New Year, New Focus

It's easy to say, "I'm gonna make some changes this year... This year is gonna be better than the last... This year, things are gonna be great..." but making that happen is something else entirely

Each year presents a new set of possibilities, a different set of priorities, a totally clean slate - how do we prepare ourselves to make changes? Make a to-do list? Create a personal inventory? 

The word "inventory" - meaning "a detailed list of all the items on hand" and only slightly related to the word "invent," which means "fictional, made-up, imaginary" - implies that we need to take stock of what our assets are, but is it necessary to make a new list each time? Review any new assets, new challenges, new opportunities? Is there a way to reinvent ourselves so we don't have to keep doing it over and over again?

There will be dark days ahead. There will be choices and milestones. There will be joy. My main objectives this year are to help my family, find personal freedom, and be of service to those in need. I will write. I will find creative focus. I will do good in the world.

I suppose it's up to us as to whether or not we are willing to risk going into the unknown, to push ourselves, try new things, open old wounds and expose ourselves to the world, attempt to fix mistakes and make things better - but is this just another distraction to keep us from finding true inner peace and living happier lives? If life is a bowl of cherries, why are there so many pits?

There will always be obstacles in our way, but sometimes we just have to swim upstream anyway; we really need to try to live up to our ideals, be honest, do the right thing. It isn't just enough to take stock of ourselves... When we feel compelled to look up at the stars, surely we can also find a way to look within ourselves, see our soul's worth and make the most of what little time we have

Seek your soul. Introduce yourself, shake hands and step into the light - here's to making it count