Whenever a new year arrives, we often reminisce over the previous year, don’t we?  We think about the decisions we made and those things we wish we hadn’t done; we think about the present and how we can improve what we have; and we look to the future with expectation and hope and we resolve to live the coming year differently.

I wonder what resolutions have you have made for the coming year?  To lose weight?  Cut down on your cholesterol intake? Stop watching too much television? Do more exercise? Catch up with friends?  Research suggests that less than 10% of resolutions make it through to the end of January and only 1% through to December.  It seems that most of us struggle to keep the promises we make and so I’ve drawn up a list of New Year resolutions which should be easy to keep in the year ahead: LIE, CHEAT, DRINK, SWEAR and STEAL.

LIE back and relax just a little more. Let a little more life happen to you without so much worry.

CHEAT failure. Don’t be afraid to try something new because you think you may fail.  It is through failure that we learn the most valuable lessons.

DRINK from the fountain of knowledge. Many people around you have already been down roads you are about to travel.  Learn from their experiences and their mistakes. Take what they have learned and use it.

SWEAR to do your best – all the time, in every situation.  That is all anybody will ever ask.

STEAL a little time for God. Everyday take a little more time to develop your relationship with God through reading the Bible and through prayer (even attending a church!) – this is the most important thing you can do during 2013.

And so, be sure to LIE, CHEAT, DRINK, SWEAR and STEAL more than you did last year and you will have a profitable and enjoyable year ahead!

This is a copy of my article for the JANUARY 2013 edition of the Billericay ‘Around Town Magazine’