But I would be naive not to recognize the number of musicians who tell me they have been influenced by me and sight me - as well as Alex and Neil - as a musician who has been a positive influence on their playing.

I think everyone goes through chapters in their life and there was a time when I wasn't feeling terribly positive about what I was contributing to film or wasn't feeling as if I was going in the direction I wanted and I re-evaluated what I was doing.

The wonderful Mozambican people have endured tremendous misery without losing their dignity and their positive outlook on life. Moreover they have not lost their will to progress and develop. Mozambique is a country where the people never surrendered.

It has been argued that British girls are incapable of deep feeling or brilliant acting owing to their lack of temperament. This I am positive is not true.

Now is the time for the U.S. and the nations of Western Europe who engaged in the slave trade throughout this hemisphere to come forward in a positive way to assist in undoing the harm that was caused by their past colonial policies in the hemisphere.

I think people in Botswana are pleased that my books paint a positive picture of their lives and portray the country as being very special. They've made a great success of their country and the people are fed up with the constant reporting of only the problems and poverty of the continent. They welcome something which puts the positive side.

If the amount of money going into the war economy were invested in landscape restoration we would be in a far more positive position. It may get a little dire before we pull together but I think when the prosperous nations and in particular the U.S. realize they're wrecking their own kids' lives there will be a mass change in value.

Each season I find myself constantly inspired by 'The Biggest Loser' contestants. Their tenacity and willingness to learn new healthy habits is tremendous and the results speak for themselves. I am honored to be part of such an inspiring program that helps inspire positive change in so many lives.

Don't give up be positive and if you know someone who knows someone at a record company don't stop beating down their door till you get heard. Don't ever say it'll never happen or it'll never happen.

Flexible working is not just for women with children. It is necessary at the other end of the scale. If people can move into part-time work instead of retirement then that will be a huge help. If people can fit their work around caring responsibilities for the elderly the disabled then again that's very positive.