Happy New Year 2008

During the year when people would ask how I was doing, my answer was, “I’m on top of the world”. Much to the amazement of those hearing my response, it lead to a variety of reactions; some asked if I could tell them to “the secret”, but most of the people either looked back at me strange or in amazement. Some didn’t really know how to respond at all, looking at me a little strange and longer to see if I would change my mind, or at least change the look on my face.

Aside from “The Sopranos” series coming to an end, I can't think of anything that I would have changed. This past year has been one of the best that I can remember. It was a year filled with many transformations; some of emerging, becoming and being in many ways, while still leaving a lot of room for growth in the future.

Over the course of the Christmas Season, I was also asked the familiar annual question, “What are your new year’s resolutions?” To be very honest, I'm still digesting last year’s blessings.

I hope that this New Year is filled with many blessings for all of you too!

For those that want to know; these are the Top 10 New Year’s resolutions:
1. Get out of debt or save money
2. Lose Weight
3. Develop a healthy habit (e.g. exercise or healthy eating)
4. Get organized
5. Develop a new skill or talent
6. Spend more time with family or friends
7. Other
8. Work less, play more
9. Break an unhealthy habit
10. Change employment
franklincovey.com

When Did You Stop ...?

Among the sea of greeting cards, I was struck by the image of this card because of what it represented to me; a freedom and openess to the wonder of life, a display of joy that can only flow from the singing heart of a child. And off to left, is that a snow angel, a further sign of the liberted heart, or is it the image of the peaceful dove? I'll let you decide for yourself.

Strangley enough though, in a season filled with snow, beautiful Christmas tales, pageants and carols, this card reminds me of the Irish Proverb:

"Dance as if no one's watching, sing as if no one's listening,
and live everyday as if it were your last".

In the silence of your heart, recall a time when life was much simpler;
imagine yourself as a child, full of wonder, joyfully playing in the snow, with a song in your heart. Maybe you were alone, maybe you were with a group of people... Rest in that joy, this is the spirit of Christmas.

For many, this image of themselves has long passed. For others, the joy of this child was something that they could only wish for, and never experienced for themselves.

If you find you are having difficulty imagining yourself as this child and sharing in his joy,
I invite you to ask yourself:

"When did the music stop?"
"When did you stop dancing?"
"When did you stop singing?"
"When did you stop wondering?"

The answers may surprise you; the length of time that the music has been silenced, the dances that have been sat out, the songs that were on your lips but never sung, and how much of life that has passed you by from the inability to wonder any longer.

Know that the music has not gone away, it just cannot be heard.
It is still playing in the depths of your heart and needs to be
re-birthed;
It is the music that only a child knows how to play,
it is the dance that only a child knows the steps,
it is the song that only a child knows the words;
it is the Wonder of the Birth of the Christ Child.
This year, invite the Child to be re-born within you!

Merry Christmas Everyone !

"Give me the heart of a child and the awesome courage to live it out"
Catherine Doherty

*Christmas Card from AbbeyPress.com