WHENEVER I write publicly it is my intention to end each time on a cheerful note, which sometimes, sadly, does take an effort.
I happened to call on a friend the other day who commented that my words were perhaps a little on the dark side. Of course, I pointed out the bit about always ending on a positive note to which he replied: "Not everyone gets that far!" A good point well made.
Of course at this time of year actually being cheerful can be a little elusive as the days get shorter and dark evenings seem to arrive too soon after lunch. Add to that the seasonal dampness after a shockingly soggy summer then indeed that cheerful grin becomes even more elusive.
Then I remember the daily message from my wonderful dog. I'm the first one up in the morning and there to greet me is the tail-wagging Marley.
We jog (well sort of jog) to the paper shop regardless of the weather. Too often these days the short paper run is horribly wet, but that doesn't bother Marley in the least. So how does he deal with the damp before entering the house? By a really rigorous shake of his coat which sends spray in all directions.
In so many ways I feel we should all do the same as the pressures of daily life seem to soak the spirit. Just give yourself a good psychological shake (you could do it physically as well) and send the negativity flying.
I'm smiling as I write this, so there must be something in it, or so it seems to me. Although I've taken a battering recently, as regular readers will know, the wallowing in self pity is not an option.
It must never be an option because it serves no purpose. I used to coin the phrase 'walking around with a face like a slapped kipper' at times when the smile is hard to find and yet a happy face is so pleasing. But gosh, it's hard at times.
So there you go Michael (he's the man who worried that people wouldn't get to the positive message at the end of my script), a positive start.
Mind you, I've seen some good stuff locally recently that really has lifted my spirit.
I had to smile the other day when visiting Hallett's the Bakers, with Adrian Sanders MP, when we came face to face with a giant pasty. This pasty is a real beast and it is now my ambition to get it into the House of Commons canteen. It was big enough to feed two and might in some way contribute to the slowing of endless torrent of empty political rhetoric.
Another smile radiated after Viv and Pete Fisher of the Villa Marina Guest House in Torquay won an award at the recent hospitality awards. They work hard and offer a brilliant service which is why people come back to them time and time again. I love our guesthouse culture because it celebrates exciting individuality and sparkling variety of choice. If you ever get the chance do have one of Pete's breakfasts and you will then know what I am talking about.
So, with all this in mind I found myself flicking through the Herald Express and attempting to find a common theme that somehow captured the essence of our community. Of course it is all too easy to take pops at those things that annoy and that is, I guess, human nature.
But here's the thing. If you are going to comment just make certain that you have something to offer s an alternative. It's so very hard when you've been beavering away only to have your efforts rubbished by a negative comment. Most of us are quite happy with supportive criticism but wince when the words are spiteful. I guess that the bottom line is that if you have nothing good to say then be quiet.
The other day I happened to be at a South West Innovation Centres breakfast event at Cockington Court where Dirk Rohwedder of Dartington School for Social Entrepreneurs was speaking.
The thrust of what he was saying was about building a platform for business development that was for the greater good of the whole community.
I noticed that the folk attending included Mark Green of Fruition, Nicola Fox of the Riviera International Conference Centre, Angela George of IMS (local Woman of the Year) and knew that I was in good company. The energy within the building was atmospheric and that really did bring a smile to my face.
These are hard times and recent energy price increases tend to be like a punch in the stomach.
Perhaps we can all fight back by adding an extra layer and reducing the amount of bonus revenue being extracted by the gatekeepers. We still have the small few taking too much from too many.
Hopefully, despite my friend Michael's comment, you are still reading and will face the morning mirror with a smile.
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