“Each year gives us new reasons to celebrate, new journeys to begin.”-unknown

This lovely saying is from the front of a card I keep on the board above my workspace, where it is always visible.  It is also a very relevant saying as we begin the new year.  I have refrained from making any formal resolutions.  Instead, I try to be vigilant about any areas for improvement as they come up and take note to address.

January is International Life Balance Month (or quality of life month).  It’s a great time to reflect on your life and think about the areas you want to see progress on.  Maybe this will be the month and year that you do something about your passions.  Maybe there is even a way to turn a passion into a side venture that can turn into something full-time.  A recession can be viewed as an opportunity to really be doing something you want to be doing or at least make a start.  I feel passionate about writing and being an entrepreneur.  This year, I would like to go further with that interest.

What is holding you back?  What can be done to get out of a rut if you find yourself in one? I have another quote on my board in front of me:  “you will never really change your life until you change something you do daily.”  This is very true and we have to aspire to trying to make any change, as minor as it may seem, EVERYDAY.  Think about this everyday and be conscious of it.

Another quote I have on my desk, that I have had for many years, is by Henry David Thoreau on goals:  “If one advances confidently in the direction of their dreams, and endeavors to lead a life they have imagined, they will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

I wish you all new journeys to begin and new reasons to celebrate.   Happy new year! 

I wanted to start cautiously, by wading in the “shallow” waters and place a small order to “test the waters.”  That approach turns out to be not very cost-effective as the freight ends up being higher than the order.  Therefore, the recommendation has been to triple the order and hence I found myself standing at the cliff, trying to decide whether I was ready to jump or not.  Then I thought about how I’m 41, and if not now, then when???

I want to be a daring role model for my daughter and demonstrate that sometimes you have to take some chances to try to reach your dreams.  I want to show her that even though you may not reach the star you aimed for, you are still closer to that star than before you tried.  As many of us have experienced, sometimes you land not where you had planned, but ends up being just fine!  With that in mind, I am going ahead and jumping!