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Editors letters
Last year was an eventful one throughout the world, with plenty of worrying news. There were, however, many causes for optimism as well.
In Spain and further afield it became clear that many millions of people are deeply concerned about the situation we have got ourselves into. Spain, for example, sees almost half its young people with no job, no home and little hope, and the major political parties as well as European leaders, who are supposed to serve their citizens, have failed them completely. No wonder they protest, and let’s hope that someone finally listens to them.
Here on Lanzarote, even taking into account the special factors that helped tourism on the island, it remains clear that the island has lost none of its appeal for the many thousands of holiday makers who come here each year. this island really seems to get its hooks into people and draw them back year after year. It’s not too much to expect that many of this year’s first-timers have caught the bug.
Another hopeful sign is the way so many of people are willing to give time and energy for charity. Charitable organisations are the perfect example of grass-roots action – a problem is identified and selfless people, often with specialist knowledge and skills, dedicate themselves to fighting it. They deserve as much support as we can give.
But if you want the main reason to be optimistic in 2012., simply look outside your window or take a short walk. We are surrounded by beauty and showered with sunshine every day. Make the most of it.
Shaun
A wise person once told me, that in order to be happy in the future, you have to be grateful for where you are right now. That the key is not in seeing happiness as a faraway destination that you long to approach, but something much, much nearer home, the place that you’re inhabiting right now. And that when you are able to grasp your experience of life in this way – and fully appreciate this moment, in all its imperfect glory – your future world will be much quicker to transform into what you desire it to be.
I love this analogy – but I think it is one of the most difficult to adopt. It’s one thing settling in the moment when things are great – quite another when they are bleak. So rather than make the obvious, and at times unhelpful observation about the current moment, I want to take a different tack. We might not be experiencing the easiest of times right now – but all of us have things in our lives that we can be grateful for, and would not change.
And if we could all take a moment to focus on and be thankful for them, then maybe all our futures will be brighter, and transform for the better. If you need a little more encouragement, take a look at our piece ‘The New Mood’, on p.30 it’s all about moving forward, without fear.
Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I wish you a happy, healthy and peaceful start to the year.
Beth
