HAPPY NEW YEAR

As with every New Year, millions and millions of people will be making resolutions that they intend to keep. For many this is a huge challenge to undertake.  Of course I'm included in this number as well.  But, this year I will approach things a little differently. I intend to handle one situation at a time, and thats solely based of its priority in the big scheme of things.  Either way I will, without fail be successful in tackling my small list of resolutions this year.

Now I'm not sure if you are following my approach or fully understand what just happened in the above statements.  What I've done here is state my resolutions by way of affirmations. I stated them in the most positive and assuring way possible, with the aide of two little words.... I WILL.

Enough said on the subject. Nothing left for me to do but.. IMPLEMENTATION!  Try it this year, for yourself and accept nothing less.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!  

2010 and Beyond

Lately we've all been tied up with decorating, wrapping, giving and receiving. There's nothing wrong with any of this, unless you're part of the group who only waits until Xmas or a specific occasion to do these things.

Well, its no better time like the present to address what I call lifestyles of an empty vessel.

In a few short days, it will be a brand spanking new.., New Year.  Another year filled with possibilities and an abundance of opportunities to be had.  Surprisingly, all of the aforementioned were available and ripe for the taking this year and last year. Yet, so many of us limit ourselves from reaping a harvest full of these needs and wants. We tend to follow through with old and familiar bad habits, that block or stop us from having success and being successful.  I've heard it said that, "should one seek success; make sure you take advise from or at least start hanging out with successful people".  By doing this, we're assured to spend much more of our time talking about ideas, rather than spending it, talking about other people. 

It's really not rocket science, to get these valuable essentials done. Again and I repeat, there's no better time than right now, to make the decision to clean up our act and get our head in the game.

One of the very first things to do is to start dreaming huge, gigantic, enormous, monumental, earth shattering and life-changing dreams. Set realistic goals and take the time to write them down. Just remember that any goal worth setting is worth writing down. Any unwritten goal, is nothing more than a mere dream.

I'm quite sure there are some dreams and goals that were not accomplished this year or during the last one. Reach back and assess whether or not they are still important enough, for you to revisit and bring back into your present or your future life.

As with every incoming New Year, millions will be making new resolutions to accomplish. Amazingly, many will make them, but only a few will actually achieve them.  Hopefully, one of your goals will be to help as many people as you can to reach their goals. That's one of the many things I'm personally going to be doing.

Here's one of my diamond nuggets for any year.  Someone said, "Aspire to Inspire, before you Expire"!

It's all a choice of course, but..... what will you do?

Life's Evening Sun

When I first met my wife, we enjoyed traveling down on every available weekend we had, to whats known as the "Southern Most Point" of the U.S., which is located in KeyWest Florida.  One of the many sights and sounds we enjoyed most was to go to the pier and watch all of the tourist from other places as well as the locals. There was always more than enough music, food, drinks and performers around to entertain everyone to their fill.  Although, out of all of the aforementioned, nothing was more spectacular than to sit and watch the sunset.  Words or even a photograph with the most expensive NIKON camera and its host of accessories, could capture the majestic view of a KeyWest sunset.  In other words, what I'm trying to say is, you really have to see it for yourself, even if it's by yourself, with your own eyes.

Luckily, there are sunsets everywhere. So there really should be no excuse for not being witness to one of these amazing events on planet earth. Thank goodness there's even somewhat of a schedule to sunsets, you just have to plan a little bit and make sure you don't miss it by deciding to take a beauty nap. 

Here's one from as far north as the northpole. With this being captured in the month of December, I guess the people there really have it made.  They get a serious winter snow, Santa Claus, reindeer and his helpers for neighbors and a fantastic sunset to finish off the day.  Awesome!!



I can imagine that even in times past and long ago, when the great Pharoahs ruled, and had the power to  order the enslavement of millions, and then giving them the monumental tasks of gathering the tools and materials needed to construct and build the great tombs and pyramids of Egypt.  Surely, all of the task masters were hard and driven men, who's primary and focused goal, was to get the work started and completed at any cost, even if it took all day, with little or no rest, and even if it meant millions had to die..

I somehow believe that, to each one of those enslaved, nothing was more satisfying than their belief, that a day would come when they would be rewarded for their labor. When that great day came, both the enslaved and their oppressors gave witness to the breathtaking sunset unveiling equally before them.  A sunset not made by the hands of man; one that would miraculously place the beauty of a setting sun, as a magnificent backdrop to the results of their finshed masterpiece of labor in the foreground. 

Fortunately, no matter where you are on this planet, you can witness for yourself the beauty and magnificent graciousness of a sunset. I personally have been blessed to see quite a few and I have yet to become bored, tired or allowed myself to take any of them for granted.

I also realize that I raved on and on about the sunsets in KeyWest, but to be honest with you, my only desire is to make sure, that you do everything humanly possible to share the next sunset you are blessed to see, with someone you... LOVE.    

 



       

KEEPER

There are times when people whom I consider gifted and blessed, are able to pick up a pen and lay it to paper in a fashion thats not only creative, but inspired and in my opinion lead by the hand of the Almighty.  This piece, in which you're about to receive is not only beatiful, but is also quite humbling as well.  This piece was sent to me by a dear friend. The author of these writings is believed to be, Inger Reid Hanna.

Here's her message....

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore". No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more, "just one minute".

Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye.., or say "I love You".

So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick.

This is true for marriage..and old cars..and children with bad report cards..,and dogs with bad hips..and aging parents and grandparents.  We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Sometimes things we keep..like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce.  There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important, like people we know, who are special..and so we keep them close!

Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your family and friends know that you love them?

I wondered, if I had any wounds that needing healing; friendships that need rekindling or three words needing to be said?

If I were you, I would let each of them know that I love them, even if they did not love me back. You would be amazed at what those three words and a smile can do.

And just in case, I'm gone tomorrow... I Love You!