificent peregrine falcon that feasts on the plentiful bounty of wood pigeons.

I think that taking the time to concentrate on bird life can be a metaphor for life. We just seem to miss so many great things through an inattention to detail that can be infuriating. I can almost guarantee that most people’s heads would be turned by the roar of a powerful sports car, yet they miss the beautiful design of the understated car just behind it. The same can be said for the subtleties of a great piece of prose or the intricacies of a piece of music.

There are many hidden gems that go unnoticed on a daily basis, and I would urge everybody to just concentrate a little bit harder on what is literally in front of you. You will genuinely be surprised how living in the moment will bring you awareness and more joy than you would imagine.

Jason Whiskerd