Common ground...

Standing in Dalkeith town the other day and looking around I could not ignore how damp and bleak it felt. It felt even worse for me than the darkness falling earlier in winter. Affected by the weather for sure I entered a few charity shops to browse trying to get back my balance and noted some great sales but I promised myself I had enough coats and would not purchase any more but a great coat for a few quid is hard to pass up and plus everything is going to charity! Exploring colours, checking out wool felt like the positive boost I so needed but my only purchase was 'a lonely looking little plant pot'.

As I wandered I was reminded of earlier days and noted a new store where a night club used to be, the absence of a newsagent (where I completed work experience over twenty five years ago) and a big tidy up job opposite the library where it seems the premises could be used for commerce. Pondering on what makes a town bustling and a happy place to be I decided it was 'choice'. There is an abundance of choice with supermarkets, charity shops and a good selection of places to eat.

What does Dalkeith represent to me? Childhood freedom of sorts - going out shopping without adult supervision and a preparation for eventually heading into Edinburgh. I still recall as a child seeing a couple of matinees at the 'pictures' including the exciting and newly released Superman.

For dog owners it is ideal with woodland walks, the river and various green spaces. In my younger days I never considered Dalkeith to be 'desirable' or a 'leafy suburban area' it just had better shops quite frankly than Newtongrange. Now you hear of people wanting to leave the city because of prices, crime maybe and just to experience a different outlook.

With new houses everywhere it seems - will Edinburgh and Midlothian eventually merge into one? Is this a good thing if it does?

It is close enough that Midlothian residents can book a show or go to the cinema and Edinburgh residents can head out to Midlothian for a bit of peace and quiet from the busy traffic etc.

So standing there in Dalkeith my thoughts continue along and I consider what may be the difference from fitting in to belonging somewhere...

Our environment plays a huge role in our development and outlook. One Saturday back in 2007 I was over the moon with a bargain from the market - a double Egyptian cotton sheet for a mere fiver! Since then I have found a vase there as well as little antique silver spoons and quite a unique table cloth.

Interactions in our environment can boost the sense of self I feel, whether returning a library book or getting a new watch strap, a sense of belonging comes from inside I believe but when in harmony with our environment, facilities and services, this is a support on its own.

Just as the little plant pot will contain, be watered and fed sunlight we also need to strike a fine balance sometimes: know where we are both geographically and inside our heads.