A new year wish

Martyn Best

"So, this is Christmas, and what have you done? Another year older, and a new one just begun."

What have you done, asks Martyn Best (a little less tunefully than John Lennon, of course).

John Lennon's iconic anthem "Happy Xmas, War is Over" resonates as strongly now as it ever has.

Long a symbol of hope, it's inspired my final message of the year.

I'll keep it simple, and hallelujah, I'll keep it short, but I make no apologies for keeping it big, and for keeping it ambitious.

First, to one of the highlights of the early 21^st century: the election of Barack Obama as our new leader for the next few - hopefully eight - years.

Whilst the economy remains challenging, the election of Mr Obama symbolises real hope that mankind is overcoming one particular barrier to progress. Stevie Wonder summed it up perfectly: "Why must my colour, black, make me a lesser man?"

It didn't make him a lesser man, but I always thought it odd that for someone as strong and talented as him to say that; it showed the power not only of perception, but of what was actually happening in the world just 25 years ago. For many people, there was a real absence of hope.

Obama's election shows the power of hope as much as the joy of social progress.

So what's all that got to do with my wishes for 2009, and where's all this going?

There's a clear parallel with what Obama has achieved in overcoming entrenched barriers and in the sense of hope he has brought the world.

As we face the challenges of 2009, let's do so with hope; let's recognise that as business leaders or people with calm and perspective, we can be positive and we can make a difference. It's all about being positive.

So, to close, in the approximate words of my first song writing hero, rather than Give Peace a Chance, in 2009 let's give hope a chance.

Have a Happy and prosperous new year.

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