365 Words of Encouragement

Tomorrow marks the beginning of another year, as arbitrarily defined by man many moons ago. It could have been any other day, as the Chinese New Year suggests, but for most people reading this, it is January 1. I have no idea who thought of making resolutions, but I love the idea of bettering oneself. The fact that it only happens once each year is somewhat disappointing to me, but there are some things that are out of my control.Whether you are a person who lives by the resolution or who doesn't wait until January 1 to set a new goal, let the hype of a “new year” inspire you to make a change for the better. By all means, reassess your lifestyle, look to the future and what you want to be. But don’t forget, if you make a resolution, to pursue it with as much quality support as you can. That is my only guideline; my most important piece of advice. Whether you are trying to quit something, do more of another thing, or work toward a meaningful achievement, do so with a cheering section. Do so with accountability. Do so with something to lose. We all know that tricking, deceiving, and breaking promises to ourselves is easier than making any commitment to someone else. Make yourself accountable. If you truly believe you need to make a change for the better don’t just tell yourself, tell your closest friends and family. Put your money where your mouth is. Am I missing any clichés? I think I hit them all.My point is this. First, believe that your life can be like the movies, full of a rich story line and a breathtaking climaxes. Second, create a situation in which the outcome of your pursuits matters. Make sure that you can’t sabotage yourself. That way, you won’t have a choice but to succeed. And trust me, you can succeed. Now go have a minute of thought, write down some ideas, and tell as many important people in your life as you can how you plan on crushing 2013. Happy Monday, happy December 31, happy birthday to some people, and happy new year to all!