I AM writing this whilst wearing a pair of new Christmas pyjamas.

I am a passionate devotee of pyjamas, with their soft cotton and elasticated waists they seem advisable, even obligatory, as another mince pie gets cosy with the chocolates and cheese already taking up squatter’s rights in my ever expanding tummy.

Fear not, this isn’t a new year column bemoaning Christmas weight gain, making grand pronouncements of diets to start, drinking to stop and ‘get fit’ intentions. However, I’m just putting it out there in a self-congratulatory way to say I did pop out for a cheeky 5km run on Christmas mid-morning.

I know. The family didn’t expect it either but no one was more shocked than me as I trotted towards Cosmeston Lakes.

Smugness was entirely mine as I sipped my first Prosecco and felt all comfy come turkey time.

By Strictly I had, of course, snaffled so much that nothing short of a marathon would have preserved said smugness for the whole day, but it was a good intention.

That is what this column will focus on, good intentions – be they personal or world conquering.

I was quite spoilt this Christmas, beautiful earrings, cosy pyjamas, an inspirational writing book, thank you mum and avoided the perennial exchange that is, ‘That’s nice. Who got you that?’ ‘You did, dad’.

But along with Olly Murs concert tickets (yay), I was also treated to an archery lesson from someone I didn’t think had noted that I had always wanted to give it a try, but whom happily surprised me.

At the prospect of doing something I’d always wanted to, it got me thinking about ambitions, intentions to achieve and goals for 2017.

Note, I am avoiding the term ‘resolution’.

To me it always feels linked to weight loss and attached to a barrage of advertising telling me I must and an avalanche of finger wagging when mid-February sees I haven’t been to the gym every other day.

Being healthy is a brilliant aim and one I generally work towards, but I refuse to have weight loss as my overriding intention going in to a new year.

Back to good intentions, along with mastering a bow and arrow, I will complete novel number two.

I will also try to be kinder, to both myself and all those I encounter.

2016 feels like it has been a turbulent year on the world stage but also turbulent personal moments - family deaths, health scares and sadly, seeing a handful of people in a new and unfavourable light.

In 2017 I think we need to take the proverbial bow and arrow and aim at ramping up the kindness to each other.

I don’t think you need a crystal ball to predict more turbulence but it is only by supporting, caring and yes, being kind that turbulent times can be made better or at least more bearable.

I am blessed with some wonderful family and friends and I wish only good things for them and you in 2017.