Happy New Year!  Hopefully 2010 will be a good one for you.  I certainly feel optimistic about it personally.  Whether that’s due to the nice weather we’ve been having, the diligence I’ve had lately in taking my vitamins and exercising, or something else entirely, I’ll take it, none the less.

I’m currently researching a few topics that will be posted shortly; caregiver fatigue, new technologies in the treatment of back pain, and chemical causes of nerve pain.  In the meantime, I thought I’d send an encouraging word about giving to start off this new decade.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.                                       

                                                             -Winston Churchill  

Sometimes we can get wrapped up in our daily struggles, and forget where we are truly and magnificently fortunate.  It takes practise to remember the good things we have, and repeated effort to get into the habit of helping others.  Despite all the difficulties, most of us here in Canada have plenty of wonderful good fortune too.  Good friends, a wonderful place to live, a beautiful view, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg for Bernard and I.  Take a moment every so often to remember what you have that is good.  It increases happiness and also makes us better humans, because when we appreciate our own luck, we also tend to be more caring about other people’s misfortune.

The new year has certainly brought misfortune to the people of Haiti, and to all their friends and family in other countries who grieve or worry.  I hope you’ll step out of your own life for a moment and give what you can to a charity that will assist the people of Haiti. 

The Red Cross is a personal favorite because of their good work and non-religious base.  Most Canadian banks are now accepting donations for The Canadian Red Cross Haiti fund.  Donations can also be made online or by calling or mailing a cheque.  The Canadian government will match any funds that you donate to a recognized organization until February 15, as long as you specify that the money is for the Haiti Earthquake relief.