Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2004

HAPPY 2004

We now come to my second annoyance for this time of year…the Happy New Year ritual. Why is it that every year we see a tired old man who has been beat up and bruised making way for the new innocent baby that represents the New Year? To me this represents a negative view of the old year and an uneducated beginning to the New Year.

Yes, I understand the symbolism of the old making way for the new. But why must we depict the old as such a tired beaten up old man? Does this mean that every year of our lives must be seen as something that we want to forget? Is the old year something that beat us up? And why are we seen as innocents going into the New Year?

I always like to look back at the past as a time for learning. I look back at the past and see the good that has happened. I remember all of the new and interesting relationships that touched my life.

No, I don’t know what kind of representations we should be making about the end of the old year and the beginning of the New Year. But I do know that we should not look at the old year as a time of hurt and a time of failure.

What about those New Year’s Resolutions that we make and usually don’t keep. When we make a resolution, it should be attainable. We should write it down. We should give it a time line and we should make that time line reasonable.

I personally don’t make New Year’s Resolutions because I continually assess my journey and make adjustments throughout the year. This keeps my goals and objectives current and flexible.

So, let’s make a change as to how we look at last year or last month or last week or even yesterday.

Each day of our lives opens up an opportunity for new relationships, new experiences and new ways to grow and learn. Instead of looking at the old man, why not look at all of the faces that contributed to your journey in a positive way. I’d love to name these people in this newsletter, but that would take up too much space, for many people touch my life in a positive way each and every day. Sometimes we forget all of those individuals who helped us grow and learn because we are too busy concentrating on the negative things.

In the October 2002 Caravan I introduced an exercise in honor of Thanksgiving. I would like to reintroduce this exercise as I believe in its effectiveness…

Go to a quiet place, put on your favorite and soothing CD (no words, just music). Sit so you are comfortable and relaxed. Close your eyes and begin your journey of remembering…

Remember that person who was there for you when you first began to walk, the one who helped you take those first steps...

Think of that person…thank that person.

Remember that person who was there for you when you first fell down, the person who picked you up and said it will be OK…

Think of that person…thank that person.

Remember that person who was there when you first went out to play, the person who was your first best friend…

Think of that person…thank that person.

Remember that person you met on your first day of school…that person who turned out to be your best friend throughout elementary school…

Think of that person…thank that person.

Remember that person you met when you took your first part time job…that person who showed you the ropes and took you under his or her wing…

Think of that person…thank that person.

Remember the people you met throughout high school, college or university who touched your life in a positive way…the people who helped you and were there for you during those often trying times…

Think of those people…thank those people.

Now, remember all of the people who have been there for you in the past year…those people who helped you…those people who you laughed with…those people who you love and loved…those people who cared for you…and…all of those people made your journey more wonderful…

Think of those people…thank those people.

Now open your eyes take a deep breath.

By doing this exercise at the beginning of each year it will put you in a positive mind set to face the next step in your journey. Instead of looking at a tired, decrepit old man as the experience of last year, look at the faces of the people who made your last year memorable and savor that experience. And if there were some negatives that jump into your mind, look at them and learn from them so you don’t have to revisit that in 2004.

So…HAPPY NEW YEAR…and I wish you all wonderful and memorable experiences for 2004.

TED.

Humphry says…

“Look to the light - Not the shadows.”


BRODI’S BITS…

Help stop the cycle of breaking your resolutions. Many of you will be promising yourself to do your best, make some changes, be positive, etc. One thing that can ensure success is to have control of your life. Take control by eliminating any violent and negative behavior in your environment. Ted can teach you and your organization how to practice positive and healthy behavior to minimize bullying and conflict in your workplace and personal life. Please contact us to see how we can help you keep your New Year’s resolutions. www.CooperativeAction.com

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