Count Your Blessings

At this time of year most of us?gather with our families and friends, in our warm homes, to share gifts, and to celebrate with too much to eat and drink.?

Quite?rightly, we also find ourselves thinking about people less fortunate than us.?We are a little more conscious of those who will be in the dark, or cold or even worse scared to death that they might be under attack at any moment. Or in a damp tent at a border with no idea of what 2023 may bring.?It is healthy for us to remember how fortunate we are to live like we do - and pretty much have everything we need, or want.

Paradoxically, us humans also have a tendency to think negatively about those we perceive to have more than we do,?or be better off than us in some way. We can always find someone in our world who seems to be smarter, better looking, younger, richer, more successful or just ‘luckier’ than we are.

As we start thinking about what we want from another new year let’s keep a firm grip on the good stuff we each undoubtedly have. Focusing on our own strengths, skills, advantages and opportunities - the good aspects of our lives and work - helps us to plan for our future with optimism and realism. We build on what we do have, not on what we don't.

Build on the good, to create something even better. Focus on what you already have, and what makes you happy, fulfilled and engaged. Keep conscious of what you have achieved, and can achieve.

Count your blessings.?

Wishing everyone a great holiday season and a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.