Jacoby Poulain: Acknowledge good and enjoy more

With limited budget versus unlimited wants and needs it's easy to see how some would feel disappointed.

Be thankful for what you have and you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have you will never ever have enough."

These wise words are the mantra by which Oprah Winfrey lives by. Sixteen years ago, Oprah started a gratitude journal and every day began writing down five things she was grateful for. She believes keeping this journal was the single most important thing she's ever done. From fresh flowers to the kindness of a stranger, Oprah says recognising and acknowledging these things made her more alive and receptive to the goodness in her life, and consequently more showed up.

I've been taking note recently of the Government's budget announcement and people's reaction to it. With limited budget versus unlimited wants and needs it's easy to see how some would feel disappointed, or disgruntled even, when they get missed out. I find that it's easy at times to take notice of what we don't get in life, but harder to see the good we already have.

We live in one of the most beautiful and serene countries in the world. Our Government endeavours to provide equity of access and success in first-class tertiary education to all through the student loan scheme.

Such schemes are not available in all other countries. We have access to a public health care system that is free or low cost. This system is quality compared to Third World conditions and sets us largely free from the hurdles of private insurance claims. Further on this note, we have our Accident Compensation Corporation scheme that provides us cover for personal injury or death irrespective of fault, and removes the requirement of having to fight through litigation for treatment.

We do live in a good country, and while this Government's budget may not have impressed all it does have some merit and quite a bit of good should we so choose to look for it .

In particular I take interest in the affordable housing aspect. Across our country and region discussions are being had between relevant parties in this arena. Potentially new partnerships will be created in order to deliver housing and wider support services to those eligible. I tend to agree with Housing Minister Nick Smith's view that the strength of community housing providers is that they can do a better job of meeting the complex needs of families and individuals that often go beyond just housing. I look forward to seeing developments on this front.

Then there's the controversial Feed The Kids Bill.

Using official household income statistics, it is estimated that child poverty has doubled in New Zealand over the last 30 years with a very poor ranking alongside other developed nations.

I understand and agree that naturally parents should take responsibility for feeding their children before sending them to school. However, the stark reality is that many simply can't or don't. Five and six-year-olds are left powerless to the situation. It was disappointing to hear that funding was not allocated for the bill. However, as I understand, Prime Minister John Key has spoken of the potential backing of the business community to help address the situation.

I look forward to seeing development on this front.

Oprah's not my only guru but surely is someone whom I take note of and learn from - when we anticipate goodness it has an uncanny way of showing up and hopefully will more in our issues as we seek it.

Jacoby Poulain is a Hastings District Council Flaxmere Ward councillor.