The Simple Things

Another year has come and gone and the politicians are again giving us positive messages for the new year.

The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard has called for a renewed national spirit and unity and she has pledged to create a better world for future generations. The opposition leader, Tony Abbott is going to deliver jobs and a strong prosperous economy.

We've heard it all before.The promises of hope and prosperity and the calls to get behind our leaders as we march forward into a brighter and better future.

I guess that is better than having them tell us that it is all gloom and doom; that 2013 is going to be a tough year when we're likely to lose our jobs, the economy will go into recession, and politicians will continue to say nasty things about each other.

So let's just hang on to those positive messages for a minute as we reflect on how we do our own planning for the new year. If your plan is to create a better world for future generations you are likely to wind up on December 31, 2013 feeling a little disappointed. But if you plan for more achievable goals you may be better off.

At the risk of being considered simplistic my little piece of new year's advice is: Enjoy the moment.

• Take the opportunity to appreciate the brief conversations you have in passing;
• Look at the flowers, the birds, the trees and the clouds and give thanks;
• Have a theological discussion with a three-year-old;
• Drive slower than the speed limit;
• Say thankyou to someone for no reason at all;

There you go. Simple as they may be, these small goals will help life to be less stressful, and maybe .... just maybe ... you'll be on the way to creating a better world for future generations.

Happy new year.