Articles and Speeches

New Year Hopes and Wishes
06-Jan-06, Windsor Express Article.

"It strikes me that we each have a unique set of hopes and wishes for our lives and the New Year is often a time when we reflect upon them.

Whilst New Year’s resolutions are often easy to set, they can be fiendishly difficult to keep.

Many people will resolve to quit smoking, lose weight or exercise more - especially after an indulgent Christmas holiday!

For many of us our aspirations will centre on the family, particularly if there is a loved one who is unwell or in need of help after a particularly stressful year.

Some may set more outward looking goals like improving the environment or local community, whether by recycling more, using the car less or by simply helping others through the voluntary work or charitable donations.

And many people may simply hope for a good year, where their finances are positive, the stresses of 2005 abate, and all relationships improve all round.

There is a pressure to set tough targets and unrealistic goals for the New Year. But perhaps it is better to pause for a moment – be honest with ourselves – and ask what we ‘truly’ want from our lives in the years ahead.

Whatever you hope for, I wish you all the very best during 2006."