Spare a minute to think of others.
Christmas is traditional time for families to meet up and enjoy the friendships and company of loved ones and enjoy nights out with friends and colleagues.
But for a huge number of the population Christmas is a particularl time of dreadful loneliness and feelings of despair.
It's easy, while enjoying ourselves, to be unaware of others who for many reasons find the Christmas and New Year period heartbreaking.
A kind smile and going out of your way to pass the time of day with those you meet, makes a huge difference to everybody's outlook. Lift the phone and catch up with those who for some reason you have not been in contact with for months and let them know you care.
It might not seem much to us who enjoy Christmas with family but to others it makes the difference between life being bearable at this time, or sheer loneliness and despair.
Kennine.