Giving thanks as 2013 draws near!

Dear Readers,

Happy holidays to you all. Today is Boxing Day and, traditionally, we continue the Christmas tradition, by celebrating with family and friends. I want to pause and express to you all our profound thanks and appreciation to you, our dear readers and valued friends.

Many of you have been consistent readers of these columns, and it's always a humbling and heart-warming experience when you stop me to remind me of or thank me for an article I wrote. I want to thank you all for the support, the suggestions and guidance. I certainly cherish the suggestions you make. Writing these columns, as I have been for almost 10 years, sometimes become very challenging and there are times I suffer from writer's block. I want to thank everyone for the encouragement during these periods. To those of you who have expressed criticisms, I also want to thank you, for indeed the criticisms help us to reflect and think through the issues.

Many of our friends and readers have passed on and I want to express condolences to their families and to give thanks for their lives, for enriching this world and making this place a better space. While we mourn their passing, let us celebrate their lives. As we face another year, let us acknowledge the pain and failures of 2012 but let us find time to reflect on and celebrate the achievements and successes of 2012. Let us also find time to thank everyone.

Let me use this column to also thank my personal friend for being there another year and tolerating all my weaknesses and failures. My colleagues at work for their support, kindness and wise counsel. To my mentor, I want to thank this individual for holding my hands this year, for lending a shoulder during tough times and for your encouragement as I strive towards my goals. My family, for their continued support and love. I say thank you, thank you, thank you, three times and more.

Today and beyond, let us all find time out to thank a friend for a kind deed done. Thank a colleague for that kind word of encouragement that made a difference in your life. Thank your neighbour for their support and acts of kindness. Thank your family members for their support and love, for without their love you probably would not have made it through 2012. Let us remember to remind and thank that person for that special act done this year that made a difference to your life.

It was a terrific year, and in everything let us give God thanks.

"For today and its blessings, I owe the world an attitude of gratitude." - Clarence E Hodges.

Dr Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and head, Section of Psychiatry, Dept of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of the West Indies. Email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com