The devastation caused by the tsunami has prompted a time of reflection, but we may be surprised by what really makes us happy.

TIME to think small... The enormity of the tsunami and its aftermath is almost impossible to grasp. Too many people, too many tragedies, too many survivors starting from nowhere with nothing, possibly not even their sanity. With the best will in the world, it is beyond our comprehension.

While the country's religious leaders try to persuade us that yes, there is a God, all we can do is put our hands in our pockets - as deeply and generously as we can - and think again about what's important.

Not a bad idea, in any case, after the excesses of Christmas, to stop and consider what makes us happy.

We spend much of our lives in the pursuit of happiness, as if there were one great secret for living. If only we could find the perfect partner, win the Lottery, have the ideal job, ideal house... They are all big things, not always easily within our grasp.

And as we get more desperate to find happiness, we throw more money at the problem - all that shopping, drinking, overeating, plastic surgery. We do it because we think it makes us happy. But does it?

You might hope to find happiness by drinking a great deal. That's not happiness, that's distraction. Happiness is the blissful moment when the hangover cure starts to work...

Happiness isn't a great big permanent state of mind, but more a series of small pleasures. A smile from a stranger... a letter from a loved one... the first cup of tea of the day... a hug from a child... a stunning sunset... a welcoming pub at the end of a long walk... a lazy bath... a lie in... the perfect goal... a favourite song caught unexpectedly on the radio... the scent of honeysuckle... a daft text message... being snuggled on the sofa with someone nice... a glimpse of a kingfisher... a soppy old film... Wales thrashing England at rugby... no queue at the checkout... the dentist saying there's no treatment needed...

All these are small delights that we hardly notice because we're so busy in the pursuit of the big idea, the myth of perfect happiness, of permanent bliss.

It's the small treats and delights that lift our spirits, get us through the days and help us look forward to tomorrow. The small things that pretty much make life worth living.

Maybe this is the year we learn to appreciate them.

INTERESTING - and marvellous - that the people in this country have given so much to aid victims of the tsunami so quickly. But odd. There have been other disasters that have inspired nowhere near as much generosity.

Maybe because it struck us in the middle of our Christmas excess. Or maybe because so many of the faces shown on television and newspapers were European - British, Scandinavian, American.

While those people need our sympathy and understanding, they probably don't need our money. But don't knock it. For they have inspired us to dig deep for the people who will need our money for a long while yet.

And without the Western presence, we would probably not have been so generous.

MOST British women are unhappy about their looks, says new research that questioned women in 12 countries. British women have the lowest self-esteem and the least confidence about their physical attraction.

And that was BEFORE the Christmas blow out...

Gifts that are truly crackers

REMEMBER the odd present that Chris Banks from Kirk Merrington found in her cracker before Christmas? It was a sort of squidgy blob with a feather attached

"Something to tickle your fancy" said someone in the office - an idea that was echoed, less politely, by a couple of e-mailers. Much politer - and tidier - Doreen Massey of Darlington suggested it was a feather duster for a doll's house. But frankly, we're still baffled.

Sue Tyerman of Northallerton remembered her former mother-in-law making her own Christmas crackers and filling them with appropriate presents. "My husband and brother-in-law received cufflinks, my sister-in-law had a brooch, so I was quite excited when I pulled my cracker - only to discover that it contained a Brillo pad. It wasn't long after that Christmas that my husband and I split up. He was very like his mother..."

Dave Henshall of Durham worked briefly for a health education charity and when they had a box of crackers lying round the office he took them to his sister's house for his young nephew and niece. "Honestly, I hadn't known the crackers each contained a condom."

FIRST financial news of 2005 is that house prices continue to fall, which is somehow considered bad news. For people who already own a house, it makes no difference - if they move, they'll have to pay more. If they don't move, the Government will eventually scoop up a large chunk of the profit as inheritance tax.

But for those struggling to get established on the housing ladder, falling house price will finally give them a chance to own their home.

Houses are commodities that most of us buy because we need them - not just as an investment. We don't cheer when the price of other commodities - baked beans, televisions, cars - go up, so neither should we when it's houses that go beyond the reach of many.

LISTENERS to Radio 4's Today programme voted Bob Geldof as the person they would most like to see given a seat in the House of Lords.

Why?

The only reason for giving someone such a place is for them to have a platform where they can make their views heard.

As Bob Geldof is more than capable of telling people what he thinks and getting his - often admirable - views publicised, maybe the seat, however hypothetical, should have gone to someone else.

Anyway, Bob Geldof's Irish so can't be a peer and has already got an honorary knighthood.

But for a one time rebel, he's getting awfully close to being one of the Establishment.

AMONG the many plants blooming happily in my garden on Christmas Day were violets, geraniums and tulips.

Whatever happened to the seasons?

Published: 05/01/2004