October 2023

At this time of year, especially once the clocks have gone back, and the weather starts to get colder, many of us feel a little down or go into 'hibernation mode'.  Not the Scene & Herd team though, as we've embraced Optimistic October!

Action For Happiness produces a monthly action calendar packed with daily ideas for happier living each month.  Today's action is: Put down your to-do list and do something fun or uplifting.  If marketing is on your to-do list, then get in touch with us and free up more time for the things you love.

Tue 17th - Take a small step towards a positive change you want to see in society

Whether supporting the construction of a brand-new Screen Machine, cleaning up a litter hotspot or suggesting alternatives to balloon releases, be the change you want to see in the world!

Wed 18th - Set hopeful but realistic goals for the days ahead.

What will it be? Go to bed at a certain time? Contact three customers a day? Respond to online reviews?  

Five ways to maintain resilience in dark times.

1. Spend time in nature - You might already spend time outdoors, but It's easy to not really notice your surroundings when stressed. Engage all your senses to notice what's around you. On a hot day, you may hear gorse seed pods popping, smell the petrichor after rainfall or see the V of overhead geese.
2. Reject negative news  - News outlets like Positive News report uplifting stories of real progress against the challenges of our time and the good work that individuals, communities and organisations are doing.
3. Make changes to your environment - For example, use a sunrise alarm clock, add plants, and declutter to create a calm space.
4. Don't worry about the things you can't control - Instead, focus on the things that are within your control, e.g. where you choose to put your energy, how you respond to something, whether to take advice or not etc.
5. Don't just “look for the helpers”...- be a helper. Fred Rogers words can bring comfort during difficult times but remember that you too can be a helper. Doing good for others makes us feel better.

News

The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill was introduced on 28 September and proposes to allow the Scottish Government to provide assistance to farming and rural communities.

The UK had its joint-warmest September on record in a series which goes back to 1884 according to provisional Met Office statistics. READ MORE.

On 2 October, a six-month trial, funded by the Scottish Government, saw the scrapping of peak-time Scotrail train fares.  More info here.

Our OnFARM Podcast will be taking a break during the October school holidays so it's a good opportunity to catch up on any episodes you may have missed including our most recent ones:

• Supporting bird life in upland East Lothian: Kelvin Pate - pod.fo/e/1f1a2b
• Patrick Laurie: Galloway farmer, conservationist and author - pod.fo/e/1f3c4b
• Caithness YFC: celebrating 100 years of Young Farmers in Scotland - pod.fo/e/1f5d1a

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November Dates for your Social Media

2   Outdoor Classroom Day - a global movement to make time outdoors part of every child’s day

5   Guy Fawkes Day

6 - 12    British Game Week

11  Armistice Day

13   World Kindness Day - a day to celebrate and encourage kindness in society

13 - 19    Book Week Scotland - an annual celebration of books and reading

17    Leonid Meteor Shower Peak

19    International Men’s Day

23    Doctor Who 60th Anniversary

25 - 3 Dec    National Tree Week

30    St Andrew's Day

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