Finding Your Rhythm in 2010

We are officially finishing the first month of the New Year. Has the newness worn off for you? What about the resolutions you made? What have you done? Studies show that less than 10 percent of people who make New Year resolutions actually keep them.

A friend sent this email to me "the 2010 Handbook". This is a much healthier way to set your goals and aspirations for 2010. Find your own rhythm and commit to being a better you.

2010 Handbook (Origin unknown)

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come...
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Lessons of Hope

The Haitian earthquake has brought attention and compassion to a country that has lost so much. Every day we hear about the death and the plight of the Haitian people. What impresses me most is the hope and faith of Haitians in the midst of utter despair.

This is a lesson in what it means to have faith and hope. When life is at its darkest, continue to hold on. I watched the news as they pulled a man from the rubble, and he was praising God. His shouts of joy and gratitude after being literally buried alive for almost a week are the stories of the miraculous.

The countless incredible stories of survival in the midst of the Haitian tragedy made me rethink my situation and those who are struggling. I was recently asked how it was going for me in this tough economy. I started to answer by going down the road of the “a’int it awful club.” I did an about face and corrected myself. I stated emphatically that I am doing well. For you see when I look at what is happening in Haiti, I have no reason to complain. I have the basics of life: food, water, shelter and I am alive! Trust me that reality check really puts things in perspective.

I am confident that the Haitian People will survive this, as they are a strong, independent, and faith-filled people. Haiti was the first Black republic in the world and the first country in the Western hemisphere to abolish slavery completely. Haiti is a country that can inspire the rest of the world to have hope.

¿What gifts do you share?

Today is the Feast day of the Three Kings. They were the three wise men who came to honor the Baby Jesus. In days of old; frankincense, gold, and myrrh were precious and they honored him with their presence and their gifts.

It made me wonder about the gifts that we have, and how do we honor our spirit and our selves. Do you have the gift of laughter, the gift of comfort, the gift of joy, the gift of sharing, the gift of truth, the gift of friendship? Whatever your gift I hope you are sharing it with others so that they may fully experience the wonder that is you?

Use your gifts, spread your wings, and let those around you know that you honor them by sharing a bit of yourself? The feast of the three kings is a great reminder to use our gifts wisely.

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."-Kahlil Gibran, philosopher-

Dreaming into Action 2010

I wish you all the best to make 2010 an amazing year. The first of the year is filled with so much promise. I ask you to make this promise to yourself…. to take action on your dreams. This is the year to achieve your goals.

I encourage you to move in a positive direction, and dare to be the person that you want to be. The slate is clean. Make the commitment today to take action on your dreams. There is no obstacle in your path but you. Let the history of your past be your motivation for your future. Many of us start the year with New Year’s resolutions and then forget about them. Don’t do that this year.

Your future is bright. Your dreams that are shimmering in the distance are waiting for you to grab them, Go for It!

“Reach high, for the stars lie hidden in your
soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” Pamela Vaull Starr