Let me wish all Evening Times readers a very Happy New Year.

 

For Glasgow it has been a truly momentous year. I don't intend on recapping all of the amazing highlights, I am sure I speak for most Glaswegians when I say it's a year we'll always remember.

Unfortunately, as we all know, the year ended on a particularly sad note with the terrible tragedy we witnessed in George Square.

However, it is in our darkest hour that we need light and the people of Glasgow shone through once again.

Looking ahead to 2015, I can imagine many Evening Times readers have their list of New Year's resolutions.

I am proud to say I have never once broken a new year's resolution...that may be down the fact I have never made any before! However, here is my first ever attempt.

Resolution 1: Take more time for family and those I love. Everyone's life is hectic, it doesn't matter if that is with work, university, college or home life - we barely seem to have a grasp over time. When life moves at such a frantic pace I know that I lose sight of the most important things in my life.

There is nothing dearer to me than my family and friends. As we saw with the George Square tragedy or even the Clutha disaster a year earlier, life can be so fleeting - with us one minute and then gone the next. In 2015 I'll be making more of an effort to spend time with those who mean the most to me.

Resolution 2: Get fitter! Okay I know this is an all time classic resolution which, let's face it, ends up like pie crust - made to be broken.

However, I am determined to spend more time getting myself physically fitter. The Evening Times has played a leading role in trying to improve the lives of Glaswegians through their Active 2014 campaign which reminds me I just need to make some simple adjustments to my lifestyle to get fitter.

So 2015 will see less sugary snack (my love of Irn Bru will make this particularly challenging!), less carbs and more exercise!

Resolution 3: Better understand the challenges of those less fortunate than me. I am lucky, blessed in fact to have a job which I love and surrounded by family and friends. I am grateful for this everyday of my life but I know it is not the reality for many of those I represent.

The best experiences I have had as an MSP have been when I have shadowed others to understand their challenges - be that carers or homeless people selling the Big Issue.

I hope to do more of that in 2015, it is only by walking a mile in someone moccasins can we truly understand the depths of the challenges they face.

Whatever your own resolutions, I hope your 2015 is a prosperous and peaceful year for you and those you love - Lang may yer lum reek.