With the holiday season over and promises made for the coming year with lots of genuine ‘hugs’ will it be a Happy New Year for everyone? We always wish happiness and joy to our friends and loved ones and are probably sincere at the moment of speaking (sometimes). How long do these feelings last?

If we start each day by paying a complement to those we meet, our day will have a positive beginning and the positivity can be addictive. It is really diffi cult to reply negatively to genuinely well intentioned people , especially if ‘hugs’ are involved.

I hope that a cheery greeting, in English, is now a normal part of our happiness and we are even receiving some kind of recognition in English as a payment for our efforts. All of us with children and grandchildren should help our youngsters use English as often as possible. ‘Happiness through success’ is achieved by being happy that we are able to use, no matter how little, this language that has been imposed on us.

The more we use even simple greetings during our day, the less shy we will be and the easier it is going to be for everyone to learn and use new phrases. Let us hug, greet and speak in English to get ourselves off to a positive and sincere start to 2016. I will know who has read this when I see you all, regardless of age, hugging in the street.

A Happy Hugging New Year to you All for Uncle Terry!