Well, I could sit around listening to the news re. the economy and be convinced that everything we have all known is at an end - or i could get out and about and meet some people who are living in the real world and finding ways to cope and support others.

The economic climate means that it is not such a Happy New Year for many people  - and then some people - like my brother - whose mortage payments have almost halved  - think things are as good as they have ever been. He is planning how to make the most of the 'bonus' money he now has. He was quite silent and almost apologetic that he was 'doing ok' as a result of the economic slide.

Strange - that there has been so little news about all the people who must be much much better off - now that their mortgage payments have plummeted. Why so silent?

The other thing i notice ( and have always done) - that when the financial markets are booming - and the people who know how to play them are making a fortune - there is also a deafening silence. The good news is not shared. Only the bad.

The sharing of all this bad news - creates anxiety and misery for the ordinary people who don't live in the world of finance. Perhaps even keeps us in our place a bit - scares us of from the thought that we should ever dare to venture into the financial arena. uummmmmm. Ever get a feeling we are allowed to hear all the bad, feel the pain of the losses - but be shut off fron the good and the  gains.

So, there is, I conclude - good news out there - and we have to go out and find it ourselves - which is exactly what i did yesterday.

I visited two of A4e's Community Legal Advice Centres in Hull and Sheffield (UK) - where i found clients with multitudes of problems - being brave enough to seek advice - facing up to the problems that they had. I met staff who were passionate, professional and wholly committed to doing their damndest to support people.

I heard that the problems were mounting for many people - and I saw the determination  that not one person should be left to struggle on alone. Spirit and a sense of 'in this together.'

I have a feeling that for the people who are brave enough to put their hands up and say - i need help - and I can offer help - there might be a happy new year. The other thing i learnt from yesterday is that when you can't stand listening to the professional doom-mongers anymore - get out and about and find the real people - who are doing real things to make eachother feel stronger and safer. 

So, happy new year - look to your friends, family and other 'real' people for support - offer them your support - and we will all of us, 'do ok.'