The kitsch poster - typically red with bold, san serif font in white capitals and topped with a crown - has become to house-proud women as a DS is to a seven-year-old.

And you've no doubt seen the mugs, the tea towels, the doormats and the key rings (keep an eye out - they're bound to be on sale in today's Boxing Day madness).

Brace for a history lesson, because your erstwhile correspondent did a little bit of research on the popular slogan (thank you, Mr Google).

It dates to 1939, at the beginning of World War II in Britain. Produced by the Ministry of Information, the idea was that the poster would boost community morale.

There were others too.

Prequels included, ``Freedom is in Peril. Defend it with all your Might'' and ``Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory''.

They were slapped on any clear surface around the streets of London, Manchester, Birmingham and so on, basically to cheer people up.

The war had begun and the authorities of the day thought that was a pretty demoralising sort of thing for the general populace to come to grips with, so ``tally-ho'' they said, ``let's pop some pretty posters about, turn those frowns upside down''.

I kinda like the idea.

I like the idea that a king and his government were concerned for the well-being of the people, or at least the effect that might have on the economy.

With today's uncertainty - the lack of jobs, the budget cuts, the economic mayhem in Europe - it's a wonder we aren't seeing ``KEEP CALM and CARRY ON'' posters pasted to telegraph poles and notice boards.

Just for the record Mr Mayor, Ms Premier - I'm all for it.

But seriously, there's much to be said for mottos, whether they be on a personal level or a grand scale. They keep our focus on the long term rather than the turbulent and temporary. They help us to develop staying power and slog towards that light at the end of the tunnel.

I like this one: ``Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own'' (Matthew 6:34).

This maxim reminds me that we're never alone: ``I can do all this through Him who gives me strength'' (Philippians 4:13).

But if there was one slogan I'd like to see brandished by our city, it would be this: ``Do to others as you would have them do to you'' (Luke 6:31).

I invite you to take this one on board as your own personal motto for 2012.

(If I had the resources, I'd print you a poster to Blu-Tack to the back of your dunny door.)