Recession prompts a personal stocktaking

I HAVE come to realise the recession may not be such a bad thing after all.

It has forced me to take stock of where my life is going, busy running from pillar to post trying to catch up with myself, with no value for money and little time for my fellow human beings.

Now when I am spending money I ask whether I really need the item in question and if I do purchase, I appreciate it while in the past I would have taken it for granted.

I have also made my own Christmas presents this year and people are so much more appreciative of the fact that I actually went to the trouble of making them a gift. I have received great joy in the pleasure of making things for my friends and family.

It is so easy to go into a shop and buy something which carries little or no love and joy. A gift made personally is so warm and loving — something money rarely achieves.

While I appreciate that times are tough I hope we will all take stock and question what really mattes in our lives.

Imelda M Sweeney

Manor Grove

Grange Manor

Ovens

Co Cork