Friday I was angry.

No real reason for it, just a combination of a stressful few days with no real time to recharge the batteries, a couple of minor annoyances and crappy weather combined to produce a very grumpy state of mind.

I’ve learned to recognise these moments, these moods for what they are; pointless reactions to factors beyond my control and have a routine in place for managing them until such time as I can genuinely relax and reset.

Friday lunch time I went for a walk. I walked hard, fast, and made an effort to pick out the elements in the world that would raise a smile: the little girl playing with her teddy bear whilst her mum pushed her up the high street, the oh so serious businessman in a very large, black 4×4 with a stuffed gorilla sitting on the dashboard, the elderly couple braving the drizzle to eat al fresco, laughing as they poured each other wine.

I wasn’t walking aimlessly. My goal was the same as it always is when feeling this way.

I walked straight into the local bookshop.

And immediately felt calmer, less angry and less likely to tear the head of the next person who did anything to aggrieve me.

There’s something about the smell.