I received the following in a daily motivational e-mail the other day.


"It's Always A Good Time To Change"

The first step toward getting somewhere is to decide that you're not going to stay where you are.

You're a product of your environment.
So choose an environment that will best develop you toward your goals.

Analyze your life in terms of your environment.
Are the things around you helping you toward your success or are they holding you back?

Your world today is a living expression of how you are using and have used your mind. It's something that you can change at any time.

You don't have to remain a captive of your environment.
Don't say "If I could change, I would change,"

Say "I can change, and I will change."


Many of us in recent days have been talking about resolutions and changes we want to make now that its the new year. The topic seems to spill over to pretty much every aspect of life, even my pastor spoke about resolutions and resolve tonight in Church.

I know I have been taking stock of my own personal challenges and trying to find ways to work them out. I know I get tired of feeling like I'm spinning my wheels, but doing something feels better than just sitting there immobile.

Like I've mentioned on other posts, I know I'm tired of just existing. I wan to re-discover myself this year. There's been so much going on in recent years, and I've gotten so tired. You know that beaten down feeling that just never seems to go away no matter what good you accomplish.

I try to be the kind of person others can depend on. I truly believe that we reap what we sow. I remember when I was young, my grandfather taught me that we should live by two main rules in life- 1. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all and 2. the Golden Rule. I hope one day my own children will truly realize the value in both of those.

Now, back to the motivational quote above. I know that I have the power to make the changes I need in myself. I know I need to stop being my own biggest challenge. Out of all of the goals I have set for this year, that is the only thing that will make anything else possible.

In looking back over dark periods in my life, I focus on what changes I made to bring myself through them. In each and every instance the turning point came when I decided that I had to face a tough decision and act- not just wish it away.

In the past couple of years, I think in some ways I stopped believing in myself and the power I have been given. I have to re-gain that sense of peace, so that the excuses I make for not working towards my goals don't come quite as easy.

Day by day, step by step.