Hope

Once again, I heard an inspiring news report. It featured a clip from a CBS affiliate station about getting rid of things in 2008 that we don't want to take into 2009. People were literally lined up to shred things (in this super huge shredder) that they don't want to take along into the New Year....everything from school grades to bills. It was a light-hearted feature, but the reality of it is that people are ready to move on, and look for better things in 2009. Are they optimistic??? I don't know...Are they ready to give 2009 a try??? It looks that way. The message that I got from this feature was that, despite the challenges and struggles that might have defined much of 2008, many are still looking to greater things, and ready to look ahead.

That's what I call 'HOPE'...HOPE in spite of the past. Light-hearted feature-yes. Light-hearted message-No.

Home Recycling Centers-go figure!

I ran across an interesting show that focused on home recycling centers. Builders and home-buyers were installing these in new home. I thought...WOW...this is innovative...not because of the overall idea, because a home recycling center can simply consist of bins placed in the garage or kitchen to hold these items. What WOW'd me though was the fact that builders were finally grasping the concept, and home-buyers were actually embracing it. This gives hope. My optimism just jumped a notch! (This show was on HGTV).

Finding Purpose

As the year comes to a close, many of us will enter 2009 with resolutions for the new year. Resolutions are sometimes about finding purpose to life, and committing to following that purpose, whatever it may be.

When and if you make a New Year's Resolution, remember that treating yourself better than you did in 2008 should be first on your list of "must do-s". Being good to yourself, nurturing yourself, and valuing yourself, will assure success on any other resolutions that follow!