NEW Year is full of the possibility of new beginnings. Many of us will have made New Year resolutions.

The more cynical amongst us may have decided to give the whole idea away.

If you are one of these you may rather consider yourself a realist, having learned by bitter experience how hard it is to maintain resolutions!

Some years ago, the mental health charity, “Mind” urged people not to feel they must start the New Year armed with resolutions for self-improvement.

The mental health charity said resolutions which focus on issues such as the need to lose weight or job worries create a negative self-image and if the plans fail to materialise, they could trigger feelings of failure and inadequacy.

Instead of making a New Year’s resolution, they urged us to think positively about the year to come and to take a few steps to improve all-round mental health, including: being active, going “green”, learning something new and giving back something to the community.

As Christians we have just celebrated God’s great resolution.

God resolved to break into the world of human existence. God became uniquely one with creation through the birth of Jesus Christ.

He so valued humanity that He chose to be born one of us – God with us.

It is from this foundation of love that I will seek to be more active this year, improve my “green” activities, learn something new and try to serve with joy.

The Right Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally

Bishop of Crediton