PULLING OFF THE BAND-AID OF 2008

It's funny how long it takes us to pull all the decorations out, hang the lights, and set up all our little Christmas lawn ornaments. Taking them down though is so fast. Why is that? I went into my house last night and when I came out today, every semblance of Christmas glitter was gone from all the neighboring lawns, except my own. I was still busy in the house tinkering with my new Christmas toys. I told my friends it was like the last scene in a Santa movie where he shows up in town, everyone believes he's real, and when you go back the next day...he's gone. "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" is a good example of that, but just when she is ready to give up on her Christmas dream...it shows up. The cane being left behind is such a poignant touch. My lawn was like that cane today, all that was left of Christmas was the lawn ornaments I still had up. My little Angel and my Santa Sign were the only visions left behind, and probably tomorrow they will be gone also.

It takes a few days to let the let-down sink in and bring us back to our old selves. To some it's like pulling off a band-aid...really quick. For me, I like to savor the last few days of the year and reflect on what has come into my life, and what new things I expect for the New Year. This is going to be a big year for me...I've made my goals and prayed my prayers, set my plans in motion, and can't wait to see them evolve from the dreams they came in. It took some time, but I never lost hope, and I know that this is the year I reap the rewards of my work.

What kind of plans have you made? Have you set a mission statement for your business or even for your personal life? You can get a little help with it on one of my other blogs MASTER BOOKS Nightingale Conant has one where you can just fill in the blanks and it helps to put all the pieces together. Make it a commitment this year to write one, let it be your New Year's Resolution. It will give you a much better idea of what to expect from yourself by this time next Year. Give it a try.





GOOGLE

SANTA IS IN TOWN

GOOGLE
Good thing we got the snow plowed away for Santa to arrive in our neck of the woods today. Here in Norton, Santa is making a stop over at Joe Carlino's house, where he will be handing out presents and finding out what all the children want for Christmas this year. Joe and Santa are great friends, and I'm sure the kids will all enjoy a moment to catch his ear about their holiday wishes.

GOD WANTS US TO FAIL....FIRST!

Image via WikipediaOver the weekend my friend James and I were discussing failure and how we know we are better people as a result of our failures. We talked about how we know that God wants us to fail, so we can learn from our mistakes, and how he carries us through the hard times. (Footprints). His father taught him that, I learned from my own mistakes that mistakes are good lessons. My father's lesson to me came in the form of abuse but also in these words. "Be a leader...Not a follower", he also said "It's all in your head." He was absolutely right on both counts.
I was reminded of this conversation with my friend James by an email I got this morning from Dean Hunt, on his blog he discusses "Failing Upward" He has a video on there that makes it all so clear. So stop by Dean's blog today and pick up some info on how to fail...but check out all the ways to succeed also. He has a wealth of successful resources.
IF THIS IS NOT THE LAW OF ATTRACTION...THEN WHAT IS IT?
FIND OUT HERE

THEY CALLED HER ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

Image via Wikipedia"Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it."
William Feather
1889-1981, Writer

I have had a day of reflection today! I lost a dear friend, although I had not seen her for a while, she was often on my mind. I actually appreciate days like this because it makes us take time to reflect and realize how precious our time on this planet is. It makes us want to get to everything done “yesterday,” but that is not what we need to do. It is much wiser to appreciate the day that you are in…the “now“…the “present“…always, as if it might be your last. Live everyday to the fullest, without just filling your day. Tomorrow is the anniversary of the loss of my daughter. If I had not had that experience (losing a child)I would not have been able to say to my friend’s children, “She is where she wants to be now, she is with her son, who she cared for through his cancer, into death.

It is really hard for a mother to have a child leave before them. I remember my mother’s passing (as I was the one that managed her care) and the night before, I sat with my Grammy as she sipped her glass of port and she told me precious, funny stories about my mother, my grandfather and my mother’s brothers and sisters. She got me through that night, and we did it with laughter. My Grammy was really strong that night, but after my mother passed, I think it was too hard for her. One of my Aunt’s said, she could not live knowing my mother went before her. I really never believed that because, I went on to care for my mother just after my child passed. You are as strong as you need to be, God always carries us through those times. I think that my Grammy just reached her time. They referred to her as Eleanor Roosevelt at her funeral, I’ve never forgotten that. She did quite a bit of traveling, despite any health issues she had. She was happy and she had a wonderful life. There was always laughter around her. This is what a day of reflection does....it shows you why life is so precious, why we should eat every moment as if it was our last bite.

So tomorrow, when you begin your day, choose to take a bite out of life, for all who passed before us, and don’t forget to have a lot of laughter...it is the best medicine, so they say.

Make a choice to watch it, read it or live it…but at least try it, and remember this:
The Secret

Thoughts do become things.
There are no coincidences.
Miracles are all around us.
Ask, Believe and you will receive.
It all begins with baby steps.