So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun

2016 is nearly done. For the first time in four years dear readers, I am not curating my usual 12 Blogs of Christmas series (specially invited local guest bloggers for those of you not familiar with it). 

I got as far as drawing up a list of people I wanted to approach, but then stuff happened and something had to give.  I’m gutted I wasn’t able to do it this year.

I think most people feel 2016 has not been one of our best years for a variety of reasons – Brexit, Trump, the untimely deaths of Bowie and so many other cultural icons. Even the Olympics seemed mostly flat and lacklustre this year. 

For me personally this last quarter has been the worst of it. I lost my Mum in October after a long illness made harder for me by being on the other side of the world. Fortunately I managed to get over to the UK to see her three months before she died.

In recent weeks a close family friend has been given just months to live and another has recently had a very unexpected heart attack. And most poignant of all, a talented HR lady called Jolene Davidson who worked for me a few years ago sadly took her own life. Jo was a lovely, kind and gentle soul and I can’t begin to imagine the void that those who loved her will feel in their lives over Christmas and in the future. 

Then there are the recent earthquakes we’ve had to contend with in Wellington and wider afield. Many businesses have been massively impacted with buildings closed and condemned, parts of the country cut off for a while and nerves frayed to breaking point. The impact on people is huge as they battle their fears and their nerves, and I do often worry that we don’t do enough in HR to help people through that. 

It’s not all been doom and gloom though. In the middle of it all my lovely wife celebrated a big milestone birthday which we did in spectacular style. It was a time to reflect on the better things about life, friends and family and just have some fun. God knows, we needed it.

I am also thankful the business I am a part of has had a busy and successful year and, in what passes for spare time, I am working on a major new (and very exciting) HR/business initiative that I and a few others are quietly trying to get off the ground!  But more of that in the new year. 

I personally can’t wait to see the back of 2016 and will not mourn it’s passing. I’ve done enough of that this year already. I don’t do new year’s resolutions and this new year will be no exception. Come midnight on the 31st I will simply watch the clock tick over with optimism, hope and determination that 2017 will be a stellar year full of great things. 

A very Merry Christmas
And a happy new year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear

*Dedicated to my Mum and to Jo – sleep well.