The recent growth in diaries and journals has offered many people incredible insights into their own minds, and what motivates or deflates them.

In my own case, I kept a private journal that described not only my days, but my thoughts and reactions to them.  I found I objectified people into cubbyholes of blame or envy, eventually recognizing for myself my own patterns of self-defeating reactions to adversity. 

Once I saw and accepted that life was my own making, I only had to decide my own responses: positive or negative.  It’s far better that you learn earlier than later that when you accept responsibility for your own reactions, everything changes for the better!

So many times we end our year by looking back on the lowlights more than we do on the highlights.  Instead, take your time to write on a piece of paper what the best things were over 2010, and why.

After you start searching your memory for those better moments, you will position yourself for the upcoming year with a more positive outlook and receptive heart.

When I was on your side I used to work hard at trying to make things go well.  So when something didn’t, it really stood out in my mind and (forgive me) even crushed my heart at times.  But now I see the wisdom of trusting that no matter what - in every situation - there is God’s hand at work. 

Look through your heart’s eyes to uncover what God has given you this year that has carried you forward with Him.  Blessings are only disguised when one doesn’t look closer.

Happy New Year!

After football practice I always liked to take my time coming home, thinking about my future as I walked.  Sometimes I would imagine myself as student body president, and boy it felt great!

What I found out later (after I died) is that my walks and talks with myself did me a world of good.  It seems that as I walked, my higher heart rate assisted my thoughts in reaching a positive outlook along with powerful ideas toward reaching goals.

Eventually I became class president and even initiated a foreign exchange program for students which did, indeed, open a new and exciting world for all of us!