Mental Health Matters: Nic Goddard - January 2025

And yet, in these times we are also able to harness that Burns Night energy and everything it stands for.

Creativity - in poetry and song, in dance and in decoration. In expression and putting pen to paper and throwing our thoughts and feelings out into the world to be shared and rejoiced in.

Feasting - the traditional Burns Supper - haggis, neeps and tatties, cranachan and drams reminds us to indulge, enjoy and relish the food from the land and to appreciate the nourishment and deliciousness of good food, cooked well and enjoyed in great company.

Community - the best Burns Supper celebrations I have attended have been those which are a coming together of people - friends, family, community and more importantly the inclusion of whoever is close to the table. This time of year often sees stranded strangers joining the table and this is an even greater cause for celebration - to extend the hand of Highland hospitality to everyone who happens to be nearby.

Holding those close even closer - For me the ceremonies attached to Burns Night are so powerful. The Selkirk Grace reminds us to be thankful, toasts to the Lassies and Laddies gives a voice to everyone and ‘To A Mouse’ offers whatever we may take from it - from the subversive power of a wee beastie to the poignant notion of the best laid plans maybe never coming to fruition.

Regardless of what we interpret Burns’ poems to mean, we can doubtless all find something which speaks to us within his prolific works.

And if Burns Night does not offer you comfort in the deep dark depths of this longest of all months, at least know we are only days away from February and that month passes in a flash with spring arriving before we know it with the promise of new life, new hope and longer days ahead.