The first IMPACT of a new year is always special, like the
first footprints on new snow. I want it to set the tone for
everything to follow, the way the first hour of the morning
sets the tone for the entire day.
As long-time subscribers know, I write because of my belief
that we each have the ability to live extraordinary lives.
Each of us is unique and colorful, with our own sense of
hope, vision, and possibility, and we are the most
intelligent beings on earth. We can go to the moon, make
music, invent stuff, and love one another.
And yet, too often our days are filled with stress and
fatigue. We are so busy we forget to watch the dawn, we
fail to smile, we don't laugh enough. We take our vitamins
and check the news, but ignore our need for hugs, and for
kindness. I am often troubled by Henry Thoreau's
observation that "most men live lives of quiet
desperation." For myself, I want him to be seriously
mistaken!
As we begin another year, I am re-committing to living a
great life. My highest and best goals for this year are to
have more fun, to get more hugs, to give more joy, to make
a positive difference on this small planet.
I have our annual list of specific goals. I have
first footprints on new snow. I want it to set the tone for
everything to follow, the way the first hour of the morning
sets the tone for the entire day.
As long-time subscribers know, I write because of my belief
that we each have the ability to live extraordinary lives.
Each of us is unique and colorful, with our own sense of
hope, vision, and possibility, and we are the most
intelligent beings on earth. We can go to the moon, make
music, invent stuff, and love one another.
And yet, too often our days are filled with stress and
fatigue. We are so busy we forget to watch the dawn, we
fail to smile, we don't laugh enough. We take our vitamins
and check the news, but ignore our need for hugs, and for
kindness. I am often troubled by Henry Thoreau's
observation that "most men live lives of quiet
desperation." For myself, I want him to be seriously
mistaken!
As we begin another year, I am re-committing to living a
great life. My highest and best goals for this year are to
have more fun, to get more hugs, to give more joy, to make
a positive difference on this small planet.
I have our annual list of specific goals. I have
7 categories this year, ranging from family finances to
travel and work, but the central theme for the year is joy
and our motto is "Sweet Sixteen!" It's going to be a very
sweet, warm and wonderful year!
Your goals and your system for attaining them may be very
different, but here is the most important thing I can share
with you at the start of a new year. Are you ready?
Here it is: Have a great day!
Annie Dillard noted that, "How we live our days is how we
live our lives." To make 2016 a great year, you'll need
approximately 366 great days (note we get a bonus day this
year!), and most days begin in the morning. So it follows
that to have a great year, start with a good breakfast!
In all seriousness, how you begin the morning sets the tone
for the day, which is the time of your life. This is
important stuff! Choose the first hour of your day very
wisely!
For some people, a great day begins with reading or prayer;
others get up and exercise. Some make oatmeal, fruit and
coffee; I usually get up, walk the dog and write for a few
minutes. Henry Thoreau recommended getting up very early to
greet the dawn. Other people need to begin their day a bit
later. I'm not sure it matters what time the clock says; I
do think it is profoundly important that you begin the day
at the time and in the way you know is perfect for you.
This is your life! You can't wait for "someday" to enjoy
it! You can't wait for a "big break", for a raise, for a
better economy, warmer weather or better sex. As someone
wisely said, "don't wait for your ship come in, swim out to
meet it!"
Here are a couple suggestions to have 366 great days this
year:
1. Choose how you want to start your morning. Think
carefully about what gets you going, what seems "right" and
special. What empowers you, gives you confidence and energy
for the day? Be intentional about the morning! Negotiate
your schedule, explain to the kids, get a jogging partner,
whatever it takes, make it happen.
2. Start your morning the night before. Set the breakfast
table, arrange your wardrobe, identify your most important
tasks, get organized for a fantastic day! Set the alarm
clock, get a good night's sleep, wake up with a plan and
activate it immediately.
Make 2016 your best year ever. Arrange for lots of highly
productive, extremely good days! Work hard, play often.
Sing and dance, read more, hug and laugh more. Be more
daring, take more naps, invent something, take a trip, have
Sunday brunch with your best friend. Arrange for
approximately 366 great days and I suspect the year will
take care of itself!
travel and work, but the central theme for the year is joy
and our motto is "Sweet Sixteen!" It's going to be a very
sweet, warm and wonderful year!
Your goals and your system for attaining them may be very
different, but here is the most important thing I can share
with you at the start of a new year. Are you ready?
Here it is: Have a great day!
Annie Dillard noted that, "How we live our days is how we
live our lives." To make 2016 a great year, you'll need
approximately 366 great days (note we get a bonus day this
year!), and most days begin in the morning. So it follows
that to have a great year, start with a good breakfast!
In all seriousness, how you begin the morning sets the tone
for the day, which is the time of your life. This is
important stuff! Choose the first hour of your day very
wisely!
For some people, a great day begins with reading or prayer;
others get up and exercise. Some make oatmeal, fruit and
coffee; I usually get up, walk the dog and write for a few
minutes. Henry Thoreau recommended getting up very early to
greet the dawn. Other people need to begin their day a bit
later. I'm not sure it matters what time the clock says; I
do think it is profoundly important that you begin the day
at the time and in the way you know is perfect for you.
This is your life! You can't wait for "someday" to enjoy
it! You can't wait for a "big break", for a raise, for a
better economy, warmer weather or better sex. As someone
wisely said, "don't wait for your ship come in, swim out to
meet it!"
Here are a couple suggestions to have 366 great days this
year:
1. Choose how you want to start your morning. Think
carefully about what gets you going, what seems "right" and
special. What empowers you, gives you confidence and energy
for the day? Be intentional about the morning! Negotiate
your schedule, explain to the kids, get a jogging partner,
whatever it takes, make it happen.
2. Start your morning the night before. Set the breakfast
table, arrange your wardrobe, identify your most important
tasks, get organized for a fantastic day! Set the alarm
clock, get a good night's sleep, wake up with a plan and
activate it immediately.
Make 2016 your best year ever. Arrange for lots of highly
productive, extremely good days! Work hard, play often.
Sing and dance, read more, hug and laugh more. Be more
daring, take more naps, invent something, take a trip, have
Sunday brunch with your best friend. Arrange for
approximately 366 great days and I suspect the year will
take care of itself!
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