Well, here we are in the last week of 2007. When I was young, this was the time when people began planning their New Year resolutions. I've never quite understood why this is the time when they start getting all guilty about what they ate/smoked/drank over the Festive Season. And it was the same every year - which rather begs the question, if you know you're going to feel guilty about it, why do it in the first place?

What annoys me about New Year resolutions is that they're almost always about giving up something.... giving up food, cigarettes, whatever.

Some of the best (and most easily kept) resolutions in my experience are about shifting your attitude to life. What I usually do is find a favourite quote, write it up in my diary and let it gently guide me over the coming twelve months.

Here are some of my favourites from New Year's Past:

All that is required for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing. (That was the year I started campaigning about things I felt strongly about.)

The most dangerous creation is the man with nothing to lose. (That was the year I took my general stroppiness in hand and learned that in order to negotiate - as opposed to simply arguing - you have to give the other person room to manoevre.)

I haven't made up my mind what this year's resolution will be. Mr Penry has the same one every year 'Take it easy.'

There's a lot to be said for it.