Embrace This and Grow in 2012

Written for the Crack on Newsletter:

This is traditionally the time of year when we wish each other health and prosperity, success, happiness and everything we would wish for ourselves. I certainly wish you all of that.

At the start of 2012, though, you might just be hoping it will turn out better than 2011!

Not necessarily, of course. You might have made great progress with your life's plans, started a new career, met the love of your life, or had any number of wonderful things happen to you. Hopefully, you did.

For the world in general, though, 2011 was a tough year. While some parts of the world went through political turmoil and even violent revolution, other places suffered financial crisis, mass redundancies and unsettling events that point to an uncertain future.

However, there are two things we can be certain about. Firstly, the future will not be exactly as we expect - there will be unforeseeable events, accidents and discoveries, unimaginable alliances and probably acts of violence and stupidity that affect millions of people worldwide.

The second thing we can be sure of is that we'll all have more of something very valuable by the end of 2012 than we do today. It's something we earn more of every year we're alive.

While we can't guarantee to be richer, happier or healthier from one day to the next, let alone year by year, there is something unique we can only acquire and seldom if ever lose...

That thing is experience, and to some extent it governs who we are and who we become.

It's experience that gives us an idea of what to expect from a given situation. It's experience that tells us whether to trust someone (or ourselves) to keep a promise. It's experience that helps to keep us alive and it's experience alone that always grows, whether the events in our lives are good, bad or indifferent.

While I certainly wish you more good and happy experiences than bad or unhappy ones, whatever events happen in your life in 2012 you can be sure they will all be positive, in that you can only ever grow your experience account.

Embrace experience in the next twelve months and grow your account more than ever before. No one ever reached the end of their life and wished they'd done less!

~ Roy

PS. What I can't be certain of is the exchange rate between experience and wisdom... that is up to you!
 

Do Motives Always Matter?

From Crack on!! the make it happen people 

One of the things philosophers like to argue about is whether there can be such a thing as a totally selfless act.

In other words, do we ever do something for someone else with no thought of reward?  The argument goes that, because doing something generous makes us feel good inside - even if we don't get any other kind of reward or thanks - that makes every selfless act a selfish one.

Maybe...

I say it doesn't matter. We can leave the philosophy to one side and forget for now about people's ulterior motives. When people are doing something that helps other people in some way, without doing harm to anyone else, that has to be a good thing.

That's why so many people have been so inspired by Crack on, and especially at this time of year when the Crack on Christmas Food Appeal is just starting.

This year, Crack on wants to feed 5000 people. Last year we aimed to feed 500 and beat that target easily. The year before... Crack on didn't even exist.

So, don't even think about why you should donate or help collect food for Crack on this Christmas, don't worry about why it makes you feel good or whether it's just a bit selfish to enjoy putting smiles on 5000 strangers' faces...

If it feels good, in this case, it just is.

So, donate, collect, publicise and pester - and enjoy it - it's all in a fantastic cause.

Crack on!!

Roy   

PS. More information on the appeal and more at http://www.crackon.org

New Blog for GHP Solicitors, Norwich

As well as creating a YouTube Channel, a Google+ Page and, of course, Twitter and Facebook accounts for our Norwich Solicitor clients Greenland Houchen & Pomeroy, we've also created a blog site for them at http://www.bestsolicitorsnorwich.co.uk.

Part of our strategy for creating maximum online visibility, the new site includes helpful articles on legal services and matters of law, an overview of the firm's services and of course links to the relevant pages on their main website and social media accounts and their contact details.

We've used WordPress to create the site, as it's perfect for both blogging and simple website building and is very Google-friendly. Expect to see it appearing in the search results soon.

Meanwhile, find GHP Solicitors of Norwich and East Anglia at http://www.bestsolicitorsnorwich.co.uk!

Roy

PS. See more about our work with GHP Solicitors on our Cinnamon Edge blog.

New Health and Wellbeing Forum

Bury St Edmunds Chamber of Commerce has started a new initiative - a Health and Wellbeing Forum.

I attended the inaugural meeting early this month, when we discussed basic aims and next steps for the forum.

The main purpose is to provide information and engage with local businesses and employees to improve health and wellbeing in the workplace. Ultimately, perhaps we can even make Suffolk the healthiest county.


The forum will have a Twitter account soon and I've created a Facebook Page already. You can find Bury St Edmunds Chamber of Commerce Health and Wellbeing Forum (we might have to find a shorter title!) at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bury-St-Edmunds-Chamber-of-Commerce-Health-and-Wellbeing-Forum/290388737651307

Feel free to visit and 'Like' the Page!

Roy