January 2010

Dear Friends

First of all may I wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful 2010

You have probably made a New Year's Resolution by now but how about adding this one as well.

"In 2010, before I criticise anyone, I am going to ask myself two questions:

1 How could I have done it any better?

2 What can I do to help that person instead of criticising them?"

I suggest this because I have noticed during the past few years that we are becoming a nation who finds fault with anyone and anything. I am not saying for a moment that we are perfect and there is no fault to be found, however, we appear to have very strong views and are slipping into a state where we find fault in everything around us.

In my experience, very few people go out of their way to make mistakes or wrong decisions. These things often happen by accident and the person involved is mortified and embarrassed. This is compounded when everyone around pours scorn on them tells them what they did wrong in no uncertain terms. When I do that I sometimes think afterwards, "gosh, I'm pleased it wasn't me that made that error they must feel terrible and all I have done is given them a hard time".

Maybe in 2010, my first reaction should be: "poor you, how can I help you make things better?"

With my love and apologies to those I criticised in 2009