Happy New Year!

Hopefully, we have all recovered from all the New Years Eve excitment and jollity, and aren't too worse for wear. I obviously awoke this morning with an angelic glow, that of a serene and zen like princess and not at all tired, bloated and green with a sheen of a frog monster.

Now that Christmas is dealt with we'll soon be taking down the decorations, but before we can get to that fun task, we have to do something important. Essential. Vital. That is right! We have to make a list of New Year resolutions we have every intention of keeping and will absolutely, completely keep to, no matter what. Until a week on Saturday when we are asked to go out for a drink, are gifted a chocolate orange or decide that an every day workout doesn't necessarily work out for us.

I think we should all aim for things that don't involve a major lifestyle change. The fact is you have to really want those and not because New Years has rolled around. Those kind of changes take a mid-week, 8pm putting the chocolate bar down, level of commitment. Not, hmmm I'll start on Monday or I'm waiting for New Years. I've put together a list of things, I think make the world a bit nicer. The kind of things we take for granted, until one day we look up and realise we've forgotten something important, but can't quite think of what that was. So, here they are, four important things that would be great resolutions for life, not just this year.

SMILE AT PEOPLE

I'm not saying grin like a crazy person, but smiling at someone can make them happy, they in turn might smile back at you and you may feel a bit happier too. It will hopefully roll on to the next person they meet and spread from there. Remember, if this stranger doesn't smile back, you don't know what that person is living through. They could be the nicest person going through a bad day, the worst day, but you smiling at them might cheer them just a little. It may not, but what have you lost...nothing!

BE POLITE

Saying "please" and "thank you", holding the door open for someone or giving up your seat on the bus, may sound old fashioned to some people, but to me, that's how I was raised and how I raise our boys. I taught them "manners cost nothing, but they mean the world". It shows people you are polite and what follows is that you are respectful with good character. For one word to achieve so much, is to me... priceless, and I appreciate it, each time it's said. So many people have commented how polite my children are, it seems it's not just me it's important to.

BE KIND

Helping out a friend, being there, being someone who listens and giving a hug when needed. Helping someone up when they fall, instead of walking on or offering someone a hand when you see them struggling to get something off a high shelf. Sometimes, we can spare time to help out others and sometimes we can't. Being kind is so important, but I have to say unlike being polite, it can cost you. So, in being kind, make sure you are also kind to yourself. Don't spread yourself too thin, trying to help everyone. Learn that sometimes it's ok to say no, to save yourself too.

FAMILY TIME

Dedicating at least one day a week to spending time as a family, without phones or computers. Take a walk, talk to your kids, eat together around the table, play games, but most off all have fun! Every parent knows how fast there kids grow, you blink and years have past! Cherish the time you have with them, as very soon they will be off being adults, leading their own lives and you can't have this time back. Children deserve good parents, those who want to be around them, lets give them some great memories and turn off the distractions for a day.

I hope you all have a wonderful 2019, I'm really excited for the year ahead and sharing it with you.

Let's go and make some memories.

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