In last week's column I suggested no New Year's resolutions, but only to make a wish list of what you want for this year and to move forward in a positive and organised method to achieve it. My personal wish list is extremely long. I need to achieve so much this year. But I'm going to make some major changes in the process of achieving them. Although I achieved a lot in 2006, I did not have the balance that my personal life needs.

So this year I'm going to approach everything with more care. On my wish list this year I want to travel to a country or a city where I am not speaking or training. Stay in a hotel where I am not working. Have lunch with someone where there are no papers, diaries or contracts to sign.

Also on my wish list is the desire to be a groupie for my cousin, Sister Carol, Grammy-nominated Reggae DJ artist. I mentioned to her that I wanted to be her groupie and go on the road with her. I want to see her as a performer and not as a family member. She is keen to accommodate me. At the moment we are comparing calendars. Ethopia is a possibility, she says. (Ask and you shall receive). So I'll keep you posted on that. I also want to launch my second book later this year. So making that fine balance is going to be essential to my well-being and those close to me.

Last week, I moved house and my goodness what a lot of stuff I acquired over the years. There can be nothing worse than moving house, other than not having a home in the first place. Moving house exposes you to the world. Shows you how much stuff you have and how much you really don't need. What was most apparent the last couple of days as the final boxes were settled in the truck was how many of the boxes were marked. "Fragile, handle with care".

That's how we should regard our lives and our bodies with the same care that a box of glass and china deserves. There is no point working diligently to carve a career for yourself if you are not taking extremely good care of number one. As tough as we may appear on the outside, we need to nurture our inner selves. No amount of training on the job can do that, we have to do that for ourselves.

So let's make 2007 a year where we also learn to relax, rejuvenate, release, renew, and revive ourselves from inside out.

Five Places I love to renew my spirit

1. Milk River Baths - the secret to good skin is water. Your daily intake of water and bathing in minerals is a great way to relax and revive your body and tired joints.

2. I go to Douglas's for facials - I love the personal and tender service I receive from the owner herself Yvonne Douglas.

3. Strawberry Hill for weekend retreats or a spa day. The body elixir is worth the 45 minute drive through the hills.

4. I love water so if I cannot make it to Clarendon to Milk River for a weekend I like to go to Rockfort Baths. A place greatly under appreciated. If you have trouble unwinding a soak or a swim in the pool will slow your body down for you to have a perfect nights sleep. Best to make this an end of day activity.

5. Any hotel that can offer me a beachfront view. So I can start my day with an early morning dip and a prayer. A quiet place that offers me an opportunity to gather my thoughts and write.

I am imagining some of you saying you cannot afford to do some of these things. But it is so important to nurture yourselves every now and again when birthdays come around and special occasions request gift certificates from those who want to buy you something.

And don't forget there are places that take care and groom men too. Such as Totally Male.

Other Interests And Hobbies

Apart from taking good care of yourself, it is important that you have interests and hobbies outside of your daily work life. Something that you can escape to when the stress level gets high. You could lock me up with a pile of books and throw away the key. When I go to Milk River Baths for instance, I take books to read. I sleep, bathe and read, read, sleep and bathe plus they serve the most delicious meals there. Milk River is a long-time family retreat. My mother first took me there when I was seven so the place holds a lot of special memories for me.

You cannot give the best of yourself if you are tired. By now all of you should have made your list of what it is you want for this year. What is on your wish list? In order to achieve it you really must handle yourself with care. Because with every achievement a certain level of stress follows you. When you take good care of yourself you will take better care of those around you and those you work with and for. You will be kinder with your words and actions.

So make a list of the places you like or would like to visit in Jamaica or overseas.

Every time you experience something new, you revive, rejuvenate, release, relax, renew your spirit.

Make a list of the things you love to do and have not found the time to do in the past. Make you a priority this year. I would write you more but I have to practice what I preach. I'm off to my hot stone massage at Pure Bliss. (Don't look for this spa in Jamaica. It's in Washington D.C.)

Send email to writefully_yours@hotmail.com.