With this in mind, I challenge myself and you, our readers, to think carefully about New Year's resolutions for 2012.
The old faithfuls of going to the gym, drinking less - alcohol or caffeine, losing weight, spending more time with the family and quitting smoking are fine goals.
In some cases they are necessary for our own health and wellbeing but, let's face it, they are pretty self-centred and most of us fail miserably just weeks into the new year.
Perhaps we need to look further afield for inspiration and motivation.
Instead of setting goals to improve ourselves, think about how we can make our community better.
What skills, interests or knowledge do we have that would be useful to others - as part of an organisation or on an individual basis?
Why not help others while helping yourself?
If you can find time to go to the gym, you can find an hour or two a week to do something for other people.
You may not lose weight or improve your fitness, but you will feel better none-the-less.
Commit the money you save on cigarettes, coffee or alcohol to a good cause.
Set yourself a goal for the first three months and go public so other people can support you or be inspired to do the same.
Find something you can do as a family - you will spend time together and encourage community values in your children.
If these people can do so much, surely each of us can do a little.
