This Page Intentionally Left Blank

The phrase “This page is intentionally left blank” is ironic because, obviously, any page with this phrase written upon it, it really not blank at all. A blank page is clean and new waiting and ready to be shaped and molded - waiting to become something. Just like this blog entry, which seemingly is going nowhere….but just you hang on…have a little faith.

January is like a blank page. At least I like to think so. I like January because it’s the beginning of the New Year and in my mind, is a time to begin anew. It is a time to reevaluate and recommit to being better. The ongoing joke is that, of course, we all make our new year’s resolutions in January only to have them go by the wayside in March (if we’re really ambitious). Realistically speaking, they are typically gone by the wayside before March. This year is going to be different and I mean it!

I am not going to miss 2009 and am glad it’s gone. Good riddance. So……
My top five new year’s resolutions for 2010:

1.) Be more positive and optimistic (“the glass is half FULL”)
2.) Enjoy socializing with others (drop the “I hate people” act)
3.) Be less critical of myself and others
4.) Give more service to others
5.) Be more believing and trusting rather than cynical and doubtful
(I can be a little sarcastic at times)

I am a big believer in the Law of the Harvest! “What is the Law of the Harvest?,” you ask. You “reap what you sow” – you can’t plant watermelon seeds and expect to get corn. You cannot plan string beans and expect an apple tree. Likewise, you cannot sow seeds of contention and selfishness and expect kindness and love in return. I am reminded of a story that illustrates this point:

There was a kind, generous king who lived at the top of the hill where he could be watchful of his village every day. The people in the village loved the king because he was kind and generous. One day, the king’s well went dry and he ran out of water. He invited the villagers to a glorious banquet and required that each person bring a container with water to supply the king in return. Of course, the villagers were super excited and anxious to attend the banquet of their beloved king. The villagers scurried around preparing their containers of water. Finally, the day of the banquet arrived and people began filling the king’s court with all of their containers of water….some brought cups of water, some brought teaspoons, others brought buckets and barrels full. Some even brought wagons of barrels full of water. The king was grateful for each contribution. Everyone enjoyed the fine banquet and a great time was had by all. The king thanked everyone for their water and for coming to the banquet and excused everyone to go home. He advised that they could pick up their containers on their way out. The villagers were surprised when they picked up their containers on the way out to see that the king had placed rubies and diamonds and gold and silver in each of their containers as much as it could hold. Imagine the looks on the faces of those who had brought buckets and barrels full, as opposed those who only brought teaspoons and cups!

The moral of the story is obvious…we get out of life what we put in. We can put in a teaspoon of effort or buckets and barrels full. Either way, we will get what we put in!

Happy New Year and best of luck with your upcoming New Year’s Resolutions!