TRAVELLING to Southampton last week, I left a parcel on the luggage rack but within five minutes of disembarking, it was located on the departed train by the guard.

On my return journey in a packed coach, a kind young man gave me his seat. Thirdly, my fellow passengers were the epitome of good nature and kindness. It all made me feel nice.

Are there some rules by which to live our lives which might be more effective than the ones which have reportedly driven UK citizens to the bottom of the league of ‘happiness’?

I am appalled that one in six of us (including me) suffers from mental illness at any one time and the cost to us is about £70 billion a year.

Wouldn’t attempting to cure some of us, saving some cash and making them happier be more positive than reducing mental health funding and exacerbating their problems?

Currently WDDC collects about £60 million a year from us in housing rates. I believe that it holds about £84 million in reserve.

Nowadays, this means getting only about 1.5 per cent in interest.

£60 million of that could purchase about 600 affordable homes which would earn WDDC five per cent on their investment and provide accommodation for distressed families for £100 per week. Would this be a positive action?

Can positive decisions be construed as constructive and negative decisions as destructive? Is a CEO doubling his pay over the last five years, constructive or destructive? Is hiding cash away in a tax haven a constructive or a destructive way to behave? Is not finding the cash to treat the poor, sick and needy a constructive or a destructive policy?

Locally, was the reluctance of Conservative councillors to allow Dorchester’s and Bridport’s elected representatives a say in their own towns’ affairs a constructive or a destructive attitude?

I firmly believe in the adage that ’what goes around, comes around’. My New Year Resolution will therefore be to try to be more constructive.

That doesn’t imply my being optimistic. I shall continue to buy my toothpaste only one tube at a time!

MIKE JOSLIN

Garfield Avenue, Dorchester

Want to send us a letter? Email letters@dorsetecho.co.uk or post it to: Have Your Say, Dorset Echo, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XD