New Years Eve 2010

Another year has flown by and we all start thinking about the successes and challenges of 2010. The great thing for all of us is that the past does not matter any longer. We have been given the gift of future opportunity by God and we alone choose whether to wallow around in frustration about past mistakes, or take advantage of the fresh start that a new year provides.

Regardless of your current situation, it can be changed! The key is for you to make a decision RIGHT NOW to make the changes you really want in your life. We are not helpless victims without any control over our lives and situations.

Take some time to think about the life you want in 2011. Make it fun and get the whole family involved. Dream about what you want to be like, what you want to do, where you want to go, how your heart desires to serve others and what you want to own. Most of us don't take the time to dream anymore as we are "mature adults". How can you really make a plan if you don't even know what you want?

As you dream, get your emotions into the act. How does the successful achievement of your desires make you feel. Enjoy the peace of mind you have as you get that bill paid, the hot sun on your face as your spend time on that far away island. Imagine the joy you feel as you minister to the needs of someone less fortunate than yourself. Bask in the glow of a better relationship with your spouse and kids. Think about the beautiful reconciliation with broken relationships of the past. Even dare to enjoy that new item you have been dreaming about for years.

As you sit and enjoy the future, start to make a plan to make it reality. It is amazing that the smallest, simplest steps can have a huge impact on fulfilling the dreams we have thought were impossible to achieve. Just thinking about them, and taking a small step each day will bring about massive change in your life.

To make your dreams as real as possible, here are a few tips:
1. Write down what you want
2. Post it somewhere that will force you to read your dreams every day (bathroom mirror, frig, office desk)
3. Each day after you read about your dreams, take the time to experience the emotions attached. Feel the goodness of achieving them.
4. Ask yourself, what is the next best step I can take today to make these dreams come true. Make the steps small and easy.
5. Most importantly, have faith in God. He has created you and placed the dreams you have in your heart. Trust Him to do "immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine".

If you are tired of the joke we play on ourselves called New Years Resolutions, try something different this year. Take the steps above and see where 2011 takes you.

Happy New Year and may God bless you and your family.

Jeff