Your Year

of Success

A new year is just a few hours away. Many of us are thinking about what 2011 will look like. Many of us are thinking about what we will look like in the new year. We are pondering resolutions - intended improvements to our careers, bodies or character. And yet for many of us, these resolutions are short-lived. One reason is because we fail to ask ourselves 3 questions:

1- What is my plan?
We dream about the possibilities of not smoking or of losing weight, but we fail to plan for it to happen. The lack of a plan is a clear sign that our resolution is nothing more than a daydream. We may live the dream for a few weeks into 2011, but that is as far as the dream will take us without a plan. If you are serious about a new you in 2011, then you need a plan to make it happen.
And it needs to be a workable plan. Make a plan that involves simple and reachable steps.
Easy steps should mark the path in January and then more challenging steps in the spring. If you plan to quit a habit like smoking or eating sweets, what are some easy things you can do at the first that will keep you away from the temptations? Set up benchmarks throughout the year. And remember you don’t have to completely accomplish your goal in 2011. But it can be the first year of a new you.

2- What are my resources?
Every significant change requires something from you. Changes require investments. Do you have the resources to make the plan happen? Are you willing to pay that price? For instance, losing weight will cost you in time. And time is a limited resource. You cannot get any more time in 2011 than has already been allotted. You have 8,760 hours in 2011 (possibly). How much time will you need to invest in the plan to make it successful?
Do you have the emotional resources to make the plan work? Every change requires you to make an emotional investment. Do you have those resources to invest? Some people are overweight or work too much because of emotional issues. Dealing with issues like that requires emotional investment.

3- Who will help me?
Who are the people who can help you? What do you need them to do? Our internal nature fights against change. Our body continues to crave sweets or nicotine. We need an outside source to help combat those cravings. Do you really want to attempt changes without anyone’s help? Get others on your team. Invite them to the challenge. You need others to cheer you on.

So if you are serious about 2011 being a year of change, think more deeply about it. Do not fool yourself into thinking you are ready to move forward. Until you are ready to make a plan, invest resources into that plan and invite others to the team, you are only dreaming. In 2011, I challenge you to go beyond your dream. Make it happen. Let this be your year of success.

I know that Christmas is now an echo, but still it is an echo. The sounds of the holiday season are still vibrating and the sights are still present in many cases. With that in mind, here is a poem that I found meaningful and one that addresses the reality of Christmas in a world in desperate need of good news.

It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction -
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word -
This is true: For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the church, before we can be peacemakers -
This is true: I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young shall see visions, and your old shall dream dreams.

It is not true that our hopes for the liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity, of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.

So let us move from Advent to Christmas with hope,even hope against hope.
Let us see visions of love and peace and justice.
Let us affirm with humility, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the Life of the world.

©Daniel Berrigan, 2004. (emphasis mine) Daniel Berrigan is a Jesuit priest, poet, and peacemaker who has been nominated many times for the Nobel Peace Prize.