It’s almost here…the end of the year. But even more amazing (at least to me) is that it is almost the end of a decade, and that decade is the first of 2000! I still remember all the Millennium madness of “Y2K”…wasn’t that the name of what we were all being scared about back then?
Seems distant, but not 10 years ago…

So how is your life different? Are you now where you thought you would be ten years ago?

Thinking back, my life has changed dramatically. I have given birth to three thriving, energetic and happy boys, rescued our first family dog, created a beautiful, comfortable home, and am stronger in love with my husband through the stresses and joys of parenthood. Our families have grown through marriage and the birth of at least 5 new children. I have championed my mother through thyroid cancer and breast cancer, and my father through a massive heart attack. I have seen MS, a horrible disease take my brother in law from a young, strong Yacht Captain to a dependent nursing home patient and a wheel chair in under 2 years, and watched my vibrant and unstoppable mother in law battle lung and now brain cancer.
However, I am so amazingly happy to say that this new year, I still have them all with me…including my maternal grandmother who, at 87 is the matriarch of my family, and as beautiful and sweet as ever.
I truly am blessed. After all, through all the trials and tribulations of life, family is my constant. Good and bad, it is the life line that keeps me grounded…
May I just add that sometimes they bury me in that ground, but I claw my way back out with more strength, more resolve and more focus on the way I want my life to look than before.

So as this year comes to an end, I am excited with possibility. I have already written the goals I have for myself for this year, and have put them on the wall where I can see them everyday. I hope you do the same. I also plan on making a 5 year and a 10 year list as well. In my January post, I am going to break down the categories and make goals for each month of each of the categories. Stay tuned…

Until then, I wish you all a very wonderful Holiday season, may you be filled with the possibility of tomorrow!….

Christina

Have you ever looked a successful person and thought, “Oh if only I had…” insert your missing piece of greatness making stuff here, “I could….” insert your resulting success here.

They–the successful people, seem more capable, more talented, more resourceful and more gifted than we could ever hope to be.
Unfortunately it very well may be true, at this given moment in time. But here’s the great thing…
we can change! We can read and learn and make new and better decisions for ourselves. Maybe instead of looking out at what it seems they have internally and externally, we better serve ourselves by looking inward at where we are, who we are now, and who we want to become…
So at the risk of sounding simple…

Just begin. Take One Step.

When we are flat on our backs, when we are at our lowest or very close to it—when we have nowhere to go—get up! Business philosopher Jim Rohn says, “Be grateful for your adversity. At the same time, make sure that it’s working for your future, not against you. Make your failures give birth to great opportunity, not prolonged agony. Make your disgust lead to inspiration, not depression. The world will willingly sit by and let you wallow in your sorrows… until you die broke and alone. And here’s what else the world will do. The world will step aside and let you by, once you decide that your present situation is only temporary. The doors will open once you decide to get back on your feet and make your mark”.

Just begin, Where You Are.

Give yourself permission to improve by at least one percent everyday, aim in the straightest direction towards your goals, and fire.
Whether it be improving your physical health, your psychological health, or a personal relationship– with your partner, your child, your boss, your employees or coworkers. Do something, anything positive, everyday.

Begin now. One Percent.

No one can do this for us…When we commit to improving our life everyday, even if only by 1%, we are strengthening our own resolve, working our own muscles, caring for our own responsibilities, which includes ourselves, and doing it…now look inward, and get up, back on your feet and move.

Then, pat yourself on the back and say job well done…