I am going to say something fairly simple but in a more complex way. Indulge me. It’s in three parts and 300 words is not a lot.

One, the kids have been playing a game on my mobile called ‘Dumb ways to Die’. It’s not as bad as the title suggests.

The objective seems to be to save some Mr Men-like cartoon characters from harm. Accompanying the game is a song which the kids have been listening and singing along to collectively.

Here are a few lines: ‘Get your toast out with a fork, Do your own electrical work, Teach yourself how to fly, Eat a two-week-old unrefrigerated pie’. It’s inventive, catchy and fun but has an underlying serious message to keep away from train lines and other dangerous activities.

Two, selfishness is a given in today’s urban existence. There are bills, fuel and food pressures as well as the need to buy the latest gadgets.

Being selfish we are told in ‘okay’ even if doubt sets in it’s quite easy to put it to one side; no-one wants to expose their vulnerability by saying ‘I don’t have this’.

Selfishness in pragmatic, practical and it gets you your ‘fix’.

Three, on the other hand we can all admire the qualities of selflessness. Over the last three weeks I have observed a lady quietly tidying up our street.

She has been methodical, without fanfare or the hateful glares volunteers sometimes send out. She arrives in the evening with her own tools and quietly trims, snips and takes away the litter. The kids found her inspiring and it made me want to do my bit. What the point of all this?

There are many ways to skin a cat and sometimes we have to rise above the daily grind to appreciate the good around us.

In a rational world we can justify actions on the basis of results.

In a desperate world we create a cycle; If I don’t take this – someone else will – so let me take it first. In the same way we can be give instructions on how to avoid being hurt in a structured way and we can feel resentful for being lectured too.

Occasionally like the song in the kid’s game, it touches the part of the mind which really has a beautiful impact and brings out the most genuine of feelings and appreciation.

Life feels much more complete.