The news headlines today are that the UK is in its longest ever recession. Also there is a lot of negativity about the current cold snap. Understandable, if you are stuck somewhere. However, let's not join the gloom, if we can help it.

Even when things seem cold and dim there is great opportunity and lots of beauty around us to admire. I have just been for a walk with my dog and it is cold but really lovely out there. This picture reminded me of the view I saw (though not quite as snowy here).

So why not ignore the tone of the gloomy news and choose right now to make 2010 your best year yet? Why not decide NOW and stick to that commitment?

So what is a great year?

Many people think a great year is dependent upon how much money they have in their pocket (or bank account). For me, it is is based upon family, health, friends, personal and business development. Money comes after this. To me wealth is a consolidation of all of these things. Now clearly, if needs mean that money must come high up your agenda ie you cannot afford the basics, then you have my empathy. It needs to be a priority. However, you can still keep fit, enjoy time with family, friends and study. Many of those things do not require large amounts of cash.

You can also still be generous with people.

You can give your time as well as gifts. Today, someone sent me an email asking for some help. I gained great pleasure in taking time to respond to them, having experienced myself, some of the challenges the person raised. In fact, giving my time, made my day.

The great thing about money is that in the right hands it can be used very beneficially to enhance your life as a whole. Money has been described as 'energy' it can help fuel your life. Make it more exciting, enable you to meet your material desires or even better help more people. The pursuit of it is a good thing, providing all the other elements are in place.

The best route (although not always the quickest) I believe, is to follow your passion. If it is in an area that you love, then get very good at it and become entrepreneurial. Eventually if you persevere the money will often come. If is a noble cause you will feel very good about. A win win.

So take some time out over the holidays to think about what you really enjoy.

Why not also take a look at how things are going from this broader basis ie family, health, friends, personal and business growth as well money?

Today, I shared a very powerful question with my newsletter subscribers. If you subscribe to the newsletter in the next of couple of weeks, I will send it to you. Go to  /newsletter.aspx.

It has the potential to transform 2010. Ask yourself this question and then stick with it through the year.

Finally, as this is possibly the last blog of the year, I want to wish you a really wonderful Christmas and New Year. May 2010 be a fantastic year for the growing Be More.Achieve More community.

Chris Cooper.