Life

Marie Louise McConville: Planning to make 2020 the year of kindness

I've decided 2020 will be the year of showing kindness to others - especially mean people who need it the most
I've decided 2020 will be the year of showing kindness to others - especially mean people who need it the most I've decided 2020 will be the year of showing kindness to others - especially mean people who need it the most

Is there really any point?

New Year resolutions are made to be broken, right?

I mean, does anyone actually keep them?

Last year was the first year I didn't make any resolutions simply because I didn't see the point.

Looking back, I can't really complain much about 2019.

It was an okay year.

We had a lovely Easter and we enjoyed a great first real family holiday to Jersey and then in September, Abbie started Primary 1 and James started nursery school and there were tears and tantrums galore - from me.

We had a great Halloween party and a lovely family Christmas has just passed, what more could I ask for?

Of course, 2020 isn't just the beginning of a new year, it's the beginning of a new decade.

And looking back, quite a lot happened in the past 10 years.

I met my future husband, got engaged, got married, moved house and became a mother (twice over).

I joined a new community and made new friends.

I travelled to some new places including Malta and across California and flew First Class for the time.

I became an auntie three more times.

I cut my hair short, I grew my hair long, I tried a fringe and I turned 39 plus one.

I was loved by people, hated by people, hurt by people, let down by people and used by people. However these experiences have made be stronger, more resilient and proved to me the importance of being myself and being kind.

Which is my mantra as we head into 2020.

We are all starting this new decade with a clean slate and personally for me, I've decided to just be more kind this coming year.

I'm not making any resolutions, I'm just going to be kind to people, especially those who are mean because they are in need of it the most.

My plan is simple - to do one kind thing for another person every day in 2020.

From opening a door or picking up a dropped coin to offering a compliment or a word of encouragement, I'm going to give it my best shot.

It may seem like very little but such little acts of kindness can have an amazing tsunami affect and can make a world of difference to someone's day.

So, as I sign off for 2019 I wish you all a wonderful, peaceful New Year.

I hope 2020 brings you all much love, happiness, adventure and joy - as well as the odd lottery win.

-----------------------------

Finally, someone agrees with me.

Just weeks after Jane Seymour suggested the time had come for James Bond to change gender, another former Bond Girl, Britt Ekland has hit back to insist 007 must remain male.

When asked recently if she favoured a change, the Swedish 77-year-old, who starred in The Man With The Golden Gun in 1974, said: "No! A resounding no. It ain't going to happen".

She added: "'That is not what [Bond author] Ian Fleming wanted".

Well said Britt. I couldn't agree more.

Bond is male and should stay that way.

Cue the feminist backlash.

-------------------------------

Competition

If you’re in the mood to de-stress post-Christmas, how about a "beautiful and moving" read?

Three Little Truths by Eithne Shortall has been described as a "poignant, funny and deeply satisfying" novel.

Martha used to be a force of nature.

Calm, collected and in charge.

But since moving her husband and two daughters to Dublin under sudden and mysterious circumstances, she can't seem to find her footing.

Robin was the "it" girl in school, destined for success.

Now she's back at her parents' with her four-year-old son, vowing that her ne'er-do-well ex is out of the picture for good.

Edie has everything she could want, apart from a baby, and the acceptance of her new neighbours.

She longs to be one of the girls, and to figure out why her perfect husband seems to be avoiding their perfect future.

Three women looking for a fresh start on idyllic Pine Road.

Their friendship will change their lives, and reveal secrets they never imagined.

I have five copies of Three Little Truths to give away.

If you fancy winning a copy, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com

Closing date for entries is 12 noon on Tuesday, January 6, 2020

(Q) Who wrote Three Little Truths?

Normal Irish News Rules Apply