Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

With all the angst in the world today, I’m choosing to focus on gentle things, those people or things or ideas that calm our souls and give us temporary pause in the craziness of our existence.

But first a disclaimer: Gentle things are probably different for each of us. So I offer this ten minutes a day as a description of my gentle things in the hope that readers identify their own. It’s all right if they don’t match mine.

The wind tossed leaves everywhere today, as if autumn’s season is speeding up. My yardman, Mike, worked extra diligently to batten the garden hatches down. I had a fire in the fireplace for no reason at all. Earl filled the bird feeder and we reveled in the eagerness of its visitors. We call it the Bird Buffet.

It didn’t rain, when the forecast said it would. I heard from many friends because I sent a mass email on an issue of importance to me. The weekend looms lazily. There are no more presidential debates. I have lost two pounds. Christmas is coming, and I’m on target to be ready.

Love seeps into everything if you are willing. Love tries its best even if you are not. So it’s a good idea to give in, and love, love, love . . . that’s what gentle things encourage.