As the year draws to a close this is a little note to say Merry Christmas and a most Happy New Year to the Happynesshub community. It’s been a long, busy and somewhat funny year at my end, with highs and lows of exciting projects, health challenges and the like, but most of all brightened by the memories of all the lovely friends I’ve shared this year with. I know I’ve been a bit quiet, but please rest assured I’m still here and thinking of you all, and with bright plans on the horizon for 2024.

Workwise, this year I’ve had the joy of bringing to life a new series of CBeebies’ Time for School, our beautiful show that follows a class during their first term of primary school, and also working on an exciting national mental health campaign with Roman Kemp that will be going live in 2024…stay tuned! But throughout the year, I’ve been reminded of how everything comes back to love and kindness, and that whatever the project and the challenge, these are the fundamental goals and also the most important thing to keep in your heart.

I wanted to share with you a poem I found, by James W. Foley, which I shall be remembering into 2024 and you may like to as well…

“Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone;

But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,

Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.

And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget,

But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet,

And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown;

You’ve disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone;

But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.

They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,

And there is no way to stop them, once you’ve started them to flow.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget,

But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet,

And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred,

And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone;

But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,

Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave

Till you wouldn’t believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget;

But there’s gladness still a-swelling, and there’s joy a-circling yet,

And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard

Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.”

By James W. Foley.

So, Hubbers, wishing you a beautiful and peaceful Christmas, and I look forward to catching up with you next year.

With love, and more love,

Sally x