I'll be the first one to admit I am not in to New Year's resolutions. In fact, I would argue it's almost become a punchline in recent years because everyone jokes about the resolutions they made at the start of the year only to realize by the end of January that they forgot what they resolved to do (with all good intentions) a few short weeks earlier. As I poke fun I must admit three things about myself that may seem just as silly to you about myself: First: I am proud to have been born, raised and lived most of my life in the great state of Texas, Second: I AM extremely superstitious and Third: (as we say in Texas) I will be eating me a big ole bowl of black eyed peas for good luck on New Year's Day!
It's worked pretty well so far and I see no reason to jinx it now!
So although I am not a fan of the New Year's reSolution I think the New Year is a great time to consider what reVolutions need to be made. What a great contrast can be drawn here just by changing one letter in a word. Although the difference in spelling and and grammar is minute the difference in meaning is enormous! Paraphrasing my trusty desk dictionary a resolution is an individual decision meant to change an individuals thinking. A revolution, by contrast is a radical and pervasive change that impacts society as a whole. So I ask you, as we sit on the doorstep of 2012, is your intention to make incremental changes in your thoughts and behaviors that might (for a short time) make you feel better about yourself or would you rather do things radically different that dare I say, could change the world and leave an indelible mark?
Mahatma Gandhi said "we must be the change we want to see." This is one of those things that is so simple that you have to ask the question "then why are so few people doing anything?" If we are waiting for others to change our circumstances, our well-being and our world then I suggest 2012 will be just another year where very little does change and we diligently seek to find people and things to blame - all except, of course, ourselves. What if instead we make 2012 a year where we are the catalysts and we do the work to be the change? Do you see your future getting brighter and your opportunities coming in to focus? I sure do. Let me quickly add a warning sign as you enter the freeway for change and start accelerating to your destinations for 2012:
Warning: Lots of Hard Work Ahead.
The truth is, most people don't like (read are afraid) of change. The more you try the more resistance you will face. I challenge you to keep pushing forward and not be dissuaded by nay sayers and so called realists who will tell you all the reasons why what you have set out to change won't work. It may not be easy but most of the best things in life never are. I submit the examples of Thomas Edison, Mother Theresa and Anne Frank if you want to use their lives as examples of drawing a road map of success in the most trying of circumstances.
In closing, my challenge for you is to make 2012 the year of 212. It's still one of my favorite analogies. At 211 degrees water is hot. At 212 water boils. With boiling water comes steam. With steam you can power a train. One extra degree makes all the difference. I challenge you to find the one extra degree of difference that will make 2012 a REVOLUTIONARY new year!
Thank you for reading my blog this year. I am humbled and honored that you consider it a good use of your time and I appreciate the great feedback, comments and compliments I have received. Happy New Year to all of you!
No comments:
Post a Comment