New Year resolutions
It's that time of year where we have just got over the Christmas celebrations and start imagining what will happen next year. Maybe, you have over indulged on your Christmas turkey and feel that you have to loosen the belt to the next notch, or your skirt is feeling a trifle to small.

Maybe you have seen a sports hero and feel inspired to follow his footsteps to stardom. Many people utilise the New Year's Eve celebration as a starting point to venture into a new way of life. New Year resolutions are on many people's thoughts; shall I start to loose weight, give up smoking, help some body in the community or get fitter? Can we keep to them?

It is traditional, that Scottish folk tend to celebrate New Year more than Christmas. Hogmanay is a time both for reflection of the year past and wonder for the one that lies ahead. Therefore, it has come to pass that resolutions are researched and prepared for the dawning of the New Year.

During the run up to the main event Scotland creaks and groans with the labours of people mining their souls for dirt, sin and vice - clearing the way for a mass National purging of all that is foul, unhealthy and unwise in our lives. An otherwise banal conversation in the street shall suddenly become charged with portentous energy as someone asks, 'Made any resolutions?' To reply, 'No' would indicate that you are rather smug and self satisfied, while to nod in the affirmative opens the door to, 'What are they then?'

This can lead to trouble if you have resolved to change things beyond the characterless familiars of giving up smoking, losing weight, visiting mum more often and decorating the hall.

You could very easily alter the perceptions of you held by friends and colleagues, often for the worse. So here is the bottom line on the subject of resolutions.

Keep them to yourself! This way, when you fail at the first hurdle - which, let's face it, will be around about 2pm on January 1st - no one but you shall know you have failed.

Don't ask anyone what their resolutions are, no matter how well you think you know them. Even when the conversation at the party is as dry as dust, do not be tempted to make that loaded enquiry.

Finally, remember that even when you fail to keep your resolution, you at least made an effort. How determined are you this year, will you attempt to keep to your New Year's Resolution? We have found some intriguing websites that provides ideas and will assist you keep to the personal goal.